#Ecm casa v espresso machine mod
It makes it much easier to shop for accessories or mod your Casa. The portafilter is the standard commercial size 58 mm diameter, which I always recommend. It comes with the same popular chrome-capped portafilter as the higher-end models and baskets for either a double shot or a single shot. Many companies will skimp on the drip tray, using painted iron instead, but stainless steel ensures you’ll never have issues with rust. It’s almost entirely stainless steel, including the mirror-finish panels, the cup warming tray, and the drip tray’s interior. The Casa V is the smallest of ECM’s line-up, a compact design measuring just 8.25″ wide. If you’re buying an ECM espresso maker, one thing you can always count on is build quality.ĮCM built their reputation on selling products that last, and customers are consistently willing to pay a premium for their reliability. It comes standard with a well-balanced 2-hole tip, but this is easy to swap out if you’re so inclined.
#Ecm casa v espresso machine full
Compared with other models, it has a bit more clearance under the steam wand, a full 5 inches. Additionally, it doubles as the hot water wand. The steam wand is double-walled to stay cool to the touch, and the multidirectional ball joint gives you plenty of room to maneuver. And thanks to the high wattage heating function, it hits maximum steam power very quickly. That said, it has plenty of juice to generate a silky microfoam for latte art or an airy cappuccino froth ( 3). But that’s not a feature you’d expect in a single boiler machine of this size, nor a feature you’d necessarily want in something geared toward newer coffee lovers. The Casa V doesn’t quite have the super-charged steam power of ECM’s higher-end models. So it’s not a mark against the Casa V in particular. This is common to all brewers of this style. Otherwise, you risk damaging the heating element. The only extra step to keep in mind is that you need to refill the brew boiler after steaming before you pull a shot. It’s operated with four pretty self-explanatory buttons: one for power, one for coffee, one for steam, and one for hot water. Once you’ve sorted out your grinding and dosing, that is. The ECM Casa V couldn’t be easier to use ( 2). Maxwell has found that the lower average pressure over the course of the shot mitigates against channeling and produces excellent extractions.īy having easy access to the OPV, the adjustable brew pressure is another variable to play within the perfect extraction quest. What else?Īnother OUTSTANDING FEATURE of the ECM Casa V is the accessibility of the over pressure valve. Though you can’t play with flow profiling, the gauge is an excellent way to analyze how well you’ve dialed in your grind, dose, and tamp.
#Ecm casa v espresso machine pro
This is something not found on the Silvia or some other popular models in this class, like the Gaggia Classic Pro or the Bezzera New Hobby. The most obvious is that the Casa V has a brew pressure gauge. Still, it has a couple of additional features that I think more than justify its cost. The Casa V is a bit more expensive than the Silvia. People most often compare the ECM Casa V with the Rancilio Silvia, another entry-level semi-auto espresso machine with which it shares many similarities. This means that you can’t plumb this espresso machine to a water line. The pump won’t impact your coffee quality at all, but it is a bit louder than a rotary pump. At its heart is a vibratory pump, which you’d expect at this price point.
As long as you’re flushing it correctly, you can expect remarkably stable brew temperatures. So don’t feel like it can’t handle a latte! In comparison, the popular Rancilio Silvia’s wattage is just 993 W. But the brass brew boiler takes only a short time to heat thanks to the 1200 W heating element. It has a single boiler, so you have to wait for the brew boiler to come to temperature when switching between steaming milk and pulling a shot. This might be some of the best espresso machines you can get for under $1000. Still, that in no way prevents it from delivering quality drinks. At $999, the ECM Casa V is one of the brand’s smallest and least expensive models.