Here is our review on the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine.
The Brim 19 bar Espresso Machine is one of the best looking espresso machines on the market. It has superb espresso quality and includes all the accessories you need for brewing a shot of espresso.
If the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine doesn’t fit your needs then there are of course alternatives to it. Whether you’re on a budget or want a small and compact machine there is an alternative for you.
So, let’s get started:
- Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine Overview
- Pros
- Cons
- Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine Features
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The Verdict
Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine Overview
The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine is a beautifully crafted machine that’s built with high quality stainless steel and wood accents. It’s very simple to operate with its 4 one touch buttons and has a pressure gauge that allows you to see what pressure you are brewing at.
It brews superb espresso shots, and includes your necessary coffee accessories. This includes a portafilter holder, 2 cup filters, a stainless steel milk frothing pitcher, filter cleaning tool, metal tamper and a measuring scoop. Overall, it is a great espresso machine when wanting to brew fine quality espresso and milk froth.
Pros
Great espresso quality: The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine produces excellent brewing quality almost every time. It brews espresso quite consistently in terms of temperature control, volume and the amount of crema.
Includes essential coffee accessories: Many espresso machines require you to buy separate coffee accessories like a frothing pitcher and a filter cleaning tool. But there is no need for additional purchases with this machine.
Compact stainless steel design: I must say that this machine has a beautiful design with its wood accents and stainless steel finish. It’s simple buttons also give the machine a minimalistic look too.
Good value for money: Most premium-end semi automatic espresso machines range between $450-$1500. The Brim 19 Bar, however, is definitely worth its money sitting at around $399.
Easy to operate: This machine is simple to operate including 4 functions that also have indicators of when a button is active.
Two separate wands: What I find interesting about the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine is that it has 2 separate wands. One for steaming and frothing milk, and the other for dispensing hot water. This is convenient as you don’t need to use the brewing spout to pour hot water like other espresso machines.
Cons
Can be noisy when brewing: The one downside to this machine is that it can be quite loud when brewing. Semi automatic espresso machines usually make a noise when grinding or brewing coffee. But the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine is more noisy than other coffee machines.
No removable parts are dishwasher safe: The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine’s removable parts are made of wood accents and stainless steel which means that these parts are unfortunately not dishwasher safe.
No built in grinder: For its price, I would expect this machine to have some sort of grinder that comes with it. Even though the machine is great for its value, I do think a premium end espresso machine should have an inbuilt grinder.
Brim 19 Bar Features
Design
The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine is made of high quality wood and stainless steel to give it that sleek look. The machine is very sturdy as it is made of no poor quality parts. In terms of ease of use, the machine is fairly simple to use but does not have any sort of digital display other than its pressure gauge.
Steam Wand
The Brim’s 350 degree swivel steam wand can produce cafe quality milk froth for your milk based beverages. It is made of high quality stainless steel and the amount of steam can be adjusted on the side.
Hot Water Dispenser Wand
The hot water dispenser wand (which is located to the left side of the machine) will allow you to pour hot water for drinks. You can make instant coffee, herbal teas and just plain old hot water. You can also use the hot water dispenser wand to warm up your cups before brewing espresso shots.
High Pressure Pump
The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine has a 19 bar pressure pump. This is one of the highest pumps you can get and is more than enough to brew a superb shot of espresso. A high pressure pump will help produce a thick, rich crema at a hot enough temperature for your beverage.
Thermal Coil
Pre-Infusion Technology
Pre-infusion takes place before the brewing process which will soak the coffee grounds for a while to extract the most flavor. Without pre-infusion, some of the coffee grounds may be left dry and therefore not be extracted which is not ideal for brewing an espresso.
Accessories
This machine comes with necessary accessories including a portafilter holder, 2 cup filters (pressurized & non-pressurized), 12 ounce stainless steel milk frothing pitcher, filter cleaning tool, metal tamper and a measuring scoop.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine will require regular maintenance like any other semi automatic espresso machine. You will need to wipe the exteriors and coffee accessories daily to keep dust away from these appliances.
When descaling, you will need to follow the instruction manual that Brim provides. It can seem confusing at first on how to clean the steam wand and brewing spouts. I recommend descaling after a few weeks of use to prevent any residue or bacteria forming within the machine.
Alternatives To The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine
De’Longhi EC680M 15 Bar
Compact Alternative
The De’Longhi EC680M 15 Bar is the most small and compact semi automatic espresso machine on the market. It has a premium stainless steel finish like the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine and has 3 different brewing functions. The best feature about this machine is that you can use coffee pods to brew your coffee.
I won’t lie, it is a pricy espresso machine for its size but it does brew amazing espresso shots. It has similar brewing quality to the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine but is much more compact in its design. If you have small counter space or want a machine for more individual use then consider the De’Longhi EC680M.
Gevi 15 Bar Espresso Machine
Budget Alternative
The Gevi 15 Bar Espresso Machine is arguably the best budget alternative to the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine. It has in fact a higher pressure pump of 15 bars instead of 19 which is also ideal for brewing a thick, creamy espresso shot.
The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine is better than the Gevi 15 Bar in terms of brewing quality and overall design. But the Gevi 15 Bar is an espresso machine to consider if you’re not willing to spend $399.
Breville Barista Express
Premium Alternative
If you are a Breville fan then the Breville Barista Express is a direct comparison to the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine. It uses 15 bars of pressure to brew espresso shots which is slightly less than the Brim 19 Bar. This shouldn’t make too much of a difference although you may get slightly less hot brewing temperature.
Both the Barista Express and the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine are great semi automatic espresso machines and brew an impressive shot of espresso. If you happen to prefer the Barista Express and want a premium machine that’s $100 then the Barista Express is a great choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 19 bar espresso machine?
A 19 bar espresso machine simply means that it can use 19 bars of pressure to brew espresso. 15 bars and above are usually considered high and work really well when brewing espresso shots.
What is a good bar for an espresso machine?
Anywhere between 15-20 bars is good enough for brewing high quality espresso shots.
The Verdict
The Brim 19 bar Espresso Machine is one of the best looking semi automatic espresso machines that also happens to brew a superb shot of espresso.
It is quite pricey for the average consumer but affordable on the premium-end range. However, if the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine isn’t for you then make sure to look at the alternatives which may be better suited for you.