- Posted by Chamie
- Thu, 02/02/2012 - 08:53
Another Pretty Machine
The "Funky Town" Demo from Presso on Vimeo.
Pretty machines are a weakness of mine, and this one is one pretty machine. I don't know how I've missed seeing the Presso up till now, but I made up for my oversight this morning by checking out as many Presso videos as I could find.
If you haven't seen it before, the Presso is yet another manual espresso machine that relies on muscle power to build up the pressure for extraction -- and the muscles are definitely on display in most of the Presso vids out there. This one has less muscle, more technique -- and a great soundtrack to get your morning going.
Check out the array of coffee accessories on the counter behind the Presso in this one -- I'm envious!
Here it is in its naked glory:
It's got a nice price-point, too, at $150 -- in line with the Handpresso Wild -- and it comes with a milk frother and a combo scoop and tamper. And there's an empty space on my counter just waiting for something this industrial-chic to show up. I wonder if I can find somewhere that sells the Presso complete with one of those rugged-looking, muscle-y guys to make my espresso for me...now THAT would definitely dress up my kitchen!
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REVIEWS & COMMENTS
@HOOCHUL
Chamie | Sun, 02/05/2012 - 10:21I totally agree. It's the kind of thing that looks cool sitting on the counter, but I'm not sure I'd use it often. But, like I said, if I could get a package deal that came with one of those muscled baristas to make my coffee for me each morning...
@SON TON
Chamie | Sun, 02/05/2012 - 10:19I'll admit I didn't bother looking at the reviews -- just the vids and pictures. I agree with hoonchul -- it's cool looking, but I probably wouldn't want to work that hard for my coffee every morning so it's not really on my radar for purchasing. I may end up reviewing it at some point for the coffee guy who pays me to write reviews, though, so who knows?
@WAKEKNOT
Chamie | Sun, 02/05/2012 - 10:16There's a post on the Presso blog asking for people who have the All Clad version of the Presso to contact them. Apparently, the company used to make them, but no longer does and now they're considered collectible.
YA IT LOOKS COOL BUT I DON'T
hoonchul | Sat, 02/04/2012 - 00:49Ya it looks cool but I don't know if I would want to work that hard for coffee every day. I would get tired of doing that real quick.
PRETTY BUT...
Son Ton | Fri, 02/03/2012 - 01:54Yeah, it does look pretty but there are a few problem with the machine. People have report that the machine is quite fragile (with plastic interior parts) that tend to break. For that kind of money, I would strongly consider a used lever machine like a Pavoni which could be a lifetime investment.
I'VE HEARD GOOD THINGS
Wakeknot | Thu, 02/02/2012 - 21:56I thought this machine was no longer made. I wonder if it was discontinued and now has come back? It is made by cookware company All Clad, right?
I THINK THESE MANUAL DEVICES
intrepid510 | Thu, 02/02/2012 - 13:55I think these manual devices from what I hear pull some pretty good shots of espresso if you don't mind taking the time to really play with them and my beat out the machine you just bought! Let us know if you end up with one of these or something similar.
@AVASERFI
Chamie | Thu, 02/02/2012 - 09:57Good question. I suspect that, like most machines that depend upon muscle power, it would depend a lot on the barista's ability to deliver smooth, even pressure. In some of the videos out there, you can see the veins knotting in the hands and forearms and knuckles turning white when they grip the "legs" for the final part of the pull. It's a very pretty machine that I'd love to have sitting on my counter, but I suspect I wouldn't make the best espresso with it because I don't have the arm strength to do it.
@JBVIAU
Chamie | Thu, 02/02/2012 - 09:53Hey, a girl can dream, right? I have to say, some of the videos out there feature some awfully pretty shots, and there seems to be an active community debating about such things as overfilling the water chamber to build more pressure, and double pulling the arms to give things a little extra kick (that is, pulling halfway down, then up and down again, not pulling two shots through! That would be just grim!)
HA!
jbviau | Thu, 02/02/2012 - 09:34I don't think the kind of "package" deal you're looking for exists! Would be interesting to taste an espresso from this funky machine.
COOL LOOKING
avaserfi | Thu, 02/02/2012 - 09:17Although, I do wonder how well it would work. Can it really deliver the right amount of pressure in a relatively even way or at least in a way that mimics a lever?