Seattle Coffee Gear Blog » espresso machine

Crew Review: Izzo Alex Duetto II

Kat — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:16:10 +0000

One of the more popular double boiler espresso machines on the market, the Alex Duetto II has a lot to love about it. The functionality is awesome — PID interface to set the coffee and steam boiler temperatures, easy access to switching between 15 or 20 amp, convertible water source so you can use either the internal reservoir or plumb it in, anti-burn hot water and steam wands — which also now features a four hole steam tip.

Since our last look at this machine, several upgrades have been made, so we decided it was time for another run-through. Watch as Gail talks about features and specs, then demonstrates shots and making a latte. Dig it!

Crew Review: Rancilio Egro Commercial Superautomatic – Redux!

Kat — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:52:46 +0000

When Gail first met this sophisticated robot about 18 months ago, they had a brief and fleeting affair, enabling her to get just a minor taste of its capabilities. We brought in a demo model a few months ago and Gail has now had the time to get up close and personal with Rancilio’s commercial superautomatic masterpiece, the Egro — so we decided it was time for a redux!

While she’s definitely bummed that it still won’t do her laundry, take the cat for a walk or read to her, she does dig it’s programming functionality, one-touch features and flexibility in formats! Watch as she walks us through all the features and specs, then demonstrates making a few different drinks.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Selecting an Espresso Machine

Kat — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:55:04 +0000

There are hundreds of espresso machines on the market, who knows where to even start?! We often receive feedback from folks researching gear that it’s overwhelming to determine which machine would best fit their needs, why they’d choose one type of machine over the other or how their budget might impact functionality or features.

To assist in this, we’ve developed our first interactive series of videos that provide an introductory look at the different points to consider when selecting an espresso machine. As you navigate through this, Gail offers her recommendations for machines worth researching in different machine types and budget classes.

Enjoy!

Looking for more detail on the recommended equipment? Checkout the Selecting an Espresso Machine section of our site.

Crew Review: DeLonghi kMix Espresso Machine

Kat — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:20:04 +0000

While their semi-automatic machines are fairly standard performers in the budget-value market, their design has always left a bit to be desired — featuring a lot of plastics and lower end casing materials. DeLonghi’s new kMix series of appliances (ranging from toasters to blenders to coffee makers to espresso machines — and more) have a fun, minimalist design in a variety of bright colors and polished metal.

Watch Gail test out their 15 BAR pump espresso machine, going over features and functionality and giving it a test drive. Performance-wise, it is similar to their other models, just in significantly cuter packaging.

Compare: Breville Dual Boiler vs. Rancilio Silvia

Kat — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:26:58 +0000

In another of our not-so-infamous grudge matches, we pit Breville’s new Dual Boiler against the tried and true single boiler Rancilio Silvia, featuring a PID retrofit. Other than having an additional boiler on its side, how does this new machine measure up against the Silvia?

Watch as Gail takes us through the usual specs, features and functionality and then whips up lattes on each to show how they practically compare.

Compare: Rocket Giotto vs. Nuova Simonelli Musica

Kat — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:32:14 +0000

We’d be hard pressed to choose between these two models ourselves, and we’ve had several customers ask us for a comparison between the two. The Rocket Giotto and Nuova Simonelli Musica are high end home machines with similar features and practical performance, but the Musica does have programming functionality and is NSF rated for use in a commercial application.

Watch Gail talk us through the different features and then whip up lattes on each machine so you can see how they perform.

Experimenting with Ristrettos

Kat — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:35:08 +0000

You know that since we are part of the goblin class, we love short things, right? It took us awhile to strong arm Gail into doing a ristretto comparison on several different machines, but we finally wore her down and here is the proof of our labors!

Watch as Gail pulls double ristretto shots (1.5 oz total) on the La Marzocco GS/3, Rocket Giotto Evoluzione, Nuova Simonelli Musica, Rancilio Silvia and Saeco Via Venezia.

Crew Review: Saeco Syntia Cappuccino

Kat — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:00:50 +0000

Yet another gauntlet laid down, yet another petite one-touch superautomatic added to the fray. If we are honest, we will admit that we wish these really were robots and that we could pit these tiny superautomatics against each other in a brew to the death! But we are not honest; doing so would be too difficult to bear … so instead, we have to attempt to assuage our battery acid lust with viewing after viewing of robot camel jockeys.

Back in coffee world, Gail shows off Saeco’s Syntia Cappuccino — all clean lines and serious auto-frothing business. Watch her explain features, functions and craft herself a very tasty, enviable latte.

Blind Taste Test: Rancilio Silvia vs. Crossland CC1

Kat — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:15:13 +0000

There’s a new kid in town and we’ve been asked by folks how the practical results compare with one of its primary competitors — so we put them to the test! Watch as Gail pulls espresso shots from the Rancilio Silvia and the Crossland CC1, offers them up to Rob, Jess and Allison and finds out which they prefer in this blind, side-by-side taste test.

Crew Review: Nuova Simonelli Aurelia Commercial Espresso Machine

Kat — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:00:19 +0000

We hit the road again! This time around, we headed to Nuova Simonelli’s showroom in south Seattle to get a technical rundown and check out a few of their commercial-class machines. First up is the Aurelia, which was selected by the World Barista Championship as their competition model for the past few years, primarily because of its distinctively massive brew head design.

Watch as Gail takes us through the features, options, tech specs and functionality of this gorgeous machine.