Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a grinder? Yes. Espresso depends on a fresh, even, adjustable grind, and pre-ground coffee stales within minutes and cannot be dialed in. A dedicated grinder is not optional. See the grinder buying guide.

What size portafilter do BrewCraft machines use? All of them use 58mm. That means tampers, baskets, and portafilters are interchangeable by size across the whole range. See compatibility.

Can I steam milk and pull a shot at the same time? Only the Flux (heat exchanger) and Duo (dual boiler) brew and steam simultaneously. Single-boiler machines like the Solo need roughly 60-90 seconds to switch between brew and steam temperatures.

Which machine should a beginner buy? The Pico ($249) for the simplest, most affordable start, or the Solo ($349) if you want PID temperature control and non-pressurized baskets to grow into. Compare them in the machine buying guide.

How often should I descale? It depends on your water. With hard water, descale about monthly; with filtered or softened water, every 3-6 months. Test first with the Water Hardness Test Kit and read water quality and maintenance & descaling.

Can I backflush my machine? Only machines with a three-way valve: the Solo, Flux, and Duo. The Pico and Lever cannot be backflushed. See backflushing.

Which grinder goes with which machine? The Compact fits everything. The Precision flagship shines on the Duo, Flux, and Lever but is overkill for the Pico and Solo. Full details in compatibility.

Do you ship internationally? What is the return policy? See shipping & returns for shipping regions, delivery times, returns, and warranty.