Posting this video without internet was a mission. This one required 4 hours of cellular data and Starbucks wifi (Yes... I did the unimaginable) to upload haha. Hope you all enjoy! :)
You could have done a "2 for 1" by paring the Arco (hand grinder mode) you have with the Picopresso, maybe a missed opportunity? Still a cool video, thanks ;)
I’ve been using my Picopresso for about 6 months now. I upgraded to an IMS 16g basket and use a puck screen. I’ve been alternating between 16-18g depending on the basket. I don’t mind the stock basket. Preheating is important, and I’ve been using water at about 95C, as that seems to give the best results. I can’t wait to try the blooming recipe.
@@KyleRowsell the Blooming recipe was amazing. I used a Myanmar PA-O Village from French Press Roasters on Vancouver Island. Stock basket, 16g in 40g out. It made a great flat white (150g milk, frothed with my Nanofoamer). I can’t wait to try it again.
I've been using the picopresso for a little over a month, and it really is a great little device. However, as you mentioned, upgrading the portafilter is necessary if you want to get the best out of it. I find that once you've got an IMS for it, it really does brew café-quality espresso; I'd go as far as to say it produces results just as good as some commercial machines I've worked with. It's also very convenient once you've got a good workflow established. Great video once again, Kyle!
@@igorastakhov8444 Definitely not something you absolutely need to do, but the coffee does taste a lot better if you upgrade the portafilter. The portafilter it comes with is fine, but if you get a better one it improves things substantially
Coffee Piston. You've completely converted me with this blooming espresso method! Every shot I've made with it including when I forgot to tare my cup has been better than the traditional shots I've made over the past year of owning my Picopresso! When the time comes for me to upgrade to a Flair 58 and Lagom Mini it will be more for the sake of efficiency than desire for more from my espresso. Cheers!
Hello my Canadian friend! Minnesota here! Where you are looks a lot like our Boundary Waters area (far northern MN)! Great video! My wife bought me a Minipresso a while back and I am just learning how to use it now. I’ll let you know how it goes. PS: Where was this video shot?
I got a picopresso a little over a month ago and have it paired with a 1zpresso K-plus. I have enjoyed using it and it make a good shot. Thanks for the tips and recipes!
I had this issue with mine, after several usages it stopped to create a noticeable presure while pumping. Contacted Wacaco support and they exchanged my unit to a new one under the warranty (new one is not leaking a drop through the pumping mechanism).
Thanks in no small part to this video, I bought myself the Picopresso and a Kingrinder K4 grinder as a Christmas present to myself as a starter espresso kit. I'm very happy. Even the very first shot I brewed, the "test shot" that I assumed I would throw out as I adjusted all the variables was good enough that I drank it and didn't bother making a second test shot. It wasn't perfect, and I have an idea of what things to change, but it was still a decent shot of espresso. I'd say it's on par with the average shot I would get at either a Starbucks or boutique coffee shop. And that was the very first I pulled, which is probably going to be the worst shot I ever pull with the device.
@@KyleRowsell Maybe repurposing something as a stand to secure it in space above cup would steady the output flow and purchase resistance to press against with palm instead of fingers too.
I have been using one for about a year. A neat trick is to preheat the tank and put the shower screen in at the same time. I then use the same water to pre-heat my cup. At this time the tank and the shower screen are warm. Have been getting excellent results.
@@KyleRowsell a worthwhile upgrade would also be the brs-3000t 25 grams titanium propane burner, a 25grams alternative to a jetjboil. bring a thermos of boiled water from home, use some to pre-heate and boil a a cup of water for a propper/perfect extracted shot
Guys I do same as you do but when I pure cup it doesn’t give me proper foam with beige color it just black without foam which not good at all, can advise me what to do
@@mohdkamona8613 this has a lot to do with the beans. Do you feel enough pressure on the pump? Might want to consider the grind size too. Also remember that the more you preinfuse, the lesser the crema.
Hi, I've experienced sudden pressure drops while using my Picopresso, particularly during extraction when the resistance unexpectedly disappears and then returns. What might cause this?
I got the picopresso for our camping trip this summer. Goal was to brew at the campsite, avoid travelling in to a local cafe, BUT use local beans picked up along the way (Calgary to Vancouver Island). I loved this unit, so compact but had everything you need to take care of business.
Purchased a 2nd hand unused one of these at a thrift shop today for under $4. I had no idea what it was but found it with a quick google search. Still had no idea how something like this could be an espresso maker. A few youtubes later and now I know! As I am always searching for the god-shot, this could be the greatest find of 2024. Thank you coffee-gods!
I’ve been trying to figure out this COFFEE PISTON! hehe Another great Video! Picopresso is imo, a real value for money in the portability aspect without sacrificing much quality! Thumbs up
I just wanted to drop by and let you know that your review was super helpful in my decision-making process. After watching your video, I've decided to go ahead and purchase picopresso. Your insights and the way you explained the features really helped me understand its value. I appreciate the time you took to create this review, and it played a crucial role in making my decision. Can't wait to try out the product for myself!
I totally agree that the pumping gesture is unpleasant--it actually was a deal breaker for me. The coffee from the Staresso is not nearly as good, but the pumping mechanism is so much easier and less annoying.
hi, im using illy pre ground espresso coffee.And im happy. But. Im thinking about Varia v3. Will I feel the difference with the grinder. ? Thank You for an answer.
Preground is almost never fine enough for espresso, and ground coffee starts losing freshness immediately so a decent grinder (check out reviews - not all grinders will work for espresso) is a huge win... ...and you can do much better than Illy! I'm sure there's a local specialty roaster who can ship coffee to you. Get something freshly roasted (good roasters put the roast date on the bag) with ethically sourced, high quality beans. I went from supermarket dark roasts to specialty light roasts for my filter coffee and it was an absolute game changer...
Coffee piston! Kyle, I wanted to thank you for your content, you brought to my attention Lelit Bianca way back when you started uploading videos, it was never on my radar, I have it for 1 year, and I'm totally in love with it, and just yesterday I've received Picopresso, and I wasnt expecting the quality shot I had from it, and again, I have you to thank for, it's one thing to review a product, but your follow up video after 1 year really pushed me to pull the trigger. So thank you for being honest, wishing you all the best.
Kyle do you know the Staresso? It is the best in my opinion but no one seems to review it i online. it easily takes 18 grams and has a more ergonomic pump.
Hi Kyle, love your videos! I purchased the picopresso and the suggested upgrades. A 1.7 mm lower shower puck screen & Delonghi 51mm 16g-18g DL2TH26E (as suggested in the description),. However, when all arrive, the basket had an open rim that was to wide for everything to fit. Can you tell us exactly what model & size basket did you upgrade to? I will love to hav use the picopresso to its maximum potential :). Thanks!
Thanks for another great video Kyle! Been using the Picopresso since November and I've found myself reaching out for it more than my Flair Signature due to ease of use. Has also been great for the office coupled with a nanofoamer for great milk drinks. Some tips from my end: I cradle the pico with one hand and use my other palm to pump. Much more stable and easy to pump. Since it also gets quite hot to hold, I use the silicone covers on my cradling palm and fingers. By the way, I noticed you didn't use the dosing funnel when tamping? I find myself using it to ensure a level tamp then do another light tamp after. Thanks again and enjoy your trip! Oh and Coffee Piston! 😁
Hey! Thanks for watching! I use the dosing funnel to level as well, I believe in the process of filming I just missed this step. I use it with the shower head.
I have one. I call BS on this video, that thing has to be preheated with boiling water for many minutes, and immediately after more boiling water added. Its a headache and never correct.
what is a coffee piston? anyways - this was a fun and interesting video about the picopresso! I just wanted to leave a comment saying your review(s) on the lagom mini persuaded me to finally preorder one! I kept holding off because I didn't want to wait until late-september/october for it, but I bit the bullet and preordered the 48mm moonshine burr version! super excited, thank you!
That this mini portable bicycle pump is $130 should scream Law of Supply and Demand to entrepreneurs. This thing should be $30-$40 max at any Wal-Mart (or $130 at Academy if it says YETI on it). You can get 3000 PSI out of high pressure hand pump, this thing is 261 PSI. My hat's off to the company.
Coffee PISTON!!!! I always see these "travel" espresso machines in videos and try to justify getting one, but alas, until I get back outdoorsy more, I can't convince myself to get one. Great video as always though! Love seeing delicious coffee in great natural settings!
I’m using picopresso for a few days. My complain about it, it burns my hands while pumping, & i’m not sure how fast should i press it. 1 pump per sec or 1 pump per 2 sec? We don’t know the pressure. Maybe it should be upgrade on new version with double wall chamber & pressure gauge.
Kyle the ims Precision 16-18g Filter basket will not work the lip on the top is to wide ,which will not let me scerw the basket on to the pressure basket and it is a DL2TH26E basket
I'm happy with my picopresso, aligned with my 1ZPresso J-Max. I take it to my office on my 2 days in, and get plenty of interest- but great espresso which I add hot water to for black Americano. Also took it on holiday to a small cabin - perfect coffee on the go. Pumping, I find it fairly easy. It's the occasional spray if I hold it too far above my cup (to watch the bottomless portafilter show!) that is disappointing - losing those splashes of beautiful espresso.
Pete: what setting do you use on the J-Max? I just got mine at the end of May and am still playing with it. Just about have it down for Moka, Aeropress and Turkish but am giving consideration to a manual espresso machine with a pretty hard eyeball to a Pico. I use light to light/medium roasts.
Hey Kyle, was wondering if you can drop the info for the upgrades. Gram size and dimensions of the ims basket and the screen for the water distribution. Many thanks!
May I ask what changed your view on the Pico? In your other video, you thought it was okay and was going to give it away to your Patreons but here you seem to really like it. What changed between that initial look and this video?
Coffee Piston 😁 My wife got me one for Father’s Day, and I have been loving it! I upgraded to an IMS basket added a Normcore Puck Screen. I’ve been making espresso at the office about every day since.
Hey just as a heads up, the basket you recommended doesn't fit. The lip is wider then usual so you can't screw the base on. I just got mine today and sadly, I have to return and try another basket.
The Flair Pro2 is my typical brewing device. However for even easier travel I have the Picopresso for up to 3 months at a time with great results. Only time it is a pain is when I am making for guests. Then it is a bit wearisome. No one has complained however about the flavor.
Hey Kyle, been brewing with the Picopresso since it came out and I'm still wondering ... Do we have a potential tamper upgrade on the market for this (in the scenario I brew at home ofc)? I feel like it's difficult to be consistent with it's original tamper. May be it's just me and since it's ''built in'' I should not bother/consider switching... Love your videos, cheers!
Kyle and readers, Amazon has the Picopresso for $129.00 now I guess down from the $179.00 you stated. Even better price for sure. I thought I had seen most of your videos but obvious had not. So, thanks for this one. At this new price, I am buying this one tomorrow.
I made better coffees with this than with anything else (flair/quickmill/europiccola). It is also super consistent. The piston broke on one of my two units however. There are definitely some plastic weak points inside. I recommend simply buying two.
You joke about brewing on a plane but I did almost attempt to make espresso on a 5 hour flight with my Cafelat Robot, which managed to fit in my overhead along with my J Max.
Wow, after a year since I purchased my picopresso, new video came out with a must try recipes. I will definitely try the Espresso Blooming and the Turbo Shot. 👏👏👏👏
Lack of crema could be two main things: 1) Stale coffee - after roasting you want to rest beans for about a week and then use within a couple of weeks. Good roasters will put the roast date on the bag. 2) Not enough pressure. If you've ground too coarse or are using preground you won't generate enough pressure to dissolve the CO2 in the beans. You need a decent grinder to make espresso.
Been watching all the videos of your channel, huge fan. Wanted to ask a question, been debating between the picopresso and the flair neo for almost 2 weeks, any advice on witch one to go for? Hopefuly someone can help me out.🙏
Sorry that I'm not answering the question, I just wanna say that I'm in the exact spot now! What did you choose?? And did you make the right choice? ... I don't want neos pressurized filter but I see that it can be upgraded so it's still same price....
I am using this little device but unfortunately i have never get a good creamy coffee, i don’t know if still need to learn how to use it or the machine is worthless,
Order your coffee direct from the roaster - there are specialty roasters all over the place these days... and invest in a decent grinder (make sure you check out reviews and get one that can actually do espresso if Espresso is your thing). Capable hand grinders are way more affordable these days than they were.
It’s online! Nicely done I recently got the Leverpresso Pro and first impressions are great. The workflow needs some ironing out but I’ll get there.. I think 😜
Hi Kyle, I have also recently bought a Picopresso and use a Comandante MK4 hand grinder for grinding my coffee. Although the suggested setting is between 8-12 clicks, I find myself setting my grinder to around 5-6 clicks for espresso with medium roasted coffee. Just wanted your thoughts on this. Have you experienced the necessity to grind a little finer than usual for the Picopresso? I generally go with a 15gm or an 18gm dose. Thanks in advance!
