A beautifully Swiss designed and hand built espresso machine the Solis Crema SL90’s brewing is easy and uncomplicated. Made as a “purists' Barista machine” this Automatic espresso machine has cutting edge technology and its solid metal housing ensures years of use and abuse. Tailor the settings to your individual preferences and with the simple push of button the volume of coffee desired is instantly in your cup. This Solis Crema has all the excellent features of its sister Solis SL70, with the added benefit of digital controls and a computer to control and set your personal shot volumes and water temperatures.
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Espresso Machine Review
You can choose from twelve preset water volumes to create your own "perfect shot". The machine lets you experiment without limits to find the parameters you are most happy with for the amount of water in your coffee. The computer control also keeps the brewing temperature within 2 degrees of the optimum brewing temperature.
Together these features work to simplify operations and get your coffee quickly. Set the button for a single or a double shot, and the pump starts and stops automatically. This modern styled espresso machine needs minimal space and is designed for ease of use and maximum control. Solis SL90 Crema has all the amenities you could want to produce the perfect brew time after time.
Solis SL90 Features & Benefits
Control Panel Features:
Six touch-sensitive buttons are divided into three groups on the elegant control panel. 1) The On/Off button and the Active Cup Warmer buttons are in the group furthest to the left. This left group is to start the machine plus heat your cups for the best brew. 2) The Programming button, to create your personal choice for the settings, along with the One Cup and Two Cup icon buttons distinguish brewing for Single Shot or Double Shot servings.
These are the three buttons you see in the middle group. This middle group also shows the brewing indicator light above the One and Two Cup icon buttons, plus a digital LCD display to for the programming. 3) The third group to the right, consists of the Steam button, designated by a Cloud icon, as well as a Steam Temperature indicator light. Lights indicate when the boiler is at the proper temperature for either brewing espresso, dispensing instant hot water, or steaming When the Steam Temperature indicator lights up you know that your coffee is only moments away.
Espresso Brewing Features:
Once you press the On button, there is a short wait for the green brewing indicator light to illuminate. Once this is lit, the machine is ready to brew and is fully heated. Measure the proper amount of grounds into the filter, and press down lightly on the grounds with the built-in tamper. Insert the portafilter into the group head, and make your choice by pressing either the Single Shot or Double Shot button. Your beverage begins pouring.
All that is needed to stop the flow is to press the Brewing button again. Viola!
With some simple steps the volume of each of your drinks can be pre-programmed for consistency. There are six programmable volumes to choose from after pressing the programming button. These vary from the Ristretto size of .75 oz up to a Café Crema size of 6 oz. Best of all, you can program volumes for double shots as well as single shots of espresso. This creates a reliability that most Baristas are not able to match.
The Solis SL 90Automatic espresso machine uses a microprocessor to control water flow meter. The programmable microprocessor measures the water that flows through the coffee grounds. When the brew button is pushed, the pump infuses the hot water and then stops based on your programmed preferences.
A Note about the Brewing process in the Solis SL 90 - When the beverage button is pressed, brewing doesn’t start right away. First, a phase called pre-infusion takes place. This stage has the microprocessor controlled pump infuse a small amount of hot water into the coffee grounds and then pause for two seconds. This soak before brewing conditions and pre-soaks the coffee grounds, insuring maximum flavor extraction. Pre-infusion brings out the intensity and aromas in each shot of espresso.
Steam Wand / Frother Features:
The Steam Wand is the tool used to froth the milk for your cappuccino, latte and other favorites. The Solis Crema SL90 has a single hole stainless steel Steam Wand. This means there is no need for any type of frothing attachment. This style of wand takes a bit more skill than wands with a frothing attachment. Yet, the benefits of the single hole wand is its durability and excellent control for your drinks.
Intended for easier frothing the SL90’s Steam Wand pivots straight forward to a 4" height. Or for effortless steaming you can use it in its lowered position.
Before steaming make sure the machine is at brewing temperature – the green light should be lit. This green light tells you its okay to open the Steam knob, located on the right. Steam will come out of the wand and you can prepare the milk to your desired consistency. When finished, make sure to close the knob.
Then simply press the Steam button again to exit the steam mode and let the machine cool. Remember to clean the Steam Wand to prevent milk residue buildup. This is best done after each use with a moist cloth.
Boiler Features:
The most popular drinks at local coffee bars include lattes, cappuccino, and Café Mochas. The Barista is able to froth swiftly and consistently because their espresso machine has a large boiler The SL90 houses a 1,110 Watt heating element in the boiler. This minimizes scale build up and helps eliminate the risk of failure if the boiler runs dry. The Solis SL90 boiler is constructed of marine grade brass and can store 9oz of water at a time. This volume provides a superior steaming power and shorter recycle time when brewing multiple espressos.
The machine’s brass construction means it has long lasting durability as well as provides ideal heat retention qualities. These traits add to the machine’s life as they work to resist pitting and scale build up.
Portafilter Features:
There are two types of portafilters, pressurized and commercial. Pressurized portafilters have less room for error as they create their own pressure. This results in getting a great brew that no longer depends as much on grind size and tamping pressure. The Solis Crema SL90 uses a pressurized portafilter to create the blond swirled top known as Crema.
The Solis high performance pump can produce up to 19 bars pressure which is ideal for fully extracting aroma from the coffee grinds.
With the Solis Crema SL90 built-in tamper you are assured a consistent brew. Unlike most other machines the SL90 includes a built in coffee tamper. Even though the filter baskets design eliminates the need to tamp your coffee grounds, the built in tamper is necessary in order to “level” the grounds prior to brewing. The tamper fits the filter baskets perfectly, and eliminates the your having to buy a separate tamper.
The SL90’s portafilter handle is made of high quality plastic and is shaped to harmonize with your hand comfortably, while protecting it from the heat. At the same instant, the heavy chrome-plated brass filter connects smoothly with the machine. This maintains heat and keeps the espresso’s temperature stable all through the brewing.
Water System / Reservoir Features:
At the back of the machine is the 96oz (2.8 liter) Water Reservoir. When you lift the reservoir up slightly it slides out for easy refilling. Rinse this compartment with hot water and a gentle cleaning agent to prepare fresh tasting coffee. Depending on the hardness of your tap water de-scaling will be necessary approximately every 4-6 months. De-scaling removes the lime scale buildup from your brewing components and extends the Solis Crema SL90 years.
More Time Saving Features
Water Quantity Features:
With a powerful 1,100 Watt heating element for the 9oz. brass boiler and the 96oz (2.8 liter) tank you have more than enough power and capacity to make multiple cups of coffee without revisiting the sink or long waits between brewing.
Programmable Timer Features:
No programmable timer is available on this model.
Active Cup Warmer Features:
Yes, the Solis Crema SL90 Active Cup Warmer feature holds up to six espresso cups, so you’ll always have enough warm cups to make the best brew possible. The cup warmer switch is located on the Control Panel above the On/off switch. As most coffee aficionados know, brewing into a warm cup is important.
This preserves the espresso’s temperature creating a thicker and more luxurious Crema. Most machines rely on Passive cup warmers, a method where cups are heated using the heat from the boiler or the machine itself. This is the method most commercial/retailer machines rely on as they are left on all day. Active cup warmers use an On/Off switch for greater control.
Hot Water Dispenser Features:
Yes, while the Solis Crema SL90 is at brew temperature and the green Brewing icon is lit you can dispense hot water from the Steam Wand. Turn the steam knob open and hot water will be released from the knob.
This hot water is perfect for preparing Tea, a Café Americano, or even hot Cider. To stop the flow of hot water, simply turn the knob to close.
ESE Pods or Ground Coffee:
Yes, with its included filer basket the Solis Crema SL90 is one of the rare machines that easily adapts to pods. Pods, as you know, are pre-ground, pre-tamped and measured to be single serving shots of espresso. They are good for both single and double shot espressos at the simple touch of a button. And best of all Pods save you time & energy as they cut down on any mess with their convenient packaging.
Removable Drip Tray Features:
Yes, another aspect of the clever engineering that is seen in the Solis SL 90 is the adjustable and removable drip tray. The drip tray is specially designed to give two different heights to provide room for either espresso cups or full sized coffee mugs. All that is needed is to flip it on one side to fit the tall cups.
The other side is meant for short cups and no splashing. You can easily clean the drip tray on this Automatic espresso machine with hot water and non-abrasive detergent as needed.
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Price: $599.00
