This is the Honda Civic of Espresso Machines
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The Gemilai G3007L espresso machine is the perfect mix of affordability and functionality. After a month of continued use I found it to be reliable, easy to dial in, and a pleasure to make coffee drinks with. Plus it has a classic styling and comes in three colors.
It has all the right features, and nothing you don’t need. That’s probably why it’s $500.
Below I’ll tell you about the Gemilai G3007L espresso machine as well as my experience with it. SPOILER: it was pretty great, but you need to know a few things to really make it sing.
Primary features
550ml steam boiler for pushing out multiple drinks in a row
A 3-hole steam wand powered by a thermoblock (that means on-demand steam power)
1.7L water reservoir
A PID, which allows you to adjust the brew boiler temperature
58mm group head (the standard in coffee shops)
Adjustable pre-infusion for even, high extractions from your espresso
Programmable brew settings for convenience and repeatability
My experience with the G3007L
I found this espresso machine extremely easy to understand right out of the box. Granted, I know my way around given my experience with my coffee business but still, it’s user friendly. Gemilai provides a quick start guide, which was great for pulling shots and steaming milk immediately. But for more in depth use of the pre-infusion and programming features, I found that the more detailed instructions were helpful.
Like a Honda Civic, this is a just-the-basics machine. That said, these are solid basics. The PID is great, though it only moves in 2 degree increments — not a deal breaker for me and I doubt most of you care either. The steam wand is sufficiently powered (I’d put it up against my Ascaso DUO). Most of these thermoblock-powered steam wands will take a little getting used to, but with a little finesse you’ll be drinking silky micro-foamed lattes and cappuccinos in no time.
What you should know before you buy
A machine like this will make an awesome coffee drink, but only if you have a grinder that can grind fine enough to get proper extraction. That means you may be spending a few hundred or more to round out your espresso bar. Don’t use preground and don’t use a cheap blade grinder. It’s pointless. Get yourself a burr grinder that has espresso capabilities.
Here’s a grinder my friend Caleb bought and loves:
And here’s the one I have:
And while I found the tamper that Gemilai provides to be a bit lackluster, it did work. I would upgrade to this Normcore tamper. And while you’re at it, grab a steaming pitcher that is suited to the drink you like. For that, read my blog post, or just grab this one on Amazon:
What I’m saying is that for any espresso machine, you need the right equipment to go with it if you want to get the most out of it.
Where to buy the Gemilai G3007L espresso machine
Learn more about the G3007L espresso machine: https://shop.gemilai.com/products/g3007l-espresso-macine
