Upon setting up the machine, the first thing I noticed was how strongly the design language reflected the original Linea. I've seen pictures of the Linea Mini in other exterior treatments, but personally I'd always go with the classic chrome. It just kind of feels to me like the way the machine should be...
It's really quite a lovely machine. It's solid and well-built, but most of all it communicates the heritage and the lineage perfectly. I just smile when I see it on my counter.
Setting the machine up was quick and easy. Drop it on the counter, plug it in, remove the drip tray, pull out the reservoir, fill with water, reassemble, turn that machine on. That's it other than bleeding the steam wand (always a good idea). Oh... a quick word about the drip tray. It's held in place by magnets - which is a brilliant innovation. It's immediately obvious when it's correctly attached, the magnets pull it right into place and lock it in there. It feels very secure. After my first experiences with this drip tray I have to say it's my favorite non-plumbed one ever and frankly should be copied by all machine makers.
The machine seems to take about 25 minutes to get steady at temperature - but we'll need to measure and time that to make sure. There are two lights on the faceplate - one red and one blue. The red indicates when the heater is on, and when the machine is at temperature. The blue indicates when there is water in the reservoir and when it needs filling. Other than those lights, the front plate has two classic La Marzocco styled knobs (Americano spout and steam wand) and the (large) paddle for brewing. Below we get two dials - one for steam boiler pressure and one for brew pressure.
Now... my frame of reference for this review sits right next to the Linea Mini. It's a 'resto-mod" La Marzocco GS - one of the originals. This is a plumbed-in, 230v piece of commercial equipment - upgraded to GB5 spec. So this is going to be a tough comparison for the Linea Mini. But La Marzocco is calling this a Linea - so it's got a lot to live up to.
One of the most intriguing things about the Linea Mini (for me) is the way brew temp is managed. On the side of the machine is a little dial. You control brew temp by rotating the dial. It's marked at 200f, and has detents at roughly 0.3f increments. To adjust temp, you rotate the dial, pull a shot, and taste it. You then tune based upon the taste and your target profile.
Personally... I love the idea. But it will be interesting to see if I continue to like it over time. And I'm fully aware that there will be a segment of the audience that will find this unacceptable - and who will want the comfort of a digital control.
We'll see how this plays out!
The Mini has the new style Stainless Steel portafilters with the quick-release spouts and the baskets are clearly derived from the Strada baskets - so both commercial or commercially derived. The baskets, however, don't have the same highly polished finish that the Strada ones have, and it seems like they may not have tolerances that are quite as tight. I'm going to be testing the machine using both this portafilter and a chopped commercial La Marzocco one. And I'll be testing with the included baskets, as well as Simonelli baskets, OG La Marzocco ones and some aftermarket options as well.
I can't wait! This is like Christmas Eve when I was 6 years old....
Oh... and this time they've included a real tamper...
Finally... if you have questions about the machine, feel free to ask them here.
Full disclosure: I had a chance to spend an afternoon playing with a prototype of the Linea Mini and provided some small bits of feedback that may have influenced the product. In addition, Scott Callender from La Marzocco did a summer internship with me when he was wrapping up Business School. In addition, as many of you know, I did an evaluation and review of La Marzocco's last home machine - the GS/3. Finally, I'm personal friends with several La Marzocco employees.