I genuinely appreciate the "espresso only" concept of this machine, as I don't consume milk. I'm sure there are many others around the world who share my preference. However, due to market demands, most brands design machines to cater to the majority of consumers, which often means including features like steam wands or advanced models with dual boilers, such as the Bianca-features that I personally never use. I find it frustrating to have to pay extra for functions I don’t utilize, especially when they also take up valuable counter space. This is why I love my Flair 58 so much; it allows me to fine-tune the coffee’s flavor by adjusting pressure, pre-infusion, and timing-without needing to rely on milk
Very happy with my Classika, the build quality is astonishing, there's nothing quite like over engineering a machine to make one feel special when pulling shots.
Bought my Classika II PID 2 years ago and very very happy with it. The only improvement I can think of would be a rotary pump and only to reduce the noise.
Hey TR, Thanks for sharing you experience with the Classika! Would have to make the machine bigger to accommodate a rotary unless going with a newer DC pump like found in som Crem machines. Marc
@@Wholelattelovepage That I agree with. To be honest, the machine is already almost too big for an average sized kitchen counter. Would be interesting to see if ECM adopts the new DC pumps for their future machines.
I absolutely love functionally and aesthetically the external water tank. The thick glass container is beautifully done, the stainless steel tubing and top cover look sturdy and classy. Looks great next to the machine and best of all, easy to refill and to see water level. I got the Puristika 2 weeks ago and am very happy with it. Use the Nespresso milk steamer for the occasional cappuccino.
I’m also very impressed by my puristika and how sleek and elegant it looks. Tip: When I need steamed milk, I use the Bellman CX25 SP stove top steamer, which completes the set-up. The Bellman is easily stored away and I enjoy the perfect compact single boiler ECM without missing anything.
I completely agree. The ONLY downside I found with the external reservoir is that it's harder to pick up and move the machine to different locations. While this applied to me moving it around a bunch for a video, this will be a non-issue for nearly every home user. AJ
Beautiful machine. I am a Americano drinker and use espresso shots in my cooking and baking. I have the profitec 700 Pro and hardly ever use it anymore especially since my husband passed last Nov. This little machine would be perfect for me. Very nice and honest presentation and demonstration.
Hi Sylvia, I'm sorry about your husband's passing. The Puristika would likely be a good machine for you, but keep in mind there is no dedicated hot water wand for your americanos. You would need to pull hot water straight from the group or use a separate kettle. AJ
It has been well established that a rotary pump is superior to a vibratory pump. I would like to see more manufacturers offer a rotary pump machine at more affordable prices.
Hi Barkus, superior is debatable as they each have their pros and cons. Advantages of a rotary pump are less noise, longer lifespan, and and usually more consistent pressure. On the flip side, vibration pumps build up to that pressure more gradually which can be a good thing for extractions (almost like a gradual soft pre-infusion). They're also significantly smaller, cheaper, and easier to replace. For the Puristika, adding a rotary pump and associated motor would increase both machine size and price. AJ
@Wholelattelovepage So, less noise with longer lifespan vs. bigger size and more cost ? Seems like a decent tradeoff. Let's ignore the slow infusion; that can be controlled via. mechanical means.
This machine is beautiful ❤ it will be this one or the Classika when I upgrade. I almost never use steamed milk (only for occasional guests), so the Puristika is in the lead!
I think ECM made a mistake with the price point. It’s basically the same price as a Classika but has no steaming, a smaller reservoir, and a less powerful heating element. Super good looking machine, although I am on the fence about the reservoir. And I’m sure I would eventually knock a cup of the warmer… Is the Bestcup filter system compatible? That’s another negative to me if that can’t be used. If the price were the same, but it had a rotary pump, I think they might have something.
Hey Adam, I see your points and it's certainly not the best choice for everyone. The Puristika is currently $50 less than the Classika PID. If you're a non-milk drinker, you get a little cost savings, space savings, less parts to maintaining, and IMO a more stylish look. I don't believe the Bestcup is compatible. I use a BWT Penguin pitcher to refill my reservoir, which accomplishes the same goal. AJ
You have to watch out with the cups indeed, but the main advantage of this machine is definitely the reservoir. With limited countertop height, I simply pull the reservoir towards me and refill it. It would’ve been a nightmare every time with the Classika, especially with its smaller reservoir.
Finally some sense in espresso makers. I just don’t understand milk frothing. To me best milk based drink is cold milk. It is sweeter esp if you cool it after boiling to remove homogenisation.
Thank you AJ for a great review. Contrary to the majority of opinions in the comments, I really dislike the external reservoir. I don’t really think it makes the machine more compact, but it gives the illusion that it is. The reservoir (which is a part of the machine and can’t function without it) has to go elsewhere. So overall, it’s not as compact as it might seem. Also, an external reservoir is in higher risk of being knocked off and subsequently breaking. If that happens, then I’m going to have to order another one (well, I’m guessing they sell them individually) and wait for it to arrive. But that’s my opinion.
Totally valid opinion and thanks for sharing it. For me, the external reservoir provides 3 key benefits over an internal tank: 1) Being able to monitor your water level at a glance without removing a lid is excellent. 2) The option to place it on either side or behind opens up more versatility in tight kitchens or with limited counter space. 3) If putting the machine under low-hanging cabinets, it's much easier to pull out and refill the external reservoir than dragging the whole machine out. It's certainly not perfect for everyone, but I'm personally a fan of it. AJ
@@Wholelattelovepage thank you AJ for your comment. I’m a mere espresso drinker and almost never have milk drinks. I’m still deciding between the Classika or the puristika. Although as I indicated in my comment that I’m not a big fan of the external reservoir, I’d probably be ok with it if the machine provides me with a great espresso. So would you recommend either the classika or the puristika for a great espresso, regardless of any other factors but merely based in the espresso quality? Thank you so much again.
I like black long coffee rather than espresso shots, currently I am using Gaggia anima prestige & only make regular black coffee & rarely milk related drinks, so Im looking for a machine which strictly makes coffee & occasionally espressos. Love your in depth video Of ECM PURISTIKA. THANKS 👍
I like Cappuccino and Latte but I am not doing the milk with the Espresso machine (currently an Quickmill Orion 3000). I am using the WMF Lono and it makes perfect milk foam (fast and you don't need to do anything but to turn it on. Also, it is very easy to clean the two parts in the dishwasher). The "milk" I am using is Alpro Barista Soja. I tested almost all types of milk. Real milk, oat milk, almond milk, etc. but the Alpro Barista Soja milk gives the best results for me with the WMF Lono and the "milk" tastes fantastic and has 50% less suggar then normal milk. As I am looking for a portafilter machine that is only for doing Espressos maybe I will buy the ECM Puristika, we'll see...
More than happy with my Synchronika, but I wonder if the Puristika’s centrally located spout would fit if it could be purchased as a separate item? Totally agree with the fitting of a smart plug..makes life so much better!
In theory, the spouts should be interchangeable. That said, they're usually secured with loctite or similar threadlock and are a bear to get off, requiring a heat gun and vice. I also don't think it would be an issue for the Synchronika since you have a much larger drip tray to work on. AJ
Interesting. If I wasn't a regular flat white drinker, I'd consider this machine. The external water tank is very cool because it looks like it can be easily washed. The plastic thing in my Bezzera BZ10 has a very narrow opening.
Would love to see the water tank as an option for the other models of ECM & Profitec. They look so cool and would greatly reduced the depth of the big units. Plus so much easier to keep an eye on water levels
Yeap would also like to see more models with this tank. Technically it's not that hard to convert other ECM/Profitec machines to external tank but imo it's too expensive. Tank is about 220€($) with lid and around 260 bucks with hoses and valves. Not worth the hassle, imo.
Great review thanks. I saw in another review that the group won't heat without running the pump first. So a timed AC outlet won't help. Is that right? Or did ECM fix that? Also, is it worth 2x the price of e.g. the Profitec Go? Non-milk person here. Is the E61 that much better and is it worth the warm-up time penalty?
Why do so many small machines designed for home-use still use the E61 if most big machines you see in cafes feature saturated brew groups? Why not use this type for home-use-machines as well? I knew there are a few like ECM casa and Profitec go f. e., but still so many use E61. Or is E61 better but not practical in a commercial environment? For example there is - afaik - no singleboiler (or thermoblock) machine without a steam wand, that doesn't use E61, or is there? I would really like to see a high-quality and very compact thermoblock-machine without e61 and just for espresso (no steamwand)
@12:17 Yes, I always thought that I would customize my _Synchronika_ with fine wooden custom parts because I liked the cool look of walnut for example very much. But when I had the chance to actually touch these handles in a shop, to my surprise I did not like how they felt. The temperature difference of the cold chromed brass/stainless steel portafilter and the wooden parts were rather annoying to me. Actually, I liked the OEM ECM high quality plastic parts much better ;-) To me, this is a much better and unique user experience. Yes, the wooden parts look great, but I prefer the standard look and feel.
Hi, I was wondering if the Puristika is able to get a flow control device. I imagine it’s compatible like other E61s but I don’t see that on the website and there’s no individual listing so I can equip it myself.
Hi JBoDD, FC is compatible with the Puristika. You will need to call in to have a flow control added to a Puristika order. Contact our coffee pros here: www.wholelattelove.com/pages/contact-us
I also agree that the Puristika is over priced when you consider it is single boiler, no steam, no hot water, no volumetrics, vib pump, no cup rails on top and the real time (not advertised time) heat up approx 50 mins is ridiculous when compared with the Synchronika. There's something about the E61 which is not for me. Good review AJ and hope you don't mind my negative comments.
Hi Steph, no worries about the criticism. It's not the right machine for everyone. The Synchronika cost more than double the price of the Puristika, so it's hard to compare the two. If E61 isn't for you, the Synchronika wouldn't be the right pick either - and would still have a long heat-up time. Luckily there are plenty of other options on the market like the Bezzera BZ13 - which for around the same price of the Puristika, has a heat exchange boiler, PID, faster heat up time, and the DE version has volumetric dosing. AJ
i agree, i have seen other espresso only machines go for about the same amount of money you'd pay for an entry level heat exchanger with steam and hot water. I can see this if all you do is espresso and have a kettle for the occasional americano but for me no I will keep my Expobar office lever
Leads to a faster wear of the o-ring ? If i had this machine i would definitely use that valve for pressure profiling cause that ring cost like 1 dollar. Sounds more like they don't want you to use it that way because it would make some other machines or upgrades obsolete.
Hey wok, Thanks for the comment. From the manufacturer's perspective it's a reliability issue. Customer starts profiling with that, it leaks, they contact manufacturer with problem. For best of both worlds the machine is available with flow control of the E61 group: www.wholelattelove.com/products/ecm-puristika-single-boiler-espresso-machine-with-flow-control
The OPV pressure range on my Puristika is 7.5 to 12 bar. Is it possible to change something inside the machine to get the lowest pressure down to 6? Of course, I can limit the flow with the paddle, but it's less convenient. I don't care about the highest pressure - I just need to set the OPV to 6 bar.
Hi FF, thanks for the question. There are many excellent choices well within your budget: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/espresso-grinders?pf_p_price=195%3A900&sort=price-descending Of those in the list the Eureka Mignon Libra is my choice. It's a machine grade grind by weight grinder with 55mm burrs: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/espresso-grinders/products/eureka-mignon-libra-weight-based-espresso-grinder?variant=40660616675382
A rotary pump and motor requires significantly more real estate inside the machine. They would have to increase both the size and cost of the machine to include one. AJ
Surprised to see a Profitec label inside the machine - do Profitec own ECM? Great review and fantastic machine, my family don't drink milk based coffee drinks so this is perfect for us.
I loved this review! I have some questions: having a single boiler espresso only machine is better for any reason than having a thermoblock espresso only machine, like quickmill carola? And one more question: is a single boiler only espresso machine better for any reason than a heat exchanger for someone that priorities the quality of the espresso and the speed of the machine for estabilizing it's e61 group head? Having a HX machine to ocasionaly use steam feature, isn't better than having another machine just to steam milk?
Hi A.J Thanks for the video. My question is if you want to choose an espresso machine on your experience, Which one do you pick:? 1- Bezzera unica . 2- ECM Puristika . They have almost the same prices. Every day I just have a cup of Americano.
Hi M Shah, for me personally, I would probably go with the Unica as I make lattes occasionally so the steam wand provides extra flexibility. If I never made milk drinks, probably the Puristika. Keep in mind that with the Puristika there is no hot water tap, so for your Americano you'll need to either dispense hot water from the group, or add it with a separate system (such as a kettle). AJ
In the manual, there’s no description on how to descale this. It seems like a different kind of machine with the external water. Where are instructions for this?
Hi d, thanks for the question. The manual covers descaling on page 20 but you are correct, there are no instructions on how to do it. Paraphrasing, the manual does say a water softener should be used when necessary. Basically meaning that if your water has a calcium content which is likely to cause scale it should be softened (calcium content reduced) prior to use to prevent scale formation. If your machine already has scale deposits the manual recommends descaling by a specialist as: "... a partial disassembly of the boiler and the tubing may be necessary to prevent the system from being blocked by lime residues. A late descaling can cause substantial damage to the machine." I do not know your water hardness so cannot tell you if it's likely to cause scale. Most who have hard water are aware they do. If not sure, I recommend contacting your water supplier. They should be able to tell you if their water is likely to cause scale. If your water has a calcium content which will cause scale the best course is to soften the water prior to use. Traditional water softeners use sodium to replace calcium in the water. Those work to prevent scale but do add some sodium to the water. We prefer water softening using calcium to magnesium ion-exchange. Magnesium is a better flavor extractor than sodium. BWT Water + More has 2 Ca to Mg products appropriate for use with the Puristika. Bestsave pad filters: www.wholelattelove.com/products/bwt-bestsave-s-anti-scale-filter?variant=14409382723643 Aqualizer Pitcher: www.wholelattelove.com/products/bwt-aqualizer-2-6-l-pitcher-with-illuminated-baselight-zinc-and-magnesium-cartridge?variant=42432469172278
@@Wholelattelovepage thx you for quick reply. i'll look into all that, but is there no instructions for descaling? given they say it's so important, but it's odd to not give instructions.
@@dato007 You're welcome. The manufacturer's instructions are to have it descaled by a professional. That's what most all manufacturers advise due to scenarios like this: a customer has a machine with a lot of scale. They descale it and while doing so chunks of scale break off, don't fully dissolve and plug up other parts of the machine. Customer calls manufacturer and complains their machine is broken. Unhappy customer and manufacturer can't help as the root of the problem is customer using water that causes scale against manufacturer instructions. Kind of like neglecting to change the oil in a car.
@@Wholelattelovepageyea but what about just routine descaling? It seems like they inherently require to ship anytime u descale? Something isn’t adding up.
@@dato007 ECM is clear in the manual that water should be softened so no scale forms. Follow those directions and no routine descaling will be needed. If those directions are not followed by the consumer and scaling occurs the manufacturer recommends professional service.
Hi CCS, Depth of the machine is 13.7". Detailed specs, dimensions available here: www.wholelattelove.com/products/ecm-puristika-single-boiler-espresso-machine#product-specs
@@Wholelattelovepage Thank you for answering, I did not ask the depth of the machine, I want to know how deep it is with the water tank placed behind it, or it also helps me to know what diameter the water tank has.
This appears to be a great machine! For milk drinks, it's an easy fix to purchase a separate milk frother. btw: There is no price associated on the web site because it's presently out of stock. About how much does this cost?
Hey Louis, Thanks! List price for the Puristika is $1549. James, we normally don't mention price in the video because these videos live on youtube forever, and prices fluctuate based on availability, promotions, etc. If we say something in the video then the price drops $50, there's no way to go back and change that short of filming and uploading a new video. We always link to the product in the description which (aside from this case) lists the current price, and is much easier to change and stay current. AJ
I love everything about the Puristika and would love to buy one from WLL. My only concern is the thermosyphon stall issue I've heard from some owners. Do you know when the next generation product will arrive and will this issue be addressed and solved?
Hi Max, I've spoken directly with ECM about this. They sent documentation about a solution they have implemented, which will come pre-installed on all machines shipped after February 2022 (all of the ones we will be selling), as well as a guide on making this fix on earlier machines. Straight from their response: "In the first production series of the new Puristika single-boiler machine, there are few machines in which a small amount of air can gather in the boiler. This can happen, for example, when the boiler cools down or when the water tank hoses are connected and disconnected. If an air bubble gets into the inlet of the brew group, it may become trapped and thus interrupt the thermosiphon effect and the resulting water circulation. As a remedy, a 5 cm long Teflon hose is used as a so-called "dipper" in the boiler to prevent air from entering the brew group inlet. In the future, the “dipper” will already be installed in the machine while manufacturing. If this should occur in your machine, you will find detailed instructions on inserting the silicone hose below. An affected machine can be retrofitted with the dipper with little effort by the specialist dealer or trained personnel." In short, it won't be an issue with the units we sell. AJ
Thanks, AJ. I placed a pre-order with Mary Ann last week and one of the questions I had was regarding the thermosyphon issue. Your reply clarifies the issue, remedy and how it affects the machine I’ll receive.
@@Wholelattelovepage Oh, can you explain a little more what that is? Is it that you lift the lever to allow the water to flow, and then stop the flow before turning the pump on again?
Hi dc, the wood handles and accessories come stock on the Crem version of the machine available here: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/semi-automatic-espresso-machines/products/ecm-puristika-single-boiler-espresso-machine-cream
@@Wholelattelovepage Ah should have been more specific about the black model. Sounds like it has to be purchased separately. Thank you for your response!
Just wanted to drive by and say thanks for the great video, especially putting proof to some statements at the end. Seriously considering this as I currently use a Cafelat Robot and wanted to simplify the routine and use the fun 58mm toys. But figured since I was "upgrading" I'd get something that can do milk drinks as well, but I am not sure the additional maintenance those bring is worth it. I'm not a really a drinker of them and always held the (unproven and naive) opinion that you can't really taste the beans variance that way. Since I work from home, I honestly never really go to a cafe to drink them. So perhaps I'm not sure what I'm missing out on. Don't even drink Americanos. Figured if I want one I can use my kettle, do you have a good suggestion to satiate the FOMO on milk drinks if I did go with this? Like a Nanofoamer or something is what I was thinking. Any thoughts? Pretty tossed on the "right" move here lol since the Classika exists, but this just is visually a great machine. Love the external tank. Thanks again AJ!
Hi Brandon, Thanks for the kind comments and question. There are alternatives for frothing milk but I've yet to come across one that produces the super-fine silky microfoam one gets from manual steaming.
Hi JC, Thanks for the question. Difference is color and the Crem model comes with wood components and accessories as seen here: www.wholelattelove.com/products/ecm-puristika-single-boiler-espresso-machine-cream
Wait a second. I am an IT worker and like to have my espressoshots over the day. So heatuptime and cost of electricity is quite important. The new gaggia pro says to heat up in 45 seconds. Here we have to wait 30minutes? That makes me not turn it off half the day and that sounds like electricity bill of a few hundreds per year.
Hi Helmut, While some places on the internet claim it, the Gaggia Classic's heat up time is much longer than 45 seconds (we generally recommend 10-15 minutes). This allows time for different parts of the brewing system, such as the group head and portafilter to heat up as well. If you don't wait, these elements will act as a heat sink when you go to brew and effect your brew temperature greatly. The same is true on E61 machines, though the group head has more thermal mass. This has the benefit of creating more thermal stability, at the cost of longer heat-up time. Because the group holds it's temperature so well, maintenance energy after initial heat-up is minimal. AJ
I'm having a hard time figuring out a machine. I've purchased a Pro 600, which I thought was maybe a bit more machine than I needed. I don't froth milk (right now) and was concerned about cycling water thru the steam boiler. I sold that machine to a buddy. We make Americanos. I looked and thought and ended up getting a Pro 500 Open Box last month. It was sort of a "reconsider purchase" as I figured I may want to froth some day so that may be good to have. I'm finding that is still not the case, and now I am chasing less than stable brew temps because of HX design. I want something rock solid for brew temps and something I don't have to "time" for when that is. If I need to let the machine sit for a bit until my wife is ready for a cup, it's not workable, I want (need) the machine to be ready right then. I also wanted something that I could see water level, and this does it. I should have just gone with this machine as I saw it being released and just didn't pull the trigger on it (listening to others talk me out of it). Question: This appears to show that the machine can sit for an extended period of time and still be rock solid for ideal brew temp. Does this machine hold rock solid brew temp for an extended period of time such that it is "ready at the temp I want, when I want it"? The video shows it sitting for an hour and still showing ~194 in the E61 (I have a Taylor thermometer in my Pro 500 and see the temp creep). With the Pro 500, I have to time it pretty well and I have enough things to chase during my day. One thing I don't want to chase is brew temp first thing in the morning when I'm trying to empty my mind. And... if this machine does that, will the ECM Classika work the same way in terms of holding rock solid brew idle temp over an extended period of time? That machine has a different look (preferable). I probably have to find another buyer for the Pro 500 and finally get the one suitable for my life, and when my wife gets up and decides she wants a cup of coffee "right now" - and not interested is waiting on me getting the 500 to the right temp. Thanks for any advice.
I have the Puristika and can make back to back shots no problem at all once the boiler and group head are up to temperature (takes roughly 30-45 minutes). By the time you have pulled a shot, ground your beans and prepped the portafilter for another shot it will be ready to pull another shot (I usually make an espresso for myself and then an americano for my partner straight away). You can then keep it on and as long as ECO mode is not activated it will stay hot all day. Obviously no steam wand but I don't drink milk based drinks anyway - if I do want to get into that I will purchase a separate milk frother.
@@simplyespresso1364 Thanks. I get that it will stay hot, but the issue is whether it stays at the proper temp without running away and getting too hot, via thermometer in E61. I think it does but just trying to make sure. The Pro 500 will keep going up in temp at the group head because of the way the HX system is designed. The reason I’m asking for clarification is because the same buddy I sold my Pro 600 too thinks there is a temp offset built into the PID such that setting it to “201” doesn’t mean the boiler is actually at “201”. If that is the case then I’d expect the group head temp to keep going up as the machine sits, and it doesn’t appear to be doing that.
Hi Jimmy, lots to unpack here. You're correct that the Puristika and Classika will likely provide more rock solid brew temps than a HX machine, however, there shouldn't be much waiting involved for the Pro 600/500. If the machine has been sitting idle a while, simply run a cooling flush for 5-10 seconds before brewing your shot. This clears out any overheated brew water in the exchanger. Living by the E61 thermometer is likely going to set you up for frustration, especially if you're using it as a reference for when your machine is ready to pull shots. The thermosiphon in the E61 constantly circulates hot water from the boiler, but it does so passively. As hot water slowly travels through the pipes, group, and back, it naturally cools as it transfers some heat to the metal of the group, and the environment. You can expect to see lower temperatures on an E61 thermometer while sitting idle because the PID is calibrated to give you your desired temperature at the group while the pump is running and more water is actively being pushed through the system from the boiler. This extra water more rapidly heats the group, coffee, basket, etc. which is why even using a scace device to measure, temperature creeps up throughout the first 10 seconds of a shot before it stabilizes at your desired temperature. This will be the case on all E61 machines. As for your last question, every PID uses an offset, because the water inside the boiler will always be significantly hotter than the water at the group head, due to thermal loss as it travels farther away from the heating element. This is the case even with dual boiler machines, as referenced at this point in our video about the Rocket R-Cinquantotto review video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Xjjzw7kMCU0.html The offset on HX machines is calculated a little differently as you're often setting the temperature of the steam boiler which affects the brew water, but it's still an offset. Lastly, I find that much more important than temperature control is temperature consistency. If you're aiming for 201F water and getting 199F water, for me it's not a big issue, as long as I'm getting 199F water every time. It's easy to obsess about numbers but in the end, quality and consistency of taste in cup is what matters most. AJ
AJ, at minute 21:05 you commented that it is possible to use a smart plug and define when the machine starts. In another review I read that this machine starts getting heated only when the pump gets into action and therefore a smart plug will not help. Is there a conflict with these two statements? Or maybe you addition of needing to "program the machine to turn on ..." does the trick? Can you elaborate on this matter? thank you
Hi Alon, I've spoken directly with ECM about this. They sent documentation about a solution they have implemented, which will come pre-installed on all machines shipped after February 2022 (all of the ones we sell), as well as a guide on making this fix on earlier machines. Straight from their response: "In the first production series of the new Puristika single-boiler machine, there are few machines in which a small amount of air can gather in the boiler. This can happen, for example, when the boiler cools down or when the water tank hoses are connected and disconnected. If an air bubble gets into the inlet of the brew group, it may become trapped and thus interrupt the thermosiphon effect and the resulting water circulation. As a remedy, a 5 cm long Teflon hose is used as a so-called "dipper" in the boiler to prevent air from entering the brew group inlet. In the future, the “dipper” will already be installed in the machine while manufacturing. If this should occur in your machine, you will find detailed instructions on inserting the silicone hose below. An affected machine can be retrofitted with the dipper with little effort by the specialist dealer or trained personnel." In short, it is not an issue with the machines we sell. The outlet timer should work perfectly! AJ
I've never used the Carola, so no firsthand opinions. I have used a variety of other Quick Mill machines (Pippa, Arnos, Pathfinder, Vetrano) and while they are quality machines, it's hard to beat the build quality of ECM. AJ
This was my ideal machine, but I’ve seen too many reviews with lever issues, group head not heating up (supposedly there is a kit to fix that issue), and internal corrosion. Heartbroken.
Hi Ricardo, the lever issues and thermosiphon stall were isolated to early production units and have been resolved. I'm unaware of any internal corrosion issues. AJ
The think that you can't control pressure during extract, and the pointless external reservoir, makes this machine a joke Thank you whole latte love for clearing it up
@@Wholelattelovepage of course ymmv for every person, everyone have different needs, but even if I accept the external reservoir, I think that the choice of not controlling the flow with the valve, is the reason for someone not buying it
As to heating time, IMO people seem to not understand the concept: Apart from thermoblock machines which heat up is in-line (on the spot), delay time for all normal boiler machines respond to Q=m*c*DT, meaning that having a limit in the heating power given by the max current allowed by a household power point, the heating time is a direct function of the boiler volume. The larger the volume, the longer the waiting time bfore extracting. You want a larger boiler, expect longer waiting times. Not good, not bad, as simple as that.
Eskerinola, good point, thanks for explaining that. James, how are you gauging that the slim is up to temperature? 10-11 minutes seems fast for an E61. AJ
Almost all correct, but I think you forgot to factor in the group head. As you say the time to get the boiler up and running varies with its volume (and material, heating element power, insulation, ...), but all E61 have basically the same group with almost the same thermal mass. So a 1lt vs 2lt boiler will heat in slightly different time (a larger boiler WILL generally have a more powerful heating element installed), but the real bottleneck is the group head which will take longer than a prosumer boiler to reach stable temp. That's why basically it's always 30-45 minutes waiting time with variances related to distance from boiler, HX vs single boiler, and other tricks some manufacturer use to claim faster heating
@@Wholelattelovepage you can aim for say 10 minutes at higher temp. In about 10 minutes it will hit the target temp that you want and then you can reduce the temp. You can use your graph to see how long it will take to achieve your target temp in the time you need. Much easier than flushing every now and then.
What is the point of building an extremely good looking machine with a 2L tank outside. For sure it is a great machine, it's ECM! But it seems like ECM at the beginning of the project wanted something and then they hold it back. So it is compact but well no, and you have a valve but you should not use it for flow profiling.
I personally like the external reservoir a lot. It gives more versatility for placement to fit your space, allows you to monitor water level at a quick glance instead of having to open up the machine, and makes filling easier if the machine is under cabinets. Aesthetics are more subjective, but for me it looks like a piece of science equipment in a lab, which I think is cool. AJ
I think the external tank is great. Makes placement much, much easier. And somebody will come up with ways to make it enormous, or auto-filtered/auto-filling.
I could see this for a cupping room or a coffee roaster i like it but for me personally I would opt for dual boiler if I wanted pid because I like milk drinks
Can’t someone, if they wanted add a threaded coupling to the top of the boiler to accept a steam wand? Then attach some tubing and to provide people who want steamed milk. Thanks
This seems very dangerous, plus there's no way to increase the boiler temperature to a "steam mode" temperature like on other single boiler/dual use machines. Instead of all that effort and risk, I'd just get a machine with a dedicated wand if you want steam. AJ
The Puristika is smaller, lighter, and cheaper. It's easier to change brew pressure, and I'm also a fan of the external/clear water tank. If you don't plan to make milk drinks, it simplifies the internals saving space and unnecessary maintenance. AJ
Hi Rl, actually dual boiler machines take longer to fully heat up than single boilers. One can typically choose which boiler heats first but to totally heat both boilers takes longer.
@@Wholelattelovepage A bit longer I'm using a wifi smart plug which I use to switch on (HP)the machine before I make my morning Bathroom routine when I'm finished the Machine is ready. Nothing is perfect always some compromise but it is nice to brew the espresso and steam the milk at the same time.
For all 10 espresso purists in the usa :) Even in Italy, the vast majority of drinks sold are milk drinks, only 11 percent are non milk drinks, according to La Marzocco. Daddy needs some steam.
Ha! I think that stat more applies to cafes - I'd be willing to bet there are more espresso-only home baristas than 11%. Actually, because of this comment I'm going to put up a poll in the Community tab to see if we can get our own stats. Thanks for the idea! AJ
It looks like it's very well build, with quality components but, 1500$! GTFO! If you are a true purest, you can buy a Flair58, that's way more versatile and still have 1000$ to spend on a grinder (Niche), and accessories. But that's me. I think the price is ridiculous!
I see your point and the price certainly isn't right for everyone, however comparing it to the Flair isn't really fair. Many people don't want want a manual lever-style machine, others can't physically operate them, others may not want to deal with a separate kettle system for heating up water. Plus, while the Flair is minimalistic in design, with the lever up, it's over 2 feet tall - that's not fitting under cabinets the way the Puristika will. Aside from that, while the Flair opens up more versatility in pressure profiling, repeatability is naturally harder due to the manual process. Not saying it's a bad machine or doesn't have its place, but simply pointing out why even an espresso purist may still go the ECM route, if it fits in their budget. AJ
Flair owner here. I live at 7500 feet asl. That means it’s basically impossible to brew above 85 degrees C on it. Having the closed system of a “real” machine eliminates this problem. Plus, my 1Zpresso grinder appears to be totally capable at $200, so I’m thinking hard about this little ECM.
It seems like a solid machine. However, the external reservoir is in terms of aesthetics an utter disaster. I thought it was made in Italy, but a user pointed out that it is from Germany.
@@Wholelattelovepage I absolutely love functionally and aesthetically the external water tank. The thick glass container is beautifully done, the stainless steel tubing and top cover look sturdy and classy. Looks great next to the machine and best of all, easy to refill and to see water level. I got the Puristika 2 weeks ago and am very happy with it. Use the Nespresso milk steamer for the ocasional cappuccino.
@@marinlazo More like an info - but the reservoir is perfect to fill, when you have limited countertop height. You can hide it behind the machine or grinder.
A valid concern, though I honestly didn't have any issues with it, nor any close calls. The lip and texture of the housing provide enough of a barrier to cups slipping off. Plus unlike other machines where you're actively removing a top plate to fill a reservoir, you can kind of leave the top area alone and there's less chance of an accident. AJ
@@Wholelattelovepage can you comment on the grippiness of the 'cream' version you sell which I gather is powder coated? And will that be more likely to scratch off than the anthracite?
Hi Amir, at $1,549 the Puristika is certainly an investment and won't be the right fit for everyone. Luckily, we have many other options on our site. Here's a video I made of our Top 5 Favorite Premium Entry-Level Machines of 2021: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--QhmyLUXwCc.html AJ
@@Wholelattelovepage that was a great presentation AJ. As for the external reservoir, I like it, cause it is easy to clean, down all the way, and easy to see the water level. You convinced me to sell my old machine (Rancilio Silvia E 2020) and go for this one. But I also consider a couple of solutions, abit more expensive than the Puristika, but with rotary pump, like the Buzzer Aria
