I love my Synchonika. As for brewing and frothing at the same time though, it is difficult. You need to froth on the left and be able to turn off the lever on the right. I just brew the shot and then froth, but the key to making multiple milk drinks is that you really have to purge the steam boiler between drinks to make sure that it refills and reheats to 2 bars. If you don't, the pump is likely to come on during steaming for the second drink and sap your pressure. This isn't a fault, just something to know about making multiple drinks. It takes some practice to remember to do it.
Thank You Brian for recommending water testing BEFORE purchasing filters. The BWT Bestmax Premium was NOT sufficient filtration for our very hard water with high CHLORIDE content (250ppm) soft water with RO was the only solution followed by BWT Bestmin Remineralization! Mark should not advise the Bestmax Premium will correct all water issues!
Hi mark, You are welcome. Yes, there are edge case issues like high chloride which need treatment beyond the BP. I don't believe I said it was a one size fits all type of solution. Marc
Mark, you are very entertaining to watch! Thank you so much for all of these videos. I’m really enjoying my Profitec pro 600 that I just purchased from you guys.
Hey D, Congrats on your new machine! Be sure and bookmark our support site for the Synchronika. It's loaded with videos and articles to help you get the most out of your machine: support.wholelattelove.com/hc/en-us/sections/1500000400302-ECM-Synchronika Marc
@@Wholelattelovepage unfortunately the unit was sent with the flow control device poorly assembled. The bottom part of the e61 body was not fully screwed in and the gauge is missing the gasket so it's leaking. I need to get a bigger adjustable wrench to get it tighten properly and see how I can get the gauge removed to install the gasket. It was tighten pretty hard that gauge... A bit disappointed as a first time buyer from your store ☹️. I've sent pictures and a note to customer service. Hopefully I get an answer soon.
I got the parts screwed in fully and leaks stopped so we are now pulling delicious shots. Seems like it was a minor oversight before shipment. An oversight nonetheless but not a deal breaker 😉.
Marc, you saved my day!!! You are incredible… Didn't I say that exercising with an _ECM Synchronika_ would be challenging??? Looking forward to watching it! Kind regards from Berlin - as always ;-)
Hey Mr. R, Ask and you shall receive! Pro 600 Unbox, Setup and First Use Livestream today at 3p Eastern. Here's the link: ua-cam.com/users/live55mj6E4wLE4 Also bookmark our support site for the Pro 600. It's loaded with more videos and articles to help you get the most out of your Pro 600: ua-cam.com/users/live55mj6E4wLE4 Marc
Great review! I’m thinking about upgrading and really like the ECM Synkronika. However it’s 16.5” tall and I need a machine 16” max to fit under my cabinet. Are the feet adjustable?
Hi snow, unfortunately the feet are not adjustable and clearance below the machine is required for plumb in connection and water source selector valve. Marc
About the in tank pad filter. If I leave it in my tank for say 3 or 4 days with the same water, will the water get oversaturated with whatever is in the filter? The magnesium if i'm understanding it correctly?
Informative as always, I’m in the UK and I bought a Synchronika having watched your great video review on it. I recently added an ECM bottomless portafilter which comes with a triple shot basket (which you mentioned) but I don’t understand what the triple is for or why it is supplied instead of a double? Thanks for any advice on that.
Hi j, Triple is for larger coffee doses. Depending on bean density, they typically take dose weights of up to 21g. If you prefer smaller double doses you can use the stock double shot basket in the bottomless PF. Marc
When you are weighing the coffee with the handle on the mat, some of the weight of the coffee is bearing down on the handle rather than the scale, is it not? Prob not much though.
Do you prefer running the ECM in Eco mode all day when brewing only in the morning, or hook it up to a programmable outlet like the Beldin you reviewed to turn in the unit on in the mornings before brewing?
Hi SM, Thanks for the question. I think that's a personal preference. Eco is handy if you don't mind turning on machine manually or waking from Eco as needed. Really just save you from having to turn the machine off. Boilers eventually cool completely in Eco. Smart plugs make sense if you don't want to hassle with turning on/off manually or want the ability to turn on/off remotely via app connected smart plug. Marc
Hi. I run it through wifi plug connected to Alexa. So machine goes on, or off by alexa, or by taping an icon on my phone. It's o for the machine as I ve also asked ECM directly about it. Cheers
Hey Shadow, thanks for the question. Flow control allows you to run the machine at its stock flow rate which you get at 1.25 turns open on ECM/Profitec machines or adjust flow rate to fine tune/customize an extraction. A common flow techniques is to use a longer low flow start to an extraction then ramp up to medium flow rate. That profile can help reduce bright/acidic flavors typical in fresh from roast specialty coffees - especially lighter roasts. Conversely, darker roasts or coffees a beyond peak freshness may benefit from a slightly higher flow rate to start and then ramping down to a lower flow to finish. That profile may reduce bitterness and/or stale flavors. Those simple techniques are demonstrated in this video: ua-cam.com/video/a-QAOo8Vg5A/v-deo.html Hope that helps! Marc
@@Wholelattelovepage that is thank you! Are machines without flow control retro-fittable? once I get proficient enough to challenge myself with it haha
Gotta say after having a synkronika for about 8 months after upgrading from a Breville dual boiler, I'm pretty disappointed. It can make a great coffee, sure, but usability is atrocious for such an expensive machine. Heat up time is atrocious, and the temperature stability is atrocious. The elements are undersized so they can both run at the same time on 20a, but the option to run both elements at once has been removed from the PID controller. The size of the elements hasn't been increased to even remotely compensate for that and I think that's the main problem. I like to start a shot, then start steaming the milk. This works ok for one coffee, but try that for multiple coffees and you're left with very sub-par steam pressure as the brew boiler is never done heating, meaning the steam boiler never turns on once you start making coffee unless you take a relatively long break. Other seriously basic shit that I just expected to work: there's a shot timer, but it doesn't ever stop the shot. If I get distracted at the wrong time, game over, try again. The water level sensor is a simple on/off reed switch. There's no warning that the tank is starting to run low, and no visual indicator how much water is in the tank. If you pull a shot and the reed sensor trips, you lose your shot clock. The float in the tank is held in place by a very basic press fit piece of plastic. Unfortunately the press fit it a bit loose and it's popped out at least 5 times. In pushing it back in so many times, the glue (seriously why isn't this a 1 piece injection mould?!) holding the float tracks in the tub has started to fail, meaning the float now will not sit in the correct position. I always did intend to plumb it in, so this forced my hand to do it yesterday and discovered the 10mm (why not 15mm which is what most people are likely to actually have under their sink?) end of the supplied hose didn't have a washer. On top of all this, my steam tank started leaking from the thread of the valve that locks pressure in once the tank starts boiling. Inspection reveals that thread sealant was only applied to a tiny portion of the thread. Failure was inevitable. Now let's talk about the PID controller's location. To get it out, you need to remove the water tank bracket and the brew boiler just so you can get to some screws. Draining the boilers is a whole new world of pain. You guys have a great video on how to do that, but my Breville had a screw valve for each tank accessible from the front panel which drained the tanks into the drip tray. Would that have been so hard? There are so many build quality and usability issues, it's hard to see why this machine is so popular given its price. TL;DR I like the coffee better than my Breville, but I liked using my Breville more, and for a 5k (AUD) machine, honestly there should be absolutely NOTHING about a Breville(!) that is better than this.
I love my Synchonika. As for brewing and frothing at the same time though, it is difficult. You need to froth on the left and be able to turn off the lever on the right. I just brew the shot and then froth, but the key to making multiple milk drinks is that you really have to purge the steam boiler between drinks to make sure that it refills and reheats to 2 bars. If you don't, the pump is likely to come on during steaming for the second drink and sap your pressure. This isn't a fault, just something to know about making multiple drinks. It takes some practice to remember to do it.
Thank You Brian for recommending water testing BEFORE purchasing filters. The BWT Bestmax Premium was NOT sufficient filtration for our very hard water with high CHLORIDE content (250ppm) soft water with RO was the only solution followed by BWT Bestmin Remineralization! Mark should not advise the Bestmax Premium will correct all water issues!
Hi mark, You are welcome. Yes, there are edge case issues like high chloride which need treatment beyond the BP. I don't believe I said it was a one size fits all type of solution.
Marc
Mark, you are very entertaining to watch! Thank you so much for all of these videos. I’m really enjoying my Profitec pro 600 that I just purchased from you guys.
I just received mine today so I'm going through the motions to install it. Looking forward to my first shot. ❤
Hey D, Congrats on your new machine! Be sure and bookmark our support site for the Synchronika. It's loaded with videos and articles to help you get the most out of your machine: support.wholelattelove.com/hc/en-us/sections/1500000400302-ECM-Synchronika
Marc
@@Wholelattelovepage unfortunately the unit was sent with the flow control device poorly assembled. The bottom part of the e61 body was not fully screwed in and the gauge is missing the gasket so it's leaking. I need to get a bigger adjustable wrench to get it tighten properly and see how I can get the gauge removed to install the gasket. It was tighten pretty hard that gauge... A bit disappointed as a first time buyer from your store ☹️. I've sent pictures and a note to customer service. Hopefully I get an answer soon.
I got the parts screwed in fully and leaks stopped so we are now pulling delicious shots. Seems like it was a minor oversight before shipment. An oversight nonetheless but not a deal breaker 😉.
What we need is more grinders that have built in scales ...
Marc, you saved my day!!!
You are incredible… Didn't I say that exercising with an _ECM Synchronika_ would be challenging??? Looking forward to watching it!
Kind regards from Berlin - as always ;-)
Hey agcs, Happy to help and thanks for the comment! The Synchronika builds muscle!!!
Marc
@@WholelattelovepageSorry for misspelling your name again… Put this right now ;-)
Are you going to do a review on the new Profitec 700 Drive?
Hopefully, one for the 600 is coming soon. Just ordered mine and can't wait. Cheers.
Hey Mr. R, Ask and you shall receive! Pro 600 Unbox, Setup and First Use Livestream today at 3p Eastern. Here's the link: ua-cam.com/users/live55mj6E4wLE4
Also bookmark our support site for the Pro 600. It's loaded with more videos and articles to help you get the most out of your Pro 600: ua-cam.com/users/live55mj6E4wLE4
Marc
Thanks Marc for doing the 600 request. Looking forward to opening it early with the family 🎉
Great review! I’m thinking about upgrading and really like the ECM Synkronika. However it’s 16.5” tall and I need a machine 16” max to fit under my cabinet. Are the feet adjustable?
Hi snow, unfortunately the feet are not adjustable and clearance below the machine is required for plumb in connection and water source selector valve.
Marc
About the in tank pad filter. If I leave it in my tank for say 3 or 4 days with the same water, will the water get oversaturated with whatever is in the filter? The magnesium if i'm understanding it correctly?
Informative as always, I’m in the UK and I bought a Synchronika having watched your great video review on it. I recently added an ECM bottomless portafilter which comes with a triple shot basket (which you mentioned) but I don’t understand what the triple is for or why it is supplied instead of a double? Thanks for any advice on that.
Hi j, Triple is for larger coffee doses. Depending on bean density, they typically take dose weights of up to 21g. If you prefer smaller double doses you can use the stock double shot basket in the bottomless PF.
Marc
The newest Synchronika‘s should also have fast heat up so the machine is ready after just 15 minutes 😊
When you are weighing the coffee with the handle on the mat, some of the weight of the coffee is bearing down on the handle rather than the scale, is it not? Prob not much though.
Hi js, we’re very careful the portafilter is fully on the scale when weighing.
Marc
If I’m away from home, how many days away would suggest draining the boilers vs just leaving the machine turned off for days?
Cheers Mark🍻
Hey randy - thanks for the beers!
Marc
Do you actually need to do these steps on first start up? Or are they already done during the bench tests?
Do you prefer running the ECM in Eco mode all day when brewing only in the morning, or hook it up to a programmable outlet like the Beldin you reviewed to turn in the unit on in the mornings before brewing?
Hi SM, Thanks for the question. I think that's a personal preference. Eco is handy if you don't mind turning on machine manually or waking from Eco as needed. Really just save you from having to turn the machine off. Boilers eventually cool completely in Eco. Smart plugs make sense if you don't want to hassle with turning on/off manually or want the ability to turn on/off remotely via app connected smart plug.
Marc
Hi. I run it through wifi plug connected to Alexa. So machine goes on, or off by alexa, or by taping an icon on my phone. It's o for the machine as I ve also asked ECM directly about it. Cheers
@@piotrsoroka Perfect!
Hey Mark. Could you do a video on removing and descaling the steam boiler?
Just add the descaler into the tank and run it through and let it sit in the machine, and then keep flushing clean water through it....
What difference does flow control make?
Hey Shadow, thanks for the question. Flow control allows you to run the machine at its stock flow rate which you get at 1.25 turns open on ECM/Profitec machines or adjust flow rate to fine tune/customize an extraction. A common flow techniques is to use a longer low flow start to an extraction then ramp up to medium flow rate. That profile can help reduce bright/acidic flavors typical in fresh from roast specialty coffees - especially lighter roasts. Conversely, darker roasts or coffees a beyond peak freshness may benefit from a slightly higher flow rate to start and then ramping down to a lower flow to finish. That profile may reduce bitterness and/or stale flavors. Those simple techniques are demonstrated in this video: ua-cam.com/video/a-QAOo8Vg5A/v-deo.html
Hope that helps!
Marc
@@Wholelattelovepage that is thank you! Are machines without flow control retro-fittable?
once I get proficient enough to challenge myself with it haha
Gotta say after having a synkronika for about 8 months after upgrading from a Breville dual boiler, I'm pretty disappointed. It can make a great coffee, sure, but usability is atrocious for such an expensive machine. Heat up time is atrocious, and the temperature stability is atrocious. The elements are undersized so they can both run at the same time on 20a, but the option to run both elements at once has been removed from the PID controller. The size of the elements hasn't been increased to even remotely compensate for that and I think that's the main problem. I like to start a shot, then start steaming the milk. This works ok for one coffee, but try that for multiple coffees and you're left with very sub-par steam pressure as the brew boiler is never done heating, meaning the steam boiler never turns on once you start making coffee unless you take a relatively long break.
Other seriously basic shit that I just expected to work: there's a shot timer, but it doesn't ever stop the shot. If I get distracted at the wrong time, game over, try again. The water level sensor is a simple on/off reed switch. There's no warning that the tank is starting to run low, and no visual indicator how much water is in the tank. If you pull a shot and the reed sensor trips, you lose your shot clock. The float in the tank is held in place by a very basic press fit piece of plastic. Unfortunately the press fit it a bit loose and it's popped out at least 5 times. In pushing it back in so many times, the glue (seriously why isn't this a 1 piece injection mould?!) holding the float tracks in the tub has started to fail, meaning the float now will not sit in the correct position. I always did intend to plumb it in, so this forced my hand to do it yesterday and discovered the 10mm (why not 15mm which is what most people are likely to actually have under their sink?) end of the supplied hose didn't have a washer.
On top of all this, my steam tank started leaking from the thread of the valve that locks pressure in once the tank starts boiling. Inspection reveals that thread sealant was only applied to a tiny portion of the thread. Failure was inevitable.
Now let's talk about the PID controller's location. To get it out, you need to remove the water tank bracket and the brew boiler just so you can get to some screws. Draining the boilers is a whole new world of pain. You guys have a great video on how to do that, but my Breville had a screw valve for each tank accessible from the front panel which drained the tanks into the drip tray. Would that have been so hard? There are so many build quality and usability issues, it's hard to see why this machine is so popular given its price.
TL;DR I like the coffee better than my Breville, but I liked using my Breville more, and for a 5k (AUD) machine, honestly there should be absolutely NOTHING about a Breville(!) that is better than this.