ZPM espresso machine (Kickstarter) - Page 5

December 25th, 2011, 2:45 am

Ditto O E

#42: Post by **tekomino** » December 25th, 2011, 9:41 am

johnny4lsu wrote:The prototype in that video doesn't include the thermoblock that they plan to use. I'm curious to see more info on this thing, especially the Scace readings.

That's not the case as far as I know, you confused two events which are separate...

December 25th, 2011, 12:22 pm

We took our earliest prototype (PID-controlled pump and boiler - no thermoblock) to Land of One Thousand Hills in Atlanta today and had manager/barista Jamie Crossland check it out. We're working on a 240V update and a better estimate of the production time. We're also working on assembling our most recent prototype (complete with thermoblock and PID controls) and taking it to a few coffee shops over the holidays.
ZPM Espresso Prototype at Land of a Thousand Hills
www.youtube.com
We went to Land of a Thousand Hills in Roswell, GA today, and their manager Jamie Crossland was kind enough to pull a shot on video. Thanks Jamie!
Like * * Share * Thursday at 12:18am *

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Jason Lawrence Awesome. I can't wait to see the most recent prototype (with thermoblock) in action. Are you going to be putting video(s) of that on youtube, too?

http://www.facebook.com/zpmespresso

#44: Post by **Bob_McBob** » December 27th, 2011, 6:37 am

<missing video>

Here is their actual prototype thermoblock pulling a pretty nasty-looking shot.

Looks like they are aiming for Spring/Summer 2012 now. On the plus side, they have capped machine pre-orders at 900, and they will be investing more money in equipment and staff to increase production.

#45: Post by **JohnB.** » December 27th, 2011, 10:37 am

Looked like old oil draining out of an engine. May be a while before they live up to their own hype. Hopefully they come up with something decent for all their investors.

#46: Post by **tekomino** » December 27th, 2011, 10:52 am

I double dare you to drink that

But, its progress... There is pressure and there is water flowing and since all espresso machine does is push water through coffee this thing is almost ready.

#47: Post by HB » December 27th, 2011, 12:13 pm

tekomino wrote:There is pressure and there is water flowing and since all espresso machine does is push water through coffee this thing is almost ready.

Don't get me started.

JohnB. wrote:Looked like old oil draining out of an engine.

Indeed.

Not to be a killjoy, but I thought the espresso aficionado community had moved beyond the obsession with a flat brew temperature profile. I haven't followed this Kickstarter project closely, but from what I've read, that's about sums up its raison d'être, i.e., reproducible, flat brew temperature profile at low cost. Er, that's the reason for the excitement or have I missed something? Or to put it another way, how does the espresso produced from this prototype improve on other low priced machines already in the market (e.g., Gaggia New Baby, currently on sale for $299)?

#48: Post by **tekomino** » December 27th, 2011, 1:04 pm

HB wrote:Not to be a killjoy, but I thought the espresso aficionado community had moved beyond the obsession with a flat brew temperature profile.

I think what they are trying to do is have reproducible temperature profile, not flat. I don't think they can do flat with thermoblock. I advised them to go for reproducible. Declining temperature profile is not inherently bad...

HB wrote:Or to put it another way, how does the espresso produced from this prototype improve on other low priced machines already in the market (e.g., Gaggia New Baby, currently on sale for $299)?

I am excited about it because somebody is trying something different: stable thermo-block + PID + pump pressure profile + open source code all at $299. Nobody else on the market has something like this even close to that price point and if they can deliver it they will give serious trouble to anyone below $1000...

I think that lower end of the market needs more competition and this could just be something that pushes everyone to up their game...

#49: Post by HB » December 27th, 2011, 1:25 pm

Thanks for the clarification. I wish them luck, but as the Gaggia line demonstrates, getting a reproducible brew temperature isn't that difficult. That said, I look forward to hearing firsthand reports on how well the espresso from the ZPM production line compares to worthy competitors.

#50: Post by **haunce** » December 31st, 2011, 1:54 pm

I pledged for one of the first 100 units - its a cool project. I think its worth it for $200 either way just to see...

That last video is making me lose faith though... give em time, who knows.