Investing in a La Marzocco GS3 is a significant undertaking. Not only is it a significant choice with regard to finances, but the espresso is quite delicious. Make sure you are aware of the consequences of your actions before you empty your bank account and put yourself at risk of becoming addicted to coffee.
Our review of the La Marzocco GS3 will assist you in determining whether or not the GS3 is an appliance that should be a part of your kitchen and whether or not the MP or AV model is best for you.
Summary: La Marzocco GS3 Review
• Saturated group for the sake of maintaining brew temperature
• Capability of flow-rate profiling with the use of the MP model
• Frothing milk to a level comparable to a cafe with the Performance Touch steam wand
A Full La Marzocco GS3 Review
The quality and consistency of La Marzocco’s home espresso machines has earned them a well-deserved reputation for excellence. It is possible to locate them in homes, restaurants, and coffee shops located all around the world.
Let’s do a thorough investigation into the specifics of the GS3 and see how it stacks up against the competition.
Breathing Capacity
The GS 3 ought to live up to the high expectations of the home barista.
And would you believe it? At this price, it meets expectations.
Because it is capable of pulling consecutive shots at an amazing speed and consistency, it is frequently selected for light-duty commercial application. In fact, many individuals use it for this purpose. Think carefully about whether or not you actually require such a high degree of capacity at home before you shell out the large cash.
Instead of the E61 groups that are standard on most prosumer espresso machines, the GS 3 makes use of a saturated brew group for its extractions. When compared to the E61, the saturated groups offer superior brew temperature stability as well as more uniform pre-infusion and extraction (1).
The GS 3 is a two-boiler espresso machine that uses stainless steel for both of its boilers. The large 118-ounce steam boiler generates an astonishing amount of pressure, while the smaller 50-ounce brew boiler uses a PID that is managed by a digital display to guarantee that the boiler temperature is maintained consistently.
Even when used in conjunction with the Linea Mini, the GS3’s unusually low noise level is a result of its high-end rotary vane pump, which is located at the machine’s core, and an enhanced vibration-damping design. If you would rather not use the 85-ounce water reservoir, this pump is compatible with direct piping and may be installed accordingly.
User Friendliness
This is the ideal time to talk about the two different versions of the GS 3, which are known as the Auto Volumetric (AV) and the Manual Paddle (MP). The former provides users with a greater degree of manual control, while the later is simpler to operate.
1. The AV is a fully automatic espresso machine and is available for a few hundred dollars less than the other models. There are four buttons that can be programmed to do a variety of extractions, and the pre-infusion has already been programmed. You can easily obtain consistently excellent espresso with little effort, but you are missing out on flow rate profiling, which is one of the most useful features of this machine.
2. When using the MP, you may adjust the amount of water that flows through the puck by using the paddle to operate a conical valve located inside the grouphead. To get the most out of your espresso, play about with the flow rate when doing the pre-infusion and the extraction. The La Marzocco Strada MP is the only other espresso machine that this brand makes that comes equipped with this particular capability. In contrast, the paddle that comes with the Linea Mini is merely an on/off switch.
The ability to experiment with flow profiling is one of the things that true espresso aficionados enjoy most about the MP model, but it is tough to master and can be difficult to replicate consistently.
Milk Frothing
The GS 3 does an excellent job of creating a froth on milk. The massive boiler produces a tremendous amount of steam pressure, comparable to that of the professional Linea espresso machine. It will take some practice before you are able to operate swiftly and smoothly enough if you do not come from a professional barista background. The silky microfoam, however, is very lovely and well worth the effort.
The current version comes with a brand new steam wand called the Performance Touch steam wand, which combines the convenience and safety of a no-burn wand with the performance of a professional wand. In older no-burn wands, a Teflon insert was utilized, but these days, double-wall steel is used instead so that the steam may be kept hotter and drier.
When steaming milk, the pressure is controlled by a joystick that is placed in a position that is a little bit difficult. That’s true; we haven’t seen this before. The majority of espresso machines aimed for the prosumer market, including the Linea Mini, have a knob that may be used to regulate the pressure.
The hot water wand is a little difficult to work with, but other than that, it’s wonderful. Adjusting the temperature to make the ideal cup of tea or Americano is quick and simple.
Quality of the build
La Marzocco is a brand that you should consider supporting if you are the type of person who is willing to spend more money on items that have a longer lifespan. These machines are well-known for their reliability, and this one is certainly no exception to that rule.
It’s true that it’s pricey, but that’s because all of its constituent parts are of a commercial-grade quality.
As befits a machine with a commercial rating, it can operate either at a full power of 20 A or at a reduced power of half that amount. When operating at full power, you will experience rapid steam boiler recovery, which is ideal for making multiple successive lattes. However, you will generally want to designate an outlet for it.
Because of the stunning design’s great level of customizability, it is simple to incorporate into any existing aesthetic scheme. You have the option to modify the color of the body and sides, as well as add elegant wood accents. The standard model is made of sleek stainless steel. The black body with walnut accents is so gorgeous that it makes me want to lick my lips!
It is a little bit wider than many machines designed for prosumers, but it is surprisingly compact in height, so it will not look out of place in a kitchen that is on the smaller side. The MP model is about 3 inches taller than the standard model because it incorporates a brew pressure gauge on the group head.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The GS 3 requires the same routine cleaning and upkeep as any other home espresso machine on a daily and weekly basis.
Because the valve redirects excess flow directly into the drip tray when flow profiling is being played with on the GS3 MP, water management is the most important factor to take into consideration when using this system. Therefore, the tank will run dry, and the tray will fill up much more quickly than you anticipate. Because the tray on this machine is so large, accidents caused by spills are still relatively uncommon. Or you could simply connect your GS 3 MP to your home’s main water supply, install the drainage kit, and forget about it.
Your espresso machine will maintain its health and happiness, and as an added bonus, the flavor of your espresso will improve.
Because these machines have been around for such a long time, there is no shortage of skilled professionals who are able to perform less routine maintenance, such as removing the side panels to gain access to the machine’s interior. Having said that, it is still much simpler to track down both parts and specialists for the E61 groups.
Don’t Get the GS 3 If You Have…
If flow profiling is not of interest to you, an AV model is available for purchase. However, if you prefer a semi-automatic espresso machine, you can save a significant amount of money by opting for the Linea Mini, which is made just as well as the more expensive model.
If you want to experiment with flow profiling but can’t afford the brand name, you can get a less expensive dual-boiler like the ECM Synchronika and add a flow profiling modification for a few hundred dollars. This will allow you to play with flow profiling without breaking the bank.
You have a restricted amount of space: The Rocket Appartamento is one of the most compact prosumer machines available on the market today; despite its small size, it is still capable of producing excellent espresso and has impeccable style. If counter space is at a premium, consider purchasing this machine.
Final Verdict
If you have the funds available, the La Marzocco GS 3 is an exquisite piece of furniture that would look wonderful in any house.
• If you are interested in flow profiling and espresso as an art form, you will have a difficult time finding a better option than the MP model. It will be very difficult for you to find a better option.
• The AV model is perfect for you if you have a greater interest in the scientific method and are looking for a delectable shot that you can easily recreate each time.
