ECM Classika PID: Initial Setup and First Use

[@liamthompson9342]

I just got one of these bad boys so this is very helpful. People complaining about the water filtration bit but I found it very useful. I don't wanna scale up my new pride and joy.

[@rsilver12]

The couple videos on the ECM Classika are super helpful, thank you so much for posting these.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

You're very welcome! And, thanks a whole latte for taking a moment to leave your comment.

[@Roddy1965]

I have a small kitchen, and my machine has a shelf above it, not super low, but not super high. So many machines I'd love to have are top-access for water. I have an Ascaso Uno PID, and the water reservoir is side load. It just slides out a few inches and you pour in your water. It is SO easy, and it doesn't mean you have to unload or worry about the cups stored on the top of the machine. This is a great design feature of the Ascaso that I'd like to see other manufacturers adopt.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi F, Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Quick Mill Pipa has side load water. Could also go to a plumbed machine for constant water supply - never having to fill a reservoir can be a life changing experience!

[@mikelangford7630]

Thanks very much, I just got my machine and your video really helped to understand some of the finer points about the it. Cheers

[@Wholelattelovepage]

You're welcome. Enjoy the new machine!

[@NativeNewYorker66]

Enjoyed the review especially the BWT water filtration part! It was very helpful!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@wirinharwirjawan6422]

wondering why the pressure gauge keep on climbing to 8 bar and even you are not brewing any espresso, (ex: at 19:53, really wonder why)

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi WW, Thanks for the question. Pressure is measured near the machine's pump. There's a one way valve after the point of pressure measurement so when the E61 lever is down after an extraction pressure is retained in the system. If one were to lift the E61 lever partially without activating the pump the pressure on the gauge would fall to zero.

[@wirinharwirjawan6422]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thanks for info and appreciate it

[@back_to_the_bike8820]

Thank you VERY much. How often do you recommend doing a backfush with this machine (after how many shots)?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey bttb, ECM recommends backflushing with a detergent like Cafiza after ~125 extractions. You csan backflush with plain water (no detergent) whenever you like. Some do that daily but 1x a week is more common.

[@back_to_the_bike8820]

hi, have you measured a difference between the temperature indicated by the PID and the temperature of the water leaving the E61 unit?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi bttb, There may be slight difference in temperature from PID to brew water from the group. That's usually due to running the machine in abnormally cool or warm environment. Also standard practice to run a short flush from the grouphead if the machine has been on and idle for a long period.

[@catherineshort4476]

please can yo tell me how to use the pump switch and how ti refill the boiler after each coffee thank you

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi cs, Thanks for the question. You do not have to refill the boiler after making an espresso. You do need to refill/cool down the boiler after steaming. To do that, Open the steam valve and turn on the pump switch until you get a solid stream of water out of the steam wand.

[@eeeerrr1475]

Hello I purchased the pressure Guage in the front and I can't get it to stay straight any tips for getting the fave straight?

[@backs1de]

I cannot find a version with the flow control. On the official website, they only have Classika without it. Is it something you buy extra and install yourself?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi b, Just checked our site. Looks like we may be sold out of new Classikas. Only one I find is an open box model: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/semi-automatic-espresso-machines/products/ecm-classika-pid-espresso-machine-open-box?variant=43133719052342 If you call in to customer service they may be able to customize the open box with flow control. Reach out here: support.wholelattelove.com/hc/en-us/categories/1500000209702-Customer-Service

[@backs1de]

Thank you for your quick response. In general, is this something that can be bought seperately later on once someone gets more experienced with the brewing process?

[@claptoned0]

Hi ! No pre-infusion with this model ?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi c! The ECM Classika PID is currently available with a free flow control upgrade for pre-infusion any way you like it! www.wholelattelove.com/products/ecm-classika-pid-espresso-machine-with-flow-control If not familiar with flow control, check out 2 simple but powerful flow profiles in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l160coKlbbuaa6M

[@yuribotnaru3359]

I'm in doubt between this one and Bezzera bz10, can someone please help me with the choice? I do drink cappuccino in the morning for information.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Yuri, Unless you're doing specialty grade straight espresso on a regular basis the BZ10 is likely a better option as it has an easier workflow to a cappuccino. The BZ10 uses a heat exchange boiler so you can brew and froth simultaneously. The Classika has a single boiler so you cannot brew and steam at the same time. There will be a wait for the machine to heat up to frothing temperature after making the espresso. Then, when done frothing there's the added step of cooling down and refilling the boiler. Beyond that, the BZ10 will be ready to use sooner as its group head heats up faster than the E61 group of the Classika. If you don't mind the extra heat up time and additional workflow steps know the ECM Classika has the capability to make a slightly better espresso due to it's precise PID temperature control. And, it can be equipped with flow control which opens up more possibilites for crafting espresso flavor. Of course there's a price difference between the 2 machines so maybe you're willing to compromise on workflow to save some $$. Hope that helps!

[@yuribotnaru3359]

@@Wholelattelovepage Many thanks for your quick response , I read that there aren't any bottomless portfilters made for Bezzera so there is no way to get one.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

@@yuribotnaru3359 Hi, NP on the quick response. We have a selection of bottomless portafilters available for Bezzera machines. The BZ10 has the BZ group so be sure and pick one from this link labeled for that: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/portafilters-and-filter-baskets?_=pf&pf_v_brand=Bezzera

[@crissignori7482]

I can’t understand why whenever I go to pull the first shot on my brand new ECM Synchronika nothing happens on the second attempt it works just fine

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi c, that sounds odd. Any chance you have a passive pre-infusion time set with pre-infusion on? If you do, the machine will pause after lifting the brew lever for the time set in passive pre-infusion. Another possibility is the machine has gone into eco mode after a period of inactivity. Lifting lever the first time would wake the machine up. Check the Eco mode time setting in the menu. You can turn it off there or set from 30-600 minutes in 30 minute increments. If it's not one of these 2 things and you purchased the machine from us reach out to our Tech Support staff here for additional assistance: support.wholelattelove.com/hc/en-us/categories/360005124554-Technical-Support

[@crissignori7482]

@ Thanks very much I’ll check on those items

[@threedollarbridge]

I'm using the espresso water recipe that Mark described in a different KZbin video with my ECM Classika. Do I need to use the BWT or similar products? Do I need to descale using Durgol? I can't find anything in the manual to suggest that I shoul descale. I can't find in the manual to advise against descaling. Appreciate some help, and, if this video is about the ECM Classika, maybe not suggesting a product like Durgol if it is not recommended by ECM.?

[@mikeobrien1118]

Appreciate the video! Is there a machine you might suggest that does not take 20-30 minutes to heat up but can still provide PID/flow control? As a current Bambino owner it seems a bit silly that a machine takes that long to get to brewing temp for $1300-$1400 more. I know this is not unique to the ECM here but just curious if there are higher quality machines without this issue?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Mike, PID + flow control = E61 group head. Those are ~7lbs/3.5kg of solid metal heated by convective thermosiphon flow from the boiler. No way around the time it takes for the group to fully heat. What you can do is use a Wifi appliance grade outlet timer to have the machine turn on/off on your schedule. If you can do without the flow control the Bezzera BZ13 has PID and heats in about 8 minutes as its group head has an internal heating element to help things along and keep temps stable. The BZ13 uses a heat exchange boiler so you can brew and steam simultaneously: www.wholelattelove.com/products/bezzera-bz13-pm

[@mikeobrien1118]

@@Wholelattelovepage beautiful. Thank you guys!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

@@mikeobrien1118 NP!

[@jye4181]

I can’t get machine to turn on… is there something wrong with how I have installed my water tank

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi j, There is a float in the water tank. If installed improperly or not operating correctly the machine will not operate as it does not sense water in the tank. But, the machine should still turn on. Here's a video showing how the water level float/sensor operates. It's on a different ECM machine but operates essentially the same on yours: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWSseaZ3lN5kpJosi=M6ViqErP89u38B_w&t=101

[@jye4181]

@@Wholelattelovepage thank you I figured that out but now I am struggling with my coffee grinder 😭…

[@carlcruz2803]

Do you need to activate the pump as soon as you turn on the machine every time?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi CC, No you do not - only on initial startup. Although if the machine has been unused for an extended period I would run the pump on startup to get some fresh water in the boiler but it's not required.

[@carlcruz2803]

Thank you so much for the quick reply. You guys are champions!

[@david029014]

What filter do you recommend for the bezera bz07

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi d, Thanks for the question. For a BZ07 I'd go with in-reservoir pad filter from BWT: www.wholelattelove.com/products/bwt-bestsave-s-anti-scale-filter Or for higher volume use the BWT Penguin Pitcher: www.wholelattelove.com/products/bwt-penguin-2-7-l-water-pitcher The pad filter requires ~12 hours of time to do its thing in the reservoir so if you fill a reservoir multiple times a day it will not keep up with demand. Marc

[@hybridsoul2]

Thanks for this. My ECM didn’t prompt me to fill when I powered it on for the first time. The temp started to heat up without any water in the boiler. When I realized that was happening I quickly turned on the group head so the water would flow through.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey CC, You are welcome and thank you for the comment!

[@res.22]

The same with my machine. No "fill" mode when I first turned it on. I wonder if it it was used before even though I bought it as new.

[@hybridsoul2]

@@res.22 I contacted Clive (who I purchased it from) and they said they test the machines prior to shipping. Which would also explain the condensation in the bottom of the box…

[@res.22]

@@hybridsoul2 I see, thanks for the reply! I've already contacted ECM directly. I'll let you know what they said.

[@hybridsoul2]

@@res.22 please do! Thanks! 😊

[@MrHamburgerler]

Do the railings on the cup tray come off?

[@daisywuwoo1]

Hi, if I do 2 lattes a day with milk steam, will this single boiler machine super painful compare to HX machine like quick mill rubino or VBM domobar juior which is few hundred bucks more?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi oe, Thanks for the question. It's just waiting for machine to reach steaming temp. Then cooling down the boiler after steaming. Painful depends on if you are in a hurry or not.

[@Porsche993-j6k]

What is the life span of the PID

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi P, I do not have a lifespan rating for the PID. Aside from the temperature probe in the boiler it's a solid state device so should last a very long time.

[@TheBenjfels]

Hi, what size BWT bestcup do you recommend for the ECM classika? Does it all come in one kit? Thanks.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

It's an all in one kit if needed: www.wholelattelove.com/products/bwt-bestcup-m-package

[@lakertime]

The PID on this classika looks different than mine in color. Mine is black and this looks silver to go along with the machine. The menus seem the same otherwise, is the only difference in the PID the style there?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Shaun, yes, the silver PID display is on the newer version of the Classika. The newest one are also shipping with an angled portafilter and metal tamper, rather than the straight PF and plastic tamper from before. I'm not aware of any other changes. AJ

[@btpuppy2]

All that and you didn’t brew any espresso??

[@Wholelattelovepage]

hi bt, here's the video showing espresso brewing on the Classika and more: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWPTfIt5YtCke7M

[@ChristophBruchsal]

You are referring to the lights in this machine as LEDs. They are not!. These are AC current (110/230V) lamps

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Chris, Thanks for the correction!

[@razvanyke]

I clicked to see details about the ECM Classika and for 6 Minutes I learn about BWT filter .. :( I like the channel so I watched further but if I was new, was a pass for me.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi RA, You might prefer this video on the Classika: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHupc2WdYqaWfbM In the setup video you watched we do spend some time on water quality as it's important - using hard water in espresso machines is the most common cause of problems.

[@livealoha50f]

Love your videos but this one could do without the water treatment informtial...

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi 5O, Thanks for the comment. I hear you. Some customers seem to appreciate being advised of good water treatment options to prevent scale and protect their machines.

[@cd1168]

Just go over machine.