Salter EK3131 Espressimo coffee machine review

You won't find a coffee machine that's much easier to use than the Salter Espressimo. Simply pour some water into the top, insert the machine head with a filter full of ground coffee, turn a dial on the side of the machine, then leave the dial in place until all the liquid has been extracted through the filter.

When it's done, just turn the dial again to deactivate the machine. Each step in the process is intuitive, and the machine’s steamer feature is similarly easy to master.

The Salter Espressimo is made in durable plastic, making it robust, but a little too cute to be considered merely utilitarian. It took us a little over 20 minutes to unbox, wash and assemble the machine and its accessories, which isn't bad for the first use. As a plus, the packaging is minimal, with only a few small non-recyclable elements.

There's not much in the way of added features; included is a steamer – handy for making lattes and cappuccinos – plus a coffee measuring spoon and multifunctional carafe.

We really like this machine’s built-in water tank design. Instead of occasionally refilling a large tank (at the risk of water being left in the tank for several days), you can just add as much water as needed for each use. As there would usually be a detachable water tank, this saves some space.

The absence of a detachable tank also takes a regular cleaning task out of the equation, which time-pressured users will appreciate. The rest of the accessories, including the drip tray, measuring scoop and carafe, were easy to clean.

Another advantage of the Espressimo is its size – it has a very neat footprint compared to other electric espresso machines, and could be an ideal fit for kitchens that are already full of appliances.

But, as mentioned, the key limitation to this machine is the quality of coffee produced. It can make a very tasty americano, but we couldn’t get it to replicate the results of more advanced espresso machines.

However, if that's okay with you, the Salter Espressimo is one of most efficient, easy-to-use machines you could buy, and it is good value for money.

Star ratings:
Functionality: 5/5
Results: 3.5/5
Ease of cleaning: 5/5
Value for money: 4.5/5
Overall rating: 4/5

Photo: Alice Ostapjuk

Specifications:
Pressure: 5 bar
Dimensions: H30 x W16.5 x D23.5cm
Colour: black
Material: stainless steel

See our full review of the best espresso machines and best coffee machines on test.

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This review was last updated in October 2019. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.