Finding the right portafilter machine

Reading time: 5 minutes. This is a short blog article. You can find the detailed blog post here.

In this article, we help you find the right espresso machine for your needs. That's why we cover the different systems available on the market to guide you to the perfect machine, whether you're a cappuccino drinker or an espresso purist.

How the single boiler espresso machine works

As the name suggests, the single boiler machine has just one water circuit. This means there is one boiler in which the water is heated to brewing temperature. For espresso, that's 90° - 96°. However, if you want to make milk foam afterwards, you need water steam at around 120° - 130°. That's why after pulling the espresso, you need to heat the boiler up until it produces steam. After steaming the milk, the machine then has to cool back down to brewing temperature.

The temperature of the water plays a crucial role when preparing espresso. Above 100°, the espresso becomes unpleasantly sour and bitter. The temperature is equally important when steaming. Water steam that's too cool results in too much liquid water in the milk, and you won't get a good result—you'll end up with watery milk.

Does the single boiler make good espresso?

Yes! Properly prepared, espresso from a single boiler machine tastes just as good as from a machine that costs thousands of euros. To achieve this, you need to know your machine well and understand when it has reached the right temperature. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Makes good espresso when the temperature is right
• Already affordable to purchase
• Compact models available
• Can also be used for milk-based drinks
• Heats up relatively quickly

Cons:

• You need to become very familiar with how the machine works
• Temperature management required
• High energy consumption
• Although they're affordable, they're only suitable for beginners to a limited extent
• The small boiler is not very consistent in temperature

For pure espresso drinkers or for milk drink enthusiasts who really want to engage with the subject, a single boiler machine is worth considering. Please note that this technology does not offer particularly low energy consumption.

You can, for example, choose from the Lelit Victoria PL91T, Gaggia New Classic, Bezzera Hobby, Lelit Grace PL81T, Lelit Anna PL41 LEM, ECM Classica PID, Bezzera Unica PID, Quick Mill Carola, and Rancilio Silvia.

How the thermoblock espresso machine works

The thermoblock is an emerging alternative in the portafilter machine market. Instead of a heated boiler, water is heated by a flow heater. Because no large amount of water needs to be heated, the machine is ready to use very quickly and consumes significantly less energy.

Temperature consistency varies greatly among different manufacturers. The challenge lies in the flow-through principle: when you pull many espressos in a short time, there's a risk that the large amount of cooler water flowing through means the flow heater may not maintain consistent temperature. Conversely, if the water flows too slowly (too finely ground powder), it will be heated too much. With larger thermoblocks, however, this problem is minimal or non-existent.

Unfortunately, some thermoblock machines also have poor milk steaming performance. This means that steaming milk requires less pressure and steam than with boiler machines.

But there are also positive examples like the Sage Bambino Plus or the 2022 version of the Ascaso Steel Duo PiD.

Pros:

• Fast heat-up time
• Low energy consumption
• Good espressos are possible with the right settings
• Minimal limescale buildup
• Relatively affordable

Cons:

• Temperature fluctuations
• Not ideal for steaming milk

If you prioritize fast heat-up time and low energy consumption, you should consider a thermoblock machine. Here are some examples: Sage Barista Express, Sage Barista Pro, Lelit Glenda PL41, Quick Mill Peagso, ECM Casa V, Lelit Kate PL82T, Ascaso Steel Duo PID, Ascaso Dream PID, Sage Bambino Plus

How the dual boiler espresso machine works

Dual boiler machines have two separate water circuits. There is one boiler that is constantly heated to 120°-130°. This is used for steaming milk. Through this boiler runs a tube through which water is drawn for espresso brewing. It is heated by the heat of the boiler to its target temperature of approximately 90°-96°.

With a dual circuit system, steaming milk is fun! Plenty of pressure and no heat-up time after pulling the espresso. You can even pull espresso and steam milk simultaneously. These machines are also ideal for larger gatherings, as you can prepare multiple cappuccinos one after another.

Temperature is usually very consistent. However, it's important to purge between espresso pulls to avoid extending the water's dwell time in the group tube too long. Otherwise, you risk "burning" the espresso.

Pros:

• Good espresso performance and steaming behavior
• Steam and pull espresso simultaneously
• Good temperature consistency

Cons:

• More expensive than other systems
• Very high energy consumption
• Home barista machines are not suitable for commercial use!

Espresso lovers who are willing to spend some money on their hobby will be happy here, as will cappuccino enthusiasts. However, the high energy consumption detracts from the coffee experience and is no longer appropriate for just one espresso a day. Example machines include: Bezzera BZ10, Quickmill Rubino 0981, Bezzera Magica SMN, Bezzera Strega R AL, Profitec Pro 500, ECM Mechanika V, Elba 1 and 2, Rocket Appartamento, Lelit Mara X, Rocket Cronometro Mozzafiatto, Sanremo Cube

PID control and rotary pump

Some machines are offered with so-called PID control (Proportional Integral Differential). This allows you to adjust the steam and/or brewing temperature precisely. A rotary pump can also be a great upgrade for the machine. It's quieter and more powerful than a vibration pump.

Dual boiler espresso machine – Function and application

Dual boiler machines have two boilers, one for brewing espresso and one for steaming milk. So you no longer need to juggle temperatures; instead, you have consistently the right temperature.

The consistency of the temperature, which is regulated by PID control inside, becomes apparent when making many consecutive pulls. Dual boiler machines handle this discipline brilliantly.

Milk steaming also works well. Even if you want to treat a football team to cappuccinos, the pressure remains consistent and good. That's why dual boiler machines are also suitable for semi-professional use. They can be operated with a standard power outlet but can handle small commercial use or large family gatherings. Machines like the La Marzocco GS 3 can even be operated in cafés.

Pros:

• Precise brewing temperature
• Excellent milk steaming results
• Suitable for semi-professional applications

Cons:

• High price
• Very high energy consumption
• Dual boiler doesn't automatically mean PID or a rotary pump. Read the details carefully!

Proven dual boiler machines include: Profitec Pro 300 Dualboiler, La Spaziale Dream, Bezzera Duo Top MN, Quick Mill New Vetrano 2B, Rocket R58/Cinquantotto, Bezzera Matrix, ECM Synchonika Dualboiler, Dalla Corte Mini, La Marzocco GS/3, La Marzocco Linea Mini

Espresso grinder as a basic prerequisite

Here too, it's important to note that an espresso machine is only as good as the grinder used to grind the beans. Only homogeneously and perfectly ground coffee can lead to a tasty espresso. A €5000 espresso machine should not be paired with a €300 grinder. We recommend budgeting 1/4, or even better 1/3 of your budget for a good quality grinder!