I’ve owned two fancy espresso machines in my life, and I got rid of both of them. Maybe it’s because I never bought high quality espresso to use in them 0or maybe barista just isn’t my calling, but I couldn’t figure it out.
Specifications
- Price: $179.00.
- Available colors: Soft Teal, Warm Grey.
- In the box: Portafilter, coffee spool, splitter, Smartshot machine, instructions.
- Electricity needs: None.
I’m an avid at-home coffee drinker. My drip coffee machine is set to power on at 4:00 am each morning, but there’s just something about a latte that makes everything a little better. That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to test the Presso Shartshot from ROK Coffee.
Presso Smartshot
Now, I’m no expert in different roasts or how course the beans should be ground, but I know what tastes good — and this espresso tastes good.
The Set Up
The Presso Smartshot was super easy to set up. I just took it out of the box and put the silicone seal where the portafilter clicks into place. That’s it!
Pros
- Fast, easy espresso.
- No experience necessary.
- Space-saving design.
- Easy to clean.
- No electricity needed.
Cons
- Base may stain if drips aren't cleaned up.
- Space is needed when raising the arms.
The Perks
From making it super easy to “pull a shot” to the quick clean up, there’s a lot to love about the Presso Smartshot.
Fast, Easy Espresso
Over the summer, all of my kids were home, and you can imagine the level of craziness that brings with it. In between running errands, having adventures, and hanging out at home, this little machine came in very handy. Often, in the afternoon, I would brew a small pot of coffee, but a few sips in, my cup would usually end up abandoned somewhere in the house and the coffee in the pot would go cold.
The Presso Smartshot was a lifesaver in these rushed afternoons. All I had to do was start the hot water kettle with a flick of a lever, press some espresso into the Portafilter, and twist it into place. I poured a small amount of water into the top, lifted the arms, and then slowly pressed them down. The energy from pressing the arms down is stored in the tube and it slowly presses the water through the portafilter, creating espresso that meets my afternoon coffee needs.
A Sleek, Beautiful Design
It feels like our house is filled to the top most days, so I typically hesitate when I bring something else in and try to have a plan for where to put it. This machine is small and sleek and tucks nicely onto our countertop without taking up too much space. It also comes with an attachment that allows you to make two shots at the same time.
Simple Cleaning
Another thing I consider when bringing a new appliance into the house is how easy it is to clean. If I have to spend an hour scrubbing it, then it’s not for me. Luckily, the Presso Smartshot is super easy to clean. In fact, all I do is grab the entire thing and rinse the base under running water. I do the same to the portafilter after I empty the coffee from the basket which is also removable. I’ll also remove the black silicone seal and rinse that as well.
The website says that you can also give it a deeper clean by installing the portafilter without coffee in it and filling the top with warm soapy water. After you’ve repeated this step once, you can rinse it with clean water.
No Electricity Needed
The machine itself doesn’t require any electricity to work, so you can take it anywhere. I suppose you do need a way to heat the water. I used an electric kettle, but you could also heat water on the stove. I’m excited for when we (eventually) go camping and get to take it along to use with our Jetboil.
Some Considerations
The only issue I have with the Presso Smartshot is that if coffee will stain the base if it sits on it too long. A quick rinse after each use will prevent most of this, but if a few drips escape your attention, then you may end up with brown stains. ROK Coffee makes a silicone mat which sits in the base to protect it. The mat is sold separately and costs $7.99.
The machine is small and streamlined, but when you raise the arms, they do take up a decent amount of space. If you clear an area on your counter or move the machine to an island or kitchen table, you should have plenty of room to raise and lower them.
Final Thoughts
This is a very handy little machine. As someone who has struggled to make good espresso at home, I was delighted when it produced a delicious shot with very little effort on my part. I actually started using it with regular coffee that we had at home before deciding to buy an actual espresso roast. Often, I’ll mix it with a bit of flavored syrup and frothed milk for a latte, but on a few days when I was particularly rushed, I either drank the shot on its own or added a little heavy cream and sipped it.
