QUICK MILL ALEXIA EVO: AN ESPRESSO LOVER’S ESPRESSO MACHINE

The Quick Mill Alexia Evo is for anyone who prefers a rich espresso shot to a creamy latte. 

Do you crave the perfect espresso? I’m talking about that intensely flavorful shot with a thick crema and silky mouthfeel. If so, you’ll want to take a hard look at the new Quick Mill Alexia Evo.

This single boiler espresso machine has some serious chops when it comes to pulling shots. Keep reading for my deep dive into the details of this impressive model.

The Full Quick Mill Alexia Evo Review

The Alexia Evo is a single-boiler dual-use semi-automatic espresso machine. It’s the long-awaited replacement to the brand’s popular Eliane model, and it comes with some substantial upgrades. 

In this detailed review, I’ll give you an objective overview of what’s new, what features are sticking around, and why you should or shouldn’t buy this machine – peppered with my subjective thoughts after testing this model.

How I Rated It

• Brewing Capacity
• User Friendliness
• Milk Frothing
• Build Quality
• Value For Money

3.9

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The Alexia Evo In A Nutshell

The Quick Mill Alexia Evo espresso machine has a single boiler, so it can’t brew coffee and steam milk simultaneously. But I’d say that’s its only limitation. It delivers genuinely great espresso – and from a much smaller and more affordable package than a double-boiler.

The copper-and-brass boiler is an ample 0.75 liters, which sets this machine apart from entry-level alternatives like the Rancilio Silvia (0.3 L) or Profitec Go (0.4 L). It has an insulating wrap to improve temperature stability and energy efficiency.

After turning it on, I found it took about 15 minutes to heat, stabilize, and be ready to brew. And thanks to the large boiler, I could easily pull four back-to-back shots before letting it recover.

E61 Brew Group

You’ll see the classic E61 group head with the commercial standard 58 mm diameter on the front of the machine. This traditional design uses a thermosyphon to continually cycle hot water from the boiler through the group head to maintain a stable temperature. It has been one of the most popular group head designs for over half a century – a testament to its performance (1).

Shots are started and stopped using a lever on the side of the group. Speaking personally, I prefer the tactile feel of a lever compared to pushing a button for my coffee. It gives this machine a more commercial feel.

PID Temperature Control

The major upgrade from the Elaine to the Alexia is the addition of a PID for temperature control. This not only allows you to adjust the brew temperature but has substantially improved the temperature stability and accuracy (2). Minimizing fluctuations aids shot-to-shot consistency, which is essential when dialing in an espresso machine.

Brew temperature control is crucial for lovers of specialty coffee, as different types of coffee extract better at different temperatures (3). I like to lower the temperature for brewing darker roasts to minimize any burnt or bitter flavors. I’ll crank the PID a little higher for lighter roasts to ensure any acidity is vibrant rather than sour.

An Impressively Quiet Vibe Pump

The Quick Mill Alexia Evo uses an Ulka 52-watt vibratory pump. It has thermal overload protection to avoid potential damage and an added pulsar to make it quieter. I was a skeptic, but this machine really is notably quieter and less rumbly (for lack of a better term) than others in its class.

How To Use The Alexia Evo

Using the Alexia Evo is similar to using any single boiler dual-use machine with an E61 group and semi-automatic operation. You’ll need to discover the details for yourself and your favorite coffee beans, but let me walk you through the process.

Optimizing Extraction 

Once the machine is hot and ready, step one is to prepare the portafilter by dialing in the grind size, coffee dose, and tamping pressure. Next, slot the portafilter into the machine and use the digital display to adjust the PID temperature, if necessary.

The Alexia Evo features an easily accessible expansion valve for adjusting the pump pressure. It’s located right under the cup warming tray and requires no special tools or skills. 

This is unlikely to be something you need to optimize for every shot, but in my experience, Quick Mill machines come from the factory with the pressure a little high (10 or 11 bars), so it’s worth exploring as you learn. The pressure gauge in the upper right corner is handy in this regard.

Pulling A Shot

You’re ready to pull a shot of espresso. Set a warmed espresso cup under the group, and flip the lever on the side of the group up. The PID display automatically converts to a shot timer – another recent upgrade that I love!

It should take between 25 and 30 seconds for the shot to finish. Flip the lever back down to stop the pump.

Unfortunately, the Alexia isn’t plummable to a water line, so there is no way to add a pre-infusion stage. However, you can add an after-market flow control device to any E61 group if you want, which provides intimate control over pressure throughout espresso extraction.

Three-Position Power Switch

If you’re familiar with Quick Mill’s coffee machines, you know about the three-position power switch.

The switch’s center position is OFF. To power on for the initial start-up, move it to the left position to fill the boiler and start the water circulating. Then move the switch to the right to start heating. This eliminates any potential damage to the heating element during start-up.

Water Tank And Drip Tray

The water reservoir is an impressively large 3 liters and is equipped with a magnetic low water sensor that beeps when it runs low. When you need to refill the tank, it has a hinged top cover at the back of the machine so you don’t need to remove the cup warming tray. I always appreciate these sorts of thoughtful design features.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the size of the stainless steel pull-out drip tray. At 46 ounces, it’s easily 12 ounces larger than most competitor models. This is particularly handy if you aren’t lucky enough to have a sink with your espresso bar.

How To Clean The Alexia Evo

Any prosumer espresso machine requires more general maintenance than an appliance-grade machine, but the return on investment is well worth the effort (4). Quick Mill espresso machines are built like tanks, so with the appropriate preventative maintenance, you’ll get many years of use from your Alexia.

The best thing you can do for your espresso maker is to use filtered water, which avoids the build-up of scale in the boiler. It’s also important to follow the manufacturer’s guidance for backflushing and lubricating the E61 gaskets.

Don’t be intimidated. I’m no technician, and I had an easy time performing the required tasks. It really amounts to no more than a few minutes a few times a year.

The no-fuss boiler drains are a nice design feature from a service perspective. You can access these without removing any of the outside panels, making it easy to prepare this machine for shipping should you need to send it away for work.

Latte Lovers Needn’t Necessarily Look Elsewhere

Single-boilers like the Quickmill Alexia espresso machine are made with espresso lovers in mind rather than those with a penchant for frothy milk drinks. So I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of milk steaming. 

The decent-sized boiler and ability to crank up the PID produces a good amount of steam power, upwards of 1 bar. 

The trade-off is that it takes slightly longer to get there than a dual boiler or heat exchanger. But I think you’ll actually appreciate that if this is your first prosumer experience. It gives you more time to master the technique.

The stainless steel steam wand is a double-wall no-burn design. It’s fully articulated, so it’s easy to angle in any size of milk pitcher. This is a welcome upgrade from the older Eliane models.

Steam pressure is modulated by a commercial-grade non-compression valve, which is easier to use and less expensive to repair when compared with a compression valve. It is capped with a two-hole steam tip, which is nicely balanced with the steam pressure.

Impeccable Build Quality, As Expected

The Quick Mill Alexia Evo has the same top-notch build quality as all the best Quick Mill espresso machines, That includes a stainless steel frame inside and a mirror-finish stainless steel outer shell. 

The Alexia is relatively compact, measuring 9.5” wide by 17.5” deep by 15.5” tall and weighing 38 pounds. It’s massive enough to indicate the use of durable, heavy-duty components but still light enough to easily maneuver. Big double boilers like the Vetrano 2B Evo are up in the realm of 70+ pounds, and it takes a village to get them situated.

The latest model of the Alexia is adorned with updated custom knobs, which are aesthetically pleasing and easier to use.

You get two commercial-grade chrome-plated brass 58 mm portafilters with this machine, one single and one double spout. Many manufacturers only provide one portafilter with lower-priced models, so it’s nice to see Quick Mill include both.

There are two baskets, for single and double shots, and both are unpressurized. So make sure you have room in the budget for a good espresso grinder.

You’ll also receive the ubiquitous (and useless) plastic tamper, which you should replace with something heftier as soon as possible (5). If you need a suggestion, I’m a fan of the Normcore V4 Spring-Loaded Tamper.

Who Will Get The Best Value From This Machine?

The Quick Mill Alexia Evo is ideal for the specialty coffee lover who prefers straight espresso to milky drinks. This demographic will get the most value from the PID and E61 group and be the least frustrated by the single-boiler workflow. That said, I was impressed enough with the milk frothing while testing this machine that I’d still be inclined to recommend it to those who love an occasional latte or cappuccino.

Its price is pretty much the industry standard. It’s a tiny bit cheaper than the ECM Classika and a bit pricier than the Bezzera Unica – two other single boiler machines with PID controllers. The prices are all close enough that they shouldn’t be your deciding factor, in my opinion.

Don’t Buy the Quick Mill Alexia Evo If…

• Milky drinks are a priority: The Alexia Evo is great for the occasional latte or cappuccino, but if you make a lot of milk-based drinks, I’d recommend a home espresso machine that can brew coffee and steam milk simultaneously.
  
  Quick Mill makes a few great options, including the Quick Mill Anita or Quick Mill Andreja Premium. For an affordable solution, check out the unique Silvano Evo, a single boiler with a separate thermoblock for steam.
  
  Alternatively, consider a small double boiler like the Profitec Pro 300, Rancilio Silvia Pro, or Lelit Elizabeth.

• You’re looking for something more entry-level: If you’re in the market for something basic and affordable but still prosumer quality, you have plenty of choices. The Rancilio Silvia, Profitec Go, ECM Casa V, and Bezzera Hobby are all fantastic first espresso machines.

• You want a modern and programmable machine: If you’re willing to sacrifice build quality in favor of automation and user-friendliness, Breville is your brand! Check out the Breville Barista Touch Impress for a feature-packed automatic machine roughly the same price as the Alexia.

The Verdict

A single boiler dual-use espresso machine like the Quick Mill Alexia Evo makes a lot of sense if milky drinks are a low priority. You’ll enjoy the high-end brewing capacity needed to pull a perfect espresso without wasting money and space on a milk steaming system. 

I was impressed with the performance and build of the Quick Mill Alexia Evo within this class of machines. Features like the PID temperature control, E61 group, and 58-mm portafilters put delicious espresso firmly within your grasp.

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