Smeg BCC13 evaluation | TechRadar
Smeg BCC13: one-minute evaluation
The Smeg BCC13 is a totally automated bean-to-cup espresso machine with an automated milk frother, which produces persistently nicely extracted espresso time after time.
The BCC13 is constructed to a really excessive customary, with considerate touches like a straightforward to entry dump bucket for grounds; refill, cleansing, and descaling alerts; and easy inside surfaces which might be a chunk of cake to maintain clear. The machine warns you every time refilling or cleansing is important, and a fast clear cycle of its milk and dispenser system takes only one minute from begin to end.
It has presets for 9 totally different drinks, plus sizzling water for making tea, and you’ll tailor the size of lattes, cappuccinos, and americanos to go well with the dimensions of your cups. The most well-liked drinks can be found with a single faucet of the buttons on prime of the machine, and fewer widespread choices might be accessed by holding a button to entry a secondary menu. It is not at all times instantly apparent which button pertains to which drink, so chances are you’ll end up counting on the fast begin information for the primary week or so, however you will quickly get the dangle of it.
That is the primary espresso maker within the BCC collection with an automated milk frother, and it really works extraordinarily nicely. Simply pour your milk into the sturdy container (which has an hermetic lid so you may retailer it within the fridge), immerse one finish of the rubber tube, and gently push it into place on the aspect of the dispenser. The BCC13 produces thick, creamy foam for cappuccinos and lattes, and the milk is heated sufficient to interrupt down the lactose for a scrumptious, candy foam with out ever being scalded.
It would not work nicely with plant-based milks (even barista ones), however that is typical for a espresso maker with an automated frother and Smeg does warn you that outcomes will not be the identical as they’re with dairy. If you happen to get pleasure from oat or soya in your lattes and cappuccinos, you may want to go for one among Smeg’s espresso makers with a handbook steam wand, which provide you with complete management. Our information to the greatest espresso machines contains tons extra choices to take a look at.
Smeg BCC13: worth and availability
- Checklist worth: $1,200 / £799.95 / AU$1,199
- Launch date: July 2024
- Availability: international
The Smeg BCC13 launched in July 2024, as a successor to the Bean to Cup BCC02. It has an inventory worth of $1,200 / £799.95 / AU$1,199, and though it was solely out there within the UK initially, it will probably now be purchased worldwide.
That is greater than the BCC02, which retailed at round $1,000 / £680 / AU$970 relying on the retailer, however the worth enhance is not large contemplating the BCC13 has been upgraded with a totally automated milk frother.
Bean-to-cup machines at all times carry a premium price ticket, however the BCC13 definitely is not the most costly espresso maker of its kind. The De’Longhi Dinamica Plus is a wonderful machine, however at $1499.95 / £1199.99/ AU$1529 , it is past the price range of all however essentially the most severe espresso lovers.
If you happen to’re on a tighter price range, I like to recommend contemplating a handbook espresso machine just like the Breville Bambino Plus, which retails at $499.95 / £399.95 / AU$649. There’s extra of a studying curve and you may want a separate espresso grinder, however it’s half the value and earned 4 and a half stars from our reviewer.
Smeg BCC13: specs
| Identify | Smeg BCC13 |
| Kind | Absolutely automated bean-to-cup espresso machine |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13.2 x 7 x 17in / 336 x 180 x 433mm |
| Weight | 20lb / 9kg |
| Water reservoir capability | 47.34oz / 1.4L |
| Milk frother | Sure |
| Variety of drink choices | 9 (plus sizzling water) |
| Bars of stress | 19 |
| Noise stage | 67dB |
| Wire size | 39 3/8in / 1m |
Smeg BCC13: design
- Glossy, trendy look
- Considerate touches for straightforward cleansing
- Drink choice buttons want a reference information
The Smeg BCC13 appears nearly equivalent to the BCC02, however as a substitute of a steam wand completely connected to the entrance, it has a removeable rubber hose for its automated milk steaming system. It is a fashionable machine, with a easy black, white, or emerald inexperienced case and a brushed aluminum entrance.
The dispenser on the entrance slides up and down with a easy movement to accommodate totally different cup sizes, and has a port within the aspect for the milk hose. You possibly can take away the milk pumping system by opening the entrance of the dispenser and pulling the unit out for cleansing.
Espresso beans are loaded right into a hopper on the highest (the BCC13 will warn you when it is empty) and there is a giant water reservoir on the again, with a carry deal with so you may simply take it to the faucet or use a filter jug to refill it. The reservoir has a beneficiant most capability of 47.34oz / 1.4L, so it would not want refilling usually, and the machine will routinely purge the water line when the reservoir is re-inserted,
A aspect door within the machine lets you entry the machine’s brew group, which can generally want cleansing to take away buildup of espresso grounds. Simply press the buttons on the aspect of the group unit, then gently pull to take away it. As soon as it is out, you may merely rinse it below a faucet to do away with buildup, then give it a dry with a tea towel earlier than changing it.
You will obtain a warning from the machine when the brew group wants cleansing, and a light-weight will illuminate on prime in the event you’ve unintentionally left the panel off.
The drip tray slots onto the entrance of the machine, and you may obtain a warning when it is beginning to get full. It has a beneficiant capability so it would not want emptying too usually, regardless of the machine’s automated purging perform, and like all elements of the BCC12, it feels sturdy and sturdy.
Used grounds are dropped right into a handy waste caddy on the backside of the machine, which you will discover by eradicating the drip tray and sliding out a drawer. The caddy holds as much as seven pucks of used espresso, and once more, the BCC13 will warn you when it wants emptying. The caddy merely lifts out, and you’ll wash it utilizing dish cleaning soap and water.
A set of 5 buttons on the highest of the machine allow you to select the kind of drink you’d wish to make. When they’re illuminated white, you may choose from espresso, espresso, sizzling water for tea, cappuccino, and latte macchiato. Urgent the marginally bigger button beneath them will change the lights to orange, and allow you to select
espresso mild (a much less extracted shot), lengthy espresso, americano, espresso macchiato, or foamed milk.
It is apparent what a number of the buttons will do from the icons alone, however till you’ve got used the machine for a number of days, you will in all probability have to seek the advice of the fast begin guides included within the packaging to remind you what every ones does.
The ultimate button, on the correct, begins the machine’s fast clear cycle. It should flash after you utilize the BCC13’s milk frothing system, prompting you to fill the cleansing container with water, insert the tip of the hose, and press the button for 3 seconds to purge the system. Soiled water will probably be flushed out, leaving the machine prepared to make use of once more subsequent time.
You possibly can keep on making drinks with out performing the cycle, however I timed it, and the method solely takes one minute from begin to end.
The machine is provided with a sturdy milk container with a most capability of 500ml / 16oz, which has a rubberized lid so you may retailer it hygienically within the fridge when it is not in use. It is simple to scrub by hand with dish cleaning soap and heat water.
Smeg BCC13: efficiency
The enchantment of a premium bean-to-cup espresso maker is consistency, and the Smeg BCC13 excels, creating good photographs of espresso with thick, wealthy crema each time. You possibly can tinker with the grind measurement in the event you like, however I discovered the default settings produced a nicely extracted espresso with no adjustment. All the technique of brewing an espresso took 1:04 minutes from urgent the button to completion, and the BCC13 reached a most quantity of 67dB (although many of the brewing course of was a lot quieter).
I carried out our common check of an espresso by putting a teaspoonful of demerara sugar on prime. It sat for a number of seconds earlier than sinking by means of the crema, which is an indication of a very good shot.
The inclusion of a sizzling water setting is a welcome addition that we do not see with all absolutely automated espresso machines, and means you do not want a kettle for brewing tea. The foamed milk characteristic can also be considerate, offering a babyccino on demand (simply mud on some cocoa when it is completed).
The built-in milk frother could be very constant, producing thick and creamy foam for cappuccinos and lattes. Milk was by no means overheated both; the BCC13 warms it sufficient to interrupt down the lactose for a candy style, with out scalding it. As with the nicely extracted espresso, the outcomes are the identical time after time, with no handbook alterations obligatory.
Relying on the dimensions of your cups, chances are you’ll need to regulate the amount of lattes, cappuccinos, and americanos by altering the quantity of milk or water allotted. You are able to do this by holding down one of many drink choice buttons till you hear a tone, then urgent the button once more as soon as the machine has allotted the correct quantity. The BCC13 will save this preset for future use.
If you wish to cease shelling out the present drink early, you are able to do so by tapping the drink choice key. This may not have an effect on the presets.
The one actual draw back is that the Smeg BCC13 cannot deal with plant milks notably nicely. Smeg’s documentation advises that though you may steam non-dairy options utilizing its machines, you will get higher outcomes with cow milk, and that definitely proved to be the case. A cappuccino made utilizing barista oat milk had barely any foam on prime (as proven within the image under), and the machine overheated the milk quite than incorporating air. Smeg does warn you about this, and it is customary for a machine with an auto milk frother, so the BCC13 would not lose marks for it.
If you wish to use oat, soy, almond, or coconut milk to make drinks then chances are you’ll be higher served by the Smeg BCC02, which has a handbook steam wand so you may regulate the stress and use your individual approach to get the correct texture. Alternatively, you possibly can go for the BCC01 espresso machine, which has no steam characteristic in any respect, and choose up a standalone milk frother just like the Dreo BaristaMaker, which has presets for plant milks.
Absolutely automated espresso makers are splendidly handy while you simply need to make a drink with the minimal of fuss, however the transferring elements imply they are typically extra of a problem to scrub than a handbook machine. Fortunately the BCC13 retains that to a minimal by prompting you to hold out common cleanup duties so issues by no means get too messy.
You’ll be promoted to purge the dispenser and tubing every time you utilize the milk frother, which is smart and prevents buildup of micro organism. When the fast clear button flashes, fill the sq. cleansing container with plain water, place it below the dispenser, and insert the tip of the milk tube. Maintain the button for 3 seconds and the machine will flush its entire shelling out system with sizzling water and steam, and pump the ensuing waste right into a reservoir within the cleansing container. It is spectacular simply how a lot it cleans out every time.
A couple of stray espresso grounds inevitably find yourself falling contained in the machine as it really works, however not too many, and so they’re simple to scrub up. The underside of the BCC13 is simple to entry with the drawer pulled out, and its easy inside floor means you should use a brush or a chunk of kitchen towel to wipe it out in a number of seconds. The entire machine is made and completed to a really excessive customary, and there is nowhere for stray grounds to get trapped.
Do you have to purchase the Smeg BCC13?
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Worth for cash | Not low cost, however inside the regular vary for a totally automated bean-to-cup machine. If you happen to want one thing cheaper, a handbook machine might go well with you higher. | 4.5/5 |
| Design | Extraordinarily excessive construct high quality, and simple to make use of and maintain clear on an on a regular basis foundation. | 5/5 |
| Efficiency | Produces constant outcomes each time, with good high quality espresso and nicely foamed dairy milk. | 5/5 |
Purchase it if
Do not buy it if
Smeg BCC13: additionally contemplate
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Smeg BCC13 | Smeg BCC02 | Casabrews 5700Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $1,200 / £799.95 / AU$1,199 | $1,000 / £680 / AU$970 | $899.99 (about £700 / AU$1,300) |
| Kind | Automated bean-to-cup | Automated bean-to-cup | Semi-automatic bean-to-cup |
| Milk frother | Automated | Handbook wand | Handbook wand |
| Bars of stress | 19 | 19 | 20 |
If you happen to’re undecided in regards to the Smeg BCC13, listed here are a few different choices to consider:
How I examined the Smeg BCC13
I had the Smeg BCC13 on mortgage for 2 weeks, throughout which period I used it to make all kinds of drinks utilizing prime quality medium roasted Brazilian espresso beans, and in contrast them to the identical drinks made utilizing a handbook Gaggia Basic machine.
I examined the BCC13’s automated milk frother utilizing each chilled entire dairy milk and barista-style oat milk, and in contrast the outcomes with these created by foaming milk with a handbook steam wand.
I measured the amount of the machine all through the brewing course of utilizing a decibel meter app on my cellphone, and used my cellphone’s timer to see how lengthy it took to brew a drink and full a fast cleansing cycle.
Learn extra about how we check.
First reviewed August 2024
