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Any suggestions as to why the first shot pulled has the best crema, but subsequent ones tend not to? (our Office Lever is approx. 10 years old, we pull 2 doubles/day, have changed brewhead gasket twice w/no leakage around brewgroup, and let it come to temp/pressure for 30 minutes or more before initial shot). Thanks-
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Any suggestions as to why the first shot pulled has the best crema, but subsequent ones tend not to? (our Office Lever is approx. 10 years old, we pull 2 doubles/day, have changed brewhead gasket twice w/no leakage around brewgroup, and let it come to temp/pressure for 30 minutes or more before initial shot). Thanks-
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techkathy Is the gauge on the machine going into the red zone? The longer the machine sits the hotter it will get. Older machines can overheat when their pressure stat begins to fail. If the water for brewing is too hot you will get very little crema and it will dissipate quickly. The coffee may also taste burned or bitter. The pressure stat is easy to change out at home. Call tech support to order a new one if the machine is overheating.
How long should one flush this machine once it has been idle? I've been reading the idea of the flush is to wait until flash steam is gone. With mine that seems to happen almost immediately and many times there is no steam at all but I don't have a temperature measurement to be sure.
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techkathy You should flush the group head until the steam sound stops. The length of time you need to flush depends on the amount of time since it was last flushed. The longer the machine is idle the hotter it will be. If you want to be sure of the temperature you can use a thermometer and Styrofoam or paper cup.
Just last week I bought a refurbished Expobar Lever from Whole Latte. Looking through your website I found some instructions for retrofitting the control board. Can you explain what that is all about? Does my machine have the old board or the new board? I know it does not have the second pressure gauge because I asked about that (after I had ordered). Your sales department said that refurbished machines had been used for less than one month so I am expecting a machine in essentially new operating condition. From that I assumed it was manufactured fairly recently but apparently not so from the fact that the second pressure gauge is not there. So I am wondering about the control board. Is there any way of knowing when my machined was manufactured?
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techkathy There should be a sticker with the serial number and manufacture date on it. It is under the drip tray.
Angel Lopez Thanks for the information on the manufacturing date.
Angel Lopez Update on this question. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that the machine I received was manufactured in september, 2012 and has the two gauges and the no-burn wand. (The wand does get pretty warm but not as hot as the hot water tube.) This did not match the information I was given on the phone or the buzz message from Chris Kaiser dated 1-27-2013 (should be just below here.) I am not complaining. I got something better than what I was told. I am wondering if I just got lucky or if WLL sold out all of its old version refurbished machines. The machine's condition is perfect. I certainly couldn't tell it apart from a new machine.
My expobar office lever got a dry boiler.Pump is working while I pull the brew lever up,but no water will be filled into the boiler.heating light goes for 1 second after the power switch on.How can I fix it ,it's not in US.
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techkathy Have you tried removing the water softener filter to see if the machine has lost its prime? There should be a water filter on the end of one of the tubes in the water tank. Pull the filter off of the end of the tube and try again. The machine should start to draw in water. Worst case - the solenoid valve in the machine may have become stuck.
chih chou chu Finally, I found that's the problem on 1 of the 2 relays in side the control box.It can be held, but not signal was sent to active the pump.now It has been replaced by local mechanician.
Techkathy thank for your help.
I have an Office Lever Plus that is about a year old. I see that the WLL has created a copper washer with a hole in it to help with the high temperature of the group head. My question is, can I purchase one of these to put in my machine? Thanks David
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A A David,
Looking up your order, I see that you purchased that machine in Feb of 2012. We had already begun modifying the machines with the new thermosiphon washer before that point. So your machine already has it!
Well I pulled the trigger and got this machine. I am so excited to get it on my counter and start learning all there is to know about it. I also got the Rancilio Rocky Doserless grinder. My question is, what do you recommend I start with on the grind setting?
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Sanfam ♦ With a Rocky grinder, consider starting at 9-10--this should be a good starting range on a new machine. However, remember that each grinder is more-or-less unique, I would take this with a gain of salt and adjust as needed.
Rick Goree Thanks Sanfam! I got my grinder and Expobar last night and tried it out this morning. First pull was at about 30 seconds on the setting of 9. I changed the setting to 12 and it pulled wonderful shots in 22 to 24 seconds. What a wonderful pair. I am so happy I went ahead with the upgrade.
Is there a way to attach a drain line for this model? I know it is possible on the plus model.
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A A Rick,
Because the legs on the "non-plus" model has the shorter legs, there is not enough clearance for the drain kit that you would find on the "plus" model. You could probably rig something up for it - but the Expobar parts for the actual drain kit are too large to fit under the machine as it is currently.
After initial warm up the ready light goes off then back on every couple of seconds. Is this the expected behavior or should it remain off completely? The same happens during the brew cycle.
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Craig Clark While I don't have an Expobar, this is typical of other machines and indicates the heating circuit turning off and on to maintain the correct heat on the boiler. When you are preparing to steam, does the light stay on longer? If so, this is normal, due to the extra heat required by the boiler to produce steam
chih chou chu Please check the boiler pressure. the heater should be turn off once the pressure reach 1.0bar the light goes off, and light on again when the pressure drop down to 0.8bar.
How do I tell the difference between the single shot and double shot baskets?
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mjackson ♦ The double shot basket is deeper and also the single shot will have a more tapered bottom.
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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!
Chance Great video. Covers the basics and really helps you find the category that fits your life. Super auto for me!
5 out of 5
(61 Customer Reviews)
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
I have had this machine for a month. It produces the best espresso I have ever tasted. I ordered a Digital Thermometer & Adapter for Exposed E61 Groupheads from another site (sorry WLL, but you don’t carry one) because I want to know exactly the temperature of every shot. I usually let the machine warm for 30 minutes and then flush the grouphead. I get consistent readings in the 203 to 205 range. I can walk away for eight hours, flush and get the same results. This machine has VERY consistent temperature control. The relatively large 1.7 liter boiler is also great and helps with the consistency. The point is that when you know where you are starting from every time, you can confidently play with your variables. The key to pulling great shots is consistency, and this machine provides that. The guys at WLL did a great job of setting this unit up so that it would produce excellent shots right out of the box. P.S. Any company whose name parodies a Led Zeppelin song has got too totally ROCK, and you guys do!
1 - 6 months
Consistent Temps, Great Steam
Flush before you pull
Coffee Lover
Klatch Best in World, George Howell Costa Rica, Fieldheads Signature, Sweet Maria Monkey
None, for a single this is the best deal out there. OK a PID would be cool, but not if it cost another $500.
Many
Flat burr
Rocky Doserless
mjackson ♦ Dean,
Thanks for the great review. I really think this machine is the best valued machine we sell. Enjoy it for a long time.
Angel Lopez Hello Dean,
How long do you flush? I've been reading the idea of the flush is to wait until flash steam is gone. With mine that seems to happen almost immediately but I don't have a temperature measurement to be sure.
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
First impressions are very positive. Built like a tank, it is very heavy. I am upgrading from a Silvia, in use for more than four years. The main differences between the two (Silvia is a great machine by the way) are consistency from shot to shot and fantastic steam. You do not need to pay much attention to details in the Lever as you do with the Silvia to get a great shot. Every shot is a great shot. The crema is there in every cup and seems ticker and smoother. Steam ability is better. It is instant and does not require pre-heating like in Silvia. You can move the steam wand around and yes, you can touch it and does not get hot. Amount and pressure seem higher. Hot water availability is also instant. The looks and presence of the machine are superb. You do need significant amount of counter space, so plan on that and remember that is heavy! The instruction manual is horrible. In English or Spanish! My expectations for the cost of the equipment are way high and they were not met with the documentation. The best source for knowledge is the video available from WLL, thank you! I have the unit that does not connect to the water source and need to rely on the tank. So far so good. The tank has a pretty good size and requires refills not very often. Overall is a great unit and worth upgrading from the Silvia.
Less than 1 month
The consistency of coffee from one cup to the next
Coffee Lover
A better user manual and instructions
Rancilio Silvia
Rancilio Rocky
Rancilio Rocky
Rated 5 out of 5
I purchased my Expobar Lever in June 2011. I've had over a year and absolutely love it. I've had cheap expresso makers and a manual lever , La Pavonii. I used to fight with it to get a great shot. Now, providing the beans are good and my vario presicio is at the right grind, the shots are great. This machine is big, it's not a little La Pavoni, this thing weighs about 60 lbs! A beautiful machine that I rely on every morning. Thanks to the folks at WLL who guided me thru the decision making process and suggested the Baratza Vario precisio. They are a good pair, both solid and reliable.
Rated 5 out of 5
solid
Rated 5 out of 5
UPDATE from 10/10/05: Still rockin'@ two doubles a day, ready for 2d replacement brew head gasket--could not ask for a better machine.
Rated 5 out of 5
This is a 5 star machine! I was very happy with the Office Control we had before and I got 8 years of great brews out of it for very little maintenance. I expect to get at least as much service from the Lever as I did from the Control. PROS: 1. The Lever is heavier than the Control by about 15 lbs. There is a lot more Stainless Steel and heavier gage. 2. It does not have an expensive micro chip control panel to worry about replacing. 3. The drip tray is all commercial duty SS rather than plastic. It is easier to remove than the Control model. 4. It has pressure gage which the Control did not have. 5. It has a much longer and more accessible steam wand than the Control had. 6. The vibrator pump is quieter than the Control’s was, it must be mounted more robustly. 7. It looks great sitting on the counter. I believe it is much more “pro” looking than the Control is. 8. Last but not certainly not least, it consistently produces great shots with fantastic crema with our home roasted espresso blend beans. CONS: Yes nothing is perfect! And these may seem nit picking to some. 1. Filling the water reservoir on a machine of this caliber is a ridiculous design flaw. You must remove the top cover/cup warmer tray, which is quite simple. Then the manual (after translation) says remove the reservoir, fill it, replace it, and put the cover back on. I currently use a large funnel and leave the reservoir in the machine while I carefully refill it. I believe I will cut a hole in the top cover and find a SS plug/cap like the ones used on SS kitchen sinks, so I don’t have to remove the cups and cover to fill the tank. 2. Although the SS drip tray and grid cover is a huge improvement over the plastic tray and wire grid on the Office, I still was not satisfied with it. The Lever Plus comes with an adapter to install a drain in the drip tray with taller feet to allow clearance for drain. I didn’t like the idea of a local pond of scummy coffee water with old grounds floating around in it while I am bingeing on crema. So I did the same thing to it that I did with my Office drip tray. I purchased a ¼” John Guest type plastic right angle fitting and drilled a whole in the bottom of the tray. Twisted the pipe thread end of the fitting in the hole and sealed it with “GOOP”. I then ran a piece of ¼” clear tubing from the fitting to the adjacent sink. Now I remove it once a week and throw it in the dishwasher. Again, my wife and I are very pleased with this machine’s quality construction, appearance, and fantastic crema it produces. And I will say, Whole Latte Love’s Customer Service is the “crema” of the crop. JB Marker Soldotna Alaska
Rated 5 out of 5
Several months ago, my in-laws bought a super automatic Delonghi machine. I only imagined that I would have one someday. Well the time had come and they offered a birthday gift to me which could conceivably be added to my funds to buy a new super automatic machine. So the hunt started.. I looked at them all.. Saeco, Breville and of course the Delonghi. After reading all the information I could, I learned that they all are nice machines but their life span is approx 3 to 5 years. This was not good enough for me. I wanted better. Shane at WLL suggested that if I wanted a real machine with a commercial feel and longevity that I look at the Expobar Office Lever. All I can say is THANK YOU SHANE. I am the type of person that wanted ultimate control over my end product. All the super automatics do not give you that control. My wife thinks I have lost it but I can tell you that I am producing the best quality drink that can be achieved. All I need now it to learn and experience different coffee beans that will result in different flavors, textures etc. Howie Cohen Just Neon Sign Co. www.justneon.com Utica, NY
Rated 5 out of 5
Upgraded from the Rancilio Silvia. When the UPS guy delivered the Exobar Lever, he asked if it was a safe. The machine is a tank, and I mean that in the best sense. I was steered to this machine by the Wholelatte Love staff. I understand why. This is a no nonsense machine. Other reviews have said that it makes the Silvia seem like a toy, and I couldn't agree more, and I like the Silvia. The biggest advantage is the ability to steam whilst brewing. The shots are incredibly consistent as is the steaming. The Silvia was a little temperamental. I also purchased a bottomless portafilter. This is fun, but I understand better why there is a bottom. While the bottomless filter brews an amazing amount of crema, but it will somewhat spray the espresso, making a little more of a mess. That said it is probably worth the minor clean-up for visual aesthetic shot, not to mention the massive crema. Overall, I am very happy with the Exobar Lever.
Rated 5 out of 5
WOW...what a great machine, I upgraded from my Rancilio Silvia, which served me well for over seven years to the Expobar Officer Lever. Its like going from a cadillac to a mercedes. I noticed great control of steam, and all the steam you want. This machine will be great when entertaining and making multiple drinks, it also has a large water reservoir. One key difference other than pure performance and thruput, is you need to allow it to properly warm up. I give it thirty minutes. Whole Latte staff, Mark was particularly helpful.
Rated 5 out of 5
Got his machine almost a year ago, so time to write about it. What hasn't already been written about it already? For the price, you get a quality, almost bulletproof unit that can work more than a a shot or two before having to "rest", like my previous Francis Francis X1 machine. Like any machine using conventional grind, you absoultely have to get the gring right. Fortunately, Whole Latte Love sells the Mazzer Mini at a reasonable price oversees to my military APO address. Once you get the grind right, (and the tamp ^^) the machine does the rest on point time after time. The frothing really took me much adjusting as the method and wand is much different from my X1. I do not put much faith in operating instructions when it comes to detailed technique. Youtube and Whole Latte Love have quality vids that do a good job showing one how to use the machine in all ways. Once I got the technique of how to hold the wand, I got real consistant results, much better and no-miss over the X1. I could get a ton of creamy, fine bubble and micro when I need it time after time. I like a LOT of fine cream and this unit's wand does the job right. I can brew the shot and make the froth at the same time, which is good for making yourself a quick cappucino or several for guests. This machine never lets me down. Like the quality machines in this class with a large brewer, this unit takes time to warm up, but when it does, it does its duty without fail. I turn the unit on in the AM, then go shave & wash up or something and bam, it is ready for service. Having a good strong creamy cappucino on the way to work in the morning makes one heck of a difference in my quality of life. Who says you have to be grouchy in the AM?
Rated 5 out of 5
My advice: Get the machine! I've had it for about 7 months and it has performed magnificently. The espresso is consistently great. Some beans are better than others, but I've yet to pull a bad tasting espresso. It impresses the heck out of everyone who visits and I no longer go to coffee shops. I got the Rancilio Doserless Rocky grinder when I purchased the Expobar and it has been a good companion. The only learning curve I had with the Expobar was getting the grind setting right. If it's too course you don't get any crema and the flavor isn't the best. If the grind is too fine you won't be able to draw any out. The perfect grind (for me) is when it trickles out slowly. It starts out super dark, then halfway through the draw you get the crema. On the Rocky grinder I have it's between setting 5-6. Beans I've used: Peets, Starbucks, some independent roasters, and various Trader Joe's beans. Probably the most flavorful has been Peets purchased at the store, and Trader Joe's are the best value IMO (bang for the buck). As I said, it's almost impossible to make a bad espresso with this machine. The Expobar is useable about 15 minutes after turning on, but it's best to wait 30 minutes in order to have everything at optimal temperature. It does a great job warming up the cups you place on top if you give it that much time. The machine is big, took up a big chunk of our counter space, but it's such an important piece of machinery that my wife didn't complain after the first day. It earns every inch of space it takes up. And it's a great looking machine, kind of retro and shiny. Some things that I read in previous reviews -- the documentation is no good and the water tank is too small. I've found the water tank to be a big improvement from other cheaper machines I've had, so I don't share that complaint. I make about 2-4 espressos or cappuccinos per day and I have to fill it up every 3-4 days. As for documentation, I found it adequate. If you watch the videos on this website it'll show you the basic operation. I would consider these must haves to go with the Expobar: - Blind portafilter for cleaning the head. - A top notched grinder. - Down the road, a stainless steel spray treatment to keep the exterior polished and shiny. - Water filter. - Decent stainless steal milk frothing cup. Now, go ahead and click the Buy button. You won't regret it!
Rated 5 out of 5
After using two small cheap espresso machines for about 12 years, I decided to upgrade to the Office Lever and it was certainly a big change! There is a learning curve, but now that I've used it for about three weeks, I must say that it is delightful to use. I initially ordered a Rancillio Rocky Doserless grinder to go with it, however, it arrived damaged and I had to send it back. After looking over the Rocky, I also opted to change my grinder choice to a Baratza Vario and I feel that the Office Lever/Vario combination fits me very well - both in ease of use and build quality. Whole Latte Love deserves credit as well for their great service and I'm pleased to recommend them to anyone looking for a source for quality coffee products.
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
We love our Expobar Office Lever. We figure it's made at least 2,000 lattes since we got it 3 years ago and it still makes excellent espresso and steams milk like it was brand new. Wow, 2,000 lattes at about $5.00 per at Starbucks is $10,000 over 3 years! Yet I bet I've spent a little over $2,000 TOTAL in coffee at a 1# per week plus flavorings. That is a potential savings of $8,000 in daily lattes over 3 years! WOW! I guess the Expobar and the Rocky grinder have more than paid for themselves! The only casualty in 3 years has been at year 3, a broken rocker (on/off) switch which was an easy order from Whole Latte Love.
More than 1 year
The performance a reliability and price.
Do the cleaning as recommended.
Coffee Lover
Crema Roasters, Montana Coffee Traders
For the price nothing. But a bigger water tank if size of machine did not matter.
cone drip and French press.
Rocky Rancilio
Expobar Office Lever
Rated 3 out of 5
Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
This machine makes excellent espresso and we love the simplicity of the lever system - no buttons. However, I was surprised by some of the construction elements and especially by the ghetto water tank - it's just a plastic tank with no lid and a couple hoses stuck in it. Occasionally the hoses creep up and pull out of the tank. Some of the metal seams and edges on the machine aren't as clean / precise as you would expect from a $1200+ machine either.
1 - 6 months
Great espresso and really simple to use. Love the lever vs buttons.
Coffee Lover
Illy, Lighthouse
Water tank is pretty mediocre - it's a cheap plastic container that fits in the side of the unit. You cannot see it to keep track of water levels and sometimes the hoses creep up and fall out of the tank.
Saeco Super Automatics
Rancilio Rocky
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Connoisseur
I love this machine. Really really good functionally. Easy to take care of. Great to look at. Seamless, consistent, exquisite expresso. Really hot coffee. Nothing not to like. I was going to purchase the Brutus II redesign but the Office Lever meets all necessary criteria.
Less than 1 month
Quality of the expresso, and that it is hot.
Make sure the temp. of the water is passed the green bar. I live at 7000 feet and had to have a tech walk me through opening the machine and turn up the temperature. And the quality of the coffee used is equal to how good it tastes. Each machine I have had takes some experimenting to discover which coffee beans like.
Connoisseur
Jim's Organic's
Access to the water tank without pulling it out would be good. AND a stainless steel tank, a thin walled container. Makes no sense to me to use plastic. Plastic out gasses to food & water, and the fact that the water is warm to hotish in the container increases the out gasing. AND the instruction manual is silly. The extra pages done by the techs do work.
Baby Gaggia, Saeco Magic Comfort Plus
Rocky Ranchillo
doserless
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Connoisseur
The best machine I have owned and well worth the money. It has a few flaws but overall I love the machine.
1 - 6 months
Very robust, built like a tank. Beautiful looking machine, great shots, a cup warmer that really works, commercial brew group, hot water on demand, good steaming pressure (which can be used while making shots). Nice dry puck makes it easy for knocking the puck out after the shot.
Have a small funnel handy as you will need it to fill the water tank. A ping pong ball put in the water tank (as mentioned before by another poster) will make it easier to see how much water is left in the thank.
Connoisseur
Illy, various Lavattza coffees, Buzzopolis: but the the best have found is Datera Espresso home roastwith a drum roaster (Makes the thickest crema and best flavor). Closest to what I had in Italy.
Better access to the water tank and a way to tell how much water is in the tank without having to remove the top plate (which means you have to remove your cups from the warmer). Also it is easy to backflush and clean the brewgroup. Manual is lacking.
Rancillio Silvia, Saeco Classico, Francis Francis
Rancillio Rocky
Rancillio Rocky Doserless
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
6 - 12 months
Ability Level:
Connoisseur
I got this to get away from my single boiler machine and haven't looked back. The only down side is the 15 minute warm up in the morning, so when the alarm goes off I get up turn it on and go back to bed until the next alarm, works for me. I can steam milk for 3 large latte's in about 3-4 minutes. Pulls get shots. Easy to back flush and clean
6 - 12 months
all around ease of use
get a good grinder
Connoisseur
LaVazza, Peets
something to damp the vibration on the machine, shot glasses and pitcher will sometimes walk off
Gaggia
burr
Mazzer Mini
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
5 years later...This machine is still getting daily use and still humming along. Had to replace the gaskets that the portafilter presses up against a couple times in 5 years, but this is normal wear and tear and no big deal. The pump motor went out at year three--found a sight that has every single part for Expobar and it is all point and click on hypertext blown schematics of the machine. Replacing the pump was really pretty easy. So this thing is a tank and is what I was looking for: simple, serviceable, bullet proof. The pump and the solenoid that is actuated by the lever are the most electronic this puppy gets--so you aren't going to wake up one day and find a fried circuit board keeping you from latte... And there is something relaxing about the ritual of making coffee in the morning. This machine is awesome and it looks great in the kitchen. Your other appliances will whither beside it.
More than 1 year
Tough as nails. Great shot of expresso. My kids will own it one day...and I'm only 39!
Clean it regularly. Backflush often. But you should do this with any machine you own... BUY IT. You want it-and with the dollar's long term slide it isn't going to get cheaper. It is now $400 more than I spent on it 5 years ago. Most of that is currency weakness. Even at this price, if you run the numbers (you know the numbers: how much $ do you spend at coffee shops? No, really...) you will probably breakeven in less than a year.
Coffee Lover
Intelligentsia
Would I still like a larger water tank? Yes. Would I want it hooked up to the water line? Yes, but then I am sure my boiler's life would be dramatically shortened as our water in central Indiana is basically hard a a rock. Limestone to be specific...
Gaggia
Dunno, it's a burr grind with 30 different grind settings and is a doser. Keep waiting for it to break but it just keeps going...
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Ability Level:
Connoisseur
Almost two years after first firing up our Lever, we've been enjoying great espresso on a daily basis. It's best to give this machine a full 30 minutes to really warm up, so I've used an appliance timer to kick it on an hour before we get up in the morning. I've let it run for a couple of days straight, but if it's been on and you have not drawn a shot for several hours, then run & flush the group head until the temp stabilizes a bit. Steaming is great, and hot water on demand is great for Americano pours. As will all prosumer machines, steaming milk and getting professional results will take some practice. I keep milk pitchers in the freezer and start with cold milk...great results after a reasonable learning curve. You'll need to dial in each bean blend on your grinder to get the best 23-25 second two ounce shots. The Lever provides consistent set up, group head temp, and so once you get the grind right, you're good to go. It backflushes easily and regular cleaning is a snap. Easy to change the water softener cartridge, too. Take good care of your tools and they will return the favor with savor.
More than 1 year
It's got a nice, reasonable 'heft' & presence. It's a real machine. Good design, solid build, easy to clean and keep in top fettle. It's shiny. Ever used a cheap table saw? Ever used a massive, cast iron, old-school shop table saw? Which one inspired confidence and gave consistent results? Exactly. This is old school machine stuff. But shiny. Did I already say this thing is shiny?
Get a good grinder. Backflush and clean the group head regularly. Change the water softener cartridge depending on the hardness of the water you put in the tank. Remove the water tank and clean it from time to time. Use the machine regularly. Buy fair trade organic and locally roasted coffees....find the blends you like and dial them in on your grinder. Enjoy.
Connoisseur
Locally roasted whole bean blends & Peets.
Temp gauge for water delivery. Access to water supply w/o having to lift off the warming tray. The manual, um, yeah...not the best. But you can get great help directly from WLL customer service.
Gaggia Coffee Classic
Burr
Rancilio Rocky
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
Yesterday, I was finally able to un-box my new Lever after saving six months to purchase the machine. (My wife is an accountant and she made sure I could purchase it with cash.) So, needless to say, I have had a lot of anticipation, and certainly built up a lot of expectations about owning this machine...I was not let down! Since owning Silvia for over 4 years, I have looked at the heat exchanger models and E61 brew group machines with curiosity. I was initially interested in purchasing the Expobar Control, with the programmable buttons. I changed my mind to go with the true E61 machine after reading more about stopping the pull manually regardless of fluid amounts and not try to get wrapped up in the perfect extraction within a specific set amount of water. The E61 brew group with all of its mass, appeared to be the way to go and maintain temperature stability. After unpacking the machine (which was nicely double-boxed by WLL), it is immediately apparent that the brass in this thing means business. It is true that I chose this machine based on price for a true E61, but also on the Expobar's reputation within the internet threads. Taking an objective look at the machine, the fit and finish of the Lever is beautiful. There is nothing that is a compromise on the machine for costs sake that should affect a regular home user for many years of use. The Stainless housing has a nice finish and should hold up well, but not as heavy a gauge as compared to the mass of the brew group. So what, it does not detract from the quality of the parts. Turning the machine on, I was surprised at the temperature of the portafilter at 10 minutes. Sure the Red light had gone of for the heater, but the portafilter and grouphead were barely warm. At 20 minutes, things started heating. But really, the machine needs a full 30 minutes to warm up. I think this may be one of its best attributes though; the fact the mass and density of the materials in the brew group are so significant, this will really pay-off in the long run with temperature stability over time. I was surprised by the hot water from the hot water dispenser just how hot it was, as compared to pulling water from the boiler in Silvia. However, it does dramatically affect the bar-pressure when you’ve pulled 6-8oz of water. On the other hand, once the machine is already nice and warm, the recovery time is quick. I was surprised by the steam pressure, or the lack thereof. On the Silvia, I had learned just how to surf the temperature up to get some really great steam pressure. However, it was always inconsistent and I think this is where the Lever has an advantage over Silvia. The steam seems to be always consistently the same or close to the same pressure, regardless of the bar gauge pressure of 1-1.5bar. I think over time, this will help me become better at steaming milk because of the predictability. I am wearily going to leave the machine on all the time. The amount of time it takes to get to a true operating temperature almost demands it. I had left my Silvia on almost non-stop for the several years I owned it, until the boiler ran dry because of my own mistake. The fact this machine has protection against that and other safety features are good selling points. Putting the machine on a timer and dealing with vapor-lock does not sound like fun. After consulting the threads and advice, there is controversy both ways of leaving the E61s on all the time, so I will be cautious and watch it closely to see how it does, knowing that I will be using it day and night. So, my first impressions are that I am impressed. It was well worth the wait and I look forward to years of happy brewing!
Less than 1 month
The mass of the brewgroup and temperature stability of the E61. The price to performance value.
see above
Coffee Lover
Typically roasted @ home with a 'Fresh Roast Plus' or a local roaster, Strawhouse
The housing could have a heavier guage steel. More steam pressure?
Rancillio Silvia, Kr*&!ps
Burr
Rancillio Rocky for espresso, Solis Maestro for french press
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
Fabulous machine that will take your passion to a higher level. The quality is stunning and even though the instruction manual is poor, the machine is so simple and intuitive you can be pulling near perfect shots almost immediately. It takes about 8-10 minutes for the machine to get to proper temperature and pressure which is fine as I typically spend that time grinding my beans. The steaming wand is excellent and I've had good success making consistent and velvety froths.
Less than 1 month
The quality and simplicity. It is also very easy to backflush and clean.
Milk residue on the steam wand cleans off very easily with Windex.
Coffee Lover
Cafe Le Semeuse, WLL Buzzopolis
As others have stated, it's a bit awkward to fill the water reservoir but it's a real small complaint.
Krups
Burr
Rancilo Rocky
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
Simply amazing! Extremely well made and beautifully designed. I burned through a pound of coffee experimenting with my new grinder before getting the grind just right and pulling the most amazing double shot. Tasted just like the espresso I had while in Italy last summer. The Office Lever and Mazzer mini have taken over my kitchen, both are bigger than I expected. I guess I now have an excuse to buy a bigger house:) I highly recommend this combination of machines to anyone.
Less than 1 month
The amazing shots of espresso
Coffee Lover
illy
a side fill for the water tank so you could leave the machine under a kitchen counter. A better user guide.
none
Burr
Mazzer Mini
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Beginner
I recently bought a Epobar Lever from WHOLELATTALOVE.COM and I have to let everyone know that this machine is Incredible and the whole transaction with the employes from wll are second to none,top notch machine and service as well. Mike from the Ebay sales team was the the main person that took care of my request for a refurbished expobar lever,and when I received it and opened the package I was so suprised to see a refurbished machine look so new,not even a scratch and still had the protecting film on all the stainless steal body. When I set it up and made some shots and lattes I knew I made the right choice for the price and built quality the is now one that can touch this. Item was as near to new condition as you get get for refurbished and with tax and shipping included at a price of $760.00 with 6 month parts and labor,you cant find a bargain like this anywhere. Gary the main man at WLL is responsible for having put together a outstanding team. Keep up the good work ,and I will be recomending WLL for a great place to get quality machines as well as great customer support. Thanks you very much, WHOLELATTELOVE.COM
Less than 1 month
EVERYTHING !!!!!
Find the right grinder ,and the right grind size.
Beginner
All types...
I Really wouldent know its spectacular.....
Starbucks baristia,Gaggia espresso
Bunn Comercial,Kitchenaid pro series.
bunn commercial,kitchenaid pro burr.
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Professional
The Expobar lever is cool looking, yes. More importantly, in the hands of a capable driver, this machine puts out coffee as good as any. I have zero regrets. This machine sits in the office, but I'm thinking of getting one for the house too..and retiring the La Pavoni Professional.
Less than 1 month
Professional
Stumptown Hairbender and Cup-a-Joe Espresso
La Pav Euro, LaPav Prof, Francis Francis, Various Mokkas, Various Professional cafe machines
Salter hand grinder...for about 15 years....but I've bought a Mazzer Mini Polished...and OMG!
Mazzer Mini P
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
6 - 12 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
Purchased because it was the least expensive machine I could find with the E61 brew group. Easy, short learning curve. Back flush cleaning is simple and effective. Makes me wonder what the extra dials and meters on the Isobar Brewtus really add. Any bad pours I make are due to too fine a grind after changing coffees; overloaded portafilter; over tamping a new coffee after a change, in other words, an easily identified mistake I made.
6 - 12 months
Constent performance and build quality. Zero defects found after 1 year of use.
Buy it! Use it! It's that simple.
Coffee Lover
Various, but more Indian Malabar and a true moka from Yemen
Access to water resevoir is cumbersome, especially since the warming tray does work, so I do keep the tray loaded. Perhaps a pull out slot on the side to a permanent resevoir.
Saeco Classic
burr
Mazzer Mini
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
I've only had this for a few days now, but the quality is excellent. Short learning curve. First-rate pulls after not too much trial and error. Good froth on demand. E61 for under one grand.
Less than 1 month
Just about verything. Seriously.
Don't do test shots later than 5pm if you plan on sleeping much.
Coffee Lover
many kinds
Nothing really. Maybe make the water tank easier to fill. But this is a minor gripe. Not really sure about the water treatment filter sand stuff and how inconvenient it will be yet.
Silvia, various el-cheapos, mokas, etc.
Burr
Rocky sans
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
I am very happy that I bought the Expobar Office Lever as my first good espresso machine. I had previously owned a Krups steam powered espresso "machine". With that toy machine, I could never make espresso as good as Starbucks. If you are interested in a semi-automatic machine, where a good espresso shot is a matter of some skill and practice, rather than luck, then this is the machine for you. This is one of the cheapest machines with a true E61 Brew group. It is very similar in specs to the ECM Giotto which costs about $600 more!
More than 1 year
The true E61 brew group & large boiler takes the guess work out of making good espresso.
Use distilled water!! This machine looks like it could last a lifetime with proper care. Use fresh coffee!! I don't drink enough to go through a 1lb bag in a week, so I started roasting at home with a popcorn maker. Use a good tamper! I got an Espro tamper, which quietly clicks when you hit 30lbs. It beats having a scale out on the counter.
Coffee Lover
Home Roasted Green Coffees bought online and roasted in small quantities with a cheap popcorn popper.
It would be nice to have a brew pressure gauge. If you really need more than this machine, get the Expobar Brewtus II Redesign which is one of the cheapest machines with dual boilers and PID temperature control.
Horrible Krups Steam Espresso machine for about $75.
Burr
Rancilio Rocky Doserless
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
When you are ready to move up from your Silvia, this is a great next step. The Expobar Office Lever is as easy as the Silvia and produces better espresso and has much better steaming capability. Lots of microbubble froth is no problem and there is no waiting as the steam is always ready once the machine is warmed up. Only negative is that the hot water and group head seem overheated at first. This is easily remedied by running some water through the group head prior to pulling your first shot of the session.
Less than 1 month
Having steam and hot water available simultaneously is nice and the construction is solid.
If your machine has been warming up for more than 20 minutes (like in the morning while I'm in the shower), when you move the lever up to deliver hot water a lot of steam comes out at first. Run this for a few seconds until the steam output diminishes then pull the shot.
Coffee Lover
many different ones
I am not positive about the overheated group head but a thermometer for showing the water temperature at point of delivery would be a nice addition.
Gaggia Coffee, Rancilio Silvia
Burr
Rancilio Rocky
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Connoisseur
I have loved this machine since the day I got it. The Expobar works like a charm, I even bought the machine used on eBay and it was still wonderful. The boiler capacity and return to pressure is excellent. It is a very hearty machine,one that will last me for years to come...or until I can afford an Elektra. Spain has generations of metal workers and craftsmen within its borders and this machine is a testament to that.
1 - 6 months
Heavy gauge metal, boiler capacity, and sustained pressure capability
Make sure you have the room in your kitchen. Just because your not buying a Brewtus II doesn't mean you'll be saving space. This machine is just about as big as the Brewtus II. Also, make sure you have a husband/wife that will permit you to take up the counter top space.
Connoisseur
Ecco Cafe, Counter Culture Coffee
The fit on the lever is a little wobbly but still good
Vice Versa (Francis Francis/ Ascaso copy)
Burr
Mazzer Mini
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
Built like a tank, produces exquisite espresso, looks terrific, not that steep of a learning curve to get great results, steam wand works perfectly.
Less than 1 month
The polished stainless and chrome metal construction, the heat exchange system that allows brewing and steaming at the same time.
Use a funnel to fill reservoir. After machine is up to temperature pull a few ounces of a blank shot to slightly cool down the group head before brewing. The water will spit out for a few seconds and then calm down, after which it is ready to go.
Coffee Lover
Lavazza
Instruction manual needs improvement.
Saeco, Comfort +, Jura Capresso F7, Lavazza Espresso Point, Francis-Francis X5
Burr
Rancilio Rocky
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
6 - 12 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
After eight months of using this machine, I still can't wait to use it each morning. It is truly a wonderful machine. It's beautiful and makes perfect espresso. Simply: it's fun to make espresso with this machine.
6 - 12 months
It works perfectly and looks great.
Use distilled water.
Coffee Lover
Blue Bottle Hayes Valley is our favorite (available online).
I would have to get very very picky to find fault; that might be misleading in this review. Though the instructions are so bad and limited that they're funny. Actually, they're so bad that you're slightly better off if they forget to pack them in your shipment. Fortunately they're not really needed. I guess one of us should send Expobar our version of their instructions.
Francis Francis X1
burr
Pasquini Moka (very nice)
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Ability Level:
Beginner
exceptional. highly recommended. looks amazing. i can't believe the cheap plastic stuff on the market for 2k these days.
More than 1 year
looks amazing, works great.
Beginner
blue bottle san francisco
cleaning easier?
francis x1
burr
solis
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Beginner
I started years ago with a little Krups ESP which wasn't fabulous but quick and easy. I finally decided to go with a better machine and had used a super automatic in Italy one year so I thought I would try the Jura which was quite serviceable and made decent, not great, cafe & froth. That died after a few years and I went to the Gaggia Titanium. Similar story until that died two weeks ago. I suppose I could have sent the Gaggia back to WLL for repair but I live in Hawaii and by the time you spend $190 for shipping and it dies again soon, it didn't seem worth it. Honestly, though, it just wasn't making great espresso. Both super automatics were o.k. and made great crema but I wanted better than o.k. I started doing some research. I talked to a couple of friends about their machines. both had professional machines - a La Marzocca and a Saeco. Each cost more than $3,000. I figured were I to spend that much, I'd just get on a plane for Italy. I really did not want to spend much more than a grand. I read reviews at a variety of sources from WLL to Coffee Geek. Value for money, Expobar came in very high. I was about ready to go for the Pulsar and then compared it with the Lever and my mind was made up. The Lever has the E61 group head and just look at it. The only plastic parts were the knobs. I ordered it and practically had to winch it out of the box, it was that heave. Surprisingly, so was the grinder. Since I really had only used super automatics regularly and my next door neighbor's Francis occasionally, there was a bit of a learning curve. Within a week, however, I was turning out fabulous coffee with thick rich crema. I did have a difficult time learning how to froth with the single hole steam tip but again, after about a week and reading how to's on WLL site and CoffeeGeek, I've gotten to the point where I can practically stand a spoon up in the pitcher. I love this machine. It looks gorgeous. It is actually easier to clean than the Gaggia. Yes, that is true. Both the coffee and the foam are far superior to the super automatics and better than any Starbucks I've gone to. I am such a happy camper. I had 10 of my dinner guests want coffee last Saturday night and I just churned out cup after cup without pause and every cup was great. Two of them took WLLs web address with them!
Less than 1 month
Quality. Dependability. Looks. Quality. Looks. Capabilities.
sTo get the best crema, I had to really bring the grind down. I had the Rocky set at 10 but it makes better crema at 7. Just don't be intimidated. Get some extra coffee (you don't have to drink every shot while you practice.) Work on tamping. That took me the better part of a week. I used 2% milk for latte and cappucino because it is easier but I think I'm going to try again with whole milk as there can't be that much fat in the little I use on coffee and I think it tasts better. Just buy it and have fun!
Beginner
Lavazza Pienaroma, various dark roasts from local roasters
A cup rail for the top so it would be easier to refill the water by just picking up all the cups at once, then wresting the top off. An external fill would be wonderful. I don't know what else you would do but the cheesy plastic water resevoir could be improved. The instructions booklet is laughable. Had it not been for the illustrations, the text could have been for any machine in the world. I learned more about cleaning and backflushing from the WLL page than I did from the manual.
Irups ESP, Francis X5, Jura S90, Gaggia Titanium.
Rancilio Rocky
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Connoisseur
I finally received my Expobar Lever machine after waiting nearly ten days for it to arrive. The wait was nearly intolerable. I have owned a Gaggia for twenty-three years and have made decent drinks with it, but I have always been limited by the quality of the grinder I used. Since becoming aware of Wholelattelove.com I have improved the quality of my product, likely to the upper limits of the equipment. Being in the Seattle area where lattes are not just a art form but a sort of religion I am a well suited to write about my new machine. The two boxes arrived at the end of a long day. The first contained the Mazzer Mini grinder. It was incredible, certainly worth every penny of the price. It is solid and beautiful in design and barely louder than my dishwasher. I have experimented with it and with a little help from my friends at Wholelattelove have found the perfect setting for making perfect espresso. The Office Lever took about 15 minutes to extract from its double boxes. My two Labradors crowded into the kitchen to watch the process. It is, fortunately, a large area. The first impression I had as I began digging in the box was of its size. It is a big machine, about half again as large as the Gaggia and more than twice its weight. It came with a coating of rubberized plastic adhering to all of the stainless steel. This was simple to remove and left a beautifully polished surface to admire. The chrome plated brass fittings of the brew group are, of course, the main attraction. They are exquisite. After hefting the machine onto my counter I plugged it in and stood staring at it completely intimidated by its size and apparent complexity. After a few minutes I gained the courage to remove the top, extract the water reservoir and fill it. When it was in place I turned on the machine and heard the pump begin. it was a solid sound which went on and on as the pump primed itself and began sucking water from the reservoir. Suddenly, there was a growing puddle of water spreading across my counter. I turned off the machine and rapidly grabbed paper towels and began soaking it up. It was too late in the day to call, after Nine Eastern time, so I left everything shut down determined to call tech support first thing in the morning. After a restless night I called in while driving to work. The bright and cheery voice at the other end of the phone was both reassuring and competent. This was not a major problem, likely just a fitting that had loosened in transit. I accepted that diagnosis and went through my day at work in a semi-zombified condition from lack of sleep and the overwhelming desire to get home and fix my machine. Ever present in my mind was the fear that I would have to box up that thing and return it, a terrifying thought. When I got home I followed the simple instructions. There are five Phillips screws that hold the outer shell on to the machine. When I removed them and lifted the shell off I was amazed at the weight of it. It is a solid piece of steel weighing more than 10 pounds by my estimation. The interior of the machine was not significantly different than the Gaggia's interior, larger, but essentially the same parts. One big difference was there is much easier access to the interior than in the Gaggia. The fitting at the top of the brew group was loose and the there was some water on it. I tightened it and turned the machine back on. I was greeted by a powerful spray coming from a small high pressure hose near the base of the machine. I turned off the power immediately and discovered a cut in the hose. I called tech support once again, and once again I was greeted by a cheery, pleasant, young voice. This time we discussed the problem. She assured me that it was easily remedied. She would send me a replacement part which was easy to install. I asked if it was reasonable to simply uninstall the present one, cut off the damaged part and replace it in the machine. She agreed that that could be done, gave me some tips on how to prepare the new end of the hose so that it would form a proper seal (a very simple procedure), and assured me that she would send the replacement anyway. I proceeded as instructed and found the job very easy to do. After I reinstalled the hose I started the machine and found it worked perfectly. That was very reassuring because I had become very comfortable with the interior spaces of my Gaggia over the years and preferred to make my own repairs when they became necessary. Part of the intimidating quality of this machine was the great unknown of its interior spaces. it is, in fact, much easier to access and work on than the Gaggia ever was. This is a beautifully designed piece of equipment. That was Tuesday night. It is now Friday morning and I finally have the time to experiment with the Office Lever and make my first espresso. First I needed to find the right grind. It took about five settings to find the perfect cut, but the Expobar is so easy to use that making and dumping experimental shots was sinfully easy. The last experiment produced a beautiful 2.5 oz. stream of crema in 24 seconds. I was almost not ready for with milk. I did not expect such a perfect shot. Steaming was absurdly easy, although I am used to having the steamer on the other side of the machine. That felt a touch awkward, but it was so much faster than the Gaggia that it mattered not at all. Cleaning off the surfaces of the brew group and steamer were simple. The resulting latte was as good as any I have ever made and a whole lot better than the vast majority. I finished it and made another. This time I set the grind slightly finer and got an even better shot, smooth and creamy and rich without a touch of bitterness. The resulting latte was the best I have ever had. However, four shots of espresso in less than a half hour has set my brain spinning. I will wait an hour or so before I brew another. I spent a lot money on this outfit. I am completely satisfied that it was money well spent. The Office Lever is a wonderful machine which makes the process so simple that it almost criminal. I feel guilty making lattes so easily after years of struggling with lesser equipment. Aesthetically, it is magnificent, a show piece. The Mazzer Mini is, like the Lever, worth every penny. It is all that was promised. What makes these machines even better is the people who back them up. From the salesperson who originally walked me through the process of choosing a new machine to the tech support people who have helped me get everything up and running Wholelattelove made the experience what it should be, a pleasure. Espresso is about pleasure, about enhancing your life, making it more. The experience of buying and using a fine espresso machine should be one that is filled with enjoyment, not anxiety or concern. The people and the machine have accomplished that mission. I could not be happier. I have not compromised in choosing what I wanted and there has been no disappointment in the experience. I have no doubt that should there be the need for technical support in the future that the Wholelattelove team will be there to assist and insure that my experience continues to be all that I had hoped for and more.
Less than 1 month
Connoisseur
San Francisco Bay Gourmet Coffee
Gaggia Classic
Mazzer Mini
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
Not only does this machine look nice, it performs awesome and is bomb proof. I bought it 2 1/2 years ago and it is still running great. I use it every day and could not be happier with the machine and Whole latte love's service department. With how much I use it there have been very minor things that I have needed to do such as tighten the connections on the steam wand. I was patient,for once, and took the time to read the golden rules and practiced making drinks and it really paid off. I highly recomend the office lever to everyone!
More than 1 year
The ease of use and durability. And looks.
The resevoir was not big enough for me so I found a plastic dry cereal container at a store and modified it to fit. I just had to cut the top off of it. It now holds close to twice the amount of water and lasts about 7 days making 2 drinks a day.
Coffee Lover
Trader Joe's 5 country espresso blend
The instruction booklet could be a ton better. But anytime I had a question about the machine the service department has been a huge help. The resevoir was too small so I modified it.
None
Burr
Pasquini mocha
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Beginner
After anxiously waiting for about a week, my Office Lever and Mazzer Mini arrived. The Expobar Office Lever in appearance is a sculpture. It is so beutiful. The quality is incredible. The materials and craftmanship are superior to other machines that I was looking at. One great feature of this machine is the ability to froth and pull a shot at the same time. This machine has plenty pressure. It makes great micro bubbles when frothing. The shots are consistent. I am so glad that I am able to consistently make better drinks than Starbucks and other local coffee shops. The Office Lever is very easy to use. All you have to do is pull the lever up to turn on the pump, to start pulling shots. It takes 25 seconds to pull 2 2.5oz shots. To stop the pump, all you have to do is pull the lever down. It is that easy! Cleaning the Office Lever by backflushing is a piece of cake.
Less than 1 month
Consistentcy, quality, appearence, and simplicity of use.
Read "The Golden Rule" for brewing espresso. Getting the grind and shot time down is critical. It took me one hour to get it perfect. Read all other related articles from WLL. Buy This Machine! Do not even look at the instructions that come from Expobar. The translation is poor. Just read the supplement instruction from WLL and you will be fine.
Beginner
Illy and Starbucks Espresso Roast
Maybe a direct water line for the water resovior. Even if this was available, I would continue to fill with spring water.
Krups
Mazzer Mini P (small hopper and polished finish). This is by far the best grinder.
This is a review for the Expobar Office Lever
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Ability Level:
Connoisseur
This was a significant purchase for me but after 1 year I feel it was well worth it.
More than 1 year
Very easy to use and I've definitely become better skilled at the craft. Once you dial in the frother the world is a much better place. Being able to froth and brew simultaneously is such an improvement over my last machine.
Keep it close to the sink if you are okay with tap water. I can refill the reservoir easily with the hose from the sink. Because of the size of the reservoir refilling happens every couple of days, more if you are good about cleaning the machine.
Connoisseur
Illy Medium Roast
The hot water dispenser is too powerful (for me). VERY HOT WATER comes out, fast and steamy. Violent and splashing.
Capresso Ultima
Burr
Solis Maestro Plus
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
Yhe best way to describe the quality of the coffee this machines provides is my wife has not asked how much the machine cost. She has exprsso in Europe and NYC and wanted the same quality and taste at home. She now has that and I agree with her.
Less than 1 month
Quality of coffee, ease of use, steaming.
If you choose this machine and I would again get a funnel for ease of filling.
Coffee Lover
Expresso Dark Roast from local supplier
Adding water is more difficult that it should be. If the machine is in heavy use as it is on weekends you're filling the container a couple of times a day. The documentation is terrible. The helpful staff at Whole Love are great!
Low end machines and one semi auto which I hated and returned
Krups & Store ground
Krups
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Connoisseur
Excellent machine, outdoes all others from much higher price range
Less than 1 month
Efficiency is terrific! Makes perfect foamed milk in no time at all, and perfect espresso without waiting between frothing and pulling a shot.
Connoisseur
various
Water container could be more accessible and have a gauge. If I forget to check the level the machine stops until I refil the water.
Saeco, Starbucks, Capresso, Nespresso
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
6 - 12 months
Ability Level:
Connoisseur
i LOVE this machine. A true form-follows-function design. There is little plastic, and most everything is chrome or steel. The 3 way valve with the lever a simple elegant design. This machine was the best price for all the machines that were similar in features (like the ECM Giotto, etc). The looks are a little more pedestrian that some of the others, but as I said earlier, it's more of a form-follows-function design. Beautiful, but not frilly. You can pull God-shots with this machine with practice.
6 - 12 months
Love the looks, love the simple design. The steam is super powerful and the hot water is especially nice. It is a strong flow like a true water tap. Great for making americanos or tea.
Get a decent grinder. Get a decent tamper. If you are a beginner, a tamper like the ESPRO (has a 30lbs tourque limit built in) is a great investment.
Connoisseur
All Types
The fit of the drain cover and the top lid could be a nicer fit.
Gaggia Titanium, Francais Francias, Saecco
Mazzer Mini
Mazzer Mini
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
6 - 12 months
Ability Level:
Connoisseur
This is a high quality machine that produces consistent results. It is easy to use and clean. The coffee is outstanding. It is an excellent value compared to other machines in its catagory.
6 - 12 months
Great coffee.
Backflush as recommended about once per week (or more often if it gets heavy use). Get a group brush to help with cleaning. Pair with a high quality grinder (I suggest the Mazzer mini. The solis grinder was acceptable, but the Mazzer produces better results).
Connoisseur
I roast my own
It is a bit loud.
krups
Mazzer mini, previously used solis maestro
mazzer mini
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Connoisseur
This is a great machine, simple to use and makes a perfect expresso at half the price of a Pasquini
Less than 1 month
Everything
Buy the machine
Connoisseur
Fairway Havanna Espresso
The manual could be more informative
Paquini Livia
Mokia
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
First, never touch the brew group..it will burn you! The machine works just fine, and makes great espresso and steamed milk, but the fit of the drip tray and top cover is poor. Here are a few of my tips.. Place a orange ping pong ball in the reservoir to help see the water level when filling. I use Bodum canteen glasses and make the frothed milk right in the glass without using a pitcher. The small Bodum cup is just right for the espresso shot, and it does not get hot to the touch. I added chrome cabinet knobs to the top cover to make it easy to remove and replace. I do steaming and pull a shot at the same time, so I can make a latte in about 45 seconds.. I tried at least 6 preground coffees, but in the end, I got a Pasquini K2 doserless grinder ($$$), and now my shots are perfect. Cafiza cleaner works well for me and is easy to use.
1 - 6 months
consistently good coffee
Coffee Lover
Malabar Gold, Kili Gold
A larger reservoir and easier way to fill it. Fit of drip pan and top cover can be made much better
Starbucks Barista
burr
Pasquini K2 doserless
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
Built to outlive us all, the Spanish have engineered this machine to be solid, dependable and user-friendly. As a semi-automatic, you have as much control over what it does as you wish. The stainless cleans easily and looks great. The commercial brew group and portafilter insures a snug fit and is easily cleaned. A perfect union of form and function!
More than 1 year
Consistent shots, easy to clean,
Pulling 2-4 doubles a day, I find backflushing every 10 days works well (besides, it's easier for me to remember a cleaning interval of 10/20/30)
Coffee Lover
Starbucks House Blend
Retrofit with larger capacity water reservoir (as available on the Brewtus) and replace the computer that translated the instruction manual with Shakespeare's 101 monkeys
Mr. Coffee Espresso
Rancilio Doserless Rocky
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Connoisseur
In short, the machine has functioned flawlessly, it produces the best coffee I’ve ever had, and makes the Gaggia Synchrony Digital I was using before seem like a bad dream (not really, but I feel ashamed that I compromised both my integrity and taste buds for a super-automatic, push-button, lazy-man’s version of espresso). The extra work is well worth it. I have found myself inventing excuses to leave the office a few minutes early in order to get that afternoon cup filled sooner. As you’ve undoubtedly gathered by the other reviews, the instructions are laughable (“…you should lift up the lever until its maximum, in order to let the coffee comes in a continuous way” and “Open up a little the steamer knob in order to leave the water of condensation”), but very few things about the machine are not intuitive, so toss the instruction book and figure it out.
1 - 6 months
Ease of use, consistancy, and it looks great.
Use a high-quality burr grinder (there's no substitute), keep the machine scrupulously clean and let it warm up at least 20-25 minutes. I have my machine plugged into a small Intermatic timer (Model #DT-17, about $20) that fits in a wall socket and is set to come on about a ½ hour before I wake up in the morning, turns itself off before I go, back on about a ½ hour before I come home at night, then off automatically a couple of hours later, it has up to 14 on/off settings for the week and it’s never failed me. As far as the suggestion on this website to remove the interior reservoir to refill, this can be tricky (or impossible) to do if you have your machine halfway under a kitchen cabinet as I do. I have been filling mine using a funnel that I hold sort of diagonally over the reservoir and carefully watch so that no overflow occurs - it works very well. The water tank feeds the boiler by a rather long plastic tube that hangs down into the reservoir. Hypothetically speaking, if one thought that the internal reservoir was too small, a hole could be drilled into the left/rear of the unit (with the cord unplugged and the reservoir removed), the tube threaded through the hole and a larger exterior reservoir could be used. The only problem with this would be that the interior water-level sensor would be defeated and if one didn’t watch the exterior reservoir, a dry boiler might result.
Connoisseur
Sweet Maria's Yirgacheffe Grade Two, Puro Scuro Blend, Liquid Amber, Classic Italian Espresso Blend, Puerto Rico AA 19+ Yauco Selecto - all home roasted. Maria rocks! (Tom too)
A couple of minor quibbles: The drip tray doesn’t slide into place very easily after emptying. It has to be rather carefully balanced on metal edges with not a lot of room for error – if it’s a 32nd of an inch off, one side falls down. It would be nice to see some sort of simple, formed channel for the tray to slide into. Also, there are a few sharp edges here and there, but none too bad. A water level gauge would be nice.
Gaggia Synchony Digital
Burr Type
Rancilio Rocky w/doser (but I should have got it without).
Rated 4 out of 5
Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
The Expobar Lever is really easy to use...after you learn how.
1 - 6 months
Makes great coffee and is very quick to froth and brew (after it's warmed up)
When you even think you want a cup...turn the machine on. We normally get up and turn on the machine...then get dressed and by the time we are finished it's ready to brew!
Coffee Lover
St Louis Coffee Roasters - St Louis Blend
The instruction manual and the amount of time it takes to get up to brew temp/pressure
Capresso
Burr
Pasquini Moka
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Connoisseur
I am a true espresso deva. I have always wanted a machine that creates the perfect espresso shot, I now have it in this Expobar Lever Machine. My husband and I are thrilled with this machine and have already forgotton how much it cost us, that is how happy we are! I am sitting here right now enjoying a perfect latte, I see the dark crema with a frothing of milk right in the very center. Let me taste it, OOOHHHH, YUMMY! and HOT just like a real latte from the espresso stand. MMMMM, that rich espresso flavor is surrounding my tonge and taste buds as I type this. I am on my third one this morning! Cannot quit, I am an Expobar Addict now. I have never been more happy with a purchase, I originally wanted the Rancilio S24, but at 1800.00 I was unsure. The lovely person at WLL suggested the Expobar and after answering numberous email questions for me, I decided on the beautiful Expobar lever. What a gorgeous machine, I have a espresso counter with all of my accessories, sprinkles and syrups, it looks very impressive.! And built like a chrome tank. I am in true espresso nirvana!
Less than 1 month
Everything! The water is super hot, the frother is perfect and it creates wonderful crema! I feel that I can make a better espresso than Starbucks now. Serious.!
Spend some time getting the correct grind down. Like with any machine, the grind needs to be perfect to get that golden stream of espresso into the shot glass. A burr grinder is a must for this machine.
Connoisseur
Tonys' Coffee, Bellingham WA
The only things that could be improved is that the water tank could be larger, and there should be a gauge to show the water level. And there should be a clip holding down the plastic water tube so it does not float out of the water in the tank.
Krups and Solis
Burr- Must have a Burr type of Grinder.
Solis Maestro Plus- Love it!
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Beginner
Absolutely love this machine.
Less than 1 month
This is a very solid unit and just feels like a finely tuned machine. I like the lever feature because it gives me the impression that I actually have something to do with the quality of the espresso (only an illusion). I am also very impressed with the frother. I was a bit skeptical about the single hole tip but in fact it rules.
The water reservoir is small. I've found that if you let the reservoir go completely empty the machine pumps air for awhile after you've refilled it. I try to fill it before it goes empty and I do it with enough force to make sure the oldest water is mixed well with the new. But the reservoir is so small that there is a pretty constant recycling of water. Try to ease your 6 month old son into the loud sound of the machine when first turned on. Mine was quite frightened at first but now it is a normal part of his day.
Beginner
Illy Medium Roast - Fine Grind
Most of the reviews mention how lame the directions are, and I have to agree. Maybe they make more sense if you can read them in their native Spanish, but the English translation is poor. There are also two illustrations of the two filters. One is a single shot the second is a double. The first set of illustrations improperly identifies them.
Capresso Ultimate
No grinder. I have to really tamp the Illy pretty hard as it is not quite fine enough.
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Connoisseur
The Expobar Office Lever is a good, solid machine. It produces consistent results. Maybe it's like a Toyota Camry; no frills, it does the job. I am pleased, and the Expobar provides good value for the money. Not having used any machines of greater expense I cannot compare, but I expect to use the Expobar for a long time, probably until I make a six figure income. I am satisfied with the Office Lever, and I feel like I'm on the cutting edge of espresso making every time I pull the lever down. "I say to myself, do you want an espresso? I'll give you an espresso." The machine is of good construction and it looks good on the counter.
1 - 6 months
Consistent shots, when I figure out what grind and tamp works with a particular brand of coffee. If I want a 23 second double shot, it gives me a 23 second double shot, as long as I do what I am supposed to do (ie. tamp pressure, amount of ground espresso, and setting of grind). Warm up times are reletively short (less than 20 min., although greater than 20 min provides better results).
Don't be in a hurry to get out of the the door in the morning and try something new. It won't work right. Get a system down and stick with it. Experiment in your free time. A different coffee brand wants to be handled differently.
Connoisseur
Starbucks, Lavazza, illy, caffinated and decaf
The lever doesn't want to stay fastened down, so I put a coin in there to tighten it (every time I use it). Instructions, it goes without saying, are of little value. However, espresso making is partly science, and partly art, so what good are instructions anyway?
Starbucks barista
Burr
Mazzer Mini
Monday - Thursday: 9am-8pm
Friday: 9am-6pm
Saturday: 10am-3pm
Sunday: 12pm - 5pm
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techkathy Is the gauge on the machine going into the red zone? The longer the machine sits the hotter it will get. Older machines can overheat when their pressure stat begins to fail. If the water for brewing is too hot you will get very little crema and it will dissipate quickly. The coffee may also taste burned or bitter. The pressure stat is easy to change out at home. Call tech support to order a new one if the machine is overheating.
04-30-2013 4:04pm |