The Satrap Espresso XA is an espresso machine sold in coop supermarkets as well as in coop hardware and hobby stores. In the Kassensturz espresso machine test, it was named test winner. We took a closer look at the Satrap XA and summarize here what this 249 franc device delivers.
Test and tips for the Satrap Espresso XA
Our mission as coffee makers is to help espresso machine users get better results from their machines. We think this is particularly important and interesting with more affordable espresso machines. The more expensive an espresso machine is – and we test machines that cost 1000, 2000, or 3000 francs – the more we expect the espresso machine to deliver. The more affordable an espresso machine is, the more a test report becomes a supplement to instructions with tips and tricks to get the most out of a coffee machine.
That's exactly how we approached the Satrap Espresso XA. We actually like several things about the Satrap Espresso XA. And with corresponding motivation, we tackled the biggest construction sites of the espresso machine to figure out how to work around them.
Accessories and workmanship: Tamper crown
Three accessories and distinctive features stand out positively for the Satrap Espresso XA. The tamper is not only very well suited for this price range. It closes cleanly with the filter basket in the portafilter, has a solid metal base, and is thus perfect for leveling and properly compacting the coffee grounds. We wish many an Zweikreiser-Espressomaschine espresso machine costing over 1000 francs would come with such a tamper.
The portafilter is equally impressive. The basket is 58mm, which is a standard size for professional espresso machines and machines with a Faema E61 group. In fact, the same applies here as for the tamper. The portafilter would make a great addition to an espresso machine costing well over 1000 euros without any loss of quality. The 2-cup or 1-cup spout can be unscrewed and replaced.
While we don't think pressure gauges are real help in setting up an espresso machine, we like the timer display. It gives the barista a feel for how long the espresso has been running. Why this can also lead to confusion is discussed in the chapter "Setting up the espresso machine and grinder." Nevertheless, a timer is generally helpful and anything but standard in the price range below 300 CHF.
As positive as the tamper, the portafilter, and the timer display need to be mentioned, the rest of the espresso machine is a complete contrast. Cheap plastic everywhere – appropriate for the price, one might say. However, it's unfortunate that the test model was already the second one that dripped from the steam wand during espresso extraction.
Otherwise, the machine is compact at 35.5 cm in length, 31.9 cm in width, and 38.4 cm in height. The water tank can be removed and refilled. Important: use softened water with all espresso machines!
Espresso quality like Russian roulette
We made good espresso with the Satrap Espresso XA. Unfortunately, however, even with all tricks and tips, we couldn't achieve consistent results. The machine's biggest problem is temperature consistency.
What we can reliably say: before extracting an espresso, at least 5 seconds of water should be drawn. If not, the temperature during espresso extraction will definitely be too high. However, it's unfortunately the case that even with water extraction, it often exceeds the desired Zieltemperatur threshold. For preparing espresso, the perfect brewing temperature is around 93 degrees celsius. Depending on the coffee choice, this varies slightly up or down. But we're talking about a deviation of 1 – 2 degrees celsius.
The Satrap Espresso XA is not only different in its starting temperature each time, but also in its ending temperature. In some extractions, we measured temperature fluctuations of up to 15 degrees.
The temperature curve of the Satrap Espresso XA is impressively inconsistent.
This amounts to extraction-wise and flavor-wise to a round of Russian roulette, where alternating bitterness and acidity knock you out of your shoes. Low temperatures greatly enhance perceived acidity. High temperatures bring out unpleasant bitterness. In both cases, a balancing acidity is lacking.
Furthermore, the changing temperature also affects extraction speed. This is normally controlled via the grind setting, which we discuss in the following section.
Setting up the espresso machine and grinder
The Satrap Espresso XA has a time control built in. This means it stops water extraction after an adjustable and predetermined time. By default, the espresso machine stops after 25 seconds.
Such a control is actually more advanced than many controls on more expensive espresso machines, e.g. in Zweikreiser-Segement. These don't stop automatically at all, but are stopped manually by users after time X or extraction amount Y.
Actually, the Satrap Espresso XA delivers more than other espresso machines here. However, this can especially lead to confusion when following classical setup instructions and guides, or when users haven't fully internalized the principle of grinder and espresso machine adjustment.
- A good grinder is the prerequisite for being able to make decent coffee with the Satrap Espresso XA at all.
- A scale is essential for controlling the extraction amount, and that's for every extraction.
The Satrap Espresso XA comes without a double-walled basket. A double-walled basket allows the use of pre-ground coffee. Normally, the flow rate of the espresso is adjusted via the grind setting of the grinder. Since pre-ground coffee is already ground and can no longer be adjusted, the resistance in the double-walled basket takes over the task of extending the espresso brewing time.
Explanations for adjusting an espresso grinder usually sound like this: the grind setting should be adjusted so that the espresso extraction time is approximately 25 seconds to achieve a fill amount of approximately 20 ml/g in the cup.
Unlike a Delonghi Dedica EC 685 or a Solis Barista Perfetta Plus, the Satrap Espresso XA doesn't stop after 20 ml/g in the cup, but after 25 seconds. If the grinder's grind setting is too coarse, the cup fills up far too quickly. The machine will nevertheless stop after 25 seconds. The cup is then full or overflowing. If the grind setting is too fine, hardly any drops are in the cup after 25 seconds. The consequence is the same as with a machine with volumetric stopping. The grinder must be properly adjusted. But the approach is different and requires more consistent and even control of the fill amount in the cup with every extraction.
Steaming milk for cappuccino with the Satrap Espresso XA
If you like to drink cappuccino or latte macchiato, you're better off with the Satrap Espresso XA than those who prefer to drink espresso. Because while the espresso rarely tastes the same as the previous one, you can steam the milk foam decently with the espresso machine if you use the small pitcher (0.35 liters).
And when you pour milk foam onto an espresso, the espresso quality doesn't play the biggest role anymore.
Conclusion on the Satrap Espresso XA espresso machine
The Satrap Espresso XA is labeled as a lever machine on the packaging, even though it isn't a lever machine. A lever machine would be a fully automatic coffee machine or a hand lever machine like the Flair or the manual rotary espresso apparatus Aram.
The discrepancy between packaging and contents runs throughout the machine. While the tamper and portafilter make us jump for joy, the temperature inconsistency gives us the chills. While we find the timer control instead of volumetric control interesting, we would prefer this for a more advanced machine and consider it problematic in the beginner segment.
Therefore, we can hardly recommend the Satrap Espresso XA for making espresso, except for further processing into coffee liqueur or cappuccino. Some extractions will be delicious and you can drink the espresso straight. Often, however, the American double-latte variant will be the best solution for neutralizing bitterness and acidity.
