After 4 years of my amazing coffee journey, I come back to watch this video again! What a great video from you! Full of passion and your real experiences with this machine for successfully hosted many events says a lot about how good is this machine! Guess what 😊I already ordered my Lines Mini 2023 yesterday! I can’t wait to brew many amazing coffee from it! Thanks Chris!
I have a mini, I use it daily and I like it, but here is a reality check: 1. A lot of the stainless steel is lower grade/ thinner than less expensive machines. 2. Within two week of purchase, the paddle switch on mine failed. 3. Within the first month a bushing on the pump started leaking. Tech discovered it had been over tightened at the factory and was cracked. 4. Potentiometer failed and had to be replaced one week after the one year warranty expired. It makes great espresso, but has been a little high maintenance. The out of warranty potentiometer cost me a couple hundred bucks for the part, labor ,and the techs travel time.
same here with the GS3 1. Stainless steel not deburred 2. check valve broken after a few month 3. watertank deformed after a few month and causes false alarm (refill water) 4. 3 hole steam tip was the worst ever constructed, had to bereplaced by a 4 hole tip 5. LCD display faded after a few years, barely readable Great espresso but this is by far not state of the art this is "let's keep the price high so people are convinced to brew the best espresso ever" otherwise they had to admit to be pulled over the barrel (at least a bit :-) )
Its like having an Instagram-hot GF.. great looks and maybe great sex but high maintenance! lol! Jokes aside! I am looking at Dalla Corte Studio vs this. Now I see why I should stay away from the LMLM! Thanks for the heads up! I also read in forums that the GS3 is also troublesome! it seems LM is just a name and not worth the headache!
@@BIGWUNuvDbunch makes sense, that's what I do too. I'd love a plumbed in drain though. Maybe one day I'll rig a pump and hook it into one of those giant water bottles.
Hey Chris, I just bought mine last month and love it! They now have an app where the machine connects to wifi. With the app, you can program pre-infusion, temp, turn on schedule and more. Definitely worth the 5k
P V Yes. I’m a year into this Linea Mini. It’s EXACTLY LIKE A LEICA M6! That’s a great analogy. We have a GS3 MP, too, at the office. The mini I can say is just amazing. The GS3 MP is great and perhaps more “versatile” in a couple ways. The mini, though, is just so brilliant in so many ways.
La marzocco would rather be smth like a high end Canon or Nikon... Leica would rather be an analogy to something like Synesso, Slayer, or a Kees van der Westen
I've had my mini for about 6 months now and honestly, it's one of the best 5k I spent but, I love espresso and I don't use this commercially at all. Also, the steam pressure is no joke, I steam about 6-8 oz in a 12 oz pitcher in legit, 3 seconds.
My profitec 700 Pro dual boiler with PID and manual flow adjust is amazing. Working in the industry I had to have it for home. Yes it’s a hobby but It’s worth it.
It’s been a while since you’ve made a coffee focused vid, and it’s so great to see your enthusiasm about coffee come to the surface again. It gets me so hyped about coffee too. Thanks mate!
Every positive thing Chris has said about the Mini in this review is exactly the reason I bought mine. I prefer making espresso with the Mini to using the super powerful Conti at my work. Just save your money and buy one, for coffee's sake.
Some of my local small ice cream shops use linea minis paired with mazzer mini grinders for espresso afagato. Works great even in a light commercial setting. Cost is a huge barrier to excellent home espresso. My local shop charges $2 for a doubleshot. That means it would take me 10 years of a coffee a day to make a $5000 machine 'worth it' for just myself. The economics do change when you have a family but it's still a lot.
Great review Chris. We stopped at the cafe on Portola Drive for a coffee & pastry on our way back to the airport to fly back to the UK. Now home I used The Answer I bought in my Rocket R58 this morning & it's fabulous coffee! Keep up the good work!
Would love one of these but still happy with my Rocket Giotto Evo 2 which in my mind is similar, it just makes good coffee, no super bells or whistles, just me and my "zen routine" each morning which i love
Dan Rye I have had the original Evo for probably 8 years now and it still looks great, always attracts comments from guests. I suspect the Linea Mini has the edge (certainly stronger steaming) but I don’t think it has the character that the rocket has - the E61 group, the lever, just something about it that the linea misses.
I talked to so many baristas about a new mid-tier machine (including folks at Cat and Cloud) and everyone told me the LMLM was absolutely worth it. So, I saved up and went for it. And I have to say, I absolutely love it. The customer service at LM is so great as well. I have zero regrets about this purchase.
I understand that the Linea Mini is programmed for one-second preinfusion. I am used to preinfusing from 5 to 20 seconds, depending on coffee and grind, on my Londinium lever machine. What is the point of one (!) second? Do you not find that a limitation?
I need an answer to that question as well. I don't really care about going as far into control as with, let's say the decent, but I feel like with the mini, for 5k, you're kinda short on options...
Shinshokuful This machine is designed for the home user who wants simplicity and power, and also mostly small cafés or catering. In a cafe setting there is no time for adjusting pre-infusion.
I kind of agree with you BUT. The ability to do a slow. Low flow pre-infusion is a game changer. It changes regular ole medium/ medium dark roast espresso blends as well. There are “Slayer mods” for the Mini. There are custom Led mods for the temp. The Mini was designed before these things got standard. If you’ve had god shots from a AV Strada, a Synesso Hydra, a Black Eagle, the Mini can come close for more than half the price. I think the Mini is best for those who want to keep it simple. Enjoy the beans the Mini does well. Pull the same coffee until the bag runs out. Maybe even stick to the same blend and roast. If you like Nordic light roasts, some difficult SO’s, want to pull Gesha espresso, better to have a more versatile machine like a Strada mod GS/3 (to keep it in the brand). But then the question is, how much better is the Mini than the Breville DB at 1/4 the price?
The machine is realy good I love to work with, but the shot timer remember me about "create the problem, buy the solution". WHY THERE ISN'T A SHOT TIMER ON THE LINEA MINI ??
RCB nails it once again. I'm the 'experiential' type of home barista, which is exactly why I chose this machine. ...I'm in step with my biased friend, the LMLM is awesome!
How can you do experiments with the LMLM apart from adjusting the temperature? Any E61 dual boiler with flow control offers more options for experiments.
There is a big question mark IMHO when it comes to the LMLM. There is alot of PR around the machine and results "in the cup" are inquestion.I see many buyers send it back after a while and some buyers are keep in quiet...I guess I will need to wait for mine and see for myself.but I have my debutes.
I recently got the Profitec Pro 700 v2 (same machine, different exterior) and love it. Was tossing up between this and the Linea Mini. Heart said LM, head said Profitec. In the end LM made it an easy decision with a recent price increase which is Aus was significant. Having a built in shot clock is a little feature that I would struggle to give up now too.
Synchronika owner here. It's basically 95% of the experience of the LMLM IMO. Some users of both have said that the steaming on the LM is better (drier) because of the larger boiler and non-insulated wand; however, the Pro 700 & Synch have the same 2-bar pressure as the LM. However, I got maybe 5 mL of water from 30 seconds of running the steam wand after purging, which I'd consider to be negligible. It also has rapid recovery; after steaming milk for an 8oz latte, it never dropped below 1.5 bars and was back up to pressure by the time I prepped my next shot and started pulling. If you're still considering the LM, double-check your vendor's warranty policy. Where I bought my machine, my Synch comes with a 2-year warranty (where the vendor will pay for return shipping), whereas the LM, as it's considered a "commercial" machine, is not subject to such a warranty and therefore servicing it will be more expensive. I also love Profi/ECM's shot timer built into the PID. It's such a brilliantly simple feature. Lastly, you can get WLL's Flow Control Kit for the Profitec/ECM E61 machines to play with flow profiling. You're restricted to a set 1-second preinfusion on the LM. There's beauty in simplicity, as Chris said, but that might leave some tinkerers frustrated. Depends on the person!
I use 2 shot glass as my measuring tool when pouring in the coffee into 3/4 hot water in cup. I steam the milk until I see a wave flowing and when it feels warm.
Chris, If you can choose LM vs GS3. Which one you gonna choose & Why? How much different is it in term of taste? I know espresso will be different, but what about the milk based?
Hey, I've got the Linea Mini and absolutely love it (I'm using it in a little cafe I opened up btw). Just one thing I don't like or haven't figured out. When I want hot water, it splatters all over. Is there an adjustment or way to just have hot water flow out without spattering? Cheers from Canada.
It's a tricky thing but if you just tweak the dial a little bit (don't turn fully on) you should get a better stream from the nozzle. I turn it slowly just until water comes out, it's kinda slow but it works.
I bought this machine and love love love it! I have a little mobile cart and love the process of making an espresso, this def didn't disappoint! I get so may compliments on the machine and am a lover of La Marzocco, have been since 2008. Also, where is that tamp from? I need it in my life!
Chris, I just got this machine (currently waiting for it to be shipped) and I would like to know if you'd recommend getting precision baskets for it or if the ones it comes with are good enough? Appreciate your insight.
This felt like a giant advertisement for LM. This thing has much better build quality than the machines that are 2k less (though I’ve never tried them and have no basis for making that claim.)
LATE TOTHIS VID BUT THIS ISNT THE MACHINE FOR A JUST HOME USE UNLESS YOU HAVE THE CASH TO DROP. Everyone is dropping turds of the price, its not just for home usage its also for cafe settings. If you want a great at home espresso machine just get a Rocket appartamento tbh great product also can be used in small scale events.
Ive had coffee from LaMarzocco machines in San Diego and Bellevue Washington. It is the best coffee I’ve ever had. But I’ve not had Profitec Pro 700 or any other machines so i don’t know.
I just read that the paddle was "fake". I don't understand. Why is this paddle fake? Also, can you make the lights dimmer on this? One more thing, I can't change a lightbulb. What happens if the Mini breaks? I live in NYC but who will fix it? Thank you.
@RealChrisBaca so are you now using this thing at home over the awesome Breville Oracle Touch you have? I am assuming a latte taste better because of the commercial quality steamer?
I have a Breville Dual Boiler that I absolutely love and I could buy 6 of these for the price of a Mini....not too sure it’s worth it. It looks good but not sure about its tag price. Anyway man solid vid again !
I have a Quickmill Vetrano V2b (1st gen) that retailed for mid 2K. While the espresso quality is good, and the PID is nice, the steam power has never come close to what I experience at 3rd wave shops. Steam power is less, is less dry (has more moisture), and the tip opening size and angles never get the vortex needed to do truly high quality microfoam. I've used 2, 3, and 4 hole tips. Over 7 years, thousands of lattes, and experimented with different angles, pitchers, milk brands, etc. Still nowhere near what I can achieve on pro machines (yes I'm friends with a couple of local shops that let me use their machines after hours). My next machine I want to steam like the pro machines that my friends in my local 3rd wave shops use, and the Linea Mini looks to fit the bill. I do wish the temp control was digital, but I can live with the wheel. The other thing I wish this had was a shot timer, but I'll continue to use my $8 kitchen timer if it means this machine will brew and steam like the pro versions.
There was a huge todo on Home-barista dot com recently, having to do with LMLM and their abrupt price increase ($500) for the LM. The fur was flying! Recall that the HB site manager even went so far as to remove some comments.. Would be interested to hear CB’s take on their price increase, since it took effect after his “review?”
If you like to think of coffee as a science, get a decent. If you want to think of coffee more as a craft/art and don't care about all the technical finetuning, get a LMLM or similar.
3:15 I know that feeling, I worked with a lot of different brands and had espressos from multiple machines with the same coffee and differente grinders. But despite that La Marzocco shots tastes better than other brands. IT DOESE NOT MAKE SENSE. BUT LA MARZOCCO SHOTS TASTES BETTER. AM I THE ONLY ONE?
No. I tried all sorts of machines and came to the same conclusion. Buy once and cry once I reckon. I bought my machine 2 years ago and haven't looked back.
When you say "I could really care less" that sort of means that you actually do care. What you probably mean is that you couldn't really care less, meaning that you care as little as it is at all possible not to care about something.
I found your channel due to the Linea Mini unboxing video. You promised a review and I subscribed. Seeing this review in my notifications felt like Christmas morning! Eventually, this will be my machine for all the reasons mentioned. Number one is the steam for latte art. I’ve pushed my ancient Pasquini Livia 90 and my skills to their limits, but the milk never pours with the grace displayed in the better latte art videos. As good as the Strada, you say? Yeah, I want that. I’ll never do a pop up bar, but to be able to crank out drinks quickly at family events and parties would be great. Why have people over and spend your time with the machine, rather than with them? (Of course, I can get that by just moving from single to double boiler... probably.) Finally, I never liked chem lab. I have no desire to run endless tests on pressure and heat ramps. Besides, we roast small batches at home and there are variations from batch to batch. Dose, yield, time and temperature are everything I need. I can tune dose, yield, and time quickly and might rarely get to temperature. (My recent exception is a very dark roast that clearly needs a lower temp than our usual roasts.) Having the other control would just make me feel like I should do more, or that I might have some parameter screwed up. Design? Meh. It’s no Ferrari. Sure, it draws from the history of the Linea, but I’ve never been in the business, so I didn’t develop fondness for the legacy. That said, it’s cleaner and more understated than an external group machine. It doesn’t look as pretentious as it’s price tag. Finally, robustness and support mean that I won’t waste time with frequent repairs or find it orphaned with obsolete parts. If only the price was lower. Otherwise, it would already be on my countertop. Finally, thanks for the Christmas morning experience, Chris!
This was not even a „biased review“, it was a pure commercial which could also run on teleshopping TV channel. I guess, only „useful“ for people who already own that machine and wanna feel good about it.
@RealChrisBaca Great video, this is my dream machine! I've got a Breville Espresso Machine and am looking for the next step up in espresso creation, need better milk, need better pressure/temp control. I def can't afford the $$$ Linea, what's the next level? Lucca, Gaggia, etc? I appreciate your advice.
I am with you brother, I sure do love the process of making espresso. It reminds me of developing film & printing photos in a dark room. P.S: I was so close to buying the Linea Mini until my GF gave me the, you know...serious GF eyes. Made a deal with her though, renovate the kitchen first and then I can get it :) Can't wait to move to Cali and soak in the coffee culture out in the west coast!
I am just getting into home espresso after a lifetime of bad coffee. This rabbit hole... Anyway, I am considering bringing espresso to mountain bikers outta the back of an adventure van. I am about quality but need it to be cost effective. Would this work I wonder?... would be jostled and driven around.
Question about dose on LM groups... do you usually end up with a screw imprint in the puck after pulling a shot? If I put an 17g dose in a 17g basket, I get a little imprint. Good/bad/who cares?
Sam Roesch probably depends on the basket but different coffees can take up more volume for the same dose. Screw imprint means you should reduce the dose ideally, because there should be enough room for the puck to expand as it saturates. I routinely dose over 20g in a 17g basket (not LM), so there is no exact dose, just experiment.
Nice thing about these machines is you can replace baskets to whatever your heart desires. It's all standard cafe sizes so you can get a basket that fits your desired dose. Yeah it's more money but worth it if you want to go the pullman/VST route.
Michael Hartmann I’m aware, but that’s not really what I’m trying get at, to rephrase: my question is whether LM purposely sizes a 17g basket such that the dose hits the shower screen (despite common lore saying the puck should not touch shower screen)
Hi there im considering to bij this one for my business. But honestly Prefer automatic one to be able to talk to customers at the same timea and because im specialized in chocolates and not really coffee, coffee just goed Well with chocolate etc so are there any automatic coffee machines you can recommend please? Help me out 🍫
After 4 years of my amazing coffee journey, I come back to watch this video again! What a great video from you! Full of passion and your real experiences with this machine for successfully hosted many events says a lot about how good is this machine! Guess what 😊I already ordered my Lines Mini 2023 yesterday! I can’t wait to brew many amazing coffee from it! Thanks Chris!
"this is the life that you chose" LOL love this
I have a mini, I use it daily and I like it, but here is a reality check:
1. A lot of the stainless steel is lower grade/ thinner than less expensive machines.
2. Within two week of purchase, the paddle switch on mine failed.
3. Within the first month a bushing on the pump started leaking. Tech discovered it had been over tightened at the factory and was cracked.
4. Potentiometer failed and had to be replaced one week after the one year warranty expired.
It makes great espresso, but has been a little high maintenance. The out of warranty potentiometer cost me a couple hundred bucks for the part, labor ,and the techs travel time.
same here with the GS3
1. Stainless steel not deburred
2. check valve broken after a few month
3. watertank deformed after a few month and causes false alarm (refill water)
4. 3 hole steam tip was the worst ever constructed, had to bereplaced by a 4 hole tip
5. LCD display faded after a few years, barely readable
Great espresso but this is by far not state of the art this is "let's keep the price high so people are convinced to brew the best espresso ever" otherwise they had to admit to be pulled over the barrel (at least a bit :-) )
Its like having an Instagram-hot GF.. great looks and maybe great sex but high maintenance! lol!
Jokes aside! I am looking at Dalla Corte Studio vs this. Now I see why I should stay away from the LMLM! Thanks for the heads up! I also read in forums that the GS3 is also troublesome! it seems LM is just a name and not worth the headache!
"Anybody who owns this machine probably has a good looking kitchen" lol my mini looks so out of place in my tiny ass apartment
If you put your Mini in a kitchen, it automatically makes it a good looking kitchen!
Goals. Did you get yours plumbed in?
@@blzt3206 nah, the water tank is nice because I can buy bottled water that has the correct mineral content
@@BIGWUNuvDbunch makes sense, that's what I do too. I'd love a plumbed in drain though. Maybe one day I'll rig a pump and hook it into one of those giant water bottles.
Dude i have my espresso machine in my room because there is no space in kitchen
Hey Chris, I just bought mine last month and love it! They now have an app where the machine connects to wifi. With the app, you can program pre-infusion, temp, turn on schedule and more. Definitely worth the 5k
It has real pre-infusion? Heard someone say it just has "pre-brewing" which is at 9 bar.
I got the flow profiling Lelit Bianca for 1850 English pounds paired with Niche Zero grinder. Haven't looked back!
Same. Love Bianca, this is extremelly overpriced for what it does. Even if I have that money I would rather buy Bianca instead.
That's a fantastic duo.
So La Marzocco is the Leica of the espresso machine business. Gotcha.
not really. would be a synesso hydra 1-group ... :-)
@@k-auslightroast412 oww my brain refuses to even comprehend that cost
P V Yes. I’m a year into this Linea Mini. It’s EXACTLY LIKE A LEICA M6! That’s a great analogy. We have a GS3 MP, too, at the office. The mini I can say is just amazing. The GS3 MP is great and perhaps more “versatile” in a couple ways. The mini, though, is just so brilliant in so many ways.
klaus stroismiller Synesso ain’t the only high end brand dude...
La marzocco would rather be smth like a high end Canon or Nikon...
Leica would rather be an analogy to something like Synesso, Slayer, or a Kees van der Westen
I've had my mini for about 6 months now and honestly, it's one of the best 5k I spent but, I love espresso and I don't use this commercially at all. Also, the steam pressure is no joke, I steam about 6-8 oz in a 12 oz pitcher in legit, 3 seconds.
My profitec 700 Pro dual boiler with PID and manual flow adjust is amazing. Working in the industry I had to have it for home. Yes it’s a hobby but It’s worth it.
The end just cracked me up. "Little reminder! This a biased review!" Liked the review alot 👍
too much talking and camera only focused on you. I want to see that machine!
True. Yet another marketing push from La Marzocco. Very similar in nature to Real Sprometheus.
... hence the unboxing video he refers to and links to.
I was thinking the same thing. An espresso machine review with no machine.
Amazing review btw. Love your down to earth, from the heart speaking!
It’s been a while since you’ve made a coffee focused vid, and it’s so great to see your enthusiasm about coffee come to the surface again. It gets me so hyped about coffee too. Thanks mate!
It's About How We Can Start Chatting. Yes That With A Glass Of Coffee A Long Story Will Begin
Every positive thing Chris has said about the Mini in this review is exactly the reason I bought mine. I prefer making espresso with the Mini to using the super powerful Conti at my work. Just save your money and buy one, for coffee's sake.
Some of my local small ice cream shops use linea minis paired with mazzer mini grinders for espresso afagato. Works great even in a light commercial setting.
Cost is a huge barrier to excellent home espresso. My local shop charges $2 for a doubleshot. That means it would take me 10 years of a coffee a day to make a $5000 machine 'worth it' for just myself. The economics do change when you have a family but it's still a lot.
Great review Chris. We stopped at the cafe on Portola Drive for a coffee & pastry on our way back to the airport to fly back to the UK. Now home I used The Answer I bought in my Rocket R58 this morning & it's fabulous coffee! Keep up the good work!
Would love one of these but still happy with my Rocket Giotto Evo 2 which in my mind is similar, it just makes good coffee, no super bells or whistles, just me and my "zen routine" each morning which i love
Dan Rye I have had the original Evo for probably 8 years now and it still looks great, always attracts comments from guests. I suspect the Linea Mini has the edge (certainly stronger steaming) but I don’t think it has the character that the rocket has - the E61 group, the lever, just something about it that the linea misses.
@@chrisseal1467 yeah totally agree, they are both classic iconic designs!
I talked to so many baristas about a new mid-tier machine (including folks at Cat and Cloud) and everyone told me the LMLM was absolutely worth it. So, I saved up and went for it. And I have to say, I absolutely love it. The customer service at LM is so great as well. I have zero regrets about this purchase.
“This is the life you’ve chose.” Hit me, but about coffee culture in general. Haha.
I understand that the Linea Mini is programmed for one-second preinfusion. I am used to preinfusing from 5 to 20 seconds, depending on coffee and grind, on my Londinium lever machine. What is the point of one (!) second? Do you not find that a limitation?
I need an answer to that question as well. I don't really care about going as far into control as with, let's say the decent, but I feel like with the mini, for 5k, you're kinda short on options...
Shinshokuful This machine is designed for the home user who wants simplicity and power, and also mostly small cafés or catering. In a cafe setting there is no time for adjusting pre-infusion.
i see this as more of entry commercial grade vs. home grade. You have a lot of options for home under 5K.
You had me giggle and thanks for giving out your why and bias. Its tempting now. I am Italian so biased too
I kind of agree with you BUT. The ability to do a slow. Low flow pre-infusion is a game changer. It changes regular ole medium/ medium dark roast espresso blends as well. There are “Slayer mods” for the Mini. There are custom Led mods for the temp. The Mini was designed before these things got standard. If you’ve had god shots from a AV Strada, a Synesso Hydra, a Black Eagle, the Mini can come close for more than half the price. I think the Mini is best for those who want to keep it simple. Enjoy the beans the Mini does well. Pull the same coffee until the bag runs out. Maybe even stick to the same blend and roast. If you like Nordic light roasts, some difficult SO’s, want to pull Gesha espresso, better to have a more versatile machine like a Strada mod GS/3 (to keep it in the brand). But then the question is, how much better is the Mini than the Breville DB at 1/4 the price?
The machine is realy good I love to work with, but the shot timer remember me about "create the problem, buy the solution".
WHY THERE ISN'T A SHOT TIMER ON THE LINEA MINI ??
You can install one! Ask your local provider of LM
I will keep my synchronika nice review
What do you recommend starting your pre infusion at. I’m rocking a e65s for a grinder.
Thanks for your review. 🙏
Have to boil 3 litres of water for 2 small shots of espresso everyday. Not a good idea.
I'll go on with my Flair. ☕👍😘
I tried one at London Coffee Festival...... Amazing ...... Terrific milk steamer .
Great review Baca! I have many relatives with that name. A Spaniard that loves expresso! You put the passion in what we all love!
RCB nails it once again. I'm the 'experiential' type of home barista, which is exactly why I chose this machine. ...I'm in step with my biased friend, the LMLM is awesome!
How can you do experiments with the LMLM apart from adjusting the temperature?
Any E61 dual boiler with flow control offers more options for experiments.
Hey man, I always love your channel. And I like your total honesty. I am going a get the La Marzocco Mini!
There is a big question mark IMHO when it comes to the LMLM.
There is alot of PR around the machine and results "in the cup" are inquestion.I see many buyers send it back after a while and some buyers are keep in quiet...I guess I will need to wait for mine and see for myself.but I have my debutes.
Awesome to see you crankin these videos... inspiring me to throw down some video content. Hope CnC is crushing it in these crazy times.
I think what it is, is part placebo and part the grinder rather than the machine only, of course given if the machine is great on paper as you said.
i live in Indonesia and a lot of small coffee shops use the Linea mini. spits out some great cappuccinos!
This is a beautiful video. 💯 spoken from the heart.
I really want a Linea mini but for 2000 less, I can get an ECM synchronica that has pretty much the same specs on paper. Anyone any thoughts?
definitely.
I have one I am happy.
I recently got the Profitec Pro 700 v2 (same machine, different exterior) and love it.
Was tossing up between this and the Linea Mini. Heart said LM, head said Profitec. In the end LM made it an easy decision with a recent price increase which is Aus was significant.
Having a built in shot clock is a little feature that I would struggle to give up now too.
@@GH-de8wv yeah, I would like the shot timer in the ECM... Tnx for sharing!
Synchronika owner here. It's basically 95% of the experience of the LMLM IMO. Some users of both have said that the steaming on the LM is better (drier) because of the larger boiler and non-insulated wand; however, the Pro 700 & Synch have the same 2-bar pressure as the LM. However, I got maybe 5 mL of water from 30 seconds of running the steam wand after purging, which I'd consider to be negligible. It also has rapid recovery; after steaming milk for an 8oz latte, it never dropped below 1.5 bars and was back up to pressure by the time I prepped my next shot and started pulling.
If you're still considering the LM, double-check your vendor's warranty policy. Where I bought my machine, my Synch comes with a 2-year warranty (where the vendor will pay for return shipping), whereas the LM, as it's considered a "commercial" machine, is not subject to such a warranty and therefore servicing it will be more expensive.
I also love Profi/ECM's shot timer built into the PID. It's such a brilliantly simple feature.
Lastly, you can get WLL's Flow Control Kit for the Profitec/ECM E61 machines to play with flow profiling. You're restricted to a set 1-second preinfusion on the LM. There's beauty in simplicity, as Chris said, but that might leave some tinkerers frustrated. Depends on the person!
I use 2 shot glass as my measuring tool when pouring in the coffee into 3/4 hot water in cup. I steam the milk until I see a wave flowing and when it feels warm.
Chris, If you can choose LM vs GS3. Which one you gonna choose & Why? How much different is it in term of taste? I know espresso will be different, but what about the milk based?
I have this machine and love it. Seriously a great machine. The mini rocks.
Hey, really great video here. I'm probably thinking way to much about making the Linea Mini part of my life.
LOL. Chris you crack me up with your descriptions.
Hey, I've got the Linea Mini and absolutely love it (I'm using it in a little cafe I opened up btw). Just one thing I don't like or haven't figured out. When I want hot water, it splatters all over. Is there an adjustment or way to just have hot water flow out without spattering? Cheers from Canada.
It's a tricky thing but if you just tweak the dial a little bit (don't turn fully on) you should get a better stream from the nozzle. I turn it slowly just until water comes out, it's kinda slow but it works.
What else do you need other than espresso and steamed milk. Works for me
Bloody marvellous vid. Answered many unasked questions. Thanks mate.
Love your video's - nice discussion about this machine - keep on doing what you're doing. Thanks.
Chris, what does your shirt represent?
Mulerider Humidity is a skate shop in New Orleans, LA.
You shouldn't push so close to a wall, so as to allow heat exchange.
I would love this machine. Sadly, I may never have the money for one. 😣
I bought this machine and love love love it! I have a little mobile cart and love the process of making an espresso, this def didn't disappoint! I get so may compliments on the machine and am a lover of La Marzocco, have been since 2008. Also, where is that tamp from? I need it in my life!
Finally a new video from youuu🙌🏻🔥
Looking to upgrade from my Rocket Cellini machine but not sure if spending over 5k now for the La Marzocco LM is worth it or not?
Great 'biased' review mate!
I also think this cute machine is so cool because it has no fancy electronics.. i should make it to my kitchen somehow..
Chris, I just got this machine (currently waiting for it to be shipped) and I would like to know if you'd recommend getting precision baskets for it or if the ones it comes with are good enough? Appreciate your insight.
This felt like a giant advertisement for LM. This thing has much better build quality than the machines that are 2k less (though I’ve never tried them and have no basis for making that claim.)
I don‘t think the built quality is better than on any ECM machine.
When I win the Texas Lottery the La Marzocco Linea Mini Espresso Machine will be one of the first things that I will buy.
LATE TOTHIS VID BUT THIS ISNT THE MACHINE FOR A JUST HOME USE UNLESS YOU HAVE THE CASH TO DROP. Everyone is dropping turds of the price, its not just for home usage its also for cafe settings. If you want a great at home espresso machine just get a Rocket appartamento tbh great product also can be used in small scale events.
Ive had coffee from LaMarzocco machines in San Diego and Bellevue Washington. It is the best coffee I’ve ever had. But I’ve not had Profitec Pro 700 or any other machines so i don’t know.
LOVE your enthusiasm!
Yo, Chris i will trade a Tom Penny flip Board signed by the man himself for linea mini :D!
Why do you think la marzocco is better than other brand?
I just read that the paddle was "fake". I don't understand. Why is this paddle fake? Also, can you make the lights dimmer on this? One more thing, I can't change a lightbulb. What happens if the Mini breaks? I live in NYC but who will fix it? Thank you.
Hello! May I ask what brand of bottle water can be use in this machine?
@RealChrisBaca so are you now using this thing at home over the awesome Breville Oracle Touch you have? I am assuming a latte taste better because of the commercial quality steamer?
I have a Breville Dual Boiler that I absolutely love and I could buy 6 of these for the price of a Mini....not too sure it’s worth it. It looks good but not sure about its tag price. Anyway man solid vid again !
I have a Quickmill Vetrano V2b (1st gen) that retailed for mid 2K. While the espresso quality is good, and the PID is nice, the steam power has never come close to what I experience at 3rd wave shops. Steam power is less, is less dry (has more moisture), and the tip opening size and angles never get the vortex needed to do truly high quality microfoam. I've used 2, 3, and 4 hole tips. Over 7 years, thousands of lattes, and experimented with different angles, pitchers, milk brands, etc. Still nowhere near what I can achieve on pro machines (yes I'm friends with a couple of local shops that let me use their machines after hours). My next machine I want to steam like the pro machines that my friends in my local 3rd wave shops use, and the Linea Mini looks to fit the bill. I do wish the temp control was digital, but I can live with the wheel. The other thing I wish this had was a shot timer, but I'll continue to use my $8 kitchen timer if it means this machine will brew and steam like the pro versions.
If you are into light roasts you should buy a machine which is capable of flow or pressure profiling.
There was a huge todo on Home-barista dot com recently, having to do with LMLM and their abrupt price increase ($500) for the LM. The fur was flying! Recall that the HB site manager even went so far as to remove some comments.. Would be interested to hear CB’s take on their price increase, since it took effect after his “review?”
What about the decent espresso machines?
M T much better value!
If you like to think of coffee as a science, get a decent. If you want to think of coffee more as a craft/art and don't care about all the technical finetuning, get a LMLM or similar.
3:15 I know that feeling, I worked with a lot of different brands and had espressos from multiple machines with the same coffee and differente grinders. But despite that La Marzocco shots tastes better than other brands. IT DOESE NOT MAKE SENSE. BUT LA MARZOCCO SHOTS TASTES BETTER. AM I THE ONLY ONE?
No. I tried all sorts of machines and came to the same conclusion. Buy once and cry once I reckon. I bought my machine 2 years ago and haven't looked back.
What’s up Chris.. long time no C..99! Nice vid, great info, keep it up..
When you say "I could really care less" that sort of means that you actually do care. What you probably mean is that you couldn't really care less, meaning that you care as little as it is at all possible not to care about something.
I'm pretty sure we could figure out how to get a rocker switch on there. :)
Love mine and never looking back! The folks at LM are awesome.
I sometimes wear blue caps even indoors. It's against the sweat...
Could we see a review with more of the actual machine in shot.
g no
I found your channel due to the Linea Mini unboxing video. You promised a review and I subscribed. Seeing this review in my notifications felt like Christmas morning!
Eventually, this will be my machine for all the reasons mentioned. Number one is the steam for latte art. I’ve pushed my ancient Pasquini Livia 90 and my skills to their limits, but the milk never pours with the grace displayed in the better latte art videos. As good as the Strada, you say? Yeah, I want that.
I’ll never do a pop up bar, but to be able to crank out drinks quickly at family events and parties would be great. Why have people over and spend your time with the machine, rather than with them? (Of course, I can get that by just moving from single to double boiler... probably.)
Finally, I never liked chem lab. I have no desire to run endless tests on pressure and heat ramps. Besides, we roast small batches at home and there are variations from batch to batch. Dose, yield, time and temperature are everything I need. I can tune dose, yield, and time quickly and might rarely get to temperature. (My recent exception is a very dark roast that clearly needs a lower temp than our usual roasts.) Having the other control would just make me feel like I should do more, or that I might have some parameter screwed up.
Design? Meh. It’s no Ferrari. Sure, it draws from the history of the Linea, but I’ve never been in the business, so I didn’t develop fondness for the legacy. That said, it’s cleaner and more understated than an external group machine. It doesn’t look as pretentious as it’s price tag.
Finally, robustness and support mean that I won’t waste time with frequent repairs or find it orphaned with obsolete parts.
If only the price was lower. Otherwise, it would already be on my countertop.
Finally, thanks for the Christmas morning experience, Chris!
I've got a question. I heard someone say that the GS3 has pressure profiling. Is it the same as the strada?
Please tell me how to reduce the steam power of the Linea Mini 2021...
Thx and best regards,
Paul
Lower the steam boiler temp.
This was not even a „biased review“, it was a pure commercial which could also run on teleshopping TV channel.
I guess, only „useful“ for people who already own that machine and wanna feel good about it.
Nice video! I’m biased by this review and just placed the order for LMLM.
Great honest review man! Hopefully I can have enough cash to get this beauty!
What kind of beans are you using?
Such a beautiful machine I have to pick up some expresso soon.
@RealChrisBaca Great video, this is my dream machine! I've got a Breville Espresso Machine and am looking for the next step up in espresso creation, need better milk, need better pressure/temp control. I def can't afford the $$$ Linea, what's the next level? Lucca, Gaggia, etc? I appreciate your advice.
Keep it up! Love your videos.. learned a lot from you specially 1 min series ;)
Amazing video, despite you dont liking to make reviews, yours are amazing. Ps: nice reference to simon sinek
The Decent DE1Pro blows the Linea Mini away and is much less inexpensive.
Hello mam I know it's out of subject but man like your Hat where did you buy it would like to buy it thank you.
I am with you brother, I sure do love the process of making espresso. It reminds me of developing film & printing photos in a dark room.
P.S: I was so close to buying the Linea Mini until my GF gave me the, you know...serious GF eyes. Made a deal with her though, renovate the kitchen first and then I can get it :)
Can't wait to move to Cali and soak in the coffee culture out in the west coast!
I want this espresso machine soo much!😄
Great review, hope to own this lovely machine one day
La Marzocco is the Mercedes-Benz of coffee machines, hell it's probably a Rolls Royce even.
Nice thoughts/review man, this is my dream machine.
So is this machine the new rocket or Silvia?
The Rolex of coffee machine
I am just getting into home espresso after a lifetime of bad coffee.
This rabbit hole...
Anyway, I am considering bringing espresso to mountain bikers outta the back of an adventure van.
I am about quality but need it to be cost effective.
Would this work I wonder?... would be jostled and driven around.
We need a Linea Mini AV.
La Marzocco is the Ferrari of espresso machine manufactures (at least thats what their advertisment says)
Question about dose on LM groups... do you usually end up with a screw imprint in the puck after pulling a shot? If I put an 17g dose in a 17g basket, I get a little imprint. Good/bad/who cares?
Sam Roesch probably depends on the basket but different coffees can take up more volume for the same dose. Screw imprint means you should reduce the dose ideally, because there should be enough room for the puck to expand as it saturates. I routinely dose over 20g in a 17g basket (not LM), so there is no exact dose, just experiment.
Nice thing about these machines is you can replace baskets to whatever your heart desires. It's all standard cafe sizes so you can get a basket that fits your desired dose. Yeah it's more money but worth it if you want to go the pullman/VST route.
Michael Hartmann I’m aware, but that’s not really what I’m trying get at, to rephrase: my question is whether LM purposely sizes a 17g basket such that the dose hits the shower screen (despite common lore saying the puck should not touch shower screen)
Hi there im considering to bij this one for my business. But honestly Prefer automatic one to be able to talk to customers at the same timea and because im specialized in chocolates and not really coffee, coffee just goed Well with chocolate etc so are there any automatic coffee machines you can recommend please? Help me out 🍫