Hey Guys, welcome back!
When it comes to brewing espresso at home, there are so many options in today’s market when choosing equipment. The Kitchen Aid semi-automatic espresso machine has been gaining attention to the home coffee consumer for the past year, and I’ve been testing it out for the last two weeks to see if it really lives up to its hype. So, today ill be sharing my thoughts from a coffee professionals perspective and show you if its worth the investment for your home coffee set up.
In today’s review, I will be going through the machines workflow, build, design, features and overall thoughts and impressions of the Kitchen Aid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine.
First Impressions
The Kitchen Aid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine makes a solid first impression straight out of the box, its weight, feel, build quality and accessories really impressed me considering the price of this machine.
- The Size: nicely sized, fits snuggly on your countertop without taking up too much space.
- The look: Solid, sleek and minimalistic design appeals to the aesthetics of most kitchen set ups, especially mine.
- Build: Solid build quality, with a combination of stainless steel and plastic commercial grade components gives sturdiness and a high quality feel to the machine.
Setup & Usability
The KitchenAid semi automatic espresso machine was quick to set up upon reading the set up guide and included manual, a few extra steps compared to your average entry-level espresso machine but the set up took around 10 minutes and from there I was ready to extract my first shot.
- Water Tank Capacity: 2.5 litres — which is more than enough for multiple drinks before refilling and compared to other brands this is a much larger water tank capacity.
- Buttons and Controls: Easy to use functions, buttons are clearly displayed and interface is easy to use.
- User Friendliness: Perfect for beginners, through variable tweaking you’ll be on your way to making great coffee.
For beginners, the learning side is understanding recipes, dose and grind size – but that’s the fun part of making espresso. If you would like to learn more about dialling in espresso for beginners, feel free to check out our other articles which will explain further.
Features & Specifications
The features of the KitchenAid Semi Automatic espresso machine:
Key Features:
– Integrated conical stainless steel burr grinder.
– Smart Dosing technology.
– Manual Dosing.
– Anti-Static Technology.
– 225g Capacity Removable Hopper.
– Commercial grade 58mm portafilter.
– Multi angle steam arm.
– Certified Quiet Mark for a quiet grinding experience.
Overall Performance
At the heart of any espresso machine review is the question: Does it pull a great shot? With the right grind and fresh specialty coffee beans, the extraction is the most important part, but does it deliver? Here were my thoughts on my 2 week usage of the machine:
Using a variety of different coffee beans, from light, to medium and dark, the kitchen aid grinder delivered extraction of around 20 seconds on the finest grind setting, which in a ratio and recipe sense, for a coffee professional or coffee nerd, this isn’t ideal! But using my hand grinder to grind much finer enabled me to extract perfect shots at the ideal 1:2 ratio, 18g in with 36g out tasted amazing.
The steam arm: I was pleasantly surprised with the power of this steam arm, every time I go to use it, it produces silky smooth milk, with a nice texture and easy enough to pour some great latte art patterns on the coffees.
Although the Kitchen Aid semi automatic espresso machine doesn’t deliver on extraction for someone who dials in on the dynamics and science of espresso, the machine would be ideal for someone who just wants that morning cup of coffee without any fuss, along with great milk steaming capabilities, you will be in for a decent flat white in the morning without over complicating anything.
Maintenance & Cleaning
A well-maintained machine is a long-lasting machine, and the Kitchen Aid semi-automatic makes the cleaning simple, easy and a no fuss process.
- Daily Cleaning: Easy rinse of portafilter and steam wand / automatic backflush cycle
- Parts Access: The drip tray, water tank, and portafilter are easy to remove and clean.
The ease of maintenance is a big plus if you plan on using the machine daily.
Who is it For?
The Kitchen Aid Semi Automatic is best suited for the average person that doesn’t want to overcomplicate their morning cup of coffee. One that just wants to grind, tamp, extract, drink and get on with their day.
It’s less ideal for coffee enthusiasts and professionals that like to tone in on a quality cup of espresso in the morning, but with a secondary grinder with capabilities of grinding finer, this machine would still be an ideal fit for a coffee enthusiast on a budget.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Excellent build quality for the price.
- Stable temperature control for consistent shots.
- Capable steam wand for silky milk foam.
- Attractive design that suits most kitchens.
Cons:
- Single boiler, slows down workflow.
- Requires a quality grinder to get the most from it.
- Learning curve if new to espresso-making.
Price & Value
The Kitchen Aid Semi Automatic espresso machine retails for around £699.00 placing it in the entry-level category of home espresso machines. For the build quality, feature set, and steaming quality it offers fair value for your money — especially if you’re just wanting a decent cup of coffee in the morning.
Kitchen Aid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine – £699.00
Final Verdict
After weeks of testing, the kitchen aid se I automatic espresso machine has proven itself as a capable, well-built, and versatile espresso machine (if you have a secondary grinder), a good, budget friendly choice for home baristas ready to level up. It’s not without its quirks, but the quality of the espresso and the control it offers over brewing make it a worthwhile investment for any specialty coffee enthusiast to start their journey in home coffee brewing.
Thank you for reading, I really hope it’s been insightful and you can now make a decision to get the most out of this machine.
If you’re interested in learning more about the art of dialling in espresso, why not check out our article here on dialling in espresso for beginners!
Until next time, we’ll catch you on the next one.
