KitchenAid is a model that’s had a spot in each dwelling kitchen I’ve ever had, even rising up. After I purchased my very own KitchenAid stand mixer for the primary time after faculty, my condo lastly felt like a spot the place a grown-up lived. My affection for that stand mixer can’t be overstated, so naturally my ears perked up when KitchenAid introduced it was revamping its espresso machine lineup.
There are three new absolutely automated espresso machines: the KF8, KF7, and KF6. Then there’s the KitchenAid Semi Automated Espresso Machine, plus a 2-in-1 with a built-in burr grinder. I really like a very good absolutely automated espresso machine for its expedience and ease, however there’s part of me that simply craves the practiced ritual of brewing your personal espresso at dwelling. The primary of those machines to make their approach to my doorstep was the Semi Automated, so right here we’re. Hold a watch out for my overview of the automatics quickly.
Thoughtful Counter Footprint
I’m a lifelong apartment-dweller, and one of many many classes I’ve realized from a life spent apartment-hopping is the worth of counter house. After I set the KitchenAid Semi Automated Espresso Machine on my counter for the primary time, I couldn’t assist however smile.
This can be a fully-featured espresso machine with a built-in burr grinder, and it suits within the space beforehand occupied by my rice cooker—a strip of counter too slender for different sensible makes use of. This machine is slender, clocking in at about 13 inches extensive and 15 inches tall. It suits comfortably, with room to spare, beneath my considerably low-hanging kitchen cupboards.
{Photograph}: Jaina Gray
Due to the tight house in my kitchen, it’s typically onerous to entry the water tank on the again of espresso machines I check. Often, I’ve to both wrestle to take away the tank and produce it to the tap, or resign myself to filling it by carrying cup after cup from my sink to the machine. The KitchenAid Semi Automated effortlessly navigates that little stumbling block by having wheels on the underside. I can simply pull the machine away from the wall, flip it sideways, and absolutely take away the water tank.
I initially frightened the machine could be too slippery with wheels, making it onerous to tighten the portafilter into place with out the entire thing sliding on a regular basis. Fortunately, the wheels are clean however they do require a little bit muscle to maneuver—a very good factor. To twist the portafilter in place, you continue to should brace it with one hand, however you sometimes have to try this with small espresso machines anyway.
The wheels additionally make it a lot simpler to wash below and behind the machine. I’m at the moment testing one other espresso machine on my different countertop, and it is so heavy that shifting it to wash up any spilled grounds or ultrafine espresso mud that’s amassed behind the machine is a large ache. A literal ache, given my persistent again points.
Whisper Quiet
This KitchenAid machine includes a certification from Quiet Mark, that means it’s been examined to make sure it’s as quiet as doable (there’s a cute little Q sticker on the entrance of the machine). I used to be skeptical as a result of even quiet grinders can get fairly loud. I used to be improper. This Semi Automated simply is perhaps the quietest espresso machine I’ve ever examined.
Grinding the beans produces solely a little bit mechanical whirr sound. It is quiet sufficient you could proceed to have a dialog whereas it grinds—a check each different grinder that’s come via my kitchen has failed, even the quiet ones. The grinder can also be remarkably constant. It produces grounds high-quality sufficient for espresso and coarse sufficient for different brewing strategies. I feel it may well absolutely exchange a countertop espresso grinder, it doesn’t matter what sort of different espresso you want brewing.
