Been using my CT2 now for about 10 months. Owned a few other machines in the past. It will never leave my possession. The build, quality of materials, ease of use, silentness, and minimal maintenance all combine to make it a joy to use and look at. It will always have a place on my counter.
"Quick heat up, thermally stable, high forgiveness, small footprint, high quality, easy to repair, and absolutely stunning" Lance you can't keep praising yourself like this
You’re so spot on about lever espresso machines. I’ve been using them since the beginning of my coffee journey (minus the gloomy Nespresso pod years) and I can’t see me going to a pump machine unless I develop mobility issues. I’ve tried a few (including spring levers) and I always go back to direct. I love the connection I have to the process. On top I enjoy their simplicity, very low operational noise and low maintenance. And without advocating for superiority (because at this level it’s subjective), strangely enough the best espresso shots I have had - I’d say a good 80% - have come from levers. So Lever person for life 🙌
@@tammasus Cafelat Robot and La Pavoni Esperto Abile. And frankly I don’t see myself getting anything else. I’ll be happy to have them till the very end and pass them down to the next gen. Only thing I am investing (upgrading) is grinder.
I bought one of these a couple years ago and paired it with an HG-1 Prime hand grinder. Consistently great espresso and I 😊regularly get complements on the beauty of the machine. When not in use, it lives on a side table in my DR and people think I am showcasing an antique.
My first espresso machine was a direct lever, my last espresso machine will be a lever. Lever life! Great vid Lance!! Now to scrounge up $3K for the CT2…..
Long time coffee/espresso drinker, but have only been getting "nerdy" about it for the last few years; first by James, which I believe is how I came across your channel a while back (watch Morgans now as well). There have been plenty of machines I've learned though you that I've enjoyed, but I think this is the first I've been really jazzed about. Like you said, expensive, but for something that could last to the point of being passed down, worth it in the long run. I consider myself a minimalist and tend not to purchase things until I'm really ready to settle on a single thing long term. Me thinks this could be a winner in that department. As always, thanks for the thorough review. Love your energy and the way you present information in your videos.
yes, you are right, I am not correct about amount of hassle: 1) easier lever is slightly more convenient 2) PID temperature makes learning curve of easier by a lot In comparison I liked in La Pavoni: 1) even the smallest boiler can hold enough water for several shots. One refill for several shots. 2) integrated steamer What is your preheat times of La Pavoni? Mine are ~5-7' - comparable or faster (La Pavoni is notoriously hard to make consistent shots)
@Grigory108 this one can pull several with one fill. And there is no temp surfing. That time is right to get the boiler to boiling but not long enough even with dry pumps to fully prime the machine, if you've ever measured with probes.
Good for you. You already know how important a really good grinder is. Also great water makes a huge difference when brewing. Please come back and give us an update if you do buy this unit. Best wishes. 😊
Always love the simplicity of manual lever devices that have less chance of things breaking, produce an amazing result and give you a little fun and joy in your day each time you use them. 🥰
Hey Lance. This is unrelated to the video but just wanted to say thank you for getting me started on my espresso journey. This whole time I thought that espresso required substantial investment. Thanks to you, I realised that a picopresso and a timemore c2 grinder would do the job. I made my first espresso today and it was absolutely fantastic. Thanks for your dialing in and latte art tutorials. You're a gem ❤
After a couple of years of not being into coffee that much, i mis the ritual and taste of making coffee with a good espresso machine. I purchased a good grinder and now waiting for my new espresso machine to be delivered. While on my holiday found your channel and watching all of the content you’ve made! Incredible how every aspect of coffee making is explained in great detail! Thank you for all your hard work and i will keep following your channel! Greetings from the Netherlands!
Honestly this was my first and now my end game machine. Totally agree it is hard to pull a bad shot. Complete control. It makes the most delicious espresso. I pair it with the Kafatek mc6. Very rewarding to use and enjoy. Wouter is a genius if you ask me. Thank you a ton Lance for reviewing! There are very few videos out there on this gem.
I’ve been looking into this machine since you posted the video. I finally bit the bullet and purchased one today. I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Thanks
Great review. I'm a long time Strietman CT1 owner and not as skilled as you are, so great to see that you are enthusiastic as well! Its a great machine and Wouter is a real artist
Completely agree, the CT2 is a wonderful machine and really appreciated that you also spoke about the background of this machine and the studying of the vintage models that led to this design. The only note I have is that is thermostat controlled and not PID controlled as you say, I'm quite sure it didn't change as I know Wouter has some quite strong opinions on PID's.
Fun seeing this. I got the ES3 when it was quite new, in 2014 IIRC. I believe it is, like, #6 or #7 of the ES3:s. Still working, using it every day. Modded it with Gabor's pressure meter + piston (they improved the original piston between ES3 and CT1 I think), got a stainless funnel, and that is about it. Makes lovely coffee. Lately I added the Argos, but TBH I almost only use it for milk drinks, the ES3 is easier to use for pulling espressos - and it only needs 15g compared to the Argos' 18g.
I have one and love it. And enjoy it 2/3 times a deal. No PID, but a longer lasting thermocouple though. Heats up in 7m. I love prepping my baskets outside the portafilter, something that’s quite unique with this machine and I think you should explore. The tapping stamping etc without a bulky portafilter is great
If the Strietman is the porsche, my little europiccola is a Karmann Ghia. Really is a lovely machine, and I like the idea of machines created to last a life time. Thanks as always for a great video Lance!
I had a CT1, and one of my favorite aspects was its absolute silence. Paired with an HG-1 grinder, it was a lovely quiet experience. And wow were the shots beautiful.
Excellent review. As a happy owner of a CT2 I absolutely agree with what you say. Just a note though, the distribution tool and the mesh baskets don’t come with the CT2, they are extras. Keep it up!
Can you comment as to how pulling successive shots affects overall performance and workflow. If I need to pull say 4 shots, would a semi-auto be better suited? I really want to get into levers but I’ve been holding off to find the right fit. Thank you kindly
So happy to see this review ! I had my CT2 for a few years now and I couldn’t be happier ! The only thing I sometimes struggle with is the right grind size
My $.002 Super fun to see you discuss a machine I own! I’ve had this machine for a year or more. I agree if you’re careful with your coffee and puck prep it’s hard to make a bad shot. One thing that I love that I don’t think I was mentioned is that the machine is VERY quiet, almost silent. I previously had a pavoni (that I found when someone put out in the curb!) and then a decent and I can say this is a far more chill housemate to have. I really dislike the porta filter - from puck prep to locking in, I find it frustrating. As a shorter person I find the lever harder to pull than a pavoni, but maybe I’m grinding too fine. Finally I’ll say if you have any qualms about the aesthetic, those will be magnified in real life so make sure you like the way it looks. I also agree it’s pure craftsmanship and art, so if it does appeal to you, rest assured it’s simply the finest version of this type of machine that you could own, while also being very unique. Cheers.
Minimum about 2700 USD before import duties and fees, in case someone is looking. I'd love one, but that's a lot. With that clearance it needs an integrated scale option.
I love this a lot, also love that it's made in my home country, but my, 2300, this is really for the die-hard Espresso lover. Nice to hear though that it's very forgiving.
Beautiful machine... would be super cool if somehow the scale was built directly into the base with the display on the polished stainless stand underneath the drip tray to free space for larger cups and some manner of matching milk steamer. I'd probably buy one if that were the case... maybe CT3
Last year Wouter (pronounced wow - ter) gave a demo of this machine at Sprout Coffee in the Netherlands, beautiful machine, I got to pull my own shot on it as well. Beautiful machine, pulls shots very nicely. If I ever tire of my La Pavoni, this might be the upgrade to get.
I was kinda hoping you would love this one! Wouter Strietman builds his machines less than 30 miles from where I grew up. Next espresso machine I get (my pump machine has some years of service ahead of it yet) will be this one, or maybe whatever Wouter Strietman comes up with next. There’s nothing I don’t like about it.
Oh and BTW, I left you a message with an idea about YOU creating the PERFECT home espresso machine with a good team of people. I leave you here a few ideas of what it should have: - 49mm group-head and portafilter - Boiler + thermoblock (for brewing and steaming at the same time) - Boiler feeds input water from the thermoblock instead of cold from the water tank (to avoid temperature drop while brewing) - Boiler recirculation (like self-Heat-Exchanger) for better group temp stability - PID + Dimmer mod from factory (built in with fashionable looking knob like if it was a small hi-fi music equipment good-looking volume knob) - Pressure gauge (of course) - Easily upgradeable with kits for measuring brew pressure and brew temp - Adjustable from the outside OPV - PERFECT TEMPERATURE STABILITY - Small, compact and no more than 10kg (since the boiler feeds from the thermoblock, it doesn't need to have a big boiler) - Button to disable/bypass solenoid valve (for blooming shots) - Heavy portafilter (for temp stability) - Comes with naked portafilter - Easily upgradeable to ultra compact rotary pump (Micro-Vane rotary pump) or two versions of the product. - Super high pressure steam (maybe 2 thermoblocks? [one for heating and second one for drying steam]) - Having a way to pre-load the water-circuit with pressure for faster pressure-building of the shot (to emulate a rotary pump) - Maybe the "volume" knob which controls the pump and thus the pressure of the pump, prevents the need of an OPV valve.
@@LanceHedrick did you happen to read my message about my idea of you creating a new perfect home espresso machine that is both relatively portable but at the same has an almost perfect temperature stability? We all need a machine that can really, really, really resemble the shots that a 5L-boiler-rotary-pump commercial machine can provide... and that at the same time is small enough to take on vacation! And I personally believe that the only person with the knowledge and the contacts to bring that machine to life is you.
@@TheMartinChnnlA commercial espresso machine with dead-flat temperature curve is nothing to be desired. I want repeatability, not stability. Never ever have encountered a coffee where a intentional temperature drop towards the end wasn’t a slight improvement.
Questions! 1- can you fit 19g-20g coffee in one of those baskets? 2- did thr PID make a difference for you compared to flair pro2 ? I owned flair classic/pro2/F58, my best espresso is from pro2, unfortunately work routine was long enough to justify the F58 (upgrade). Interested in TASTE comparison with Flair pro2 AND the Vostok? Could you compare the shot taste?
The motion of the water through the puck is vertical. The easiest way to visualize such things is to take the parameters to the extreme, where it is easy to see that the primary factor is the depth of the coffee. If the puck is almost of zero diameter then all the water flows past every grain of coffee and the pressure differential per unit of height is very low. If the puck is very wide then very little water flows past each grain of coffee and the pressure differential is very high. With a smaller diameter, you will have to grind coarser to prevent the extraction from "chocking". With a wider diameter you will have to grind finer to restrict the flow so that there is enough contact time between the water and the coffee to achieve extraction.
How would you compare this machine to a Flair 58? That works similar way by direct flow in the handle. My only difference I could think that this machine would be obviously more temp stable. But if you could share your thoughts on that I would appreciate it!
It’s long been my suspicion that a narrower and deeper coffee bed would help minimize significant channeling. Has a study been done on your aspect ratios to determine an “all other things being equal” best aspect ratio? How narrow can one go before it goes awry?
This looks great. Last month or so I'm not enjoying Lattes anymore. I was going to get the new Decent machine coming out and now questioning if I need a machine like that for espresso only if I go that direction.
I totally get why there's no pressure gauge. When I use my 58 with the SEP app, I'm mostly watching the flow rate reading from the scale and not the pressure.
So speaking of lever-action, manual espresso machines and aspect ratios… what are your thoughts these days on the Flair devices, specifically NOT the Flair 58, but the normal one up through the pro series. They have a much smaller diameter and deeper baskets than most of these espresso machines you’ve been reviewing lately. I have an original Flair that I have been getting REALLY good espressos from, but I’m not a barista and don’t have much of a benchmark. I only have my experiences, RUclips channels, and chemistry background. Thanks!!
Why isn't there a basket out there yet for a 58mm portafilter to 49mm? There are so many types of singleshot baskets, such as the one from La Marzocco, but no one has yet come up with the idea of designing a basket that is deep enough so that you can get a 14g shot on a 49mm diameter with a 58mm portafilter. @Lance: do you perhaps have the contacts to get this started? It would be really interesting to emulate a Strietmann espresso in conjunction with a Sanremo You or Decent, for example. best regards, and thanks for this great video again! Dennis
Thank you very much Lance as your video show me a clear picture that this type of manual lever machine 100% fit my life style. Appreciated deeply for your indepth explaination and would like to ask if possible could share us the link that we could buy the valve plungers (pressure display similar to the flair 58) compatible to CT2?
I think the main stigma against smaller basket sizes comes from the fact that, by en large, the smaller the basket, the cheaper the machine. A glance through the Amazon catalog will show a direct correlation. Additionally, a bigger basket (generally) lets you make more espresso. Of course, once you get passed 50 mm, that stops being as true, but if you're trying to upgrade from only pulling single shots, bigger lets you make more espresso.
How does it compare to a flair neo/58? Is it a substantial difference in taste quality or just something marginally better (diminishing returns) ? Asking because it is in limited availability and it is hard for regular consumers to do a taste comparison between them.
THAT is a sweet machine! Love the metals used. I wonder what FLair could come up with for a higher end lever machine....I think a good price point to target would be under $500 for Flair. Wont be as nice as this...Look at that drip tray...And I bet Strietman can lower that drip tray.
Have one of the original CT1's i.e. serial # 0002. I alternate between this and my Flair 58+. IMHO, It doesn't get any easier or better than that. Cheers!
I definitely can't afford this one (still have my eye on that Ascaso because we do 100% milk drinks), but I might try that flair neo sometime. Thanks for the excellent review of a beautiful machine. ❤
i guess the question is if there is data to support aspect ratio is more important than depth. i do 34g shots because i work long hours and only want to do 1 shot in the morning
as a cremina owner(and many others) imo the price of this machine is more justified when you look at the design, different metals, wood, temp control and aesthetic. looks like a spring lever given the apparent piston length seen from outside. is a scale really necessary?
Yo man, great video as usual. Suggestion, you absolutely need to review that new Ninja Luxe premier espresso machine. Will it suck? Hmm, most likely, or who knows? But it's absolutely doing interesting stuff that's never been tried at it's price point and I know I'd be incredibly interested to hear your take. Keep up the good work man!
What a beautiful machine, looks more like a piece of art than a coffee maker. That tamping though, look really uncomfortable. Wondering what the reasoning behind the outside locking on the portafiler is, because it feels just wrong :D
I finally got my pre order XBloom. Honestly pretty rough experience getting it, but 2 days into using it and I love it. The coffee xpods I got with it taste great. I even got some grisini geisha columbian coffee and wow.. that shit got me wired all night
Take it with an anecdotal grain of salt, however, I'm convinced that aiming for resistance feel rather than bar with my robot results in more consistently tasty results. Same coffee, same grind size, boiled kettle. Some days 7.5bar peak, sometimes 9 bar peak, similar feel. Tasty shots each time, not always identical flavour yet I suspect a 7 bar well made shot beats a channelled or squirty 8.5 (chasing 9 peak) bar shot every time. Not sure I'd have learned that without a pressure gauge. However, now I no longer care the gauge doesn't face upwards.
As another Robot user Ive been trending the same way despite my strong desire to control and measure everything. At first I was trying hard to standardize pressure, time, etc on a spreadsheet but now Im slowly heading to a place where I go off "feel" and the look of the stream coming out. On the one hand its cool to have it be more art than science, but on the other hand Im strongly craving something like a Decent
That variation comes from subtle but real variances in the puck prep. I agree with your approach, especially that things tend to go more wrong if you take the pressure too high for the puck you are working with. This is also the reason I have a hard time thinking I would like a machine where you pre-program its pressure profile.
Dude, this has been a dream machine since I’ve seen it on HB years ago. But I have a LP I got from a garage sale for $30 (usd) and it needed to be refurbished. I don’t know if I’ll ever get arid of it. But I still dream of a Streitman
I always dreamt of that machine, seen it and it was a dream, but price kept me away from it… when I get tired of f58 I’ll get it.. Absolutely gorgeous looking and 49mm makes absolute fantastic espresso on all I tried…
@@TomJones-tx7pb Probably not, but I doubt they do it as we are venturing well into niche territory here, it could also easily be fixed with a step down solution like through a portafilter or basket.
Been using my CT2 now for about 10 months. Owned a few other machines in the past. It will never leave my possession. The build, quality of materials, ease of use, silentness, and minimal maintenance all combine to make it a joy to use and look at. It will always have a place on my counter.
"Quick heat up, thermally stable, high forgiveness, small footprint, high quality, easy to repair, and absolutely stunning"
Lance you can't keep praising yourself like this
I mean, I'm quite a catch.
@@LanceHedrick You are. And if you start CrossFit, you'll break the internet.
@@pierrex3226 Hes fine the way he is.
@pierrex3226 Crossfit? LOL remember when they let the guy die this year? How about all the dumb exercises that are an orthopedic surgeons' wet dream?
You’re so spot on about lever espresso machines. I’ve been using them since the beginning of my coffee journey (minus the gloomy Nespresso pod years) and I can’t see me going to a pump machine unless I develop mobility issues. I’ve tried a few (including spring levers) and I always go back to direct. I love the connection I have to the process. On top I enjoy their simplicity, very low operational noise and low maintenance. And without advocating for superiority (because at this level it’s subjective), strangely enough the best espresso shots I have had - I’d say a good 80% - have come from levers.
So Lever person for life 🙌
Wonder where 80% come from, when you use only lever machines 😅 Sorry for that
Hey! What lever machine do you use??
Agreed!
@@tammasus Cafelat Robot and La Pavoni Esperto Abile. And frankly I don’t see myself getting anything else. I’ll be happy to have them till the very end and pass them down to the next gen. Only thing I am investing (upgrading) is grinder.
@@gpapa31 thanks!
I bought one of these a couple years ago and paired it with an HG-1 Prime hand grinder. Consistently great espresso and I 😊regularly get complements on the beauty of the machine. When not in use, it lives on a side table in my DR and people think I am showcasing an antique.
My first espresso machine was a direct lever, my last espresso machine will be a lever. Lever life! Great vid Lance!! Now to scrounge up $3K for the CT2…..
I’ve had my CT2 for 8 months and love it.
Long time coffee/espresso drinker, but have only been getting "nerdy" about it for the last few years; first by James, which I believe is how I came across your channel a while back (watch Morgans now as well). There have been plenty of machines I've learned though you that I've enjoyed, but I think this is the first I've been really jazzed about. Like you said, expensive, but for something that could last to the point of being passed down, worth it in the long run. I consider myself a minimalist and tend not to purchase things until I'm really ready to settle on a single thing long term. Me thinks this could be a winner in that department. As always, thanks for the thorough review. Love your energy and the way you present information in your videos.
Have you considered La Pavoni Europiccola? Ultrareliable, to be passed in generations... But 3 times cheaper. And less hassle for warmup.
Less hassle? Not true. Lol
This is faster and more consistent. And I enjoy my la pav(s) a lot.
yes, you are right, I am not correct about amount of hassle:
1) easier lever is slightly more convenient
2) PID temperature makes learning curve of easier by a lot
In comparison I liked in La Pavoni:
1) even the smallest boiler can hold enough water for several shots. One refill for several shots.
2) integrated steamer
What is your preheat times of La Pavoni? Mine are ~5-7' - comparable or faster
(La Pavoni is notoriously hard to make consistent shots)
@Grigory108 this one can pull several with one fill. And there is no temp surfing. That time is right to get the boiler to boiling but not long enough even with dry pumps to fully prime the machine, if you've ever measured with probes.
Good for you. You already know how important a really good grinder is. Also great water makes a huge difference when brewing. Please come back and give us an update if you do buy this unit. Best wishes. 😊
Always love the simplicity of manual lever devices that have less chance of things breaking, produce an amazing result and give you a little fun and joy in your day each time you use them. 🥰
Hey Lance. This is unrelated to the video but just wanted to say thank you for getting me started on my espresso journey. This whole time I thought that espresso required substantial investment. Thanks to you, I realised that a picopresso and a timemore c2 grinder would do the job. I made my first espresso today and it was absolutely fantastic. Thanks for your dialing in and latte art tutorials. You're a gem ❤
After a couple of years of not being into coffee that much, i mis the ritual and taste of making coffee with a good espresso machine. I purchased a good grinder and now waiting for my new espresso machine to be delivered. While on my holiday found your channel and watching all of the content you’ve made! Incredible how every aspect of coffee making is explained in great detail! Thank you for all your hard work and i will keep following your channel! Greetings from the Netherlands!
Honestly this was my first and now my end game machine. Totally agree it is hard to pull a bad shot. Complete control. It makes the most delicious espresso. I pair it with the Kafatek mc6. Very rewarding to use and enjoy. Wouter is a genius if you ask me. Thank you a ton Lance for reviewing! There are very few videos out there on this gem.
I’ve been looking into this machine since you posted the video. I finally bit the bullet and purchased one today. I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Thanks
I wanted to buy this for over a year, but had to wait for lance his review! Fucking love it
Great review. I'm a long time Strietman CT1 owner and not as skilled as you are, so great to see that you are enthusiastic as well! Its a great machine and Wouter is a real artist
This beautiful machine will go well with my top hat and monocle. 🧐
It is so flexible, it also works with pirate hats and Viking helmets.
@@ericpmoss 🤣 Stylish!
and a Bripe
Been waiting for this! Pairs so well with a HG-1 grinder.
LOVE IT! Definitely ORDER ONE … The price is more than fair 🎉
Completely agree, the CT2 is a wonderful machine and really appreciated that you also spoke about the background of this machine and the studying of the vintage models that led to this design. The only note I have is that is thermostat controlled and not PID controlled as you say, I'm quite sure it didn't change as I know Wouter has some quite strong opinions on PID's.
Correct. It is thermostat.
Yup
IF…WHEN…I get into espresso, this would be the machine/tool/heirloom for me!
Thanks for the introduction!
Bravo! 👏👏👏
Art work is what I think of when I see this. SOO beautiful. Awesome hearing that it can make some incredible espresso.
Have to say...I'm kinda jealous!
So cool Lance, congrats
Finally! I’ve been waiting for this. Zero gas since I bought this
Fun seeing this. I got the ES3 when it was quite new, in 2014 IIRC. I believe it is, like, #6 or #7 of the ES3:s. Still working, using it every day. Modded it with Gabor's pressure meter + piston (they improved the original piston between ES3 and CT1 I think), got a stainless funnel, and that is about it. Makes lovely coffee. Lately I added the Argos, but TBH I almost only use it for milk drinks, the ES3 is easier to use for pulling espressos - and it only needs 15g compared to the Argos' 18g.
I wish more machines were this simple.
I have one and love it. And enjoy it 2/3 times a deal. No PID, but a longer lasting thermocouple though. Heats up in 7m. I love prepping my baskets outside the portafilter, something that’s quite unique with this machine and I think you should explore. The tapping stamping etc without a bulky portafilter is great
If the Strietman is the porsche, my little europiccola is a Karmann Ghia. Really is a lovely machine, and I like the idea of machines created to last a life time. Thanks as always for a great video Lance!
The drip tray design is stunning, and I love how it is secured to the base.
I had a CT1, and one of my favorite aspects was its absolute silence. Paired with an HG-1 grinder, it was a lovely quiet experience. And wow were the shots beautiful.
The ultimate lever bar none❤
Excellent review. As a happy owner of a CT2 I absolutely agree with what you say. Just a note though, the distribution tool and the mesh baskets don’t come with the CT2, they are extras. Keep it up!
Can you comment as to how pulling successive shots affects overall performance and workflow. If I need to pull say 4 shots, would a semi-auto be better suited? I really want to get into levers but I’ve been holding off to find the right fit. Thank you kindly
So happy to see this review ! I had my CT2 for a few years now and I couldn’t be happier ! The only thing I sometimes struggle with is the right grind size
My $.002 Super fun to see you discuss a machine I own! I’ve had this machine for a year or more. I agree if you’re careful with your coffee and puck prep it’s hard to make a bad shot. One thing that I love that I don’t think I was mentioned is that the machine is VERY quiet, almost silent. I previously had a pavoni (that I found when someone put out in the curb!) and then a decent and I can say this is a far more chill housemate to have. I really dislike the porta filter - from puck prep to locking in, I find it frustrating. As a shorter person I find the lever harder to pull than a pavoni, but maybe I’m grinding too fine. Finally I’ll say if you have any qualms about the aesthetic, those will be magnified in real life so make sure you like the way it looks. I also agree it’s pure craftsmanship and art, so if it does appeal to you, rest assured it’s simply the finest version of this type of machine that you could own, while also being very unique. Cheers.
I really enjoyef seeing your excitement over this machine! All the best! ✌️
Minimum about 2700 USD before import duties and fees, in case someone is looking. I'd love one, but that's a lot. With that clearance it needs an integrated scale option.
I have a pressure gauge on mine. To get 9 bar you have to pull down considerably harder than that.
This is so beautiful!
Ironically I was just looking at these so Im glad you finally did a review on one🙏🏻
Hand grinding & hand pulling
Can’t beat that experience :)
I love this a lot, also love that it's made in my home country, but my, 2300, this is really for the die-hard Espresso lover. Nice to hear though that it's very forgiving.
Wow. It’s thing of beauty. I am very happy with my Lelit Bianca, but I am always thinking of getting a lever machine. Maybe this one.🤩
Beautiful machine... would be super cool if somehow the scale was built directly into the base with the display on the polished stainless stand underneath the drip tray to free space for larger cups and some manner of matching milk steamer. I'd probably buy one if that were the case... maybe CT3
Would love the see a video comparing different lever machines ♥
Last year Wouter (pronounced wow - ter) gave a demo of this machine at Sprout Coffee in the Netherlands, beautiful machine, I got to pull my own shot on it as well. Beautiful machine, pulls shots very nicely. If I ever tire of my La Pavoni, this might be the upgrade to get.
Beauty, thanks Lance! I love my blue Robot, but I dream of brass and copper…
Excellent video, great machine
Thanks for the amazing review as always! Love your coffee videos. Thanks for sharing your passion for coffee with us!
I own one! It uses a thermostat, not a PID! Great vid!
No PID in there to my understanding. Awesome video 💪
Yeah it's a thermostat. Whoops
I adore the Strietman! Some Time in the near future i will get one as my Pursit part on my bar just for its beauty
I was kinda hoping you would love this one! Wouter Strietman builds his machines less than 30 miles from where I grew up. Next espresso machine I get (my pump machine has some years of service ahead of it yet) will be this one, or maybe whatever Wouter Strietman comes up with next. There’s nothing I don’t like about it.
This guy Wouter is living a few km's from me! His name Wouter is pronounced: Wow-ter, keep the second w short, wow as in "how".
Or simpler even: it’s pronounced same as “outer”
@@markachternaam5207 if you have a Dutch accent, yeah 😁
but yeah it's a reasonable approximation for most native English speakers.
Great video Lance, but please please please, ALWAYS show us the crema inside the cup after pulling the shot!! We NEED to see it!
Oh and BTW, I left you a message with an idea about YOU creating the PERFECT home espresso machine with a good team of people. I leave you here a few ideas of what it should have:
- 49mm group-head and portafilter
- Boiler + thermoblock (for brewing and steaming at the same time)
- Boiler feeds input water from the thermoblock instead of cold from the water tank (to avoid temperature drop while brewing)
- Boiler recirculation (like self-Heat-Exchanger) for better group temp stability
- PID + Dimmer mod from factory (built in with fashionable looking knob like if it was a small hi-fi music equipment good-looking volume knob)
- Pressure gauge (of course)
- Easily upgradeable with kits for measuring brew pressure and brew temp
- Adjustable from the outside OPV
- PERFECT TEMPERATURE STABILITY
- Small, compact and no more than 10kg (since the boiler feeds from the thermoblock, it doesn't need to have a big boiler)
- Button to disable/bypass solenoid valve (for blooming shots)
- Heavy portafilter (for temp stability)
- Comes with naked portafilter
- Easily upgradeable to ultra compact rotary pump (Micro-Vane rotary pump) or two versions of the product.
- Super high pressure steam (maybe 2 thermoblocks? [one for heating and second one for drying steam])
- Having a way to pre-load the water-circuit with pressure for faster pressure-building of the shot (to emulate a rotary pump)
- Maybe the "volume" knob which controls the pump and thus the pressure of the pump, prevents the need of an OPV valve.
I second that. :)
I don't pull darker roasts typically..there is very little crema on my coffees lol
@@LanceHedrick did you happen to read my message about my idea of you creating a new perfect home espresso machine that is both relatively portable but at the same has an almost perfect temperature stability? We all need a machine that can really, really, really resemble the shots that a 5L-boiler-rotary-pump commercial machine can provide... and that at the same time is small enough to take on vacation!
And I personally believe that the only person with the knowledge and the contacts to bring that machine to life is you.
@@TheMartinChnnlA commercial espresso machine with dead-flat temperature curve is nothing to be desired. I want repeatability, not stability. Never ever have encountered a coffee where a intentional temperature drop towards the end wasn’t a slight improvement.
Questions!
1- can you fit 19g-20g coffee in one of those baskets?
2- did thr PID make a difference for you compared to flair pro2 ?
I owned flair classic/pro2/F58, my best espresso is from pro2, unfortunately work routine was long enough to justify the F58 (upgrade).
Interested in TASTE comparison with Flair pro2 AND the Vostok?
Could you compare the shot taste?
the open boiler is so cool
love it
absolutely lovely machine, great review.
That's it you convinced me!😭💸
Please note: the uniterra nomad has also a 49.5mm basket! 🎉
The motion of the water through the puck is vertical.
The easiest way to visualize such things is to take the parameters to the extreme, where it is easy to see that the primary factor is the depth of the coffee.
If the puck is almost of zero diameter then all the water flows past every grain of coffee and the pressure differential per unit of height is very low.
If the puck is very wide then very little water flows past each grain of coffee and the pressure differential is very high.
With a smaller diameter, you will have to grind coarser to prevent the extraction from "chocking".
With a wider diameter you will have to grind finer to restrict the flow so that there is enough contact time between the water and the coffee to achieve extraction.
Nurri L, Vostock, Argos, now Strietman... this just gets harder to choose 😁
How would you compare this machine to a Flair 58? That works similar way by direct flow in the handle.
My only difference I could think that this machine would be obviously more temp stable. But if you could share your thoughts on that I would appreciate it!
It’s long been my suspicion that a narrower and deeper coffee bed would help minimize significant channeling. Has a study been done on your aspect ratios to determine an “all other things being equal” best aspect ratio? How narrow can one go before it goes awry?
This is beautiful, wish the Meticulous espresso had the option for smaller baskets
This looks great. Last month or so I'm not enjoying Lattes anymore. I was going to get the new Decent machine coming out and now questioning if I need a machine like that for espresso only if I go that direction.
I need a cheaper version of this! Easy and great espresso? Yes please. Ponte vecchio Lusso looks ingesting (albeit bigger).
And now I need one
Beautiful lever machine!
What do you think of oldschool single shot baskets? I immediately thought about them after the last video.
I totally get why there's no pressure gauge. When I use my 58 with the SEP app, I'm mostly watching the flow rate reading from the scale and not the pressure.
So speaking of lever-action, manual espresso machines and aspect ratios… what are your thoughts these days on the Flair devices, specifically NOT the Flair 58, but the normal one up through the pro series. They have a much smaller diameter and deeper baskets than most of these espresso machines you’ve been reviewing lately.
I have an original Flair that I have been getting REALLY good espressos from, but I’m not a barista and don’t have much of a benchmark. I only have my experiences, RUclips channels, and chemistry background.
Thanks!!
12:05 really interested in the cup you're using, where did you get it?
I may have missed it, but how does it ensure temperature stability at the group head and avoid overheating of the group head after a couple of shots?
Why isn't there a basket out there yet for a 58mm portafilter to 49mm? There are so many types of singleshot baskets, such as the one from La Marzocco, but no one has yet come up with the idea of designing a basket that is deep enough so that you can get a 14g shot on a 49mm diameter with a 58mm portafilter. @Lance: do you perhaps have the contacts to get this started? It would be really interesting to emulate a Strietmann espresso in conjunction with a Sanremo You or Decent, for example. best regards, and thanks for this great video again! Dennis
Love your stuff! I'll never buy this but still enjoy the content
Hi lance , ct2 or cremina ?
wow... I want one. It's gorgeous.
Thank you very much Lance as your video show me a clear picture that this type of manual lever machine 100% fit my life style. Appreciated deeply for your indepth explaination and would like to ask if possible could share us the link that we could buy the valve plungers (pressure display similar to the flair 58) compatible to CT2?
Love mine also...good pulicity for Wouter here. Cheers
Love the CT2 praise. I’ll love this machine for life.
Any chance you could share where you got the purple cup from? Love the look.
How is it at pulling successive shots, say 4-5 in a row?
I think the main stigma against smaller basket sizes comes from the fact that, by en large, the smaller the basket, the cheaper the machine. A glance through the Amazon catalog will show a direct correlation. Additionally, a bigger basket (generally) lets you make more espresso. Of course, once you get passed 50 mm, that stops being as true, but if you're trying to upgrade from only pulling single shots, bigger lets you make more espresso.
How does it compare to a flair neo/58? Is it a substantial difference in taste quality or just something marginally better (diminishing returns) ? Asking because it is in limited availability and it is hard for regular consumers to do a taste comparison between them.
THAT is a sweet machine! Love the metals used. I wonder what FLair could come up with for a higher end lever machine....I think a good price point to target would be under $500 for Flair. Wont be as nice as this...Look at that drip tray...And I bet Strietman can lower that drip tray.
Lance… would you choose this machine over the Argos?
Have one of the original CT1's i.e. serial # 0002. I alternate between this and my Flair 58+. IMHO, It doesn't get any easier or better than that. Cheers!
I definitely can't afford this one (still have my eye on that Ascaso because we do 100% milk drinks), but I might try that flair neo sometime.
Thanks for the excellent review of a beautiful machine. ❤
i guess the question is if there is data to support aspect ratio is more important than depth. i do 34g shots because i work long hours and only want to do 1 shot in the morning
as a cremina owner(and many others) imo the price of this machine is more justified when you look at the design, different metals, wood, temp control and aesthetic. looks like a spring lever given the apparent piston length seen from outside. is a scale really necessary?
Yo man, great video as usual. Suggestion, you absolutely need to review that new Ninja Luxe premier espresso machine. Will it suck? Hmm, most likely, or who knows? But it's absolutely doing interesting stuff that's never been tried at it's price point and I know I'd be incredibly interested to hear your take. Keep up the good work man!
What a beautiful machine, looks more like a piece of art than a coffee maker. That tamping though, look really uncomfortable. Wondering what the reasoning behind the outside locking on the portafiler is, because it feels just wrong :D
I finally got my pre order XBloom. Honestly pretty rough experience getting it, but 2 days into using it and I love it. The coffee xpods I got with it taste great. I even got some grisini geisha columbian coffee and wow.. that shit got me wired all night
CT2 or Argos and why? And what's the difference between CT2 and CT2v2?
Shower screen updated in the v2
It’s magnificent
Take it with an anecdotal grain of salt, however, I'm convinced that aiming for resistance feel rather than bar with my robot results in more consistently tasty results. Same coffee, same grind size, boiled kettle. Some days 7.5bar peak, sometimes 9 bar peak, similar feel. Tasty shots each time, not always identical flavour yet I suspect a 7 bar well made shot beats a channelled or squirty 8.5 (chasing 9 peak) bar shot every time. Not sure I'd have learned that without a pressure gauge. However, now I no longer care the gauge doesn't face upwards.
As another Robot user Ive been trending the same way despite my strong desire to control and measure everything. At first I was trying hard to standardize pressure, time, etc on a spreadsheet but now Im slowly heading to a place where I go off "feel" and the look of the stream coming out. On the one hand its cool to have it be more art than science, but on the other hand Im strongly craving something like a Decent
That variation comes from subtle but real variances in the puck prep. I agree with your approach, especially that things tend to go more wrong if you take the pressure too high for the puck you are working with. This is also the reason I have a hard time thinking I would like a machine where you pre-program its pressure profile.
You are right, you need to use one machine with gauge so you don’t need it on another one. I have gauge on Pavoni and it help a ton on my learning.
Dude, this has been a dream machine since I’ve seen it on HB years ago.
But I have a LP I got from a garage sale for $30 (usd) and it needed to be refurbished. I don’t know if I’ll ever get arid of it.
But I still dream of a Streitman
I encourage you to refurb your LP sad to see it not in use. It should be relatively easy to refurb, good luck and like Nike ads says Just do it!
What’s the lever machine in the back of your videos please? Thanks!
How long does it take to reduce temp by lets say 2° between two shots?
I‘m in love ❤
Lance, have you compared the ims competition super fine mesh filter basket to the normal IMS and the Sworks basket for light roasted beans?
I always dreamt of that machine, seen it and it was a dream, but price kept me away from it… when I get tired of f58 I’ll get it.. Absolutely gorgeous looking and 49mm makes absolute fantastic espresso on all I tried…
It would not be hard for Flair to sell a part to reduce its 58x down to 49x.
@@TomJones-tx7pb Probably not, but I doubt they do it as we are venturing well into niche territory here, it could also easily be fixed with a step down solution like through a portafilter or basket.
Thanks for the detailed review.
Will you be doing a video on that vintage Faema lever in the background that always distracts me during your videos?