I've been using the Pico for 8 months now! And you're right. Although extreme portability was not my goal, i wanted a entry espressos maker and was willing to upgrade to a $1k espresso machine after 2 years of being on this 'hobby'. So it is also relevant for people like me. I do own a hand grinder, a very good one. That said, a solid stand and a new shower screen which has a pressure gauge sticking out will be a killer set of accessory to add.
Great review! Been using the Picopresso for around 8mo now and I've found that I've been reaching for it more than my Flair Signature as I actually find the workflow and clean up much easier. I usually brew medium roasts especially as a latte so it's been really good. As a tip, i use both silocone covers when i hold it while pumping so that addresses it being uncomfortable to hold. It's also great for work as i now bring it along w my 1zPresso JxPro to the office. Again great job!
Great review! I've been using the Pico for about 6 months each morning now and completely recommend it. I paired it with a .5L travel kettle so everything fits in a small bag. When warming cream or milk isn't an option I make a great espresso or americano for my wife and I anywhere we stay.
Awesome video….pls. Give more detail of the coffee used and the grind settings….we chat further, got your channel intro from my colleague who is NID alumni
Looks like they listened to you. There's now a pressure gauge, a (supposedly) better basket and a stand! Looking forward to seeing your review with the new accessories.
Have my picopresso for one month now. Have to say I reach for it most often for a quick short black. My espresso machine and pour over are not getting used that much now. Pico makes 8-9/10 espresso shot compare to my espresso machine but a lot faster to be brew ready and cleaning is a breeze!
I have been using this machine for a year now and will recommend it to anyone that is looking to get started on a budget. As the video says, the machine is all about feel, once you get used to you can pull good shots. Toe get repeatable shots you need to preheat the basket and the shower screen. Being an engineer, I wanted to control parameters like the water temperature, pressure etc., and just got the Rancilio Silvia and am modding the hell out of it with a microcontroller and sensors. That being said, the Picopresso will always be with me when I travel.
Excellent job on this video. I purchased the Picopresso last summer and used it a few times then put it away for several months and started using it again this year. I also have a Flair Pro 2 but don't always have the time or room to mess with that, hence using the Picopresso more frequently. I have found it easy to set up, easy to use, and consistently get good results making single shots. An 18g straight-sided basket is on order and I guess I will find out if that helps yield a better shot. For reference, I mostly use Kimbo Gold Espresso and grind in a 1Zpresso JMax at 155-165 clicks depending on humidity.
I own a picopresso and have been using one now for almost 6 months now. I have found preheating everything really helps, but ALSO, getting an insulating sleeve for the unit helps as well. Better temperature stability AND easier on your hands (not too hot now). Also, I've used it WITH and WITHOUT a puck screen. I have found the puck screen (B-plus) helps a lot, including the cleanup. I've also used both the stock basket as well as the post-millennium IMPS La Pavoni 20gram basket. Both work well.
Totaly agree with all your points on the video. Light roasts almost always come out too acidic and sour. Medium roasts are much better with depth of flavor , body and nice aftertaste. Been using my Picopresso for 4 months now with the Exagrind from Wacaco which is really nice (playing with 13 -15 clicks range).And now been waiting for an ims precision straight basket to use with this machine which Im hoping is going to solve a lot of issues. Great review and on point. Keep it up. Subscribed.
Thank you for the review. You do such a great job, as always. I'm not sure that picopresso is suited formy use, but it's definitely a good option for travelling or original gift for a coffee lover
Loving mine. Can start every day with a simple-to-make genuinely top drawer espresso. A moment of quiet contemplation before pitching into the fray. The top lid isn't pressurized, so no fear there. But it is a pain in the arse to thread on to the body. Very different to the precision of the beautifully machined bottom ring. It does get uncomfortably warm during pumping, I've ordered a leather jacket from Etsy that should help. A great design, a lovely product to use and a really good result. Happy days...
Great review. Very comprehensive as always. Just a question: among all the portable makers, which would you rate as the go-to device for a traveling man? Maybe when you have reviewed enough of similar devices you can make direct comparisons focusing on certain factors such as build, size, maintenance,...... By the way, love the fact that you talked about the best roast of coffee to make with the device. Certainly helps a lot in decision making. Great job, Aramse!
Thanks a lot. We're definitely going to do a comparison video at some point but so far if portability is your highest priority then this is hard to beat.
I've used the Pico for more than 100 shots and found it actually excels light roasts! Shots are less sour and much more sweet than my big espresso machine! It even took a 6 months old La Cabra Scandinavian roast coffee - and produced CREMA out of it!
Great video as usual, the content flow was great! Love seeing the experimentation with the intro style. One recommendation I would add is being careful to NEVER rinse the whole brewer. Water can get stuck in the pump area and will drip out during brewing. Water will seem to leak out for many brews, leading me to be quite confused if it's really just trapped water. There's no easy way to remove this trapper water either.
Great video as usual. I am a Picopresso user since November last year. My experience aligns with yours. The biggest challenge with this brewer is the thermal management. Never tried multiple pre heating. Now I have to. Overall a well designed product capable of producing tasty espresso. Packaging everything into this form factor is an amazing feat. Please let us know which third party basket has a perfect fit for this brewer.
Mine arrived 3 days ago. I watched several reviews before purchase so I was successful in using it right out of the box the first time. It’s really important that you use beans that were recently roasted. I happen to roast my own coffee so I have that covered. I made my three iced coffee drinks without even turning on my espresso machine. I’m very pleased with it.
I really appreciate that, i'll have to give that a try.. i recently just bought this and haven't yet tried it however, i tend to only buy light to light-medium roast coffee for my flair 58+ and light roasts have been tricky to get right however, i wanted something to take with me on international travels.
The PRO 2 is a killer machine so unless you're looking for extreme portability then you should have no regrets. The gauge is really useful and the direct lever, while it requires a little more effort, offers a lot more precise control of pressure delivery.
Nice review. I have one and been trying to find a premium basket the right size tho. I'm still dialling it in myself, a lot of shots taste sour for some reason tho. Hopefully I find the fix coz clearly it's a great machine
Amazing review. I can imagine how devastated you would have felt when you lost the edits. I have experimented with light roasts on the Flair and I was able to get pretty tasty shots. Along with a higher temperature and finer grind, I also pause for 30s after the pre infusion, apply no pressure, and then continue brewing at 6-8 bars. The idea is to extract as much as possible. Light roasts have always been super tricky to pull, but this method has never disappointed. It’s worth a try. Cheers.
Depends on what you need. If portability is a priority the Pico for sure. If you're looking for more accuracy and repeatability then the PRO 2 as the gauge and direct lever give you more control. If you brew a lot of light roasts then the PRO 2, while it requires more work, can be pre heated properly to maintain higher temps. Honestly can't go wrong with either, as long as you have a good grinder.
Great video! Many thanks :) I just purchased one of these, and I'm really enjoying using it and trying to master 'the feel'. FYI, Brian Quan has a recent video that discusses how to optimise the Picopresso for lighter roasts (well, all roasts): th-cam.com/video/im0-m4tGMPM/w-d-xo.html. Hoping to purchase a La Pavoni 51mm 14-16g IMS basket soon! Also, I do the pre-heating and upturning of the brewer before dropping the basket into the portafilter so as not to disturb the tampered puck. And, I'm yet to find the exterior overheating; perhaps I'm not preheating enough times! Thanks, again! 😊
I had an issue with this- or thought I did. After an email with Wacaco they recommended washing the unit with the pump closed (button in). I haven’t had an issue since. Just food for thought. Amazing video as always
I'm sorry you lost time due to hardware issues. If you want any IT advice, let me know. Losing work due to hardware failure can and should be avoided, and this should be doable with minimal cost on even consumer grade computers.
Using it for 2 years, underrated product.
I've been using the Pico for 8 months now! And you're right. Although extreme portability was not my goal, i wanted a entry espressos maker and was willing to upgrade to a $1k espresso machine after 2 years of being on this 'hobby'. So it is also relevant for people like me. I do own a hand grinder, a very good one.
That said, a solid stand and a new shower screen which has a pressure gauge sticking out will be a killer set of accessory to add.
Commenting here because Wacaco have a pressure gauge and stand coming to market soon
Great review! Been using the Picopresso for around 8mo now and I've found that I've been reaching for it more than my Flair Signature as I actually find the workflow and clean up much easier.
I usually brew medium roasts especially as a latte so it's been really good.
As a tip, i use both silocone covers when i hold it while pumping so that addresses it being uncomfortable to hold.
It's also great for work as i now bring it along w my 1zPresso JxPro to the office.
Again great job!
The JX PRO + Picopresso is a lethal combo. :)
Got the same combo! 🥂
Excellent timing on this. Received my Picopresso just two hours after you released this video. 😃
Great review! I've been using the Pico for about 6 months each morning now and completely recommend it. I paired it with a .5L travel kettle so everything fits in a small bag. When warming cream or milk isn't an option I make a great espresso or americano for my wife and I anywhere we stay.
Which hand grinder do you recommend for it?
Just discovered your channel. It has quickly become my favorite coffee review channel. Keep up the good work.
51mm ims basket is a game changer
Brilliant, a well done video,
And helpful tips, thank you for your video, 👍
Kind Regards
James
Fae =( from) Scotland 🏴
Part of the uk 🇬🇧 🙂 👍
Thank you for all your videos. I'm always excited when an Ārāmse video pops up in my notifications.
Thank so much Cody, for this comment and your contribution!
Awesome video….pls. Give more detail of the coffee used and the grind settings….we chat further, got your channel intro from my colleague who is NID alumni
Thank you, looks like a nice little camping brewer
Looks like they listened to you. There's now a pressure gauge, a (supposedly) better basket and a stand! Looking forward to seeing your review with the new accessories.
I have also learnt the hard way... Always make a backup and edit from an external SSD!
This is such an amazing review! I don't often see people talk about cleanup or troubleshooting, I really appreciate that insight! Major kudos!
Thank you
Have my picopresso for one month now. Have to say I reach for it most often for a quick short black. My espresso machine and pour over are not getting used that much now.
Pico makes 8-9/10 espresso shot compare to my espresso machine but a lot faster to be brew ready and cleaning is a breeze!
I have been using this machine for a year now and will recommend it to anyone that is looking to get started on a budget. As the video says, the machine is all about feel, once you get used to you can pull good shots. Toe get repeatable shots you need to preheat the basket and the shower screen. Being an engineer, I wanted to control parameters like the water temperature, pressure etc., and just got the Rancilio Silvia and am modding the hell out of it with a microcontroller and sensors. That being said, the Picopresso will always be with me when I travel.
Excellent job on this video. I purchased the Picopresso last summer and used it a few times then put it away for several months and started using it again this year. I also have a Flair Pro 2 but don't always have the time or room to mess with that, hence using the Picopresso more frequently. I have found it easy to set up, easy to use, and consistently get good results making single shots. An 18g straight-sided basket is on order and I guess I will find out if that helps yield a better shot. For reference, I mostly use Kimbo Gold Espresso and grind in a 1Zpresso JMax at 155-165 clicks depending on humidity.
I own a picopresso and have been using one now for almost 6 months now. I have found preheating everything really helps, but ALSO, getting an insulating sleeve for the unit helps as well. Better temperature stability AND easier on your hands (not too hot now). Also, I've used it WITH and WITHOUT a puck screen. I have found the puck screen (B-plus) helps a lot, including the cleanup. I've also used both the stock basket as well as the post-millennium IMPS La Pavoni 20gram basket. Both work well.
A better WDT helps a ton as well
Thanks for the really thorough review! I already have a nanopresso but it makes me want to get a new pico haha
Totaly agree with all your points on the video. Light roasts almost always come out too acidic and sour. Medium roasts are much better with depth of flavor , body and nice aftertaste. Been using my Picopresso for 4 months now with the Exagrind from Wacaco which is really nice (playing with 13 -15 clicks range).And now been waiting for an ims precision straight basket to use with this machine which Im hoping is going to solve a lot of issues. Great review and on point. Keep it up. Subscribed.
Thank you for the review. You do such a great job, as always.
I'm not sure that picopresso is suited formy use, but it's definitely a good option for travelling or original gift for a coffee lover
The picopresso seems to use a similar concept as the Staresso Mirage, any chance for you guys to make a comparison video?
God damn, that title B roll intro went hard as fk 🔥
Nice top gear reference
Glad you noticed it :)
Loving mine. Can start every day with a simple-to-make genuinely top drawer espresso. A moment of quiet contemplation before pitching into the fray.
The top lid isn't pressurized, so no fear there. But it is a pain in the arse to thread on to the body. Very different to the precision of the beautifully machined bottom ring.
It does get uncomfortably warm during pumping, I've ordered a leather jacket from Etsy that should help.
A great design, a lovely product to use and a really good result. Happy days...
Great review. Very comprehensive as always. Just a question: among all the portable makers, which would you rate as the go-to device for a traveling man? Maybe when you have reviewed enough of similar devices you can make direct comparisons focusing on certain factors such as build, size, maintenance,...... By the way, love the fact that you talked about the best roast of coffee to make with the device. Certainly helps a lot in decision making. Great job, Aramse!
Thanks a lot. We're definitely going to do a comparison video at some point but so far if portability is your highest priority then this is hard to beat.
Perhaps, James Hoffman can also help with your question, Terubok Masin: th-cam.com/video/JT5Rz3QV74g/w-d-xo.html 😀
I've used the Pico for more than 100 shots and found it actually excels light roasts!
Shots are less sour and much more sweet than my big espresso machine!
It even took a 6 months old La Cabra Scandinavian roast coffee - and produced CREMA out of it!
Light roast does well when you grind a. It course which lead to pulling turbo shots which are excellent for light roast
Great review I'll be getting one this holiday season, thanks for the advice.
Great video! Glad you were able to get the video done after the computer disaster. I'm considering buying this now. Oh - also, first ;-)
Another great and informative video.
I never had the intention of getting the picopresso but it's way more portable then my flair so... Maybe get it?
I've been thinking about the same thing, but I'm still resisting haha!
Outstanding video. In definitely intrigued…
Liked & subscribed !
I do recommend though running preheat water through the machine, pumping it out without basket and porta filter. And then brew 😁
Hah we meant to add this to the Tips segment but totally forgot. :)
Great video as usual, the content flow was great! Love seeing the experimentation with the intro style.
One recommendation I would add is being careful to NEVER rinse the whole brewer. Water can get stuck in the pump area and will drip out during brewing. Water will seem to leak out for many brews, leading me to be quite confused if it's really just trapped water. There's no easy way to remove this trapper water either.
Thanks for the heads up. We usually just give the bottom a quick rinse and have never needed to wash the whole thing but it’s good to know.
Would you recommend this to someone looking to GET INTO espresso at home, on a budget?
this is too good to be true!
Great video as usual. I am a Picopresso user since November last year. My experience aligns with yours. The biggest challenge with this brewer is the thermal management. Never tried multiple pre heating. Now I have to. Overall a well designed product capable of producing tasty espresso. Packaging everything into this form factor is an amazing feat. Please let us know which third party basket has a perfect fit for this brewer.
Thanks a lot! I’m pretty sure the 14g IMS basket that fits the La Pavoni will work with this.
Can I use Comandante MK4 for grinding to this Wacaco?
Good work bud
Mine arrived 3 days ago. I watched several reviews before purchase so I was successful in using it right out of the box the first time. It’s really important that you use beans that were recently roasted. I happen to roast my own coffee so I have that covered. I made my three iced coffee drinks without even turning on my espresso machine. I’m very pleased with it.
If I have a pico already is there a case to be made to still pick up the robot?... ....
Please review kafflano kompresso too!
Will do!
We didn't like the look of all that flexing with the stand, but we found the new Version 2 that just came out.
I’m having issues creating a crema. I use the exagrind from wacaco, but still.
Light roasts can work if you under dose , a 12 g dose will produce acceptable, light roast espresso
I really appreciate that, i'll have to give that a try.. i recently just bought this and haven't yet tried it however, i tend to only buy light to light-medium roast coffee for my flair 58+ and light roasts have been tricky to get right however, i wanted something to take with me on international travels.
thanks for the amazing content! sad that the coffee logger doesnt ship to argentina, hopefully for v2.0
Thank you and we DO ship to Argentina. You just need to pick the 'Rest Of The World' perk instead of the regular one. :)
This thing came out pretty much the day after I bought my Flair Pro 2. I may well have chosen this instead had it been released a day earlier!
The PRO 2 is a killer machine so unless you're looking for extreme portability then you should have no regrets. The gauge is really useful and the direct lever, while it requires a little more effort, offers a lot more precise control of pressure delivery.
Nice review. I have one and been trying to find a premium basket the right size tho. I'm still dialling it in myself, a lot of shots taste sour for some reason tho. Hopefully I find the fix coz clearly it's a great machine
Hi,
Maybe under dose a bit??
Plz let me know if you found a fix. Thank you. 😊😊
Staresso mini is the best!
Amazing review. I can imagine how devastated you would have felt when you lost the edits.
I have experimented with light roasts on the Flair and I was able to get pretty tasty shots. Along with a higher temperature and finer grind, I also pause for 30s after the pre infusion, apply no pressure, and then continue brewing at 6-8 bars. The idea is to extract as much as possible. Light roasts have always been super tricky to pull, but this method has never disappointed. It’s worth a try.
Cheers.
Absolutely, longer pre infusions and longer pulls at higher temps are clutch for lighter roasts.
Nanospresso or pico ? Whats ur favorite
I believe the Hugh Leverpresso is slightly cheaper, so that might be worth looking into
Now they are developing leverpresso Pro.. It looks good.. Check their youtube channel
I mean.. Well.. What other espresso option is there at 10-12k?
Anyone know where to buy a home stand for this?
I need your help! Pico or Flair Pro 2?????
Depends on what you need. If portability is a priority the Pico for sure. If you're looking for more accuracy and repeatability then the PRO 2 as the gauge and direct lever give you more control. If you brew a lot of light roasts then the PRO 2, while it requires more work, can be pre heated properly to maintain higher temps. Honestly can't go wrong with either, as long as you have a good grinder.
You should dry it for a few hours before reassembling…
Great video! Many thanks :)
I just purchased one of these, and I'm really enjoying using it and trying to master 'the feel'. FYI, Brian Quan has a recent video that discusses how to optimise the Picopresso for lighter roasts (well, all roasts): th-cam.com/video/im0-m4tGMPM/w-d-xo.html. Hoping to purchase a La Pavoni 51mm 14-16g IMS basket soon! Also, I do the pre-heating and upturning of the brewer before dropping the basket into the portafilter so as not to disturb the tampered puck. And, I'm yet to find the exterior overheating; perhaps I'm not preheating enough times! Thanks, again! 😊
How about water leaks from the pump. I see it from other videos.
None yet but we’ll be sure to report any issues that pop up if and when they do.
I had an issue with this- or thought I did. After an email with Wacaco they recommended washing the unit with the pump closed (button in). I haven’t had an issue since. Just food for thought.
Amazing video as always
Should I buy it for good espresso
I'm sorry you lost time due to hardware issues. If you want any IT advice, let me know. Losing work due to hardware failure can and should be avoided, and this should be doable with minimal cost on even consumer grade computers.
Thank you. I dumped the water.