La Marzocco Linea Classic EE 2 Groups Review (2021)

I’ve been working with the La Marzocco Linea Classic EE 2 Groups for more than a year. This is a professional semi-automatic coffee machine. La Marzocco is an Italian brand that has been producing premium coffee makers for almost a century. This Florentine company made a revolution in the coffee industry thanks to its innovative approach and unique engineering developments. It transformed both the design of an espresso machine and the idea of the coffee brewing process.

Design and Appearance of the La Marzocco Linea Classic EE 2 Groups

The body of the machine is made entirely of stainless steel. In the coffee shop, it looks very stylish, which is noted by both visitors and baristas. The material increases the service life of the appliance and makes it look impressive. The steel surface is easy to clean and remains unstained longer. Due to its minimalistic and stylish design, the appliance integrates well into the interior of any coffee shop.

There are only 5 program buttons on the front panel, which makes the process of brewing high-quality espresso easier. There are also 2 steam pipes for frothing milk that allow 2 people to operate the device simultaneously. Under the brewing groups, there is a section for water drainage that can be easily removed from the base for quick cleanup. All handles and buttons are made of high-quality material that doesn’t feel slippery in the hands. It looks nice and is convenient to use.

All machine elements promote its easy operation: the portafilters are ergonomically shaped, the location of the sensors is convenient, the steam pipes are swivel, and the machine legs are high. The pump is located outside the device and can be easily adjusted or replaced.

Specifications

Carefully designed to work at any workload, the Linea Classic from La Marzocco is equipped with a double boiler system, saturated brewing groups, and a PID temperature controller. It is very convenient to use and simple in operation for any barista who has mastered the basic skills in brewing technology. Due to the technological characteristics, the machine can work under high loads. All operation processes are well organized and allow baristas to care about the quality of the brewed coffee, without being distracted by any technical problem.

How to Use It?

The machine requires connection to the water supply and sewerage systems. After it is done, you can turn it on. It is fast at heating water and takes 5 minutes before it is ready to brew an espresso. If the machine is new, you need to remove all protective film and stickers and wipe the brewing elements. Let the water run through the machine to avoid dust getting into your coffee. The machine draws water when needed, but there is also a button on the panel for a manual water refill.

On the left side, there is a switch with 3 marks, where “0” means the machine is off, “1” is for an energy-saving mode, and “2” is for an operation mode. Switch the machine on. In a few minutes, the La Marzocco is ready for use. To brew espresso, take a portafilter out of the group, put the required amount of ground coffee into it, tamp it, and insert it into the brew head. The water in the brewing group is always heated, so you can activate the water supply immediately. The corresponding button is located next to each brewing group, which is very convenient. Saturated brewing groups ensure stable water temperature. While making espresso, I insist on using a scale with a timer to control the weight of ground coffee and the brewing time. Once the espresso is ready, discard the coffee grounds and wipe the portafilter with a disposable napkin or rinse it under pure hot water. Prior to frothing milk, let the water run off the steamer because water stagnation can occur in such coffee machines. When the steam is stable, insert the wand into the pitcher and froth the milk. After frothing, clean the steam wand with a damp cloth to remove milk residue.

How to Clean This Coffee Machine?

The La Marzocco is an amazing coffee machine because even after several working hours, it often remains as clean as at the beginning of the shift. This is due to the fact that the portafilters and filter baskets are made of stainless steel.

The coffee oils that are released during the brewing process don’t stick to the machine parts and can be easily removed even with running water. Yet, to extend its working life and guarantee good brewing results, the coffee machine should be rinsed with a special solution at the end of each shift.

Insert a blind filter basket in the portafilter (the one that has no holes) and pour cleaning liquid or put a special powder into it. The exact amount is specified in the instruction manual. Then, insert it into the brew head and activate the water supply. This should be done several times until the pipes are completely cleaned. The process is over when you see that the water is clean and contains no coffee and chemical residue. After that, let the water run without the portafilter locked in its place.

The portafilters and filter baskets can be cleaned separately using special cleaning agents or citric acid. Wipe the steam wands with a damp cloth. To clean out the leftover milk inside the wand, pour some water in the pitcher, add the same cleaning agent, and activate the steam supply. When the water heats up, it should be changed. Repeat the same procedure with clean water.

Note that these coffee machines cannot be cleaned with traditional detergents such as dishwashing liquid because they contain substances that bind coffee particles and may greatly affect the taste of the brewed beverages.

Features, Pros and Cons of La Marzocco Linea Classic EE 2 Groups

This model, like any other La Marzocco machines, is hand-assembled with each detail being produced exclusively at the company’s factory. Even complicated units such as boilers are not imported. The individual production of these espresso machines has become a quality guarantee and brought them the status of elite appliances.

Any version of the La Marzocco machines, including Linea Classic EE 2Gr, has the following peculiarities:

One of the drawbacks worth noting is, of course, the price of the machine, which is not budget. On the other hand, these coffee makers are designed for non-stop use in coffee shops, and they surely pay off over time. For home use, you can choose a model that is cheaper and easier to use.

The La Marzocco Linea Classic EE 2 Groups is a trendy model. It is an icon of the coffee industry and a choice of professionals. Any coffee maker should be chosen based not only on your wishes regarding its operation but also taking into account the daily number of visitors.