Cafelat Robot Espresso Maker Review-Good Choice?

The materials used in the manufacture of this machine are of high precision and well thought out. As a result, the parts fit together perfectly. It combines the best of the old school — stainless steel and aluminum — with the latest in technology — silicone. The water path does not contain any plastic in it.

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Hand-pressed espresso machines have been acquiring a good deal of popularity over the years, and the Cafelat Robot is among the few premium options you’ll always hear about. We picked one up and in this video have put it through its steps to ascertain if it stands up to some barista scrutiny.

Everything having to do with this manual espresso machine is high precision and carefully thought out. The components of this machine assemble together very nicely. The materials used to construct this espresso machine are the best of old school — stainless steel and aluminum — and now, silicone. There is no plastic in the path of the water. Undoubtedly the Robot is an interpretation and enhancement of the Faemina Baby / Faema Baby, a manual pour-over machine that initially existed as the Mignon Cremacaffe in 1950. The beauty of these ultra-simple pour over machines is you can be quite consistent by using a good grinder, weighing the dose and shot, and using water heated to a target temperature.

The piston of the Cafelat hangs somewhat slack in the upper section and can seem misaligned because it’s on a swivel.

The portafilter locks in and seems like it isn’t correctly positioned until you bring the piston down to engage the one-piece 58 mm barrel and basket, at which point it aligns itself beautifully, stabilizing the portafilter in the group.

The tamper fits it precisely and is held very brilliantly in either of the Robot’s “hands.”

The removable two-spouted bottom of the portafilter has a friction gasket of silicone, again, a perfect fit and already demonstrated. It’s additionally relatively hefty. Since the inventor of this machine is an accomplished machinist, the tolerances are fantastic.

The piston, basket and portafilter are stainless steel.

There are two variations of the Pro basket available, formulated for fresh espresso from a proper espresso grinder, and the pressurized basket for coffee that is pre-ground for a moka pot and can be acquired at various grocery stores. This is additionally the Barista version of the Robot, equipped with a removable pressure gauge.

In some ways, the Robot represents an evolution and an upgrade of the Faemina Baby / Faema Baby, which was originally introduced in 1950 as the Mignon Cremacaffe and was the first automatic pourover machine to be available.

This kind of ultra-simple pourover machine has the advantage of being quite consistent as long as you use a reliable grinder, weigh the dose and shot, as well as use hot water that is heated to a certain temperature.

As a result of being mounted on a swivel, the piston hangs a little loosely in the upper part of the device and can appear misaligned sometimes. There’s a slight momentary feeling as the portafilter locks in but seems to be slightly out of place, until the piston is lowered to engage the one-piece 58 mm cylinder and basket and then it aligns itself perfectly, stabilizing the portafilter in its place.

There is a silicone friction gasket on the bottom of the portafilter, which again provides a perfect fit and is already tested in their other portafilters.

You are able to clean the filter bottom from either side of the filter, since it is removable.

I found that the tamper fits perfectly into either hand, and it is held comfortably in either hand with ease. I am also fairly impressed with how heavy it is.

The piston, basket, and portafilter are all made of stainless steel.