From the control panel, you can: adjust the brewing temperature of the machine; set the machine for pre-infusion (pre-soaking of the coffee grounds); set the machines' standby time; set the machine for 'pre-grind' so that when you activate the brew button, the coffee has already been ground and it brews right away; set the language; set the machine's water hardness level monitor; view the number of cups brewed; set the energy saving mode; and more. All the controls are located in one convenient place on the front of the machine. They are laid out to be easy to understand and easy to use.

The machine is equipped with sensors that tell when the water reservoir is empty or the coffee bean hopper has run out of coffee beans. If an important component is out of place, such as the drip tray, service door, brew group, or grounds dump box, the display will prompt you to refill the water tank or beans, or to check the component in question.

Set the machine to brew a short espresso, long espresso, and cafe Suisse with the help of three different brewing buttons. Programming is a snap: simply press and hold the button you want to program. As the machine starts brewing, you will see the display change to "Programming". When you release the button, the machine will use whatever volume of brew produced during the programming as the preset volume for subsequent times that button is pressed.

Want a single? Press any of the three brewing buttons once. Want a double? Just "double click" the button and the machine automatically sets up to brew two shots.

Unlike any of the lesser models in the Saeco lineup, the Royal Professional features an instant milk-frothing system built-in that dispenses perfectly frothed milk for your cappuccino. Simply press a button and the Royal Professional will begin to draw milk from any milk container, froth it and dispense perfect foam into your cup. You can adjust the consistency of the foam from light to thick. Cleanup is easy. Instead of drawing milk into the system, just use water instead to clean the system automatically. You may also use the steam wand mounted on the front of the machine, to froth milk the traditional way (see below).

In addition to the instant cappuccino system, the Royal Professional features Saeco's patented Rapid-Steam® system, so there is almost no wait time to get ample steaming ability for building a first rate cappuccino or latte beverage. Where non-Rapid Steam super autos leave you waiting 45 seconds or longer for the steam pressure to build up, the Royal Professional has you ready to go in 10 seconds or less.  The boiler and Rapid-Steam® system delivers ample, long running steam for building multiple drinks. The optional milk-froth-enhancing tip supplied with the machine is specially designed to insure virtually perfect foam for cappuccino or lattes, even if you are a novice. The steam wand is located on the left front of the machine on a swivel joint, which allows you to place either a 12, 20, or 32 oz. frothing pitcher underneath.

The steam wand also doubles as the hot water dispenser and as long as the machine is turned on, hot water can be instantly dispensed from the steam wand. This is a nice feature for teas, hot chocolate, or other hot beverages that need hot water. Many users make a shot of espresso then add hot water from the steam wand to make a popular "Americano" espresso drink. To release water from the steam wand, just push the instant hot water button on the control panel.

The Royal Professional uses an advanced automatic brew system. As the heart of the automatic espresso machine it excepts freshly ground coffee from the built-in coffee grinder. It tamps the coffee perfectly, pre-soaks the grounds with a special "pre-infusion" step, brews the coffee, and then dumps the used coffee grounds into the internal dump box. Once the brewing cycle has been completed, it resets itself for the next cup of coffee.

This system allows you to adjust the amount of ground coffee the grinder dispenses into the brew system for each cup of coffee. You may set the coffee dosage between 6 and 9 grams. The average dose of ground coffee to make a shot of espresso is 7 grams. When you push the coffee brew button the grinder will automatically begin grinding the amount of grams you have specified (from 6 - 9 grams), and then places the ground coffee into the brew group before brewing begins. Being able to adjust the dosage allows you to make a stronger or weaker espresso (or cup of coffee) without altering the amount of water.

The two-step pre-infusion cycle moistens and conditions the ground coffee, which maximizes flavor extraction to increase the thick crema on your espresso. The Royal Professional accomplishes this by infusing (or presoaking) the fresh coffee grounds with a dash of hot water for 2 seconds. Thereafter, it completes the brewing process by infusing the remainder of the predetermined water through the coffee grounds. The result is a superior cup of espresso or coffee.

A high quality conical burr grinder is built into the Royal Professional that has eight different "fineness" level settings allowing you to grinder coarser for cafe crème drinks, or finer for the perfect espresso shots. The high quality tempered steel burrs built into the machine will last a long time and will need little or no maintenance. The built-in coffee bean hopper holds over a ½ pound of coffee beans. The hopper has a lid to help keep the coffee beans fresh.

Got a houseguest who can't drink caffeinated drinks, or you just want a coffee or espresso in the evening, but you want to still get to bed? This machine features a bypass chute that allows easy coffee changes between normal (caffeinated) coffee, and decaf or flavored ground coffee via a separate funnel on the top of the machine. As a result, you don’t have to swap the coffee beans each time to another variety, which is difficult and time consuming. Simply pour in pre-ground coffee of your choice and the machine uses that instead of the coffee beans already in the machine. This feature is perfect for those in your home or office that want a variety of specialized coffees, and the convenience of a superautomatic coffee center.

The Royal Professional makes it easy to refill the water reservoir by allowing you to add water while it's still on the machine or by removing it and filling it at the water tap. The tank has an easy grip handle making removal easy. Clear tinted ABS plastic gives you an indication of the amount of water remaining. The machine will tell you when you are out of water. If you are brewing coffee and the machine determines it's out of water, it will stop brewing and an indicator light will come on. The Royal Professional cannot be plumbed to a water line. Please see the new Royal Coffee Bar if you need this capability.

A convenient cup-stacking surface is located on top of the machine, and it is an active heating system that can be turned on or off. Warm cups are desired in making perfect espresso because you're dealing with very small volumes of liquid, which can be cooled off rapidly if poured into a cold cup.

Small 2 oz. espresso cups up to large coffee cups 4" in height can easily fit under the adjustable coffee-dispensing nozzle. It moves up or down to accept many cup sizes and can be moved during the brewing process.

The internal dump box catches all of the spent coffee grounds left over from the brewing process. Its large capacity will hold up to 40 spent coffee portions. It can be removed for disposal and easy cleaning.

A single drawer slides out from the front of the machine. It contains the cup tray and drip pan. It’s made of durable plastic and cleans easily in the kitchen sink with water and mild detergent.

The bottom of the machine is equipped with a swivel base that allows you to turn the entire unit for easy access to the sides and back. This makes cleaning and service easier.

Like all Saeco superautomatics, the Royal Pro features a powerful vibratory pump rated at 15BAR of pressure. The machine only requires a steady 9BAR to produce first-rate espresso; the extra pressure is held in reserve, as it were, to ensure the machine's pressure can plow through the finest grinds and keep the pressure extremely even throughout the drink building process. One of the crucial things to good espresso is an even extraction rate, and the Saeco's pump delivers.

Cleaning brush for coffee grinder, brew group maintenance tool, milk frothing system, and instruction manual.

• Color: Dark Royal blue and silver
  
• Warranty: 12 months parts and labor through Saeco.
  
• Power: 1250 watts - 120 volts (regular USA household electrical) - UL listed.
  
• Weight: 30 pounds
  
• Size: 15.35”W x 15.55”H x 18”D
  
• Body Material: Molded plastic and steel frame
  
• Origin: Italy

Receive 1 pound of Lavazza Qualita Oro Espresso Blend with the purchase of this machine. It has been especially blended for use in super automatic espresso machines.