As an ex-barista at Starbucks, I really care about coffee. I love using the best espresso machines and seeing which one has that true cafe-at-home taste. When I was given the chance to test out the Smeg Espresso Machine, I was so excited. An espresso machine that looks this cool? Well, it must be fantastic.
Cue grimace. If you love waiting 10 minutes for your coffee machine to stop overheating so you can pull shots, you’re in luck. However, I don’t love that, so this was a somewhat disappointing machine to use. Don’t get me wrong — when it works, it extracts espresso shots with fluffy crema (because of the dual-walled portafilter baskets) and a lovely kick of sweetness.
Despite this major complaint, if you’re a fan of drinking straight espresso, this could be a coffee maker worth considering. I loved the balanced, layered, and full-bodied taste of this machine’s espresso. But is it reliable? Is it worth over $500? Find out the full story in this Smeg ECF02 Espresso Coffee Machine review.
