What is keeping you from giving homemade espresso a shot if you haven’t done it already? Could it be the larger initial investment required for a quality espresso machine? The barista skills? Or how about the overall dimensions of the device?
In the event that these considerations have dissuaded you from making espresso at home, the Solis Barista Perfetta espresso machine is an option worth considering because it is not only tiny but also relatively inexpensive. However, machines that include all of these qualities are extremely uncommon, and the ones that are currently available on the market frequently miss a great number of superior features due to their small size.
The Swiss business Solis, which was founded 110 years ago, markets this device as the most advanced and space-saving home espresso machine possible. But is it really?
Because of Seattle Coffee Gear, we have the opportunity to test out the machine, and as a result, we are able to provide this hands-on evaluation of the device in order to establish whether or not it is actually as good as it seems to be. So let’s have a look.
Solis Barista Perfetta Review
Solis Barista Perfetta Plus 1170 Espresso Machine
Things we like:
• An espresso machine that is not bulky and is of high quality
• Auto pre-infusion
• Temperature control for the brewing process
• An automatic cooling flush following the steaming process
• 3-way solenoid valve
• Complete collection of premium-grade accoutrements
The Quality Of The Design And Construction
As soon as you remove the Solis Barista Perfetta from its packaging, you will note that it takes up a very small amount of space. In point of fact, it is only somewhat bigger than our Niche Zero grinder, which is a device that is famous for its compact dimensions. To put this into perspective, even if you were to place both of them next to one another, they would still take up less space than a conventional espresso machine. Therefore, this is an appealing choice for anyone who has a restricted amount of room on their kitchen countertops.
The device can be purchased in white, stainless steel, or black; however, the black version is the one that we examined. The machine has a weight of 5.7 kilograms and is strong and sturdy. The matte black finish, in the meantime, is very fashionable.
The machine is controlled by four buttons on the front panel, and these buttons allow you to program the machine, brew either one or two cups of espresso, and start the steaming function. You may activate the steam wand on the right by turning a dial on it. The machine’s overall build quality and tactile feel are evocative of Breville, whose espresso machines generally have similar layouts. Breville is a well-known brand in the industry. Consider the Bambino or the Barista Express, for instance.
A pressure gauge can be found in the middle, directly below the buttons. If the espresso maker employs a pressured portafilter, the manometer that comes with the machine is typically not very useful, despite the fact that it is included on many inexpensive espresso makers. In the instance of Barista Perfetta, this is not the situation. Instead, the pressure gauge comes in quite handy when it comes to adjusting the settings to achieve the ideal espresso shot. This fact alone tells us a lot about how confident Solis is in the coffee machine’s ability to appeal to both inexperienced and experienced home brewers.
There is a 54mm group head, which is the same size as the group heads found on many other home espresso machines that are similarly compact. Because of this, the market is flooded with appropriate accessories such as grounds distributors, tampers, and bottomless portafilters, to name a few.
Because there is a gap of 3.5 inches between the group head and the drip tray, you will have no trouble fitting a scale or a larger cup into the machine. It also includes a water reservoir that can be removed and is 1.7 liters in size, which is a surprisingly large amount considering how small this machine is. What’s Inside This Mystery Box?
The Solis Barista Perfetta comes with a variety of useful and high-quality accessories, all of which are stunning in their own right. For instance, many of the entry-level machines come with tampers; nevertheless, the construction of these machines is not usually made of solid metal.
Additionally, both single and double shots can be filtered using either a pressurized or non-pressurized filter basket. Even with preground coffee, a nice cup of coffee that has a thick crema can be produced with the help of a pressured filter basket. Nevertheless, if you use the non-pressurized basket, you can really step up your game if you have an excellent grinder that enables you to ground the espresso beans to a finer size and vary the amount that you grind. Additionally, there is a filter basket that is designed to work exclusively with the ESE coffee pod.
The branded double-spouted portafilter is not only attractive to the eye but also of high quality.
In addition, there is a water filter cartridge, a measuring spoon, and a milk jug made of stainless steel that is 350 milliliters in capacity. It is unusual for a piece of equipment in this price range to come with all of the necessary accessories already included, so the fact that this one does is cause for celebration.
The Performance of Brewing
We are aware that the machine has a solid structure, that it is compact, and that it is reasonably priced; however, can it produce espresso shots that are perfect? In a word, absolutely! The Solis Barista Perfetta offers numerous features that are often reserved for more expensive espresso machines. These features are fantastic.
Short Preheating Period
Because it is equipped with thermoblock heating elements, the Solis Barista Perfetta can quickly bring the water in the boiler up to the ideal temperature for brewing coffee in only around 40 to 50 seconds. This is fantastic for a home espresso machine and means that you will be able to fit brewing espresso and enjoying it into your hectic morning routine.
Auto Pre-Infusion
Pre-infusion is a feature found on many machines with higher price tags, and the Solis Barista Perfetta Plus is no exception. After adding a minute amount of water under reduced pressure and pausing for a couple of seconds before applying pressure to the coffee puck, the process continues. By doing so, a more equal extraction is achieved, and the possibility of channeling is reduced.
Adjustable Temperature
You will be able to produce outstanding espresso with the Solis Barista Perfetta once you have achieved mastery of your grind size. Not only that, but you also have the ability to adjust the temperatures used in the brewing process.
To accomplish this, press the button labeled “one cup,” which will then display the temperature setting that is currently in effect. After that, you’ll be able to adjust the temperature to your liking for the brewing process. For instance, the temperature of the brew produced by the One-Cup button is low, the temperature produced by the Two-Cup button is medium, and the temperature produced by the Steam button is high. The temperature settings can be altered according to a variety of criteria, such as the degree to which the coffee was roasted and personal preferences about flavor. Again, this is a feature that is extremely uncommon in entry-level machines.
Manometer
To extract the ideal shot of espresso, you will need coffee that has been finely ground, water at the ideal temperature, and a consistent brewing pressure of at least 9 bars. The manometer, which displays the brewing pressure while the machine is in the process of brewing, comes into play at this point. If you are brewing coffee from pre-ground beans, you won’t need this accessory, but if you are brewing coffee from freshly ground beans in a basket that is not pressured, it is an excellent addition.
If the pressure is much lower than 9 bars, try grinding the espresso beans more finely, uniformly distributing the grounds, or applying more tamp pressure. However, if the pressure is far higher than 9 bars, you should choose a grind size that is significantly coarser. If you want to make a better shot of espresso, using the manometer will guide you in intuitively adjusting the extraction pressure and grind size.
Performance of Milk Being Steamed
The Solis Barista Perfetta does a fantastic job of extracting espresso, but how does it perform when it comes to heating milk for beverages that contain espresso and milk?
The fact that the machine features a professional steam wand that only has one hole in the tip should put your mind at ease. In addition, the steam pressure is adequate for steaming a cup, despite the fact that it is not as high as the pressure produced by some premium professional machines. Overall, with a little bit of skill, it is capable of steaming velvety milk froth that may be used for latte art.
Here are a few pointers to help you perfect the art of boiling milk.
1. Begin with ice-cold milk at all times. This will give you the time necessary to steam the milk and give it texture before the temperature rises too high (149F or 65C is ideal).
2. Place the steam tip just below the surface of the milk and set the tip so that it is between the two and three o’clock positions on the clock.
3. As soon as you begin steaming, bring the tip of the wand closer to the surface so that air may enter. This will result in a whirling sound as well as the formation of a vortex. When the milk has reached the required level, bring the tip back down slightly while maintaining the vortex until the pitcher is so hot that it is unsafe to touch. Then you must halt your steaming.
4. Using a cloth that has been dampened with water, wipe the steam wand and then squeeze off the water. Now you can pour latte art.
Numerous entry-level coffee machines come equipped with a Panarello steam wand, which, despite being user-friendly for novices, is not very effective in texturizing the milk. As a result, Panarello wands are effective at producing milk foam suitable for cappuccino but not the fine microfoam required for latte art.
The steam wand also has a hot water function, which brews coffee slowly but successfully, making it ideal for making Americanos.
Additional Wonderful Characteristics Of The Solis Barista Perfetta
Solenoid Valve, Three Ways
At the conclusion of the extraction, the valve will depressurize the group head by releasing pressure, and it will also draw water from the basket and deposit it in the drip tray. This results in a dry coffee puck that is easy to knock out, ensuring that there will be no mess even if the portafilter is removed immediately after the brewing process has been completed. It also indicates that you can prepare another shot without having to clean up as much after the last one.
Other machines, like as the Gaggia Classic Pro and the Rancilio Silvia, as well as other more high-end semi-automatic machines, have 3-way solenoid valves; hence, the Solis Barista Perfetta is in good company with these machines. Again, a characteristic of this type that is uncommon in other little entry-level devices is included here.
Automatically Cooling Flushes
After using a single boiler or thermoblock heating unit to steam milk, the water temperature will be too high to be used for brewing coffee. That indicates that you will have to perform a cool flush. The Solis Barista Perfetta, on the other hand, eliminates all of the effort by automatically flushing away used hot water and replacing the reservoir with clean cold water after the steaming cycle is complete. You can also speed up the cooling process manually by activating the steam and keeping it on until the blinking lights cease.
Programmability
In addition to letting you change the temperature, the Solis Barista Perfetta also lets you customize the amount of coffee that is dispensed for single or double shots. Simply holding down either the one-cup or two-cup button causes the machine to remember the previously selected volume level.
You can save energy by presetting the standby duration and the auto-shutdown using the program button on the remote control.
Specifically, Cleaning and Upkeep
The drip tray that comes with the Solis Barista Perfetta is significantly larger than those that are generally included with compact espresso machines. In the meantime, the three-way solenoid valve makes it much simpler to clean. In addition to that, there is a water filter that helps prevent the accumulation of limescale. When it is time to descale, the steam button will illuminate in red flashes, and both coffee buttons will light up in white. Referring to the user manual, which is extremely extensive and laid out in a way that is simple to understand, can be helpful while descaling.
In general, the machine ought to function admirably for many years with only a modest bit of upkeep. In the meantime, it also features a warranty that is valid for one year.
Value For Money
Although it is an automatic espresso machine designed for novice users, the Solis Barista Perfetta is not inexpensive. In point of fact, the cost is more comparable to that of espresso machines in the middle price bracket, such as the Barista Express and the Gaggia Classic Pro. Despite this, the overall performance is outstanding in every way.
The Solis has a greater number of functions and a superior build quality than other smaller machines on the market, such as the De’Longhi Dedica and the Breville Bambino Plus. However, the price of the Solis is significantly higher than those of its competitors.
It is definitely worth considering as your first espresso machine for everyday usage, and it is particularly better if you have limited space on your kitchen counters. Despite the higher cost, it is well worth investigating.
Solis Barista Perfetta vs Breville Bambino Plus vs De’Longhi Dedica
Breville Bambino Plus BES500
The Solis Barista Perfetta’s primary competitor is the Bambino Plus, which sells for the same price. It is constructed entirely out of stainless steel and utilizes a 54mm portafilter, just like the Solis.
On the other hand, it does not have a function for producing hot water or non-pressurized baskets. If you like espresso beverages that are made with milk, this machine features a steam wand that automatically froths the milk and also has a temperature sensor, so it’s easier for beginners to use. Therefore, you have the ability to pick the temperature and texture of the milk, but not the temperature of the brew. Additionally, the machine only takes three seconds to warm up, which is a very respectable time.
De’Longhi Dedica Deluxe EC685
Although it is a popular entry-level espresso machine, the De’Longhi Dedica has a portafilter that is only 51 millimeters in diameter. This makes it slightly more compact than the Breville Bambino Plus and the Solis Barista Perfetta. Additionally, the water tank is significantly smaller. Other elements omitted are an unpressurized filter basket, manometer, temperature settings, and solenoid valve.
There is also not the variety of high-quality accessories that are available through the Solis. Another drawback is that it has a Panarello wand, which means that it works well for producing foamy cappuccino but does not produce sufficient microfoam for latte art. If you would want a machine that comes equipped with a professional steam wand, the EC885 Dedica Arte is another alternative, but it will cost you more money.
However, the De’Longhi Dedica is more affordable than the Solis Perfetta and the Breville Bambino Plus; hence, it is an option that should be considered by anyone shopping for a tiny machine who has a smaller budget.
Our Verdict
The Solis Barista Perfetta may be little, but it packs a lot of incredibly remarkable features into a small box. Some of these features include the auto-pre-infusion, the 54mm portafilter, the manometer, and the 3-way solenoid valve.
In point of fact, despite the fact that the Solis is a machine designed for beginners, the breadth and depth of its capabilities more closely resemble those of a full-size semi-automatic espresso machine.
In addition to this, the device is constructed to the standard of a high-end machine, and the majority of its components are made of stainless steel. This ensures that the device is dependable and long-lasting.
The list of benefits is extensive, including amazing accessories, user-friendliness, the ability to use a basket that is not pressured, and the simplicity of cleaning and maintenance.
It is difficult to find fault with a machine that is as remarkable as this one, and the price tag is more comparable to that of a mid-range machine than an entry-level machine. This may be the only acceptable way to find fault with the product.
In spite of this, if you have some wiggle room in your budget, this is an excellent machine for anyone just starting out when it comes to producing espresso at home. Which of these is the most essential? With enough practice, you’ll be able to extract shots that are every bit as delicious as those made by machines that cost a significant amount more money.
