Finding the Right Portafilter Machine

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

How the Single Boiler Espresso Machine Works

The single boiler machine has, as the name suggests, 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°. If you then want to make milk foam, you need water vapor at about 120° - 130°. That's why after pulling your espresso, you need to heat up the boiler until it can produce water vapor. After frothing the milk, the machine then needs to cool back down to brewing temperature.

The temperature of the water plays a crucial role in preparing espresso. Above 100°, the espresso becomes unpleasantly sour and bitter. The temperature is equally important when frothing. Water vapor that's too cold 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, an espresso from a single boiler machine tastes just as good as one from a machine costing thousands of euros. To do this, you need to know your machine well and know when it has the right temperature. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Makes good espresso when the temperature is right
• Available at a low cost
• There are compact models
• Can also be used for milk beverages
• Heats up relatively quickly

Cons:

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

For pure espresso drinkers or for milk beverage lovers who really want to get into the subject, it's worth taking a closer look at a single boiler machine. Please note that this technology doesn't offer particularly low energy consumption.

You can, for example, opt for 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, Rancilio Silvia.

How the Thermoblock Espresso Machine Works

The thermoblock is an emerging alternative on 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 very quickly ready for use and has significantly lower energy consumption.

Temperature consistency varies greatly between different manufacturers. The challenge is the flow-through principle; if you pull many espressos in a short time, there is a risk that with so much cooler water, the flow heater may not maintain the temperature consistently. If the water flows too slowly (too finely ground powder), it becomes overheated. With larger thermoblocks, however, this problem is less prevalent or nonexistent.

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

But there are positive examples here too, such as the Sage Bambino Plus or the 2022 version of the Ascaso Steel Duo PiD.

Pros:

• Fast heating time
• Low energy consumption
• With proper settings, good espressos are possible
• Minimal limescale
• Relatively inexpensive

Cons:

• Temperature fluctuations
• Not ideal for milk frothing

If you prioritize fast heating 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 frothing milk. A tube runs through this boiler through which water for espresso brewing is drawn. It is heated by the boiler's heat to its target temperature of approximately 90°-96°.

With a dual boiler system, frothing milk is fun! Plenty of pressure and no heating time after pulling your espresso. You can even pull espresso and froth milk simultaneously. These machines are also suitable for larger groups of coffee drinkers, as you can prepare several cappuccinos in a row.

The temperature is usually very consistent. However, rinsing between espresso pulls is important so you don't let the water retention time in the flow tube get too long. Otherwise, you risk "over-burning" the espresso.

Pros:

• Good espresso performance, excellent frothing behavior
• Froth 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 a bit of money on their hobby will be happy here, as will cappuccino enthusiasts. However, the high energy consumption is painful for coffee enjoyment and is no longer appropriate for a single espresso per 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 set 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 espresso brewing and one for milk frothing. You no longer have to juggle temperatures; instead, you consistently have the right temperature.

The temperature consistency, which is controlled internally by PID control, becomes apparent when you make many pulls in succession. Dual boiler machines master this discipline brilliantly.

Milk frothing also works well. Even if you want to delight a football team with cappuccinos, the pressure remains constant and good. That's why dual boiler machines are also suitable for semiprofessional use. They can be operated with a standard outlet, but they can handle small commercial applications or large family celebrations. Machines like the La Marzocco GS 3 can even be operated in cafés.

Pros:

• Precise brewing temperature
• Excellent milk frothing results
• Suitable for semiprofessional applications

Cons:

• High price
• Very high energy consumption
• Dual boiler doesn't automatically mean PID or 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 Requirement

We should also mention that an espresso machine is only as good as the grinder used to grind the beans. Only homogeneous and perfectly ground coffee powder can result in a delicious espresso. A €5,000 espresso machine should not be paired with a €300 grinder. We recommend allocating 1/4, or ideally even 1/3 of your budget for a good, solid grinder!

The machine is half the battle, the recipe is the other half. To find out how to make good espresso with it, see Preparing Espresso.