The Quick Mill Carola is a single-circuit espresso machine with PID control. In our review, we explain why it makes excellent espresso but no milk foam.
First things first: for 1000 Euros/1200 Swiss Francs, the Quick Mill Carola combines some excellent components in a housing that is just 20 cm wide and 45 cm deep. A Faema E61 group head paired with a PID controller is a joy to use and, above all, produces great espresso. This single-boiler espresso machine is incredibly consistent. This is largely because the boiler doesn't have to juggle milk frothing and espresso brewing. The Quick Mill Carola completely foregoes a steam wand, but makes no compromises when it comes to espresso. But let’s take it one step at a time.
Build and Materials
From the start, the Quick Mill Carola makes a good impression with its chrome-plated housing and cleanly finished outer edges. The compact portafilter machine weighs around 15 kilograms, packed into a footprint of just 20 cm wide, 45 cm deep, and 37 cm high. If you are looking for a small yet high-quality espresso machine, the Quick Mill Carola is the one. Its size allows it to fit into any kitchen nook.
A pressure gauge displays the brewing pressure, and the insulated brass boiler holds about 0.75 liters. The machine's water tank has a capacity of 1.6 liters. Conveniently, the top lid can be lifted like a tray, complete with cups, to access the water tank. While the lid design is well-executed, the same cannot be said for the water tank itself. Lacking a handle or finger hole, removing the water tank is a bit fiddly, though manageable. Alternatively, you can simply pour water in from the top.
The Quick Mill Carola is available with red, black, or stainless steel side panels. We also appreciate the cup guard on top of the machine. On many machines in higher price ranges, this is made of plastic and must be replaced with metal as an aftermarket purchase. The Quick Mill Carola does not skimp here and includes it as standard.
Space in the Drip Tray
The drip tray of an espresso machine doesn't determine the quality of the coffee, but for me, it's still really important. The smaller the drip tray, the greater the risk of making a mess when trying to empty it into the sink.
High-end espresso machines usually offer the option of connecting the drip tray to a water drain. If that’s not possible, you’ll be happy to have the largest tray possible. The Quick Mill Carola has such a tray. Even if you pull several shots and rinse in between, the tray won't overflow.
Really Good Espresso with the Single-Boiler and PID Control
The machine reaches operating temperature in about 10 to 15 minutes and stops heating. To ensure the E61 group is properly warmed through, it is recommended to pull a blank shot or two. The very first shot makes it clear: this machine knows how to make espresso, and the E61 group head is highly capable. The massive brass structure of the thermosyphon delivers in the proven E61 fashion.
The magic here lies in the combination of a single-circuit system and PID control. As a reminder: in a single-boiler espresso machine, the water used to brew the coffee is drawn from the same tank that produces steam for frothing milk. The ideal brewing temperature for espresso is 92 to 94 degrees Celsius. However, to froth milk, the boiler must heat up to around 120 degrees to produce sufficient water vapor. No single-boiler machine manages the switch between these two tasks very well, which leads to compromises in quality. In our review of the Rancilio Silvia, we discuss this issue in detail.
The Quick Mill Carola completely omits the frothing function. Yes, you heard that right. No cappuccino! In return, however, the machine makes no compromises on espresso quality. Thanks to the PID control, the boiler temperature can be precisely adjusted. The temperature is maintained and remains constant.
The PID Control of the Quick Mill Carola
A PID control in this price range is a rarity. We simply have to praise this. The operation is a bit fiddly, but not difficult to master. The manufacturer could have invested in a small digital display here. But: the control does what it is supposed to do.
There are two screws to be loosened on the back of the Carola to reveal the control unit. The instruction manual describes how to adjust the temperature. 6 small switches can be set to “on” or “off” to adjust it. The manual states, for example, that a temperature of 123 is set by toggling On, On, Off, On, Off, On.
The problem is that the machine is shipped with a rather large offset. Offset means that the measured temperature does not match the displayed one. Our test machine was initially set to the positions for a temperature of 110. During the tasting, we found the espresso too bitter, which is why we measured the temperature. Effectively, 99 degrees were coming out of the group head.
After some testing, we settled on a PID temperature of 106, which gave us an effective brewing temperature of 93 degrees. And it remained very constant. Of course, even with the Carola, you need to flush the group before pulling a shot, i.e., let water run for about two seconds. However, this is the case with every E61 group head.
Configuring the PID Control
It is generally not complicated to set the temperature of the group head well. But you do need a measuring device. Coffee machine technicians use a portafilter with a built-in sensor. This brings me back to my argument for why you should buy espresso machines locally rather than via online shops. With a local contact, you can discuss and have the temperature adjusted. Good retailers will even set the temperature before selling the machine. Amazon and others generally do not do this.
Of course, you can measure the temperature approximately with any thermometer with a range between 90 and 100 degrees. And you can also taste whether the temperature is right. If the espresso tastes good, everything is perfect. If your coffee is rather too bitter, go down with the temperature. If the coffee is rather sour and not balanced, go up with the temperature. And importantly: always rinse thoroughly in between so that the temperature in the boiler adjusts. If you turn up the temperature, you have to wait for the boiler to reheat.
Who is the Quick Mill Carola suitable for?
The Quick Mill Carola is a really good espresso machine in the truest sense: it makes good espresso. It is consistent and holds the temperature. The PID control is a nice feature once the temperature is set. The button mechanism does not invite flexible, frequent adjustments. If you like to change the temperature regularly, the Carola is likely not practical enough for you. However, since almost all espresso roasts reach their peak at a properly set temperature of around 93 degrees Celsius, the ability to adjust the temperature is more for enthusiasts.
Frothing milk is not possible with the Carola. There is no steam wand. However, you can draw hot water for tea. So, anyone who would like to drink cappuccino or latte macchiato will not be happy with this machine alone. A separate milk frother can be a solution here.
The espresso on the Quick Mill Carola was so good that I prefer the version with a separate milk frother over the quality compromise of a switchable single-boiler machine (see also the article on the Silvia).
Pros and Cons
Pros for the Quick Mill Carola:
- The espresso quality is a definitive pro argument. The Quick Mill Carola makes no compromises there.
- A PID controller in this price range is a nice touch.
- The build quality of the machine is top-notch and the classic E61 group head delivers exactly what it should.
- The compact format makes the machine attractive for tight spaces.
- The drip tray is not too small.
Cons against the Quick Mill Carola:
- Milk cannot be frothed with this machine.
- The water tank is difficult to remove due to the lack of a handle.
- The PID control is a bit fiddly and the temperature has a quite large offset to the effective brewing temperature.
Did we forget anything? What are your experiences with the Quick Mill Carola? Please add to the post so that others can benefit from your experiences and tips.
- Quick Mill Carola operating instructions.
- Quick Mill Carola in our shop.
