SCOTT UK - Slimissimo Espresso Machine - Review 🏆

The Scott Slimissimo is a compact, entry-level espresso machine designed for home use. Part of Scott's range of Italian-designed espresso makers, the Slimissimo aims to bring cafe-quality espresso drinks into your kitchen without taking up too much space.

Weighing just 5.5kg, this small but powerful machine features a 15-bar pump pressure system to extract rich, aromatic espresso shots. It comes with a manual milk frother to let you create cappuccinos and lattes. The Slimissimo sports a sleek, contemporary design with stainless steel and black accents that will look great on any countertop.

With easy-to-use controls, quick heating, and a 0.5L water tank, the Slimissimo offers an accessible way to start crafting espresso at home. Its compact size makes it ideal for small kitchens, apartments, offices, dorm rooms, or anywhere you want great espresso without a large machine.

This review will dive into the design, features, performance, and value of the Scott Slimissimo to see how it stacks up for making cafe-style coffee drinks at home. We'll look at the pros and cons of this entry-level espresso maker to help you decide if it's the right fit for your needs and budget.

Design & Build Quality

The Slimissimo espresso machine from Scott features a sleek and compact design made to fit on any kitchen counter. Despite its small footprint, it does not compromise on build quality.

The machine housing is constructed from brushed stainless steel and high-quality plastics that feel sturdy and durable. It measures 11.4 x 32.6 x 26.2 cm and weighs only 5.2 kg, making it one of the lightest espresso machines on the market. This allows for easy movement and storage when not in use.

The materials used give the Slimissimo an attractive, minimalist look with a silver and black color scheme. The machine feels well-made overall, with tight tolerances and solid construction that should hold up well over time. The compact size and lightweight portability add to the appeal for those with limited counter space.

Features & Capabilities

The Slimissimo espresso machine comes equipped with a 15-bar pressure pump that provides adequate pressure for extracting espresso. The pump is vibration rather than rotary, helping keep noise levels lower.

For heating, it uses a thermoblock system which allows the machine to heat up in just 45 seconds. The rapid heating helps ensure consistent temperatures during back-to-back espresso extraction.

You can choose between two grind size settings - fine or coarse. Having the ability to adjust the grind allows you to customize the flavor and body of the espresso. However, only having two settings limits how much you can fine-tune the grind size.

The Slimissimo has a manual frothing wand for steaming and frothing milk. The wand is easy to insert into milk jugs or cups, allowing you to create microfoam for cappuccinos and lattes. However, without an auto-frother, you'll need to manually steam and froth the milk yourself which can take some practice to master.

The interface consists of two programmable buttons, an on/off button, and a manual espresso button. The programmable buttons allow you to customize shot volumes for one or two cups. The simple three button interface is straightforward to use.

Ease of Use

The Slimissimo is designed for easy operation every step of the way.

• Set up is straightforward - the machine comes mostly assembled out of the box. Just attach the portafilter, water tank, and drip tray. The manual has clear instructions with pictures to guide you through the process.

• Daily use is simple with intuitive controls. There are only two buttons - one for espresso and one for steam. To pull a shot, just insert the portafilter, select your espresso size, and press the button. The 3-way solenoid valve ensures easy and mess-free puck removal after extraction.

• Cleaning and maintenance only takes a few minutes each day. The removable drip tray, portafilter, and water tank can be hand washed or placed in the dishwasher. Backflushing is recommended weekly but only takes about 30 seconds. Descaling every 2-3 months is straightforward following the included instructions.

• The controls are intuitive with just two clearly labeled buttons for espresso and steam. The size selector allows you to choose between 1 and 2 espresso shots. The steam wand is easy to position with a 360 degree ball joint. Overall, the Slimissimo is designed for quick daily use without complicated steps.

Coffee Customization

The Slimissimo espresso machine allows you to customize your coffee to your exact preferences. One of the key features is the adjustable grinder with 5 settings, allowing you to control the grind size from fine to coarse. This impacts the flavor and body of the espresso. Finer grinds extract more flavor for a richer, fuller taste, while coarser grinds produce a lighter, brighter espresso.

You can also customize the temperature used for extraction. The Slimissimo has a thermoblock heating system that allows water temperature to be adjusted from 190-205°F. Higher temperatures extract more flavors from the beans, resulting in a more intense espresso. Lower temperatures decrease acidity for a smoother cup.

The machine comes with a manual milk frother for making cappuccinos and lattes. The frother allows you to texture milk to your preferred consistency, from silky smooth to rich and foamy. You can also control milk temperature by frothing the milk first before adding to the espresso shot. This level of customization allows you to brew espresso drinks exactly to your taste.

Beverage Quality

The Slimissimo produces espresso with an excellent, balanced flavor profile. The 15-bar pump pressure extracts shots with a rich, aromatic crema on top. The espresso has a bold taste with notes of dark chocolate and caramel, without any bitterness. Each shot pulls with a smooth, velvety texture that is never watery.

The consistency from shot to shot is impressive for a budget machine like this. As long as you use the same grind setting and dose, the flavor and texture remain reliably consistent. The Slimissimo is able to pull flavorful shots across a wide range of roast profiles from light to dark. Even with lighter roasts, it avoids underextraction or sour/acidic flavors. The machine makes it easy to dial in the right grind size for optimal extraction.

Overall, the Slimissimo delivers cafe-quality espresso with complex flavors and aromas. The crema, body, and extraction are on par with much more expensive machines. For the price, it's hard to find better beverage quality from a super automatic espresso maker.

Accessories

The Slimissimo comes with some handy accessories to help you get the most out of your espresso.

It includes a 53mm tamper made of durable stainless steel. This allows you to properly tamp the coffee grounds before pulling your shot, which is essential for extracting full flavor. The tamper fits perfectly in the portafilter for consistent, even tamping.

For keeping your machine clean, a small brush is included. The bristles are stiff enough to scrub away coffee residue and oils. Regular cleaning keeps the group head operating smoothly for many years.

If you want to try your hand at latte art, the Slimissimo also provides a stainless steel milk frothing pitcher. The spout makes it easy to pour milk into your coffee without splattering. The pitcher is sized to steam enough milk for 1-2 drinks at a time.

Having these accessories right out of the box makes it convenient to start crafting café-quality coffee drinks at home. You have everything needed for tamping, cleaning, and frothing without any additional purchases required.

Noise Level

The Slimissimo espresso machine is surprisingly quiet during daily operation. The grinder produces some noise when grinding beans, but it's not excessive or irritating. You can carry on a conversation nearby without having to raise your voice.

When brewing espresso, the pump operates at a reasonable volume. It's noticeable but not distractingly loud. The steam wand makes some hissing sounds when frothing milk, but again it's not overly noisy. You don't have to worry about waking up the whole household if making an early morning latte.

Overall, the noise levels are lower than expected for an affordable super automatic espresso machine. The Slimissimo can brew great espresso drinks without disrupting your peaceful mornings. It's quiet enough for apartment living or keeping near a bedroom.

Value for Money

The Scott Slimissimo espresso machine provides excellent value for money given its features and performance. At around £150, it is very competitively priced compared to similar espresso machines.

For the price, you get a stylish and slim espresso machine that can produce restaurant-quality espresso. It has a 15-bar pressure system, a powerful thermoblock heating system, and a manual milk frother, allowing you to make espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes. The size is compact enough for small kitchens without sacrificing power or quality.

Considering the build quality and the results it can achieve, the Scott Slimissimo punches above its weight class. While it lacks some of the advanced features of more expensive machines, it provides great espresso fundamentals. For someone looking for an entry-level semi-automatic espresso machine that doesn't compromise on quality, the Slimissimo is an excellent choice at this price point.

The value proposition is enhanced by the inclusion of accessories like a tamper, measuring scoop, and stainless steel milk jug. This allows you to get started making great espresso beverages without purchasing anything additional.

Overall, with its combination of slim footprint, excellent espresso-making capabilities, and thoughtful accessories, the Scott Slimissimo provides outstanding value at its affordable price point. It's a great option for beginners as well as coffee enthusiasts looking for an inexpensive but high-performing espresso machine.

Conclusion

Overall, the SCOTT UK Slimissimo espresso machine offers a solid set of features and capabilities for its price point. The sleek and compact design makes it well-suited for small kitchens, while still providing excellent espresso customization options like adjustable grind size and manual milk frothing.

On the positive side, the 15 bar pressure pump and stainless steel boiler allow you to pull rich, flavorful espresso shots. The built-in conical burr grinder gives you fresh grounds on demand. The machine is relatively easy to use, clean, and maintain. It produces good microfoam for latte art. And it operates quietly for its class.

Downsides are that the plastic exterior feels a bit cheap and may be prone to scratches over time. The water tank and drip tray are on the smaller side. And there is no automatic milk frothing option. But for an entry-level super automatic espresso maker, the Slimissimo hits all the key marks at an affordable price point.

Overall, the SCOTT UK Slimissimo is recommended for anyone looking for their first quality super automatic espresso machine without breaking the bank. It provides delicious espresso drinks and good bang for your buck. Just don't expect the build quality or features of a high-end model. But for basic home use, the Slimissimo gets the job done admirably.