ECM S-Automatik 64 espresso grinder reviewed

The ECM S-Automatik 64 convinced us with good espresso. That is the first good and most important piece of news. Unfortunately, it leaves quite a bit of potential on the table along the way. In our comprehensive espresso grinder test, we examined the ECM S-64 in comparison to 23 other espresso grinders. In this article, we summarize the most important results of our test.

We conducted the test again using our Apas Espresso. It is available here in Switzerland and here in Germany.

Buying the ECM S-Automatik 64

The following specialist retailers sell the ECM S-Automatik 64 and we can recommend purchasing from these companies. They all offer the option of readjusting the machine's offset.

Germany: [Partner links] Stoll Espresso, Lücke

We are searching for specialist partners for you who we know offer good work and good service, and we are in close communication with the retailers mentioned. The links are so-called commission links. If you order via one of these links, you won't pay a cent more – however, we receive a small commission that we invest directly into new test equipment.

We continue to look for competent partners in the DACH region for you.

First impression, material and exterior

A slim, tall, and beautiful espresso grinder greets us upon first unboxing. And at first glance, we like almost everything about the ECM S-Automatik 64. The grinder has a solid weight of 6.9 kg and stands on perfect feet. Why perfect? They absorb the grinder's vibrations, yield slightly, and yet remain stable. This also means that at 77.9 decibels, the grinder is among the quietest in the test field.

The high-gloss finish of the polished stainless steel remains, but over the course of the test, it is garnished with numerous fingerprints. Home baristas will have to get used to that. It is almost unavoidable when using the ECM S-64. With a width of 16 cm, a depth of 25 cm, and a height of 41.5 cm, the espresso grinder appears slim and elegant. Next to an espresso machine, the S-64 does not push itself into the foreground, but rather steps back.

The grinding discs of the ECM S-Automatik 64 have a diameter of 64 mm and are made of hardened steel. The disc grinder can be adjusted steplessly. The adjustment works well and precisely – even though it is difficult to read the exact grind size. Small changes in the grind size lead to large changes in the granulation. So, always adjust slowly!

The programmability of the grinder suffers slightly from the old, somewhat fiddly control system. It keeps jumping out of the settings for the two program buttons if you do not work quickly. For many years, ECM has relied on a similar technology here that works well and produces no errors, but it slightly limits user-friendliness. (Clearly visible in the video from minute 20:30.)

Single-dose grinder? Not a chance!

The ECM S-Automatik 64 cannot convince as a single-dosing grinder. It simply wasn't built for that. The most important counter-argument is the enormous retention. With 12.2 grams of measured retention, the ECM S-64 makes a negative statement. As a reminder: retention means that there is already-ground coffee sitting around the grinding discs and before the coffee grounds outlet that is not ejected with the current grinding. Instead, the grounds get stuck and are only pushed out by the grounds pushing through from behind during the next grinding session.

The ECM S-64 functions more like a doser grinder with storage and not like a direct-grinding machine. Up to 12 grams of coffee from the current espresso are prepared with "old" coffee if the grinding chamber is not purged before brewing. Of course, this is not necessary if multiple shots are pulled one after another. Especially at home, this is often not the case, and so 12 grams of good coffee are either wasted or become part of the fresh espresso as old coffee. And as a reminder: within less than an hour, we lose over 50% of the volatile aroma components after grinding.

Unfortunately, the bean hopper on this grinder cannot be easily removed, making it difficult to switch coffees. Our barista trainer, Michel Aeschbacher, could only remove the bean hopper with great effort. ECM signals quite clearly here: the grinder is not really intended for regular bean swapping. In fact, a few years ago, when the grinder came onto the market, that was less of a topic. However, bean hoppers must also be cleaned regularly. This is also twice as unpleasant when removing it is such a feat of strength.

After removing the bean hopper, there are still 23 grams between the grinder's slider and the grinding discs. So, anyone who really wants to change beans must first remove this coffee before getting to the new coffee.

Where can I order the ECM S-64 from a competent address? We recommend the following specialist partners: Lücke Technik*

Espresso quality

We drank some excellent espressos that were ground with the ECM S-Automatik 64. The sensory profile surprised us. Many coffees tasted very complex, had an elegant acidity, and a soft texture.

Unfortunately, it was not easy to simply replicate the grind size because the grinder lacks clear scaling, or the numbers are too imprecise to show the same grind size. The following curve shows the deviation between two grindings. In the gray curve, we had the grinder perfectly adjusted. We then set the grinder to ristretto and then to café crème. Despite an exact marking, we did not succeed in precisely resetting the grinder to the initial recipe. This is not serious at first, but it means that the coffee must be adjusted anew each time. Noting down recipes and flexibly switching between recipes becomes difficult.

The consistency of the ECM S-Automatik 64 across multiple shots shows greater fluctuations. Our target amount was 18 grams, but over ten shots, we had values between 16.9 and 19.1 grams. That is a lot! Reliable grinding is not fun like this. We advise demanding espresso drinkers to weigh the coffee powder before brewing.

Ten shots with the ECM S-Automatik 64.

Despite all the challenges, it remains to be noted that the ECM S-Automatik 64 produces an interesting particle distribution curve. It shows – also in relation to other grinders – a relatively low fines content and has a solid main peak. In fact, the grinder regulates the grind size in the range between espresso and ristretto primarily via the fines and remains quite constant in the main peak.

The particle distribution curves shown here represent our measurements 4 - 7. 4 in gray is the readjusted espresso recipe. T5 in green is the setting for a 1:1 ristretto with a 25-second extraction time. T6 in blue represents the setting for a café crème. T7 is the reset espresso recipe.

Conclusion on the ECM S-Automatik 64 espresso grinder

The ECM S-Automatik 64 leaves us with a torn feeling and impression. While we rate it as good in terms of espresso quality, the low noise level compared to other grinders is pleasant, and the operation as a whole makes a solid impression, other factors are frustrating. The large retention is a real counter-argument. The consistency also leaves something to be desired and, like the fixing of the bean hopper, leads to frustration.

But one thing is certain: anyone who learns to live with their ECM, knows its weaknesses, and handles them, has a good espresso grinder at home for espresso quality, and that is what finally matters!

*We search for specialist partners for you who we know offer good work and good service. We are in close communication with these retailers. These are commission links. If you order via this link, it costs you nothing more, but we get a small commission that we put into new test equipment.