KitchenAid is a model that’s had a spot in each house kitchen I’ve ever had, even rising up. After I purchased my very own KitchenAid stand mixer for the primary time after faculty, my condo lastly felt like a spot the place a grown-up lived. My affection for that stand mixer can’t be overstated, so naturally my ears perked up when KitchenAid introduced it was revamping its espresso machine lineup.
There are three new fully automatic espresso machines: the KF8, KF7, and KF6. Then there’s the KitchenAid Semi Automated Espresso Machine, plus a 2-in-1 with a built-in burr grinder. I like a great totally automated espresso machine for its expedience and ease, however there’s part of me that simply craves the practiced ritual of brewing your own espresso at home. The primary of those machines to make their technique to my doorstep was the Semi Automated, so right here we’re. Preserve a watch out for my evaluation of the automatics quickly.
Thoughtful Counter Footprint
I’m a lifelong apartment-dweller, and one of many many classes I’ve discovered from a life spent apartment-hopping is the worth of counter house. After I set the KitchenAid Semi Automated Espresso Machine on my counter for the primary time, I couldn’t assist however smile.
It is a fully-featured espresso machine with a built-in burr grinder, and it suits within the space beforehand occupied by my rice cooker—a strip of counter too slim for different sensible makes use of. This machine is slim, clocking in at about 13 inches extensive and 15 inches tall. It suits comfortably, with room to spare, beneath my considerably low-hanging kitchen cupboards.
{Photograph}: Jaina Gray
Due to the tight house in my kitchen, it’s generally onerous to entry the water tank on the again of espresso machines I check. Normally, I’ve to both wrestle to take away the tank and convey it to the tap, or resign myself to filling it by carrying cup after cup from my sink to the machine. The KitchenAid Semi Automated effortlessly navigates that little stumbling block by having wheels on the underside. I can simply pull the machine away from the wall, flip it sideways, and totally take away the water tank.
I initially apprehensive the machine can be too slippery with wheels, making it onerous to tighten the portafilter into place with out the entire thing sliding on a regular basis. Fortunately, the wheels are clean however they do require just a little muscle to maneuver—a great factor. To twist the portafilter in place, you continue to need to brace it with one hand, however you usually have to do this with small espresso machines anyway.
The wheels additionally make it a lot simpler to scrub underneath and behind the machine. I’m at the moment testing one other espresso machine on my different countertop, and it is so heavy that transferring it to scrub up any spilled grounds or ultrafine espresso mud that’s accrued behind the machine is a big ache. A literal ache, given my power again points.
Whisper Quiet
This KitchenAid machine includes a certification from Quiet Mark, which means it’s been examined to make sure it’s as quiet as doable (there’s a cute little Q sticker on the entrance of the machine). I used to be skeptical as a result of even quiet grinders can get fairly loud. I used to be unsuitable. This Semi Automated simply may be the quietest espresso machine I’ve ever examined.
Grinding the beans produces solely just a little mechanical whirr sound. It is quiet sufficient which you can proceed to have a dialog whereas it grinds—a check each different grinder that’s come by means of my kitchen has failed, even the quiet ones. The grinder can also be remarkably constant. It produces grounds superb sufficient for espresso and coarse sufficient for different brewing strategies. I believe it could actually totally change a countertop espresso grinder, it doesn’t matter what sort of different espresso you want brewing.
