WACACO Picopresso Portable Espresso Maker Bundled with Protective Case Pro-level Specialty Coffee Machine Compatible Ultra-fine Grind Manually Operated

For years we have wished for a portable espresso maker that we could use while camping on river trips. So when we discovered the Picopresso we had to try it. We have now used it on two trips totaling 7 days as well as doing many test shots at home. For us this appliance lives up to its promise, producing coffee on a par with our very good Gaggia countertop machine with a practical amount of effort. The Picopresso has many parts and pieces. All of the key parts have excellent fit and finish with a very solid and robust feel that promises long useful life. The exceptions to this are the rubber caps for the bottom of the machine which we find difficult to attach. Fortunately they are not required so we leave them at home along with the brush and stirring tool which we also do not use. The design of the funnel and tamper is very clever and helps to minimize mess while making it easy to load just the right amount of coffee into the basket. It took some experimenting before we found the right fineness of grind to give good results. With the right grind and a modest amount of packing force the Picopresso produces thick brown crema with sublime nutty flavor. One can feel the pressure being developed in the force of the pump strokes. The best results seem to come when the pressure is modest at the moment the first drops emerge and then builds as the grounds wet and (presumably) expand, rising to the point where each pump stroke takes considerable strength. Using the Picopresso in a camp setting is more complicated and messy than making drip coffee. There are a lot of parts to clean up and the machine dribbles left-over coffee after the extraction is complete. With practice we have found ways of minimizing all of that and for us the results are worth the extra effort. We will be taking it on all of our future trips! Read more

This thing makes amazing espresso of the quality of a very high end coffee shop. There is more quality flavor extraction than I expected. It is very simple to use if you have a scale and follow the instructions. It's also easy to clean, great to pack with you on a trip, and is WAY cheaper than machines that would create the same quality of espresso and provide the same durability. Read more

Exactly as advertised, very high quality manufacture, great espresso. Some things to consider: 1. there are a LOT of parts that will be hard to remember how to assemble at first. It would be nice to have a printed blow-out illustration of assembly order on the inside of the holding case. A bit fussy to assemble/disassemble/clean. 2. you have to twist the edge of the pump plunger to get it to pop out. The edge is very thin and made of slippery material. If this were ridged it would make twisting it much easier. 3. if you have a home espresso maker / grinder you will find the Picospresso needs an even finer grind, sometimes labeled as "Turkish coffee". You really MUST have a quality burr grinder to get this fine. I pre-grind with my home grinder when I'm on a trip so this is not a problem but you may need to invest in their hand grinder, which I did not try. 4. heavier in the hand than you might expect -- fastidious backpackers may complain but for my travel via car/airplane it is not an issue. On the other hand it is because it seems very well made and of high quality metal and silicone. 5. The carrying case is very nice but tight and I worry that the zippers might not be up to the task for the lifetime of the product, even though they are made of sturdy stainless steel -- not plastic ones. 6. I have heard the pump action described as "a bit stiff" but I found it quite smooth and easy to use. It is two handed but unless you have strongly arthritic hands you should have not problem with it. 7. A real portafilter basket, nice. Does NOT use pods -- ugh! 8. obviously you will need a source of boiling water. If your hotel only has electric outlets and no microwave, you may need a portable hot water maker. 9. perhaps obviously it does not steam milk. I love the Picospresso and am a picky espresso drinker. This will make my travel (6-8 weeks per year) so much more enjoyable. Good espresso on the road is spotty at best and now I probably won't bother looking. UPDATE: I've now used this one a few trips an it does make incredible espresso! However I find two problems. 1. It is like solving a puzzle each time I re-assemble it. They designed for compactness but sacrificed in the somewhat ridiculous complexity of packing it back up. 2. When I traveled with another espresso lover I found that pulling the second shot will lock up the device. The portafilter becomes extremely hard to push water through AND it was impossible to unscrew after the (difficult) second shot. I had to wrap it in a plastic bag (it will leak) and pack it with grounds still in the device - then disassemble and clean at the next opportunity. From now on I'll wash the bottom section, the one with the portafilter, in COLD water before trying to pull the second shot. This should help with both problems like it does in my home machine. UPDATE 2: Some design suggestions after extended trip usage: 1. The plastic lid on top contains the hot water. It has no grippy texture like the portafilter tightener. Be CAREFUL, if this is not on TIGHT you'll get boiling hot water dribbling on your hands when you pump. It would be great if this lid had a grip texture. Same for the screw-out pump handle locking mechanism - it is very thin and slippery when wet, when locking it down for storage. 2. The pump is a bit hard to use - you have to squat or contort to cover some cup or glass receptacle and compress using your chest muscles, not your hand gripping muscles - all without splattering hot coffee everywhere. I eventually found a plastic insulated cup the fit tightish around the bottom of the picospresso. This allows me to hold it in a way where I use my gripping muscles. The bottom has a flat rubber cover, why not make an accessory rubber cup-sized cover to solve this problem? These tweaks would make it easier and safer to use and less messy. UPDAYE 3: Broken! In cold weather the plastic tabs the hold the plunger from comeing out of the side of the unit broke mearly by releasing the pump piston. This is how you are supposed to release the piston so clearly another flaw in design materials. I'm very disappointed so tried a Nanospresso to replace this but the coffee is dismal so trying another Picospesso. This device is the ONLY true espresso you are going to find on the road/camp so despite all my issues above it is the only game in town so far. ADVICE: EASE OUT THE PISTON! don't let it pop out or you may end up with a handful of metal parts and a broken piston. Five stars for espresso quality and size, far less for plastic part qualty. Read more

I bought this so I can use on the road. Now I use it daily at home and wherever I go. I have limited space at my home, and I cannot imagine pushing out $1k for something that is not even premium quality. Now this product I am completely satisfied with. The bad reviews just skip them. listen to me, this thing pushes out really good quality espresso and its really easy. The build I think is of good plastic and great steel build. Even though the plastic container worried me it is very well made. many people mention how hot it gets let me tell you it is not that serious. you can cup it and it will not burn a bit. The coffee temperature is good, brew time is quick and easy, the weight is very light and easy to handle, since I have little space (another reason why this works so well for me) this is amazing, its super easy to clean! so easy it is literally just running water rinsing and putting on dish rack to dry or whatever you want to use to dry your device. The device does everything well and you will be impressed if you are moving up from something like a moka pot. Americano, straight shot of espresso, or a mixed drink? all will be on a higher level than you thought. You will also see how much better your drinks are compared to the ones store bought. You will also spend a lot less per cup. Read more