The La Marzocco Linea Micra is the third single-group dual-boiler espresso machine from La Marzocco. With the Linea Micra, La Marzocco targets the home espresso bar, while the GS 3 and Linea Mini can also find a place in a commercial context in terms of performance. This is also reflected in the price, as the Linea Micra in the stainless steel version, at around €3330, is almost €2000 cheaper than the Linea Mini (€5271 in stainless steel) and more than €4000 cheaper than the La Marzocco GS3 (€7675).
However, the Micra is not only intended to be cheaper but also to offer additional features that make particular sense at home. Low power consumption is also on the wish list, as are fast heat-up times and compact dimensions.
In this review, we take a close look at the Linea Micra and present the strengths and weaknesses of the newly launched machine. As always, there is a detailed test video and a shorter summary of the video.
Also possibly of interest: a review of the new La Marzocco Linea Mini-R has since been published on our site.
(Article still in progress).
A milestone for boiler espresso machines
Frankly, we had written off boiler espresso machines. In terms of heat-up speed and power consumption, there had been hardly any progress in recent years, while thermoblocks and thick-film heaters set new standards. Heat-up times of 5 minutes and a fivefold reduction in power consumption were a statement. Our swan song for espresso machines with boilers had already begun.
With the Micra, La Marzocco disproves our assessment and once again demonstrates that in Florence, espresso machines are not cobbled together from the same old range of components, but that innovation is driven forward.
The La Marzocco Linea Micra promises a heat-up time of 5 minutes. In other words: the machine should be ready for use in the sixth minute after we have turned it on. And what can we say?! Yes, our tests with the Micra confirm exactly that.
And not only that. The Linea Micra also takes pole position in terms of power consumption. After heating up, with five double espressos drawn, the La Marzocco Linea Micra with the steam boiler switched off shows a power consumption of 0.07 kWh. This is the lowest value we have measured so far for an espresso machine!
In our new display, we show the energy consumption of the La Marzocco Linea Micra in a more differentiated way. The consumption for an espresso with the steam boiler switched off is 0.038 kWh. For a cappuccino, it is 0.206 kWh. Switching on the steam boiler significantly increases energy consumption.
Cooperating Boilers and Thermostability
An important role is played by the interconnected boilers, which can, however, operate independently of each other. The Linea Micra is equipped with a 1.6 l boiler that is responsible for the machine's steam performance and can also support temperature stability over a longer period of time. In addition, a 0.23 l coffee boiler together with a saturated brew group is responsible for the temperature of the brewing water.
Crucial for low power consumption is that the machine can operate without a steam boiler. While some manufacturers allow the steam boiler to be switched off, they neglect the fact that it must provide significant preheating for the brewing water via a heat exchanger. And then the calculation doesn't work out if the control system doesn't pump enough power into the coffee boiler.
With the Linea Micra, the interaction works. The boiler and brew group reach the necessary temperature on their own to bring the brewing water to our target temperature. The steam boiler is in principle not necessary for this, but it contributes significantly to the machine's temperature stability at higher frequencies. So, if you want to make more espresso, it's a good idea to switch on the steam boiler, even if no milk foam is to be produced.
A heat exchanger is also the method of choice here. However, the still-cold brewing water is not routed through the steam boiler, but in a spiral shape around the insulated stainless steel boiler.
Brewing Temperature Limits
The brewing temperature limits show up without a boiler at the 4th shot. The machine itself then signals, via a glowing LED, that it wants to reheat. The app also reports accordingly.
With the steam boiler switched on, we maintain performance for much longer. For this purpose, we subjected the La Marzocco Linea Micra to the WBC temperature test, which was developed for espresso machines approved for the World Barista Championship. These are, of course, espresso machines for professional use in gastronomy, but it is still interesting to examine where and when an espresso machine gives in.
With the Line Micra, we noticed this at the transition to an idle interval of 30 seconds. Here, the espresso machine could no longer maintain the temperature.
A Portafilter with a Concept
The portafilter of the La Marzocco Linea Micra can be flexibly converted from a bottomless portafilter to a portafilter with 1 or 2 spouts. For this purpose, a portafilter was developed that contains a receptacle for two polymer spouts. This high-tech plastic primarily fulfills one task: it does not absorb temperature and therefore does not draw it out of the espresso. Therefore, it does not have to be heated up during the warm-up phase of the espresso machine.
In fact, portafilters are often the slowest to heat up in espresso machines, as they are far from the heat source. With the chosen solution, La Marzocco bypasses this problem in an innovative way - but it also earns many discussions from metal purists among espresso machine enthusiasts.
In the cup, we have about 5 degrees more temperature when we compare the Linea Micra's portafilter with the classic La Marzocco portafilter.
Conceptually, the portafilter created in this way is the consistently further developed solution for a fast-heating espresso machine. Anyone who waits 25 minutes for their espresso machine can also easily heat up a thick stainless steel portafilter there.
Compact, Lighter, and Accessories
The new La Marzocco Linea Micra weighs 18 kg, 14 kg less than the La Marzocco Linea Mini. With a width of 28.8 cm, a depth of 46.5 cm, and a height of 33.5 cm, the Micra is primarily narrower and deeper than the Linea Mini (35.7 cm wide, 37.7 cm high).
The smaller dimensions and, above all, the low weight make it possible for the machine to be shipped by UPS and not rely on a freight forwarder. This is an important factor, considering the direct sales strategy La Marzocco has chosen for the Micra.
Also included are a 14g and a 17g basket, a tamper, cleaning powder, a 0.35l milk pitcher, and a blind filter. In principle, everything is included to get started with the machine.
However, La Marzocco doesn't exactly cover itself in glory with the tamper and the two baskets. The tamper is a bit too small to be flush with the baskets, and above all, a modern 17-19 gram basket is missing. We immediately optimized the machines with a corresponding IMS basket.
Espresso Quality
The La Marzocco Linea Micra has everything that makes good espresso possible. A rotary pump that is immediately at full power and delivers constant pressure. A constant temperature in various operating areas and that already a few minutes after starting the machine.
We have drunk many good espressos, from bright specialty espresso to stronger, darker espresso blends with Robusta content.
Important to note: with the paddle on the front of the machine, the impression could arise that the Linea Micra can also perform pressure profiling. However, this is not the case. The paddle is merely an on/off switch. So no room for gimmicks and thus no possibility to play with pressure or flow rate adjustments for complex coffees. The Linea Micra is not suitable for that.
A real drawback is that the Linea Micra also does not provide water volume control and programming. The espresso quantity in the cup must be stopped manually, making the use of a scale necessary. A shot timer is available in the app, but is missing on the machine itself.
Milk Froth
The 1.6-liter steam boiler performs solidly. The pressure gauge indeed shows values of up to 2 bar, but subjectively froths with slightly less oomph than the sister models GS3 and Linea Mini. The performance is easily sufficient to froth all the milk in a 0.6-liter pitcher. Only the milk wand is a bit short and requires a rather high milk level in the pitcher.
Comparison Linea Mini and Linea Micra
Compared to the Linea Mini, in addition to the reduced size, the most noticeable differences are external. The drip tray on the Micra is also large in relation to many other espresso machines. A nice upgrade is that the 1.6-liter water tank behind the drip tray can be easily filled without having to be pulled out. This is possible because a front-protruding part of the tank is recessed into the drip tray.
The Linea Micra is the first La Marzocco machine to have a float in the drip tray, which is intended to warn of overflow. Inside the machine, there are some differences; for example, the steam boiler with 3.5 liters is almost double the size of the Micra's. The heat exchanger runs through the boiler and is not wrapped around the boiler.
The temperature of the Linea Micra is set via the La Marzocco Home App.
App Requirement
To use the app, you first need to register. Why I have to provide an email address to the manufacturer to use my espresso machine is not entirely clear to me. At least this ensures that I am corresponding with the machine and not my neighbor.
The app itself works well and connects easily via Bluetooth. The machine itself is then integrated into the Wi-Fi, receiving new updates, tutorials, and FAQs.
Furthermore, the brewing temperature, a pre-brew and pre-infusion, as well as various other things can be set. A morning start and stop time can be defined, just like with La Marzocco's other IoT-enabled espresso machines.
The steam boiler can also be switched on via the app. A cleaning program can also be started via the app - nice.
Sales Strategy and Availability
The Linea Micra will initially only be sold directly by La Marzocco and through La Marzocco subsidiaries. The machine can be viewed in corresponding showrooms. In Germany, there are three of these, namely in Berlin, Munich, and Stuttgart. In Austria, the machine can be viewed in Vienna. In Switzerland, such an option is missing. According to the La Marzocco website, online purchase is currently not possible in Switzerland.
Direct sales naturally have advantages when it comes to the selling price. This means no reseller margin needs to be factored in. Nevertheless, online sales and sales at only a few showrooms and stores contradict what we advise espresso machine buyers. In regions where local dealers do a good job and have also contributed to making the La Marzocco brand present in the markets, sales should always take place locally.
We also see the purchase of a machine as the start of a partnership with a local dealer who remains the contact person for service and questions about the machines. A local dealer can also help to assess the temperature of one's own machines and may also be the right address for courses for home baristas.
When buying a machine online, it is often forgotten that an espresso machine only makes good coffee if the person operating it forms a well-coordinated team with the machine and grinder. A local dealer can provide valuable help in mediating between the three.
La Marzocco relies on sales through its own operational structure also because feedback for a completely new machine arrives directly and unfiltered at the parent company. After six months, it is planned for some markets that the machine will also go through the other dealers. So let's hope that this also applies to Switzerland.
Work in progress. Article will be updated.
Update Development La Marzocco Linea Micra
August 12, 2023: In Swiss retail
The La Marzocco Linea Micra is now available in Swiss specialist retail. It can be viewed and purchased locally in various locations. The Swiss importer Kialoa has secured a good deal for Switzerland that corresponds to the special structure of Swiss specialist retail.
