I am in the market after a quality prosumer espresso machine with fast heat-up time. I want to be able to make my morning shot really quick after I get up and I want to be able to serve my wife a shot with least possible waiting time. People might disagree that it is important but for me fast heat-up time is crucial. The Profitec Pro 300 seems like the right choice (the back-to-back capabilities of its small boilers is fine for my need) but should I look at other machines too? And is there any E61s that has been designed with fast heat-up in mind? Thanks in advance!

EDIT: I just read about the updated Pro 500 with PID. On a German website where it is sold they write: "the heating up time for this espresso machine is just under 10 minutes". I can live with that for sure so given the limited price difference from Pro300 to Pro500 PID I guess that's a very good maybe cleary better choice. BUT... can "just under 10 minutes" really be true with its E61 head in mind??

Just buy a smart timer and set it up to turn on an hour before you wake up. No e61 group will be fully heated in 10 minutes.

+1 what maxbmello said!

Now, expand your choices, based on what you want from your espresso machine (not based on warm up time) and the money you're willing to spend. Have fun.

maxbmello wrote:Just buy a smart timer and set it up to turn on an hour before you wake up. No e61 group will be fully heated in 10 minutes.

I don't wake up at the same time every day at all really and my wife request coffee out of the blue during a day so a timer is not really a solution for me But thanks for your reply!

Just use the timer to turn on the machine at the earliest hour you ever wake up and leave it on all day. It will always be hot when you need it, for you or your wife. As mentioned, E-61 machines need a good hour to heat up.

If you and your wife are espresso drinkers and not latte or cappuccino types, I get your need for the quick warm up. However, if you are steaming milk most machine say to add about 5 more minutes to the boiler warm up to bring the steam boiler to operational temperature. Just something to keep in mind.

rockethead26 wrote:Just use the timer to turn on the machine at the earliest hour you ever wake up and leave it on all day. It will always be hot when you need it, for you or your wife. Aa mentioned, E-61 machines need a good hour to heat up.

I don't like wasting energy like that to be honest. I only drink espresso's my wife is 50/50 espresso/cappuccino.

Would appreciate to hear from people if they have experience with other fast heat up prosumer machines than the Pro300. Thanks!

rockethead26 wrote:As mentioned, E-61 machines need a good hour to heat up.

Really? That's not consistent with what I've measured for reviews. From Speeding up E61 warm up time?

HB wrote:Most the E61 prosumer espresso machines are in the 25 minute range. You can knock off as much as 10 minutes by flushing early in the warmup cycle, but it throws off the temperature of the first couple extractions. All of the espresso machines reviewed on this site require 25 minutes or more.

I should clarify that my above 25 minute quote refers to passive heating. However, if you want to reduce the warmup time of an E61 HX, flush when the steam boiler reaches temperature, wait 3 minutes, flush, wait 5 minutes, then flush/brew as usual. Total elapsed time is 15-20 minutes, depending on the initial steam boiler warmup and recovery time between flushes.

kaja69 wrote:Would appreciate to hear from people if they have experience with other fast heat up prosumer machines than the Pro300. Thanks!

Any small home lever espresso machine will heat up in under 15 minutes.

HB wrote:Really? That's not consistent with what I've measured for reviews.

To be clear, my Pro 700 is warmed up after 20-25 minutes according to the gauges, but even with a good warming flush, I seem to get more consistent flavors in my espresso after an hour, so I have my machine kick on at 5am so it's tip top at 6am.

Now, back on topic for the OP ...

rockethead26 wrote:...even with a good warming flush, I seem to get more consistent flavors in my espresso after an hour...

Thanks for the clarification. I didn't rely on the onboard gauges, but a Scace thermofilter measuring the brewhead temperature. I've read similar recommendations to allow an hour warmup time for even small espresso machines like a Rancilio Silvia; I'm not sure what to make of it.

Back to the OP:

kaja69 wrote:...can "just under 10 minutes" really be true with its E61 head in mind??

Well, no. I'm sure they're referring to the boiler(s) reaching temperature. The rest of the group needs time to stabilize and as you see above, not everyone agrees on how much time is required. If minimal heating time is critical, my recommendation remains the same: Get a home lever espresso machine because small boiler + low grouphead mass = faster warmup.