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Commercial Expobar Brewtus IV-R with Rotary Pump

On Sale! $1,999.00
Reg Price $2,199.00

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Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel $1,999.00
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Daniel Adams

Reputation: 19
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Daniel Adams asked a question about a product...
at 03-11-2013 7:47pm
Expobar Brewtus IV-R with Rotary Pump
Expobar Brewtus IV-R with Rotary Pump

Looking to start a small coffee shop, but have never owned an expresso machine. I was wondering if the Expobar Brewtus IV-R would be a good machine to learn the art of making quality coffee at home before we open up our business? I also would like to know how many cups per hour this machine will produce. I was kind of thinking of purchasing one now, and maybe a second one later to keep up with the demands of a coffee shop.

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2

A A Daniel,
Because commercial situations are all very unique, I would suggest calling Mark Jackson in our commercial sales department. He can be reached at 1-888-411-5282, option 1, then option 2.

03-12-2013 9:01am |

Helen Liberatore

Reputation: 17
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Following: 0

Helen Liberatore asked a question about a product...
at 01-11-2013 8:42pm
Expobar Brewtus IV-R with Rotary Pump
Expobar Brewtus IV-R with Rotary Pump

What's a good grinder to go with Expobar Brewtus IV

1

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1

mjackson ♦ Helen,

Certainly there are many choices. I think since you have such a great machine you should consider a grinder that will compliment your selection. I would look at the Baratza Vario. It is an amazing grinder for the price. Next I would consider the Mazzer Mini. If you really want a special grinder look at the Ceado E37. They will all work well. The Baratza would be the most cost effective and the Ceado would be the most professional.

01-14-2013 10:01pm |

David Fox

Reputation: 19
Followers: 0
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David Fox asked a question about a product...
at 01-08-2013 12:15pm
Expobar Brewtus IV-R with Rotary Pump
Expobar Brewtus IV-R with Rotary Pump

I suppose it is best to connect this to a source of reverse osmosis filtered water?

2

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1

A A David,
Any kind of filtered water will help prolong the life of a machine and help prevent against scale build up. I know a lot of people have plumbed machines into RO water systems and had no problems.

01-08-2013 1:30pm |

Expobar Brewtus IV-R with Rotary Pump Blogs

5 Blogs

7

Vote

Espresso Brewing - Science or Art? Part Two

Posted By: Mark Jackson
Posted At: Aug 9, 2012 at 9:57 AM
Related Categories: Coffee Talk
1195 views

The Coffee Grinder – we have discussed coffee grinders here in the past and defined what a weight measuring coffee grinder can do. Now I’m going to tell you a seldom revealed astonishing fact; the quality of the coffee grinder directly affects the taste and crema of the espresso!

For instance you can experiment starting with a very good espresso machine like the Gaggia Classic. Baratza Vario-W  Coffee Grinder from www.wholelattelove.comMake espresso shots using grounds of the same coffee from various coffee grinders like a low end burr grinder, then go up in quality to a better home burr grinder, then to a prosumer-commercial burr grinder and on to a high end commercial conical burr grinder. You will actually notice how much better the espresso is using coffee grounds from each coffee grinder!

In keeping with the spirit of our espresso-as-science experiment and the ability to be consistent, we had talked about the very good Baratza Vario-W Coffee Grinder.

The next step up, in my opinion, would be a prosumer-commercial grade machine like the Ceado E37 Coffee Grinder, which is a ceprogrammable dosing grinder that has amazing burrs and will give you a better espresso because of the burrs and the design of the grinder.  It also lets you program the dose electronically based on grind time. So again you can be consistent in the amount of coffee you use. Here is a link to learn more about this amazing grinder. Ceado E37 Coffee Grinder

The next step up to a commercial grade machine may seem like a little much for home use; however, a  great choice would be the Mazzer Kony as it has conical burrs and it is also available in Mazzer Kony Commercial Coffee Grinder from www.wholelattelove.coman electronic version for producing consistent doses of coffee grounds. This coffee grinder or any commercial conical burr coffee grinder would permanently end any further need to upgrade your coffee grinder. A coffee grinder like this will absolutely give you the best chance of making a truly superior espresso.

Looking at the coffee grinder as one of the controllable variables in our espresso-as-science experimenting we find that selecting the best grinder we can afford is one thing we can change and get a predictable result. That is, if we keep everything else the same, tamp, amount and type of coffee, and the size of the shot, then adjusting the grind and tasting the shot results will determine what grinder and grind fineness will give us the best tasting results.

For most people the grinder and grind settings would be the variable that would give them very noticeable results quickly.

The Espresso Machine – So far we have looked at many of the variables involved in making great espresso. Another variable is the espresso machine. Many espresso aficionados consider the espresso machine to be the most important one. I do somewhat agree that the machine is an important part of producing quality espresso. 

With the correct machine you have the potential to make a great tasting shot of espresso. I say potential because so many factors go into making a great espresso. Many of these factors are going to be based on the user’s knowledge and skill at crafting an espresso from what they have to work with.  Again if we look at this as a science experiment one of the factors that can be controlled if you have the proper machine is the brewing water temperature.

Espresso coffee taste will vary considerably when brewed at different temperatures. I always tell people about wine and how to relate wine temperature and how it affects wine almost the same as coffee. Actually wine and coffee have many similarities as far as how they are cupped, tasted and have different characteristics based on where they are grown and even how good or bad the growing season was.

Back to temperature and wine; If you order a really good bottle of white wine somewhere and it is kept in the beer cooler at near freezing you know when you get that wine it will only taste cold. It is not at the proper temperature for the wine to let you in on all the nuances and flavors the vintner has worked so hard to get in that great bottle of wine. As the wine warms up and gets to the proper temperature for serving then you start to notice the flavors of the wine such as oaky, fruity, flowery, and all the other great descriptions of the wine.

Coffee is the same way. Temperature plays a very large roll in how exactly the espresso will taste.  The whole idea of looking at this as a science experiment is to learn how you can control many of the variables in making espresso. Having a machine where you can control temperature is a huge advantage at being able to make an espresso that may be the best you have ever had.

Spending your money on the right equipment will give you the potential to make an espresso shot that is downright amazing.  The ability to control temperature is going to let the espresso have different tastes. You may be able to pick out chocolate, berry, caramel, fruit and also something like currants. Notice the similarity to wine descriptions.

fewrweIf you invest in a machine that allows you to control the brewing water temperature, like one of my favorites the Expobar Brewtus IV Espresso Machine, and you  keep all the other variable parameters consistent, you will get to the point where you know exactly the temperature that will yield the best tasting espresso coffee.

Having an espresso machine that will brew at exact temperatures will certainly help us in our quest to make the perfect shot. Since our love of espresso coffee and our ability to be scientists should have a goal and a plan to get there I will discuss how this all ties together in part three of espresso as science and perhaps reveal what this all means!

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1

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What I Learned In Class Today

Posted By: Daniel Moraldo
Posted At: Jun 8, 2012 at 4:43 PM
Related Categories: The Double Boiler
475 views

Today in espresso school, the tech department pulled out an open housed Expobar Brewtus IV-Rotary Pump Espresso Machine. At first, it looked like an unsolved Rubik’s Cube to me as it had all the various parts of the internals labeled in different colors for demonstration purposes. I immediately became nervous because obviously our tech department had done their homework ahead of time and I had not (just like high school!).

Expobar Brewtus IV-R with Rotary Pump Espresso Machine from www.wholelattelove.com

Professor Todd Salzman took his time thoroughly explaining to us in great detail the engineering and operation of this dual boiler machine. We of course compared this model and its components to similar espresso machines like the Rocket Espresso R58 and the Izzo Alex Duetto II. This information was very enlightening and will enable me to give better answers and information to the many customers who call in inquiring about these espresso machines. Customers have very detailed, (mechanically speaking), questions about technical features that I now feel more confident answering after today’s lecture. For example, we discussed how the Expobar has a larger brew boiler than other dual boiler machines allowing for better temperature control. So I guess bigger is better after all!

We also examined the functionality of the E-61 group head and how the circular flow of this system is beneficial to the art of brewing espresso with consistent temperatures. When examining the PID, (Proportional-Integral-Differential), controller of this machine, we looked specifically at how the solid state relay plays an important role in the temperature stability process by sending pulsating electrical currents to the heating element allowing for consistency. Whoa! I’m starting to sound like one of them now. I may not be a true tech geek but after today’s lesson, I have become a lot closer with my new understanding of how these machines function. Beam me up Scotty!

Geek Inside from www.wholelattelove.com technical support

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3

Vote

Expobar Brewtus IV Review

Posted By: Mark Jackson
Posted At: Oct 21, 2011 at 8:46 AM
Related Categories: Coffee Talk, Semi Automatic Espresso Machines, The Double Boiler
1720 views

What I Like About The Brewtus

Double Boiler The Brewtus has a double boiler. What this means is you have one boiler for steam and another boiler for brewing espresso. The great thing about a double boiler is it gives you great temperature stability for brewing espresso. It is interesting to note how the espresso taste can change when brewing at different temperatures, The Brewtus with a double boiler allows you to brew at exact temperatures shot after shot. The double boiler is one of the most coveted features among espresso fanatics and is found on only the best machines.
photo

PID The PID is what gives the Brew boiler the ability to brew to exact temperatures. PID stands for Proportional, Integral, and Derivative. Here is a simple explanation of what it does in regards to the brew boiler: a PID is a computerized, digital thermostat. It monitors and learns how your boiler heats. It then will accurately control any temperature you want it to maintain. The advantage is it is a variable you can control as you learn to make repeatable great shots.

E61 - The Brewtus IV is outfitted with a chrome-plated brass E-61 Brew Group. This type of group head is well known for its ability to help maintain exact or in this case calculated temperature stability. It does this by using a thermo siphon system that circulates hot water from the boiler to maintain group head temperature. The Expobar Brewtus IV machine now offers a concave pre-infusion chamber that allows the user the ability to control pre-infusion by using the lever. Many people feel that by experimenting with the pre-infusion you can really control the taste of the coffee.

Plumbing options We felt it was important to give the Brewtus IV many options for plumbing. We have covered all the bases. You can use it as a pour over with the vibration pump reservoir model. You can hook a water line directly to it with the Rotary pump model. This model is quieter and also will let you attach a water softener/filter system to protect your machine. You also have the option in a reservoir model that can be plumbed or you can use it as a plumb in version. So with this model you can use it either way and it is fitted with a vibration pump.

Construction and Durability We are very proud of all the positive feedback we get in regards to how much people love their Brewtus. Many of these people use their machine multiple times a day and love not only the great shots they get but also how well the machine works and holds up. We have done a great job of constantly improving the machine realizing that one of the most important things is the reliability and durability of the machine. We are proud of our efforts and how well the Brewtus line has held up for us.

What I would improve:

Size- The Machine especially in the plumbed in version may be a little larger in size and heavier then people expect.

Larger Cup Size Right now the Expobar IV It fits a 4 and inch cup underneath the spouts. It would be nice if it could fit a larger cup say about 7 inches for a larger travel cup or a 16 ounce cup. But it certainly is not a deal breaker because if it is made to take a taller cup it may not fit under a normal counter.

Recommended users:
Those at-home baristas that want to use a commercial style machine with commercial style quality. Also for those that entertain often. I really think is the machine for people who never want to suffer from upgradeitis or espresso machine envy as this is the best of the best for a home machine. I also think this is the machine for espresso lovers that treat espresso like wine. They want to taste, compare, experiment and maybe even rate. No matter how well the espresso rates this machine gets high marks from all who are fortunate enough to have purchased one.

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2

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A Semi-Automatic Machine for Every Price Range

Posted By: Tracy Schafer
Posted At: Mar 15, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Related Categories: Semi Automatic Espresso Machines
1758 views

Spring is just around the corner and with it comes extended daylight hours. If you've been cooped up all winter, now is the time to take advantage of the longer days. To make sure you get the most of your spring days, we're back with our picks of solid espresso machines sure to give you perfect pick-me-up brews. Best of all, there's a machine for every budget!

Capresso EC100Economy Machine
One of our newest semi-automatic machines, the Capresso EC100, proves that you can make good espresso and cappuccino without breaking the bank. This Espresso and Cappuccino Machine comes in under $150, yet does not scrimp on the features and benefits. Peel back the attractive polished black panels and you'll find a powerful 15-bar pump, capable of extracting crema-rich espresso. The EC100 is also backed by a stainless steel ThermoBlock heating system for respectable temperature stability.

This Capresso model is a great starter machine, can accommodate pods as well as ground espresso. Like milk-based beverages? The EC100 has creative milk solutions to deliver rich cappuccinos and lattes. This model comes with a unique frothing attachment, leave it in place to froth or detach it from the wand to steam.

Designed to make brewing and frothing hassle free, the Capresso EC100 features exceedingly simply controls. This machine is a solid choice for beginners. It even features a handsome exterior, with stainless steel accents, to ensure that it'll look great on your kitchen counter.

Gaggia ClassicMid-Range Machine
Our mid-range machine spotlight is a true classic. The Gaggia Classic is one of our most popular semi-automatic espresso machines. Costing just under $400, the Gaggia Classic gives you, arguably, the best value for your money. Though it is designed for home use, the Classic has a slew of high-end features including a commercial-grade brew group and chrome-plated brass portafilter as well as dual heating elements and a three-way solenoid valve. These features help to create a very impressive brewing experience.

One of the qualities that differentiates the Gaggia Classic from its peers is the remarkably quick warm-up time; from a cold start this machine is ready to brew in roughly 5 minutes. You'll also get three portafilter baskets—a pressurized, non-pressurized and pod basket. This allows the Classic to be completely flexible and accommodate a wide range of brewing preferences. Due to its flexibility and impressive capabilities, along with a history of reliable performance, the Gaggia Classic has earned a devoted following, one which includes our very own sales rep. Mike R. In fact, he has even written a blog contemplating whether or not the Classic is the perfect machine.

This Gaggia model is recommended for value-conscious espresso lovers. The Classic has a nice stainless steel housing unit that makes for easy cleaning and maintenance; Gaggia has done a great job of integrating very utilitarian features into this compact machines.

Expobar Brewtus IVHigh-End Machine

If you're looking to duplicate café quality results at home, the Expobar Brewtus IV may be the perfect machine for you. This prosumer espresso machine is a brewing and frothing marvel. Engineered for complete temperature stability, the Brewtus IV has dual copper boilers backed by 1250-watt heating elements. Since one boiler is dedicated exclusively to brewing and the other is used for steaming, frothing and dispensing hot water, the Brewtus IV can meticulously control its environment to deliver temperature appropriate espresso. A Gicar PID control takes it one step further, letting you adjust boiler temperatures to create optimal extraction conditions for any kind of roast.

This prosumer favorite operates using a vibration pump and comes equipped with a steam boiler switch. The switch is unique to Expobar; it will let you turn off the steam boiler and run just the brew boiler. Doing so will decrease warm-up time. With the steam boiler deactivated, the Expobar Brewtus IV can be ready to brew within 15 minutes of a cold start.

As you can see, a good espresso machine and can be had with any budget. Don’t get overwhelmed by your choices; give our Sales Department a call, our trained representatives can match you up with the perfect machine!

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6

Vote

How To Choose An Espresso Machine

Posted By: Mark Jackson
Posted At: Feb 8, 2011 at 3:29 PM
Related Categories: Coffee Talk
17566 views

If you would like to know a little about the many types of espresso machines we sell, this would be a good video to get you started. This video covers the machines we sell and based on your lifestyle, what you like to drink, and ease of use. It will give you an overview of different espresso machines and help you determine which one best suits to your needs.

I would watch the video and focus on a particular kind of machine—prosumer, semi-automatic, and super-automatic to decide which kind is ideal for you. Then, you can go and look at individual models to get a better idea of exactly what you want. Of course, if you narrow it down to a few espresso machines and are still undecided, give us a call and we would be glad to help!

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2

Chance Great video. Covers the basics and really helps you find the category that fits your life. Super auto for me!

01-03-2013 12:48am |


5 Blogs
Average Customer Rating 5 out of 5 (11 Customer Reviews)

Rated 5
Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
steve simmons

04/06/2013

Has owned for:
More than 1 year

Consistent God shots two years and running!!

I’ve just passed two glorious years with my Expobar Brewtus IV-R. I did a lot of research before buying this one and I have no regrets. Yes, it offers the perfect blend of features, and yes, the quality of construction is fantastic. But the real test is can it make consistently great espresso. The answer to that question is a resounding “YES!” I have friends who are baristas, coffee enthusiasts and some work for famous coffee roasters. One sip of a “God shot” from this machine and they are blown away. Not because it is “as good” as what they pour from their $30K machines, but because it is better. Shot after shot. Pay attention to the temperature and the Expobar does the rest. The key to this machines consistently great espresso is threefold: 1. The ability to accurately set and maintain temperature. 2. Consistent pressure from shot to shot. 3. The ability to manually control pre-infusion. I have seen several posts mentioning the steam pressure is a bit lacking. I have found this to be true, however I can share two tips that I think will give you the pressure you need: 1. Remove the steam arm with a wrench and remove the plastic tubing located inside the steam arm. The tubing is there to create the “no-burn steam wand” effect. But it greatly diminishes steam pressure. 2. Before steaming your milk, blast some steam out of the steam arm until the pump kicks on (indicated by orange light illuminating). Turn off the steam and wait until the steam pressure builds back up to the point the boiler turns off (around 1.5 bar). Then steam as normal and you should have more than enough steam for a great latte/cappuccino. This ensures steam pump is actively creating steam as you froth and that you are starting with maximum pressure. My espresso setup consists of: • Expobar Brewtus IV-R • Barratza Vario grinder • Reg barber tamp and handle • Triple filter basket from VST • Bottomless portafilter • My weigh i500 scale with 1/10th of a gram resolution • Sproline Foam Knife 1 Steam Tip • La Marzocco 'GB-5/FB-80' Steam Wand (to accommodate sproline foam knife tip listed above).

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

More than 1 year

What's Best About this Product?

The key to this machines consistently great espresso is threefold: 1. The ability to accurately set and maintain temperature. 2. Consistent pressure from shot to shot. 3. The ability to manually control pre-infusion.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

I have seen several posts mentioning the steam pressure is a bit lacking. I have found this to be true, however I can share two tips that I think will give you the pressure you need: 1. Remove the steam arm with a wrench and remove the plastic tubing located inside the steam arm. The tubing is there to create the “no-burn steam wand” effect. But it greatly diminishes steam pressure. 2. Before steaming your milk, blast some steam out of the steam arm until the pump kicks on (indicated by orange light illuminating). Turn off the steam and wait until the steam pressure builds back up to the point the boiler turns off (around 1.5 bar). Then steam as normal and you should have more than enough steam for a great latte/cappuccino. This ensures steam pump is actively creating steam as you froth and that you are starting with maximum pressure.

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

over the past two years I feel I have tried every local roaster and web roaster promising to ship my beans on the day of roasting. my current favorite is Papau New Guinea from AtlantaCoffeeRoasters.com

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

more steam pressure would be great, but removing the "no burn" steam tube goes a long way to remedy this issue.

The Type of Grinder I've Been Using:

flat burr ceramic grinder with builit in timer

The Make and Model of My Grinder:

Barratza Vario

Ease of Use:
5
Espresso Quality:
5
Steaming Ability:
4
Construction:
5
Price Value:
5
Instructions:
5
1
0

mjackson ♦ Steve,
Thank you for such a great and accurate review.

04-08-2013 8:05am |

Rated 5
Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Yumajoe

03/30/2013

Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

With fresh roasted coffee and the right grind you will be amazed.

I have had my Brewtus IV rotary for about 2 months now. This is my 3rd espresso machine, I started with a Gaggia Classic about 18 years ago. I am using both a Baratza Vario grinder and a Mazzer Kona. I am consistently pulling the best shots ever. I wanted a double boiler machine and I choose the Brewtus for two reasons, the price was about right and it didn't have a lot of electronics to bake over time, everything is pretty much manual. I am hoping this machine lasts a long time. It took about 20 minutes to plumb mine into the RO line that feeds the ice maker, it cost less than $25 for the parts. The hardest part to find is a 3/8 female flare union. It is available at an good pluming store, don't waste your time trying to find one at HD or Lowes. I read some reviews stating the drip pan was flimsy, I don't know if they were expecting cast iron, but nothing about this machine is flimsy. Also if you can plumb water to it, I would highly recommend the rotary pump. It is very quiet and very consistent. My worst shots now are better than my best shots used to be. Watch the videos and take your time getting the grind right, mine doesn't vary that much from one type of coffee to another. No Regrets.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

1 - 6 months

What's Best About this Product?

The ability to consistently make good espresso

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

dose close to 14 grams, don't let the puck hit the screen.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Klatches - many types, home roast, many varieties.

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

A bit more steam.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Gaggia Classic, Gaggia Titanium

The Type of Grinder I've Been Using:

flat burr and conical burr

The Make and Model of My Grinder:

5 year old Baratza Vario, new Mazzer Kony

Ease of Use:
5
Espresso Quality:
5
Steaming Ability:
4
Construction:
5
Price Value:
5
Instructions:
5
0
0

mjackson ♦ YumaJoe,
I am so glad you wrote this. If I could tell people what to buy in order to make amazing espresso this is the set up I would choose. The Kony is as good as it gets grinder wise and the Brewtus is a top notch machine at a reasonable price. Thanks.

04-02-2013 7:56am |

Rated 5
Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Handyman

12/20/2012

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

Great machine

I've had the Brewtus IV - R for about a month. I've been a home roaster for five years and love a great cup of coffee. I researched espresso units for about a year and kept coming back to Expobar. Although it took me a while to pull the perfect shot, once I got the grind, the tamp, and the timing right, I am now very content with my morning latte and afternoon espresso. I would recommend the rotary version. It is very quiet and I run the water line from a 2 gallon water reservoir next to the machine. I had a great experience ordering this from WLL and would highly recommend this machine if you are interested in getting control over all the variables in making fine espresso.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

Temperature control of the brew boiler.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

Read the WLL manual that is sent with the machine.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

I roast my own beans from Sweet Maria's

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

None

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

This is my first machine.

The Type of Grinder I've Been Using:

Ceramic burr grinder

The Make and Model of My Grinder:

Baratza Vario

Ease of Use:
4
Espresso Quality:
5
Steaming Ability:
5
Construction:
5
Price Value:
5
Instructions:
5
4
1

Kristen C Thank you for the review - we appreciate your feedback!

12-20-2012 1:49pm |

Rated 5
Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
David Drummond

11/05/2012

After nearly three months of using the Brewtus IV-R with rotary pump almost every day, I'm delighted to say that, well, I'm delighted. This is my first prosumer instrument, after 14 years of making my daily breve cappuccinos on a Starbucks Barista. The espresso is profoundly better, with flavors I've only tasted on those lucky occasions when I get a great barista at a place that cares. Steaming's a joy. I use less half-and-half, it takes less time, and I get more consistent microfoam than I've ever experienced. Having the dual boiler makes the experience a lot more pleasurable, by eliminating any waiting between pulling and steaming. The only major change in my morning routine is that I turn on the machine before I jump in the shower, giving it the 15-20min it needs to reach temperature. That temperature has been completely stable, another lovely change after having to temperature-surf my old machine just to make the espresso tolerable. I simultaneously got a Mazzer Mini Electronic Type B, whose doserless design and great grind control has been an essential part of transitioning to the Brewtus. Highly recommended as a pair. For beans, thus far I've been using Intelligentsia Black Cat, which is local, tastes great, and seems to be as forgiving as people say. Still have not plumbed the machine in. I've been running it out of an old 1.75L Bombay Sapphire bottle as a reservoir with no troubles yet, as I've been careful not to let the machine run dry. Performance may change when I finally get the machine hooked up to a line with pressure, though I can't imagine it will be anything but an improvement. WLL did a great job providing seamless customer service during the purchase. No troubles yet, no support calls, so mostly I can say that the machines arrived on time, in perfect condition, and worked great from the outset. If, like me, you're a long-time drinker of espresso plus steamed milk beverages, and are pondering getting a serious machine, my recommendation is: do it. The Brewtus was at the high end of my price range, and was replacing something that had been part of my routine for many years. And I'm absolutely thrilled with it.

Ease of Use:
5
Espresso Quality:
5
Steaming Ability:
5
Construction:
5
Price Value:
5
Instructions:
2
4

Rated 5
Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
fred chuckovich

05/22/2012

Love the quiet of the rotary....worth the extra $$$. A nice step up from my previous machine, the Expobar Lever. Not happy with the leg height, wish we were provided with a "lowboy" set of feet for those not using the drain. Lastly, for those wishing to drill the stainless pan, it is a soft metal and EASY to drill.....PROVIDED you use a SHARP drill bit, slow speed. If you use a dull bit you will work harden the metal and then you will have a problem!!!!

Ease of Use:
5
Espresso Quality:
5
Steaming Ability:
5
Construction:
4
Price Value:
5
Instructions:
3
0

Rated 5
Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
jrowedc

01/31/2012

I've had the Brewtus IV-R for about 3 weeks now. I'm using a Mazzer Mini-E type B, and getting excellent results. The consistency of the machine is fantastic. It is amazingly easy to use. I can now pull shot after identical shot, every one of them delicious. I made four cappuccinos in a row for guests the other day, and it was easy. I still don't have it on a timer, so my routine is to come down right after I wake up to turn it on. Seems pretty much ready within half an hour. I plumbed it in myself using a filter and softener system from CC. Piece of cake, except for the stack of brass adapters I had to buy to mate the 1/4" system with the Brewtus' 3/8" water line. (Obviously if you buy a 3/8" filtration/softening system this won't be a problem; this was a mistake on my part.) I am still using the drip tray for now. It holds half a gallon, so it takes a while to fill it up. Shipping: it was very poorly packed for transit. It was double boxed, which is good, but the huge outer box only contained about 10 inches of popcorn, and a couple of small flattened boxes (weird). So the 70lb inside box tumbled around during shipping, and the corners were all crushed. Terrible packing job, guys. Shipping was fast, though, and there was no damage. The popcorn created an unbelievable mess during unpacking. Build quality: pretty good, but not excellent. Materials are good quality, and the feeling of mass is impressive. On mine, however, the front plate bulges out next to where the steam wand nut is attached. It looks like something sharp and pointy behind the plate pushed the plate out when the nut was cranked down. Bad. Also, the mirror-like chrome plating on the grouphead has a 1/4" x 1/2" flaw on the side. I can't believe no one noticed it. I saw it as soon as I hoisted the machine onto my counter. Both of the pressure gauges were 3 or 4 degrees crooked, which looked pretty stupid. I had to remove the top cover and use a wrench to rotate the gauges. This is simply poor attention to detail at the factory. Would I buy it again? Absolutely. The machine exceeds nearly all of my expectations. Don't let my gripes above take too much away from the machine. To get everything here for $2k, the factory has to cut some corners. I understand that other machines at this price point also suffer from minor build quality issues. It's really not a big deal. I love the espresso from it, I love using it, and I love the way it looks. My wife was cracking up last night because I was just standing there admiring it, smiling, without realizing what I was doing.

Ease of Use:
5
Espresso Quality:
5
Steaming Ability:
5
Construction:
4
Price Value:
5
Instructions:
5
0

Rated 5
Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Ken Camper

05/26/2011

After a little over one week with the Brewtus IV-R, I could not be happier with this machine. After 6 months with a Giotto Evoluzione, I remained disappointed with the difficulty in determining and maintaining precise brewhead temperature, although I loved the elegance of styling and quality of components. The temperature stability of the Brewtus is terrific, and the temperature reading combined with a dedicated brew boiler allows you to hit the temperature you want and thereby eliminate this critical variable from the other important ones. It may not be as beautiful as some other machines but its features -- such as double boiler -- and performance make it in my opinion the best in its class. Check out other reviews on home-barrista.com if you need more information on this machine. Thank you to the WLL staff for helping me make the decision to go with the Brewtus!

Ease of Use:
5
Espresso Quality:
5
Steaming Ability:
5
Construction:
5
Price Value:
5
Instructions:
3
0
0

Ken Camper UPDATE: Nearly two years later, I continue to be extremely pelased with the Brewtus IVR. It has been durable, reliable and trouble free and with consistent, refined technique, the espresso is almost miraculous compared to my earlier machine, the ECM Rocket. If you are serious about espresso and looking for a machine in this class, you could not go wrong with the Brewtus. I recommend the rotary pump for a pleasantly quiet experience.

01-27-2013 4:03pm |

Rated 5
Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Paul Butikofer

03/31/2011

This is my first espresso machine. It arrived on time but I had problems. After four hours with tech support and 6 wet towels we solved the problem. It was a plug that was not plugged in. I was ready to send the machine back, but after the problem was solved I tried it. I am a beginner but I love the machine. It steams milk great, and pull great shots ( i think). The seller was great and sent me some extra beans for the troubles. I have had the machine for two weeks now and it is a keeper. I don't have much to compare it to, but I love the machine. It makes great shots (I mix with milk) and is all plumbed in. I would buy it again.

Ease of Use:
5
Espresso Quality:
5
Steaming Ability:
5
Construction:
5
Price Value:
5
Instructions:
5
0

Rated 5
Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
JoeWeiss

03/22/2011

First of all this is an amazing espresso machine! I have had it for three weeks now and I am making the best espresso I have had. The rotary pump is very quiet and the machine looks great. I tried the vibe pump model and exchanged it for the rotary. I like the rotary better it is much quieter... Whole latte love was great about the exchange process. They are very prompt and professional. The Expobar Brewtus-IV R is a very serious and good looking piece of equipment. I have had lots of complements on how good it looks and how great the espresso is. It is super easy to use, no flushing! This is my first espresso machine and I love it.

Ease of Use:
5
Espresso Quality:
5
Steaming Ability:
5
Construction:
5
Price Value:
5
Instructions:
5
0

Rated 5
Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Ken Kirk

01/19/2011

I have had the Brewtus IV-R for a week now. First of all it was shipped promptly and arrived on the day the salesman Randy said it would. It was well packed and arrived in perfect condition. I plumbed in the water line to a filtered source. I also plumbed in the drain line and drilled the hole in the drain pan. If you want to add the drain line get WLL to drill the hole! That SS was a bitch to drill! Anyway, the machine has been flawless. I am working on my technique but I am pulling the best shots I have ever pulled. Even the first shot was full of crema.I am using an older Rocky grinder and I might upgrade the grinder and get more consistent shots. The machine is very quiet and seems to have plenty of power for multiple pulls. I was expecting a slightly stronger steam function, but it works great. Just takes a little more time than I expected. But anyway, so far so good. Nice machine and well built from the outside. The inside... only time will tell. I do recommend this machine and WLL did their part perfectly. Ken

Ease of Use:
5
Espresso Quality:
5
Steaming Ability:
4
Construction:
5
Price Value:
5
Instructions:
5
0

Rated 5
Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Vince Morales

12/22/2010

OK, I'm impressed. This thing make excellent espresso from the start. I used to own an Andreja Premium Hx machine and this just blows it away. First and foremost is the flavor. Having a stable predictable temp. makes all the difference in flavor. After adjusting the grind, the 1st real shot I pulled was one of the best I've ever had. Next was foaming the milk. Produced perfect microfoam with the single hole tip. Finally, the machine is quiet and steady when pulling the shot. This is one of the reasons I bought a rotary pump and I'm glad I did. I'm fairly critical of the products I purchase and only half believed the reviews by others, but this machine just impressed me in so many ways. I highly recommend it.

Ease of Use:
5
Espresso Quality:
5
Steaming Ability:
5
Construction:
5
Price Value:
5
Instructions:
5
0