The Quick Mill Carola is an espresso machine with a single-circuit system and PID control. Find out why it makes excellent espresso and no milk foam in our review.
The best part is right up front: for 1000 euros/1200 francs, the Quick Mill Carola combines several excellent components under its casing, which is just 20 cm wide and 45 cm deep. A Faema E61 brewing group combined with a PID control system is a joy to use, and above all, it produces good espresso. The single-circuit espresso machine is consistent. This is also due to the fact that the boiler doesn't have to froth milk and make espresso. The Quick Mill Carola completely dispenses with the steam wand. However, it makes no compromises when it comes to espresso. But first things first.
Processing and material
From the outset, the Quick Mill Carola cuts a fine figure with its chrome-plated housing and cleanly finished outer edges. The compact portafilter weighs around 15 kilograms and measures just 20 cm wide, 45 cm deep, and 37 cm high. Anyone looking for a small but effective espresso machine will find what they're looking for in the Quick Mill Carola. Its size means it fits neatly into any kitchen nook.
A pressure gauge indicates the brewing pressure, and the insulated brass boiler holds approximately 0.75 liters. The machine's water tank holds 1.6 liters. Conveniently, the top lid can be lifted, like a tray with cups, to access the water tank. While the lid is well-designed, the water tank lacks a feature. The lack of a handle or hole makes removing the water tank a fiddly job. But it's manageable. Alternatively, you can simply add more water from the top.
The Quick Mill Carola is available with a red, black, or stainless steel side panel. We also appreciate the cup guard on the machine. Many higher-priced machines have this plastic guard and require a metal one. The Quick Mill Carola doesn't skimp on this and already has it built in.
Space in the drip tray
The drip tray on an espresso machine doesn't determine the quality of the espresso. For me, it's still really important. The smaller the drip tray, the greater the risk of making a mess when emptying it in the sink.
High-priced espresso machines usually have the option of connecting the drip tray to a water drain. If that's not possible, it's best to have the largest possible drip tray. The Quick Mill Carola has one. Even if you make several espressos and rinse in between, the drip tray won't overflow.
Really good espresso with the single boiler and PID control
The machine will reach operating temperature in about 10 to 15 minutes and then stop heating. To ensure the E61 group is thoroughly warmed, it's recommended to make one or two empty brews. Even the first brew makes it clear: this machine can make espresso, and the E61 brewing group is a real powerhouse. The solid brass structure of the thermosyphon delivers in the tried-and-true E61 style.
The combination here lies in the combination of a single-circuit system and PID control. Remember: in a single-circuit espresso machine, the water for brewing the coffee is drawn from the same tank that also produces the 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 Celsius to produce sufficient steam. No single-circuit machine can switch between these two tasks very well, and thus compromises are made in terms of quality. We discuss this topic in detail in our review of the Rancilio Silvia .
The Quick Mill Carola completely forgoes the frothing function. Yes, you heard right. No cappuccino! However, the machine makes no compromises when it comes to 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 controller in this price range is an absolute rarity. We simply have to praise it. Operation is a bit fiddly, but not difficult to master. The manufacturer could have invested in a small digital display. But: the controller does what it's supposed to.
On the back of the Carola, two screws must be removed. Behind them is the control unit. The instruction manual describes how to set the temperature. Six small switches can be set to "on" or "off." For example, the instruction manual states that the temperature 123°C should be set using "On," "On," "Off," "On," and "On."
The problem with the whole thing, however, is that the machine is delivered with a rather large offset. Offset means that the measured temperature doesn't match the specified temperature. Our test machine was initially set to 110 degrees Celsius. Even during the tasting, we found the espresso too bitter, so we measured the temperature. The actual temperature for the group was 99 degrees Celsius.
After some testing, we landed on a PID temperature of 106 degrees, which gave us an effective brewing temperature of 93 degrees. And it remained very consistent. Of course, you also have to rinse the Carola before brewing espresso, meaning you let the water run for about two seconds. However, this is the case with every E61 brewing group.
Configuring the PID control
It's not complicated to adjust the temperature of the group. However, you do need a measuring device. Coffee machine technicians use a portafilter with a built-in measuring device. This brings me back to my argument for why you should buy espresso machines locally rather than online. You can consult with your local representative to have the temperature adjusted. Good retailers also adjust the temperature before selling the machine. Amazon and other retailers generally don't do this.
Of course, you can roughly measure the temperature with any thermometer with a temperature range between 90 and 100 degrees Celsius. And you can also taste whether the temperature is correct. If the espresso tastes good, everything is going perfectly. If your coffee is too bitter, then lower the temperature. If the coffee is rather acidic and unbalanced, then raise the temperature. And importantly: always rinse thoroughly in between brewing so that the temperature in the boiler adjusts. If you increase the temperature, you'll have to wait until the boiler has reheated.
Who is the Quick Mill Carola suitable for?
The Quick Mill Carola is a truly good espresso machine in the truest sense of the word: it makes great espresso. It's consistent and maintains the temperature. The PID control is a great feature once you've set the temperature. The knob mechanism doesn't encourage flexible adjustment. If you like to regularly adjust the temperature, the Carola probably won't be practical enough for you. However, since almost all espresso roasts peak at a properly set temperature of around 93 degrees Celsius, the temperature adjustability is more for geeks.
The Carola doesn't allow milk frothing. It doesn't have a milk spout. However, you can dispense tea water. So, if you like cappuccinos or latte macchiatos, this machine alone won't be enough. A separate milk frother can help.
The espresso on the Quick Mill Carola was so good that I prefer the version with a separate milk frother to the quality compromise of a switchable single-circuit machine (see also the article on the Silvia).
Pros and cons
Pros that speak for the Quick Mill Carola:
- Espresso quality is a definite plus, and the Quick Mill Carola makes no compromises.
- A PID controller in this price range is nice.
- The workmanship of the machine is top-notch and the classic E61 brewing group delivers what it should.
- The compact format makes the machine interesting for confined spaces.
- The drip tray is not too small.
Cons that speak 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 fairly large offset to the effective brewing temperature
Did we miss anything? Share your experiences with the Quick Mill Carola? Please add to this post so others can benefit from your experiences and tips.
- Operating instructions Quick Mill Carola.
- Quick Mill Carola in our shop .
