THE LEVERPRESSO - The Littlest of the Levers

The saga of lever machines continues. This is the Leverpresso. It's the smallest, and one of, if not the least expensive lever espresso machine on the market. But the question remains, will it hold its own against some of the heavy hitters like the Flair Espresso or the Rok Espresso? In this video I'll be running it through some barista testing and making that determination.
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[@wnstj15951]

I make perfect espresso with super thick crema everyday with leverprsso. You have to fill the hole chamber with water just above the plunger when it's retracted. Air trapped inside chamber compresses down a lot when pressure is applied, thus preventing direct pressure from water hitting coffee when extracting. I made great espresso with both light/dark roasted coffee. It surely lacks some of it's body and lack of temperature and pressure gauze is a downside, but for an portable espresso machine at this pricepoint, it has no match.

[@wretchedworm]

i was lost at the part when he said this thing will explode.

[@qingdavi]

A bit late to the party but the trapped air issue could potentially be fixed by adding more water after you lifted the arms. Basically you need to get the water to be above the plunger then there shouldn't be trapped air. It was a step mentioned in the video tutorial, not sure if it was in the manual.

[@holdenwhite3719]

thanks for the link to the product

[@rickracer78]

As someone who has bought two of these, I could've bought the flair. But then, this video wouldn't exist either. Glad I can help contribute to you, mate. Thanks for the shoutout.

[@Sprometheus]

Rick Racer Right on! Thanks again Rick! Super nice of you to send one my way!

[@willisbcteoh9840]

A straight up review that's *refreshing *pun intended

[@mkardi24]

Thank you

[@baristakev5709]

Home setup tour? and show all the extra stuff you have like your different gadgets like the books in the background and the stuff on the shelf and the flair, and all of your other stuff you have

[@aryehh7128]

@Sprometheus does the Picopresso make full fledged espresso? Complex, how passable might it be for a year or two of everyday multiple use? I realize I'd need to preheat each time. But does it provide any hint of the Barista Tingles? Thanks!

[@Sprometheus]

I still think the Picopresso is an awesome little machine. Of all manual machines I’ve owned I still only have that and the cafelat Robot. It definitely makes real espresso, and it’s metal basket, WDT and tamper definitely gives me some light barista tingles.

[@aryehh7128]

@@Sprometheus KewL! thank you kindly for replying. Wacaco really ought give you a cut. More than any of the several KZbinr coffee people, you just sold it. By the way, your camera work is breathtaking. Bottomless naked portafilters, baskets, the pre- and post- tamp views, you turn them into Grand Canyon vistas. Aside from the real time feedback they give! Before your videos I just did not "get" the why of them. The risk of splatter. Do you like the Robot even for light roasts, high temps, without preheating?

[@iBarista]

Great video! Your vids always look so clean :) and well put together keep it up!

[@LorenzoNW]

Another negative is that the plastic releases endocrine disrupters. To be fair, the Clever, AeroPress, and Pulsar all suffer from the same issue.

[@Tripple_shortblack]

That’s pretty good ad for the flair 😂

[@whoami724y]

what do you think about pressurized portafilter?

[@Sprometheus]

I think they serve an important purpose, especially with these machines it could make a big difference with this one. And Flair just came out with one for their standard unit for those who don’t have a high quality burr grinder.

[@gukfilms7441]

For 99usd I can get myself a neo flex. Neo flex has polycarbonate body but stainless (?) chamber and it includes two portafilters. However, this is something I would buy because it's easier to carry than the neo flex. Neo flex preheating workflow is a bummer but I got the hang of it. I just don't think it would be easy for this guy. but yeah, if i have the extra I would definitely buy this

[@imstigma]

kindly wondering if you could share your contact as my base just cracked and exploded in my face unfortunately :(

[@Eugene198133]

Hello~ Could non-pressurized filter be replace by any other non-official one? It's hard to buy the official one in my country but assuming the design should be similar to all the filter as long as it's 51mm?

[@imstigma]

would be very curious to have this review redone with the use of a proper tamper as I'm certain it'll make a huge difference

[@Sprometheus]

Well maybe they should ship it with one, because that’s what they send as a tamper.

[@dominikcoltko3518]

If I see correctly it is full size basket right? Would you mind trying it once more with regular tamper instead of that plastic scrap which is even concave :D thanks man, otherwise liked the vid a lot :)

[@Sprometheus]

Dominik Čoltko the basket is a little deceiving. It’s actually quite a bit smaller than the standard 58mm. I’d say closer to a 53mm range. I do think a better tamper may make a positive difference.

[@Fatbutnotflat]

@@Sprometheus i used a cafflano kompresso and couldn't get any decent shot until i get a custom tamper made. With the original plastic tamper i had one or two lucky shots but really hard to repeat. Now i abuse the poor thing but it made quite good near espresso reliably. Definitely not as good as pump machines but not a slouch.

[@griplove]

I mean... it’s more compact than other portable espresso, but I’ll admit I’m not surprised at its performance. Nice review. Thanks a for sharing. -Joe.

[@Sprometheus]

Grip Side yeah, it’s small, but not so mighty. Thanks for watching the commenting Joe! I hope you’re well!

[@griplove]

The Real Sprometheus I’m am thank you. Stay safe and keep the coffee and content coming.

[@ThePoorStudent]

This looks like a compact and cheaper version of the Rok. Staresso is a bit better because crema comes out.

[@iltifat01]

Thanks for focusing more on these lever espresso machines!!!! can’t wait to see a review of the robot espresso. Is that one coming soon?

[@Sprometheus]

iltifat husain of course! And thank you for watching! I’m hoping to get ahold of a Robot soon for sure! It’s the next one on my list.

[@ILovHelloKitty13]

SUCH a crisp video. Thanks for this!

[@Sprometheus]

miseryschewtoy thank you my friend! Thanks for watching and the kind comment.

[@DonKangolJones]

Always gotta admire the production values. And I’m always excited to see a review of a new product.

[@Sprometheus]

DonKangolJones thank you so much! I take a lot of time and effort to put together a not only an aesthetically pleasing, but informative video. Cheers!

[@sdjohnston67]

Yes. The artistic quality of these videos is awesome, as well as the information quality.

[@bobbyb3543]

Just to be clear, you are using model v2 for this review I assume?

[@Avastravel]

Nope, not the latest version or the stand.😧

[@KnobleKnives]

Woooo, at last the review! I love little devices like this, but for a little bit extra, you could snag a Flair Classic and do so much better with that. Thanks for the great vid!

[@Sprometheus]

BeavisCrosby that’s a fact! It’s a fun toy, but it’s not serious espresso maker that’s for sure. Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching and commenting!

[@ILT12345]

Against Spro's advice, I bought one yesterday, and boy, do I feel disappointed. First of all, the Leverpresso arrived with the piston tilted to one side. The store where I bought it went silent when I ask for a refund. Then, Hugh Inc won't even bother to answer my email about the problem. Truly a disappointing product all in all. In fact, I can produce something more passable using a pressurized basket on my Staresso SP300. Shoud've listened to you, Spro.

[@Avastravel]

Hi Andri, the piston should straighten up as you push down for extraction. I'd recommend you try contacting HUGH again, they usually respond pretty fast.👍

[@viviennesales1096]

I bought the Leverpresso when I lived in South Korea two years ago. There's a high pressure filter available which consistently makes great crema! With the low pressure filter, I have been able to get a decent crema, but it wasn't too often. That being said, it took a lot of practice.

[@munkybiz9562]

But that’s not really crema now, is it? It’s fake crema coming out of a pressurized filter basket.

[@sol029]

Glad I'm waiting on my ROK.

[@Alessandro---]

I have the Rok. It’s brilliant but there’s a learning curve ...

[@joskaffeekutsche6634]

Baby Yoda😂 There it was again. A hint of humor in your videos 😏

[@Sprometheus]

Haha I want to add more of that! But it’s hard to make it work all the time.

[@joskaffeekutsche6634]

But when it's there, it works!

[@ElBoyoElectronico]

It looks like a poor man's Cafelat Robot. But the Robot does an amazing job and will last longer than I will live.

[@jamesb.ofdesertdistrict567]

I agree with BeavisCrosby in that this may be a nice product but in this range you could get a better machine. Great video!

[@Sprometheus]

Dat Dood For sure! There are better options cheaper and for a bit more depending on the direction you want to go. Thanks for watching!

[@tidalkingv]

I was going to buy one of this (so cheap). But then read many reviews noticing a serious problem of water leak (from the pistol part) after some use. So I am saving the money for a Robot right now.

[@Sprometheus]

I didn’t have any leaking thankfully, but I’m sure you’ll be happier with the Robot over this one.

[@lukaspeters1168]

you will love the Robot. Ive had mine for about half a year now. Get the barista version - knowing what Bar you are extracting at makes it much easier to reproduce results.

[@armLocalhost]

$150 dollars more from $100 is 1.5x more.

[@joskaffeekutsche6634]

And being a bit more serious, I think the Bialetti Brikka is still one of the best Espresso-ish machines all around. Best of all, its noise is just a sound to behold.

[@Sprometheus]

Joskaffeekutsche I’ll have to look this up! You’ve piqued my curiosity!

[@emielsmalbil6904]

Love my brikka 2. But since my la pavoni nothing comes near. Nanopresso tastes just a pinch to watery, but close to espresso imho.

[@Cenot4ph]

yea it's good, but it's not espresso. It doesn't have the 9 bar of pressure, perhaps it reaches 3. What I will say, it's better than this machine judging from this review

[@LumiLunar]

The one thing I don't like about the Flair is how hot you need to get the piston in order to pull great shots. In my experience when pulling shots side by side with with my Gaggia Classic, the Flair pulled more sour shots. I'm sure it can pull better shots, I'll probably have to put the piston in boiling water though. Got my order of coffee in the mail today and it went straight in the freezer. I just roasted two pounds of Nicaraguan beans. Hoping to pull some great shots with your coffee in a few weeks. Thanks for getting the order to us despite the circumstances. Be safe.

[@Sprometheus]

All the lever machines are super dependent on pre-hearing. The Flair for sure is, but the metal brew chamber holds it heat pretty well. But most definitely means you have to move fast from preheat to brewing. Glad you got it! And happy to get out of the house for a couple hours and get some coffee out to ya! Enjoy!

[@hyojoonus]

A steamer basket is a good way to preheat the Flair cylinder. Steam is limited to 212F. 205F is only a notch below that. I boil water and steam the cylinder at the same time in a pot. For steamer basket, I use old bialetti moka filter inverted minus the rubber gasket. Not pretty but the results are consistent and excellent.

[@joeygutierrez513]

I didn't need one of these, but hearing the cons was a buzz killer. Anyway, I must admit I haven't tried the vinegar brewed coffee, but today I did go back and rewatch your video on the Fat Americano, and made it. I was pleasently surprised by how good it was, coke and espresso do mix well. Stay caffeinated 🤙🏼

[@Sprometheus]

Joey Gutierrez thanks Joey! And yeah that one is a classic! I was surprised at how well the Fat Americano was revived! They do mix well, as long as you have the right espresso. Thanks for watching!

[@persianwingman]

Baby Yoda lol

[@Sprometheus]

It does! Or maybe I’m crazy.

[@CastingCelebrity]

Seems Cafelat Robot is a better option...

[@danielhendricks8278]

when you buy it does it come with the stand

[@martinkulik9466]

so if this thing explodes and harms you, you could sue the manufacturer, right? it's from korea, they also make cafflano kompresso that lasted few weeks before plastic basket broke under less pressure that I press on my aeropress with fellow filter for years...looks like their strategy is to sell as much as they can and also second money pit is to sell parts for these plastic things. same as korean samsung that I bought once and will never again as they support software updates mere 2 years...still smart strategy to make money, but not to make happy customer

[@hendrakurniawan8743]

try staresso

[@chadrobert116]

I think it looks more like a gremlins than baby Yoda. Maybe it's the tiny teeth that are giving me that vibe.

[@madrian_hello]

A Flair classic for a little more is a better buy. Not better, but 10x better.

[@Sprometheus]

madrian that is a fact. I can’t deny the Flair’s espresso prowess in terms of lever machines. But I still need to snag a Robot.

[@guitarjoel717]

The Real Sprometheus i wish I was local to you, I would gladly let you borrow mine!

[@madrian_hello]

@@Sprometheus Robot is also very good, with a little bit harder thermo management. A review from you would be nice. The cheap classic Flair proved to me with it's simplicity and it's my main espresso machine now (it replaced a fully tuned Gaggia).

[@Sprometheus]

Joel Weik I would love that! I’ve been trying to find a local one.

[@Sprometheus]

madrian the Flair in general is a great option for any espresso lover that doesn’t mind putting in a bit more work for the full control and won’t miss a steam wand. Glad you’re enjoying it!

[@peterpan69]

you can fit a acaia pyxis with an extra $300-400

[@AlexSmith-fs6ro]

I would have been interested in buying one but being made of plastic it has put me off.

[@sdjohnston67]

Your videos rock!

[@Sprometheus]

Thanks Scott!

[@febirusdian1465]

Ho ho ... Simple and nice review , looking the result.. I stick with my aeropress ... Stay safe everyone.

[@Sprometheus]

Febi Rusdian thanks for the kind words Fabi, and thank for watching!

[@panp1222]

it looks like a really cool toy but at the end of the video I had already lost all of my interest on it. and how work and everything in life with the virus?

[@Sprometheus]

pan :P Yeah it definitely feels more like a toy than a lot of the other lever machines I’ve had the chance of using. But the product that comes out just doesn’t do it for me. I’m doing well, just working from home and keeping the coffee content rolling. I hope you are doing well during all of this as well.

[@BariSaxGod25]

Neat video! Also: First!

[@Sprometheus]

Calvin Rey thanks! And nice on the timing!

[@PaulHo]

I already have 8 different coffee makers. So, after seeing this... just get an Aeropress?

[@hajidthalib7578]

Try cafflano kompresso

[@TheEmeraldboy100]

Looks like a budget Rok.

[@Skilpadjie1]

Kinda looks like an over designed aeropress with handles. And more difficult to use.

[@emielsmalbil6904]

Nanopresso leads still. Thanks for the review!

[@Sprometheus]

I haven’t had a chance to try that one yet, it’s on the short list.

[@thamtham4924]

Same thought here for portable, but after I bought La Pavoni lever, i never use nano anymore.

[@emielsmalbil6904]

Tham Tham love my europicola🤎

[@The.extraa]

Hello from qatar I saw this stovetop espresso maker from Indonesia its called the blackanswered i love the wooden accent on it i just need to know how much preasure it produced and if it can actually make good espressos 🙏☕💯

[@khazelnut]

your grind is too coarse if your shot is going through too quick

[@imstigma]

no, it's a design fault with the crappy tamper and the stepped basket. It has to be dosed so that it's JUST at the step as otherwise it results in uniform channelling around the perimeter

[@nmmrg]

It looks more like Salacious Crumb

[@LaurentVanderdonck]

Looks more like a gremlin 😂

[@Sprometheus]

...to be fair...doesn’t baby Yoda look like a gremlin? Haha

[@scottwilson6708]

Can't say I'm familiar with the product but this review is weird. Doesn't use a tamper because it 'doesn't ship with one' as if you don't have to buy a tamper with any other espresso machine on the market and then proceeds to recommend an aeropress which can't make anything approximating espresso without a third party add-on. Just bizarre.

[@Sprometheus]

Every espresso machine I’ve ever bought came with a tamper. This one does, it’s a spoon and works poorly. A review isn’t about making something work better, it’s about sharing how it works out of the box. I’m sure this review has helped many people avoid disappointment.

[@scottwilson6708]

@@Sprometheus Like I said it's just bizarre. So many machines come with a garbage tamp, a garbage basket, have garbage temp control, and have issues with pressure, but most understand that with work and a few accessories you can get some pretty good results. To act like this thing is the odd one out in that regard is bizarre.

[@Sprometheus]

@@scottwilson6708 nah, not bizarre. What is bizarre is allowing manufacturers to put out subpar machines with subpar accessories, and then when they’re called out random consumers come to defend companies who fail to produce something of substance.

[@scottwilson6708]

@@Sprometheus Apologies. You're right. Manufacturers should do better to supply quality accessories if needed. I appreciate the work you've put in to making this video and applaud your sharing it to inform. I had a small gripe about you using inadequate tools. I understand that you don't think it's your duty to provide the tool. That's fair. I still feel the review suffered as a result.

[@barrytasman769]

Try ROK Presso, (leverpresso copying the design of PRESSO) Presso itself change their name to be ROK since 2012. I suggest to try the newest version : ROK GC version 2020

[@leroythecoffeegeek4611]

Geez dude, that was a pretty terrible review. I’m all for fair, critical reviews that provide constructive criticism and your final summary of this is probably about right, but it feels like you didn’t try very hard and you haven’t given us any detail on what you actually did. Did you try with a finer grind setting? Did you try to tamp with a proper tamper? What brew ratio did you use? Just because your fancy over priced scales didn’t fit under there doesn’t mean no scales can be used. I’ve got a set of 0.1g jeweler sized scales that I use for espresso and travel that would easily fit under the stand. Did you pre-heat the unit? If not, why not? Pre-heating seems to be a key part of the process when using all the budget manual lever machines so I’m not sure why you wouldn’t do it. This may well be the average product you say it is, but I’m not going to judge it based on this poorly executed review. If you want be taken seriously as a reviewer you need to up your game.

[@Sprometheus]

I welcome critical reviews of my own work, but I always remember that you can’t please everyone. I’m not in the business of wasting my own time, water and coffee so I put in effort on all of my videos. But I can’t help what people perceive, and of course you’re welcome to your opinion. I didn’t go over any dialing in or grind changes because it felt superfluous to the point I was conveying. It’s a review, not a tutorial. But also I wanted to use this unit as I believe someone at home would. I mentioned I weighed in the 17g for the dose, but I ran the pulls themselves based on visual cues and time. Not sure what you mean by a proper tamper. If the machine comes with one, shouldn’t it be the proper one? Also, I don’t own any tampers that fit into the smaller basket size of this unit. Most scales are bigger than the Lunar. The is no need to add any salt and act like I’m showing off with my “fancy overpriced scales”. This to me sounds more like a personal issue than an issue with the review. At 6:50 I mention pre-heating and why I felt it was pointless. Maybe I wasn’t clear that I had done it, but given up after not seeing much, if any benefit from it. But I did explain that the thin plastic walls just don’t hold in any heat, as well as the brew chamber being open at the top. It was the same issue I had with the Rok. In the end, I was happy with the chance I gave this machine and the video itself. I make these videos because I enjoy it, not because I want to be taken seriously. I share the input and experience I had with a product and that’s that. Take it or leave it.

[@zacharybennett3249]

In all fairness, I Just watched the video and I didn't catch the preheating bit. I was also wondering about a "proper" tamper but your comment about the abnormal diameter cleared that up. Overall I found the review to be accurate for such a simple machine and the pros and cons were fairly obvious to begin with. More so, I appreciate that attention is given to the manual espresso market segment and I'm glad that this review informed me about a product I never would have bought in the first place. Thank you Spr"O"methus for producing "free-to-watch" content that advances the coffee / espresso community!

[@Sprometheus]

Zachary Bennett Thank you! I appreciate the kind words, for watching, and for commenting!

[@rickracer78]

Hang on, why should he just go out and buy jewellery scales, another tamper and all manner of to be defunct tools to make one single video which is available on a platform that you can view for FREE? As someone who actually owns one of these with other additional tools which you would deem do a 'better review' I can honestly confirm it makes no difference at all. Just because Asa owns premium coffee gear, it doesn't mean he's wiping his ass with hundred dollar bills.

[@Sprometheus]

Thanks Rick! I appreciate the support my friend, and for the hook up on this coffee gadget! Stay caffeinated!

[@stefanodomeni]

All the work of a lever espresso machine for something barely passable espresso. Not worth it.

[@Sprometheus]

Yeah unfortunately, not the outcome I had hoped for.