Specifications

ManualsBrandsBella ManualsCoffee MakerONE SCOOP-ONE CUP COFFEE MAKER

Bella Barista, Nene Court, The Embankment, Wellingborough, Northants, NN8 1LD

Tel: 01933 273275

e-mail:

claudettep@towability.com

ECM Barista closer look 2012 v2.doc

E C M B A R I S T A – A C L O S E R L O O K

H T T P

: / /

W W W

B E L L A B A R I S T A

C O

U K

A relatively new coffee machine from ECM

Manufacture in Germany

The Barista arrives well packed (ECM use heavy

grade packaging and Bella Barista also double

box the machines). Build quality is good with

high quality (industry standard) components. It

has a mirror finish stainless steel exterior case

and a black painted internal steel frame.

. The

quality is noticeable when lifting the machine as

the Barista is a heavy machine at approximately

22Kg.

This type of heat Exchanger (HX) machine, is

more complex internally than cheaper non HX

machines, but much simpler to operate. There

are fewer controls and no need to do anything

special (apart from filling the water tank

occasionally) to draw steam, hot water or

espresso at any time. The Barista automatically

maintains the water level in the boiler as

required and if run low on water in the tank the

Barista switches off the heating element and

pump as a safety precaution, but has no low

but has no low but has no low

but has no low

water alarm

water alarmwater alarm

water alarm.

The machine is attractive and fits comfortably

under standard height kitchen cabinets,

comparing favourably with other similar

prosumer machines that have a heritage and

reputation for looking good. Some enthusiasts

buy second hand commercial machines, they

are very large, heavy, plumbed into the mains

and have 3-6kw heating elements in 5l or

larger boilers. The Barista can make the same

high quality drinks), without the hassle.

Overview

Inside This Review

Inside This ReviewInside This Review

Inside This Review

Overview 1

How it works 3

Inside the Barista 4

A detailed Tour 5

Key Features 6

Using the Barista 12

Final Thoughts 13

Specifications 14

Gallery 15

The details were correct at the time of writing, but the manufacturer and

Bella Barista reserve the right to change the technical specification of

the packaging, machines and any accessories supplied with the

machine (including quantity and type of accessories supplied)

STAR

BUY

STAR

BUY

Summary of content (15 pages)

PAGE 1
ECM B A R I S T A – A CLOSER LOOK STAR BUY HTTP ://WWW.BELLABARISTA.CO.UK Overview Inside This Review A relatively new coffee machine from ECM Manufacture in Germany The Barista arrives well packed (ECM use heavy grade packaging and Bella Barista also double box the machines). Build quality is good with high quality (industry standard) components. It has a mirror finish stainless steel exterior case and a black painted internal steel frame..
PAGE 2
Page 2 of 15 ECM BARISTA BARISTA – A CLOSER LOOK Overview – cont. The Barista has been described as an entry level prosumer machine with a price that reflects this positioning, but not the quality, which is higher than you would expect. This review will judge the machine not only on function, but on what would be expected for the price It is a great machine both for the customer to use and the reseller to support and should provide years of reliable service with the minimum of maintenance.
PAGE 3
Page 3 of 15 ECM BARISTA BARISTA – A CLOSER LOOK How it works Barista.. The pump keeps the boiler about 60% filled with water that is The diagram shows a simplified diagram of the Barista heated and kept at a pressure of 1.2 1.2 bar (about 22 psi). The temperature of this water is above boiling point and has an area of steam above (similar to a pressure cooker).
PAGE 4
Page 4 of 15 ECM BARISTA BARISTA – A CLOSER LOOK Inside the Barista A close inspection of the Barista shows a machine that has all the usual refinements internally that one would expect. Internal build quality is good, with good attention to detail. Components are reasonably well positioned and neatly assembled.
PAGE 5
Page 5 of 15 ECM BARISTA BARISTA – A CLOSER LOOK A detailed Tour 2 Resettable limit stats • Autofill, “level” probe just behind limit stats Pressure relief valve (Safety valve) Vacuum breaker Hot water pipe Cold water tank holder removed and placed to one side Steam pipe Copper Steam Boiler Standard MATER XP110 Pressurestat, controls boiler pressure Heat Exchanger top and bottom Heating element Vibration pump (Ulka) EX5 48W OPV Valve, used to regulate brew pressure Bottom of thermosyphon loop
PAGE 6
Page 6 of 15 ECM BARISTA BARISTA – A CLOSER LOOK Key Features • • • • • Ball Joint steam and water arms Nice quality internal water tank Low water sensor – magnetic float (hall effect) “non compression” commercial commercial type steam & water valves Brew & Boiler Pressure Gauges Item/Description • • • • • • Adjustable pressure pressure stat MATER XP110. XP110.
PAGE 7
Page 7 of 15 ECM BARISTA BARISTA – A CLOSER LOOK A nice quality metal badge. For a change a machine with a badge that actually is in keeping with it’s value. It is even riveted in place, which means it won’t fall off/.something that occasionally happens on some espresso machines with constant exposure to heat and steam. Readers of past reviews will know that I am not a fan of cheap badges, especially when stuck on, or even worse, not level.
PAGE 8
Page 8 of 15 ECM BARISTA BARISTA – A CLOSER LOOK The Barista is heavy, because the internal frame is rigid and constructed with a quality (thick) steel I strongly recommend the use of felt bottomed (or Teflon faced) castor cups for a few pounds, to make it easy to move and protect your worktop. It is difficult to attach the felt directly to the feet because they are “hollowed out” underneath The feet are height adjustable and made of ABS plastic.
PAGE 9
Page 9 of 15 ECM BARISTA BARISTA – A CLOSER LOOK Fairly good factory manual that comes with the machine. I only had a quick glance, but it seems to cover most of the basics. The Bella Barista userguide will extend and suplement the information here. Portafilters are heavy, nice quality and properly finished (e.g. chrome button in the end. Other items are; blind filter (for backflushing), usual plastic tamper/which of course should be changed for a proper/ “real” one as soon as possible.
PAGE 10
Page 10 of 15 ECM BARISTA BARISTA – A CLOSER LOOK The 3 flats on each of the side panels give the machine a really nice look, much better than straight sides. After so much good, a bit of a schoolboy error. The expansion valve/OPV assembly is placed such that the pressure cannot easily be adjusted, because the steel subframe is in the way. It would be simple to have a small 8mm hole within the subframe and a similar one laser-cut into the rear panel.
PAGE 11
Page 11 of 15 ECM BARISTA BARISTA – A CLOSER LOOK Sadly ECM have moved from a Microswitch to magnetic (“hall effect”) low water sensing using a float in the tank. This may make it harder to implement a low water audible alarm. At the moment the machine simply switches off the power to the orange front lamp and to the heating element9..
PAGE 12
Page 12 of 15 ECM BARISTA BARISTA – A CLOSER LOOK Using the Barista – simple and easy to use! The Barista runs hot, but not too hot and requires a smaller cooling flush than other HX machines, 3 oz max. There is always a compromise between steam pressure and production of brew water at the right temperature for espresso. Pressure in the boiler is directly related to the temperature, a higher pressure gives higher temperatures.
PAGE 13
Page 13 of 15 ECM BARISTA BARISTA – A CLOSER LOOK Final Thoughts – so what’s the bottom line! The Barista is a well built German manufactured • Change to electronic low water level detection (a direct function of a Gicar RL30) • Put some silicon/rubber dot’s around the cup tray area, so that it fits firmly and will not rattle at all. This will give an even quieter machine.
PAGE 14
ECM B A R I S T A – A CLOSER LOOK HTTP ://WWW.BELLABARISTA.CO.UK ECM Barista Specifications Height-Width - Depth: w x d x h / 330 mm x 425 mm x 400 mm (add 150mm to depth with portafilter fitted) Weight: 22 kg approx Voltage & Power (approx): 230 V-50Hz, nominal 1200W max Temperature control Adjustable MATER XP110 Mechanical Pressurestat, plus dual limit stats for added protection. Water Tank : 3.1 litres, removable with low water sensor (magnetic float) Single Boiler HX system: 2.
PAGE 15
Page 15 of 15 ECM BARISTA BARISTA – A CLOSER LOOK Gallery – A few pictures of the Barista The beautiful lever operated E61 group,, just group waiting to make that espresso or latte!! latte maintenance,, great Very good access for maintenance build quality 2 high quality group handles, with double single, doubl e and blind baskets © Bella Barista Bella Barista, Nene Court, The Embankment, Wellingborough, Northants, NN8 1LD Tel: 01933 273275 e-mail: claudettep@towability.