ECM Classika III Espresso Machine

The Classika III is ECM's new single boiler machine. The footprint is compact, 25 cm wide, but a lot has changed inside: the ECM-61 Core Heat brew group has integrated heating cartridges and brings the machine up to temperature in about 6.5 minutes, flush included.

The system is a single boiler+: one 0.5 l stainless steel boiler for coffee and steam, run by the PID with temperature set in 1 °C steps, plus the heated brew group. The small boiler moves quickly from brewing to steam temperature, and the vibration pump is quiet.

Use the OLED display with control dial to access the menu settings: turn to scroll through the menu, press to confirm. From there you adjust brew and steam temperature, pre-infusion, ECO mode and the brew group cleaning reminder. The shot timer starts automatically during extraction; the machine also has a shot counter and Fast Heat-Up mode. The pump pressure gauge sits on the front, the expansion valve is easy to reach, the water tank holds 2.8 l and the cup warming tray lifts off.

In the box you get a portafilter with two spouts, 7 g and 14 g filter baskets, a blind basket, a tamper, a water filter cartridge with a hardness test strip, a cleaning brush and the user manual.

What we love

For years the Classika has been the ECM we recommend to anyone who wants a genuine E61 group in a small space, with nothing superfluous. The III keeps the same compact shape and takes away the wait: your first espresso is a little over six minutes away, and the display puts every setting at your fingertips.