The Quick Mill Carola is an espresso machine with single boiler system and PID control. Find out in our test report why it makes excellent espresso and no milk foam.
The best news right from the start: for 1000 euros/1200 francs, the Quick Mill Carola combines some excellent components in its compact housing, just 20 cm wide and 45 cm deep. A Faema E61 brew group combined with PID control delivers joy and, most importantly, excellent espresso. The single boiler espresso machine is consistently reliable. This is also because the boiler doesn't have to steam milk and make espresso at the same time. The Quick Mill Carola completely foregoes the steam wand function. But it makes no compromises when it comes to espresso. But let me explain further.
Workmanship and Material
From the start, the Quick Mill Carola makes a good impression with its chrome-plated housing and cleanly finished edges. The compact portafilter weighs around 15 kilograms and distributes that across just 20 cm width, 45 cm depth and 37 cm height. If you're looking for a small but good espresso machine, you'll find what you need with the Quick Mill Carola. With these dimensions, it fits into any kitchen nook.
A pressure gauge displays the brew pressure and the insulated brass boiler holds around 0.75 liters. The machine's water tank holds 1.6 liters. Conveniently, the top lid can be lifted like a tray along with cups to access the water tank. What's well done with the lid is unfortunately missing on the water tank. Due to the lack of a handle or grip hole, removing the water tank is a bit fiddly. But it can be managed. Alternatively, you can simply pour water from the top.
The Quick Mill Carola comes optionally with red, black or stainless steel side panels. We also appreciate the cup rest on the machine. With many machines in higher price ranges, this is made of plastic and must be purchased separately in metal. The Quick Mill Carola doesn't cut corners here and has it already built in.
Space in the Drip Tray
The drip tray of an espresso machine doesn't determine the quality of espresso preparation. For me, it's still really important. The smaller the drip tray, the greater the risk of making a mess when emptying it in the sink.
High-end espresso machines usually have the option to connect the drip tray to a water drain. If that's not possible, you appreciate a tray that's as large as possible. The Quick Mill Carola has just such a tray. Even if you pull several espresso shots and rinse in between, the tray won't overflow.
Really Good Espresso with Single Boiler and PID Control
In about 10 to 15 minutes, the machine reaches operating temperature and stops heating. To ensure the E61 group is also well heated through, it's recommended to do one or two blank shots first. Even the first shot makes it clear: this machine knows how to make espresso and the E61 brew group really delivers. The massive brass structure of the thermosyphon provides tried-and-true E61 performance.
The combination here lies in the connection of single boiler system and PID control. As a reminder: with a single boiler espresso machine, the water for brewing coffee is drawn from the same tank that also produces steam to froth milk. The ideal brew temperature for espresso is 92 to 94 degrees Celsius. To froth milk, the boiler must heat up to around 120 degrees to produce sufficient water vapor. No single boiler machine really handles the switch between these two tasks well and must compromise on quality. In our test of the Rancilio Silvia, we discuss this topic in detail.
The Quick Mill Carola completely foregoes the milk frothing function. Yes, you heard that right. No cappuccino! But in return, the machine makes no compromises on espresso quality. Thanks to PID control, the boiler temperature can be precisely adjusted. The temperature is maintained and remains constant.
The PID Control of the Quick Mill Carola
A PID control in this price range is an absolute rarity. Basically, we have to praise that. Operation is a bit fiddly, but not difficult to manage. The manufacturer could have invested in a small digital display here. But: the control does what it's supposed to do.
On the back of the Carola, there are two screws to loosen. Behind them is the control unit. The manual describes how to adjust the temperature. 6 small switches can be set to "on" or "off" to adjust it. The manual specifies, for example, that the temperature 123 should be set to On, On, Off, On, Off, On.
However, the problem is that the machine comes with a fairly large offset. Offset means that the measured temperature does not match the specified one. Our test machine was initially set to the positions for temperature 110. Already during tasting, we found the espresso too bitter, so we measured the temperature. The group actually delivered 99 degrees.
After some testing, we ended up with a PID temperature of 106, which gave us an actual brew temperature of 93 degrees. And it remained very constant. Of course, you also have to rinse before pulling a shot on the Carola, so let water run for about two seconds. But this is the case with every E61 brew group.
Configuring the PID Control
It's basically not complicated to set the group temperature well. But you need a measurement device. Coffee machine technicians use a portafilter with a built-in gauge for this. Here I come back to my argument for why you should buy espresso machines locally and not through online shops. With a local contact, you can have the temperature adjusted. Good dealers even set the temperature before selling the machine. Amazon and Co. typically don't do this.
Of course, you can approximate the temperature with any thermometer with a temperature range between 90 and 100 degrees. And you can also taste whether the temperature is correct. If the espresso tastes good, everything is running perfectly. If your coffee is rather too bitter, lower the temperatures. If the coffee is rather sour and unbalanced, increase the temperature. And importantly: rinse vigorously in between so the boiler temperature adjusts. If you raise the temperature, you have to wait until the boiler heats up.
Who is the Quick Mill Carola Suitable For?
The Quick Mill Carola is a really good espresso machine in the true sense: it makes good espresso. It's consistent and maintains the temperature. The PID control is a nice thing once the temperature is set. The button mechanism doesn't encourage flexible adjustment. However, since almost all espresso roasts reveal their peak at a properly set temperature of around 93 degrees Celsius, the temperature adjustability is more for enthusiasts.
Milk frothing is not possible with the Carola. There is no steam wand. Hot water for tea can be dispensed though. So if you like to drink cappuccino or latte macchiato, you won't be happy with just this machine. A separate milk frother can help here.
The espresso on the Quick Mill Carola was so good that I prefer the version with a separate milk frother to the quality compromise of a switchable single boiler (see also the article on the Silvia.)
Pros and Cons
Pros in favor of the Quick Mill Carola:
- The espresso quality is an absolute pro argument. The Quick Mill Carola makes no compromises here.
- A PID control in this price range is appreciated.
- The machine's workmanship is top-notch and the classic E61 brew group delivers as it should.
- The compact format makes the machine interesting for tight spaces.
- The drip tray is not too small.
Cons against the Quick Mill Carola:
- Milk cannot be frothed with this machine.
- The water tank is hard to remove due to the lack of a handle.
- The PID control is somewhat fiddly and the temperature has quite a large offset to the actual brew temperature
Did we forget anything? What's your experience with the Quick Mill Carola? Please add to the post so others can benefit from your experiences and tips.
- Betriebsanleitung Quick Mill Carola.
- Quick Mill Carola bei in our shop.
