Review: ECM Puristika Espresso Machine

The ECM Puristika is a chic and compact single-boiler and espresso only machine. Featuring a PID control and front mounted brew pressure knob you can explore the possibilities of every coffee while leaving room on your counter for everything else. In this video, AJ gives an overview of the machine, talks about pressure and flow control, gives his personal likes and dislikes, tests heat-up times and shows off some custom wood options.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:08 Overview/Specs
4:37 Pressure/Flow Control
6:41 Likes & Dislikes
10:01 Heat-Up Time
12:14 Customization

Products Featured:

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#Espresso #Coffee #HomeBarista

[Nevermindthrbrewmethod]

Very happy with my Classika, the build quality is astonishing, there's nothing quite like over engineering a machine to make one feel special when pulling shots.

[jackdelarosa]

I absolutely love functionally and aesthetically the external water tank. The thick glass container is beautifully done, the stainless steel tubing and top cover look sturdy and classy. Looks great next to the machine and best of all, easy to refill and to see water level. I got the Puristika 2 weeks ago and am very happy with it. Use the Nespresso milk steamer for the occasional cappuccino.

[AnskarKong]

I genuinely appreciate the "espresso only" concept of this machine, as I don't consume milk. I'm sure there are many others around the world who share my preference. However, due to market demands, most brands design machines to cater to the majority of consumers, which often means including features like steam wands or advanced models with dual boilers, such as the Bianca—features that I personally never use. I find it frustrating to have to pay extra for functions I don’t utilize, especially when they also take up valuable counter space. This is why I love my Flair 58 so much; it allows me to fine-tune the coffee’s flavor by adjusting pressure, pre-infusion, and timing—without needing to rely on milk

[mareius]

I’m also very impressed by my puristika and how sleek and elegant it looks. Tip: When I need steamed milk, I use the Bellman CX25 SP stove top steamer, which completes the set-up. The Bellman is easily stored away and I enjoy the perfect compact single boiler ECM without missing anything.

[adammacfarland]

I think ECM made a mistake with the price point. It’s basically the same price as a Classika but has no steaming, a smaller reservoir, and a less powerful heating element. Super good looking machine, although I am on the fence about the reservoir. And I’m sure I would eventually knock a cup of the warmer… Is the Bestcup filter system compatible? That’s another negative to me if that can’t be used. If the price were the same, but it had a rotary pump, I think they might have something.

[michaelsmith]

I *really* like the idea of a stand alone water reservoir . I think it's superior in every way. Great video BTW! Whole Latte Love rocks!

[markwolfson]

It has been well established that a rotary pump is superior to a vibratory pump. I would like to see more manufacturers offer a rotary pump machine at more affordable prices.

[sylviacrawford]

Beautiful machine. I am a Americano drinker and use espresso shots in my cooking and baking. I have the profitec 700 Pro and hardly ever use it anymore especially since my husband passed last Nov. This little machine would be perfect for me. Very nice and honest presentation and demonstration.

[erlynlopez]

Great job AJ, you guys the best on giving machines info. Keep it up!!...

[peteh]

More than happy with my Synchronika, but I wonder if the Puristika’s centrally located spout would fit if it could be purchased as a separate item? Totally agree with the fitting of a smart plug..makes life so much better!

[ritaweygint]

This machine is beautiful ❤ it will be this one or the Classika when I upgrade. I almost never use steamed milk (only for occasional guests), so the Puristika is in the lead!

[z]

Finally some sense in espresso makers. I just don’t understand milk frothing. To me best milk based drink is cold milk. It is sweeter esp if you cool it after boiling to remove homogenisation.

[MrMarcusWWW]

Would love to see the water tank as an option for the other models of ECM & Profitec. They look so cool and would greatly reduced the depth of the big units. Plus so much easier to keep an eye on water levels

[HollywoodSnob_]

I like Cappuccino and Latte but I am not doing the milk with the Espresso machine (currently an Quickmill Orion 3000). I am using the WMF Lono and it makes perfect milk foam (fast and you don't need to do anything but to turn it on. Also, it is very easy to clean the two parts in the dishwasher). The "milk" I am using is Alpro Barista Soja. I tested almost all types of milk. Real milk, oat milk, almond milk, etc. but the Alpro Barista Soja milk gives the best results for me with the WMF Lono and the "milk" tastes fantastic and has 50% less suggar then normal milk. As I am looking for a portafilter machine that is only for doing Espressos maybe I will buy the ECM Puristika, we'll see...

[tonymoody]

Great review thanks. I saw in another review that the group won't heat without running the pump first. So a timed AC outlet won't help. Is that right? Or did ECM fix that?

Also, is it worth 2x the price of e.g. the Profitec Go? Non-milk person here. Is the E61 that much better and is it worth the warm-up time penalty?

[ThePoorStudent]

Interesting. If I wasn't a regular flat white drinker, I'd consider this machine. The external water tank is very cool because it looks like it can be easily washed. The plastic thing in my Bezzera BZ10 has a very narrow opening.

[cayr]

Fantastic demonstration and review. I could buy it just on that alone. Thank you! Keep up the good work.

[pomycal]

I like black long coffee rather than espresso shots, currently I am using Gaggia anima prestige & only make regular black coffee & rarely milk related drinks, so Im looking for a machine which strictly makes coffee & occasionally espressos. Love your in depth video Of ECM PURISTIKA. THANKS 👍

[anotherguycalledsmith]

@12:17 Yes, I always thought that I would customize my _Synchronika_ with fine wooden custom parts because I liked the cool look of walnut for example very much.

But when I had the chance to actually touch these handles in a shop, to my surprise I did not like how they felt.

The temperature difference of the cold chromed brass/stainless steel portafilter and the wooden parts were rather annoying to me.

Actually, I liked the OEM ECM high quality plastic parts much better ;-)

To me, this is a much better and unique user experience. Yes, the wooden parts look great, but I prefer the standard look and feel.

[Elimnio]

Why do so many small machines designed for home-use still use the E61 if most big machines you see in cafes feature saturated brew groups? Why not use this type for home-use-machines as well? I knew there are a few like ECM casa and Profitec go f. e., but still so many use E61. Or is E61 better but not practical in a commercial environment? For example there is - afaik - no singleboiler (or thermoblock) machine without a steam wand, that doesn't use E61, or is there? I would really like to see a high-quality and very compact thermoblock-machine without e61 and just for espresso (no steamwand)