You have a very honest human approach to your presentation, it not overwhelming like some other RUclipsrs. Please keep it up and I look forward to more episodes 😀
Bought the Robot because of your video. I've been using it everyday for the last couple of months, and i absolutely love it. Amazing video. Thank you for the recommendation!
while researching the cafelat a few days ago, i came across your original video and really enjoyed it - so i was delighted to see this video in my recommendations today! so happy to know that the machine has been working out for you, definitely the best hands-on experience i’ve seen. appreciate you for sharing!!
So glad to hear it! What we love most is learning to really enjoy different flavors of coffee and exploring them. If there’s something in specific you’d like us to touch on let us know and we can work on making a video on the subject matter.
Thanks for providing this wonderful video! I’m new to the robot, and enjoying the experience making shots very much. Any hints and tricks are appreciated. Two things I like about the machine already is the relaxed method to make shots, and how easy it is to keep clean.
Hi Nadia and Rob, Your videos are so peaceful and genuinely bring me calm. Wishing you guys the best and thanking you for making the wonderful content.
Yes, it’s taken some time and experimentation for us to learn to appreciate the range of flavors in lighter roasts, but it’s definitely worth the exploration!
@@NadiaandRob haha It 100% is. I also bought the Cafelat because of James Hoffmann. I feel like a snob all the time as a coffee nerd, even when i only had my V60. We should never forget how priviliged we are, but thats a different story. Stay who you are :) I am also a happy snob :D
Hi Rob really nice video. I've been using the Robot for just over two years now so i wanted to give some quick thoughts: I also prefer the naked basket to the spouted basked BUT I find the spout does not absorb any noticeable brew temperature at all, and actually reduces the espresso to a very nice drinking temperature, because it only cools the water after it has extracted the coffee. I really like your solution to the odd original tamper. I do have the self levelling tamper Cafelat introduced and it is extremely comfortable and effective. If you ever decide to go that route, it's very nice! WDT is not for everyone because it is quite fiddly but besides the water spray i cant think of any single thing that helped my extractions more. There are extreme easy DIY options if you'd ever like to give it a try. I bought some acupuncture needles for 5 bucks and stuck them in a wine cork and it's excellent. I tend to use the Paul Pratt method of water filling and if I could give a quick benefit of that method it's that the higher volume of water provides a larger thermal mass and leads to more stable and higher temperatures that are especially helpful in extracting those light roasts. But I'm glad to hear you're getting shots you like from this method as well!
Wow Keith. Thanks for the detailed response. Yes that’s a good observation that the spout only cools the coffee post extraction. I’ll have to give WDT a try. There’s a guy making 3d printed one that’s very cool and very inexpensive. I’ll get one and see what’s up. Thanks for the feedback! Rob
I had my robot for a couple of weeks now. Before covid we had breville barista express machines at work. I bought one right when covid started and last Cyber Monday I bought a flair neo with bpf and pressure gauge. But the workflow and heat management are a pain and makes multiple shots very difficult so I only used it on weekends. The robot is just so much easier to use all around and thermal management also a breeze. No more getting burned!
This is a great video. I love how everything is explained so clearly and I enjoy Rob's quirks and mannerisms. Such a nice calm sounding guy. This makes me want to sit and listen to him all day. Hehe. Read me chronicles of narnia. Relaxing voice. 😊
Great video with lots of details. I looked at manual press espresso machines years ago and decided most were just too big. So glad to learn about the Cafelat. There is a RUclips vdeo from Cafelat that shows the complete assembly process and quality control. It looks like the arms are supposed to be adjusted just tight enough that they should stay up on their own - no need for a rubber band. You'd have to partially disassemble to snug down the set screws, but I can see it could become annoying to have the arms flopping down.
Actually, there’s no need to adjust the tension on the arms. You prepare the coffee and water in the holder, then simply lift the arms, insert the holder then start pre-infusion. There’s no need to hold the arms up… just lift, insert the holder, and start pressing down. We haven’t adjusted the screws at all… no need. Glad you enjoyed the video.
After watching your video, I was surprised to find that I naturally settled out on the exact same recipe over time. I typically use 18g coffee and add 54g of water "off the boil" as James Hoffman so eloquently puts it. I stay in the 6 to 8 bar range during extraction, and end the shot between 37g to 38g of output, where the extraction time comes in around 30 seconds. I too started with (and still love) dark roasts, but have recently been experimenting with lighter roasts, where I tend to grind them a little finer and my extraction time goes up to about a minute. Wish I would have found your video earlier in my Robot coffee career!
It’s interesting how we end up with similar recipes. I guess that’s the sweet spot for a slightly dark roast. We also have to make grind adjustments for lighter roasts but once you get the feel for it , adjustments get easier to dial in. Glad you’re enjoying your Robot!
Rob, I should said that I fully love your video. I saw tons of videos. So this is an absolutely honest feedback! 🙌 Waiting for the delivery of my robot and browsing videos about it 😀
I literally have the exact same routine and machine (except I am one of the WDT‘ers now).. such a fun little machine, allowing to play around all the time and did I mention the Godshots you can get 8/10 times? Keep it up 👍🏻
Another option on the self levelling tamper is to buy a roll of normal scotch tape. If you try to push it over the top of the tamper handle it'll be too tight but it's only just - if you've got a file / rasp you can run it along the inside of the roll to widen it a tad and then it'll slip right on. Then you just peel off tape gradually until you have just the right amount for it to fit into the basket. You've now go a tamper that can only stay level.
Really enjoyable watch, I have been researching all sorts of machines ( I have the Gaggia Classic and some manual devices) I think I have narrowed down my search to this beautiful device.
I have loved your videos on the robot - they helped me decide to buy it a few months ago! I recently started using the Hoffman method for the exact same reason! Funny to see it in your video as well around the same time hahah
I have recently been considering the Robot and Flair 58. I found this video very helpful. I have the Kinu grinder. It is fantastic grinder....well crafted tool. I use it for my mocha pot brews and will be using it for the espresso machine I decide on. Thank you for the scale recommendation as I find it must for a manual machine. I weigh everyting. Thank you again.
Thanks so much for this video! Researching for my first lever machine I’ve now made my mind up! I also have the kinu so it’s great to get some grind size recommendations off the bat. The kinu is a quality well built grinder and from what I’ve seen the robot is equally well built. Love your relaxed style whilst producing a quality video. Great.
So glad you enjoyed it, and we helped in making your decision. If you appreciate well built devices you will love the Robot! Absolutely solid. Enjoy and feel free to reach out with any questions.
Glad you enjoyed! We both love the Robot…. It’s made Nadia into an espresso drinker! Have fun! The link in the description leads to Cafune and they’re very helpful if you have any questions Have fun with your new Robot!
Thanks for the feedback…. We already use the Kinu Phoenix and it’s been great. We really like the step less adjustments, as our Cafelat Robot is responsive to minute changes in grind size. I know the 1Z grinder are great as well! We’re blessed with an abundance of great choices!
Hi Nadia and Rob, very nice video and I really appreciate it! I'm about to get my Robot in a few days and can't wait to try it out. One little suggestion I have for you guys is perhaps pre-heat your Cruve cup a little bit so that the espresso doesn't cool down too quickly, which will result in unnecessary loss of the crema. And i think a warmer shot tastes better anyway haha
It’s funny… I never really thought about pre-warming the kruve cups…. They’re so light and self insulated…. But it does help to pour a bit if hot water in. Thanks for the suggestion. Glad you enjoyed the video… enjoy your robot!
Dear Rob. Just found that really nice video! I'm alos using my Robot for close to 18 Months now, and Im absolutely loving it! Funny enough I also got myself a Kinu Phönix, and even a set of Kruve Propels already...🙂
Keep it going Rob and Nadia, your video is beautiful, glad to “hear” much better audio, your video are beautiful, it take sometime to gather more views and fans! Keep it going
Congratulations, you gave a very good measurement at the 5.14th second of your video, I have never seen such an explanatory video until today. But I enjoy double espresso. It would be nice if this machine had a 70-80 ml version. It produces a more consistent coffee than the automatic machine I have seen and used. Also, is the temperature of the coffee coming out sufficient? thanks a lot . greetings from Turkey
Hi @TU3321. Glad you enjoyed the video! I add the specific amount of water I want for my recipe. However there is room to add a lot more water if you wish. I just tested a 19 gr dose of coffee and had lots of room to add 80 ml of water. That’s the real beauty of this machine…. It’s flexible enough to allow you to pull a wide range of espresso styles. In terms of temperature, if you add water at boiling point, the espresso comes out very hot, no problem. And it’s designed so you don’t have to do any pre-heating routine! I’m sure you will enjoy using the Cafelat Robot to produce any style of espresso you want. Glad you enjoyed our video. Great to hear from Turkey!
Nice video, just a quick guidance, it's best to tamp the coffee while the basket is not in the holder, I bent my basket "lips" as it don't touch the counter. Just a friendly warning
Thanks for the heads up! I’ve always felt it was better to tamp in the holder to protect the bottom screen of the basket. I’ll have a look at the rim of the basket and see if it shows any sign of bending. Glad you enjoyed the video!
@@NadiaandRob about 7 shots in and finally got a delicious shot, was having undrinkable sour shots. This time did 16 grams of coffee, didn’t measure the rest but probably put 55 grams water. I hate measuring so trying to just get a feel now for it. This shot was creamy sweet and chocolate. I’m using the Je plus
Hi Kyle, glad you got to a delicious shot.... and relatively quickly! The JEplus is well suited to the Robot, as you'll find that small changes in the grind make a big difference in the cup. You'll definitely develop a feel for the pressure and flow. Enjoy!
I am lately obsessed with the Cafelat Robot, and your videos are some of the most informative out there... I think my decision is made, Robot it is...! Question regarding your grinder: do you find it "tedious" to grind your beans manually? How long does it take to grind enough beans for one cup? Thanks and keep rocking, approaching the 1k subs ;-)
Thank you! Glad to contribute to your decision. I really don’t mind the manual grind at all. It takes less than 1 minute to grind 18-20 grams… so a double espresso dose. Plus it’s very quiet, and sort of soothing. Plus it seems in keeping with the manual espresso approach. I haven’t been tempted to buy an electric grinder. The Kinu Pheonix does the job incredibly well, with precise control… and we’ve both enjoyed it! By the way, Nadia also grinds her own coffee, so it doesn’t require a “big guy” approach. Again, thanks for the encouragement!
I’ve played around with different doses and ratios and for the coffee I drink the 18 gram dose seems to work. I’m sure different coffees would be different. It all comes down to your preferences and taste. That’s what makes espresso so much fun!
I'm looking to buy a decent espresso machine and considered Bezzera BZ12, Lelit Mara x or Lelit Elisabeth however seeing your clip I wonder if they can produce a better Espresso? Besides that the Investment for the robot is much less and I guess this machine will last forever and will cause less trouble no need for descaling the most important point is you don't have to wait to warm up these machines which can take 20 to 30 minutes. I prefer medium roasting guess the recipe for espresso would be similar?
We’ll, you absolutely nailed the various advantages of the Robot!… not to mention the price difference! You’ll save enough to buy a lot of premium beans! I find the real,essential difference is that with the Robot you have a tactile interactive sense of the espresso process. You can feel the difference in flow and resistance in your hands…. Much more intuitive than just pressing a button. Yes, the recipes are very much the same, but you’ll find yourself making minute adjustments as you start to “feel” the process and taste the results. You’ll definitely want a grinder that is capable of small adjustments, like the Kinu that we use in the video. We recently got the new Baratza Encore ESP and we’re really happy with it! Watch for a video soon. Hope that helps… enjoy your espresso journey!
@@NadiaandRob Thanks very much for your quick reply at the moment I use the DF 64 with Titanium Burr guess it's good enough! I just have to learn to get the grind size right. As my home is in Bali we have plenty of single-origin coffees such as Bali Kintamani, Sumatra has an interesting Gayo coffee, Aceh, East&West Java, Flores, Toroja/Sulawesi and Wamena /Irian Jaya>Papua and Interesting blends. Plenty of roasting places on Bali and the coffee beans are fresh. Coffee culture in Indonesia exploded in the last 5 years. Most coffee houses use Italien Espresso machines (top-notch) some use the Slayer /handmade in the USA which is very expensive. greetings from Bali. Enjoy your new grinder!
Have you considered the Airscape for storing coffee? It takes longer than a conventional container for the coffee to age in an Airscape because the air inside it is kept to a minimum.
@@NadiaandRob The Airscape isn't a vacuum canister; the lid has a one-way valve that pushes the air out. But it's been tested against a vacuum canister and was just as effective in keeping the coffee fresh. Anyway, if you go through coffee within a week, it's not an issue.
@@LorenzoNW Sounds like an expensive brand for a very simple function. Here in Chile you can find all sizes of these valved containers for storing weed at quite a low price, I think a brand name you can find in the US is "Tightvac". They're usually not clear/transparent though.
Thanks for this! Just got a Robot yesterday, and am enjoying getting used to it. This was very useful! Can I just ask: in aiming for 30 seconds, is that including or excluding the pre-infusion?
Glad you enjoyed! I don’t include the pre-infusion time…. It really varies depending on my patience! The 30 second timing is really just a way of tracking the grind size…. If it takes much past 30 seconds, then grind is a bit too fine. Have fun exploring espresso!
How long does it take to grind your coffee? I had a quality hand grinder but for espresso it had very little resistance but would take literally 10 minutes which was too much for me.
Agreed, 10 minutes seems a long grind! The Kinu grinds 18 grams in around 2-3 minutes depending on how fast you go. It doesn’t feel overly long… a couple of pleasant minutes to relax and listen too something soothing.
Nicely done. I am considering this Cafelat Robot, as it is considerably cheaper than the lever machines that can cost as much as the electric espresso makers. But, the special basket this device requires means that you cannot tamp the coffee without introducing all kinds of mods, and that's just a pain. Is there a version of this that comes with the normal group head that allows you to use the coffee baskets found on the electric machines? Also, how do you steam milk if you want a cappuccino or latte?
Hi Jakob, The Robot is a very different design altogether. The special basket holds both the ground coffee and the hot water.... and the plunger forces the water through the coffee under pressure. The Robot comes with a tamper designed to fit the basket exactly. I did modify it by putting 1 ½ wine corks into the tamper, to make it fit my large hands. It works very well to tamp the coffee. Then there is a distribution screen that goes over the coffee, and hot water is added on top. The whole assembly gets loaded into the robot, and the plunger pushes the water through the coffee, controlled by the robot arms. The best part of this design is that the only part that contacts the coffee and water is the very light weight basket, so it doesn't require pre-heating (or electric heating) to achieve a perfect brew temperature. Much simpler to operate than the other lever machines. Yes, all parts of the robot are stainless steel... easy to clean and long lasting. We use a milk frother (link in comments) if we want to make foam for a cappuccino. I hope that helps answer your questions. After more than 1 year of daily use by both me and Nadia, w still highly recommend the Cafelat Robot.... it has allowed us to explore the world of espresso coffee at a fraction of the cost of a comparable electric machine. Enjoy!
@@NadiaandRob Hi Rob & Nadia: If you want to pull a LONGer shot, can you STOP at the end of the 1st extraction, fill up the brew cup with some more HOT WATER, and then RE-PLUNGE the same grind? Or do you have to add the extra H2O into your DRINKING CUP - before pulling the shot?
@@jakobw135 Sorry, Jakob, that won't work. When you raise the plunger it lifts the coffee puck, and it would be hard to manage. You would also get a very bitter taste, as you'd be over extracting the coffee. The cup has a total capacity of around 120 grams, so if you put in the minimum amount of coffee, and fill with water, you'll get a pretty long espresso to start with. Nadia likes an Americano style coffee, so she adds extra water from the kettle to her espresso, and it works well. Hope that helps! Nadia & Rob
@@NadiaandRob Just a quick P.S. Is the Cafelat a European or American design MADE-IN-CHINA? Or is it an ENTIRELY Chinese product? Can we be reassured that the SILICONE SEAL around the plunger-piston is proper FOOD GRADE, (will not leach out any UNDESIRABLES into the HOT brew)? Chinese standards are NOT 1st world. 🙂
@@jakobw135 The Robot was designed by Paul Pratt, who's been in the espresso business for quite a while: www.cafelat.com/about-us.html The silicone seal is FDA approved silicone, and everything else is stainless steel. This is a very high quality machine... you can sense the quality in the build as soon as you use it. www.cafelat.com/robot.html
We haven’t really played too much with temperature on the dark roasts. I change the grind to get a good flow, and that seems to yield excellent results. It’s funny though, sometimes I have to make the grind finer, and sometimes the opposite. I think as the beans age, their response to grinding changes, but once I get the grind dialed in it’s beautiful. The change is usually quite small, maybe one or two lines on the Kino Phoenix. I haven’t felt the need to alter water temp….. so many variables, so I keep the adjustments minimal. Works for me!
Hi Jakob. Yes, the brew chamber is a 58mm . The tamper that comes with it measures 57mm but I believe that’s to prevent jamming. Here are the full tech specs: www.cafelat.com/robot.html.
Hi Jakob. It’s tricky translating grams (weight) to ml (volume). The type of beans, roast level and grind all affect the weight (density) of the coffee, and therefore how much coffee you’ll get into a 30ml scoop. That’s why measuring your coffee dose by weight (grams) is more accurate and consistent, so you control your espresso, and adjust for flavor as needed. I know switching over to using a scale instead of a scoop is a bit of an adjustment, but it’s definitely worth the effort. We have a link in the description to the scale we use, and it’s been great, and quite inexpensive (plus it fits the Robot). Hope that helps! Nadia and Rob
@@NadiaandRob Thank you very much for your informative response. ☺️ I have a problem with my Robot. Maybe you can help me. At the very beginning I found the pressure resisting the levers motion was extreme - I could hardly move them down and yet I did not get any crema, despite using the finest grind possible. Subsequently and all the sudden, there was almost no resistance to the levers with the same or similar grind. I don't understand why. Is the bottom of the Piston supposed to get wet?
Hi. I’m just guessing but it may be that the silicone seal on the piston has stopped working. The robot comes with a replacement one and I believe there are instructions on the Cafelat website. The piston shouldn’t get wet as there should be an air gap between the piston and the water. It also sounds like your grind may have been too fine when you were having such a hard time pressing the levers. Also be sure to use a dose of 20 grams or less. Hope that helps. Let us know how it goes
That’s hard to say. It depends.. are you measuring the beans or the ground coffee? It sounds like a lot to me… and it seems you have too much resistance since it’s so hard to press the arms. Try using less coffee, and varying the grind. Your goal should be to have the espresso all come out in around 30-40 seconds. I would really recommend using a scale to get your amount and grind dialed in. Hope that helps, Nadia & Rob
You have a very honest human approach to your presentation, it not overwhelming like some other RUclipsrs. Please keep it up and I look forward to more episodes 😀
Bought the Robot because of your video. I've been using it everyday for the last couple of months, and i absolutely love it. Amazing video. Thank you for the recommendation!
Wow, thank you for your great comment! So glad you're happy with your Robot. Enjoy your espresso journey!
Glad to see someone get as much happiness out of making espresso .. i love my cafelat robot !
Thank you... we really do enjoy it!
while researching the cafelat a few days ago, i came across your original video and really enjoyed it - so i was delighted to see this video in my recommendations today! so happy to know that the machine has been working out for you, definitely the best hands-on experience i’ve seen. appreciate you for sharing!!
So glad to hear it! What we love most is learning to really enjoy different flavors of coffee and exploring them. If there’s something in specific you’d like us to touch on let us know and we can work on making a video on the subject matter.
Thanks for providing this wonderful video! I’m new to the robot, and enjoying the experience making shots very much. Any hints and tricks are appreciated. Two things I like about the machine already is the relaxed method to make shots, and how easy it is to keep clean.
Thank you for your appreciation! So glad to hear you're enjoying your Robot... and for the same reasons we love ours.
Hi Nadia and Rob,
Your videos are so peaceful and genuinely bring me calm. Wishing you guys the best and thanking you for making the wonderful content.
Thank you so much. We’re glad you “get” our intention!
Comments like this keep us inspired
I love you guys. May both of you happy and healthy.
Thank you and you as well 😊
I love light roast coffee for espresso. So many flavors as opposed to dark caramel flavor. I appreciate your comments on that.
Yes, it’s taken some time and experimentation for us to learn to appreciate the range of flavors in lighter roasts, but it’s definitely worth the exploration!
Haven’t seen a snob yet that is so happy, delightful and likable haha
Thanks for the compliment?? Yes, I’m a happy snob
@@NadiaandRob haha It 100% is. I also bought the Cafelat because of James Hoffmann. I feel like a snob all the time as a coffee nerd, even when i only had my V60. We should never forget how priviliged we are, but thats a different story. Stay who you are :) I am also a happy snob :D
"One more bean" is my fav line.. The Clild like curiosity and ability to have fun put a smile on my face. Great going. btw I do the same thing.
Glad you enjoyed!
Please NEVER stop making videos Inshallah!
These videos are amazing and bring such joy!
You encouragement will keep us working to create more videos. Thank you.
Hi Rob really nice video. I've been using the Robot for just over two years now so i wanted to give some quick thoughts:
I also prefer the naked basket to the spouted basked BUT I find the spout does not absorb any noticeable brew temperature at all, and actually reduces the espresso to a very nice drinking temperature, because it only cools the water after it has extracted the coffee.
I really like your solution to the odd original tamper. I do have the self levelling tamper Cafelat introduced and it is extremely comfortable and effective. If you ever decide to go that route, it's very nice!
WDT is not for everyone because it is quite fiddly but besides the water spray i cant think of any single thing that helped my extractions more. There are extreme easy DIY options if you'd ever like to give it a try. I bought some acupuncture needles for 5 bucks and stuck them in a wine cork and it's excellent.
I tend to use the Paul Pratt method of water filling and if I could give a quick benefit of that method it's that the higher volume of water provides a larger thermal mass and leads to more stable and higher temperatures that are especially helpful in extracting those light roasts. But I'm glad to hear you're getting shots you like from this method as well!
Wow Keith. Thanks for the detailed response. Yes that’s a good observation that the spout only cools the coffee post extraction. I’ll have to give WDT a try. There’s a guy making 3d printed one that’s very cool and very inexpensive. I’ll get one and see what’s up.
Thanks for the feedback!
Rob
I had my robot for a couple of weeks now. Before covid we had breville barista express machines at work. I bought one right when covid started and last Cyber Monday I bought a flair neo with bpf and pressure gauge. But the workflow and heat management are a pain and makes multiple shots very difficult so I only used it on weekends. The robot is just so much easier to use all around and thermal management also a breeze. No more getting burned!
We totally agree! Such a fun and simple machine to use…. And great espresso! Best of all, the design makes us smile every morning. Enjoy!
This is a great video. I love how everything is explained so clearly and I enjoy Rob's quirks and mannerisms. Such a nice calm sounding guy. This makes me want to sit and listen to him all day. Hehe. Read me chronicles of narnia. Relaxing voice. 😊
Thanks Jerome,
So glad you enjoyed my quirky, but relaxing delivery... Narnia... hmmmmmm
Great video with lots of details. I looked at manual press espresso machines years ago and decided most were just too big. So glad to learn about the Cafelat. There is a RUclips vdeo from Cafelat that shows the complete assembly process and quality control. It looks like the arms are supposed to be adjusted just tight enough that they should stay up on their own - no need for a rubber band. You'd have to partially disassemble to snug down the set screws, but I can see it could become annoying to have the arms flopping down.
Actually, there’s no need to adjust the tension on the arms. You prepare the coffee and water in the holder, then simply lift the arms, insert the holder then start pre-infusion. There’s no need to hold the arms up… just lift, insert the holder, and start pressing down.
We haven’t adjusted the screws at all… no need.
Glad you enjoyed the video.
After watching your video, I was surprised to find that I naturally settled out on the exact same recipe over time. I typically use 18g coffee and add 54g of water "off the boil" as James Hoffman so eloquently puts it. I stay in the 6 to 8 bar range during extraction, and end the shot between 37g to 38g of output, where the extraction time comes in around 30 seconds. I too started with (and still love) dark roasts, but have recently been experimenting with lighter roasts, where I tend to grind them a little finer and my extraction time goes up to about a minute. Wish I would have found your video earlier in my Robot coffee career!
It’s interesting how we end up with similar recipes. I guess that’s the sweet spot for a slightly dark roast. We also have to make grind adjustments for lighter roasts but once you get the feel for it , adjustments get easier to dial in.
Glad you’re enjoying your Robot!
Really like your voice and the way you deliver your knowledge. ^^
Thank you… glad you enjoyed!
Very much enjoy seeing your presentation used after one year. I will definite buy one as I used to drink medium roast coffee. Thanks, and bless you!
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed
Rob, I should said that I fully love your video. I saw tons of videos. So this is an absolutely honest feedback! 🙌 Waiting for the delivery of my robot and browsing videos about it 😀
Thank you for your kind words. We really appreciate the feedback. Enjoy your Robot when it arrives!
I literally have the exact same routine and machine (except I am one of the WDT‘ers now).. such a fun little machine, allowing to play around all the time and did I mention the Godshots you can get 8/10 times? Keep it up 👍🏻
Thanks! I’m also using WDT now. Seems to increase consistency. Glad you’re enjoying the robot too!
Very calm enjoyable presentation.
Thanks for posting.
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for the encouragement.
Another option on the self levelling tamper is to buy a roll of normal scotch tape. If you try to push it over the top of the tamper handle it'll be too tight but it's only just - if you've got a file / rasp you can run it along the inside of the roll to widen it a tad and then it'll slip right on. Then you just peel off tape gradually until you have just the right amount for it to fit into the basket. You've now go a tamper that can only stay level.
Very ingenious! I find that I can feel the levelled of the tamper in my hand. Seems to work well
Really enjoyable watch, I have been researching all sorts of machines ( I have the Gaggia Classic and some manual devices) I think I have narrowed down my search to this beautiful device.
Glad you enjoyed our video. You’ll love the Robot!
I have loved your videos on the robot - they helped me decide to buy it a few months ago! I recently started using the Hoffman method for the exact same reason! Funny to see it in your video as well around the same time hahah
Glad you're enjoying the videos and we're in sync with our methodology lol. Keep having fun!
great video, awesome guy, robot on its way to lisbon!
I have recently been considering the Robot and Flair 58. I found this video very helpful. I have the Kinu grinder. It is fantastic grinder....well crafted tool. I use it for my mocha pot brews and will be using it for the espresso machine I decide on. Thank you for the scale recommendation as I find it must for a manual machine. I weigh everyting. Thank you again.
Very glad that you were able to find the video helpful!
Really fun to see the progression of your taste and your technique.
Yes, it’s been an interesting exploration! Glad you’re enjoying it too.
Great video. Love your vibe. Enjoy the robot
Thanks!
Thanks so much for this video! Researching for my first lever machine I’ve now made my mind up! I also have the kinu so it’s great to get some grind size recommendations off the bat. The kinu is a quality well built grinder and from what I’ve seen the robot is equally well built. Love your relaxed style whilst producing a quality video. Great.
So glad you enjoyed it, and we helped in making your decision. If you appreciate well built devices you will love the Robot! Absolutely solid. Enjoy and feel free to reach out with any questions.
Really enjoyed this video. I am contemplating buying one of these and found this very helpful.
Glad you enjoyed! We both love the Robot…. It’s made Nadia into an espresso drinker!
Have fun!
The link in the description leads to Cafune and they’re very helpful if you have any questions
Have fun with your new Robot!
Great video!
Thank you :)
For grinding you might want to look at the 1Zpresso J-Max. Incredibly fine grind adjustment settings using the outer top ring of the grinder.
Thanks for the feedback…. We already use the Kinu Phoenix and it’s been great. We really like the step less adjustments, as our Cafelat Robot is responsive to minute changes in grind size. I know the 1Z grinder are great as well! We’re blessed with an abundance of great choices!
Hi Nadia and Rob, very nice video and I really appreciate it! I'm about to get my Robot in a few days and can't wait to try it out. One little suggestion I have for you guys is perhaps pre-heat your Cruve cup a little bit so that the espresso doesn't cool down too quickly, which will result in unnecessary loss of the crema. And i think a warmer shot tastes better anyway haha
It’s funny… I never really thought about pre-warming the kruve cups…. They’re so light and self insulated…. But it does help to pour a bit if hot water in. Thanks for the suggestion.
Glad you enjoyed the video… enjoy your robot!
I’ve been warming the cup (when I remember to). Not sure if it makes for more crema, but it does keep the espresso hot a bit longer. Thanks for that!
Great video! I'm still trying hard to nail my workflow with the cafelat robot. This will help! Thanks!
So glad this will help! DM or comment if you have any questions
I love your voice. I hope video catch people attention too soon.
Thank you!
Dear Rob. Just found that really nice video! I'm alos using my Robot for close to 18 Months now, and Im absolutely loving it! Funny enough I also got myself a Kinu Phönix, and even a set of Kruve Propels already...🙂
Glad you’re enjoying the Robot! Good choice on the grinder and glasses…. Both so beautiful and functional.
Very pleasant and enjoyable review. You’re like the American James Hoffman (right down to the jumper) but maybe a little bit older.
Ok. You caught me. I was thinking of JH when I put on the jumper.
Still… very flattered by your comment!
Love the video. So calm and well presented! I have to know where the sweater is from though!
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video!
The sweater is a Hugo Boss that I grabbed at a vintage fashion store. A great find!
@@NadiaandRob absolutely! I'm just about to receive my robot and am fulling feeling your comfy sweater vibes! Thanks for the response!
Keep it going Rob and Nadia, your video is beautiful, glad to “hear” much better audio, your video are beautiful, it take sometime to gather more views and fans! Keep it going
Thank you for your encouraging words. So nice to hear we’re on the right track
Congratulations, you gave a very good measurement at the 5.14th second of your video, I have never seen such an explanatory video until today. But I enjoy double espresso. It would be nice if this machine had a 70-80 ml version. It produces a more consistent coffee than the automatic machine I have seen and used. Also, is the temperature of the coffee coming out sufficient? thanks a lot . greetings from Turkey
Hi @TU3321. Glad you enjoyed the video! I add the specific amount of water I want for my recipe. However there is room to add a lot more water if you wish. I just tested a 19 gr dose of coffee and had lots of room to add 80 ml of water. That’s the real beauty of this machine…. It’s flexible enough to allow you to pull a wide range of espresso styles.
In terms of temperature, if you add water at boiling point, the espresso comes out very hot, no problem. And it’s designed so you don’t have to do any pre-heating routine!
I’m sure you will enjoy using the Cafelat Robot to produce any style of espresso you want. Glad you enjoyed our video. Great to hear from Turkey!
Nice video, just a quick guidance, it's best to tamp the coffee while the basket is not in the holder, I bent my basket "lips" as it don't touch the counter. Just a friendly warning
Thanks for the heads up! I’ve always felt it was better to tamp in the holder to protect the bottom screen of the basket. I’ll have a look at the rim of the basket and see if it shows any sign of bending.
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Mines coming Friday! Will try some of your suggestions. Love the cork idea!
Have fun with it! Any questions ask them here.
@@NadiaandRob appreciate it!
@@NadiaandRob about 7 shots in and finally got a delicious shot, was having undrinkable sour shots. This time did 16 grams of coffee, didn’t measure the rest but probably put 55 grams water. I hate measuring so trying to just get a feel now for it. This shot was creamy sweet and chocolate. I’m using the Je plus
I don’t have the pressure gauge so I have to use feel a bit more and visual
Hi Kyle, glad you got to a delicious shot.... and relatively quickly! The JEplus is well suited to the Robot, as you'll find that small changes in the grind make a big difference in the cup. You'll definitely develop a feel for the pressure and flow. Enjoy!
Thanx for sharing ...
Cardinal rule of coffee, no matter the extraction method, always weigh your beans and water.
absolutely! That's one of the things we love about the Robot. We often weigh water in and espresso out.
First time here ,like ,share and subscribe, keep it up
I am lately obsessed with the Cafelat Robot, and your videos are some of the most informative out there... I think my decision is made, Robot it is...!
Question regarding your grinder: do you find it "tedious" to grind your beans manually? How long does it take to grind enough beans for one cup? Thanks and keep rocking, approaching the 1k subs ;-)
Thank you! Glad to contribute to your decision. I really don’t mind the manual grind at all. It takes less than 1 minute to grind 18-20 grams… so a double espresso dose. Plus it’s very quiet, and sort of soothing. Plus it seems in keeping with the manual espresso approach. I haven’t been tempted to buy an electric grinder. The Kinu Pheonix does the job incredibly well, with precise control… and we’ve both enjoyed it! By the way, Nadia also grinds her own coffee, so it doesn’t require a “big guy” approach.
Again, thanks for the encouragement!
@@NadiaandRob Thanks for the reply, appreciate it ;-)
I find 18g too much..ever tried 16.5 or 17? Wdt is a must have indeed 😂
I’ve played around with different doses and ratios and for the coffee I drink the 18 gram dose seems to work. I’m sure different coffees would be different. It all comes down to your preferences and taste. That’s what makes espresso so much fun!
I'm looking to buy a decent espresso machine and considered Bezzera BZ12, Lelit Mara x or Lelit Elisabeth however seeing your clip I wonder if they can produce a better Espresso? Besides that the Investment for the robot is much less and I guess this machine will last forever and will cause less trouble no need for descaling the most important point is you don't have to wait to warm up these machines which can take 20 to 30 minutes. I prefer medium roasting guess the recipe for espresso would be similar?
We’ll, you absolutely nailed the various advantages of the Robot!… not to mention the price difference! You’ll save enough to buy a lot of premium beans!
I find the real,essential difference is that with the Robot you have a tactile interactive sense of the espresso process. You can feel the difference in flow and resistance in your hands…. Much more intuitive than just pressing a button. Yes, the recipes are very much the same, but you’ll find yourself making minute adjustments as you start to “feel” the process and taste the results. You’ll definitely want a grinder that is capable of small adjustments, like the Kinu that we use in the video. We recently got the new Baratza Encore ESP and we’re really happy with it! Watch for a video soon.
Hope that helps… enjoy your espresso journey!
Sorry…. Forgot to answer your most important question…. Yes, the Robot makes an perfect espresso! Even James Hoffman was impressed.
@@NadiaandRob Thanks very much for your quick reply at the moment I use the DF 64 with Titanium Burr guess it's good enough! I just have to learn to get the grind size right. As my home is in Bali we have plenty of single-origin coffees such as Bali Kintamani, Sumatra has an interesting Gayo coffee, Aceh, East&West Java, Flores, Toroja/Sulawesi and Wamena /Irian Jaya>Papua and Interesting blends. Plenty of roasting places on Bali and the coffee beans are fresh. Coffee culture in Indonesia exploded in the last 5 years. Most coffee houses use Italien Espresso machines (top-notch) some use the Slayer /handmade in the USA which is very expensive. greetings from Bali. Enjoy your new grinder!
Have you considered the Airscape for storing coffee? It takes longer than a conventional container for the coffee to age in an Airscape because the air inside it is kept to a minimum.
I generally go through coffee rather quickly, so I’m not too concerned with it .. .. I do have sealed containers but not vacuum type.
@@NadiaandRob The Airscape isn't a vacuum canister; the lid has a one-way valve that pushes the air out. But it's been tested against a vacuum canister and was just as effective in keeping the coffee fresh. Anyway, if you go through coffee within a week, it's not an issue.
@@LorenzoNW Sounds like an expensive brand for a very simple function. Here in Chile you can find all sizes of these valved containers for storing weed at quite a low price, I think a brand name you can find in the US is "Tightvac". They're usually not clear/transparent though.
Thanks for this! Just got a Robot yesterday, and am enjoying getting used to it. This was very useful! Can I just ask: in aiming for 30 seconds, is that including or excluding the pre-infusion?
Glad you enjoyed! I don’t include the pre-infusion time…. It really varies depending on my patience! The 30 second timing is really just a way of tracking the grind size…. If it takes much past 30 seconds, then grind is a bit too fine.
Have fun exploring espresso!
Thanks so much!
How long does it take to grind your coffee? I had a quality hand grinder but for espresso it had very little resistance but would take literally 10 minutes which was too much for me.
Agreed, 10 minutes seems a long grind! The Kinu grinds 18 grams in around 2-3 minutes depending on how fast you go. It doesn’t feel overly long… a couple of pleasant minutes to relax and listen too something soothing.
Nicely done.
I am considering this Cafelat Robot, as it is considerably cheaper than the lever machines that can cost as much as the electric espresso makers. But, the special basket this device requires means that you cannot tamp the coffee without introducing all kinds of mods, and that's just a pain.
Is there a version of this that comes with the normal group head that allows you to use the coffee baskets found on the electric machines?
Also, how do you steam milk if you want a cappuccino or latte?
Hi Jakob,
The Robot is a very different design altogether. The special basket holds both the ground coffee and the hot water.... and the plunger forces the water through the coffee under pressure. The Robot comes with a tamper designed to fit the basket exactly. I did modify it by putting 1 ½ wine corks into the tamper, to make it fit my large hands. It works very well to tamp the coffee. Then there is a distribution screen that goes over the coffee, and hot water is added on top. The whole assembly gets loaded into the robot, and the plunger pushes the water through the coffee, controlled by the robot arms.
The best part of this design is that the only part that contacts the coffee and water is the very light weight basket, so it doesn't require pre-heating (or electric heating) to achieve a perfect brew temperature. Much simpler to operate than the other lever machines. Yes, all parts of the robot are stainless steel... easy to clean and long lasting.
We use a milk frother (link in comments) if we want to make foam for a cappuccino.
I hope that helps answer your questions. After more than 1 year of daily use by both me and Nadia, w still highly recommend the Cafelat Robot.... it has allowed us to explore the world of espresso coffee at a fraction of the cost of a comparable electric machine.
Enjoy!
@@NadiaandRob Hi Rob & Nadia: If you want to pull a LONGer shot, can you STOP at the end of the 1st extraction, fill up the brew cup with some more HOT WATER, and then RE-PLUNGE the same grind? Or do you have to add the extra H2O into your DRINKING CUP - before pulling the shot?
@@jakobw135 Sorry, Jakob, that won't work. When you raise the plunger it lifts the coffee puck, and it would be hard to manage. You would also get a very bitter taste, as you'd be over extracting the coffee. The cup has a total capacity of around 120 grams, so if you put in the minimum amount of coffee, and fill with water, you'll get a pretty long espresso to start with. Nadia likes an Americano style coffee, so she adds extra water from the kettle to her espresso, and it works well.
Hope that helps!
Nadia & Rob
@@NadiaandRob Just a quick P.S.
Is the Cafelat a European or American design MADE-IN-CHINA? Or is it an ENTIRELY Chinese product?
Can we be reassured that the SILICONE SEAL around the plunger-piston is proper FOOD GRADE, (will not leach out any UNDESIRABLES into the HOT brew)? Chinese standards are NOT 1st world. 🙂
@@jakobw135 The Robot was designed by Paul Pratt, who's been in the espresso business for quite a while: www.cafelat.com/about-us.html The silicone seal is FDA approved silicone, and everything else is stainless steel. This is a very high quality machine... you can sense the quality in the build as soon as you use it. www.cafelat.com/robot.html
16:35
That needle tool?
It’s called GAT
The Ground Acupuncture Tool
Do you find with the darker roasts, you have to bring the temperature down to 195 f to avoid bitter flavours?
We haven’t really played too much with temperature on the dark roasts. I change the grind to get a good flow, and that seems to yield excellent results. It’s funny though, sometimes I have to make the grind finer, and sometimes the opposite. I think as the beans age, their response to grinding changes, but once I get the grind dialed in it’s beautiful. The change is usually quite small, maybe one or two lines on the Kino Phoenix. I haven’t felt the need to alter water temp….. so many variables, so I keep the adjustments minimal. Works for me!
Is the Brew chamber Porta filter assembly 58 mm?
Hi Jakob. Yes, the brew chamber is a 58mm . The tamper that comes with it measures 57mm but I believe that’s to prevent jamming. Here are the full tech specs: www.cafelat.com/robot.html.
How do GRAMS of coffee translate to MLs of the same coffee with a (30ml) SCOOP, for example?
Hi Jakob. It’s tricky translating grams (weight) to ml (volume). The type of beans, roast level and grind all affect the weight (density) of the coffee, and therefore how much coffee you’ll get into a 30ml scoop. That’s why measuring your coffee dose by weight (grams) is more accurate and consistent, so you control your espresso, and adjust for flavor as needed.
I know switching over to using a scale instead of a scoop is a bit of an adjustment, but it’s definitely worth the effort.
We have a link in the description to the scale we use, and it’s been great, and quite inexpensive (plus it fits the Robot).
Hope that helps!
Nadia and Rob
@@NadiaandRob Thank you very much for your informative response. ☺️
I have a problem with my Robot.
Maybe you can help me. At the very beginning I found the pressure resisting the levers motion was extreme - I could hardly move them down and yet I did not get any crema, despite using the finest grind possible.
Subsequently and all the sudden, there was almost no resistance to the levers with the same or similar grind. I don't understand why. Is the bottom of the Piston supposed to get wet?
Hi. I’m just guessing but it may be that the silicone seal on the piston has stopped working. The robot comes with a replacement one and I believe there are instructions on the Cafelat website. The piston shouldn’t get wet as there should be an air gap between the piston and the water.
It also sounds like your grind may have been too fine when you were having such a hard time pressing the levers. Also be sure to use a dose of 20 grams or less.
Hope that helps. Let us know how it goes
@@NadiaandRob I typically use 2 30 mil scoop fulls of coffee. Is that too much?
That’s hard to say. It depends.. are you measuring the beans or the ground coffee? It sounds like a lot to me… and it seems you have too much resistance since it’s so hard to press the arms. Try using less coffee, and varying the grind. Your goal should be to have the espresso all come out in around 30-40 seconds. I would really recommend using a scale to get your amount and grind dialed in.
Hope that helps, Nadia & Rob