The concept behind the mobile espresso maker by OutIn is compelling. OutIn solves the problem inherent to all mobile espresso machines. Finally, we no longer need to carry around a kettle or gas stove or look for hot water elsewhere. Because OutIn has an integrated kettle. A 7500 mAh battery, charged via USB-C, has enough power to heat cold water several times and build up sufficient pressure. In theory and in the advertising, at least. We took a closer look at the reality. Unfortunately, we reached slightly different conclusions.
The best mobile espresso concept
Hot water is one of the main challenges when making espresso on the go. This is why many manufacturers don't even address the hot water issue, leaving it up to the brewer. That then requires a kettle, gas stove, or fire.
It's not just heating the water that is a challenge for mobile espresso makers, but also heating up the entire unit itself! Preparing coffee on the go is a topic in our detailed outdoor coffee article and video.
With the Nano, OutIn doesn't leave us with the challenge of boiling water, but instead integrates a small kettle into the brewer. This is supposed to be enough to heat brewing water 5 times, depending on the amount of water and its initial temperature. This is where we encounter one of the manufacturer's slightly embellished advertising claims. You only really manage 5 heat cycles if you use the smallest possible amount of water. And even then, with some compromises. There are several other marketing claims that we don't quite agree with and will discuss later in the article.
OutIn temperature reality
According to the manufacturer, the espresso maker is supposed to brew at 92 degrees. In our tests, we only reached 90 degrees in the upper chamber once. That was when using only 40 ml of water. With larger amounts of water, we remained at temperatures between 85 and 88 degrees in the heating chamber. With larger volumes like 70 ml, the temperature is 85 to 86 degrees. We tested these results with our OutIn and cross-checked them with the temperature values of two other units.
In reality, we have to expect much lower brewing temperatures, as the brewing water loses further heat to the material on its way from the heating chamber to the coffee.
This is also reflected in the espresso taste, which clearly emphasizes the coffee's acidity, especially with lighter roasts. We therefore recommend specifically choosing espresso roasts for the Nano that suit this taste profile. From our range, this would be, for example, the Mamy Espresso or the Dreispitz Blend. Darker roasts are the perfect match for the OutIn. Lighter roasts naturally have a lot of acidity, which is further amplified by the lower temperatures.
The lower temperature can, of course, be avoided if the brewing water is heated externally, for example, with a kettle. In that case, we recommend going above 95 degrees. This warms the brewer through and delivers good brewing temperatures, ideally between 92 and 94 degrees. In this way, you solve other issues or promises of the brewer.
Marketing vs. Reality
Perhaps it is the fashion of our time to be as loud and flashy as possible and to announce high numbers. We only address this topic when it stands out significantly. OutIn communicates in line with this trend - but as soon as the brewer is put to the test, some of these claims fall apart.
Heating takes 200 seconds according to the marketing promise. However, this is only achieved if the absolute smallest amount of water is used. While OutIn marks the "200 seconds" on their own website with an asterisk*, they don't explain the relationship between water volume and heating time in more detail. We heated 70 ml in 4:30!
The heating cycles and battery performance also follow this pattern. The battery manages a maximum of five heating cycles only with the smallest amount of water!
Regarding other claims, the manufacturer follows the usual flow of the marketing world, blowing up secondary aspects with high numbers. The OutIn is said to be able to build up 20 bars of pressure. That's all well and good, but every good espresso machine eventually brews at 6 to a maximum of 10 bars of pressure. Nevertheless, manufacturers, especially of cheaper espresso machines, keep throwing around maximum pressure potential, which has little bearing on the matter.
And the 92 degrees in the heating chamber are also somewhat of a smokescreen, because the temperature would essentially have to be reached in the machine's brewing chamber, which it is not.
The OutIn espresso maker with standard scope of delivery. It is available from the manufacturer or also on Amazon*.
So much (more) potential!
What I have just described should by no means give the impression that I think the OutIn espresso maker is a bad product. I think it's brilliant! With the right roast, which works well with lower brewing temperatures, the OutIn fulfills exactly what I want from a mobile espresso maker.
- It is easy to use.
- Takes up little space.
- Is easy to clean.
- Makes good espresso (with the appropriate coffee).
- The espresso quantity is perfect (when using the Basket Plus set).
- And above all: the brewer heats the water itself!!!
This is an absolute game-changer and makes the OutIn Nano the most flexible and best manual espresso maker for numerous purposes. In theory, I can brew coffee almost anywhere with it, as the heating happens automatically and a cup directly catches the espresso.
Do you want examples of locations? I envision not just a kayak, but the gondola during a ski ascent. Even while driving, at the beach, on a bicycle in the bottle holder... The OutIn Nano espresso maker is the perfect outdoor espresso maker!
And the espresso result in the cup makes all previous criticism fade away the moment we brew and enjoy espresso on the water in a sea kayak.
And yet... the brewer itself could be even better! From my point of view, it only needs two things:
- The brewer should heat up to at least 96 degrees and only then begin the brewing process.
- OutIn should be transparent about how long the brewing time is then and how many brewing cycles the built-in battery can still handle with a maximum fill. That would be clean and would prevent customers from being disappointed later on. Because even just two espresso brewing cycles that work on the go are already a game-changer and fulfill all wishes for most people while traveling. And otherwise, we can just hook the brewer up to a power bank and recharge it.
A small note on that. The brewer consumes more power than can be supplied simultaneously from a power outlet. It is therefore by no means suitable for continuous operation.
Scope of delivery and workmanship
The OutIn espresso maker makes a robust and high-quality impression. In the basic version, it weighs under 700 grams and is quite compact (23 cm high, 7 cm in diameter).
The standard scope of delivery includes a small brewing chamber for 5 - 6 grams of coffee, a capsule chamber, and a shower screen. The capsule chamber or brewing chamber can each be inserted into a screw-on portafilter. Additionally, a small dosing cup is included, which can be placed on the brewing chamber to make filling the coffee easier. It also serves as a tamper. All these materials are made of black plastic.
We wanted to push the brewer to its limits and not settle for small brewing amounts. These, it should be noted here, are certainly better suited for the lower brewing temperature. However, since OutIn itself offers a Plus Basket Set with a stainless steel tamper and a 16 - 17 gram basket, that was the set of our choice.
Working with the larger brewing chamber and the chic little tamper makes the process easier and also increases the impression of quality of the OutIn Nano brewer.
16 grams of coffee powder in a brewing chamber means, at a 1:2 ratio, 32 grams of espresso in the cup!
Links and further information
- Our coffees that taste good to us in the OutIn: Mamy Robusta, Dreispitz Blend
- OutIn Nano Basket Plus Set from the manufacturer and on Amazon*.
- KM Barista Milk Pitcher from the video
- Timemore Black Mirror Basic 2 scale from the video
*This is an affiliate link to Amazon. If you order via this link, it costs you nothing extra. We receive a small commission, which we can use for further testing equipment. Thank you!
