CERA+ Portable Espresso Maker Pro Version Self-Heating Professional-Level Mini Coffee Machine Compatiable with Ultra-Fine Grind For Travel,Camping,Hiking

The media could not be loaded. I'll start by saying this: this is a pro-level portable espresso machine. If you're serious about espresso, using fresh beans, a quality grinder, and solid prep techniques are essential, as this isn't a pod machine. Given all that, this is hands down the best portable espresso maker out there. Outin might be more popular, but if you know what you're doing, this machine pulls a better shot.I have an Ascaso at home, so I wanted a portable that could come close to that quality. My must-haves were:- Stainless steel group head- Bottomless portafilter to check extraction- Standard basket size for accessory compatibility- Pre-infusion (a rare feature for portables but a big plus!)- Battery-operated and ideally with a water heaterThe stainless steel group head alone ruled out almost every other option. The CERA+ PRO met all my needs, so I bought it, and I'm impressed. The extraction is smooth, and the shots are spot-on.A few tweaks could make it perfect:- A stand for easier inspection and stability post-extraction- An 18g basket option (it comes with a 20g, which works, but a smaller one would be ideal)- A carrying case, as the box isn't ideal for travelOverall, if espresso quality matters to you, this is the best portable machine on the market right now. It doesn't disappoint!

I’ve used a number of portable espresso makers since my student days, and this is the first one I’ve used that actually heats the water. If it does the heating itself, the battery only lasts for a few shots, but with externally heated water, it lasts a very long time.A typical problem I’ve had with other portable espresso makers is that the water cools down a little bit between pouring it in and starting the espresso-making process. The result tends to make espresso slightly sour.In contrast to others, this espresso maker can heat the water inside the tank. It can therefore begin brewing right away, overcoming the water-temperature issue. Since it measures the water temperature, I think pouring heater water into it and then using the internal heating mechanism to ensure it’s at the right temperature would work too.The instructions give a grinding range, and they recommend started with the coarsest level within that range. I did that, and it was clearly too coarse, as the brewing process was quicker than I expected it to be, and the result had a thin crema with a slightly sour taste. That result is clear evidence that the grind was too coarse, but it turned out surprisingly well, given that issue. It will take some trial and error to get the right grind, and I’ll update this review if there’s any new information.On the negative side, making an espresso with this espresso maker is a fairly involved process, especially if you grind the beans yourself, as I do. Whilst it is nice to have the flexibility of using any beans, and of controlling the grind etc., I’d like an attachment that would allow Nespresso capsules to be used. Making espresso from beans or even pre-ground powder really requires a kitchen-like setup.An option of using capsules would be very convenient when in a car, train, plane, etc. The only requirement would be water and a place to discard the used capsules, e.g., a bag. Without capsules, it is possible to use this espresso maker once in that sort of environment, if you prepare it in advance, so everything except water is in the machine. Using it more than once, however, is likely to be difficult or impossible without something like a sink to rinse out the used grounds.The case is nice for carrying the espresso maker, but there’s a lot of empty space in it. It looks like there might be room for something like a small grinder, but a grinder isn’t included with the product.Overall, this is an impressive portable espresso maker. I’m happy with it, and I can recommend it.

I am finding that this portable espresso machine is a mixed bag. The machine itself appears to be well made with high quality materials. It has some heft to it, and I really like the fact that they take your health into consideration and use stainless steel for the heating chamber, and a ceramic heater. I have no worries about aluminum or dangerous compounds in the plastic getting into my brew. That being said, I think I’ve pulled the worst espresso shots I’ve ever had. I used and did exactly what I do with my DeLonghi machine, which pulls some lovely shots (beautiful crema), whereas the first I pulled with this had non and some kind of slight oil slick on top of it (tasted chemically, so I am wondering if, even though I ran water through a couple of times, it was the newness of the machine), and the second, done exactly like I would do a double shot - 30 lbs of pressure, etc, and only a slight amount of crema with the strongest tasting espresso ever. Way too strong and bitter. I was going to say it doesn’t get hot enough - the first try was just slightly above warm, the second much better (still tasted horrible), but then I read the maximum temperature and the fact that it does better if you add boiling water for a hotter cup. Doing that makes it much less convenient. I have made probably 100 shots or so with my DeLongi - maybe more (I’ve only had it for maybe a year) and have barista’d professionally so I do know what I am doing. And I know each machine has a learning curve, as well as the fact that one can always learn more, but, I am not a beginner. I have experience. I will continue to play with this when I have the time, but so far, it is producing something I do not enjoy. I don’t use pods, but this was so strong that it was beyond bitter. I used the same bottled water, and ground it myself to the same grind I do with my home machine. So for me, while the machine itself is impressive, the espresso it produces is not.