http://www.bellabarista.co.uk EXPOBAR BREWTUS II A Closer Look 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) Expobar Brewtus II closer look v6.
Overview The Expobar Brewtus II arrived well packed in a very sturdy cardboard box that has a little space for accessories to be added. Nice to see the use of shaped polystyrene as a packing material and this machine is unlikely to get damaged in transit. Externally the machine is well finished, uses high quality components and has a solid and quality feel.
Servicing this machine will be easy as all components are quite accessible, case removal is 5 screws, and the water tank platform (which may also need to be removed) has two screws and a couple of hex screws (puzzling why they decided to use 2 hex screws?). There is little potential for an inexperienced service engineer to damage the machine when removing the case, the pump is quite accessible and pump replacement looks straightforward.
How it arrived and unpacking Sturdy box and good use of polystyrene packaging obviously specifically designed for the machine. It is not easy to get the machine out of the box as there is limited room at the sides to reach down and get a good grip. Box needs to be placed on it’s side and the machine slid out. The manufacturer’s manual is quite poor (and wrong in places), but the machine is easy to use. It only covers the basics of machine operation and a very brief description of how to make coffee.
Preparing the machine for use Peel off any protective film, ensure the water source lever (tank or mains) is in the correct position (for the test machine this was the opposite way to that stated in the Expobar manual), lift the machine onto the counter, wash the cold water tank, fill it with filtered water. Don’t forget to snip the little cable tied at the bottom far edge of the water tank platform (unless you have plumbed it in), you have to remove the tank to do this.
Water tank platform and shield has a protective film on the inside surface. Personally I decided to remove this Expobar should remove this prior to assembly, although to be honest I don’t think it will cause a problem, melt or fall off. Small hole in water tank a blessing and a curse. The tank is well made and good quality Means that crud doesn’t fall easily into the tank and water doesn’t slop over the sides when moving it (in fact you can fill it right up.
Brew Pressure (factory preset is a little high) With the blind filter in place, it was a little above 12 bar. Possibly the right design model for all domestic prosumer machines. It’s great to have a choice that can be so easily made! And great at decaling time if you have plumbed it in! Plumbed in or tanked operation switched via a simple lever and valve, a great idea and so easy. You don’t have to remove the case, just reach underneath the machine The rubber feet are nice quality, but do grip well.
They remembered to place access ports in the frame below the heating element of each boiler This means you won’t have to remove the boilers to change the heating element Two protective thermostats, one on each boiler. I am almost 90% certain they can be reset once tripped, but obviously couldn’t try it out! Having high limit thermostats should reduce the incidence of failure due to fill and level problems.
Photo gallery Top of the boilers with hi limit stats, vacuum breakers and safety valves The twin boilers and water tank (removed) The digital temperature control unit The braided mains water hose and switch for tanked or plumbed operation (note the cable tie mentioned earlier A shot with its clothes on! Warmed up and ready to go.
How it works The diagram shows a simplified (but essentially accurate) diagram of the Brewtus II twin boiler system. The pump keeps the steam boiler (which also provides hot water) about 80% filled with water that is heated and kept at a pressure of 1.0 bar (about 15 psi). The temperature of this water is above boiling point and has an area of steam above (similar to a pressure cooker).
Brew Water Temperature The Expobar Brewtus II does not run hot as is usual with HX machines, which are a tight compromise between continuously available steam, and production of brew water for espresso. The twin boilers solve that problem, the brew water boiler running at around 101c and the steam boiler at around 121c. The group is fed by the brew water boiler and has the thermosyphon from there as well, so the group acts much like those on a single boiler machine.
Below are some approximate values from testing (which may vary depending on a number of factors and are averaged from a large series of results) e.g. 95 on display and offset of -5 = brew temp max of 94.5 after 90ml flushed 95 on display and offset of -7 = brew temp max of 94.5 up to approx 50ml rising to 96.5 after 90ml flushed Espresso shots can be pulled one after the other, but it’s probably good practice to flush 1 oz between shots. Overall a very consistent and accurate brew temperature.
