La Marzocco GS/3 Espresso Machine
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Things are about to get real. La Marzocco's GS3 is designed for passionate, avid espresso enthusiasts who know that investing in one of the best machines available is the only way they'll ever be satisfied. It's pricey, but its commercial-grade features more than balance the cost: Dual stainless steel boilers, powerful steaming functionality, PID temperature control, paddle-activated brewing with controllable pre-infusion, volumetric pump and variable hot water temperature regulation -- just to name a few.
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Learn more about the GS3:
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Crew Review
Pros
- Steam Power - You'll have tons of dry steam that quickly and easily creates silky microfoam
- PID Interface - Select your ideal brewing temperature based on the coffee you're using and consistently reproduce high quality espresso
- Hot Water Customization - Many machines serve the hot water tap via the steam boiler, resulting in really hot water; the GS/3 allows you to mix cold water into the hot water to dial in the temperature for Americanos or tea
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Cons
- Price - This is one of the most expensive machines designed for home espresso, so many folks will be priced out of this equipment due to the cost -- but this is a great price for a light commercial duty machine, so the price could also be a pro depending on your purpose
- Aesthetics - Arguably personal preference, the GS/3 is much more utilitarian in its look/design and not quite as sexy as some of the other machines available on the market
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How it Works
Automatic vs. Manual
The automatic version of the GS3 does not use a mechanical paddle, as the machine handles all pre-infusion via programming options. You are able to set specific times of pre-infusion as well as quantity of water used, allowing for perhaps more overall functionality.
The manual version of the GS3 has a unique mechanical paddle that allows you to control pre-infusion and extraction by moving the paddle from right to left. This adds a unique experience to the whole process, and after some practice, this feature enables you to recreate some of the same delicious flavor that normally only comes from lever machines.
The GS3 features sophisticated PID functionality and programming; learn more from these manufacturer-created manuals:
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Care
For detailed care instructions, please refer to your machine's user manual. We recommend that you also incorporate the following into your cleaning routine:
- Descale every 2 - 3 months. We recommend using Dezcal.
- Clean the brew gasket with a cleaning brush daily
- Soap out water tank (if applicable) and drip tray every few days
- Perform backflush routine and clean the filter basket each week
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Features & Accessories
There's a reason this machine was created for homes but ended up being considered for 'light' commercial use -- it has a ton of high end, professional-grade features.
Components & Functionality
- Dual Stainless Steel Boilers: A 3.5 liter steam boiler produces strong, dry and sustained steam, easily producing latte art-worthy microfoam. This is complemented by the separate 1.5 liter brew boiler, which allows for excellent temperature consistency and regulation for both operations.
- Large Internal Reservoir: 3.5 liter reservoir loads from the bottom, resting behind the drip tray, and features an opening for easy refill without removing the entire unit.
- Convertible Water Source: Use the internal reservoir or set the machine up to directly connect to your location's plumbing.
- Sophisticated PID Control: Tailoring your brew temperature to achieve the best extract is simple with this digital-displayed PID that utilizes multifunction keypads.
- 'Cool Touch' Wands: Stainless steel hot water and steam wands feature 'Cool Touch' technology, decreasing the the burn factor.
- Internal Volumetric Pump: Also known as a rotary vane pump, this quieter pump is designed to maintain a specific volume capacity that is consistently maintained.
- Saturated Brew Group: Water is distributed evenly across the brew group, resulting in an more consistent pre-infusion and extraction rate, reducing the possibility of channeling.
- Hot Water Tweaking: Easily select how much cold water you want incorporated into the hot water pulled from the boiler, tailoring your teas or Americanos to your preferred temperature.
- Mechanical Paddle: Paddle system provides control over pre-infusion prior to the pump kicking in to begin extraction.
- Monster Drip Tray: If you don't setup the draining kit, no worries -- the huge capacity of the GS/3's drip tray means you won't have to empty it very often.
Included Accessories
- Portafilter Set: The GS/3 comes with single and double spout portafilters as well as single, double and blind baskets.
- Cleaning & Maintenance: A variety of cleaning and maintenance tools are included with the machine to assist in its long-term care.
- Plumbing/Draining Kit: hoses, washers, clamps and other items necessary for plumbing in and setting up the drip tray to drain are also included. Note: You may require additional plumbing equipment in order for the machine to be compatible with your location's plumbing requirements. Please consult with a plumber to determine what else you may need.
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Tech Specs
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Have a Question?
We are pleased to offer AskOwners, a new feature that allows you, a potential buyer, to directly ask owners of this product what they think about it, offering you a completely subjective opinion of everything we sell.
Videos Related to the La Marzocco GS/3
Learn more about the La Marzocco GS3 through our informative YouTube videos:
Bottomless Portafilter on the La Marzocco GS/3
Playing with shot variables on the GS3:
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