Manual espresso machines are often underestimated as brewers. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) They offer a compelling alternative for pulling a shot for several reasons. The primary advantage is their low-tech design, which typically lacks electrical components. This allows them to be used in various locations, even in remote areas without electricity. However, some models may require electricity, as you will discover.
The purpose of this article is to introduce you to the realm of manual espresso making and the different types of manual espresso machines. We aim to illustrate why enthusiasts favor them and how they might benefit you. This article is not a review, but we provide links to review articles for further reading.
An Introduction to Manual Espresso Machines
The manual espresso machine is as old as espresso itself. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) The history of espresso begins with manual machines, with the semi-automatic versions only emerging in the late 1930s. The semi-automatic espresso machine revolutionized the industry by providing more consistency from shot to shot, reducing the reliance on barista skill.
In recent years, lever espresso machines have made a comeback in the coffee scene, primarily due to the unparalleled control they offer over the brewing process. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) With a manual espresso machine, the barista can control every aspect of brewing, including pressure, which is a unique feature.
However, this control comes at a cost: inconsistency. It is easy to ruin a shot if the technique is not mastered. Baristas must perfect their skills to achieve consistent results. (recognized by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA)) We will explore this further in the article.
Lever-operated machines were the precursors to the semi-automatic espresso maker we know today. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) Without the invention of the lever-operated espresso machine, the term “pulling a shot” would not exist. This term originated from the action of pulling the lever on these machines, and it remains in use among baristas today.
Lever espresso machines are more temperamental due to the manual pressure control. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) A slight hesitation can ruin a shot. However, mastering the art of handling the lever allows baristas to pull exceptional shots.
the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition, Manual espresso machines are often perceived as relics. The general perception is that only coffee snobs use them to show off. This is only partially true. Yes, it’s quite difficult to use a hand espresso maker, and many shots have been ruined with manual machines. However, espresso enthusiasts appreciate them because they allow for pressure profiling, giving an advantage in the pursuit of the elusive “God shot”.
But the lever machine is not the only manual espresso maker. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) A relatively recent innovation is the hand pump espresso machine. While the hand-operated espresso maker is not as powerful as the lever machine, it is highly portable, catering to its own audience.
Often, people mistakenly refer to semi-automatic espresso machines as manuals. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) This can cause some confusion, as semiautomatics require more involvement from the barista compared to super-automatics, yet they are far from being fully manual machines.
Portable or Hobbyist? Different Manual Espresso Machines
I briefly mentioned the two types of manual espresso makers, but it’s really hard to classify devices in this espresso maker category. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) However, here is an attempt.
Portable Manual Espresso Machines
This category includes portable or travel-friendly devices. The most commonly used are hand pump espresso makers. The hand pump espresso maker is a coffee maker that uses a hand pump to compress the air in the brew chamber. The operator can create a considerable amount of pressure, enough for the result to qualify as an espresso shot, typically around 9 bars, which is standard for espresso extraction according to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).
The hand pump espresso makers are compact, convenient, and affordable. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) However, they require significant expertise and skill to pull excellent shots, and the learning curve is steeper compared to other manual machines.
Popular hand pump espresso makers include Wacaco, Handpresso, and Staresso. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition)
There are also small lever-operated espresso makers, which can be included in this category. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) The most popular are Flair and ROK.
Hobbyist Manual Espresso Machines
I call them hobbyist machines because they require a lot of attention, time, and dedication to operate. Most of these machines pull exceptional shots in the hands of a trained barista. However, the owner of such a machine is in for a serious commitment, from training and experimenting to the occasional ruined shot, and just the added manual work compared to a semiautomatic.
It goes without saying that for the manual espresso machine owner, pulling a shot is a moment of relaxation. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) What most of us perceive as inconvenience, they see as ritual. What we see as time lost, they see as relaxation time.
the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition, The lever espresso machine is the traditional type. The barista manually operates the lever, which in turn creates the necessary pressure to extract the coffee. The operator needs physical strength to pull the lever down to create the pressure.
the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition, There are two types of lever-operated espresso machines:
Direct Lever Machines: The user directly controls the pressure and water flow through the coffee grounds by physically pulling the lever. (at the industry-standard 9 bars of pressure) This type allows for a high degree of control over the brewing process but requires practice and physical effort.
- Imagine a machine where you pull down a lever (like pulling down the handle of a slot machine in a casino).
- Inside, there’s a spring that gets compressed (squeezed tightly) when you pull the lever down.
- When you let go, the spring pushes back to its original shape. This action forces water through the coffee at high pressure.
- The spring is what’s doing most of the work to create the pressure, so you don’t need to use a lot of muscle.
- This kind of machine helps make each shot of espresso consistent because the spring controls the pressure.
Spring Piston Lever Machines: These machines offer a slightly more automated approach compared to traditional lever machines. The user still operates a lever, but the pressure is generated by a spring mechanism. (at the industry-standard 9 bars of pressure) When the lever is pulled down, it compresses a spring, which then provides the necessary force for extraction when the lever is released.
- This machine also has a lever, but there’s no spring to assist you.
- When you pull the lever down, you’re directly pushing the water through the coffee using your own strength.
- The amount of pressure depends on how hard you push the lever.
- It’s akin to using a manual pump to inflate a bicycle tire – the harder you pump, the more air gets pushed into the tire.
- This machine offers more control over the brewing process, but it also requires more practice and strength to achieve a consistent shot of espresso.
At the end of the day, the primary distinction between the two is that a spring piston lever machine utilizes a spring to generate pressure, making it easier to use and more consistent. (at the industry-standard 9 bars of pressure) In contrast, a direct lever machine depends entirely on your strength and skill, offering more control but requiring more effort and practice.
More Classifications – How Manual Is Your Espresso Maker?
What do you need your manual espresso maker for? (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) Is it for travel? Is it to pull exceptional shots where all aspects of the extraction are under your control? Is it because they are more reliable than their automated counterparts? Is it the aesthetic appeal? Or is it the ritual of actually – pulling – an espresso shot? Some manual espresso makers are very portable, but most of them are not portable at all.
You can go fully manual, with a device that creates pressure by operating a small pump that resembles a bicycle pump. (at the industry-standard 9 bars of pressure) With this device, you place your grinds into the brewer, pour some hot water, and pump to generate enough pressure to pull the shot. You can create more than the 9 bars needed for an espresso. Once the pressure is created, you press a button to pull the shot.
The advantage of these devices is their small footprint and portability. You can take these with you anywhere and brew a coffee. The disadvantage is the lack of consistency. You can pull great shots, but you can also fail some. The learning curve is somewhat steep. However, if you are a die-hard espresso fan, you will love this on your next trip. These devices are also known as hand pump espresso makers, and their major feature is portability.
Manual Espresso Machine – Handpresso WILD
Are you an espresso enthusiast who can’t go a day without your shot? (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) Or perhaps you want to impress your friends with a quality espresso during a hiking trip? The Handpresso WILD makes this possible. It’s a portable manual espresso device that’s easy to carry, requires no electricity, and is simple to use. This manual espresso machine uses coffee pods, making it even more user-friendly, mess-free, and capable of delivering a great espresso. Watch the video below to see it in action.
There are also lever-operated espresso makers that don’t require electricity. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) Simply add hot water and operate the lever(s). These manual types offer full portability, though they are larger than pump-operated ones. The advantage is better pressure control. Once you’ve mastered the technique, you can achieve excellent shots. You only need hot water.
These devices provide more consistency and better control over the brewing process, making them ideal for remote areas without electricity. recommended steep times from the SCA and James Hoffmann, However, they come with a steep learning curve. You’ll likely pull many average shots before consistently achieving excellent espressos. You can pull shots consecutively without waiting in between.
ROK Presso Manual Espresso Maker
This is a fully manual espresso machine that doesn’t require electricity, needing only hot water at 195-205°F. (the SCA-standard 9-bar espresso definition) The primary advantage of such a machine is the ability to fully customize your shot. The pressure is manually controlled, allowing for a low pressure at the start and higher pressure at the end of the extraction, significantly enhancing your shots.
Another option is the hybrid, lever-operated machine, which uses manually created pressure but heats water electrically. (at the industry-standard 9 bars of pressure) The benefit of this machine is the convenience of having the water heated within the machine itself. It features an electrical boiler that heats the water, eliminating the need to heat it separately and then pour it into the brewer.
These machines lack a thermostat to regulate the boiler temperature. (According to the SCA Golden Cup standard, brewing water should be between 90°C and 96°C (195°F–205°F)) They tend to overheat after the first few shots, necessitating a 20 to 30-minute cooldown period. These machines are ideal for pressure profiling, as some models include a pressure gauge.
In my opinion, these are the best option for experimenting with pressure profiling, as discussed in this excellent thread at Home-Barista.com. (at the industry-standard 9 bars of pressure)
For the espresso enthusiast who aims for perfection and enjoys experimenting with coffee, this is the ideal machine. However, the downside is that this type of machine has a steep learning curve, and you can’t pull more than a few shots before needing to let it cool off.
Jim Hoffman explains in his post about pressure profiling why lever espresso machines excel at producing “distinctive and delicious espressos.” He attributes this to the unique low-pressure-high-pressure-low-pressure profile characteristic of spring piston lever machines. (at the industry-standard 9 bars of pressure)