Robot Barista (w Pressure Gauge)

BIFL; get a manual 1ZPRESSO grinder (J-Ultra or K-Pro) and a full manual level machine like the Flair 58, Rok Presso or Cafelat Robot. These are all machines with no electric parts, everything is replaceable and fixable and made from some kind of durable metals.

I’ve got a Silvia and Robot + Nanofoamer pro and I haven’t used the Silvia in a loooong time. The Robot is just so much better.

I love my Cafelat Robot. If you need foamed milk then you are gonna miss a pump machine. But otherwise the espresso from a lever is just plain better. I don’t miss my Silvia at all.

I’m going to suggest something a little different. Cafelat Robot Barista + Fellow Skagg EKG Pro electric kettle. It’s so simple to use, very forgiving, has an enjoyable workflow, and the espresso is amazing. I can easily pull 3 double shots in like 5 minutes total - all consistently good. It’s also a machine that you can travel with if that’s important to you. I started with a Breville Bambino Plus that I now only use for the milk steamer. Since that’s not a concern for you, I highly recommend looking into the Robot. https://preview.redd.it/uur5vvzkplpg1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8d7d445de279e27428938303da192d7c3d4aeb9f

Man, I’m rooting for you and I hope you enjoy it. However, this really makes me appreciate my Cafelat Robot. No firmware, no milk modes, my kettle is on a schedule so it’s hot and ready the moment I wake up. I’m usually in the “more is better” camp, but I’m not sure what would be worth the upgrade at this point.

Thanks - I’m just trying to be honest and non-elitist haha. I’m a major rabbit hole kind of guy and started looking for a good deal on a la marzocco or Lelit pretty much the day after I got my bambino plus. I saw a robot pop up for sale locally, did a quick search, and picked it up - for only $250!. I haven’t looked for another machine since. The workflow is simple and the whole process is enjoyable. Even my “bad” pulls are good. It’s easy to dial in and I can pull back to back shots with consistency. I make a double for my wife and a quad for myself, every morning. Gone are the days she gets a good coffee and I get crap lol. I now only use the BBP for the steamed milk.

Electric kettle + nice grinder + Cafelat Robot! You can keep your current machine and use it just for milk. With the robot, you literally get the hands on experience pulling shots and the only limiting factor is how quickly your kettle can get to temp after you’ve gone through it. I absolutely love mine. You get an espresso that tastes as good as the really expensive machines for a fraction of the cost.

Do yourself a favor and get the Robot! The workflow is so simple compared to the Flair and the espresso is fantastic. I only use my BBP for milk now and don’t even feel bad about it haha. I also have no desire for any upgrades at this point - and I’m a “more is better” kinda guy. If you do go the manual route, I recommend pairing with the Fellows Skagg EKG Pro. The water is holding at temp when I wake up, then I grind, WDT, tamp, and pull a shot. The feedback when pulling a shot is enough for me to not even use a scale anymore. Happy to answer any questions if you have any. Team Robot 10/10.

Thanks for calling this out! I may be making this comment off a previous Flair model where the piston was a separate part that you would need to load in with each shot - with it being quite hot afterwards. I just looked up the F58+2 and it does look like a pretty similar workflow to the Robot. The robot has the integrated piston and you put the grinds, filter/shower screen and water all into a single portafilter basket. Pull your shot and then you purge the excess, pull off the shower screen, dump and reload. I also like how deep the portafilter is, and plan to experiment pulling a 25g triple soon! It seems the main differences are there’s no electronic group head pre-heating and the overall footprint of the Robot is smaller. I have cabinets overhead and I feel like the Flair lever could be an issue. I also feel like I’d prefer the ergonomics of the levers from the Robot over the Flair. It’s built like a tank and hasn’t needed any major design changes since it was first released. I don’t personally have experience with the Flair, so I’d like your perspective to help inform any future advice I have! I just know what I know and shouldn’t simply regurgitate what I hear!

Don't know what your currency is, and starting with just a machine, and not pricing grinders etc into the amount If Australian dollar, just get a piccopresso and a couple of baskets. Also consider Hugh leverpresso or flair neoflex They will make a very good coffee, and you will learn a shit ton more than buying something where you are pretty well limited to pressing a button. If USD, get the barista model robot.

Agree. I honestly have no interest in upgrading from my robot. The other machines have a cool look and feel, but nothing beats the simplicity and quality combination of the robot.

Cafelat Robot - mostly making coffee for myself - mainly drink iced lattes - I can "save" and shots, so less bean waste - No back flush or descaling necessary Lagom Casa - minimal static, retention, and mess

I use my stainless steel French press for my daily coffee. Recently I got myself a Cafelat robot and a Nespresso Virtuo POP for my teenage girls. The robot makes mind blowing espresso compared to the Nespresso’s pseudo cup, and the maintenance is supremely simple. Get the Cafelat robot you won’t regret it.