The ACM Milano Homey is one of the most affordable dual-boiler espresso machines we know of. The basic version is available for just €979, despite the proven Faema E61 brewing unit. Of course, some compromises are to be expected for this price, but the ACM Homey can still be tuned to produce a good espresso. Read our review to find out what we think of the machine, how we use it, and which coffees are suitable.
You can find out more about the comparison with 11 other dual-circuit espresso machines here .
Faema E61 brewing group at the ACM Homey
The principle of the Faema E61 brewing group has proven itself over the years. The circulating water in the thermosyphon warms the entire group, and consistent temperatures can generally be expected. It's important to preheat the espresso machine thoroughly and, especially when using the machine for the first time, draw water to fill the thermosyphon. Warm-up times of 20 to 25 minutes should always be planned for with a Faema E61 brewing group to reach the desired target temperatures . Pulling the lever opens the valves and dispenses water into the coffee.
Side view of the ACM Milano Homey
Dual-circuit espresso machines with Faema E61 brewing groups tend to overheat after extended periods of non-use. The ACM Homey is a case in point. A "cooling flush," a process in which water is drawn for a few seconds without the portafilter in place, can cool the temperature to a desirable level.
With the ACM Homey, we had to rinse the water for a very long time to get it close to a good brewing range, which is around 93 degrees Celsius. Without a long rinse, we sometimes measured brewing temperatures well over 96 degrees Celsius. Over the brewing time itself, the temperature remains relatively constant, fluctuating by about 0.8 degrees Celsius.
Which coffee at high temperatures?
The high temperatures during the brewing phase particularly accentuate an unpleasant bitterness in the espresso and often lead to a dry aftertaste. The acidity is unbalanced, and the espresso is unbalanced. This is especially the case if the coffee itself has bitter notes.
Bitterness is determined by the choice of green coffee and the roasting process. Darker roasts have a significantly more pronounced bitterness , often with unpleasant metallic and harsh notes. This bitterness is caused by the formation of phenylindanes, which we discussed in a separate article.
Espresso blends with a high Robusta content also tend to be more bitter and less suitable, unless they are proven to be very high-quality Robusta .
Our tip: at higher temperatures, like with the ACM Homey, opt for lighter roasts. These are rarely found in supermarkets, and certainly not among espresso roasts (if you do, they'll be filter roasts).
Specialty coffees with a lighter roast are much better suited to higher brewing temperatures. A selection of roasters specializing in specialty coffee have signed up for the Coffee Panel project . Give it a try!
Processing and technical information of the ACM Milano Homey
With a width of 27 cm, a depth of 40 cm, and a height of 40 cm, the ACM Milano is average. It's neither particularly compact nor enormous—just a mid-range dual-circuit machine. At 18 kg, the machine's weight is comparable to that of many other dual-circuit machines. The machine has a built-in vibration pump, which makes quite a bit of noise. This is partly due to the fact that it's simply screwed on, and there are no rubber pads or similar devices to dampen the rattling of the lid and drip tray.
The machine's boiler has a volume of 1.5 liters and draws its water from a 2.8-liter tank. The tank can be removed for filling – which requires a lot of pulling and some effort. Indeed, there are no handles or space for fingers to easily grasp it. Our test machine had some dirt residue in the water tank, and there were also scratches and dust residue elsewhere on the machine. A thorough cleaning before first use is recommended.
The water tank itself appears to be of higher quality than, for example, that of a Bezzera BZ10 . It also works without hoses and connects easily to the machine via a valve.
The machine's many sharp edges are striking. Hardly any espresso machine between €1,000 and €2,000 has truly well-rounded edges, so you can hardly expect that from the cheapest one on the market. Nevertheless, this point is worth mentioning, and caution is advised, especially when removing the drip tray or opening the water tank lid.
Speaking of the drip tray, it's rather small, especially since the space in the cover isn't fully utilized.
The railing, however, is made of metal, which puts it ahead of the Rocket Appartamento, for example, which costs significantly more but only comes with a plastic railing. The metal version must be purchased separately.
The package includes a plastic tamper, which should be replaced with a solid one first. Plastic tampers are the biggest obstacle to good extractions, as they prevent consistent extraction.
Also included: a single portafilter, a double portafilter, and a metal brush. The purpose of the metal brush is a mystery to us. Please do not use it to clean your machine!
By the way: in the picture and video you can see the machine with time display, which costs 120 euros more than the basic version.
High temperature? Good for frothing milk!
The high base temperature in the boiler, which leads to an excessive brewing temperature, is a plus for the preparation of milk foam and cappuccino.
When frothing, we have so much steam pressure that we can easily froth a large jug, creating a wonderful rolling action for the milk. This is especially fun when you have several guests and want to try your hand at latte art.
However, the steam wand gets very hot, including the rubber cover, which is actually meant to be touched. While this temperature is an advantage, it also has a disadvantage.
The prepared cappuccinos were very tasty and a sight to behold.
ACM Milano Homey with time display.
Conclusion on the ACM Milano Homey
The ACM Homey is an entry-level option for dual-boiler espresso machines. While you'll accept some compromises in terms of workmanship, you'll still get a solid espresso machine. The technology used is proven and will perform well over time – provided it's maintained and cleaned .
Important: Use lighter espresso roasts, as the brewing temperature is a bit too hot. A long pre-rinse helps bring the temperature into a comfortable range. If you enjoy cappuccino, the ACM Homey is the perfect choice. The machine really packs a punch! The milk wand is almost too hot to touch, but that makes it all the more suitable for frothing.
Since milk foam is sweet and also balances the presumably somewhat bitter espressos, we see the ACM especially popular among milk drink lovers.
In the Home Barista Course, you'll learn how to prepare the perfect espresso. Now also available online !
For an overview of all tested espresso machines.
The ACM Milano Homey is one of the most affordable dual-boiler espresso machines we know of. The basic version is available for just €979, despite the proven Faema E61 brewing unit. Of course, some compromises are to be expected for this price, but the ACM Homey can still be tuned to produce a good espresso. Read our review to find out what we think of the machine, how we use it, and which coffees are suitable.
You can find out more about the comparison with 11 other dual-circuit espresso machines here .
Faema E61 brewing group at the ACM Homey
The principle of the Faema E61 brewing group has proven itself over the years. The circulating water in the thermosyphon warms the entire group, and consistent temperatures can generally be expected. It's important to preheat the espresso machine thoroughly and, especially when using the machine for the first time, draw water to fill the thermosyphon. Warm-up times of 20 to 25 minutes should always be planned for with a Faema E61 brewing group to reach the desired target temperatures . Pulling the lever opens the valves and dispenses water into the coffee.
Side view of the ACM Milano Homey
Dual-circuit espresso machines with Faema E61 brewing groups tend to overheat after extended periods of non-use. The ACM Homey is a case in point. A "cooling flush," a process in which water is drawn for a few seconds without the portafilter in place, can cool the temperature to a desirable level.
With the ACM Homey, we had to rinse the water for a very long time to get it close to a good brewing range, which is around 93 degrees Celsius. Without a long rinse, we sometimes measured brewing temperatures well over 96 degrees Celsius. Over the brewing time itself, the temperature remains relatively constant, fluctuating by about 0.8 degrees Celsius.
Which coffee at high temperatures?
The high temperatures during the brewing phase particularly accentuate an unpleasant bitterness in the espresso and often lead to a dry aftertaste. The acidity is unbalanced, and the espresso is unbalanced. This is especially the case if the coffee itself has bitter notes.
Bitterness is determined by the choice of green coffee and the roasting process. Darker roasts have a significantly more pronounced bitterness , often with unpleasant metallic and harsh notes. This bitterness is caused by the formation of phenylindanes, which we discussed in a separate article.
Espresso blends with a high Robusta content also tend to be more bitter and less suitable, unless they are proven to be very high-quality Robusta .
Our tip: at higher temperatures, like with the ACM Homey, opt for lighter roasts. These are rarely found in supermarkets, and certainly not among espresso roasts (if you do, they'll be filter roasts).
Specialty coffees with a lighter roast are much better suited to higher brewing temperatures. A selection of roasters specializing in specialty coffee have signed up for the Coffee Panel project . Give it a try!
Processing and technical information of the ACM Milano Homey
With a width of 27 cm, a depth of 40 cm, and a height of 40 cm, the ACM Milano is average. It's neither particularly compact nor enormous—just a mid-range dual-circuit machine. At 18 kg, the machine's weight is comparable to that of many other dual-circuit machines. The machine has a built-in vibration pump, which makes quite a bit of noise. This is partly due to the fact that it's simply screwed on, and there are no rubber pads or similar devices to dampen the rattling of the lid and drip tray.
The machine's boiler has a volume of 1.5 liters and draws its water from a 2.8-liter tank. The tank can be removed for filling – which requires a lot of pulling and some effort. Indeed, there are no handles or space for fingers to easily grasp it. Our test machine had some dirt residue in the water tank, and there were also scratches and dust residue elsewhere on the machine. A thorough cleaning before first use is recommended.
The water tank itself appears to be of higher quality than, for example, that of a Bezzera BZ10 . It also works without hoses and connects easily to the machine via a valve.
The machine's many sharp edges are striking. Hardly any espresso machine between €1,000 and €2,000 has truly well-rounded edges, so you can hardly expect that from the cheapest one on the market. Nevertheless, this point is worth mentioning, and caution is advised, especially when removing the drip tray or opening the water tank lid.
Speaking of the drip tray, it's rather small, especially since the space in the cover isn't fully utilized.
The railing, however, is made of metal, which puts it ahead of the Rocket Appartamento, for example, which costs significantly more but only comes with a plastic railing. The metal version must be purchased separately.
The package includes a plastic tamper, which should be replaced with a solid one first. Plastic tampers are the biggest obstacle to good extractions, as they prevent consistent extraction.
Also included: a single portafilter, a double portafilter, and a metal brush. The purpose of the metal brush is a mystery to us. Please do not use it to clean your machine!
By the way: in the picture and video you can see the machine with time display, which costs 120 euros more than the basic version.
High temperature? Good for frothing milk!
The high base temperature in the boiler, which leads to an excessive brewing temperature, is a plus for the preparation of milk foam and cappuccino.
When frothing, we have so much steam pressure that we can easily froth a large jug, creating a wonderful rolling action for the milk. This is especially fun when you have several guests and want to try your hand at latte art.
However, the steam wand gets very hot, including the rubber cover, which is actually meant to be touched. While this temperature is an advantage, it also has a disadvantage.
The prepared cappuccinos were very tasty and a sight to behold.
ACM Milano Homey with time display.
Conclusion on the ACM Milano Homey
The ACM Homey is an entry-level option for dual-boiler espresso machines. While you'll accept some compromises in terms of workmanship, you'll still get a solid espresso machine. The technology used is proven and will perform well over time – provided it's maintained and cleaned .
Important: Use lighter espresso roasts, as the brewing temperature is a bit too hot. A long pre-rinse helps bring the temperature into a comfortable range. If you enjoy cappuccino, the ACM Homey is the perfect choice. The machine really packs a punch! The milk wand is almost too hot to touch, but that makes it all the more suitable for frothing.
Since milk foam is sweet and also balances the presumably somewhat bitter espressos, we see the ACM especially popular among milk drink lovers.
In the Home Barista Course, you'll learn how to prepare the perfect espresso. Now also available online !
For an overview of all tested espresso machines.
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