Bodum Granos Review
Coffee, anyone?
This post is actually a review of sorts of the Bodum Granos espresso machine which has been around since 2003, though its radical design still prompts plenty of "Where did you get that?" and "What's that?" enquiries.
The Granos is not the only espresso machine we own and use. We have a Krups and another brand I've forgotten, elsewhere around the house. Somewhere we have an iconic Atomic machine which I bought about 27 years ago as a present for my brother-in-law. It has had a long and hard life. There is something about the curves of the Granos which remind me of the Atomic which was made by Brevetti Robbiati of Milan. Incidentally, while searching for a usable picture of an Atomic, I stumbled across this video on YouTube which will serve the purpose.
Or if you prefer you could visit http://caffettiera.altervista.org/collezione.php, where you will find a wonderful collection of Atomics and much else besides.
You'd think a machine as curvy and shiny as the Granos must also have a quirk or two, but I am not aware of any on the mechanical side of things, unless you count the fact that the water reservoir may be removed and replaced by a bottle of spring water, or that the tamper serves as a coffee measure as well. On the electronic side, on the other hand, there is the traffic light indicator system which reminds me of the christmas tree start-lights on a drag strip.
The next picture is from the manual and reveals all that needs to be revealed.
This semi-exploded diagram shows all. We do not use item #13 which is a frother attachment. It is really unnecessary. The machine heats, sweetens and froths milk very well without the aid of any attachments. Item #18 is the tamper/measure. There are filters or cages for one shot (#15), two shots (#16) or coffee pods (#17). Item #20 is an adapter allowing botted water to be used while #19 is a cover for the bottleholder used in conjunction with #19.
The machine has two clear domes. Under one you can store and warm four, perhaps more, espresso cups or glasses, depending on their design and dimensions. The other removes to allow water replenishment.
The left-most traffic lights referred to above indicate (and allow you to select) auto single shot, auto double shot or manual (you-start-it-you-stop-it) extractions. The lights on the right indicate (and allow you to select) steam, water or activation of the memory function which allows fine-tuning-to-taste of the extraction process. At the centre-bottom of the traffic lights is a master on/off/standby switch.
The manual is readable and useful, but you soon get the hang of the machine anyway. In use the machine is solidly made and easy to clean - you just wipe over the polished metal surfaces. The steam nozzle cleans up well if wiped after every use and ours remains bright after two years of daily use. (Another machine we have has rubbed through the chrome plating to the underlying brass in the same period). The drip tray assembly (#6, 7 and 8) is regulary emptied and rinsed, as are the coffee filters or cages, and that's it. The machine is warrantied for two years. We have had no issues during our ownership.
The Granos uses a ‘Thermoblock’ heating system common in this type of machine. The Granos pumps at 19 BAR. I am not privy to the internal design and workings of the machine (and even if I were, doubt that I am in any way qualified to comment on the engineering), but I have to say that, in the outcome, the Bodum Granos has it right. This machine produces wonderful crema which, to paraphrase the manual, is thick and stable and preserves the flavor, aroma and temperature of the coffee.
We have not experimented with brands of coffee or coarseness of grind. We long ago settled on Lavazza qualita oro ready ground for our daily use and we get what we want from this combination of Danish-Swiss machine and coffee from Turin. The steamer works just fine with zero fat, 2% fat and full-cream milk. It is our everyday machine and has been for a considerable time.
In summary, the machine is easy-to-use and does not require the skills of a professional barista to produce very good coffee. It is fast enough in use to cater for a dinner table of guests which cannot be said of all espresso machines intended for domestic use. The machine is automatic with manual override and individual preference can be committed to the memory. Consequently, we find that all of us can make a consistently good cup of coffee. What more can you ask?
We think we paid about $500 for the Granos two or more years ago. That is about the price you have to pay nowadays. You can spend more or less on a domestic machine. The Granos, however, not only makes good coffee but its shiny curves often break the ice and start many conversations with guests, which is not a feature of your standard rectangular espresso machine!
If you would like to buy a Bodum Granos espresso machine please click on the link provided below.
Bodum 3020-16US Espresso Granos
Or if you are in the market for a more traditional-looking espresso machine, please visit our online store where you should be able to find one that is just right for you.
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