4 reviews for TECNORA Espresso Coffee Machine (Epic)
3.8out of 5
★★★★★
★★★★★
2
★★★★★
1
★★★★★
0
★★★★★
0
★★★★★
1
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★★★★★
Deepak John –
I do like a good cup of coffee. This machine is easy to setup and use. It also makes a good shot of espresso, details follow. I have used an aeropress clone before getting this machine and continue to use it at work. I have not owned other espresso machines (expensive or cheap), so consider this and read on. The machine has decent/good build quality, but not the sturdiest when it comes to locking in the portafilter. You will have to hold the machine to lock it in completely. It comes with a 52mm portafilter with two baskets (single and double shot). The water jug/container is plastic, and has min and max indication. It can be removed for cleaning. You will need to fill up to the min line to pull a single shot. A double shot will run the machine dry towards the end or will be just enough when filled up to the min line. So make sure enough water is there before the machine is turned on. This machine can either do single or double shots and its based on time. Since its based on time you can end up with under or over extraction from time to time. This is the challenge that you will face. You should figure out this by trying out various dosing weights for a type of coffee. Other factors to consider are the roast (light, medium and dark), grind size, tamping and bean type. Once you tune this in, the shots are a delight. I am not a milk in coffee fan, so have not made many cappuccino or latte or any other coffee drink involving milk. My milk frothing experience on this machine is limited, so are my skills. But it can make a decent cup of latte, if you don’t care for the latte art. To master the latte art you might have to look elsewhere.
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★★★★★
Deepak John –
First off, great customer service from the company. I made a comment on their youtube video and they responded back same day and then called me on the phone. Now the machine itself: It would have been 5 stars but it falls short on a few points. the instruction manual and the youtube videos also fail to mention a few important points. 1. the portafilter basket is too small. The 1 cup basket holds only about 8 gm (professional standard is 18-21 gm). So one has to use the 2 cup basket which hold about 16gm) to make a proper espresso. 2. The double boiler system does NOT allow you to use the steam generator while making the coffee. you can only do one thing at a time albeit without any delay in switching from one to the other. 3. water starts dripping into the portafilter when you use the steam generator. so you MUST remove the coffee mug/cup from the machine before you start frothing your milk. c. the hot water boiler starts taking in water from the tank in the middle of the 2 cup cycle and the machine starts the heating cycle (blinking power light). this would mean that the last few ml of water going into the portafilter is probably not hot enough. I have not used a thermometer but the resulting coffee is definitely not hot enough. I would recommend running the steam generator at a low position for a few seconds before fixing the portafilter. this cause some hot water to drip through the portafilter outlet, thus heating up everything nicely. The company would do well to publish some tips and triciks in the manual. Overall, not a bad machine at all. probably the best that is available in the Indian market at this price.
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★★★★★
kamal kapur –
I am in love with this espresso machine. Easy to use, gets ready in 2-3 minutes. 18 gm of espresso takes 33 Secs to pull a great shot of espresso Since this machine has a double boiler, the steam gets ready in another two minutes after the extraction. With little practice one can master the art of frothing and get a nice latte. I recently moved from my 6 years old Morphy Richards espresso. I was skeptical of giving this a try and was going to get Gagia, but I think I have made a good choice and saved half of my money. It’s a good deal if you are a beginner and want to try espresso, americano and cappuccino. Also can try Iced Latte. Definitely recommend.
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★★★★★
AnkitK –
Update: After using it for 2-3 days, I had to return it. The extraction is sub par. I have used bottomless portafilter basket with many beans and experimented with many grind sizes. However, extraction remained noticeably sour. I found that the machine extracted at 80C temperature whereas the ideal temperature is always around 90C, as per Italian Espresso Guidelines and even most reputed industry professionals such as James Hoffmann. Everything else being great with Tecnora, they have severely messed up the temperature which leads to subpar espresso. Please avoid buying and go for Delonghi or Gaggia or Lelit or Rancilio. Tecnora’s support and customer service is truly commendable but the wrong extraction temperature ruined it all.
Deepak John –
I do like a good cup of coffee. This machine is easy to setup and use. It also makes a good shot of espresso, details follow. I have used an aeropress clone before getting this machine and continue to use it at work. I have not owned other espresso machines (expensive or cheap), so consider this and read on.
The machine has decent/good build quality, but not the sturdiest when it comes to locking in the portafilter. You will have to hold the machine to lock it in completely. It comes with a 52mm portafilter with two baskets (single and double shot).
The water jug/container is plastic, and has min and max indication. It can be removed for cleaning. You will need to fill up to the min line to pull a single shot. A double shot will run the machine dry towards the end or will be just enough when filled up to the min line. So make sure enough water is there before the machine is turned on.
This machine can either do single or double shots and its based on time. Since its based on time you can end up with under or over extraction from time to time. This is the challenge that you will face. You should figure out this by trying out various dosing weights for a type of coffee. Other factors to consider are the roast (light, medium and dark), grind size, tamping and bean type. Once you tune this in, the shots are a delight.
I am not a milk in coffee fan, so have not made many cappuccino or latte or any other coffee drink involving milk. My milk frothing experience on this machine is limited, so are my skills. But it can make a decent cup of latte, if you don’t care for the latte art. To master the latte art you might have to look elsewhere.
Deepak John –
First off, great customer service from the company. I made a comment on their youtube video and they responded back same day and then called me on the phone.
Now the machine itself: It would have been 5 stars but it falls short on a few points. the instruction manual and the youtube videos also fail to mention a few important points.
1. the portafilter basket is too small. The 1 cup basket holds only about 8 gm (professional standard is 18-21 gm). So one has to use the 2 cup basket which hold about 16gm) to make a proper espresso.
2. The double boiler system does NOT allow you to use the steam generator while making the coffee. you can only do one thing at a time albeit without any delay in switching from one to the other.
3. water starts dripping into the portafilter when you use the steam generator. so you MUST remove the coffee mug/cup from the machine before you start frothing your milk.
c. the hot water boiler starts taking in water from the tank in the middle of the 2 cup cycle and the machine starts the heating cycle (blinking power light). this would mean that the last few ml of water going into the portafilter is probably not hot enough. I have not used a thermometer but the resulting coffee is definitely not hot enough.
I would recommend running the steam generator at a low position for a few seconds before fixing the portafilter. this cause some hot water to drip through the portafilter outlet, thus heating up everything nicely.
The company would do well to publish some tips and triciks in the manual.
Overall, not a bad machine at all. probably the best that is available in the Indian market at this price.
kamal kapur –
I am in love with this espresso machine.
Easy to use, gets ready in 2-3 minutes.
18 gm of espresso takes 33 Secs to pull a great shot of espresso
Since this machine has a double boiler, the steam gets ready in another two minutes after the extraction. With little practice one can master the art of frothing and get a nice latte.
I recently moved from my 6 years old Morphy Richards espresso. I was skeptical of giving this a try and was going to get Gagia, but I think I have made a good choice and saved half of my money.
It’s a good deal if you are a beginner and want to try espresso, americano and cappuccino.
Also can try Iced Latte.
Definitely recommend.
AnkitK –
Update: After using it for 2-3 days, I had to return it. The extraction is sub par. I have used bottomless portafilter basket with many beans and experimented with many grind sizes. However, extraction remained noticeably sour. I found that the machine extracted at 80C temperature whereas the ideal temperature is always around 90C, as per Italian Espresso Guidelines and even most reputed industry professionals such as James Hoffmann. Everything else being great with Tecnora, they have severely messed up the temperature which leads to subpar espresso. Please avoid buying and go for Delonghi or Gaggia or Lelit or Rancilio.
Tecnora’s support and customer service is truly commendable but the wrong extraction temperature ruined it all.