This is a nice feature for keeping this machine relatively compact - it comes in at just under 10 inches wide - but you may find it interferes with your workflow if you typically use both in preparing a drink. Keep in mind that the steam wand doubles as the hot water wand. The ball joint attachment gives it plenty of articulation. The steam wand has a well-balanced 2-hole tip and a fair amount of clearance for bigger pitchers. Like the brew temperature, the steam temperature is adjustable using the PID control, to increase it to up the steam power. When you flip it to steam, you’ll see the temperature start to rise on the PID display. Still, it’s more than capable of producing the silky smooth microfoam or airy froth you need for a latte or cappuccino ( 3).Ī switch at the top of the machine toggles between brew, steam, and hot water modes. The ECM Classika PID espresso machine doesn’t have the same super-charged steam wand power that ECM’s upper-end models are known for. If it’s at risk of running dry, the machine will automatically shut down to avoid damage, a handy feature for a machine you can’t plumb in. Likewise, the removable water reservoir is accessible from the top, and you don’t need to remove the cup warmer to take it in and out, which is nice if you like to store cups up there. Access is as simple as lifting off the cup warming tray. Unlike most machines, where the overpressure valve is on the bottom or buried deep inside, in this one, it’s right on top.
#Ecm classika upgrade
This is the same upgrade the top-end models received, and it has proven exceedingly popular with users.Īnother bonus is how easily you can adjust the pump pressure. ECM is known for paying attention to the little details that make an espresso machine enjoyable to work with.įirst and foremost, the PID display automatically acts as a shot timer as soon as you pull the lever to start an espresso. Which is not to say that the Classika isn’t user-friendly. But putting in the work and seeing (or in this case, tasting) the improvement is a big part of the fun. This is espresso as a hobby, not just a drink.Īs with any hobby, practice makes perfect ( 2). With a prosumer machine like this, you’re going to need to take the time to dial in the grind size, dosing, and extraction time. This is a semi-automatic espresso machine, which means it requires a bit of skill to use.
#Ecm classika manual
While you can’t do line pressure pre-infusion, you can still play with manual low-pressure pre-infusion thanks to the E61 brew group. They’re also incompatible with direct plumbing, so you’ll have to keep the water tank topped up. While this doesn’t affect espresso quality, vibratory pumps are noticeably louder. One big difference between the Classika and higher-end models is using a vibratory rather than a rotary pump. As the boiler approaches the set temperature, you’ll see the heating cycles get shorter, to make sure you don’t overshoot the mark when reheating. This is an impressive degree of control when compared with other machines in this class. With the integrated PID controller, you can set the boiler temperature in 1-degree increments.
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The Classika’s 33-ounce boiler will be ready to rock in under 10 minutes, while bigger machines can take up to 30 minutes.