My ex girlfriend has one of these. Its super fun and a beautiful thing to hold but without the ability to adjust a shot to your liking, there's no way I'd want this for even $200 less but from a craftsmanship perspective, its definitely worth $500
@adrianmihalko for sure, she really has her own espresso museum. Pretty absurd but she a Slayer, Faema Jubile, Linea Mini and more....rich parents😅 I roast her coffee and still get to play with her gear.
I've been using mine daily for nearly 2 years now making 2 drinks back to back every morning, I rebuild it once, though it didn't need it. You mostly just need spare brass safety rings. You're spot on with the technique, when you get to the fineness limit of the grounds for some roasts the pressure safety can pop open at the beginning of the shot (pressure rising to quickly) and a lower heat setting needs to be used but you still want to heat it as fast as possible. This machine is why the 8.8 micron per click J-max grinder is the best pairing until someone makes something with a finer adjustment. I like milk drinks so I use a bellman stovetop steamer which is a far cry from the quality of the 9 Barista. I wish there was a high quality stove top steamer to match this espresso machine. One last note, you haven't experienced the beauty of owning this machine until you've used it in the wilderness on a camp stove / jetboil and enjoyed a wonderful espresso overlooking an epic view. This is where it shines.
I have been using 9barista for about 2 years, it has been great. Now, I put it in my office for a cup in the afternoon. Yes, the crema may suffer a bit because the extracted liquid comes up as opposed to a typical porta filter. It is also true that you won't be able to change that many things about it, but that also means it is easier to dial in.
Completely agree with your assessment. I'm the only coffee drinker in the house so, due to WAF, I need a simple solution that does not take tons of space, does not require 20 minutes of preheat before we can sit at the table and is generally convenient. Nespresso it was. The 9Barista, which I bought two years ago, has been great upgrade from an Nespresso in that respect. Indeed it is limiting in the control compared to what I understand other products could offer but it already allows me to use quality beans with a convenient workflow and that's nice.
I have one and used it for years and put thousands of shots through it. I love mine! But you can't adjust it too much. It's been my main machine for awhile.
It's good to know these are still being made and seem relevant to the espresso community. I've worried for a while now that the company wouldn't have demand to keep its doors open and I'd lose the chance to buy one.
Thank you for the video. I looked seriously at this about a year ago. I liked the simplicity of design philosophy and only the single moving part, compared to my dual boiler machine - not to replace that, but a different experience when brewing. The fact that I studied Engineering at Cambridge many, many decades ago was also relevant. Other things demanded my money then, but perhaps time to re-look ? Thanks again, Stay safe, everyone
I looked at these for a while, wanting an unpowered espresso option, but ultimately bought a Cafelat Robot instead. I do still have a fondness for the look of these, and sometimes feel like the lack of technique involved might actually be a good thing - streamlining the whole process and making it as fuss free as possible.
Yeah for sure. The lack of control is both a pro and con. It’s actually kind of freeing after being completely focused on every individual aspect of espresso brewing. Like a mini vacation.
As an non powered espresso machine I enjoyed the process of using the 9Barista. A buddy of mine lent me his and I also pulled some shots his place too. Compared to the Flair Pro 2 I have at home I enjoyed the 9Barista more. It mainly came down to preheating the Flair Pro 2 is less than ideal. The 9Barista is a little more difficult to dial in. I didn't have a problem too much, but my buddy had some problems getting it just right. If you have $470 to drop and only drink espresso I think it is a great machine. Once you know how to dial it in you are set. Just don't expect to be able to pull back to back shots.
I went back-and-forth whether not to purchase this for over a month. I hit pay dirt with a good overtime check and decided to pull the trigger. For the price it’s worth it. Good things aren’t cheap and cheap things aren’t good. This is made SOLID. takes about a week to dial it in figure out the right boil using a convection range but eventually it’ll give you that perfect 30 second flush. Perfect Cremà no bitterness if you prepped your grounds correctly. Portability was a key thing for me this is extremely portable. I take it back-and-forth to work in a custom pelican case I made. I used to have a flare but I gave it away - No comparison compared to this unit. There’s no guesswork when it comes to temperature or pressure. All you have to do is know how to prep your coffee. The only recommendation ild make is to add a paper filter on certain roasts.
The best thing about the 9barista is that they were able to dial down the price significantly, compared to what I remember from the last video I watched about it, which was from a mr. J.Hoffman.
I have had my 9barista for a few years. Been really happy with it. I got to ad that the customer service has been top notch. Had a concern with the plating in the filter holder, they sent me a new one. Even though it wasn’t completely necessary by them. The plating on the boiler did chip of after nearly two years, and they promptly sent me a new one, no question asked.
Thanks for the great review! I have one of these and simply adore it! It's perfect for people who enjoy pourover but like the occasional espresso (and the perk of not being tied to an outlet). As much as I appreciate the tamper that came with it, I found it to be a little loose and switching to the corresponding Normcore was night and day in terms of shots and prep. Highly recommend it alongside the dosing basket. I'm not sure that I would put a Moka Pot and 9Barista in the same sentence, because it really skews the perception of what in the end is a capable espresso machine. No one would expect this to cost $30 if it was shaped differently, because espresso machines come at a price we all (should) understand by now.
I have been using the 9Barista as my main source of espresso for the last two years and I pair it with my home roasted beans. It makes great coffee - every single time! 👍🏼😄
@@yew108 - I also use other manual machines: the Camelot Robot and Uniterra Nomad. I have also tasted shots by La Marzocco & Slayer machines at local cafes. I’m happy with the quality of the espresso I get from all 3 of my own machines though I tend to prefer the 9Barista 😄
@@yew108 - I also use other manual machines: the Camelot Robot and Uniterra Nomad. I have also tasted shots by La Marzocco & Slayer machines at local cafes. I’m happy with the quality of the espresso I get from all 3 of my own machines though I tend to prefer the 9Barista 😄 But do note that I am not saying my little machine is better than those expensive ones. I am just saying I am happy w the shots I get from mine. It’s good enough for me. But bear in mind that the 9Barista is very consistent and it does NOT allow for much flexibility in terms of profiling your shots. It just makes good, consistent, standard espresso shots. 👍🏼😄
@roastlamb236 . Thanks for the very detailed reply! You like it over Cafelat Robot says something big. I do know not much we can change except grind size and heat temperature. Is it suitable for medium or even lighter roast? Does shots from 9B not very far , if not better, than LaMar , Slayer and all those high end machines? Thx and happy Sunday!
@@yew108 - hi hi! Sorry for the delayed reply. Ok, I normally use medium roast coffees so I can’t give any opinion on light or dark roasts. Sorry Abt that 🙏🏼🙏🏼
I have a fully modded Gaggia (PID, Pressure Gauge, Flow Control) for everyday. I have a Picopresso (For traveling), and a Handpresso (For ESE pods only). I am fascinated by these manual espresso gadgets. The engineering on this 9Barista is impressive, but it’s way too expensive and the workflow is not good. The Flairs are really nice. I do want a Cafelat Robot. BUT I still regularly use my 3-cup Bialetti Moka Pot. So good for a huge Americano/Long Black. It’s such a nostalgic and relaxing workflow. Best coffee ever, and you can’t beat the price ❤
"It makes better shots than a closely priced Gaggia Classic" - said the guy who rated the Gaggia shot better than the Linea Mini shot. Spro, there are Gaggia fanboys over here, we will never forget that video! 😂 Cool machine though! Would love to have one of it for traveling, but I am keeping my Gaggia at home!
Haha, true. But often people ask me to compare with similarly priced units, so in that same vein I’d be confident saying it makes comparable shots to the Mini too. I just doubt there are many people trying to decide being a 9Barista or a Linea Mini.
@@Sprometheus The pressure relief valve x2 - it’s just a brass ring with a drop of solder in a hole, so no big deal. It comes with a spare, so it’s pretty much expected. About $10 a pair I think. Otherwise lovely. Hope you didn’t mind me tagging my own video in the comments 😊.
I gotta say that in a situation like mine it is the only viable option. I live in a truck and this thing is the best when it comes to electricity consumption - which is none. Just pair it up with a Bellman cx-25p and you are good to go :D And I really wish somebody manufactured a motor that would power 1zpresso k-ultra hand grinder.
It's a great looking piece of equipment. I would say the price is not bad, and for the quality of the coffee that was represented here, it would make it a formidable competitor for the moka. I like it!
Yeah I mean it’s a lot more expensive than a Moka pot, but the product is very different, essentially espresso vs a dense ratio Aeropress with a metal filter, which to me is what moka pots are reminiscent of.
I enjoy how one of my favourite hobbies involves not just functional art, but clever engineering as well. I'll stick to my pour-over, and espresso machine, but maybe one day this will be sitting alongside my collection of moka pots.
I saw that first too 😊. I'd have dropped some ££ for that last year if it want for the frankly 'awful' colour options. Its crying out for either a white or chrome option for me to jump. Looks good in your shot BTW but for me such a shame.... 😢
I have one for a year now. I bought one because I wanted to travel & have good espresso. I've been using it as I travelled Canada in hostels & AirBnBs, lots of people always have questions about it and think it's going to explode when it starts its rolling boil :D Coming from a Lelit MaraX at home the 9Barista produces shots comparable imo. I use it with the 1Zpresso J-Max & a Bellman Stovetop steamer now I have a fixed place to stay & can make milk drinks as good as my Lelit. Albeit with less consistency. Only negative for me is the weight of it, couple with the weight of the heat plate (I had the original - which delaminated & was real heavy compared to the gold new one) it's quite a big commitment to drag it around with you. But then I guess you need the weight to keep the thermal efficiency.
Surely a Wacaco Picopresso should have been on your list ? This is hardly 'portable'. But then I suppose stove top is more American over having a kettle to heat water.
Esco di casa alle 7,30 entro nel bar, vengo ricevuto con un meraviglioso sorriso da una deliziosa barista che mi dice "Buongiorno!" E mi prepara un ottimo caffè espresso. Il tutto a € 1,30. Saluti da Riccione Italia.
such a cool brewer. Wish I could justify adding it to my collection, but with the rocket giotto and cafelat robot, I'm pretty well covered. I doubt I'd end up using it very much.
I've been using a cheap plastic Melita filter holder swiped from a Vegas hotel room and a Melita #2 filter for years thank you very much. No need to spend hundreds for coffee deluxe 😂
Always wanted to buy one since first learning about it. But the price and based on my current set up I don’t “need” it but will eventually probably buy it just to own it cause I think it is really quite cool.
I could really see myself owning this as a travel machine. Having a small-footprint machine that needs no electricity or complicated preheating would really come in handy for me on a sailboat. The only problem is that I would have to make too many shots for family members.
I love mine very much. got it for christmas and has been used every day once before and once after work. I can recommend using third wave water the espresso formular helps a lot with the limestone buildup. I got the varia gen 2 next to it but tbh a kinu m47 might be its perfect match :)
About that temperature stability comment... 🤔 Why not mention the Robot or Flair pro instead of the Flair58? Thermal tests with scace devices have shown a variation of about 1C on a well heated Flair58 brew group. Even though it doesn't deliver on its promise of 95C brew temp, it does have above average thermal stability, no? Great review btw! Very informative and as always with your videos, outstanding visual and sound quality! 👏
so grateful to you for keeping us home baristas in touch with what is new and reviewing them for us... so helpful. this seems like a pretty nice travel option if solo but would be difficult for multiple shots perhaps. still, a cool addition to the options for travel. (off topic but are you by any chance going to review the Lagom 01 with the blind 102mm burr set? Really eager to hear about its performance especially for espresso.) thx.
Looks nice. I see two future versions: One with an integrated electric heating element because most ppl have induction stoves and the additional metal plate is kind of ... meh. And one version as a coop with jet boil for highly efficient gas driven operation. This one should be gimballed for use on a boat. :)
I think they are out there, and there are some 53mm machines on the market so baskets and tampers are out there, but beyond that there isn’t much that I was able to see. But the screen is a solid one.
This seems like a really neat machine. When you just like espresso and an easy approach, seems like it would work. Wondering if you have reviewed any Moka pots that are more up to date or better. That still seems to be most simple but technically not espresso.
I kind of feel like you missed an amazing opportunity here though you still can do it. Take your gear outside, and brew something tasty next to a camp fire. I feel like this is the perfect "outdoor espresso" product. The quirks and downsides are very likely worth it when you don't have access to electricity.
Haha yeah true, but personally I’m just not a big outdoorsy guy, and I like to control the film quality variables as much as possible and that’s best at home.
@@Sprometheus yeah that's fair. I bet you'd make a kickass video though. I can imagine sun rise rays hitting, your face looking to the sky with an espresso in hand. Your usual pose. Legit can imagine it lol.
It's definitely cool and I would love one for traveling but I got my full Setup with La Pavoni Professional and a mazzer Super Jolly single doser and all my coffee gadgets for less money. Might be something to look into for the future but before that I'd rather keep modding my Pavoni with a brew pressure gauge and maybe the joystick steam wand mod that coffee sensor has.
I loooooove the idea of the 9Barista, I just can't fork up the cash no disrespect to the engineers and the production process but I'd snag a used one in the $2-300 range. I also already have a double machine so this wouldn't be a main but I do think I'd use it more because of it's quick initial setup
While I love the design and engineering behind this, my Flair 58 with the heating element has been great. I do have the Picopresso which I love as well and has gotten support by Sheldon at Sworks.
The simplicity is definitely a plus. I have a Flair and I would consider this. However, it’s expensive and from the UK since I am in the US. I like the compact size, but is it worth 200usd more? It could be if I were traveling.
If i lived alone or if my wife didn't like espresso, i would have got this instead of the Bambino. It's really hard to think about adding time to clean and prep when we have the Bambino dialed in already.
Yeah I actually got the Bambino for my partner and she seems happy with it, but the steam wand is a must for her. Otherwise the 9Barista is a solid play.
You're welcome, and I don't really measure it before it reaches the cup, but it's a matter of timing really. I tend to pour it out while it's still extracting, allowing me to measure the output in the moment.
Would be interested in your take on the Orb One. A few functional similarities-e.g. heat sink-but prides itself on range of variation. True or false? I'd be interested to hear.
The biggest problem i have with this one (also the reason i sold mine was the amount of gaskets. I really feel its great for camping and holidays but not for a regular brewer (unless you pack a standard gasketset with it as well)
I believe this is not a concern. I used mine daily for two years without ever replacing gaskets. Only replaced the safety ring once because I forgot to add water to it when making coffee! Just remember to not leave it on the heat, have correct heat (brew time 3-6 minutes), and let it cool down and de-pressurize the boiler prior the screwing it off.
Thanks for posting this video. It is a really cool espresso maker. Do you have any idea how it compares to ‘the little guy’ or otto espresso maker? I recently bought one second hand but I didn’t have time yet to play with it.
Had this machine for years. It stands the test of time. The replacement parts are great. Only issue is consistency. If you have a big bag of coffee dialed in you are fine. I change coffees, and reroast often. I very frequently get gushers and chokers. Frustrating to have to dismantle everything and rebrew. If it’s the morning and I’m rushing to work, I end up skipping espresso that day :(
9 bars will be 180C ... I'm very curious about how the heat exchanger and fins get the water down to proper brew temp coming from such a high heat required to get the 9 bar pressure.
Yeah I mean part of it is trust that’s for sure, I’m no engineer myself, but based on the extraction flavors with different roast levels and yield numbers I’m pretty confident that it’s in that 93C/200F ball park.
@@Sprometheus I posted before I'd finished watching and I see you approve of the taste as long as you don't leave it on the heat too long. So it must be controlling the temp. I just found it really surprising when I found out how hot you have to be to get 9 bars. Very clever!
I think it depends on what level of control and heat management you prefer. I have the Robot as well, but I do find myself preferring the ease and simplicity of the 9Barista in the situations where I just want a simple cup versus controlling all the variables.
I mean don’t get me wrong it’s a really cool espresso machine and a is paired with a unique espresso making experience but at 469 is in my opinion a bit to much and I don’t think that I’ll buy one stock that’s if I’m going to in the first place but if I’m going to buy the 9barista I would get both the ims basket and the naked portafilter for those better tasting and looking shots but with these options opted I’m looking at 612$ which is a lot of money for a espresso maker that you can’t control anything a side from the grind and the water chemistry and at that point I would still go for the flair 58+ for more control of the shot
The design of this moka pot is pretty impressive, and seems to yield good espresso. The size is a huge negative for me. Back-to-back espresso and a repeat would be a killer. I have a gas stove-top, and when the power goes off, I turn to my 12c Bialetti (classic) moka pot and dialed-in hand grinder to make morning coffee for us. It has it's own flavor, perhaps espresso-like, but definitely strong and not bitter. It's always a 'power is out' option, the other being a french press via the gas stove-top (and a different dialed-in hand grinder). I wish the 9Barista well, it deserves success.
I am using this from 2018. The Coffee is nice, if it comes out, but The Most Issue is ... water & steam is thrown out through The Black Exit Chimney, coffee does not come out, rarely its success. Cant Understand really.
Can anyone think of a significant problem with a nickel-plated brass boiler? Should be obvious. Would have been better to use a solid stainless or stainless-clad boiler.
When the dollar hit parity with the British pound, I went to their website to see if I could buy at the same price as they sell it in pounds to no avail. Seems they just charge Americans more (before shipping, taxes, etc)…
It seems there were initially a lot of “explosion” incidents (I believe mainly from user negligence) and discussions on the potential for the machine to be quite dangerous if not handled very carefully. Did you notice this danger potential at all?
There are no explosions but rather a loud pop from the safety valve to release pressure. Which then can be replaced by the user. This happens when the user grinds way too fine or leaving the 9B on the stove past the recommended times. Both easily avoidable issues when following brewing instructions.
@@AK27AK Yes it is engineered to always kick in beyond a certain pressure build up. TBH Since I've had mine this never happened. You really have to ignore the guidelines or be impatient to end up in this situation. The more you get to know the machine the less likely it is to happen since you will know your grinding/heat range. As a beginner just go slow with grinding finer and you'll be ok.
I wish I could get my hands on something like this, it's way too far outside what I can budget even when I had a job. At that price I would probably just look for a decent "true" espresso machine though.
While I always thought the 9 barista was a very fun and cute device I feel like the workflow of just pulling two shots would make me pull my hair out. Considering the hefty price I’m not entirely who it would be for other than a person deep inside the rabbit hole adding to their collection of gadgets.
It's for traveling and for people who don't have the space for any type of counter-top machine. Easily stuffs into a small kitchen cabinet when you're not using it.
i could never justify the price for something that produces a shot that may or may not be good XD i get the portability but you can buy a lower end espressso machine instead XD
"too labor intensive and high priced " ... I wonder what you are comparing it with on both points? I use mine multiple times a day, incredibly quick and easy to grab a coffee before a home office meeting. And price wise, it costs a faction of my big Italian espresso machine which I stopped using now.
At $469 I'll be saying "Welcome back old friend" to my Moka Pot.
My ex girlfriend has one of these. Its super fun and a beautiful thing to hold but without the ability to adjust a shot to your liking, there's no way I'd want this for even $200 less but from a craftsmanship perspective, its definitely worth $500
@@veganpotterthevegan Your ex has a good style.
@adrianmihalko for sure, she really has her own espresso museum. Pretty absurd but she a Slayer, Faema Jubile, Linea Mini and more....rich parents😅 I roast her coffee and still get to play with her gear.
@@veganpottertheveganstill get to play with her gear eh? I’m sure you do!
Exactly my thought when I clicked on the thumbnail 😂
I've been using mine daily for nearly 2 years now making 2 drinks back to back every morning, I rebuild it once, though it didn't need it. You mostly just need spare brass safety rings. You're spot on with the technique, when you get to the fineness limit of the grounds for some roasts the pressure safety can pop open at the beginning of the shot (pressure rising to quickly) and a lower heat setting needs to be used but you still want to heat it as fast as possible. This machine is why the 8.8 micron per click J-max grinder is the best pairing until someone makes something with a finer adjustment. I like milk drinks so I use a bellman stovetop steamer which is a far cry from the quality of the 9 Barista. I wish there was a high quality stove top steamer to match this espresso machine. One last note, you haven't experienced the beauty of owning this machine until you've used it in the wilderness on a camp stove / jetboil and enjoyed a wonderful espresso overlooking an epic view. This is where it shines.
1zpresso now have the J-Ultra with 8-micron adjustment per click.
A
I have been using 9barista for about 2 years, it has been great. Now, I put it in my office for a cup in the afternoon. Yes, the crema may suffer a bit because the extracted liquid comes up as opposed to a typical porta filter. It is also true that you won't be able to change that many things about it, but that also means it is easier to dial in.
Completely agree with your assessment.
I'm the only coffee drinker in the house so, due to WAF, I need a simple solution that does not take tons of space, does not require 20 minutes of preheat before we can sit at the table and is generally convenient. Nespresso it was.
The 9Barista, which I bought two years ago, has been great upgrade from an Nespresso in that respect.
Indeed it is limiting in the control compared to what I understand other products could offer but it already allows me to use quality beans with a convenient workflow and that's nice.
I have one and used it for years and put thousands of shots through it. I love mine! But you can't adjust it too much. It's been my main machine for awhile.
It's good to know these are still being made and seem relevant to the espresso community. I've worried for a while now that the company wouldn't have demand to keep its doors open and I'd lose the chance to buy one.
Thank you for the video. I looked seriously at this about a year ago. I liked the simplicity of design philosophy and only the single moving part, compared to my dual boiler machine - not to replace that, but a different experience when brewing. The fact that I studied Engineering at Cambridge many, many decades ago was also relevant. Other things demanded my money then, but perhaps time to re-look ? Thanks again, Stay safe, everyone
I looked at these for a while, wanting an unpowered espresso option, but ultimately bought a Cafelat Robot instead. I do still have a fondness for the look of these, and sometimes feel like the lack of technique involved might actually be a good thing - streamlining the whole process and making it as fuss free as possible.
Yeah for sure. The lack of control is both a pro and con. It’s actually kind of freeing after being completely focused on every individual aspect of espresso brewing. Like a mini vacation.
As an non powered espresso machine I enjoyed the process of using the 9Barista. A buddy of mine lent me his and I also pulled some shots his place too. Compared to the Flair Pro 2 I have at home I enjoyed the 9Barista more. It mainly came down to preheating the Flair Pro 2 is less than ideal.
The 9Barista is a little more difficult to dial in. I didn't have a problem too much, but my buddy had some problems getting it just right.
If you have $470 to drop and only drink espresso I think it is a great machine. Once you know how to dial it in you are set. Just don't expect to be able to pull back to back shots.
I went back-and-forth whether not to purchase this for over a month. I hit pay dirt with a good overtime check and decided to pull the trigger. For the price it’s worth it. Good things aren’t cheap and cheap things aren’t good. This is made SOLID. takes about a week to dial it in figure out the right boil using a convection range but eventually it’ll give you that perfect 30 second flush. Perfect Cremà no bitterness if you prepped your grounds correctly. Portability was a key thing for me this is extremely portable. I take it back-and-forth to work in a custom pelican case I made. I used to have a flare but I gave it away - No comparison compared to this unit. There’s no guesswork when it comes to temperature or pressure. All you have to do is know how to prep your coffee. The only recommendation ild make is to add a paper filter on certain roasts.
The best thing about the 9barista is that they were able to dial down the price significantly, compared to what I remember from the last video I watched about it, which was from a mr. J.Hoffman.
I have had my 9barista for a few years. Been really happy with it. I got to ad that the customer service has been top notch. Had a concern with the plating in the filter holder, they sent me a new one. Even though it wasn’t completely necessary by them. The plating on the boiler did chip of after nearly two years, and they promptly sent me a new one, no question asked.
The thought of keeping it simple is why I'm so happy with my rok setup.
Thanks for the great review! I have one of these and simply adore it! It's perfect for people who enjoy pourover but like the occasional espresso (and the perk of not being tied to an outlet). As much as I appreciate the tamper that came with it, I found it to be a little loose and switching to the corresponding Normcore was night and day in terms of shots and prep. Highly recommend it alongside the dosing basket. I'm not sure that I would put a Moka Pot and 9Barista in the same sentence, because it really skews the perception of what in the end is a capable espresso machine. No one would expect this to cost $30 if it was shaped differently, because espresso machines come at a price we all (should) understand by now.
I have been using the 9Barista as my main source of espresso for the last two years and I pair it with my home roasted beans. It makes great coffee - every single time! 👍🏼😄
Hi, do you have any other espresso machines to compare the shot with 9Barista? Interested to get one as well.
@@yew108 - I also use other manual machines: the Camelot Robot and Uniterra Nomad. I have also tasted shots by La Marzocco & Slayer machines at local cafes. I’m happy with the quality of the espresso I get from all 3 of my own machines though I tend to prefer the 9Barista 😄
@@yew108 - I also use other manual machines: the Camelot Robot and Uniterra Nomad. I have also tasted shots by La Marzocco & Slayer machines at local cafes. I’m happy with the quality of the espresso I get from all 3 of my own machines though I tend to prefer the 9Barista 😄
But do note that I am not saying my little machine is better than those expensive ones. I am just saying I am happy w the shots I get from mine. It’s good enough for me.
But bear in mind that the 9Barista is very consistent and it does NOT allow for much flexibility in terms of profiling your shots. It just makes good, consistent, standard espresso shots. 👍🏼😄
@roastlamb236 . Thanks for the very detailed reply! You like it over Cafelat Robot says something big.
I do know not much we can change except grind size and heat temperature.
Is it suitable for medium or even lighter roast?
Does shots from 9B not very far , if not better, than LaMar , Slayer and all those high end machines? Thx and happy Sunday!
@@yew108 - hi hi! Sorry for the delayed reply. Ok, I normally use medium roast coffees so I can’t give any opinion on light or dark roasts. Sorry Abt that 🙏🏼🙏🏼
I have a fully modded Gaggia (PID, Pressure Gauge, Flow Control) for everyday. I have a Picopresso (For traveling), and a Handpresso (For ESE pods only). I am fascinated by these manual espresso gadgets. The engineering on this 9Barista is impressive, but it’s way too expensive and the workflow is not good. The Flairs are really nice. I do want a Cafelat Robot. BUT I still regularly use my 3-cup Bialetti Moka Pot. So good for a huge Americano/Long Black. It’s such a nostalgic and relaxing workflow. Best coffee ever, and you can’t beat the price ❤
"It makes better shots than a closely priced Gaggia Classic" - said the guy who rated the Gaggia shot better than the Linea Mini shot.
Spro, there are Gaggia fanboys over here, we will never forget that video! 😂
Cool machine though! Would love to have one of it for traveling, but I am keeping my Gaggia at home!
LOL... I bet he says that kind of nonsense only to get people to comment on his video.
Haha, true. But often people ask me to compare with similarly priced units, so in that same vein I’d be confident saying it makes comparable shots to the Mini too. I just doubt there are many people trying to decide being a 9Barista or a Linea Mini.
@@Sprometheus one linea mini vs 10 9barista, thought decision! 😂
Had one since the beginning. Love it.
Awesome! Have any issues or replace any parts yet?
@@Sprometheus The pressure relief valve x2 - it’s just a brass ring with a drop of solder in a hole, so no big deal. It comes with a spare, so it’s pretty much expected. About $10 a pair I think. Otherwise lovely. Hope you didn’t mind me tagging my own video in the comments 😊.
I gotta say that in a situation like mine it is the only viable option.
I live in a truck and this thing is the best when it comes to electricity consumption - which is none.
Just pair it up with a Bellman cx-25p and you are good to go :D
And I really wish somebody manufactured a motor that would power 1zpresso k-ultra hand grinder.
It's a great looking piece of equipment. I would say the price is not bad, and for the quality of the coffee that was represented here, it would make it a formidable competitor for the moka. I like it!
Yeah I mean it’s a lot more expensive than a Moka pot, but the product is very different, essentially espresso vs a dense ratio Aeropress with a metal filter, which to me is what moka pots are reminiscent of.
I enjoy how one of my favourite hobbies involves not just functional art, but clever engineering as well.
I'll stick to my pour-over, and espresso machine, but maybe one day this will be sitting alongside my collection of moka pots.
It’s definitely a solid item to add to any espresso fans collection. Pretty wild looking and draws a lot of attention from guests.
Great job on the editing esp. when you discussed the anatomy of the 9Barista! :)
Thank you! I wish I had a bit higher res image to work with but I think it sounds like got the point across well. Cheers!
You are cooking the video about that profitec go 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
It’s definitely almost out of the oven! Haha
I saw that first too 😊. I'd have dropped some ££ for that last year if it want for the frankly 'awful' colour options. Its crying out for either a white or chrome option for me to jump. Looks good in your shot BTW but for me such a shame.... 😢
I have one for a year now. I bought one because I wanted to travel & have good espresso.
I've been using it as I travelled Canada in hostels & AirBnBs, lots of people always have questions about it and think it's going to explode when it starts its rolling boil :D
Coming from a Lelit MaraX at home the 9Barista produces shots comparable imo. I use it with the 1Zpresso J-Max & a Bellman Stovetop steamer now I have a fixed place to stay & can make milk drinks as good as my Lelit. Albeit with less consistency.
Only negative for me is the weight of it, couple with the weight of the heat plate (I had the original - which delaminated & was real heavy compared to the gold new one) it's quite a big commitment to drag it around with you. But then I guess you need the weight to keep the thermal efficiency.
“Hostels
in Canada”😂😂😂
Teasing. Those words together crack me up. It’s like “the ghetto in Boulder”
😉
Surely a Wacaco Picopresso should have been on your list ? This is hardly 'portable'. But then I suppose stove top is more American over having a kettle to heat water.
@@paolocoletti3424 are you hating on Americas portability? 😆 stop it. It’s portable fo sho.
This could be a useful camping espresso brewer. If you're bringing a propane stove anyway, throw in your 9Barista and a hand grinder and you're set.
Probably not backpacking! But I’m saving up for a campervan, and it would be perfect there 😅
Yeah it depends on how much extra weight you want to take along. I always prioritize espresso so it would be in my bag for sure haha.
Esco di casa alle 7,30 entro nel bar, vengo ricevuto con un meraviglioso sorriso da una deliziosa barista che mi dice "Buongiorno!" E mi prepara un ottimo caffè espresso. Il tutto a € 1,30. Saluti da Riccione Italia.
I’ve had mine for nearly a year now and use it multiple times daily until my Meticulous arrives then it’ll be my travel option 😊
It's genuinely so cool and I would buy one...... if it were $250 or less. $469 is tough, though the portability of it makes it tempting.
such a cool brewer. Wish I could justify adding it to my collection, but with the rocket giotto and cafelat robot, I'm pretty well covered. I doubt I'd end up using it very much.
I've been using a cheap plastic Melita filter holder swiped from a Vegas hotel room and a Melita #2 filter for years thank you very much. No need to spend hundreds for coffee deluxe 😂
Am I the only one excited about the Profitec Go in the background!?
Always wanted to buy one since first learning about it. But the price and based on my current set up I don’t “need” it but will eventually probably buy it just to own it cause I think it is really quite cool.
I could really see myself owning this as a travel machine. Having a small-footprint machine that needs no electricity or complicated preheating would really come in handy for me on a sailboat. The only problem is that I would have to make too many shots for family members.
Maybe look at something like the cafelat robot?
I love mine very much. got it for christmas and has been used every day once before and once after work. I can recommend using third wave water the espresso formular helps a lot with the limestone buildup. I got the varia gen 2 next to it but tbh a kinu m47 might be its perfect match :)
I want one. I definitely don't need one. But darn, I love espresso gadgets and this one looks superb.
I like the prep the puck and for get it for 4 min idea after playing with the flair 58 for a year now. Dialing does sound painful how ever.
It’s a gorgeous piece. Pricey but gorgeous.
About that temperature stability comment... 🤔
Why not mention the Robot or Flair pro instead of the Flair58?
Thermal tests with scace devices have shown a variation of about 1C on a well heated Flair58 brew group. Even though it doesn't deliver on its promise of 95C brew temp, it does have above average thermal stability, no?
Great review btw! Very informative and as always with your videos, outstanding visual and sound quality! 👏
I like it. Looks simple and relatively inexpensive. And way better than mocha pit for espresso.
so grateful to you for keeping us home baristas in touch with what is new and reviewing them for us... so helpful. this seems like a pretty nice travel option if solo but would be difficult for multiple shots perhaps. still, a cool addition to the options for travel. (off topic but are you by any chance going to review the Lagom 01 with the blind 102mm burr set? Really eager to hear about its performance especially for espresso.) thx.
New? I do think the 9Barista is pretty cool but it's certainly not new. It's been around for years. James Hoffman reviewed one 3 years ago...
Looks nice.
I see two future versions: One with an integrated electric heating element because most ppl have induction stoves and the additional metal plate is kind of ... meh.
And one version as a coop with jet boil for highly efficient gas driven operation. This one should be gimballed for use on a boat. :)
Strangely I found a lot of 53mm accessories aimed at this machine on taobao, maybe the 9barista is popular in China.
I think they are out there, and there are some 53mm machines on the market so baskets and tampers are out there, but beyond that there isn’t much that I was able to see. But the screen is a solid one.
This seems like a really neat machine. When you just like espresso and an easy approach, seems like it would work. Wondering if you have reviewed any Moka pots that are more up to date or better. That still seems to be most simple but technically not espresso.
I love it....a very thoughtfull upgrade to the moka pot.
But with no real control over yield, it would be difficult for me to say yes to.
Sounded really promising as an improvement to the standard moka pot until I saw the price.
Thank you my friend.
Of course! Thanks for watching my friend!
I kind of feel like you missed an amazing opportunity here though you still can do it.
Take your gear outside, and brew something tasty next to a camp fire. I feel like this is the perfect "outdoor espresso" product. The quirks and downsides are very likely worth it when you don't have access to electricity.
Haha yeah true, but personally I’m just not a big outdoorsy guy, and I like to control the film quality variables as much as possible and that’s best at home.
@@Sprometheus yeah that's fair. I bet you'd make a kickass video though. I can imagine sun rise rays hitting, your face looking to the sky with an espresso in hand.
Your usual pose. Legit can imagine it lol.
Looking forward to your review of the espresso machine on your bar in this video :)
Would be sweet if there was a way to change out the OPV spring for different pressures
It's definitely cool and I would love one for traveling but I got my full Setup with La Pavoni Professional and a mazzer Super Jolly single doser and all my coffee gadgets for less money. Might be something to look into for the future but before that I'd rather keep modding my Pavoni with a brew pressure gauge and maybe the joystick steam wand mod that coffee sensor has.
Nice review, particularly the pros n cons. Doesn’t seem enough for me to change.
I loooooove the idea of the 9Barista, I just can't fork up the cash no disrespect to the engineers and the production process but I'd snag a used one in the $2-300 range. I also already have a double machine so this wouldn't be a main but I do think I'd use it more because of it's quick initial setup
FWIW, the company does have some refurbished ones available from time to time.
Amazing review! Love your content! Makes me want to brew more coffee haha
While I love the design and engineering behind this, my Flair 58 with the heating element has been great. I do have the Picopresso which I love as well and has gotten support by Sheldon at Sworks.
It’s such a cleverly engineered and beautifully crafted object.. I’d love to have one. But alas I could never justify the price to myself or my wife.
Moka pots are love.....and this for $469 I would get the gaggia....it can be modded to greatness
The simplicity is definitely a plus. I have a Flair and I would consider this. However, it’s expensive and from the UK since I am in the US. I like the compact size, but is it worth 200usd more? It could be if I were traveling.
If i lived alone or if my wife didn't like espresso, i would have got this instead of the Bambino. It's really hard to think about adding time to clean and prep when we have the Bambino dialed in already.
Yeah I actually got the Bambino for my partner and she seems happy with it, but the steam wand is a must for her. Otherwise the 9Barista is a solid play.
I’m just starting out and have not found a good temperature to start at-the pressure valve keeps opening…any tips for glass top electric range
Which O-ring seal did you use to hold the BPLUS mesh screen in place (@ 6:18)? Boiler or Upper Chamber or bought separately?
I spy a Profitec Go 👀 I always thought the 9barista looked like a fun weekend tool, but I couldn’t buy one anytime soon
Thanks for the detailed review. I didn't get though how did you measure the weight of the extracted coffee before it reaches the cup?
You're welcome, and I don't really measure it before it reaches the cup, but it's a matter of timing really. I tend to pour it out while it's still extracting, allowing me to measure the output in the moment.
It would have been so funny if 9barista had been the sponsor
Would be interested in your take on the Orb One. A few functional similarities-e.g. heat sink-but prides itself on range of variation. True or false? I'd be interested to hear.
Thoughts on squirting coffee channels from slightly clogged basket hole all over the place? You could see some spurts in this video already.
If i can score one cheap used i'll do , i've been looking for a while . Thanks for the vid 🤜
The biggest problem i have with this one (also the reason i sold mine was the amount of gaskets. I really feel its great for camping and holidays but not for a regular brewer (unless you pack a standard gasketset with it as well)
I believe this is not a concern. I used mine daily for two years without ever replacing gaskets. Only replaced the safety ring once because I forgot to add water to it when making coffee! Just remember to not leave it on the heat, have correct heat (brew time 3-6 minutes), and let it cool down and de-pressurize the boiler prior the screwing it off.
Thanks for posting this video. It is a really cool espresso maker. Do you have any idea how it compares to ‘the little guy’ or otto espresso maker? I recently bought one second hand but I didn’t have time yet to play with it.
Thanks a lot for this video. Wherei can found this red gasket for the puck screen? Can you let a link below please?
Had this machine for years. It stands the test of time. The replacement parts are great.
Only issue is consistency. If you have a big bag of coffee dialed in you are fine. I change coffees, and reroast often. I very frequently get gushers and chokers. Frustrating to have to dismantle everything and rebrew. If it’s the morning and I’m rushing to work, I end up skipping espresso that day :(
9 bars will be 180C ... I'm very curious about how the heat exchanger and fins get the water down to proper brew temp coming from such a high heat required to get the 9 bar pressure.
Yeah I mean part of it is trust that’s for sure, I’m no engineer myself, but based on the extraction flavors with different roast levels and yield numbers I’m pretty confident that it’s in that 93C/200F ball park.
@@Sprometheus I posted before I'd finished watching and I see you approve of the taste as long as you don't leave it on the heat too long. So it must be controlling the temp. I just found it really surprising when I found out how hot you have to be to get 9 bars. Very clever!
Is dosing the coffee forgiving on this machine or do you find that you should still weigh your beans?
It looks great, but not sure it's a smart buy vs the robot except if you use it for camping or something.
I think it depends on what level of control and heat management you prefer. I have the Robot as well, but I do find myself preferring the ease and simplicity of the 9Barista in the situations where I just want a simple cup versus controlling all the variables.
Can we try to make ristretto with 9barista?
What if the ground too fine? Can it goes kaboom?
I mean don’t get me wrong it’s a really cool espresso machine and a is paired with a unique espresso making experience but at 469 is in my opinion a bit to much and I don’t think that I’ll buy one stock that’s if I’m going to in the first place but if I’m going to buy the 9barista I would get both the ims basket and the naked portafilter for those better tasting and looking shots but with these options opted I’m looking at 612$ which is a lot of money for a espresso maker that you can’t control anything a side from the grind and the water chemistry and at that point I would still go for the flair 58+ for more control of the shot
Enjoyed your video, where did you purchase the gasket used on the puck
Trivia comment; my brand new cremina cost approx 360usd in 1980"s vs this high tech moka pot for 469 today.
Where I can buying 9Barista on amazon?
The design of this moka pot is pretty impressive, and seems to yield good espresso. The size is a huge negative for me. Back-to-back espresso and a repeat would be a killer. I have a gas stove-top, and when the power goes off, I turn to my 12c Bialetti (classic) moka pot and dialed-in hand grinder to make morning coffee for us. It has it's own flavor, perhaps espresso-like, but definitely strong and not bitter. It's always a 'power is out' option, the other being a french press via the gas stove-top (and a different dialed-in hand grinder). I wish the 9Barista well, it deserves success.
I am using this from 2018. The Coffee is nice, if it comes out, but The Most Issue is ... water & steam is thrown out through The Black Exit Chimney, coffee does not come out, rarely its success. Cant Understand really.
Can anyone think of a significant problem with a nickel-plated brass boiler? Should be obvious. Would have been better to use a solid stainless or stainless-clad boiler.
Glad someone can afford this
When the dollar hit parity with the British pound, I went to their website to see if I could buy at the same price as they sell it in pounds to no avail. Seems they just charge Americans more (before shipping, taxes, etc)…
I might be missing something, but how can this have more temp tability than the flair 58, which is electronically controlled?
It’s far more insulated, fully enclosed from the second the portafilter goes in, and it’s literally sitting on a stovetop the entire shot.
Did you use the BPLUS 53.4 or 53.7mm sice one?
It seems there were initially a lot of “explosion” incidents (I believe mainly from user negligence) and discussions on the potential for the machine to be quite dangerous if not handled very carefully.
Did you notice this danger potential at all?
There are no explosions but rather a loud pop from the safety valve to release pressure. Which then can be replaced by the user. This happens when the user grinds way too fine or leaving the 9B on the stove past the recommended times. Both easily avoidable issues when following brewing instructions.
I see, so scary sounding but within safe limits as the safety measure kicks in. Thank you ❤
@@AK27AK Yes it is engineered to always kick in beyond a certain pressure build up. TBH Since I've had mine this never happened. You really have to ignore the guidelines or be impatient to end up in this situation. The more you get to know the machine the less likely it is to happen since you will know your grinding/heat range. As a beginner just go slow with grinding finer and you'll be ok.
Ok, wonderful to know, thank you 🙏 ❤
I wish I could get my hands on something like this, it's way too far outside what I can budget even when I had a job. At that price I would probably just look for a decent "true" espresso machine though.
@Sprometheus Where I can buy O ring to hold a puck screen pls? :-)
The prices keep going up. It used to be 400 now it's 469. I'll get it once it's below 200
I love it!!!
Say goodbye to my moka pot... NEVER!
At this price, I won't say goodbye to my Moka Pot
While I always thought the 9 barista was a very fun and cute device I feel like the workflow of just pulling two shots would make me pull my hair out. Considering the hefty price I’m not entirely who it would be for other than a person deep inside the rabbit hole adding to their collection of gadgets.
It's not so bad. In my opinion it's the best travel or camp espresso machine on the market.
It's for traveling and for people who don't have the space for any type of counter-top machine. Easily stuffs into a small kitchen cabinet when you're not using it.
I want one but, not paying $470 for that. I wanted a flair 58 but I'm not paying their price either.
Nice gadget to own, for sure not as daily driver.
Dialing a shot with that workflow must be a pita..
Cafelat robot is better in every aspect
☕☕☕ Love Is Important ❤️❤️❤️
i could never justify the price for something that produces a shot that may or may not be good XD i get the portability but you can buy a lower end espressso machine instead XD
Can a single shot be introduced as a mod?
even single boiler machines have some level of control. this one is too labor intensive and high priced!
PS: will you review the new rocket?
"too labor intensive and high priced " ...
I wonder what you are comparing it with on both points?
I use mine multiple times a day, incredibly quick and easy to grab a coffee before a home office meeting. And price wise, it costs a faction of my big Italian espresso machine which I stopped using now.