[London Drugs] GE Profile Espresso Machine with Milk Frother $299.99 (70% off) - RedFlagDeals.com Forums (2024)

Deal Link:

https://www.londondrugs.com/ge-profile- ... 39492.html

Price:

CA $299.99

Savings:

70%

Expiry:

May 31, 2024

Retailer:

London Drugs

Just going to chime in here, incase anyone is wondering about this product.

I bought this machine the last time it dipped to 299, and it's the best decision I have made.

It's wonderful. I have used other automatic espresso machines, but this one, not only is quick, and doesn't make a mess, it comes with an app that let's you customize not only quantity of liquid/coffee for your espresso/americano, you also have a custom button that I have used to make a Lungo.

Not to mention you can control what temperature you want your brew at.

I can't recommend this product enough.

Just remember, like all automatic espresso machine, don't use dark oily beans, only medium/light.

RickyF16228 wrote: ↑don't use dark oily beans, only medium/light.

What happens if you use dark oily beans?

RickyF16228 wrote: ↑Just going to chime in here, incase anyone is wondering about this product.

I bought this machine the last time it dipped to 299, and it's the best decision I have made.

It's wonderful. I have used other automatic espresso machines, but this one, not only is quick, and doesn't make a mess, it comes with an app that let's you customize not only quantity of liquid/coffee for your espresso/americano, you also have a custom button that I have used to make a Lungo.

Not to mention you can control what temperature you want your brew at.

I can't recommend this product enough.

Just remember, like all automatic espresso machine, don't use dark oily beans, only medium/light.

Seconding this - this machine has been life changing - I literally do not buy coffee out anymore because it all tastes crap compared to the stuff I brew at home - love this machine to death tempted to buy a second one just incase this one ever dies lol

Here's the old thread

https://forums.redflagdeals.com/london- ... 9-2657596/

Androidmarshmellow wrote: ↑Will this work with Costco Zavida vanilla coffee ? It's medium roasted

Yes using it right now on mine. I've basically been rotating through all Costco beans since I got the machine. Including dark roasts which aren't recommended. Echoing others, the machine is one of my favorite RFD purchases ever, use it every day, multiple times a day since October.

Longevity/build quality is questionable so I would recommend the 3 year extended warranty ($50 or $40 if you are an LD Xtra member and redeem a coupon). Quite a few users returning due to issues. I would go through the old threads if you are interested:

https://forums.redflagdeals.com/london- ... 9-2657596/

https://forums.redflagdeals.com/london- ... 9-2648453/

RickyF16228 wrote: ↑Not to mention you can control what temperature you want your brew at.

How hot can you set it to? Did you ever measure it on your glass once it's brewed?
Tried few auto maker but the coffee was always mild, never that hot.

Is there any store in Ottawa that sells it in store and where you can PM?

GTAobserver wrote: ↑How's the cleaning on this thing?
Do you need to descale - how often?

Depends on your water situation - cheapest way to descale is to to buy a 1lb bag of Natural Drop Citric Acid ($6.5 S/S on Amazon) which will last you approximately 30 months if you do a 15g+1l descale every month

Acetic acid (vinegar) is even cheaper but is harder on the metal components, and we're talking 20 cents a month here

GTAobserver wrote: ↑How's the cleaning on this thing?
Do you need to descale - how often?

I have a Saeco superautomatic that between my wife and I, we probably make about 6 shots of espresso a day. The descale light comes on maybe twice a year... it's not frequent although the water here is pretty soft. It's fairly low maintenance, I wouldn't expect this machine to be wildly different.

On the beans thing, I do tend to alternate between medium roast and dark roast and haven't had a problem (my machine is nearly 7 years old).

Still sitting on the fence since the last thread.

This semi-automatic is also on sale for $399 (Regular $1000): https://www.londondrugs.com/ge-profile- ... lsrc=aw.ds

Are these GE's legitimately $1000 machines as the regular prices suggest?

The Bambino (non-automatic) has always been the best budget espresso machine ($350 when on sale).

Automatic features aside I wonder how the finished product compares? Anyone tried both (GE and Bambino)?

Don't buy this one. Same as the crappy rebadged one costco even had.
Edit: Crappy Sur le Table

It's not the same category/build as the one of this thread.

mcwilly wrote: ↑Still sitting on the fence since the last thread.

This semi-automatic is also on sale for $399 (Regular $1000): https://www.londondrugs.com/ge-profile- ... lsrc=aw.ds

Are these GE's legitimately $1000 machines as the regular prices suggest?

The Bambino (non-automatic) has always been the best budget espresso machine ($350 when on sale).

Automatic features aside I wonder how the finished product compares? Anyone tried both?

peakingduck wrote: ↑Longevity/build quality is questionable so I would recommend the 3 year extended warranty ($50 or $40 if you are an LD Xtra member and redeem a coupon). Quite a few users returning due to issues. I would go through the old threads if you are interested:

https://forums.redflagdeals.com/london- ... 9-2657596/

https://forums.redflagdeals.com/london- ... 9-2648453/

I'm going through those threads now, but in the meantime, can anyone summarize what problems to expect in terms of longevity - is it something that can be fixed by a DIY'er, or is the machine just a paperweight?

mcwilly wrote: ↑Still sitting on the fence since the last thread.

This semi-automatic is also on sale for $399 (Regular $1000): https://www.londondrugs.com/ge-profile- ... lsrc=aw.ds

Are these GE's legitimately $1000 machines as the regular prices suggest?

The Bambino (non-automatic) has always been the best budget espresso machine ($350 when on sale).

Automatic features aside I wonder how the finished product compares? Anyone tried both (GE and Bambino)?

i don't own either but i do have a few espresso machines.
not sure about the result but i think the ability to have control over the entire process with the bambino would make for a better cup, although it would take some user experience/skill to get there.
the taste out of the bambino would depend on a lot more inputs from the user (grinder, dose, wdt, tamp, extraction time).
i'd say that all manual machines have the ability to taste better than automatic ones. i've never tried an automatic machine that produced cafe like coffee

FFWD wrote: ↑I'm going through those threads now, but in the meantime, can anyone summarize what problems to expect in terms of longevity - is it something that can be fixed by a DIY'er, or is the machine just a paperweight?

My previous superautomatic was a Miele that died after 7 or 8 years of service (it came with my home, built into the cabinetry). I could not find a service person who could fix it... and this was for a nearly $4,000 unit! These do seem complicated.

But for a $299 unit I wouldn't worry about it too much, if it conks out after 7 or 8 years and you can't DIY a fix, then get a new one. In the time I've had my current Saeco superautomatic I'd say the value of the coffee that my wife and I have consumed vastly exceeds the initial purchase price, it's been well worth it for us.

I followed the threads pretty closely and I don't recall many failures of the device other than one.

I have been using the unit for 8 -> 12 shots daily since January in the household. It has performed and exceeded my expectations. There have been some moments where when I have turned it on the Hot Water button is activated. I dusted the top of the unit and the problem went away. I bought the warranty just in case.
I have put 10kg of beans through the unit and only once have had it jam up which was using Costco Espresso. I since go to London Drugs and pick up whatever they have on deep discount ( ~ $14/kg) which is either Melitta or Lavazza or through the various Costco/Amazon S+S deals.

Recommended the unit to my dad and he says it was "weak" for his standards, but I am not sure if it was related to beans. He's coming out here next week and I'll give him a couple out of our machine and see his thoughts. So far its a win in the household.

resare wrote: ↑i don't own either but i do have a few espresso machines.
not sure about the result but i think the ability to have control over the entire process with the bambino would make for a better cup, although it would take some user experience/skill to get there.
the taste out of the bambino would depend on a lot more inputs from the user (grinder, dose, wdt, tamp, extraction time).
i'd say that all manual machines have the ability to taste better than automatic ones. i've never tried an automatic machine that produced cafe like coffee

For anyone with the time and inclination you can use a manual to make espresso to your exact specifications. But if a skilled user on a manual machine can produce a '10', I'd say a superautomatic can produce a '9'. And the convenience is hard to beat.