Processing:
The build quality is absolutely class act and really sturdy. Even in the pictures looks the machine not only look good, but by the metallic look is also very sturdy. In fact, the machine actually much aluminum is installed, which I think is very positive. Water tank and collection container are made of plastic, which is also okay, because it is really robust. The filter holder itself is made of sturdy metal and holds A) the heat well and B) is not on the chrome. Both very positive.
Generally, I find that this machine is already processed much better, as the many others. In this price range I only have two points where I am a little surprised:
- The lance is equipped with a metal tube surrounding the foam makes the form more quickly. This is attached to the top by a pressure against silicone. I'm curious how long does that.
- The holder of the filter holder under the mill is made of plastic and seems durable. Still, I wonder how to replace these, should break off a piece of time.
Coffee and handling:
This filter holder is not fundamentally different from other such machines in the 500 class. This is a one-circuit system that therefore steam and coffee can not produce the same. For most home users and even small bars but that is not so tragic.
A special feature is the thermal block, which, unlike other machines ensures that it is ready for operation after power here very quickly. A conventional boiler are nowhere.
Even the delivery is for coffee making more as sufficient. From the beginning, several screens are included, which can be used depending on the size and can. For example, a double-sieve is included for beginners. This is particularly well suited for beginners as you do not have to handle so much with the pressure and the screen compensates for minor errors.
The screens are not used can be stored in a small drawer, which is located behind the waste water tank. Granted, this place is not suitable for normal application, but to store things you do not want to lose an ideal.
Coffee making from AZ:
First of all you need good coffee for this machine because you will have especially in poorer beans quickly negative taste experiences. But this should be clear before purchasing such a machine.
The grinder can be adjusted in 18 steps, where I move 7-10 since the powder is very fine. Which grit one is set here to a matter of taste and secondly, of course, also depends on the coffee used. I am using currently the 9 and a cup of coffee with 60% Robusta and 40% Arabica beans from Italy.
The coffee falls into a grinding directly into the filter holder, which is not made perfect. As others have posted here Berwerter, the outlet is not perfectly offset the center but slightly to the back, which leads to the one at the front of the filter holder more coffee powder has as at the back. But this is (if you know it) not bad at all, since one anyway still must tampern. During grinding, there are two possibilities:
- Grinding the set dose (can be metered very precisely)
- Grinding through pressure until you think it's enough (this pushes you against the filter holder while the coffee mill is up you want to have no more powder - thereby ends the flour central)
I personally use the dose effect because I so always have the same amount of flour in a sieve.
The Tampern is an art in itself and is at the beginning of something that you have to practice only once. The supplied Tamper is okay, and can be used both on the machine, and in the hand. Personally, I've bought another Tamper because this is better in hand. But that's a matter of taste. The magnetic suspension on the machine (the Tamper is magnetically attached to the machine) in my opinion is super!
The printing unit and the filter holder are really good quality and do much. You tense and starts the brewing process the filter holder, obtained through the pressure indicator has a pretty good picture of whether the coffee is good or not. In addition, the dose of espresso is very good and fits perfectly into the positive overall picture.
Milk frother:
Many reviews have already talked about that here was a bit sloppy and this goes quickly broken. I can not confirm that because Gastroback should have remedied at least in the newer machines. A vulnerability however, there is still and this I try now times as accurately as possible to describe.
On the picture is already apparent that there is a lance (the frother) of three parts. Once the steam tube that goes into a piece from beginning to end. Then even the handle so that you can move the cappuccino maker even if it's hot (pictured gray) and last but not least a small tube of metal that is infected on the handle.
The flaw here is the silicon from which the handle is made, as this will certainly dissolve over time something and then can no longer hold the tube properly. Whether this is really the case, I will report in an update. At this point I also want to say that everything here is very sturdy and I have the impression that should keep the tube for a long time.
The performance of the milk frother is absolutely great by the way, because the machine produces a lot of steam and thus generate the necessary micro-foam which is so important for a latte macchiato.
Water cycle:
Here patzen most manufacturers tremendously since the usability of the water cycle is very important in a single circuit. Steam and coffee require different temperatures, which can lead to waiting periods when the machine is not well thought out ideally. The Gastroback shines in my opinion here.
The water system is designed so that excess water is fed directly into the waste water tank. Additionally, this drainage system, the machine can be used for cooling.
If you switch the machine on to steam, the heating block is heated within a few seconds at the appropriate temperature and you very quickly really gets so strong vapor. If you compare the machine back, this uses the waste water circuit for cooling the machine which only takes a few seconds.
Stupid However, is that you should pay attention already, that the waste water tank is fully inserted into the machine. Is this something pulled out, or you can take it out, because yes supposedly no water flows, land water on the floor of the machine (easy to clean - but dry just annoying).
So realize, every time the pump is running, have the container definitely completely in the machine.
Summary:
Pros:
- Good workmanship
- Good coffee beans with the right
- Sophisticated water system with Thermoblock
- Great Mill with good adjustability
- Good maintainability (cleaning, water filter, etc.)
- Pressure indicator very closely
Neg:
- Possibly prone milk nozzle
- Not perfect central coffee outlet when grinder
All in all Gastroback has with this machine in my opinion, really a lot of things improving at all the other manufacturers simply are what they are. For example, the water filters are a great extension that you do not use MUST. The waste water tank is well thought out and has a coffee-collecting, which I think is practical, since the machine can be cleaned more easily. General cleaning is perfect and easy designed due to the automatic functions (monitoring the amount of water) could not be easier.
Design can technically a machine like or not, that everybody has to decide for himself. The materials used are a delight in any case and feel really at wertig.
Although the coffee outlet to the coffee mill is not ideal, but entirely within the framework and the grinder itself is awesome. Even the little things that are in the background well done, this machine doing compared to other highly recommended. The water system itself I find well-designed and user-friendly especially. The accessories in my opinion is very exemplary, since for most customers is everything you need. The only thing I would buy is additionally a Ausklopfbehlälter and possibly a tamper the better in your hand. Who directly on the machine Tampern wants can do this ideal.
Clear the machine also has disadvantages compared to your colleagues, but these prevail in any case. All in all, I would buy this machine again.
UPDATE 1:
The spear still keeps really well and already in ages everyday with me. I think that they are still the next time will also keep well. Should this change but I will report.
UPDATE 2:
The lance is still holding, but that's not the reason for this update. The machine has a pressure control system which also takes water from the tank to cool. This can be heard by a bubbling sound. If this sound is heard, the waste water tank should not remove it also. :) But this is so logically speaking, I write this only because it separately on some reviews (and feedback) was probably shortly after brewing (Drckregelsystem at work) pulled the container and then wonder the water from the machine is running , Short and sweet, the machine is tight - contrary to other claims.
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