In the ever-evolving world of home espresso machines, finding a balance between quality, functionality, and affordability can be quite a challenge. Enter the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker, a machine that promises to deliver on all fronts. This review delves into the features, design, usability, and overall performance of the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine, providing insights into why it might be the perfect addition to your kitchen.
- Great Value: Priced at around $230, it offers features typical of more expensive models.
- Durable Design: Stainless steel construction ensures longevity and a sleek look.
- User-Friendly: Simple control panel with illuminated buttons and pressure gauge.
- Effective Steam Wand: 360-degree rotation and silicone sheath for easy, safe frothing.
- Quick Heating: The 1250-watt thermocoil system heats up fast.
- Non-Programmable Pre-Infusion: Limited customization for advanced users.
- No Built-In Grinder: Requires a separate grinder for fresh coffee.
- Fixed Spout Height: Inconvenient for larger mugs or travel cups.
- Single Operation: Cannot brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously.
- No Water Filter: Needs regular descaling to prevent mineral buildup.
Overview of the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine
The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker stands out as a solid entry-level machine that doesn’t compromise on quality. Priced at approximately $230, this machine offers exceptional value for money. Its compact design, combined with a range of impressive features, makes it an attractive option for both beginners and seasoned coffee enthusiasts.
Key Features
Design and Build
The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker boasts a sleek, vintage industrial design, heavily influenced by the aesthetics of Breville machines. Its stainless steel construction ensures durability and a high-end look, while the die-cast warming plate adds a touch of sophistication. Weighing in at over 17 pounds, it’s sturdy but compact enough to fit comfortably in most kitchens.
The machine’s visual appeal is enhanced by its prominent pressure gauge, reminiscent of professional-grade espresso machines. This gauge not only adds to the aesthetic but also serves a practical purpose, allowing users to monitor the pressure during extraction—a crucial factor in pulling the perfect shot of espresso.
User Interface
Simplicity is at the heart of the Brim’s user interface. The control panel features a handful of buttons and indicator lights, making it easy to navigate. The large pressure gauge front and center not only adds to the machine’s aesthetic appeal but also provides valuable information during the espresso extraction process. This feature is particularly useful for beginners learning to perfect their shots.
The illuminated buttons and dials are intuitively placed, ensuring that users can easily operate the machine without any confusion. The user-friendly design extends to the machine’s cleaning and maintenance routines, which are straightforward and hassle-free.
Programmable Volumetric Control
One of the standout features of the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker is its programmable volumetric control. This allows users to customize the amount of espresso extracted, ensuring that you get the perfect shot every time. While the factory setting for a double espresso is 4 ounces, users can easily adjust this to their preference.
This feature is particularly beneficial for those who enjoy experimenting with different coffee recipes or prefer a specific strength and volume for their espresso. The ability to program the machine to stop the extraction automatically once the desired volume is reached adds a layer of convenience and precision to the brewing process.
Pre-Infusion Function
The machine’s automatic pre-infusion function is another highlight. By dampening the ground coffee under low pressure before full extraction, the Brim ensures that flavors and aromas are fully developed. Although the pre-infusion settings aren’t programmable, the feature is a welcome inclusion for achieving better-tasting espresso.
Pre-infusion is a critical step in the espresso-making process, as it allows the coffee grounds to bloom and release trapped gases, leading to a more even extraction. The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker’s ability to perform this function automatically ensures that even novice users can achieve barista-quality results at home.
Usability
Tamping
Unlike many home espresso machines that come with flimsy plastic tampers, the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker includes a heavy-duty metal tamper. This thoughtful inclusion makes a significant difference in achieving a consistent tamp, which is crucial for high-quality espresso extraction.
The metal tamper provides the necessary weight and balance to evenly compress the coffee grounds, ensuring uniformity in the puck and preventing channeling during extraction. This results in a richer, more flavorful espresso shot.
Milk Frothing
The Brim’s commercial-style steam wand is designed to create velvety microfoam, perfect for lattes and cappuccinos. The wand’s 360-degree rotation offers flexibility, making it easier for users to master their frothing technique. The addition of a silicone sheath prevents burns, enhancing safety during use.
The steam wand’s design allows for precise control over the steam flow, enabling users to create different milk textures for various coffee drinks. Whether you’re making a silky latte or a frothy cappuccino, the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker’s steam wand is up to the task.
Thermocoil Heating System
The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker utilizes a 1250-watt thermocoil heating system instead of a traditional boiler. This means the machine heats up quickly, reducing wait times between turning on the machine and brewing your first shot. However, it’s important to note that you cannot brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously, though the machine switches between these functions efficiently.
The thermocoil heating system ensures consistent water temperature throughout the brewing process, which is essential for extracting the full flavor profile of the coffee. This system also contributes to the machine’s quick heat-up time, making it more convenient for daily use.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Maintaining the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker is straightforward. Regular rinsing of the portafilter baskets and flushing the group head after each use will keep the machine in good condition. The included accessories, such as the cleaning pin, make routine maintenance even easier. Descaling the machine periodically, especially in areas with hard water, is recommended to prevent mineral buildup.
The machine’s design incorporates thoughtful features like a removable drip tray with a level indicator, which alerts users when it needs to be emptied. This helps prevent overflow and keeps your countertop clean. Additionally, the lack of a built-in water filter means users should descale the machine regularly to maintain optimal performance.
Accessories
The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker comes with an impressive array of accessories:
- Two pressurized filter baskets
- Two single-wall filter baskets
- Heavy-duty metal tamper
- Stainless steel milk pitcher
- Measuring scoop
- Cleaning pin
These accessories provide everything needed to start making espresso and steaming milk right out of the box. The inclusion of both pressurized and non-pressurized filter baskets offers flexibility for users at different skill levels. Beginners can start with the pressurized baskets, which are more forgiving, while more experienced users can switch to the non-pressurized baskets for greater control over the extraction process.
How to Use the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine
The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker is designed to be approachable and easy to use, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Here’s a quick overview of how to pull an espresso shot with this machine:
- Clean the Parts: Rinse all removable parts under warm running water.
- Fill the Reservoir: Fill the 71-ounce (2-liter) removable water reservoir with cold, filtered water.
- Flush the Machine: Prime the pump by flushing the machine. Detailed instructions are provided in the user manual.
- Power On: Turn on the machine and wait for it to reach the optimal temperature. The indicator lights will stop flashing once it’s ready.
- Grind the Coffee: Use freshly ground coffee for the best results. Dose the filter basket with the desired amount of coffee grounds.
- Tamp the Grounds: Use the included metal tamper to evenly compress the coffee grounds.
- Insert the Portafilter: Place the portafilter into the group head and lock it into place.
- Pull the Shot: Press the single or double shot button and watch as the espresso flows into your cup.
Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
To keep the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker in top condition, follow these simple cleaning and maintenance tips:
- Daily Cleaning: Rinse the portafilter baskets and flush the group head after each use. Wipe down the steam wand with a damp cloth after frothing milk.
- Descaling: Descale the machine regularly to prevent mineral buildup. The manufacturer recommends using vinegar every six months, but more frequent descaling may be necessary in areas with hard water.
- Drip Tray: Empty and rinse the drip tray daily to prevent overflow. The built-in level indicator will alert you when it’s time to empty the tray.
- Water Reservoir: Clean the water reservoir regularly to ensure the water used for brewing is always fresh.
Verdict
The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker emerges as a strong contender in the entry-level espresso machine market. Its combination of sleek design, user-friendly features, and solid build quality make it an excellent choice for beginners and experienced users alike. The machine’s reasonable price point further enhances its appeal, making high-quality espresso accessible to a broader audience.
Not only is the 19 Bar Espresso Maker affordable and easy to use, but it also looks great and seems built to last. Newbies won’t quickly outgrow this machine, and even seasoned pros might appreciate its compact size and robust performance. If you’re looking for a reliable, stylish, and affordable espresso machine, the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker is well worth considering.
Specifications of the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker
- Manufacturer: Brim
- Model Number: 19 Bar Espresso Maker
- Product Category: Manual espresso machine
- Housing Material: Stainless steel
- Color Options: Stainless steel
- Milk Frother: Steam wand
- User Interface: Buttons and dials
- App/User Profiles: Memo function only
- Portafilter Size: 51 mm
- Tamping: Manual
- Removable Water Reservoir: Yes
- Water Reservoir Capacity: 71.0 fl oz / 2.1 l
- Number of Boilers: 1
- Pump Pressure: 19 bar
- Maximum Cup Height: 4.7 in / 11.9 cm
- Grinder: Not included
- Grind Adjustment Levels: Not applicable
- Bean Hopper Capacity: Not applicable
- Specialty Drinks: 0
- Pre-Infusion: Yes
- Adjustable Coffee Temperature: Yes
- Adjustable Milk Foam Temperature: Yes
- 2-Cup Function: Yes
- Hot Water Function: Yes
- Milk Foam Only Option: Yes
- Water Filter: No
- Power Consumption: 1250 W
- Weight: 17.4 lb / 7.9 kg
- Dimensions: 13.1 x 10.7 x 11.2 in / 33.3 x 27.2 x 28.4 cm
- Warranty: 2 years
- Included Accessories:
- User manual
- Stainless steel milk pitcher
- Metal tamper
- Coffee scoop
- Cleaning pin
- 2 x pressurized filter baskets
- 2 x single-wall filter baskets
- Current Price on Amazon: Approximately $230.00
