If youre serious about Espresso and want to take your art to the next level I wouldn't look anywhere else.
Positive Product Points
PID PreInfusion E61 Group Tanked/Plumb New** Toggle steam and Water knobs New** Tank alarm shut off for when plumbing in you don't have to have water in the tank now. Amazing Looks
Negative Product Points
Small-ish Tank but the machine already weighs close to 80lbs so not to big of a deal.
Its work to Keep this clean of fingerprints
A small negative is that the button that engages the pump was screwed out to far so when I locked in the Portafilter the pump would kick on. This was easily fixed by ajusting how far the button stuck out. (this button is made to be ajusted which is a nice feature)
Detailed Commentary
I have been researching semiautomatic Espresso machines for a very long time and have a habbit of buying the very best. My research has lead me to learn a great deal, but has also lead me to this Outstanding! machine. Things I was looking for:(not in this order)
Looks
E61 Group or something equally as good(I also liked the looks of the E61)
Commercial Quality
Tanked with optional plumb
PID (not a must but really liked)
Excellent in the cup time after time!
Semiautomatic prefferably with a lever action
Heat Exchange or Double Boiler
Very stable temperature
Ajustable temperature
This machine has it all. Aside from buying the GS3 which was way out of my price range, this machine has the same quality results and build quality with a milder price and a bit more forgiving with the extraction than the GS3. I can't say enough good things about this machine. Its built like a tank, 87lbs shipping weight.
I got the optional cup rails which add a lot to the looks as well as making tank filling much easier. I special ordered toggle steam and hot water knobs from Chris Coffee and they are an amazing upgrade. No more fiddling with the knobs and cranking on and off or over tightening.
I want to say that Buying from Chris Coffee has been an outstanding experience and their frendliness and willingness to help are superb. They went above and beyond with customer service and assembling my order. Thank You !
If you want to take your art to the next level I wouldn't look anywhere else.
Ok so after one month of using this beautiful mashine has anything changed about my opinion ? NO not at all. I am daily amazed at the ease of dialing in a great shot. I have the Mazzer Mini and I rareily have to ajust the setting. I am consistently getting a 2oz shot in 26-30 seconds. Steaming is also amazing and I am quickly getting latae art with excellent miceo foam. The key to great foam is not to overheat the milk, and then I don't swirrel the milk after steaming just bang it a couple of times to remove the large bubbles.
If there is only one thing that I would change about this mashine it would be that the group sits low making it limited on cup height with a double shot portafilter. This can be remedied with a naked portafilter.
This mashine uses a lot of water and I have to ckeck the level about every other day but filling is super easy with the cup rails installed and the top of the water resevor removed. I also have a water softener/water filter installed in the tank which will protect the longevity of my mashine as well as giving me excellent tasting shots.
I am using locally roasted beans and im in HEAVEN!
The Toggle wands are the best thing ever. I love the way it makes the PID more accessable as well as ease of use, and I loke the looks to !
I still 100% recommend this mashine
Buying Experience
First time buying from Chris Coffee, Will do all my business there now!
This is my second Espresso Machine and the first with an E61 Group and Double boiler and PID.
