BUDGET GAME CHANGER?: Wacaco Picopresso Giga Chad
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มิ.ย. 2024
- Hope you enjoyed the video! Let me know your thoughts on this in the comments below. Is this too much excess on a cheap machine? Or is it a welcomed advance?
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Make sure to hit that like to show some appreciation! All engagement helps loads. Even those poop heads who seem to have notifications turned on just to immediately dislike my video. You may think you're harming the performance, but they help, too. So thanks, my loyal trolls. I appreciate you letting me live rent free in your head ;) kisses
Yes you are, but what am I?
Please review the Sanremo x-one grinder
Hahaha… Loyal trolls
Jokes on you. My head is a dump, you living there rent free is punishment to you 👹
downvoted because your mustache is better than mine :^)
200$ for a basket? 😮 Now that's a profit margin even Apple is jealous of 😂
Holy cow. The precision basket and stand, runs up to the exact amount I paid for a Sage Barista Express.
Funny, here I am looking at manual machines because of how wildly inconsistent my Barista Express is to the point of being incapable of doing consecutive shots...
@@cenciende9401 it was mostly because the video headlined "budget"
The Barista Express, certainly have its quirks. Works fine for me though. But I am not experimenting. Using the same dark roast from the same roastery. Now I just hit the grind and two shot(no weight), and get good and pretty consistent results. I have tried experimenting with different medium and light roast, and that was more interesting than pleasing.
Any lever is better than this contraption swinging from 7 to 10 bars, no consistency
Like the neo-western music selection. Gives you frontier vibes…where you could conceivably use a portable espresso contraption.
Kudos to the editor
I thought the music was way too forward in the mix and pretty distracting.
Very clever and well thought out. Seems like it would be cool for tent camping, however 200 clams for the upgraded baskets seems pretty steep to me.
Might as well Flair at that point
@@blissrunnerFlair is much less portable. But $200 basket still sounds crazy. I wish IMS just made a good basket specifically for pico.
They do have a 51 mm precision basket that fits@@wiseghost1
@@niklas8523which?
The "Hugh" basket, it's $26 and works really well@@alondinbar6193
The best upgrades for the picopresso are: A 51mm IMS basket (requires 51mm tamp), a shower screen, the stand, and the scale that fits under the stand perfectly.
I Always preheat the pico while I grind my beans and prep the puck. The grind and dosage (in and out) together are going to make the majority difference in your final espresso.
The gauge isn't going to make a difference in regards to pressure built, but it is another piece of conductive metal to steal heat from the water. If you get your dose and grind correct with your bean and basket size, the pressure will naturally fall into place and produce a thick and tasty espresso.
The IMS basket and shower screen are a must. No more channeling, superior flavor and body (due to ability to grind finer and produce more pressure and extraction).
I use a J ultra by Izpresso, which I highly recommend. I enjoy all beans and roasts, but this setup allows me to get such a balanced espresso with lots of body and sweetness.
Just thought I'd share some beta for the pico noobs 🤙
Sharing the beta…. Climb much? 😊
Busted 😂
Thank you for sharing! Would you be willing to share links to the IMS basket and showscreen you use in your set up? I have been using the picopresso as my only espresso making device for about a year and would be keen to try those upgrades (depending on price).
One thing to consider with the IMS basket is that it doesn't seal off well without a gasket (I'd go for silicone instead of rubber).
Hugo’s work is outstanding, shout-out to the videographer. And thank you Lance for the review and putting the extra work of buying the add-ons, people underrate your methods and opinions in an unfair way.
Had my Picopresso for almost a year, now. Gotta say that the compact size on this thing is severely underrated. This is great for taking to work or at home if you just don't have space (or are living in a van down by the river).
The pressure gauge is something I might get as a birthday or Christmas gift to myself just to see if the (perfectly enjoyable) shots I'm getting without it line up with bars of pressure, but it would absolutely be a "fluff" purchase. Being an Italian Roast ride-or-die type girl, I have zero need to upgrade the basket. The stand looks nice - I like how it breaks down, and the shot mirror is a nice touch. Again, a fluff purchase, but one I can see making in the future. My current costs on my entire Picopresso set up are about $220 for the base unit and grinder, and another $30 or so for a milk heater/frother unit. Getting the stand and pressure gauge would up that to a whopping $350 total.
The Sworks accessories are right the hell out. That just seems like egregiously priced purchases that don't even fit my use case. They might be worth it to someone, but I am not their market for this.
For those asking about how portable can it actually be; I do just fine with my relatively inexpensive Timemore C3, and that equipment combo does just fine for me to take into work and make espresso at the break table. On the rare occasions I travel, it's been perfect. God knows I have no interest in buying a Starbucks style drink that has a "we're in a hotel" surcharge attached, or in having to get all the way dressed and ready for my day BEFORE I've had my coffee.
What this thing is NOT going to do is turn me into a house barista at parties. Since I don't have a living situation conducive to throwing parties/having more than one or two people over at a time, this is not exactly a drawback for the foreseeable future.
In closing, if you are looking for home espresso but you are on a budget and you have nowhere to put it, this is an excellent little machine. It doesn't need all the added shiny stuff to be excellent.
About as perfect a summation as I could imagine and one I whole heartedly agree with. Had my PP for about 8 months and use it daily at home and when travelling. It really does everything I want without giving up a large section of kitchen worktop permanently over to an aluance that is only used twice a day. I'm an all or nothing kind of guy so either want a budget solution or I will go balls to the wall and get a high end beauty of a machine. Buy it once, buy the best, keep it forever. After my research I was salivating over a £1400+ beauty of a machine but when sitting back thought... All that just for 2 cups a day? How could I justify that to myself? After that I just wanted to go budget to try out the experience but boy was I wrong. The PP has been a perfect solution for my needs turning out some really great cups. All these bells and whistle add ons could really push it into another market. Nothing here is necessary at all. The gauge is pretty tempting tho but even that in itself is more than 1/2 the cost of the PP itself which stings somewhat. Maybe I'll put that on a birthday list tho ha ha. The PP really has been an eye opener for me and am still thoroughly enjoying it. Amazing little device for the money. I really think all these go faster stripes add ons are diminishing returns in the end of the day. But that's me perhaps...... 🤷🏻♂️
Nice little review.
At first the price of those upgrades made my eyes water, but I appreciate the perspective of someone buying in low and building out their kit. Not enough ability to do that in the espresso market. Also I love that their whole approach allows you to put away your espresso machine in a drawer of cabinet. With limit counter space, a easily collapsable stand like that is a major plus for me.
@LanceHedrick nice review, but I feel like it was missing some of the more geeky details you typically go into. Like with all manual espresso machines, I'm curious what sort of temperature loss you can expect with this thing, especially with the added pressure gauge, which adds quite a bit of mass to it. That sort of stuff.
issue is there is simply no way for me to measure this. I wanted to, but taking temp below the gauge is an impossibility since no measuring device fits below. I can only measure inside and that doesn't take into account post gauge temp. All I can vouch for is the taste of the espresso with a pre heat and boil was nice. Are you losing an extra degree? perhaps. Can you taste that? No. no one can.
I was very charmed by a lot of the features you listed off until you got to the price of each... that little tamper is adorable and definitely looks like it gives a great tamping experience but $75 is just way too much!
One thing about the pico I don’t hear enough about is that it is the perfect at work setup. At home I use the robot, but at work I use the pico and it is fantastic!
Lance, much love- your videos are fantastic- and you’re fantastic brother. Appreciate the good content.
Ahh - Pico vs Robot - this is the comparison I was wondering about. Can you enlighten me?
I started using it at the office as well. But I grind the coffee in the morning after making my normal expresso in the Bianca. I just have to grind it a bit coarser. Great video!
@@iamjayrobinsonhey man, absolutely- I would say that the robot is more versatile and more consistent but honestly, the shots I get from the pico are really great. I enjoy the shots I get from both machines and don’t feel like the pico is inferior and just a “good enough “ machine that ties me over until I get home and have a shot from the robot. Actually, I feel like I really enjoy both.
@@improveyourbbqat work I use a king grinder k4 - not expensive but really good
@@iamjayrobinson at home robot. Workflow is super simple and consistent shots.
Hey Lance, I really enjoyed the format of this video. The overlaid music, and the switching to and from shots of you to product/action shots was well done. Not that I don't enjoy watching you talk and review a product, but this complemented your monologue well and improved the pace of the video.
Thanks, Lance ☕️😙👌
I especially like being able to see the effect of your pumping on the pressure gauge... I'll be sure to consider this every time I use mine...
I've had a Picopresso for a couple of years, and I really love it. Yep, you need to play around with it and expect some variation, but the results are worth it, especially when you're out and about and can make or access boiling water. People are always impressed with the device and the coffee it produces!
I added IMS baskets (two, so I could prep for back-to-back shots), but I often use the stock basket when pumping a conventional espresso rather than a turbo shot (see Brian Quan) mainly because the dosing funnel fits it better! 😂
I also machine a skinny, screw-top aluminium distribution tool that I store in the spine of the case... Squeezes in snug!
As far as a daily driver, however.. I started using mine that way when the aluminium portafilter I hole-sawed through to go naked on my second-hand, salvaged, low-grade espresso machine broke.
The Picopresso was doing well until the pump action wore out, and the silicon around the showerhead split around the side. No more high pressure! My retailer sent me replacements under warranty, but I knew if I used the Pico as my main espresso machine, I'd likely experience another failure... so, I made it a priority to get my first 'proper' espresso machine (BDB, under your advice!)
Also, as you mention, Lance, the workflow on the Pico is far from efficient... This device has many parts (many more, now!), and they all need to be carefully rinsed and dried before packing away to avoid oil residue and mould...
If I were starting out, I'd still go for the Picopresso for travelling and for the occasional home spro... but it wouldn't be long before I'd be looking for something more efficient and reliable...
I wouldn't bother with the $$$ baskets and tamp, or the wonky stand (easy enough to keep the Pico steady without it - I tried different methods... thumbs, fingers, palms... so, I say find what suits you best and so the stand and, hence, the mat. The pressure gauge? Maybe, but I like the way you have to pump by feel, resistance, sound, and the look of the stream...
Anyway, thanks again, Lance, and get pumpin' folks! 😊🙏❤
I have a picopresso and upgraded the basket and added the distribution screen that fits below the shower screen. Works really well and im excited to try the pressure gauge and possibly the stand. I dont have a lot of space in my apartment so this looks like a great way to set up quickly and tear down when youre done.
I have used the pico for almost a year now and I love it. I upgraded to an IMS basket and it definitely improved my shots. But the biggest improvement and therefore also my recommendation is a puck screen.
I like the build quality of the pico. It would be nice if the tamper fits a little better. I think about buying the sworks one, but it is super expensive to get it delivered to Germany. Almost the same price as the pico itself. So I guess it's just not worth it.
Thank you for the efforts to create the video and test almost all available accessories ❤ great content as always!
I made daily espresso for almost a year with this never failed on me. Helped me understand lot of things about expresso, changing pressure with grind size and really feeling and tasting the extraction. I upgraded with IMS huge basket.
It’s not gonna cut it for me. With all those upgrades, it’s not so budget-friendly anymore, in my opinion. You get a Flair Neo or even a Flair Pro 2 within a similar price range and get a way more capable, less flimsy and still portable espresso maker!
They're add ons. I appreciate the compact size of the standalone picopresso and this it doesn't need all this extra stuff to function. Great camping/traveling rig. I wouldn't want to lug around a Flair personally. The stand and all that are totally separate entities as the "machine" it perfectly capable without all the upgrades.
Enjoyed the comprehensive overview of all the purchased options and your expert opinions on what was favorable versus just nice to have extras; made the review grounded in honesty and not market fluff.👏 My Espresso Forge is still my go to but when we need a quicker cup, the Picopresso is indeed handy, now perhaps more so with the pressure upgrade. The Picopresso does have the benefit of travel mobility, though I've only used it a few times at the office and it mainly stays home as backup duty! Now if Wacaco can come up with an industrial version upgrade💪 to the Picopresso pump mechanism to decrease potential chances of long term failure or modularize with replacement parts, I think that would be a real market gamechanger.
As someone who's a complete stranger to coffee brewing, this little espresso maker has really caught my attention. It's so much cheaper than other major espresso makers while still making good espresso. It looks great for folks like me who're curious about the hobby but wary of the barrier to entry. Reminds me of the Aeropress in its value and simplicity.
I love mine for the last two years! Have had an IMS basket for a while and may get the new Normcore 51mm basket. Thanks for your thoughts and review Lance!
Love the Picopresso, I bought mine for a trip overseas where I didn't have easy access to espresso and was blown away by how portable it was and how good the espresso was that came out of it.
If I didn't already have a Gaggia Classic Pro I'd modified (FYI I first found Lance looking up videos about modifying the GCP, lol) I would definitely consider the Picopresso with the stand as my main machine at home for the footprint alone (I find it annoying how much counter space coffee gear takes up and so does the Mrs).
Great video btw, I'm definitely considering some of these upgrades (not the Sworks basket, that's crazy cash for that!).
PS: Thanks for the nod to those of us who think 58mm baskets are the be-all end-all, I'm slowly coming around to 54mm thanks to the Pico!
I still have my Nanopresso from years ago, I tried it again today and it still brews some great shots! Very impressive engineering.
This is a *great* video. I love your work in general, but this video in particular stuck out as really really well put together. I think the music was great, and really helps tie together the rest of the editing!!
Also, unrelated-I loVE that shirt
Hi from Denmark, first; thank you for very good content and videos👍. I bought the Picopresso about 3 weeks ago and after some trial and error with getting the right grindsize, i now get really good espresso. I my opinion it works just as well with light roasted coffe as well as dark roasted coffe(my favorite).
The workflow is ok i think and i really like the fact that nothing electrical is needed or will break down.
The stand could be something i might buy but other than that; im good.
Thanks for doing another “updated” vid on this guy. I’ve been using him for years now and also just got the pressure gauge and stand. The gauge worked great for a few weeks but then started leaking on me. (Which I’ve heard can happen according to other users). So, that was a bummer. I still think this makes great espresso though. Also, post-millennium La pavoni accessories fit this- which is what I use.
Just discovered your videos and love your no-nonsense but calm getting to the point attitude.
I have been so tempted to buy the Picopresso but not sure if I will be able to pump it as I struggle to press down on the aeropress.
Loving the frequency of your videos
i “modded” my pico presso with a la povini basket and it works. the basket extrudes the bottom but you do get that deeper puck. been having decent results minus a little channeling here and there probably due to my grinder. also, found a really cool shop from thailand that made perfect wood+metal stands (i think it’s called kdtime). just some other options out there, but i will say it’s really cool to see the manufacturer responding to their users!
for AEROPRESS GO lovers: yes the JoePresso's single-hole basket is compatible with PicoPresso. They are both similar in weight overall. The Aeropress + JoePresso adapter limits you to 2-4 bars of pressure without breaking your glass, so if higher bars are preferred go with Wacoco instead.
The 18g straight wall basket from Hugh (leverpresso) is an upgrade option as well. But it does require some filing of the edges to fit properly, and shaving off a bit from the tamper 😅
I got that basket too, was very disappointed that the tamper didn't fit...!
@@vuongnh0607l i took mine to a local machine shop and had it turned on a lathe. Fits perfect again.
It's a great little machine. I use it for my work and travel set up. The stand was a great improvement. I'll eventually get the pressure gauge too.
Nice production bud, yall are making 👌 vids
This is a lovely chill informative good looking video
I have the picopresso with Swords basket, shower and tamper. While my expresso machine was being repaired, I used it every day for 2 months. It took longer to make coffee than in my normal semiautomatic expresso machine, but I could not believe the quality on that size and price point. I use it when I travel with a Comandante grinder, as most hotels have a water kettle or a coffee pot to heat up the water. It is a great product, and I would argue a great way to start with expresso, or to travel!
Super interesting stuff! If love to see this compared a bit more in depth to things that it suddenly competes with like the Flair Pro 2 - this definitely has the edge in terms of a low barrier of entry, but then adding things like a $200 basket and other $50+ accessories does change quite a lot. Obviously if your budget is very low this wins in terms of both actual accessibility and the potential for improvements down the line, but is it worth considering for someone otherwise in the market for a Flair (and not necessarily interested in the portability aspect)?
I have my Picopresso since it was released (2 years already?!?)...
First test shot of a 6-months-from-roast Scandinavian roast which I hated (wasn't for my taste) - came out perfect, with CREMA and was even tasty!
My Pico did around 200 shots I suspect... and works same as day 1. It is a complete product, well made, includes all accessories to work with from the get go - for 100$... best espresso product of the past few years for sure.
Your point around the deep basket VS a wide 58 basket - I totally agree, as you can truly feel the texture and sweetness is hightened on the Pico original basket.
Amazing review and video!! Thank you for your work and professionalism ❤
I'd love to see what you think of the 9Barista. It's what I went with after my hunt for a compact espresso maker and after a couple months I have no regrets. I went that direction, kinda because it approaches things from a totally different angle than these manual machines. Less flexible, but also less work. Delicious espresso all the same.
I remember watching James Hoffman's review of that one, and I remember being really impressed, but I feel like I don't hear much about it these days.
Been waiting for a pressure gauge for like a year. This is awesome! Definitely picking one up
The Hugh basket fits the pressure gauge pretty well
Great video! Thanks for putting an update video with all the new add ons. I did have a question what is the brand of that little scale you are using with it thanks
I remember seeing this in the world of coffee here in Athens and it had catched my eye (had not been released yet)....for sure a great release and upgrade if you have already the picopresso.....great video lance.
I'm a digital nomad currently and the picopresso without any upgrades is my daily driver for espresso, right now I'm in Buenos Aires with lots of amazing coffee shops and I must humbly say the expressos I make with this little machine don't come much behind those in the coffee shops. Pair it with a nanofoamer and it's the perfect travel setup. Just needed a smaller scale than my timemore black mirror haha.
This would be perfect for someone like me who's been experimenting with filter coffee for the past 2 years but hasn't made the jump to espresso. Great low-risk way to dip the toe without having to heavily invest up-front.
Stay on filter! I have spent way too much money on espresso and still enjoy filter so much more. I only make espresso for others (mostly milk beverages that I do not enjoy myself). Filter can be so so good without spending a lot of money on your setup.
This is great stuff. Anything possible for a travel setup is welcome.
Dope. Love how far the Wacaco has come.
Great video. I'm excited about all these portable coffee brewer and portable espresso machines.
In my household, the kitchen is filled with cooking/baking appliances that there's no room for anything else.
There is also no deskspace to have any machine in my room. Instead, I have a Hario Skerton Plus, and travel frenchpress to make some coffee, that I can take out and make some coffee than store away in my room when I am done.
I've been looking around for an affordable portable espresso machines, but a majority of them do not have a pressure gauge for beginner to use. The only option I see was the Flair, which rival the same price as a budget espresso machine. So this video really got me interested in WACACO Picopresso with (some, not all) 3rd party add-ons, since it is still cheaper than the alternatives.
Thanks for this video, Lance!! I ordered one of these and a 1zpresso hand grinder to take away for work. The coffee machine we have doesn't get cleaned enough, and they use horrendous off the shelf coffee beans that they bulk buy D: I'm sure I'll get some odd looks while using this, but will probably get some questions after the aroma hits :)
Thanks again!
I agree on the deep puck. I think 51mm machines get a lot more shade than they deserve, especially now that there are better basket options than the Mr Coffee "4 cup" basket we all used to abuse in those machines.
I’m not sure if it’s you or Hugo who picks the music but maaaaaannnn is it always fantastic, and so varied. One week it’ll be smooth jazz, another chill step, and now we get the Burr Man Blues! It always subtly fits the theme of the videos and never drowns your distinctive drawl. I know the music comes after the recording but I’d swear Lance’s loquaciousness sounds more Southern with a slide guitar behind it.
Hahahaha! Incredible comment. Especially after one comment literally a minute before yours accused it of sounding like a cheap ad 😅
Hugo will love this
I have one of these (none of the addons) that I got for travel/camping. What surprises me is that it's universally better/more predictable at making espresso than my (admittedly old and cheap) upgraded Gaggia Classic. Because of this, I sometimes use it at home, too. I had a Nanopresso before this, and while it was good, I always knew it was a step down from my home espresso machine. Not the case with Picopresso!
That's a massive endorsement. Makes me stop and think for sure...
@@segamble1679 I will say that it's more 'needy' than my home espresso machine; needs hot water from somewhere, can't steam milk, etc - more fiddly in terms of a daily routine ... but the quality of the espresso is consistently great. If anything, it helped convince me it's time to get a new home espresso machine, haha.
Thank You for all you cover on your site. Blessings, Joanna
I’ve been thinking about the pico as baby’s first espresso maker. The stand kinda seals the deal for me. I’d still probably use two hands, as it looks a bit shaky, but it would be less chance of a mess.
And the gauge is a reasonable price as well, especially when you price the whole package against the Flairs with gauges.
used to bring my flair pro2 when i go on my trips...switched to picopresso and i'm happy with it
Letsgoo ive been waiting for this
Have had great results with the pressure gauge, stand and the Hugh IMS basket. Once tightening well the basket edges flatten out for a good seal. K6 Kingrinder for the beans. My shots come out with nice crema and the beans aren't even freshly roasted. Subminiimal for milk frother and my setup is cafe quality for home on a budget in addition to being ideal for travel. Not ideal if you are making for more than one at a time. Can't imagine a better bang for the buck.
didn't realize sworks had some good pico accessories... thanks for that
I love mine, it is my only espresso machine. IMS basket, 18g coffee, 36 out. Amazing shots as well. That with with my K-Ultra I'm set.
What grind settings do you use for your K-ultra? I was messing with some light roasted beans at 2.8 and it pretty much almost choked - I kept hearing the pressure valve go off and it was very hard to get good flow.
How is the temperature in the finished product? How does it compare with the Outin, a battery operated device that heats its own water ?
HiBREW Portable H4A is pretty good too and doesnt even need to heat up water if you have access to a car charger or ac.. Probably better for someone that is traveling
Great video as always.
Lol, it's like building your own espresso machine each time you want a shot!
Good review, thanks
I've been wanting one of these!
Thank you for the video.... woo gotta get that pressure gauge...ohh out of stock!
I own about 15 different travel brewing options. If I'm going somewhere with running water, this thing is my first choice (no running water, I bring the Nanonpreso with nespresso pod attachment and reusable pods). I can get great espresso ouit of it with all the original parts.
The pressure guage would be nice to have but I find with a nice long preinfusion, it's not needed. 9 pumps and i get a little ring of droplets around the outside of the basket. Then wait 15 seconds and pump 1 per 2 seconds.
The sleeve would be nice. If you're making a few in a row or really preheat it well, it can get pretty hot.
Nice to have the options individually, rather than some kind of accessory pack.
For me, so much of enjoying coffee is in the preparation process. Putting this in that shaky rack and pumping while you hold on to everything seems very unenjoyable, but I think for a portable setup used during travel or something this could be so fun and novel that it would be worthwhile. Sometimes struggling more for something makes it better, just not every day in my kitchen (for me) haha
All u need for delicious espresso, Replace the basket, use a puck screen, ive put (cut to size) anti slip stickers on the button and sides. Amazing everytime.
great coverage of this. didn't know it even existed till you popped up in my feed with it.
(wish you could have mentioned a grand total of all the bells and whistles. for those of us that can't mAth in our heads. lets us compare to other setups. i feel like it would get really $$$ with everything and you could do a machine for that amount. maybe your point is the espresso would be less good out of a machine in that range vs this? but yeah, just a tally sheet and total, and then we could kinda see what things we'd feel was worth it to add on.) thanks!
I've really been wanting one of these for camping. I might even... pull by volume 😱
I actually would do without the pressure gauge, but the stand is a great help. Still, the whole setup is all nice to have.
I like that you're trying to do more close-up shots of what is it that you review, and not just a general shot of you holding something in your hand. I like the Wacaco products and I'm glad that you've made this review. Comparing the accessories I wouldn't mind seeing not only the price but the details of what's actually different from the original parts. Just a visual close-up reference. All in all, I think you're moving in the right direction.
PS: when you show how you prepare an espresso - once again a general shot is wrong. If you want to show how you're doing and what - you might want to have hands, a pump, and a pressure gauge in your shot.
PPS: Thank you, and sorry for the somewhat critical comment. Keep up the good work!
I love the pico for traveling and at home I mostly use the flair 58 👌
Nice video! Not sure why I like this one so much!
Great review. What was the total cost for the high end setup?
depends. I purposefully didn't state and only showed prices becuase I think many would opt out of the sworks basket, which is 200 bucks haha! The wacaco is $139. With stand and gauge you're looking at around $240 all in after shipping.
I was wondering this also.
Awesome! Look into the Staresso mirage next, you'll be very surprised with it.
I have been using a bone stock picopresso and I get really great consistent quality coffee. Especially that where I live most cafés make terribly bitter espresso that gives me shivers down my spine on first sip. I get smooth espresso with nice crema and this is consistent. However, I only got good results after I moved from the Hario hand grinder to the Arabica cafe hand grinder. I grind 16g of Ethiopian Konga beans and just fill the hot water to the brim and don't even bother weighing the shot, I have found that if I pump out all the water in the device I get a consistently good shot
I love my picopresso - I had a nanopresso for years (even as my main machine), and the picopresso is just better in every way, assuming you aren't using preground coffee.
I could easily see it as a main machine. I find the workflow easy and kindof fun. In my mind, the stand doesn't seem super useful (especially since it's seems to wobble around as you pump anyway), but the gauge could be helpful.
That basket though... I've been tempted, since at 49mm it would also fit my la pavoni, but damn $200 is hard to justify to myself.
I'd *really* love to hear how it compares to my ims basket, though, to see if it's really worth it...
(And to answer another question: for travel, I usually just bring my hand grinder as well. The last couple of trips, though, I was really really short on space so just preground enough for a week, which honestly worked really well)
Oh, and worth mentioning that the fake leather cover isn't just for looks - the machine can sometimes get pretty hot when you use it, so the sleeves make it much more comfortable to use!
With the prices on espresso machines decreasing like they are, I'll keep waiting for a little while. Maybe I'll pick up the next Flair(-competitor?) that will be producing excellent coffee for a small price :)
take a look at the newton espresso! its awsome
@@tobifischer9512 Sold out. 😢
It's one of the few espresso machines I recommend if someone doesn't want milk drinks and wants a small, easy-to-use espresso machine. I actually recommend this over a Flair Pro 2 unless you're willing to do a heat sleeve mod.
Of course, if you have a bit more of a budget, then... I still recommend it. Air column piston espresso machines make incredibly delicious espresso that I would say is actually *better* than a spring-lever assisted group head purely because the air has a more predictable pressure curve depending on the piston diameter.
So... uh... yeah... It's a great espresso machine that I usually recommend to people *just* getting into espresso who don't care about milk drinks and want something they might be able to store away or travel with.
Excellent review! This was all very fun for someone like myself whom is a total brew-head.
I love all those cute little extra thingies
Lance, you mention your opinion that a person should experiment with different ratios and times. Problem is, I don't know where to really start and what I would expect from a different ratio or time. Would be a nice follow up video for you to do. Thanks for this. We love to camp and this is just the ticket for our travels.
This is an incredible device since it makes great espresso at home at an affordable price, plus you can travel with it so it never uses its utility. Amazing.
Hey. Nice video as always 👍
ok I've been using my picopress for about 6 months - stock equipment no upgrades - and I love it for home use. I use it almost daily.
I got a 51mm IMS filter early on but the tamp doesn't fit so I never ended up using it lol. I figured if I have to get a new tamp it's going to completely counter the portability factor. So the Sworksdesgin tamp is super interesting to me!
The protective sleeve actually seems really functional to me too (and cute) - that body of the picopresso can get too hot to hold. I also wonder if it might help retain more heat in the water chamber? Keen to see.
And honestly, the biggest issue I have traveling with this always ends up being water. Hotel rooms tend to provide dinky coffee makers that are both dirty and not capable of heating water to the temps I want. I ended up bringing my kettle on my last trip and I'm not sold on the amount of suitcase space it took up. I think I can be brewing at lower temps and getting yummy extractions but I haven't solved the tan, folgers smelling water situation yet.
Hi great video. I have the Pico for some months now. It is necessary to heat up the whole machine with hot water, also the basket etc and that's a lot of work and a bit messy. If you just grind into the basket like a normal espresso machine and put just hot water into it and then pump.. the espresso is quite cold... and I forgot also to heat the cup from which you drink from. For travel is nice, but for doing 3 espressos for friend its just a big mess... sorry I love it and I will keep its, but I think I will go soon to a normal espresso machine. If you do all the tweaks and warm ups it creates nice espresso with crema.
When I was shopping for a manual home machine recently, all these extra pre-heat steps is why I went with the 9Barista instead. It's much less hassle since the whole thing was designed to heat its own water and brew at the correct temperature every time.
Okay, It might be worth seeing this in its fully fleshed out form competing against a powered conventional machine of the same price. Maybe a few along the way of what you get stock, then with the pressure gauge and stand, and then with the screen and basket swap. It would be p interesting to see what it eclipses or doesn't at different price points with upgrades. The thing I'm especially curious about is a straight head to head of this versus the new flair neo. I know you've had them in a comparison before but I'd be interested to see them compared along the upgrade path and seeing how they trade blows across different price points
I find the the pressure is too bouncy and flow more consistent. For this reason I see the pico is better as a flow profiler than pressure (I don't even think the pressure gauge is needed). I use a metronome app to profile my shots as a simple app will allow you to make an increasing or decreasing beat. Mirror that beat with the pump action and now you've got a flow profiler that is repeatable so long as your pressure is not above it's pressure cap. The pump releases x amount of water each time so if you're under that pressure cap then it's just about the timing of the pump action to dial in the flow. (I also use a lab jack which is a little table with a scissor jack. I pull shots at my chest height instead of hutching over, way more comfortable.)
Pressure is created not only by the flow of water or water debit but also by the resistance of the puck
@@kristofkollar4431indeed and my point doesn't negate that, there's still resistance and pressure but I'm saying to target the flow not the pressure.
Love the picopresso... bring it on all my travels
Lance, within the context of different basket sizes and texture, you mentioned that the stock basket is better for more traditional shots. Can you explain why that is? What makes the Sworks more modern if it's the same size?
I’ve loved my Pico for a few months now. The espresso it pulls is very good and you get used to the work flow. Will be getting the accessories in a few paychecks.
I enjoy it because if/when I get a proper machine, it will become my travel and I avoid a redundancy even when I upgrade. And my kitchen. Is tiny.
Question for Lance: is there any benefit to pre-heating the metal rings or is the main body enough?
Using this little thing every other weekend coupled with my Comandante C40 (actually what’s really a pain is to hand grind 18gr of coffee for espresso! 😅)
how many clicks for the C40?
One of Pico's greatest point is that the machine can easily change the pressure and pre-infusion time to brew light and dark roasted beans. The quality of espresso is outstanding, even comparing with esp from expensive machine. However, the water tank volume is a little bit small, if you prefer mordern style esp with light beans. For the pressure kit, I bought it, however, the pressure pin seems not stable at all, and keep going down.
i got the whole package for outdoor activity (minus sworks stuff) , i think it produces a very good espresso but i don't recommend it for light roasts .
it rips light roasts. Even nordic light. was ripping some moodtrap on it this morning with the sworks basket.
@@LanceHedrick i tried with 2 times preheating it and used paper filter, and still got that sour taste on two different light coffee beans, so maybe i am missing something here . and i tried the sweat profile, longer preinfusion at 3 bar , then 9 bar, and then let it slowly decrease.
Wow this thing looks so cute and awesome
The sleeve looks classy, but does it have any thermal benefits? (Definitely picking up the pressure gauge...)
Honestly, I had better shots from my wacaco with an ims basket than my Gaggia Classic. Maybe its because you can get espressos where you normally couldn't and I'm biased but Im really getting great shot on it. I'll get the pressure gauge for sure.
I've had a similar experience against my Barista Express.
I think you prefer narrower but little bit higher basket.
I'm actually worried about upgrading to a machine like a Gaggia Classic or Barrista and possibly getting worse results. May just wait untill im willing to spend over a grand on a machine or go Gagguino.
200 dollars for a basket is insane. For those who might want something similar, use a hugh. The hugh can pull some incredible shots. If you know how to tinker, you can make a hugh work
I’ll stick to my Flair. That pumping action reminds me of one of my kids toys