Salter EK3131 Espresso Machine - Review 🏆

The Salter brand has been manufacturing high-quality kitchen appliances and cookware for over 60 years. Based in the UK, Salter is known for its innovative products that offer great value for money.

The Salter Espressimo Barista is an espresso machine that allows you to brew cafe-quality espresso drinks at home. It features a 15-bar pressure system and a Thermoblock heating element to ensure optimal extraction and flavor. This model has a compact, sleek design with stainless steel accents that looks great on any kitchen counter. It's an affordable option for espresso enthusiasts who want the convenience of making specialty coffee drinks at home.

Design

The Salter Espressimo Barista espresso machine has an attractive and compact design that will look great on any kitchen countertop. It has a brushed stainless steel exterior that gives it a sleek, modern look. The machine itself is quite small and lightweight, measuring 31 x 18 x 28 cm, so it doesn't take up much space.

Despite its small footprint, the machine doesn't feel flimsy or cheap. The stainless steel body feels sturdy and durable. There are no color options for this model - it only comes in brushed steel. But the silver tone will coordinate nicely with most kitchen decors.

Overall, the Salter Espressimo Barista has a minimalist, contemporary aesthetic. The combination of the petite size and stainless steel finish gives it an elegant, upscale appearance. While it's not flashy, it will add a touch of sophistication to your coffee station. The compact dimensions make it perfect for small kitchens, apartments, offices, dorm rooms, or other tight spaces.

Features

The Salter EK3131 Espressimo Barista espresso machine comes equipped with a range of useful features for making cafe-quality espresso drinks at home.

• It has a 15-bar pressure pump that allows you to extract rich, full-bodied espresso. The higher pressure results in espresso with a thick crema layer on top.

• A steam wand and milk frother attachment let you steam and foam milk for making cappuccinos and lattes. The steam wand provides powerful steam for incorporating air into the milk to achieve the right texture.

• The 40ml portafilter basket allows you to brew single or double shots of espresso.

• The machine can reach optimal espresso brewing temperatures between 90-95°C to extract the coffee's full flavor.

• It comes with a range of accessories including a tamper, measuring scoop, and cleaning tools. The tamper allows you to evenly compact the coffee grounds in the portafilter before locking it into the group head.

Overall, the Salter espresso machine comes equipped with commercial-grade features like a 15-bar pump, steam wand, and portafilter found in higher-end machines but at a more affordable price point. These allow you to craft cafe-style espresso drinks at home. The Breville VCF107 is another great option if you're looking for an espresso machine with similar high-end features but a different aesthetic. The Breville model has a die-cast metal exterior in an eye-catching cranberry red color. It also comes with a built-in conical burr grinder so you can grind coffee beans right before brewing for optimal freshness and flavor. The burr grinder has 60 precise grind settings to customize the grind size. Like the Salter, the Breville has a 15 bar Italian pump and steaming wand for crafting specialty drinks. So if you like the performance of the Salter but want something a bit flashier, check out the Breville.

Ease of Use

The Salter EK3131 Espressimo Barista espresso machine is designed to be simple and intuitive to use.

Setup

Setting up the machine is straightforward. It comes with clear instructions that walk you through the initial setup process, which involves attaching the portafilter and water tank and plugging it in. The water tank is easy to access and fill.

Controls

The control panel on the front of the machine features two dials that allow you to adjust the grind size and shot volume. There are also buttons for a single or double shot. The buttons and dials are clearly labeled and easy to understand. The portafilter locks into place with a simple twist.

Maintenance

Overall, the EK3131 requires minimal maintenance to keep running smoothly. It automatically alerts you when it needs descaling. The drip tray can be removed for easy emptying and cleaning. The stainless steel exterior can simply be wiped down as needed. The internal burr grinder may need an occasional cleaning with a brush. While the Salter EK3131 makes brewing espresso at home simple, another user-friendly option to consider is the De'Longhi Stilosa EC230.BK. This 15-bar espresso machine has an intuitive interface with illuminated buttons for single and double shots. The manual cappuccino system allows you to easily froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes. Like the Salter, it has easy to use controls and straightforward maintenance. The water tank and drip tray are removable for cleaning. With a sleek stainless steel body, the De'Longhi Stilosa will look great on any kitchen countertop. While pricier than the Salter, it produces restaurant-quality espresso drinks with minimal effort. The rapid heating system delivers the optimal temperature in just 25 seconds. The De'Longhi is a great option for beginners who want to start exploring homemade espresso without a complicated learning curve. It takes the guesswork out of making cafe-style beverages. The advanced cappuccino system mixes steam, air, and milk to create a rich, creamy froth. With simple dial controls, you can adjust the amount of froth to suit your taste. The integrated burr grinder allows you to grind beans right before brewing to maximize freshness and flavor. You can also use pre-ground coffee if desired. Overall if you're looking for an easy-to-use espresso maker with premium results, the De'Longhi Stilosa EC230.BK is an excellent choice to consider along with the Salter EK3131.

Beverage Quality

The Salter Espressimo Barista produces espresso with a rich, full-bodied taste and a smooth, velvety crema on top. The 15-bar pump provides adequate pressure to properly extract the coffee flavors and oils.

The espresso comes out piping hot, around 190°F, which is the ideal temperature for enjoying espresso drinks. The machine can produce 1 or 2 shots of espresso at a time. The single shot has a balanced espresso flavor with some subtle notes. The double shot is bolder with a more intense aroma and taste.

The steam wand froths milk quickly into a rich, creamy microfoam. The microfoam texture is smooth and silky and allows creating latte art patterns on the top of milk-based drinks. The milk is properly steamed without scalding or burning.

Overall, the espresso and milk frothing performance of the Salter Espressimo Barista results in cafe-quality espresso-based drinks with excellent crema and microfoam.

Reliability

The Salter Espressimo Barista is a fairly reliable espresso machine for its price point. The overall build quality seems decent, though not outstanding.

The plastic housing doesn't feel the most sturdy or premium, but it should hold up fine to regular home use. The internal components like the pump and heating system also appear serviceable.

In terms of durability, users report the machine working well for 1-2 years. But some have experienced issues like leaks or pump failures after the 1 year mark. Proper maintenance and descaling is important for longevity.

The warranty is 1 year, which is typical for lower-cost espresso machines in this range. So while not the most robust or long-lasting, the Salter Espressimo should provide reliable service for at least the initial 1-2 years with proper care and maintenance. Just don't expect more than 5+ years of heavy use before needing repairs or replacement.

Cleaning

The Salter Espressimo Barista machine is relatively easy to clean and maintain. Here is an overview of the cleaning process and requirements:

Process

• The machine has a self-cleaning function that runs water through the internal components to flush out coffee residue after each use. This takes around 10 seconds and helps prevent buildup.
• It is recommended to do a manual cleaning of the parts every 1-2 weeks depending on frequency of use. The main parts that need cleaning are the portafilter, filter baskets, and water tank.
• To clean the portafilter and baskets, remove any leftover coffee grounds and rinse thoroughly with hot water. Use a soft brush or cloth to gently scrub away any oils or stains if needed. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
• The water tank can be cleaned by handwashing with mild detergent, rinsing thoroughly, and allowing to fully dry before replacing.
• Wipe down the exterior housing as needed using a damp cloth.

Frequency

• The self-cleaning function should be used after every coffee brewing session.
• Manual cleaning of parts should be done every 1-2 weeks.
• Exterior housing can just be wiped down as needed when visibly dirty.

Parts

• Main parts that require cleaning are the portafilter, filter baskets, and water tank. The group head and brewing chamber do not require cleaning besides the automated self-cleaning process.

Value

The Salter EK3131 Espressimo Barista espresso machine provides excellent value for the price. It typically retails for around £70, which is very affordable for a pump espresso machine. The machine comes with two filter baskets for single and double shots, a tamper, and a measuring/dosing spoon. This is a great starter kit that provides everything you need to start making espresso and espresso-based drinks at home.

Considering the price, the Salter delivers solid performance and quality. While it may lack some of the features and build quality of more expensive espresso machines, it produces surprisingly good espresso and milk froth when used properly. The accessories included are also decent quality. Overall, this machine is a great budget-friendly option for someone looking to get into home espresso without breaking the bank. You get good value for the price paid.

Pros & Cons

The Salter Espressimo Barista Style Coffee Machine has several pros and cons worth considering.

Pros

• Compact, sleek design takes up minimal counter space
• Easy to use and operate, even for beginners
• Makes espresso, cappuccino, latte and americano drinks
• 15 bars of pressure for quality espresso extraction
• Removable water tank for easy filling
• Frothing arm creates creamy milk foam texture
• Adjustable cup stand accommodates various cup sizes

Cons

• Smaller water tank capacity (0.8L) requires more frequent refilling
• Single boiler can't steam milk and extract espresso simultaneously
• Frothing results are inconsistent at times
• Cleaning is more involved than automated pod-style machines
• Durability and longevity is questionable for long-term use
• Lack of a programmable menu

Overall, the Salter Espressimo offers a budget-friendly intro to making specialty coffee drinks at home. It's compact and simple to operate. However, more expensive machines offer greater convenience, consistency, and durability for frequent everyday use.

Conclusion

The Salter Espressimo Barista is an affordable espresso machine that produces decent espresso and milk froth for the price. It's easy to use and makes espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes accessible to home users. The 3 bar pressure and thermoblock heating make it quick and simple to pull a shot.

The machine is best suited for beginner home baristas or coffee drinkers who want an inexpensive way to make cafe-style coffee at home. It doesn't produce true espresso or microfoam milk like high-end machines, but makes a reasonable facsimile. With some technique, you can produce good home espresso drinks.

For espresso aficionados or those wanting more control, a more expensive model with adjustable grind size, pressure and temperature would be recommended. But the Salter Espressimo offers an affordable, low-maintenance option for making tasty espresso drinks at home. It's a great entry-level machine that makes the process easy and approachable.