Buyer's Guide to the Quickmill Alexia

by **jesawdy** on Sun Nov 04, 2007 9:29 am

If you're like most Americans, you were introduced to espresso as part of a cappuccino or latte. When prepared correctly, the sweet, creamy milk and rich espresso transform an enjoyable morning pick-me-up coffee into an intoxicating blend of flavors and textures. Over time, some home baristas' taste preference will drift towards straight espresso as they come to appreciate the nuances of the coffee itself. If you are such an "espresso purist," or perhaps an occasional cappuccino drinker, the Quickmill Alexia, offered by Chris's Coffee Service, was designed with you in mind.

Based on the time-tested design of the E61 brew group, the Alexia is forgiving of minor errors in barista technique. As a single boiler espresso machine, it also offers simple brew temperature management. With the addition of an optional electronic brew temperature control, it can reliably and easily pinpoint the desired brew temperature over a range, an enticing option for those who wish to fully explore the effects of brew temperature changes on the coffee's flavors. Is it the choice for the espresso purist? A beginner? Or latte lover? Let's find out.

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Image courtesy of Chris' Coffee Service

by **miKe mcKoffee** on Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:35 am

Great job. Question and maybe I missed it in the original review thread and the Buyer's Guide. Was any temp testing done with less than 2 minute recovery time? WBC "torture test" run? In other words what is the minimum recovery shot time without inter-shot nose dive? With and without during shot heater cut-out.

by HB on Mon Oct 27, 2008 9:46 am

As I recall, the brew temperature was acceptable for two back-to-back shots. After that, the temperatures would fall off without recovery time. The two minutes Jeff recommends has ample margin of error. The Alexia would fail miserably on the WBC "torture test" run.

by **miKe mcKoffee** on Mon Oct 27, 2008 10:31 am

HB wrote:As I recall, the brew temperature was acceptable for two back-to-back shots. After that, the temperatures would fall off without recovery time. The two minutes Jeff recommends has ample margin of error. The Alexia would fail miserably on the WBC "torture test" run.

Unfortunately I didn't have time to follow the thread while the original testing was being done or I would have asked to determine the minimum recovery time needed to maintain shot stability. IMO the assumption that 2 minute recovery time will satisfy home use is faulty. While for many or maybe even most it's fine, what about entertaining and knocking out a dozen or more double shot Americanos after dinner? Do it a number of times and PF build skills may well greatly out pace the 2 min safe requisite recovery time. I know my build speed was well under a minute long before stepping into a commercial setting. No biggy.

by **tekomino** on Thu Jan 07, 2010 7:47 pm

Don't need advice but just wanted to post thank you to everyone for participating on these forums and helping me with my decision.

I have currently super-automatic Gaggia Synchrony that is still working but coffee that comes out is just not acceptable anymore. We pulled over 18,000 shots through it in last 6-7 years and machine really with regular cleaning and descaling performed fantastic. We don't drink much coffee :shock:

but are consistently at it.

So I was on search and destroy ( my wallet) mission for new machine but super-auto will not cut it anymore. I ordered first Gaggia Classic and Vario but since they were out of stock at WLL and I kept on reading here I canceled that and splurged on Alexia.

My thinking was that I am after consistency. It does not have to be god shot every time, but good consistent is name of the game. I just can't fiddle with things too much early in the morning. I don't steam much milk, in last 6-7 years I probably steamed milk less than 50 times. So after reading review here which was very helpful I decide to spend more since every single time in past when I bought something cheaper I just spent more money upgrading so...

I ordered Alexia+PID and Vario combo. Considering how much we drink I thought I could stomach paying almost $2K for this :oops:

I hope I will be able to pull consistent shots with this combo in the morning after some practice. I mainly based this decision on review here so big thank you and hope my decision process helps someone in same position...

by **Mark08859** on Fri Jan 08, 2010 10:25 am

I replaced my weekday morning super-auto espresso with an Alexia espresso quite awhile ago. You will LOVE this machine. The difference will be night and day. Congratulations on your purchase.

by **tekomino** on Wed Jan 13, 2010 1:32 pm

OK, I got the machine and Vario grinder and I am really impressed. I have to say that I did not expect that I will be pulling this quality of shots this quickly. I spent some time dialing-in the grinder and practicing tamping last night and pulling shots with crappy starbucks coffee. Yeah I know you should practice with good coffee but these shots were not for tasting. I was just getting familiar with machine and grinder so everything went down the drain...

So this morning I pulled some shots for drinking with 3 day old Black Cat and wow, this is nice. Flavors I could not taste in shots from super-automatic are there. This is 3rd double shot (running little long) I ever pulled on this machine (and I am super noob) and let me tell you, it tasted and looked good:

This machine is really forgiving when as complete beginner I can pull good tasting shots with almost no practice. The review for machine is spot on. Thanks!


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