The Wacaco Picopresso is a portable coffee maker, designed to let coffee lovers brew espresso on the go.
And oh boy, is it good.
I was therefore a little skeptical (to say the least) about the Picopresso.
With the dosing funnel in place to lightly compress grounds using the tamp.(Image credit: Future)
Find out more in my full Wacaco Picopresso review.
Those machines obviously feature boilers, though, and can steam milk.
Wacaco Picopresso review: Design
The Wacaco Picopresso is a squat little handheld pump machine.
Frankly, it bears a rather uncanny and unfortunate resemblance to a, uh,male intimate toy.
If you cant see it, youre a gentler soul than me, and I commend you.
Anyway, back onto more sober topics.
The Picopresso is well-built, featuring a matte black body and lid made from premium-feeling plastic.
At the base of the body sits a metal ring with a roughly textured finish for grip.
I cant confidently say the same about the plastic basket in the cheaper Wacaco Nanopresso.
Theres also a metal tamp, which feels very high quality and has a decent weight to it.
Its shaped with a wider top than bottom.
Definitely worth the spatters.
With the dosing funnel in place to lightly compress grounds using the tamp.(Image credit: Future)
Inside the unit is a piston which draws water from the chamber and pressurizes it at up to 18-bar.
Wacaco isnt clear about where that 18-bar pressure exists.
Is that in the portafilter or inside the piston assembly?
With the dosing funnel removed, allowing the user to fully compress grounds with the tamp.(Image credit: Future)
The issue is that, after pouring a shot, therell still be coffee dripping from the basket.
Not for an ex-chef.
But for those less well acquainted with serious burns: take care during operation.
So I did, to Turkish level nay,beyondTurkish.
Im tellin ya, I wasnt producing coffee grounds as much as I was coffee atoms!
(Credit where credit is due to theWacaco Exagrindgrinder I used: that thing goes hella fine.)
But still no dice.
Andvoila: rich, caramel-colored, honey-textured, complex-flavored espresso, replete with tiger-printed crema.
This prospector had struck gold.
This was proper espresso.
Shot-to-shot consistency is definitely an issue with the Picopresso.
Even when keeping all other variables the same, pumping by hand this way is inherently changeable.
Both variables are impossible to precisely replicate, meaning no two shots are ever the same.
Does that mean the coffee is bad?
All things considered, especially its size and price, the Picopresso produces wonderful-tasting, genuine espresso.
One of my many shots poured with the Picopresso.
Maybe a big toe instead.
Admittedly, thats a very minor issue, and solved easily with a novel contraption known as a box.
They fit inside, after all.
One of my many shots poured with the Picopresso.
Simple: I use it so much that its constantly in pieces, airing out on my drying rack.
Basic maintenance is a piece of cake.
With the lower portafilter ring unscrewed, the basket and shower head fall out for easy cleaning.
Wacaco recommends doing this pre-shot anyway, to preheat the machine.
Wacaco Picopresso review: How does it compare?
TheWacaco Pipamokaproduces strong,AeroPress-style short black coffee, as does the Wacaco Minipresso GR2.
The Wacaco Nanopresso gets close to the real thing, but isnt quite the business.
However, considering how small and simple the Picopresso is, its coffee is very respectable.
Wacaco Picopresso review: Verdict
I love this little espresso maker.
Its affordable, beautifully made, super simple and produces genuine espresso.
