Faema E61: This Iconic Espresso Machine Is Still A Winner
Faema E61 changed espresso culture when it was first released over 60 years ago. And all these years later, a Faema E61 espresso machine in your coffee bar still immediately identifies you as a venue for serious espresso.
The latest edition of the legendary machine keeps the old-school design of its famous ancestor but adds some thoroughly modern touches. Read on for an in-depth Faema E61 review.
Summary: The Faema E61
- Italian-made commercial espresso machine with heat-exchange boiler
- Available in automatic or semi-automatic version
- Iconic retro design throws back to the original 1960s model
Great shots of espresso so far. The levers are sturdy and really make it a fun little machine.
– Gregory, Faema E61 Owner
The Full Faema E61 Review
There are two versions of Faema E61, Legend and Jubile. They sport the same beautiful stainless steel design, but Legend is a traditional semi-automatic machine while Jubile has a modern automatic interface. This review discusses both, including key differences between them.
Not sure you’re into the look or feel of the E61? Check out the other Faema espresso machines in their commercial espresso machine line.
How We Rated It
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Brewing Capacity
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User Friendliness
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Milk Frothing
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Build Quality
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Cleaning and Maintenance
What Does E61 On Faema Espresso Machine Mean?
Faema E61 is an icon of the industry (1). It’s no exaggeration to say that it created espresso culture as we know it.
Most espresso nerds will associate E61 with the famous E61 group head, developed in 1961 and still the most popular brew group for prosumer and commercial espresso coffee machines. It uses a thermosyphon to cycle hot water from the boiler through the group to maintain a stable temperature – a requirement for quality espresso.
That isn’t the only innovation credited to Faema E61. It was also the first machine with a built-in volumetric pump. Unlike lever machines before it, this semi-automatic coffee machine allowed for steady espresso production (2).
Brewing Capacity – 4.5/5
The modern Faema E61 Legend has the same retro style, E61 groups, and semi-automatic operation as the original design. The automatic Jubile looks similar but simplifies matters with programmable volumetric dosing. Both have a rotary pump and dual pressure gauges to monitor brew and steam pressure.
Faema E61 is available in 1, 2, and 3 group variations, suitable for everything from an enthusiastic home barista to a busy coffee shop.
The heat-exchange steam boiler capacity is 6 liters, 11 liters, and 17.5 liters for 1, 2, and 3 groups, respectively. The multigroup machines feature Feama’s patented Settable Thermal Balancing System, allowing individual temperature control at each group.
Line Pressure Preinfusion System
Faema E61 is capable of true line-pressure preinfusion, which is engaged by partially rotating the lever to start the shot. This pre-wets the puck at a pressure below 3 bars, swelling the grounds in a “blooming” stage (3). Preinfusion is a hallmark of quality espresso machines, ensuring optimal extraction.
User Friendliness 4/5
User experience is the difference between Faema E61 Legend and Jubile espresso machines. The semi-automatic E61 Legend requires more skill to operate. The barista is responsible for the whole extraction process, including ground coffee puck prep, shot timing, and milk steaming. However, there is something to be said for staying authentic to the original.
The E61 was Italy’s best-selling coffee machine of the 1960s, finding particular favor among proprietors of small establishments who worked alone.
Jubile is more foolproof. The barista must still steam milk and prep the portafilter, but shots are programmed to dispense at the touch of a button. Automatic boiler fill is a feature of both models.
Milk Frothing 4/5
Faema E61 has a professional-grade stainless steel steam wand that, paired with the massive boiler, delivers ample steam pressure. You can steam milk for a 12-ounce latte in about the same time it takes to pull a shot – less than 30 seconds! There is also a dedicated hot water tap.
One complaint is that the steam wands are relatively immobile. It takes practice to find the right angle for perfect milk froth.
Build Quality – 5/5
Faema E61 build quality is exceptional. The design may be retro, but the craftsmanship and materials are brand-new, the electronics are modern, and the stainless steel exterior is built to last.
Faema E61 price is definitely high, even by the commercial manufacturer standards, but you’re getting value for your money.
And the lower-priced E61 Legend model keeps the brand accessible.
Cleaning and Maintenance – 3.5/5
Maintaining a commercial coffee machine is a hassle, but the return on investment is amazing. Visit the right coffee shops in Italy, and you can find Faema E61s from the 1960s still in operation!
Commercial espresso machines are best maintained by experts. Luckily, the E61 brew system is so commonplace that it’s easy to find skilled technicians and spare parts should anything go wrong.
The most important thing for the user is to keep the machine clean. Backflush regularly with water and cleaning solution, and be sure to wipe coffee and milk off any surfaces. Use filtered water to avoid the build-up of harmful hard water minerals in the boiler.
Things We Liked:
- Automatic or semi-automatic option
- Stunning retro design
- Individual temperature control at each group
- High-quality stainless steel build
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Stationary steam wands
- Paying a premium for the brand name
Faema’s Competitors
To be absolutely sure this is the machine for you, we advise you to check it against other machines in the same range. We made a comparison table just for that.
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Reviewed Item  |
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 |
 |
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|
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Manufacturer
|
Faema
|
Lelit
|
La Marzocco
|
Dalla Corte
|
Slayer
|
|
Model
|
E61
|
Bianca
|
GS3 MP
|
Mina
|
Single Group
|
|
Product category
|
Prosumer semi-automatic espresso machine
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Prosumer semi-automatic espresso machine
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Prosumer automatic espresso machine
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Prosumer automatic espresso machine
|
Prosumer automatic espresso machine
|
|
Housing material
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Stainless Steel
|
Stainless Steel
|
Stainless Steel
|
Stainless Steel
|
Stainless Steel
|
|
Flow Control
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Steam wand
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Built in grinder
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
|
User interface
|
E61 lever
|
E61 lever
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Buttons + manual paddle
|
Buttons + manual yoke
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Manual paddle
|
|
Water tank size
|
Direct plumb
|
85 fl oz
|
76 oz
|
Direct plumb
|
Direct plumb
|
|
Cup clearance
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n/a
|
n/a
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3.75”
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3.5”
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4.7”
|
|
Boiler design
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Heat exchanger
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Double boiler
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Double boiler
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Double boiler
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Double boiler
|
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Steam boiler size
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6 L
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1.5 L
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3.5 L
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3 L
|
3.3 L
|
|
Brew boiler size
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n/a
|
0.8 L
|
1.5 L
|
0.5 L
|
1.1 L
|
|
Boiler material
|
Copper
|
Stainless steel
|
Stainless steel
|
Brass
|
Stainless steel
|
|
Pre-infusion
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Pump type
|
Rotary
|
Rotary
|
Rotary
|
Rotary
|
Internal gear
|
|
Pressure gauges
|
Brew, steam
|
Dual brew/steam, flow control
|
Brew, steam, flow control
|
Brew, steam, flow control
|
Brew
|
|
Portafilter diameter
|
58 mm
|
58 mm
|
58 mm
|
54 mm
|
58 mm
|
|
PID temperature control
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Warm up time
|
30 minutes
|
20 minutes
|
30 minutes
|
20 minutes (6 minutes brew only)
|
30 minutes
|
|
Brews with
|
Ground coffee
|
Ground coffee
|
Ground coffee
|
Ground coffee
|
Ground coffee
|
|
Dimensions
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21.3” x 22.2” x 21.9”
|
19.1” x 15.8” x 11.4”
|
21” x 17.5” x 16”
|
15.2” x 16.1” x 15.2”
|
23” x 13” x 18.5”
|
|
Customer review
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warranty
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1 year
|
1 year
|
2 years (home) 1 year (commercial)
|
1 year
|
1 year
|
|
Price
|
$9,700
|
$3,199.95
|
$7,500
|
$7,200
|
$11,580
|
Don’t Buy Faema E61 Espresso Machine If…
- You want a home espresso machine: With a 6-liter boiler and nearly $10,000 price tag, Faema E61 isn’t a typical home machine. Even top-of-the-line prosumer models like the Dalla Corte Espresso Machine or La Marzocco GS3 are more approachable options.
- You prefer a more modern design: Not into Faema E61’s vintage appeal? The more modern stylings of the Rancilio Classe 5 or Victoria Arduino Black Eagle might be a better fit.
- You want an espresso machine for a small coffee station or kitchen space. If you are looking for a machine with a small footprint then something like the Stone espresso machine or ECM Casa V might be a better fit.
The Verdict
Faema changed the game with the original Faema E61, and the model continues to inspire coffee enthusiasts worldwide. Its iconic design is an easy way to put your coffee shop (or home) on the map as a place for serious espresso. Though not cheap, the design, quality, and historical significance all add value to this incredible machine.
References
- Comunicaffe. (2021, November 16). Faema celebrates 60 years of the iconic E61 espresso machine at the Eroica Caffè in Barcelona. Retrieved from https://www.comunicaffe.com/faema-celebrates-60-years-of-the-iconic-e61-at-the-eroica-caffe-in-barcelona/
- Morris, J. (2020, December 23). The Faema E61 Espresso Machine. Retrieved from https://www.historians.org/research-and-publications/perspectives-on-history/january-2021/the-faema-e61-espresso-machine
- Aloe, R.M. (2021, September 14). Pre-Infusion for Espresso. Retrieved from https://www.historians.org/research-and-publications/perspectives-on-history/january-2021/the-faema-e61-espresso-machine
