ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Machine: two-minute evaluate
The ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Machine is a semi-automatic espresso maker sporting a wise design, a beginner-friendly interface, and a formidable set of options that belie its entry-level value. At £399 (about $500 / AU$800), it is some of the reasonably priced bean-to-cup espresso makers I’ve examined, and in addition among the best.
With its built-in burr grinder, guide steam wand, and centrally positioned show, it appears much like premium semi-automatic machines such because the Breville Barista Contact Impress; however there are some key variations. For instance, elements of the ProCook machine’s chassis are constituted of plastic slightly than metallic, decreasing each the load and value; its display is crisp monochrome slightly than shade; and it has a guide steam wand slightly than an computerized milk frothing system.
None of these elements shall be an issue if will probably be your first espresso machine, and also you’re after one thing that may carry out nicely and information your hand when you become familiar with the method. Simply choose your most well-liked drink utilizing the clear, high-contrast display and set of 4 buttons, customise it in the event you like, and the ProCook Barista will information you thru (nearly) ever step of the method.
There are just a few quirks alongside the way in which. For instance, the machine does not reveal that after pulling the lever for the steam wand, you may have to attend half a minute for the steam to really start, even when the machine has already heated to temperature. neither does it inform you to tamp your floor espresso, as a substitute directing you to switch the portafilter straight from the grinder to the group head – a probably messy mistake.
These are small quibbles, although; general, the ProCook Barista is a likeable, enjoyable introduction to the world of espresso-making that demystifies what can typically be an intimidating craft.
The largest downside is that it is at present solely accessible within the UK. In case you stay elsewhere, check out my checklist of other suggestions further down this guide.
ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Machine: value and availability
- Solely available for purchase direct from ProCook within the UK
- At the moment priced at £399 (about $500 / AU$800)
- One of the vital reasonably priced bean-to-cup machines we have examined
The ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Machine is available for purchase now direct from ProCook within the UK for £399 (though its traditional value is £599). It is not at present accessible in different international locations. This is superb worth, and cheaper than something in our information to the best bean-to-cup coffee machines.
In case you’re on a tighter finances, the ProCook Espresso Coffee Machine is an entry-level espresso maker in the identical sequence priced at £199 (traditional value £249). It has an analogous LCD panel and guide steam wand, however lacks the built-in grinder of the Barista machine. It is accessible bundled with a standalone grinder for £269 (typical value £349).
There’s additionally the premium ProCook Barista Elite Bean to Cup Espresso Coffee Machine, which has a full shade show slightly than monochrome, and an computerized steam wand with warmth sensor. It is accessible for £599 (traditional value £999).
ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Machine: specs
| Title | ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Espresso Machine |
| Sort | Semi-automatic |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 16.5 x 13.5 x 16.5in / 42.5 x 35 x 41.5cm |
| Weight | 21.38lbs / 9.7kg |
| Water reservoir capability | 95oz / 2.8l |
| Milk frother | Sure, guide steam wand |
| Variety of drink choices | Six espresso drinks, plus sizzling milk and sizzling water |
| Max strain | 15 bar |
| Noise stage | 75dB (grinder), 65dB (pump) |
ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Machine: design
- Chassis is constituted of a mixture of plastic and brushed metallic
- Managed utilizing high-contrast monochrome show and 4 buttons
- Wonderful built-in conical burr grinder with straightforward changes
With its centrally positioned show and brushed metallic end, the ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Machine bears a passing resemblance to semi-automatic espresso machines from Breville, however there are some vital variations. Firstly, the ProCook machine’s chassis is not made fully from stainless-steel, however has strategically positioned plastic panels that scale back each the load and value, with out having a major influence on aesthetics.
I actually welcomed the lighter construct when shifting the ProCook Barista into place in my kitchen (at 21.38lbs / 9.7kg, it weighs lots lower than most comparable espresso machines). The one draw back is that plastic does not conduct warmth nicely, which implies you’ll be able to’t use the highest of the ProCook Barista as a cup hotter (the round melancholy I initially took for a cup holder is definitely only a place to retailer the tamper).
The tamper and portafilter deal with are additionally gentle within the hand. They do not really feel as sturdy as these you’d get with a pricier machine, and in the event you’re explicit about your equipment then chances are you’ll choose to put money into a heavier metallic tamper that may show you how to apply extra even strain. Nevertheless, the light-weight deal with right here could possibly be a profit for individuals with restricted energy or mobility of their arms and wrists.
The bean hopper might be twisted to vary the grind measurement, with markings on the facet exhibiting the distinction your choice will make to the pace of extraction. It is a small however useful contact for customers grinding their very own espresso for the primary time.
You may take away the hopper by urgent down as you flip, then take the highest off the grinder meeting to wash it utilizing the stiff-bristled brush offered. The machine will not immediate you to do that, nevertheless it’s a good suggestion to wash it recurrently to keep away from build-up of particles within the burrs.
The ProCook Barista’s show is giant and clear, with the first rate distinction ratio making it straightforward to learn, irrespective of the extent of lighting in your kitchen. It does not supply contact controls; as a substitute, you scroll by menus and choose choices utilizing 4 buttons –two both facet of the display.
It is a system that works nicely and is extraordinarily simple to make use of, though I used to be stunned to search out that there isn’t any easy solution to exit a menu and return to the earlier display. For instance, in the event you chosen “single espresso” however have modified your thoughts and really desire a double, you’ll be able to’t return to the drinks menu – even when you have not began grinding the beans but. As a substitute, you must restart the machine. It is a small quibble, however was sudden contemplating how a lot thought has gone into designing the interface.
The 95oz / 2.8-liter water reservoir is simple to elevate off the rear of the machine for filling. Word that it does not have a filter, and ProCook does not promote any individually. As such, chances are you’ll need to use pre-filtered water to keep away from minerals altering the style of your espresso and to slowdown the build-up of limescale.
ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Machine: efficiency
- Default brew settings produce constantly good outcomes
- Experimentation is inspired, even for brand new customers
- Steam wand is especially nicely designed
Some espresso machines include an inch-thick instruction guide, however not the ProCook Barista. In actual fact, I discovered no guide within the field in any respect, as a result of this machine merely does not want one. Simply load up the bean hopper, fill the water tank, energy it on, and you will be guided by every step of the coffee-making course of with clear on-screen directions and diagrams.
There isn’t any setup course of to undergo earlier than you can begin brewing; the machine takes you on to a menu of drink choices. There are six espresso drinks to select from (single espresso, double espresso, cappuccino, latte, flat white, and americano), plus sizzling milk and sizzling water – the latter of which is distributed through the steam wand.
You may keep on with the default settings for every drink, or press and maintain the “choose” button to select your individual grind time (which correlates to dosage), water quantity (to go well with the dimensions of your cup) and water temperature.
Word, nonetheless, that the directions do miss a few steps. For instance, you are advised to insert the portafilter instantly into the group head, with no point out of tamping the grounds, so a little bit familiarity with making espresso shall be useful.
The machine additionally does not point out that after pulling the lever on the right-hand facet, that you must wait a short while for it to really begin. This wait time is definitely fairly useful, giving new customers a window to get themselves and their milk jug in place; however in the event you’re used to different espresso machines then you definitely may mistakenly imagine that the wand is not working.
Like many producers of espresso machines, ProCook advertises the pump’s most strain of 15 bars, however this is not actually related, and the machine will use the trade advisable 9 bars when really brewing. One factor I notably like concerning the ProCook Barista is that it shows the precise strain on-screen through the brewing course of, so you’ll be able to see the influence of your chosen beans, grind measurement, and tamping approach earlier than you style the completed drink.
Throughout assessments, the default settings offered constantly good outcomes (though I did gravitate in the direction of utilizing my very own metallic tamper slightly than the plastic one offered). The machine encourages experimentation, which is nice for these new to espresso, who will discover it attention-grabbing to see how tinkering with particular person properties, reminiscent of water temperature, grind measurement, or bean kind, can have a noticeable impact on taste.
The steam wand is a pleasure to make use of. It has a cool-touch exterior, which I hadn’t anticipated for an espresso machine at this value. It maintains good strain, providing you with loads of time to stretch and warmth your milk, and its angle makes it straightforward to realize a very good “whirlpool”. It’s managed utilizing an arm on the right-hand facet of the machine, which is pleasingly tactile; merely pull it ahead to start out the steam and push it again for warm water, as directed by the on-screen directions. The one potential downside is that there’s no management over the steam strain, however that is not essentially a foul factor for a machine designed to not overwhelm freshmen.
Upkeep is refreshingly simple. The outside of the machine might be cleaned utilizing a fabric, and the drip tray (simply pulled out), deal with, and filters might be hand-washed in heat, soapy water. The ProCook machine arrives with a pair of cleansing brushes, plus a pin for clearing the nozzle of the steam wand if it turns into clogged.
As talked about earlier, there isn’t any water filter for the reservoir, and in contrast to pricier espresso machines from the likes of KitchenAid or Smeg, there aren’t any settings for water hardness. You should utilize faucet or filtered water, however whichever possibility you choose, you’ll be prompted to run the machine’s descaling program as soon as you’ve got used it to brew 300 coffees. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to run it sooner in the event you discover that the water circulation has grow to be inconsistent, or it is making odd noises.
Talking of noise, my decibel meter recorded a most quantity of 75dB whereas the machine was grinding espresso, and 60dB whereas pumping water, which is about commonplace for a bean-to-cup espresso machine. If you’d like a quieter bean-to-cup machine, the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF8 averaged simply 44dB in our assessments.
Do you have to purchase the ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Machine?
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | One of the vital reasonably priced bean-to-cup espresso machines we have examined, with spectacular options for the value. | 5/5 |
| Design | Effectively designed as a primary espresso machine, though the on-screen directions are lacking a few steps. | 4.5/5 |
| Efficiency | Produces constantly good outcomes, and makes getting ready drinks refreshingly easy. | 5/5 |
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ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Machine: additionally think about
Unsure that the ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso machine is best for you? Listed here are two different choices to remember.
How I examined the ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Machine
I used the ProCook Barista Bean to Cup Espresso Machine instead of my traditional Gaggia Traditional and Dualit burr grinder for 2 weeks. I ready all drinks from the menu, customizing a number of of them to go well with different-sized mugs and experimenting with warmth and grind time settings.
I used espresso beans from Exhale Healthy Coffee, which have been offered by ProCook, and freshly roasted beans from Clifton Coffee Roasters right here in Bristol. I examined the machine utilizing each full-fat dairy milk and almond milk, which have been used chilly from the fridge.
For extra particulars, see how we test and review products at TechRadar.
First reviewed January 2025