I sold my $2649 espresso machine and bought Cafelat Robot

[@loriosterweil982]

It’s my choice too. I use dark roasted beans and don’t bother to preheat. It makes delicious espresso!

[@utahgetmetwo456]

That was a fantastic explanation of the journey to the Cafelat. I agree with your opinion.

[@bnolsen]

Got mine a couple of weeks ago to replace my flair neo. Workflow is excellent with this, especially for the medium roast I am using. This is good enough that I may replace my breville barista express as well. Simple, only need to worry about one seal, no heat management issues. Clreanup is just amazing. Hand grinding is a bit tedious, I may use a hand drill with a k4 kingrinder. I don't really bother much with the pressure gauge, I just watch the flow of the shot.

[@mrbdrm2]

you don't need to preheat less headache in 3 minute you are done. no other machine is this fast and easy workflow

[@NeverCryWolf64]

I sold my Breville Dual Boiler and bought a robot. I enjoy making espresso much more now, and I am able to make better shots consistantly. I also owned a La Pavoni, but much prefer the robot.

[@brentdobson5264]

.... About four or so years ago ....got a Cafelat .... and it just feels right to go hands on simple mechanical ...seems to have become a morning process / wake up / ritual / meditation ....and the aesthetic potentials of everything related are satisfying . Am not using hand grinder though .... mix-tech .

[@SuperMatchaLatte]

It saddens me that cafelat robot is very very underrated especially in United States. Cafelat did a terrific job designing a basket that can actually maintain proper espresso temperature, even without preheating that other manual machines require. Also, Robot itself is very robust that all you need to worry about regarding maintenance is couple O-rings that go on the piston.

[@bnolsen]

I'm tempted to get one and seriously consider getting rid of my flair neo and barista express. Preheating is a big PITA for both machines, and I would like to be able to take a machine out to make espressor for church breakfasts, etc.

[@CinkSVideo]

I gave my Gaggia Classic to a friend. Better shots. No waiting. The Robot is much better. I had been looking at a La Pavoni or a Cremina. Got what I wanted…a lever machine and great espresso.

[@back_to_the_bike8820]

I love the Robot! All it needs is a version of the 1-cup basket. For cappuccino, a Frenchpress gives very good results.

[@yvineikeland8734]

Right? I just got the robot. I did not know that it would be so hard to make smaller doses. Maybe they can make a smaller brother? 40mm diameter basket?

[@comod]

I've been on a similar path, which is amusing. Some might argue we're overthinking it, but if we arrive at a cost-effective solution, multiple rounds of analysis are worth it. I'm still pondering ways to fine-tune, adopting a "less is more" approach. Simplifying the effort to take action and improving water management with an external boiler and pre-measured instant hot water are on my mind. Looking forward to wrapping this up soon and finish this Game 😅

[@Creativitybias]

Due to a samll budget and a constant wish to reduce my energy consumption I went from a Delonghi Dedica directly to this. I am so glad I found this video. My reasoning was similar but hearing it put out so clearly and backed up with all the experience I will probably never (have to?) make helps a lot! Only think is... now I am looking forward to my Cafelat even more than before. Still have to wait a couple of days until it arrives here. Really exciting!

[@ZiggyStardust005]

hey, I got a Dedica & Smart Grinder Pro for 2 weeks and am not really happy with my espresso. How are your results with the robot compared to the Dedica? Thinking of switching to the robot too, bc. I feel Dedica suffers from inconsistend or lack of water-temp., pressure problems etc. for great espresso

[@Creativitybias]

@@ZiggyStardust005 Hi there, so the robot has been great BUT it has also been complicated and I am still in the process of figuring it out. Manually controlling pressure gives you a lot more variables which means more interactions between the different factors. Really recommend getting the one with the manometer, so you can keep your pressure profile constant shot to shot. Other than that - work flow, simplicity, energy consumpton... That thing is just great!

[@iaJENKA]

This is such a fantastic sentiment, and I agree with you completely, often times we get caught up in the chase for perfection and lose sight of the whole point, which is to simply enjoy and have ease of use for yourself. I wish the audio was 3x louder though, so I could share this valuable video.

[@iamlyam79]

I have the same color robot but with the gauge, the same OE rake and tamper and the same grinder 😆. My workflow is also almost identical. I use a Saeco Aroma for quick americanos or lattes and completely agree with your assessment. Thanks for the video. Cheers!

[@Lee-he2qp]

Have you tried using a french press for frothing milk? I have tried a milk frothing machine, the Lavazza, was not happy with the results, you can feel the tiny bubbles in the mouth, it also didn’t taste creamy at all, at this point I had tried most options so thought I might as well try a french press, I didn’t think it would produce good results, I couldn’t believe how well and easy it worked, with only 20 seconds of pumping it produces excellent foam.

[@nnemos]

I’ve got a strietman ct2 lever espresso machine which has a built-in open boiler, heats up in 7m. No additional boiler or preheating needed, I love it for the easy workflow. Way more expensive though.

[@Caffeine.And.Carvings]

Dude this is exactly what I was looking for. Flair 58 without a separate Boiler. Genius that something like that exists.

[@Wachuko-1]

That machine is a work of art. The fact that makes amazing espresso is just icing on the cake.

[@ermz13]

you know I was going about searching for which espresso machine to buy, and coming across your video on this particular machine, that I have never seen, and thorough review, especially about how long machines take to heat up etc., might have convinced me to get myself a ROBOT xD looks so cool as well

[@RoyMcAvoy]

And amongst all the manual lever operated lever machine, I think cafelat robot has the best and easiest flow.

[@makspyat]

My story is somewhat similar. I sold a 4-year old Profitec Pro 300 because I was looking for more control over the brewing process and I ended up never steaming milk (like you, I also had a very vague idea about what espresso is all about; I never had it "black" until getting my first espresso machine). I got Flair 58 because I already had all kinds of 58mm accessories. I would not make a good use of it with Robot's proprietary basket. I also was not fond of a limited space under the porta filter that would not fit Acaia Lunar scale. Morming is less of an issue for me thanks to pour over - I can make pour over with my eyes half open :-) Great story!

[@coffees4closersonly]

Lever is the way! I got a flair 58 but totally agree with your philosophy! Cheers!

[@OIP_1]

i watched this while making coffee on my robot 🙂 - it's so fast and the no maintenance is unreal. i had considered the la pavonis because they are beautiful looking but i can't justify paying more for less convenience and more things to go wrong. robot is perfect.

[@jakevan1969]

I would agree. It takes as much time to set up and grind as it takes to boil the water. I have the green model with pressure gauge. I preinfuse and typically use a declining pressure profile. I have been using the 1ZPresso J-Max with it’s slow rpm. Together, I have been consistently producing fast and very very good shots of espresso! Thanks for the video. 👍

[@RMSchrebler]

I really enjoyed your video. After some life changes I had the opportunity to think about how I want my life to be and I really love the simplicity of my kinu plus cafelat or pour over set up. It's very tactile, I can smell the coffee the whole way through, etc. A couple of questions if I may: at what setting do you have your Kinu at? And what ratio do you use for your shots. I have been using 2:1 on the way in but now realize I should be measuring grams of water/coffee out.

[@lebedev_usa6459]

@@RMSchrebler Thank you for the feedback :) I normally dial in at 1:0 on Kinu. Sometimes 0:9 if light roast. For the ratio I always grind 15 grams and aiming for 35 out, a bit longer ratio to compensate for temperature loss. 10 sec pre-infusion and then looong 30-40 sec press. This way I am getting good shots every time (almost every time, haha)

[@JLeverEspresso]

Yeap you've pretty much summarized the whole reason for our JLever Machine :)

[@captaincustard2115]

Love the coffee videos...more please ...kettles scales manual grinder tours and specs ❤❤❤

[@nsaiswatching]

Hi! Have you noticed that Robot produces stronger espresso with slight overestimulation?

[@lebedev_usa6459]

@@nsaiswatching Hi. Over-extraction happened sometimes, but it really depends on coffee beans and roast level. If extraction is taking more than 1 minute - yes, bitter taste will prevail. I don't push levers very hard and do not chase "standard" 1 to 2, 30 sec espresso.

[@Wachuko-1]

The Cafelat Robot is an amazing manual espresso machine. Great choice. Listening to your coffee machines history was great. We have a DeLonghi Magnifica superautomatic machine for my father-in-law for the simplicity of it. He can make his coffee in the morning without making the mess he used to make before. My wife also likes it for the same reasons you mentioned. Me? I do not like them. I only drink a double espresso in the morning and it needs to be good espresso. I started with a Krupps! Then with a Breville Barista Express, then found an old stock but new in the box 1979 La Pavoni Professional (still have it)... but I could never get the repeatability in the shots... Then I bought a used Rocket Cellini Evoluzione V1 and finally I was able to make good espresso that I could repeat the results... I still have that machine as well... but my daughter has her name on it, lol. I then added a Londinium R and I have to tell you, to me at least, I am done... There are other machines that I would love to have, but not because I need them... some are just because they are beautiful works of art that also make amazing espresso... Strietman CT2 for example... the Londinium Vectis, that Cafelat Robot you got... Then I also got into roasting and bought a HotTop roaster... even upgraded to use it with the Artisan software... but man that is a lot of work to figure out the correct combination of beans to get the flavor that I am going for... I still have it but it sits pretty as decoration on the coffee stand... maybe when I retire I will try again and that is the only reason I have not sold it... And then there is the reason I found your channel... making espresso on the go... a portable solution. I saw your video on the Wacaco Picopresso. After owning a Flair, Flair Pro that are great portable espresso machines, but not for going on a motorcycle... I kept looking for something that would make decent espresso while camping... I ordered the Wacaco Picopresso. Do you still have yours? Is it still working great for you?? Or did you get rid of it?

[@lebedev_usa6459]

You made a great coffee journey too :) I sold Picopresso after a job change.

[@Wachuko-1]

@@lebedev_usa6459 ha! after a job change? So now working from home all day and can make coffee any time using the Cafelat Robot. Amazing what coffee can make you do. Hahhahahahhaha

[@lebedev_usa6459]

@@Wachuko-1 I was working from home and now working in office. They have a pod coffee machine & simple water cooler in a small kitchen. No boiling water access.. I brought modified Delongi Dedica to work :)

[@Java_CM]

nice video! I have a upgraded Flair Classic but the workflow is not that great for me. The Robot is looking a lot smoother + it can dose more coffee. Any reason why you didn't get the barista version of the robot?

[@lebedev_usa6459]

Robot workflow is good :) I did not get a barista version because it was not in stock in Prima coffee.

[@JD.007]

can you use lower dose and less water to make a smaller shot? or does it lose its temp?

[@lebedev_usa6459]

As always, more hot water = more temp. stably. Maybe there will be no impact on the taste, but who knows.. )

[@wizardfpv7856]

I would put same amount of water in so it's more temp stable, but 10 grams is about the smallest you can go because of the slop. Can't tamp well past the slop. People do buy the pressure basket and cut the bottom half off so it looks like a regular basket. Then you could do very small 7 grams doses because it's a straight wall basket.

[@nsaiswatching]

Thank you for this video! I've just ordered a Robot (less than an hour before watching this video). By the way, may I know why you parted with your La Pavoni? Was the maintenance and burn risk an issue?

[@lebedev_usa6459]

@@nsaiswatching Glad that you like the video :) I was changing machines frequently, but now stick with Robot - it is really good. Pavoni was a good machine too, I changed all gaskets on all my Pavonis, before use, it was not hard to do. I wanted more consistency, more shot volume when needed and more gentile pre-infusion not related to the boiler pressure. When handle is lifted, stream of water was making dents in the puck. This or something else was the reason of bitter shots sometimes. When I had an opportunity to replace Pavoni with Strega - I jumped on that deal, but Strega was not perfect too, haha)) P.S for the Robot I highly recommend getting this "thundies" for piston pre-heat.

[@nsaiswatching]

@@lebedev_usa6459 Thank you for helpful suggestions!

[@nsaiswatching]

@@lebedev_usa6459 Thanks for the suggestion! By the way, what do you think about Odyssey Argos? I hope you will try that machine and compare the taste of the espresso and workflow with that of Robot. Cheers~

[@lebedev_usa6459]

@@nsaiswatching Odyssey - one day, one day :) For now I have my setup in place - got used Breville Creatista for its automatic milk frother. So able to make espresso and steam milk at the same time this unusual way )

[@gravlygravy]

I feel the same way about my caravel. 10 minutes for 2 morning espressos includes pre-heat.

[@rolandlickert2904]

I'm at a crossroads with either a decent Espresso machine such as Bezzera BZ 10, Lelit Marax or Elisabet however I wonder for 2 Espressos in the morning and one in the afternoon is it worth the investment? I Considering the Robot because not much can go wrong and if you don't mind could you say what is your espresso recipe. Guess it is a learning curve at the beginning?

[@lebedev_usa6459]

If you asked me 3 months ago about these machines, I would say "yeah, go for it". And maybe even today I would say so, if you really need to make several milk based coffees. But making 1-2 espressos with these machines feels like heating a gallon of water to boil one egg. With simple, silent, efficient Robot I can have espresso within 5 minutes (with manual grinding). Only La Marzocco Linea Micra can be as fast and good. My current recipe: 15g Costa Rica medium roasted beans, grind on setting 0.9 on Kinu, 15 sec preinfusuon (1g), 20 g full force, 15 g low force = 35g espresso. The only downside of the Robot is need to push these "arms" with force.

[@rolandlickert2904]

@@lebedev_usa6459 Thanks very much for your reply and I don't mind the push need some exercise in my arms but your point to switch on an Espresso machine for one or two coffee is a kind of energy&time waste. Besides that, I use a manual foamer with the same results for cold or warm milk within 20 seconds. Important the espresso is good. Anyway, appreciate your input. Yes, La Marzocco Lina Mira would be my Dream machine but the price is a bit too high for me. It is a bit expensive for the few espresso shots perhaps the Espresso will be a bit better however they say the Mini makes better shots that cost a few thousand dollars more! Bottom line you still happy with the Robot and your espressos are fine? Or do you have regrets?

[@lebedev_usa6459]

@@rolandlickert2904 After a month with Robot, I'm still happy with it :)

[@Getsitdone]

Love my Robot

[@RoyMcAvoy]

Unless, you have a small cafe, I don't see any benefit owning a commercial grade espresso machine.😊

[@YumEspressoYum]

Hello! Its finally happening! My order for the robot and kinu comes today. It didn't even arrive yet and I'm already thinking about accessories haha I noticed you bought the OE accessories - What accessories do you recommend other than the robot hands?? ... Whats your workflow??? Appreciate your videos and this one really helped sell me in the robot.

[@lebedev_usa6459]

Good choice :) I recommend OE tamper and piston pre-heat chamber called "thundies". linktr.ee/churls.coffee My workflow is boiling the kettle, pre-heating piston (with tundies+boiling water) and portafilter (with kettle steam), grinding 15g beans and making a great espresso shot :)

[@YumEspressoYum]

@@lebedev_usa6459 beautiful... Thanks for the link- I'll look into it.. --you don't bother with wdt or distribution at all? Doesn't make enough of a difference?

[@lebedev_usa6459]

@@YumEspressoYum oh, I forgot about this step. It is automatic at this point )) Yeah, WDT with homemade tool and a paper filter on top of the puck (+caffelat puck screen for sure).

[@YumEspressoYum]

@@lebedev_usa6459 appreciate you! If you have time - one last question - I thought paper on the bottom was more important to filter out fines and make a cleaner cup... But you do the top only so i thought I'd ask... -spaseeba :)

[@lebedev_usa6459]

@@YumEspressoYum filter on the top is working on water distribution and ease of cleaning. On the bottom.. I tried and did not like the result. There is one channel - "The wired gourmet" - he made some research and did not like bottom filter too.

[@open_source]

Hey! I totally get your point!! Why did you sell the Flair ?? Greetings!

[@lebedev_usa6459]

Hi. I sold Flair Pro 2 because of the complex workflow. Pre-heat, group assemble, shot, group disassemble, cleaning.. I liked espresso it makes, but not to hold hot and heavy piece of metal in hands.

[@nathanrhodes4131]

Does that hand grinder grind fine enough for espresso? I have the time more g1 plus with titanium burrs. Manual says not to go below 6 so as not to damage burrs. Unfortunately 6 is just not fine enough, but 5 is a bit too fine, and sometimes shots on 5 are excessively hard to push thru. What's been your experience with that grinder?

[@hur-kan]

Kinu is especially made for espresso grinding. Take it and don't look back. I am not a user of Kinu but I have 1zpresso K-Pro and it is also great for espresso. But Kinu is better. You can grind coffee as fine as you want.

[@콩남이네]

excuse me can I ask where can I buy the tamper?

[@lebedev_usa6459]

"Orphan espresso" is selling them

[@MelindaGreen]

The word espresso doesn't come from the word for fast. It comes from the word meaning "to press out", as in "express yourself".

[@vincentmulder]

What’s your opinion on the La Pavoni? It seems to have also a small footprint and quick to use. What made you switch to the Robot?

[@lebedev_usa6459]

I love La Pavoni. My last one had a professional boiler, Stradivari grouphead, pressure gauge and AirBuster + thin film k-type thermocouple attached. It was a great machine. The real advantage of Robot is ability to make 1 espresso within 5 minutes on cold start. This unique feature fits my life better than 10 min to get pressure on Pavoni or almost 30 min to preheat Strega. However, quality of the shot is very very similar, when dialed-in. It is fun to play and experiment with coffee, but all I want is a shot of good espresso, NOW :)

[@billweaver2549]

"Espresso" has nothing to do with speed! It's infuriating the number of otherwise knowledgeable people who believe this (like the teacher in my barista course who said it originated in railway stations with express trains.) Speed in Italian is Velocita. PRESSURE is Pressione. Espresso relates to the method of extraction via pressure, not speed.

[@LorenzoNW]

How long does it take to grind the beans with a hand grinder? I see you edited that part down.

[@lebedev_usa6459]

It takes about 1 minute to grind.

[@vmbo]

You preheat the piston? Too much work for me.

[@lebedev_usa6459]

I preheat piston for light-medium roasted coffee only. I roasted 1st batch of beans too dark and espresso was really better with no preheat.

[@vmbo]

@@lebedev_usa6459 do you actually notice any difference? Because I usually drink fresh medium roasts and they are fine without the hassle of pre heating the piston. Sometimes I heat the portafilter or the cup, but even that does not make a really big difference imo. The Robot consistently pulls delicious shots.

[@lebedev_usa6459]

@@vmbo Tried 2 shots right now. Bean - Rwanda Macuba, Dry processed. Roasted to 16% development. With preheat - notes are more deep, more sweet and chocolate. Berry notes are muted and non-prevalent. Without pre-heat shot is lighter, feels more acidic, berries are more "on top". It really depends on personal taste preference and bean used. P.S maybe grinding finer and prolonging shot can do the same as a pre-heat, extracting more changing time/grind variable.

[@Getsitdone]

Great video

[@nathanrhodes4131]

Do you put the paper filter before tamping?

[@Lee-he2qp]

After is probably better but you can just use the supplied screen or both the screen and paper…I don’t use the paper at all as its just something else to buy, the size is not a standard size, so sourcing them is something I dont want to think about.

[@grayjinghutongz8393]

What distribution tool are you using?

[@lebedev_usa6459]

Tool hand made with cork and "3D Printer Nozzle Cleaning Needles"

[@TamLe-fi2gq]

Ive never seen that shower screen/wdt/tamp station before! What’s it called?

[@lebedev_usa6459]

It is "OE / Cafelat Robot Espresso Prep System" www.oehandgrinders.com/accessories-for-cafelat-robot.html

[@TamLe-fi2gq]

@@lebedev_usa6459 thank you! These look awesome

[@KarstenLangPedersen]

Any reason for the Olympia Express branded cup? ;-)

[@lebedev_usa6459]

I owned 1983 Olympia Cremina for 3 months :) Spotted it for sale in Manhattan, NY, cancelled all my plans and went there. I got it for 850$ in Jan 2022. It was leaking, p-stat was giving some sparks 🤪. Grouphead top was bent. Shower screen was not original, home-made style (had to text one Cremina guy in Switzerland and buy original one directly from him). I fixed machine with Cerrini parts and.. got the cup :)

[@KarstenLangPedersen]

@@lebedev_usa6459 Well, it adds to and shows part of your incredible coffee journey :-)

[@lebedev_usa6459]

@@KarstenLangPedersen This journey could be much shorter and include more tasty espresso shots if only right steps were made. I was buying, trying and selling used espresso gear )) "Better" is the worst enemy of "Good". I still regret not jumping on 600$ Olympia Club and more insane - 300$ La Pavoni Bar T 2L deals :) Deep breath, deep breath.. Cafelat Robot is good enough.

[@KarstenLangPedersen]

@@lebedev_usa6459 The time from zero to fully caffeinated hero, with something like the Robot (or Rok, FaemaBaby or Flair2Pro) is hard to beat and I think you've made the right choice. 🙂

[@YumEspressoYum]

Hello! Thanks for the video! I just left Nespresso for the first time and after some research bought the Picopresso... Are you familiar with it? Any thoughts? And do you think the robot is really different from the flair?? I almost went with the flair... P.s i almost got the Kinu but for my first hand grinderi wasn't comfortable to spend that much .. congrats! And also, the grinder...

[@lebedev_usa6459]

Hi :) Picopresso is a cool portable espresso machine. I had one and used for a while (even recorded a video about it). Flairs can make good coffee. But workflow.. Flair Pro2 requires more hassle with pre-heat and cleaning than a Robot. Assemble and disassemble hot grouphead.. it is not fun. Flair 58 - I used this machine too and returned to the manufacturer. Electronic pre-heat takes at least 15 minutes and you need to make sure that portafilter will be hot too (I used kettle to speed up portafilter preheat). From "I want an espresso" to "Mm, yummy" it may take up to 20 minutes and machine should be turned on manually, with a press of a button. My version had 1st version of a fill-valve, so problems with air inside a group and "spongy shot" were frequent. I know, they updated a valve now, but need to preheat is still there. Also, the size.. lever is long, need it's own space next to the kettle. For me - Robot is the choice. After buying trying and selling machines, it can do what other machines can't - I want espresso - 5 minutes and here it is, delicious! Grinders. Oh, grinders 🤪 Some are for espresso, some are for filter. Some are just not good :) Kinu is considered to be a best hand grinder for espresso. Can it make good pour-over or aeropress.. nope, even Timemore C2 is better in filter coffee. But espresso.. Kinu is one of the best. P.S Lance Hedrick in his last grinders video was talking about quality of coffee as a 1st priority and equipment 2nd. Don't miss this in your espresso equation. Cheers :)

[@YumEspressoYum]

@@lebedev_usa6459 thank you so much for the great response. Honestly you saved me from flair. I know it makes a good espresso but over time I'd not enjoy the flow. So amazing that you worked with all these machines already! So valuable. You sold me on robot... I'm not ready yet. I just bought the Picopresso, but robot would be my next upgrade. For hand grinder I ordered kingrinder which has the same burrs as one of the izpresso ones. Supposed to be good for espresso. I don't really drink filter. But maybe I need a time more for when guests come over and drink French press. ..hmmm... Thanks for the tip. Coffee quality, then equipment.... Enjoy your espresso and week!

[@YumEspressoYum]

@@lebedev_usa6459 PS just subbed your channel and remembered that I watched your video on Pico long time ago. Will rewatch...