Swan Retro Espresso Machine review

In case you’re a fan of vintage-style kitchen home equipment, Swan’s vary matches the invoice. We’re reviewing the model’s retro espresso espresso machine, which is available in 9 totally different colors.

Though it’s not out there within the US, we’ve discovered a really related mannequin on Amazon, which retails for $149.99.

Design & look

• 1.2 litre tank
• Temperature gauge
• Steam wand

Weighing 3kg, this machine is a light-weight equipment with a colored plastic physique and a chrome dial, buttons, and trim. Topped with a metallic cup rack, it additionally has a metallic drip tray and metallic steam wand. Okay, the remainder of the construct is barely plasticky and the chrome trim may not final eternally, however what you lose in sturdiness, you achieve in type.

Within the field, you’ll get a 15-bar machine, a scoop and tamper software, a pair of 1-shot and 2-shot filter baskets, a portafilter, a brush and a handbook.

The machine itself is neat at 31cm excessive, 20cm broad and 27cm deep, though you have to add one other 8cm for the portafilter deal with. Its physique color – in our case, cream, however you can go for sage, pastel blue, gray, pink, purple and extra – means the machine’s presence feels far much less imposing than it may need accomplished in black or stainless-steel. Certainly, it blended in with our cream tiles, which calms the sense of worktop muddle.   

The clear tank slots into the again and matches 1.2 litres of water. You’ll be able to fill from the faucet or in situ; the tank has a swing-back hinge that may be complicated at first, however means you by no means by chance lose the lid. The cable can also be an honest 97cm lengthy.

The drip tray has a helpful float valve, so you may see when it’s full, and the grill is detachable for simple cleansing. You may also match a 250ml mug underneath the portafilter spout, so there’s capability to dispense an espresso immediately into your latte or cappuccino mug.

Curiously, the handbook offers you steered dishing out volumes for each an espresso and a cappuccino, with the latter carrying milk quantity options. We seen this particularly as a result of handbook dispense espresso machines don’t at all times include a useful handbook and this may prevent some analysis time.

The machine is managed from three buttons on the entrance: steam, pump, and energy. You may also management the steam wand’s energy by way of a dial, which is extremely helpful and offers you a contact of barista authenticity.

The entrance panel additionally has three indicator lights for pump, energy, and steam, which inform you when the machine is on and whether or not the temperature of the water is excessive sufficient to dispense espresso or steam milk. There’s additionally a temperature gauge, which takes the guessing out of the heating-up recreation.   

Utilizing the Swan Retro Espresso Machine

• Pre-heating course of provides one other stage to espresso making
• Appropriate with ESE pods or floor espresso
• No pre-set volumes for dishing out

Earlier than you do something, it’s good to wash the equipment and pre-clean the machine, which entails working water by the machine and portafilter. As soon as it has been correctly cleaned based on the directions, you’re prepared to make use of it.

Each time you activate the machine, your first step is to pump some water by right into a cup to make sure the heating course of kicks in. That is the place the temperature gauge is useful, as you may see it heating up. 

Swan then suggests preheating the machine, portafilter and your cup. When the temperature gauge has reached the crimson “cup” area, you dispense sizzling water into your cup for twenty seconds earlier than shutting it off and throwing the new water away.

At that time, you fill the filter basket, tamp it down, place the filter basket within the heated portafilter, repair the portafilter again in place and press the pump button to permit the espresso to run by. While you’ve distributed for lengthy sufficient, merely press the pump button once more to cease the circulation. 

So, from a chilly begin, you’d flip the machine on, pump a spot of water by to set the water heating, then wait till the temperature was applicable for espresso, pump extra water by to warmth the machine, portafilter and your cup, throw that water away, after which fill the basket with espresso and dispense your drink.

It’s a three-stage course of, which implies it takes longer and is a little more demanding than you may anticipate. 

Nonetheless, the ensuing espresso was spectacular: darkish physique, wonderful crema, Guinness presentation. The scent was aromatic and the drink a great temperature with a wealthy, potent style.

What was noticeable was the compacted nature of the grinds when it got here to empty the filter basket, which steered the machine’s pump works successfully to penetrate by the espresso.       

Steaming milk

• Adjustable steam wand
• Dial management
• Milk jug not included

To steam milk, swap off the pump dispense button, depress the steam button, after which wait till the steam indicator gentle comes on. You’ll be able to see the temperature needle rising, which is beneficial.

Swan suggests you then flip the steam knob on for fifteen seconds to filter chilly water within the system earlier than you insert it into your milk jug (a metallic jug is finest as a result of you may assess the warmth of your milk on the aspect).

When you’ve got accomplished that, put the wand into your jug and slowly flip the dial to steam your milk. The dial makes the method of steaming very controllable, and we’ve got to say it’s a really efficient milk steamer: quick and frothy. There’s a pull-off cylinder on the finish of the wand; we guess that is to guard towards steam spray.

The consequence was a really superb cappuccino certainly: one which rivalled most espresso store choices.     

Worth and availability

You’ll be able to’t purchase it from US retailers, however we noticed a dupe on Amazon for $149.99.

The Swan Retro Espresso Machine is on the market within the UK from plenty of retailers. One of the best value we may discover is on Amazon, the place it’s presently out there for £75. It’s additionally available from AO.com on the identical value, though Amazon has extra color choices. Presently all (black, blue, cream, inexperienced, gray, orange, pink, purple, yellow) are in inventory.

This espresso espresso machine is a part of an unlimited retro vary that features (look ahead to it) pans, jugs, kettles, toasters, gradual cookers, air fryers, followers, salt and pepper mills, mixers, bread bins, microwaves, canisters, scales, mugs and mug bushes, fridges, freezers, fridge freezers, roasting trays, casserole dishes and extra, all out there in the identical colors. You’ll be able to browse the full range on the Swan web site.

It’s an awfully complete vary that can can help you package out your kitchen with matching home equipment and equipment.

In addition to this machine, Swan additionally makes a retro type One-Contact Espresso Machine. It’s out there from Amazon for £125, and is just a little bigger, with an hooked up milk tank and extra computerized features. 

Swan espresso machines additionally come within the Nordic (less complicated strains and a wood-effect trim) and Gatsby (gold trim, barely steampunk) types.

Verdict

The Swan Retro Espresso Espresso Machine is a trendy equipment that makes a great cup of espresso and steams milk effectively. Okay, there’s an extra stage and a little bit of fuss to the method, and also you may choose the One-Contact for ease of use, but when type is necessary to you, you’re unlikely to seek out this sort of design and vary of color choices at an analogous value level elsewhere.

For extra espresso machine choices, take a look at out round-up of the most effective espresso machines we’ve examined. In case you’d wish to see wider number of espresso makers, take a look at our greatest espresso machines of every kind: pod, espresso, filter and bean-to-cup.