Review – Expobar Office Control Espresso Machine

If you're looking for an espresso machine that doesn't take out a huge amount of space on your counter top, and yet will last a long time, the Expobar Office Control Espresso Machine might be what you're after.

This is a world class espresso machine that comes from Sweden and made by the espresso masters at Crem International that can compete in many ways with the some of the very best commercial espresso machines out there, and we'll get into why that is very shortly.

At the outset, you're looking at spending around $1300 (price may vary) if you buy this from Amazon.com , but I think you will find that it is well worth it considering its going to last you at least 5 to 10 years, depending on how you treat it. With a bit of care, you're going to get a lot out of this machine, because it is known to be a real workhorse, highly dependable, and something that any fan of real espresso wouldn't mind having proudly displayed on their countertop whether we're talking about a commercial location or a unit just for the home.

Comes With

• Chrome plated brass portafilter
• Tamper
• Single shot filter basket
• Double shot filter basket
• 7 gram coffee scoop

Why Is It So Good?

When you're looking for an espresso machine of a certain level of quality, there are certain things you're going to want to see, and the Expobar Office Control Espresso Machine possesses many of these characteristics and features. Before we get into what those include, here is a video which shows the Expobar being unboxed just to give you an idea what you'd be in for if you decide to order one of these puppies.

Looks & Design

This espresso machine, at a glance, really would appear to be the kind of machine that would seem to be the real deal. You can take one look at this machine and just by judging a book by its cover, you and anyone else who loves coffee is going to love it. With its stainless steel exterior, it has that professional look that is almost irresistible to some coffee fans. This machine could be a real piece of junk (it is NOT - its built like a tank), but you wouldn't know it by looking at it.

If you run a café, sometimes little things like this can go a long way.

When people lay their eyes on this machine, they're going to wonder about it and start asking questions. I've seen it happen. Happily, there's definitely more to the Expobar Office Control Espresso Machine than just aesthetics, including a commercial-style copper boiler which can both brew and steam at the same time, with a no-burn steam wand, as well as a drip tray that's generously large, and is perfect for the next thing we are about to talk about.

E61 Brew Group

If you're into espresso, you may have heard something about the E61 Brew Group, which is well known in the espresso world for extracting maximum aroma and offering an even temperature the whole way through. Here's an example of this particular group in action on, of all things, an Expobar machine.

Pre-infusion is one of the key elements to the most flavorful, rich and creamy espressos, and that's what the E61 Brew Group is all about that. In a nutshell, pre-infusion is where the water is slowly introduced to the coffee grinds before the real action begins, essentially pre-wetting your grinds at a lower pressure. The interesting thing about pre-infusion is it gets talked about a lot, and debated as to its importance in the espresso process. We mention it here in relation to the Expobar Office Control because we firmly believe that pre-infusion is one of the key components of great espresso, and that any machine worth its value is going to have it. Here's a not-so-short video discussing pre-infusion if you want to learn more about it.

The other feature of the E61 Group is the thermosyphon that is part of its design. This is another aspect of the Expobar Office Control Espresso Machine that puts it on the level with many other more professional models, and contributes to the exactitude of its espresso-making through measured heat control. Definitely something that puts this machine above some others, although this function can really be traced back to the E61 Group which is the main attraction here, we think. For more info on thermosyphons, read this page .

Fully Automatic This is a fully programmable espresso machine which is very well laid out in terms of how you operate the unit. Even if you're a relative amateur at espresso making, or even never done it before, once you plug this machine in, it is fairly simple to use, and perfect for entertaining guests. It even has an auto backflush cleaning cycle to make cleaning that much easier.

Not Huge

Weighing in at 38 pounds, the Expobar Office Control Espresso Machine has a little something going for it and that is its size, which is, technically speaking: 15.5" tall, 9.5" wide, and 16.5" deep. Regardless of the setting you decide to use it in, whether it be commercial or in your home, you're going to find that you save a few precious inches here and there with this machine being relatively compact, making it a great addition to any café, or a real prize to have in your own home.

As we mentioned at the beginning, this machine is reported to have a lifespan of around 5-10 years, without any incident. One of the potential downsides is that when it does go on you, parts are hard to come by so you're almost better off replacing it. That said, once again it depends on how much TLC you give to this machine which will ultimately determine its lifespan. It is indeed a workhorse, but that doesn't mean you can be merciless with it in terms of usage. What are we talking about here? Well, for instance, you'll want to carefully clean your E61 Brew Head. If you see water pouring over your portafilter, or you hear your pump chugging along, these are signs that the brew head needs to be tuned up. Here's a great video for that procedure, if you aren't sure how that's done.

Cleaning your steam wand is another way to tell your Expobar "I love you". This means, basically, to always clean off your steam wand before you get milk sticking or caramelizing to the metal. Its not rocket science, but it is a big deal in the long run if you want to get more use out of your machine. Here's a video which shows proper steam wand cleaning etiquette courtesy of Whole Latte Love :

Drawbacks

Descaling of this machine, since it uses so much water, is going to be a necessary evil here. You will want to, most likely, take it in to a professional to get this done, unless you are fairly tech savvy and have done it before. For some, this might be a pain but not what one would consider a deal breaker.

The price - yes, its true - the Expobar Office Control Espresso Machine is not the cheapest one on the block. At around $1300, one would expect a lot from an espresso machine. Luckily, you do get a lot with this machine. On top of that, this is what we might consider one of the less expensive of the expensive machines, if that makes any sense.

Overall

I think we've made our point here with the Expobar Office Control Espresso Machine. It is definitely a luxurious model and something that any real fan of espresso might die to have in their kitchen, but the price does make it slightly inaccessible for someone who may be daydreaming about having an espresso machine at home. At the same time, if you are a café owner and you're looking for something affordable and stunning to have on your counter which will no doubt attract some attention, this machine is definitely one to consider.