Take this machine on camping trips or any vacation. its small and needs no power. If you can boil the water, your good to go and will get decent shots.
Positive Product Points
Manual, easy clean, simple to operate, compact light weight, does not need any power,
Negative Product Points
manual, low pressure, very exacting, does nothing for itself
Detailed Commentary
I have been using the presso espresso machine for 3 months. It is my first espresso maker.
To understand why I like this machine so much you must realize first how much I like doing things by hand. I also own a Zassenhous manual knee mill. I have been using for over a year. I love fealing the grind threw the handle. My kids enjoy helping me turn the machine etc.
So for about 3 months before I got my presso espresso machine. I searched coffeegeek.com for something that would suit my needs. I believe my search would have ended sooner had this machine been correctly catorized with comsumer espresso in stead of Vac pots etc. (hint hint!!)
My first impression was were is the instrution manual. The company gives you very little to go buy. 4 lines saying put the grinds here, water here and use the levers. It also says if you preheat the parts you can get a better shot (very true). This is a manual machine if you ever hope to get a good shot preheat everything.
My first 20 shots were garbage (remember I'm a newby). I finally got the grind right. then I was not too bad 1-10. I fine turned my grinds and my tap/pack. I have recently found the less water I use the more pressure I can produce with the levers. I'm even getting some creme. If you keep the base level the poor will come even from both sides of the group head, However the group head is a long way up and I was missing the cup. I have since started propping my cups up 2-4cm (an inch or so). I think the manufacture could increase the pressure but increasing the stoke length, and I see no reason to have such a large distance up to the groupe head from the base. unless they have plans to have a platform accessory that doubles as a spill tray.
I have nothing to go by but the fact that I'm getting more enjoyable shots from the presso espresso machine than I ever have from fine dining restaurants. But its not like they necessarily know anything either.
Buying Experience
I had a hard time tracking one down. The distributor for Canada would not sell me one over the phone. I had to go to an approved retailer and talk them into ordering one for me. They mentioned to me the distributor would not sell them one, with out and over all order of $1000 or more. Luckily we got around that. Good luck to anyone else trying. http://www.presso.co.uk/
Three Month Followup
I have found after 6 month of constant use, that I'm likely going to start looking for a better machine. The presso espresso is very good and can make a nice shot but lets face it. The shots are coming though barely hot enough even with preheating every part, and the pressure is not great enough to get that "God shot" to quote Coffeegeek.com. I will definitely keep this machine after I upgrade. But likely it will get relegated to my Camping supplies. i.e.. (no power little space needed).
