6 Reasons Why I Chose the La Marzocco Linea Mini Over the Micra

If you've settled on a La Marzocco for your home setup, unless you're a huge coffee nerd with super deep pockets (GS3) it's likely coming down to Mini vs Micra; at least it did for me.
Here's hoping my endless nights of frustrated hair pulling, watching all the coffee influencers subjectively tout the Micra as this 'Mini-killer' when all I wanted was objective answers to help rationalize my inner desire to get the Mini... I hope the irony of that is not lost on you, dear viewer.
This video is the summation of those efforts and the factual bits of truth I was able to extract (intentional pun) from the vast array of peripheral videos I consumed on the subject.
Disclaimer: at the time of recording this video I have not yet consumed any caffeine..
#wildvalleyranch #espresso #lamarzocco

[@kyletallon]

The Micra can be plumbed in. The Micra offers line level preinfusion, whereas the Linea Mini does not. You could have always bought a standard bottomless portafilter for much less than the difference in cost between the Micra and Mini. If you have service techs who can service a Mini, they will be able to service a Micra. It's the same service and parts support network. I've heard from a lot of people who are considering the Mini over the Micra and the only reason I could ever see this making sense is if you need to do some catering or events with the machine. The Micra will not be able to handle that, but the Mini will. Not many home users will ever need this capability though. IMHO most home users considering the Mini should buy a Micra and add the savings to their grinder budget. Just my 0.02

[@NoBody-bm9if]

I second everything what you said. If I had to guess I’d say everything except the headspace is made up self-affirmation to buy a Mini. And honestly I get that. The Mini is frickin cool but just the heat up time would be too much of a downside for me personally. It’s just nice to turn on the Micra and have it ready in 5 minutes.

[@r.rivera2754]

I also second everything you said, I was on the fence on getting the Mini or Micra and went with the Micra as I will never need to make 20 espressos in a row. Also Lance went over the Micra and he said it's built just as good as the Mini. Also the Micra comes with the cool touch wand already something you need to upgrade on the Mini here in the US.

[@obsessedcloset2638]

You have the mini and micra mixed up with regards to pre-infusion. The mini you can plumb in and it does line pre-infusion. It does in my mini.

[@Maybaby1959]

You are absolutely right. Save yourself thousands of

[@execatty]

​@@Maybaby1959tryign to decide on the micra, keep hearing about it leaking and being able to put some bigger cups underneath for larger lattes.. thinking profitec 600 700 or micra. cannot decide

[@rodok3836]

Stumbled upon your channel randomly, stayed for the coffee content. Keep up the great work!

[@ericanderson1753]

Wait the portafilter that ships with Micra was a reason for going Mini? Couldn’t you just buy any portafilter you want (including the one that shipped with your Mini) and use with Micra?

[@tobiasbouma4071]

For a long time I've been considering this but the goalpost kept moving. I'm now trying to accommodate the Strada EP in my home. Needless to say it's no easy task with the massive footprint.

[@gibbions]

Hi there! Great video and basically I’m in the same position, about to push the button on buying a Mini… Does the portafilter that come with the Mini not fit properly then on the Eureka Libra (that’s the grinder I was thinking of getting too!!) Also, have you seen the recessed drip tray which makes the scale flush with the surface - maximising the height for cups etc…

[@ionutgroza6318]

Can you tell me please from where did you get that wood tamping station and the knock box ? both looks sweet !

[@Azmeirr]

Amazing setup man!

[@WildValleyRanch]

Thanks!

[@natehaiden]

I'm full sending on the Profitec pro 800 for those sweet spring lever pressure profiles :)

[@maldohh7451]

you mentioned not having your coffee at least 3 times.. this is herculean to do this video without coffee ABOUT COFFEE! thanks for the great video.

[@samsteury1038]

I’m sure you’re aware, but la marzocco has a drip tray insert with a sunken center section that perfectly fits your scale which will give a custom clean look with more space. I just ordered the brew by weight scale and insert because my wife doesn’t want to stand in front of the machine and turn it off. I chose the European version over the us version because of drainage. There is a good thread on home barista with much detail. Cheers 🍻

[@VinegarAndSaltedFries]

Great video. Loved hearing. I also had this debate. I think if I were in your position I’d have made the same call. My kitchen is rather small where I have my old machine plumbed in and I switched from a Expobar E61 Office Lever that’s at least 16 years old longer but I cannot remember. I was sick of the temp differences with heat exchange and E61 so despite my familiarity with fixing E61’s (I’ve replaced nearly everything on that discontinued Expobar) for me the counter space was so important. I used to do all the fancy stuff and absolutely respect it but at this point in my life I just want simple repeatable coffee. The headspace is definitely a big concern for me but I honestly don’t think once I’m used to it and the workflow it’ll be the much of an issue. If I were going from a machine that had a lot of headspace to Micra I think it’d be a bigger issue but I’m not. I’m so excited for it to come. I actually secured a Micra plumbing kit before the Machine is even here yet which is sweet. When it comes to new machines/products getting parts might be a bit of a concern but I think I’ll be alright.

[@TheKnottiBuoy]

I also upgraded from a 17 year old Expobar office lever, but to the the Micra. I have not issue with the space going bottomless with the Acaia Lunar Scale. I love the quick warm up time, turn it on do my coffee prep and the Micra is ready to steam and brew. It simply fits my well established personal use case, I don't need the flow profiling or make more that 5 espresso's back to back. Otherwise the Mini could have been a better option. The Micra is easier to service and the parts are top quality and easy to obtain. I chose to use distilled water with the mineral packets although I could easily plumb it in. Both are great machines!

[@jurig5579]

How easy is it to keep the black matte color clean? I often see fingerprints on this model in black.

[@shurrrig]

hmm how have you fared with the much longer heat up time? i chose the micra and i can't overstate how pleasing it is to be able to turn it on and almost immediately brew a shot

[@WildValleyRanch]

The micra is stated to be 5-10 min and the mini is 10-15. Both are fast. I have my mini programmed to pre heat in the morning so that it’s at temp by the time I’m ready for my first coffee.

[@fishdog415]

Does anyone have a link to the Singapore “trim kit” referenced in the customization section (7:40) of this video? Thx!

[@lenso010]

where did you get the table from ?

[@dbjackson3710]

Great setup. Excellent choice. Where did you get the table it's all on?

[@WildValleyRanch]

Thanks! Costco about 7 years ago.

[@aston771]

Who did you buy the mini from. I am in the market for a Mini

[@larrylaffer4304]

why you bought the old linea mini?

[@natehaiden]

Expresso has been regarded as a misspelling by usage experts, who scoff at the deviation from the original Italian. Those experts are emboldened in their disapproval for the spelling by an early theory surrounding the word's etymology. The espresso in caffè espresso, it was believed, pertained not to the "express" nature of brewing but to the fact that the coffee was "pressed out," espresso being cited as a past participle of esprimere, from Latin exprimere, meaning "to press or squeeze out." But, as it turns out, there's a problem with that reasoning. Exprimere does indeed mean, among other things, "to press or squeeze out" in Latin. It's also an ancestor of our word express, which has among its meanings "to force out (something, such as the juice of a fruit) by pressure"-which accurately describes what takes place when espresso is made: hot water is forced through the grounds by way of steam pressure (approximately nine atmospheres' worth). But current etymological theory says that it's more likely that the Italian term caffè espresso was coined to refer literally to coffee made on the spot at the customer's request, and not to point to the "pressing" method by which it's made. That has caused etymologists to rethink the connection of espresso to the pressing out of coffee beans and back toward the method of delivery-coffee made to order "expressly" for the customer. So does this mean we've been wrong about expresso all this time? Yes and no. Espresso remains the original borrowed word for the beverage, but expresso shows enough use in English to be entered in the dictionary and is not disqualified by the lack of an x in its Italian etymon. Just think of expresso as a quirky, jittery variant.

[@86BBUB]

Expresso might also refer to how quickly the coffee can be made. I think Gaggia brought his first machine to an industrial fair and pumped out many coffees for the crowd in a very short period of time. They were impressed with the pace.

[@s96822]

Agree re plumbed in. Should have had clear option from release forthat money. my espresso machine does not have a tank, only plumbed in. mini looks more formidable like a small full on commercial machine. i once used a big gaggia commercial machine on kitchen countertop until misses gave me ultimatum, me or coffee machine.

[@dorus2828]

Nice espresso cups! Can you please give me a hint where i could buy those, or a brand name? Thank you!

[@WildValleyRanch]

Made by Kruve. Called the ‘Propel’ 👍🏻

[@gustavokudo]

What about why not GS3? ☕

[@JoshuaBaggett-cd4fw]

Where did you get the cart from?

[@WildValleyRanch]

Costco about 5 years ago.

[@El_Marzocco]

Nice! Now to sink thousands more into endgame grinders.

[@rxonmymind8362]

Hey you do you and it's all your bills are paid who cares what you get. You don't have to justify anything to anybody. Another upside of you buying the mini is the resale value. You can reach the commercial market and the domestic Market a much wider audience when it comes time.

[@Maybaby1959]

Wait a minute!! I have to amend my post. I see maybe a gun case if so. He made a great decision. 😊

[@JeronimoJGC]

I agree “it’s all useless ramblings” 😂 5:30

[@PewPewNomNom]

Right? Most of the video is a mess of incoherent ramblings. No wonder this channel has no followers

[@tiffter171]

House of funk beans. Great choice.

[@WildValleyRanch]

That they were.

[@badasspresso]

You had me at "Mini Millenial Midlife Crisis".

[@m.f.8752]

I think I have that.

[@bengrosser]

yes the micra portafilter is dumb.

[@ginoderango2516]

What machine did you have before going to Mini?

[@WildValleyRanch]

Breville barista pro. Had it for 3 years.

[@mopikozz]

Good choice! Micra looks too toy-ish for me.

[@andybona3205]

Popular 3k in the uk to make a Caffee 😂😂😂

[@POVShotgun]

jeez are u 10k in?

[@WildValleyRanch]

not too far from that.. I did get a great deal on everything as I upgraded everything at once through a single shop

[@HollywoodSnob_]

And now there is a new Mini 🤷‍♂️🤷🤷‍♀️

[@abdullahalbaloul]

You are justifying your mistake by getting the mini instead of the micra 😂 because none of the reasons make sense

[@SGspecial84]

This video did not age well.

[@waxedgoat]

Why is that? Because the mini was updated in last few mths?

[@robertgreiner4703]

what i dislike about this machine: it smells like shit for the first 2 months.