1 week Ago
To help us provide you with free impartial advice, we may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site. Learn more Expert Reviews logo best buy 1 / 9 Our rating Reviewed price £200 Pros PID temperature control PID temperature control Large 58mm portafilter Large 58mm portafilter Capacious water tank Cons Chokes on very finely ground coffee Chokes on very finely ground coffee Steam wand is weak A good barista makes brewing espresso look simple, but be in no doubt – it is far from a straightforward process, even with a coffee machine as basic as the ProCook Espresso Coffee Machine. If you're willing and able to put in the time and learn the craft, though – and invest another £100 to £200 in a decent coffee grinder – then you'll find this ProCook model rather capable.
It is a very well made and competent manual espresso machine, if a little on the basic side. What do you get for the money? While the ProCook Espresso Coffee Machine is as cheap as manual espresso coffee machines get, you do get a surprising amount for your £199. In the box is the machine itself, a pair of 58mm single-wall portafilter baskets (one single shot, one double), a pin for cleaning gunk from the steam wand, plus a (mostly) plastic tamper.
This tamper isn't the usual afterthought that's thrown into the box with most machines at around this price, either. It's a little on the light side, but it looks just like the real thing, providing a metal surface for compressing your coffee and a stubby plastic handle that gives you plenty to grip as you push down. 8 / 9 In fact, the machine as a whole is surprisingly robust and good looking.
The chassis is mostly constructed from plastic, but the outer surfaces are made from pressed aluminium and its blue backlit LCD display looks the business. If you like the way Sage's premium coffee machines look, but can't justify spending that much, then this ProCook option will be just the ticket. The machine's portafilter is built from cast.
.. Jonathan Bray.
