When Brutalism Meets Espresso- The Bruta Espresso Review

[@LanceHedrick]

PSA: I have rocks for brains. Apparently, there is a slot in the metal attachment where the basket is supposed to go. I was using it incorrectly. Had I put the basket into it's slot, the piston entrance would have been guided by the metal ring AND taking the piston out would have been simple since there would be resistance against the basket once pulling the piston out. Considering there is no media on this machine at all, I was trying to figure it out and simply didn't consider there would be a slot there. That is a massive issue on my part. So, the only quirks I pointed out in the video are moot and I APOLOGIZE to Edu for making a blunder there. Thanks to all for the support notwithstanding and I hope you enjoyed the video regardless! Cheers, all

[@JimJimmington-e8i]

If you didn't make mistakes you wouldn't be human.

[@fatandproud1]

At 6:08 you can see the slot where the basket slides in. Thanks for another great video, Lance!

[@zeltwood...]

Nice! Thanks for the message

[@Babeuf31]

Hey I don't know if its just me overreacting but throughout the video I kept thinking "what a shitty and unpleasant sound and loose machining for something claimed to be premium". If that slot changes this aspect I think reupload might be better than a comment since it really affects the perception of the machine. At least from my perspective :D Thanks for the video

[@rodbianchi]

@@Babeuf31 I agree! I would really like to see a short video showing the correct way to put the basket in the slot and a feedback if that solves the issues created by placing the basket incorrectly. But anyway, thanks for showing us this cool espresso machine Lance!

[@mixswist]

This will go perfectly with the stone grinder you reviewed a year ago

[@CaveyMoth]

They need to make a concrete edition.

[@roybassil2406]

I swear, Lance is awesome but can we take a moment to also appreciate Hugo? The camerawork and angles that he uses to demo features of the machine are so damn aesthetic!!! That’s what I call a power combo

[@theprettydamned]

Looks amazing. Great to see some love for the robot too. I've had mine for a few years and I still absolutely adore it - it just makes espresso so easy, no descaling or backflushing, no clogs, no pumps breaking, no temperature surfing. Just boiling water in, delicious espresso out. This is a wonderful take on the direct lever concept.

[@matz4k]

The sheer contrast of the bruta to the absolute opulence that is the EMI in the background 🤣

[@LanceHedrick]

Hahahaha love it

[@gwocks57]

also at 7 min: EG-1 Weber on the left - The Bruta - EMI on the right

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Like a fine Japanese chisel vs a beat up screwdriver

[@humstrumbangtwang]

I’m a stone mason with experience of working with concrete. I would not want to be pushing down on that lever if the block snaps. Concrete is quite soft. It’s not stone. It’s made up of gravel, sand, cement and water. It’s also porus. This means over time it may fracture with that type of torsion repeatedly applied. When used in construction it often has a reinforced metal structure inside for strength. Do you know if the metal stand has a plate inside the base? Take care.

[@oliverbabb9780]

Looks more like rockite than concrete. The stuff tends to be a good deal stronger.

[@Alley00Cat]

@@oliverbabb9780I’m going to guess it’s concrete given the name and look. There will also be a lot of liquid on the concrete over time, not a good combo

[@wylievc]

As a structural engineer, I presumed the steel channel protruding from the concrete base is welded/attached to a steel baseplate/flange inside the concrete. I would assume the concrete is only serving the purpose of being a heavy base. However, I know nothing about it's internal construction to comment.

[@s.williamshay6702]

Engineers classify concrete into 17 types based on thier composition and intended use. This may be high density concrete treated with sealer making it both very hard and non porous. I also suspect the vertical steel part is not anchored to the concrete but instead is attached to steel inside the base and the concrete is for weight/stability. ✌️

[@oliverbabb9780]

@ Thanks for the knowledgeable reply! The different types of concrete with differing mechanical properties was my first intuition but was entirely short/off on specifics. And agreed about baseplate 👍🏻

[@cinnamonoa]

So many cool manual espresso machines coming out of Brazil nowadays, really cool to see

[@tsayon13]

Pensei o mesmo :D

[@JuanManuel-kj9fu]

could you share their names ?

[@marioneto50]

​@JuanManuel-kj9fu I can think about the Aram and the Bruta

[@rodbianchi]

@@JuanManuel-kj9fu Besides Aram and Bruta, Sergio Landau, the creator of the Flair, is also brazilian. 🙂

[@marioneto50]

Hey Lance! Amazing to see you reviewing a brazilian work of art. I'd love to have one, but I neither have the space nor the budget right now. About the piston, I think that if you slide the basket from the front of the support instead of dropping it from the top the rim might help you aligning the piston. Thanks for the amazing work! 🤘🏼

[@JohnnyBrook]

Cafelat: Et tu, Bruta?

[@carvalhoathos]

Kkkkkkkkkk

[@LanceHedrick]

On this is v v v good. But tbf it seems like cafelat is selling them the baskets. I dont have confirmation from Paul, but the fact they're branded makes me think he must be

[@JohnnyBrook]

Yep either way this is an absolute beast. Hope he can export them at some point, would love to get one.

[@ShayanGivehchian]

This is elite tier comedy.

[@justapourguy]

The saucer not sitting in the middle before the drip tray goes on top is killing me

[@HAVu-dw3nb]

Loved, loved this review. I truly appreciate the aesthetics of this machine. Thanks for featuring it.

[@michaelrossmaessler200]

If there is a design museum with coffee machines this needs to be added to their collection 😊 Great video Lance !

[@MattCromwell]

This is really making me consider a lever instead of my Lelit Mara X. I just don't like pre-heating, but it's hard to argue with the extreme simplicity of a work of art like this. Great video, great find!

[@Christian1974ization]

What about the Flair 58+? The heating element is why I bought it and it works perfectly. The industry loves complex machines, I like my Flair because it’s simple, QUIET and makes great Espresso…

[@mauort6870]

I sold my mara X and bought a robot with a gauge... I'm much happier overall and am honestly making much better espresso.

[@kevadu]

I second the Flair 58. All the control and simplicity of a manual lever but without having to worry about preheating (unless you're as obsessive as Lance and you worry about it anyway...).

[@JohnSmith-zy1ur]

Love the robot

[@Hyperventilacion]

if you do only medium and darker roasts there is no need to preheat.

[@JohnDoe-vs9fm]

For 700$ you get a fun espresso machine and a weapon to defend yourself against home invaders ? Take my money.

[@FartPanther]

Agree with the sentiment, but before inundating him; that's in euros with free collection from Brazil.😂

[@tstthomason]

And support someone who’s making awesome things?!

[@kevinhay2267]

What a great machine, glad you managed to get one Lance!

[@tophamatic]

That thing is pretty badass.... That's exactly what I want. I'm very low tech. Beautiful.

[@jo.comics]

I love this thing's simplicity. It is what it is and it's all on display and it's gorgeous. Props to this dude for making these, I'm guessing mostly out of simple passion. Awesome!

[@_APV_]

Maybe simple passion, but 700 euros is a considerable amount for Brazil too, lol. Did a quick search on income in Brazil: "biggest category of 38 million people, ones with formal employment contracts, get an average monthly salary of 463 Euro. Smallest average salary is paid to 5.9 million of domestic workers - 190 euro per month" So selling even one such machine a month would be a nice boost to an average citizen.

[@jo.comics]

@ Oh yeah, I hadn't considered that, that's very true. Putting that into perspective is quite impactful, 700 seems so reasonable to me but over there that must be a small fortune.

[@brupasqualini]

Brazilians developing amazing manual espresso machines: Aram, Flair and Bruta.

[@justbenny84]

Oh, Lance is about to trigger our „I need a new grinder“ fetish once again by reviewing the Geimori grinder in the background anytime soon. Do your thing, fancy Lancy and don’t let us wait too long 😅

[@degaulle1251]

Hi Lance, that was a fun video to watch, thanks! If you keep using this espressomaker for a while, your right pectoralis is going to be massive💪. You might want to alternate between using your right arm and your left arm to operate the lever😁. Cheers

[@JimJimmington-e8i]

Are you losing weight, Lance? You're looking good, brother. Keep at it.

[@LanceHedrick]

About 11kg down! Thank you!

[@mywirsh]

@@LanceHedrick how much coffee did you drink lol.

[@hectorangellujanviera2553]

Just last night I saw the reconstruction of the espresso machine you have, it turned out beautiful. The EMI ariete

[@masheldon]

Thank you for this! I love the looks of the machine! t's all simple, direct. Push hot water through coffee, drink espresso, look at something beautiful and primal.

[@gutoseixas]

Beautiful, loved it, need one! Thanks for introducing us to the Bruta

[@jamesh318]

Sorry but $700 for a few scraps of metal is bananas.

[@yagopone7404]

I'd love to see the "Robot standard" adopted into other manual mechanisms, like the screw-in types. How cool would it be to see Aram, Portapresso, or the Kazak Rota using these on their designs, effectively taking away their biggest drawback, preheating. All while keeping a slim profile and comfortable UI.

[@mothmansuperfan7513]

Absolutely beautiful, and a great DIY project as well! I've been getting into machining and may end up making my own

[@jonathanrose5490]

There's irony in hand made artisanal things designed in brutalism.

[@johnfreeman2956]

I'd also love to see a direct lever tier list! I know that you have a video with

[@jfgad]

Thank you for the video Lance!

[@jonas5666]

Hey Lance, looks like you're using it wrong! There's a slot to slide in the basket, hopefully the upper part will align the piston if you do that.

[@LanceHedrick]

Omg. I completely missed that. I just zoomed in on the picture. What an absolute doof I am. Wowowowowiw

[@InTimeTraveller]

The drip tray looks like a urinal though, so aesthetics wise it could definitely use some improvement.

[@fastfolky]

This is a very cool machine, love it. Thanks for the video.

[@D0praise]

That and a hand grinder like Kinu and it’s apocalypse espresso

[@weatheranddarkness]

My man's operation is about to explode with demand methinks. There are a lot of lever options now, but damn, this might be the one I end up with. Each one is completely unique too.

[@Krynis]

that is wild also I was watching the video and likee "isn't there a slot there?" and then I came to your comment and got a little chucke.

[@LanceHedrick]

Have no clue how i missed that lol

[@diegom.4537]

Recently drank a shot made on a Bruta in São Paulo! The place also had an Aram. :) The barista did an amazing job, it tasted amazing!

[@pimacanyon6208]

"I needed that concrete slab in my studio" Heck yeah! Of course you do!

[@Artaxo]

It's really weird to find something made in my city through Lance Hedrick

[@LanceHedrick]

Ha! That rocks. The world is small

[@Artaxo]

@LanceHedrick you rock!

[@mattimuspearson]

Awesome bit of kit there. Great looking art and engineering there. Can see the appeal for someone like yourself who enjoys the nuance ans craft in specialty coffee

[@nicid54]

Great plate n' grey concret 😂 That wasn't stupid, it was hilarious. It's those uniquely eccentric humorous touches that you add to your videos that keep me coming back for more 😂🤣😂

[@endoalley680]

Good heavens man! Put some ball ends on the levers of that Robot!

[@ivanprisco2525]

Honestly I think about building a frame for my flair neo since a couple of years. It's the easiest to DIY. I would like to build a wall mounted one. But if I were Flair I would also implement modular solutions to warm up the cylinder or even to warm up the water.

[@EphemeralTao]

Always been a fan of the Brutalist aesthetic. I will most likely never own one of these, but I'm happy to know it exists.

[@stemazzo84]

Amazing ! Lance, can you get hold of the Chronowa Fulcrum, from the UK ? It’s very similar to it, but has a 49 (or 51mm) basket ! Looks so pretty and minimal and it has an ingenuous pressure gauge!! You will love it !

[@justinhpatterson]

I just noticed -- is that the Wirsh Geimori 74mm in the background? I was vaguely interested in the campaign a few months ago and saw they just launched their kickstarter. I'd love to hear your thoughts. I wasn't too optimistic because the build was so reminiscent of the Sculptor, the company wasn't super well known for high quality espresso products (gimmicks like the 20 bar machine for $160 bucks or whatever). But some elements of it look pretty solid. I also wasn't crazy about having the RDT tool built into the hopper as that feels pretty unhygienic to me.

[@wacker2286]

Have been following this launch myself and almost pulled the trigger on one last night. Still debating whether to do it!

[@justinhpatterson]

@@wacker2286 I was really tempted to as well, but I already have a Sculptor and did a risky move and kickstarted the Grinista even though I'm 60% sure it's a scam lol.

[@khungreen9773]

The beauty in simplicity. Love levers

[@cpl.226]

This is so cool! I love how it looks like it could be a part of a bare concrete foundation, yet it's perfectly capable of good espresso.

[@diganta2329]

Lance, you know you might be wrong assuming that the plunger will train heat from the brew water. I would actually expect an air-seal to form between the plunger and the brew water, isolating them from esch other - provided you don‘t over fill the basket. Don‘t you think so?

[@LanceHedrick]

Nope. It's a proven thing. I did measurements already on the robot

[@diganta2329]

@ I see. I guess the amount of air will be too small. Because on an Aeropress you see a distinct layer of air forming, that will act as insolation quite efficiently - but there is quite a big air column to start with of course. Cheers and thank you for presenting this beauty to us :)

[@gb-qm5er]

I like the minimalist part out of it, however without pressure safety and control... it won't go far.

[@Robby_S.]

This Lever is really kinda nice. The concrete and simplicity really cool. The problem is the availabillity and I bet a lot of people want one now. And I see a Philos and a Gemori U78 in the backround, that's also good news 😉💪👊

[@seanrussell3329]

I love that tamper cannot find anything like it where'd you get it?

[@Grogeous_Maximus]

Alright, this is officially my favorite coffee channel now.

[@mildsauce5019]

Bro needs to design the base of that espressor press to be a BIIIT longer. If you're pushing down on that handle at that maximum pressure -- that level extends past the base IE that shit is ROTATING. Good way to make a huge explosion of glass, coffee and flying bits of concrete.

[@CantonSecurity]

Cool machine, I’m sure that he will benefit from the exposure. A small pressure gauge tapped into the top of the plunger would be nice, other than that it’s a really cool setup.

[@ShayanGivehchian]

Bro is about to become an international seller in a day.

[@sambookbinder4201]

RIP Edu's free time for the next year! Gorgeous machine!

[@FatNorthernBigot]

This is as fascinating as it is ridiculous.

[@DeferFuncClose]

I may be wrong but I'm pretty sure I saw a Mazzer Philos catch up and it looks like that's a Mazzer Philos in the background. What is your experience with it?

[@alexwilson27]

Aw man, what a BRUTAL review

[@DJangles]

Is that the Geimori GU78 in the background? Curious to see how that turns out!

[@seiyonblem]

Werent you supposed to slide the basket in the ridge on the basket holder? There is a ridge there. I just noticed. So that when you pull the lever you wont touch the basket.

[@SpressoX3]

Cheers, Loved the review. Thank you for finding really obscure espresso equipment to share with the 'masses'... One thing that made my eyebrows make an arch is when you said beautiful a few times. I think this would have fit in east German society in the 70s. The other thing that bothers me is the lubrication.... Does it need it every time you use it or once a week.? I have trouble getting my car serviced on time and if I have to break out the Ky jelly at 6am, it better be a Saturday.

[@KarooD]

Hi Lance, thanks for a great range of espresso posts; and song videos too....🙂. I’ve been working on a Faema Baby/Faemalat project with much focus on heat optimization ( piston material, etc ). Polished stainless steel reflects almost 90% of infrared heat. Thus the Cafelat portafilter that shrouds its basket, I believe, will act in part like a thermos flask and reduce heat loss rather than contributing to it? I would imagine Paul P could have some valuable comment on this? I look fwd to many more posts from you! Regards.

[@koffie_seriously]

Love how simple it is. We complicated things unnecessarily

[@fgmejia1]

That thing is just beautiful. I want one! Fell in love right now.

[@owenscrivens4251]

Would be so tempted to buy this if it was available in UK. It's aesthetics sing to me.

[@unknownentity222]

Fascinating machine. It looked like you had to put your entire body weight when applying pressure. Was that necessary?

[@yosemitebandit]

gorgeous machine

[@RafaelCaviquioli]

A beautiful workaround like this only could have been made by a Brazilian! 🇧🇷❤ We are pros on it

[@judahdadone9410]

Isn’t the guy who designed the original flair from Brazil? Same dude?

[@johannesr8709]

Sick machine, cool video! Just something I noticed though, you should look into your mic/audio situation. The noise floor of maybe your mics is really noticeable. I suspect this might be due to gains in post and maybe the mic beeing to far away? Also I really dont mean to blame anyone! I just noticed it and thaught maybe you can fix it and make your audio sound more clean. That might also be the reason why the audio gate / cuts are so abrupt (in my opinion).

[@LanceHedrick]

Appreciate that! Sending to my videographer/sound engineer/editor/everything man. Haha!

[@johannesr8709]

@ Sure! Also damn you‘re quick with it! Haha Still love the vids, had a phase in which you didn’t pop up on my feet and now I have stuff to catch up on. Hyped!

[@LanceHedrick]

@johannesr8709 i take seriously (and swiftly) criticism made in good faith. You laid it out with an obvious intention of helping while also displaying some sort of background in that which you critiqued. I am always happy to improve! Appreciate you

[@eyvindr]

Would be interested in thoughts on the new Newton Brua3. The gasket in my Faemina Baby failed a while ago.

[@connorswiastyn8628]

Bro you’re lookin fit! 💪🏼

[@readk]

I love when coffee is made and beautiful and imperfect without computers and electronics.

[@Cruiser315]

Any initial thoughts on the GU78 in the background? Kickstarter is live.

[@88sstraight]

Love the aesthetics and I imagine the espresso would be similar to my Robot - but as Rick A says, never gunna…

[@scott3822]

Another small batch lever machine I’m interested in is Odyssey Argos out of Colorado.

[@LanceHedrick]

I've made a video on it already! And a follow up video on it on my second YT channel!

[@blamuk]

who needs a pressure gauge when the pressure is directly proportional to your weight. If extraction is a bit lacking, dial in by visiting an AYCE buffet.

[@markomitrovic6998]

Inscription on coin is "Kingdom of Jugoslavia" which was country on Balkans rouglhy hundred years ago, so it's a really old one... nice machine btw.

[@Potapes]

Hearthwarming video. I do appreciate it, and thank you for it. Patrik L.

[@jstaple1231]

Love the look of this. But does it make good coffee??

[@LanceHedrick]

Well of course lol

[@jonathantillit4971]

Remember when artisans made things like cathedrals and sculptures? 😂

[@roberthenrypoet]

Cool hardware Lance. :)

[@thisismynyame]

I love how Steve Harvey's mustache got duped into reviewing an artisanal brick.

[@LanceHedrick]

Now THAT is a compliment. Thanks

[@leaode_cafe]

eu lembro de ver ela na São Paulo Coffee Festival, épico de ver ela aqui

[@SerialNerdery1825]

I have been saying this since the Flair 58 came out. Flair should do a collab with Cafelat and allow the Robot basket on the Flair frame. Flair 58x 2.0

[@yizhu7709]

Is that the Geimori GU78 in the background? Are you releasing a review soon?

[@emerrioadiron293]

Such an authentic piece

[@technov1king]

i love this. And the lifestyle fantasy it brings. I see myself in a minimalist appartment in tokyo, being creative and making coffee with this. In the real world, it is just too fiddly

[@JusBThankful]

Lance, whats that little grinder in the back left? Neat looking chassis.

[@fjc9646]

they tell you not to allow "POPCORNING" while grinding, or that a 7k grinder makes such a difference.... but also its ok to put food-grade wax in the brewing chamber..... :/

[@LanceHedrick]

Just to loosen it up at the start. Chilll

[@Jeremy-kg1zr]

A few power tools in your garage and you could churn these out at a pretty good pace. A lathe for the piston is really the only remotely difficult looking part. 🤷‍♂

[@OneIdeaTooMany]

I saw this as well. I thought it’d be cool to own one of these and a stovetop steamer for milk. It’d be such a wild setup hahaha

[@CaveyMoth]

I want a brutalist grinder to go with this. Maybe a grinder made of concrete?

[@goose-lw6js]

The perfect match for my Weber SG-1.

[@Savings_and_Grift_Plan]

Reminds me of the similarly concrete ANZA that was popular a few years ago.

[@nunoandrelapa]

Do you spend much time here in Portugal? I've heard you mention Portugal in a few videos! Cheers

[@Jebusankel]

I could see this on Antiques Road Show in 100 years going for $1 million (not adjusted for inflation)

[@chaquator]

i love that giant rubber stamp looking tamper