Review of Expobar Espresso Machines
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 พ.ค. 2017
- In this review we take a look at Expobar espresso machines including the Brewtus, Office and Office Lever. Looking for the most bang for your buck? Check out Expobar machines! Todd and Marc from WholeLatteLove.com show you why Expobar machines are a fantastic value. With features like specially modified E61 groups and custom thermo-siphon flow control, these machines are capable of producing espresso of the same quality as more expensive prosumer level machines.
Check out Expobar machines at WholeLatteLove:
www.wholelattelove.com/espres...
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I have owned a Brutus that I bought from Whole Latte Love almost a decade ago and I have NEVER been unhappy with it. It does what I ask it to do and all mistakes to my cafe or espresso are mine, alone. I own the plumbed version but have never had it attached because of space on my counter.
In the years I have owned it, I have had only two issues. Only one required a part, but both problems were resolved quickly and professionally with a phone call to WLL's most excellent customer service people. I just need new portafilters...
It is one impressive machine! As it sits there on my counter, anyone coming in thinks I am MUCH better at making espresso than I really am. That is a good thing!
Hi James, Thank you for the kind comment! But I'm guessing you should give yourself a little more credit! Working with your machine for 10 years you must be making some good espresso! Thank you as well for calling out our support staff! Our coffee techs work hard to provide the best customer support in the business.
I bought an expobar brewtus IV last december and I can say I've been more than happy to experiment with it. I've been having a hard time hitting a consistent brew pressure (from cup to cup) and I still haven't put a finger on the cause but overall it's been a great addition to my life. My only regret is not getting the plumbed rotary pump version.
There's one thing I'd like to see changed on the future model, a gauge (either sight or mechanical) that indicates the water level. It's happened to me once or twice that I misjudged the amount of water left in it only to extract 3ml of coffee and having the machine shut down.
Fair warning to anyone planning on buying their first pro-sumer espresso machine;
You'll become a coffee snob :)
Hi CLB, Thanks for sharing your experience! Nothing wrong with wanting good coffee!!! You might get more mileage out of being a "Coffee Geek" as opposed to "Coffee Snob" :) Geeks are cool! Hitting consistent brew pressures is usually a function of dose weight and distribution/tamp quality to prevent channeling assuming grind size is the same shot to shot. Speaking of geek level stuff have you tried extended pre-infusion? It's all the rage in high-end cafes working with fresh single origin and lighter roast coffees. We touched on the pre-infusion chamber on Expobar E61 groups in the video and how coffee pre-wets and pressure ramps up a little slower - especially on vibe pump machines. But you can extend pre-infusion even more by finding the lever position on the E61 that's just a hair beyond midpoint stop but before the pump kicks in. That will give you a boiler pressure pre-infusion. FYI on plumbed Expobar machines you cannot do a line pressure pre-infusion as there is a solenoid valve that closes off the plumbed in water line unless the pump is on. Here's a link to a video we did a couple weeks ago on pre-infusing with E61 groups: th-cam.com/video/2DPcZD48TxM/w-d-xo.html
I bought the original, first version of Expobar from these guys when they first came out... 2004? I've done some repairs, still use it.
Hi IV, thanks for sharing. Almost 20 years - that’s awesome!
@@Wholelattelovepage Yeah, went to an SCC conference in Charlotte, NC. Schomer soon after recommended it. :)
There's something very alluring about the Brewtus IV...I love the utilitarian aesthetic.
Hi sr, Maybe not what some would consider beautiful, but they do have a thick skin so can take a beating!
Marc
Hi WLL,
I've inherited a Expobar Office Lever from the previous house owners, but there is no shower screen installed. I tried installing a standard E61 shower screen, but is seems like the brass diffuser is too big and dented the screen and made it almost impossible to lock in the portafilter.
Is there any trick to this, or special parts that I'm not aware of? I've tried to read up online to no avail...
I would greatly appreciate any assistance you can give :)
Hi K, Any chance the rubber gasket which surrounds the screen is not pressed fully in? If not fully seated, it can be very difficult to fully lock in a portafilter. If still having issues give our support staff a call at 888-411-5282 and the should be able to help determine if you have the right part.
Hey guys, thank you for adding me to your exclusive group. We are about to open a budget coffee shop back home. Frankly speaking, I have Zero knowledge when it comes coffee machines. I need your help to decide between the two below machines as they fit my budget.
Expobar Zircon Compact Coffee Machine or
SAB Jolly 2 Groups Auto Compact
If you think there's a better machine for AED 6000, please post it below.
Hey guys, thanks for another good video. Do you already have (or could you make) a video showing where the brew pressure gauge feed comes from on the Lever? I am in the processes of restori g an older Single gauge unit and it would be fun to add a pressure gauge for the brew head. Thanks, keep up the videos.
Hi Blake, Thanks for the comment and request. Don't have a video but we do have our Expobar support wiki which includes hydraulic diagram for the Lever machine and others: wiki.wholelattelove.com/Expobar_Office_Lever/diagrams_and_manuals
Marc
Does the modified e 61 work better than the standard e 61 on other HX machines? Is it producing a more consistent shot?
Hi EG, We do like the E61 mod on Expobar machines. There are many variables involved but in our opinion the extra chamber above the screen allows for more pre-wetting of the coffee and a slower ramp up of brew pressure which may help prevent channeling thru the coffee puck.
I have an Expobar Leva machine and the pressure is at 11 bars. I asked my distributor if I should change the pressure to 9 bars, but he advised to keep it as default as the pressure will drop below 11 bars when it actually hits the portafilter. I have been brewing at 11 bars pressure without too much problem, but do you think it would be better to reduce to 9 bars?
Hi KW, I'd leave it where it is at 11bar. It depends a bit on how it's measured but if you set pressure to 10bar with a backflush disc/basket in the PF what you get is ~9bar before the OPV releases excess pressure when making espresso. Understand you are only brewing at 11bar if your grind and dose are such that the machine gets to that pressure.
I am looking at a used Expobar, the seller says its an office lever 2005. It has the 2 pressure gauges, PID, and a red plastic rocker switch. it looks very similar to the brewtus here but the difference is just one red switch. Do you know which machine/model that would be? Thank you
Hi MSNL, Unfortunately without photo or closer inspection it's difficult to say for sure. If it looks like the Brewtus then it probably is but there were a number of version of the Brewtus over the years. But, Expobar called a number of machines Office Levers.
Thank you! I did send a support request to with a photo to your webpage, haven't heard back yet but it does look identical to a brewtus II, with the older style temp controller. Did any office lever models have the temp controller or PID? that's why im thinking its a brewtus because I haven't seen any office levers with a PID. Thank you@@Wholelattelovepage
hi there .. recently purchased expobar elegance 1 group can u please do a tutorial on how to operate this
Hi K, Unfortunately not a machine I currently have access to. :(
Please also get some espresso shots from the machines in these videos, that's the main reason I click on the play button. thanks.
Does the rotary brewtus 4 have a resevior or is it only plumbable?
Hi IP, There are a number of Brewtus versions as follows: versions include the Brewtus IV which also has a vibration pump, but no plumbability option; and the Brewtus IV-R, which is a rotary pump machine that is exclusively plumbable and doesn’t include a reservoir. The Brewtus IV is no longer available new in North America but we do from time to time have refurbs.
I'm wondering if you guys could help me solve a dilemma. We are currently doubting between either a new Expobar E61 Leva and an 11-year old, but last year completely revised ECM Mechanika III.
Price of the Expobar is $1127 and the price of the $902 (including extra filter holder)
Hi Thomas, That is a dilemma! The Expobar Lever is a fine machine - excellent value. I like the quality of ECM machines. Very familiar with current Mechanika IV: www.wholelattelove.com/ecm-mechanika-iv-profi-switchable-espresso-machine I'm not familiar with the Mechanika III. ECM does have a reputation for good design and reliable machines. If the Mechanika was totally rebuilt I'd be leaning that way.
Hello Mark,
Hello Todd (I hope the spelling is alright).
First of all thank you very much for your very high quality and informative videos!
I was quite impressed with the Expobar Brewtus 4 PID and I was considering maybe buying it for an upgrade of my current DeLonghi machine.
I love the pre-infusion chamber and the PID for the dual boiler system. Also, I appreciate the kind of feedback you are giving about the Expobar, so we might have a winner here.
I need the model with the vibration pump because the water in my city is not ideal for espresso, some local baristas told me.
I seem, though, to have difficulties in finding a provider in Europe for the model, hence my question:
Is the Expobar Brewtus 4 PID going to be soon end-of-life? I would really like to invest into a very good espresso machine that I am able to use for many years to come. It would be very unpleasant if I would not be able to find any spare parts in the upcoming years.
Also, on the official website I can't find any reference to the Brewtus 4, so I am a bit lost.
Thank you very much for your help.
Mihai writing from Berlin
P.S. One website that is, indeed, delivering to Berlin is espresso-maschines.de/expobar-brewtus-4 but the price seems to be to cheap, so I am weary of a scam. Is there anyway to get an official list of suppliers for Expobar?
That price is a legitimate one. If you have been holding out these few years to buy it, I would say go ahead. If you have already purchased it, how do you like it?
The problem with these machines is durability and serviceability. In our model (brewtus iv), both boiler elements burned out and had to be replaced within 5 yrs. we found the elements had been glued in place with epoxy, rather than properly sealed with an O ring, which is probably cheaper to manufacture, but a huge pain to replace.
Hi UM, Thanks for the comment.
I just replaced mine and it was a 20 min job with access from under the machine and not having to take the boiler off. They do not have a o-ring on the bottom so I agree with you there, but some food grade sealant is used and mine held up for 8+ years.
hey guys could you review the Expobar Megacrem high 1 group compact?
Hi TCfT, Thanks for the request. Unfortunately Expobar's parent company Crem is no longer shipping Expobar machines to US market.
Hello! What is the steam wand that fits the Office Control? Thanks!
Hi N, Thanks for the question. The complete steam tap assembly for the Office Control is part: 15000321G
@@Wholelattelovepage but it appears to me that this part is straight, I am interested in the curved model
Hey guys. It's kinda late for a comment here but I just watched this machine in my country and I wanna know how commercial this machine is. I saw a two group Office Lever and I'm thinking on a small-medium volume café. Would it last long?
Hi CC, Thanks for the question. I like to think of Expobar machines as "tanks". Ruggedly built workhorses! Take care of it and feed with good quality water and it should serve you well.
Hi Marc, its 2021 and I am looking into 2 machines - the dual boiler Expobar brutus IV (dual Boiler) and Belezza Chiara (Single boiler HX) in the same price point - If the price point is same for dual boiler and HX - is it a no brainer to go with the dual boiler? Generally i make milk based coffee.
Hi Abul, I'd definitely go with the Brewtus!
Marc
@@Wholelattelovepage great thanks marc :)
Are you not offering Expobar machines anymore? If so what would you recommend as an option?
Hi Donn, Thanks for the questions. Expobar is no longer offering machines in the US market. After recent acquisition new company has decided to only offer NSF rated machines here. Look for new models under the Crem brand down the road with somewhat higher price points associated with NSF rating. Some alternatives at similar price points to Expobar: Rocket Espresso Appartamento HX boiler machine w/E61 group: www.wholelattelove.com/search?q=appartamento&hPP=16&idx=shopify_wllusproducts&p=0&type=product&is_v=1
Profitec Pro 300 Compact dual boiler PID: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/semi-automatic-espresso-machines/products/profitec-pro-300-dual-boiler-espresso-machine
Profitec Pro 500 PID HX boiler: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/semi-automatic-espresso-machines/products/profitec-pro-500-pid-espresso-machine
Hope that helps!
Marc
Hello, i am using expobar office lever plus lately and it was an amazing machine, but i am troubling at the plumb in because of weak pressure for vibratory pump. Can you make a tutorial for plumb in for this machine ? Thanks !!
Hi Andrew, Not sure I understand your issue. Are you saying the machine is plumbed in but pressure is low from your water supply?
Yes i plumb the water directly from water gallon to machine but the pressure is low. Do i need another device to push the pressure up ?
I see. So the machine is not connected to household water supply pipe and you are placing the supply line in a jug. We do that sometimes when working on machines but in most cases they have rotary pumps which likely are able to draw in water more easily from unpressurized supplies than a vibration pump. One thing that might help with current setup is having your water jug higher than the pump if it's not already.
Plumbing in the machine is fairly straightforward. Connect the braided stainless line from your machine to a cold water supply line. Typically you can T off a cold water supply under a sink. We like to put a shutoff valve at the connection (it's likely needed to meet code in most locations) even though there is a solenoid valve inside the machine which closes the machine to outside line pressure when the pump is not running. If you are handy working with plumbing it's an easy job. If not, we suggest having a licensed plumber perform the installation.
Thats a great solution which i am looking for. Thank you so much for the explanation !!
You are welcome - happy to help! Enjoy your machine! Expobar Lever Plus is one of the best values in plumb-able heat-exchange boiler machines with E61 group.
Hi Marc, well they are very good just the finishing could be better. Guess they would sell much more. Anyway the coffee is the major issue and the foaming. Both are very good in my subjective user opinion, however I replaced the screen with IMS on my dual boiler, and use the 18 gr IMS with bottomless portafilter. I also will replace the steamer tip with a 3 or 4 hole tip. Easier to to foam milk.
Best Espresso rgds from Switzerland from a Swiss German to American Swiss (Small world... your ancestry :-)
Kurt
Hi Kurt, I think Expobar has found a good place with their machines. If they put more into finishing they'd have to charge more and still make the same espresso. Steam tips will change performance. It's finding that balance of number of holes and hole size to get the performance one is looking for.
Regards from the US! It is a small world! My Swiss comes from my father's side. My mother just got Ancestry DNA test results back. From her, more Western European with some Irish. Turns out I'm fairly mutty.
Hi Marc sorry for my later reply, but I was rather busy. Yes you are right with the finishing, however some markets / customer preferences are different.
Its a really small world best rdgs form Switzerland
Kurt
Hi kurt re your comments about foaming I could not a first get mine to foam the cause was pointing the steam wand vertical into the milk it needs to be pointed at a low angle near the side of the pitcher to create a swirling of the milk not straight down
The Brewtus IV could be my first serious investment into espresso making. Does it still perform well or should I be looking at some other brands as well?
I am also having an eye on the Lelit Mara PL62X but that's a heat exchanger machine compared to the dual-boiler Brewtus. I am mostly drinking one cappuccino a day but then again these are roughly the same price.
My intuition gravitates towards the Brewtus IV.
Hi S, Thanks for the question. Well, the Brewtus is no longer available in the US. If available where you are it's a great machine - a real value. We were intimately involved withe development of the Brewtus. Specifically the design which uses a heat exchange system in the service boiler to feed the brew boiler.
Marc
@@Wholelattelovepage Hello Marc, thanks for your quick reply!
In fact I can't find the machine on Expobar's website either. That concerns me in terms of maintenance and spare parts, down the line. I will reach out to the merchant who is selling them.
Regards from Germany,
-Stef
Does your channel do giveaways for machines?
Hi Ashley, We do from time to time do giveaways. Funny you should ask now as we have a Father's day giveaway coming up in a few days. Stay tuned for a video with details on how to enter!
Whole Latte Love is there a specific time this machine giveway video might come out? love your videos;-)
Hi Chase, Unfortunately, we do not do giveaways for every machine featured in a video - that'd get expensive real quick!!! If you missed it, we are currently doing a giveaway (US Only!) of a Ceado E5P grinder. Entries close 6/15/17. Enter here: www.wholelattelove.com/fathers-day-contest/
Where it's made?
Allah Turbo looks like Spain on nameplate
Made in Spain.
they are also made in China, right ?
Hi Ko, Not that we are aware of. All Expobar machines we carry are manufactured and shipped to us from Spain.
noted. perhaps it's country-based policy. In Indonesia, they are selling Expobar made in China.