Quick Mill Pippa: Gorgeous Look, Amazing Coffee

You’ve come to the right place to enter the world of prosumer espresso. The Quick Mill Pippa espresso machine is the perfect introduction to higher-quality machines. It’s a beautiful and affordable way to take your espresso to the next level.

This review looks at the model in depth – what we liked, what we didn’t, and who the Pippa is for. Read on for the details. 

Summary: The Quickmill Pippa

• Single boiler semi-professional espresso machine
• Commercial-style 58 mm group and portafilter
• Stunning design with wooden accents

Everything is working wonderfully. The shots I’m getting are delicious. I found it’s good to leave the machine to heat up thoroughly for getting the best results.

– Pippa Owner

LEARN MORE

The Full Quick Mill Pippa Review

The Quick Mill Pippa is an entry-level prosumer espresso machine with an approachable price tag that makes it a perfect introduction to higher-end espresso. This review looks at the features it offers and what it lacks compared to pricier Quick Mill espresso machines.

How We Rated It

• Brewing Capacity
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  

• User-Friendliness
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  

• Milk Frothing
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  

• Build Quality
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  

• Cleaning And Maintenance
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  

3.7

• LEARN MORE

Brewing Capacity – 3.5/5

The Quick Mill Pippa is a single boiler, dual-use semi-automatic espresso machine. It has a 0.45-liter brass boiler with a 1000 W heating element that is used for brewing and steaming. So you can’t brew and steam simultaneously. 

You pull a shot, flick a switch, and wait for the boiler to reach steaming temperature before frothing milk. It’s harder to achieve the perfect latte but makes this machine compact and affordable.

Semi-Automatic Operation

This isn’t a “press a button and walk away” automatic espresso machine. Semi-automatic operation means you are responsible for every aspect of pulling a shot. You prepare the coffee puck and control shot timing. 

Exciting Features

The Pippa by Quick Mill has a 58-mm commercial-style group head and portafilter. It can accommodate a proper double shot dose up to 22 grams and is compatible with after-market accessories like precision baskets or a quality tamper.

Another win is the accessible over-pressure valve for controlling brew pressure, a surprise in an entry-level machine. Serious espresso fans know that the standard 9 bars isn’t the best pressure for every coffee (1).

The valve is hidden next to the steam wand and can be easily accessed with a screwdriver.

What’s Missing?

Two obvious missing pieces are a PID and a pre-infusion stage, both of which lead to more consistent and flavorful extraction (2). A PID delivers a more accurate and stable brew temperature, while a pre-infusion stage saturates the grounds and settles the coffee bed to reduce channeling (3).

Quickmill Pippa vs. ECM Casa V

Pippa and Casa V are often compared because both are single boiler machines at the same price without a PID. 

The Casa V has a slightly smaller boiler but a more powerful heating element, so it heats up faster. It’s narrower and deeper than the Pippa and has a top-access water reservoir. Pippa is arguably the more stylish choice with its wooden accents, but Casa V features ECM’s legendary build quality.

Profitec Go vs Quick Mill Pippa

The new Profitec Go is another obvious comparison around the same price. It’s a single-boiler entry-level prosumer espresso machine of a similar size, just slightly deeper and narrower.

The Profitec Go outperforms the Pippa in most metrics, except the Pippa’s marginally larger boiler. The highlight of the Profitec Go is its PID temperature control, which is paired with a more powerful 1200 W heater. So it heats faster and switches faster between brewing and steaming. The Go also has a substantially larger 2.8 L top-access water tank. Finally, the two brands have different aesthetics. Profitec offers the Go in a range of fun colors with a contrasting pale blue pressure gauge, while Quick Mill sticks with traditional stainless steel and lovely wooden accents.

User-Friendliness – 3.5/5

A single boiler, dual-use machine isn’t hard to use; but it’s not immediately intuitive. Prepare to consult the manual, especially for the initial turn-on. This isn’t your average plug-and-play home machine, and there’s no display screen.

Pippa includes Quick Mill’s popular three-way lever switch. Switch it from 0 to 1 to power on and fill the boiler, then from 1 to 2 to start heating. And if you wondered how long does it take for the Quickmill Pippa to heat up, it takes about 10 minutes to heat up from cold. The top surface is a passive cup warmer with steel rails to keep the cups from sliding off.

Four switches operate the machine – power, brewing, steaming, and hot water. Three lights indicate when the power is on, the heater is running, and the pump is engaged.

The pressure gauge is helpful in monitoring brew pressure, especially if you’re toying with the OPV. I’d be even happier if there were also a steam pressure gauge.

Let’s Compare It To Other Similar Machines

	Reviewed Item
Manufacturer	Quick Mill	Rancilio	Lelit	Profitec	ECM
Model	Pippa	Silvia M	Victoria	Go (Pro 100)	Casa V
Product category	Prosumer semi-automatic espresso machine	Prosumer semi-automatic espresso machine	Prosumer semi-automatic espresso machine	Prosumer semi-automatic espresso machine	Prosumer semi-automatic espresso machine
Housing material	Stainless Steel	Brushed Stainless Steel	Brushed Stainless Steel	Powder-coated Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel
Flow Control	No	No	No	No	No
Steam wand	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Built in grinder	No	No	No	No	No
User interface	Switches	Switches	Buttons	Buttons	Buttons
Water tank size	60.9 oz	74 oz	84.5 oz	94.7 oz	101.4 oz
Cup clearance	3.25”	3.5”	4”	3.9”	3.1”
Boiler design	Single boiler	Single boiler	Single boiler	Single boiler	Single boiler
Boiler size	450 mL	350 mL	300 mL	400 ml	400 ml
Boiler material	Brass	Brass	Brass	Brass	Brass
Pre-infusion	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Heater	1000 W	952 W	1200 W	1200 W	1200 W
Adjustable OPV	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
Pump type	Vibratory	Vibratory	Vibratory	Vibratory	Vibratory
Pressure gauges	Brew	None	Brew	Brew	Brew
Portafilter diameter	58 mm	58 mm	58 mm	58 mm	58 mm
PID temperature control	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Warm up time	10 minutes	10 minutes	6 minutes	5 – 7 minutes	5 – 7 minutes
Brews with	Ground coffee	Ground coffee	Ground coffee	Ground coffee	Ground coffee
Dimensions	12” x 10” x 15”	10.7”x9”x13.5”	10.75” x 9” x 15”	14.5” x 8.25” x 14.9”	14.5” x 8.25” x 14.9”
Customer review	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	5/5
Warranty	2 years	2 years	1 year	3 years	2 years
Price	$999	$835	$999	$949	$859
	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE

Edit Table

Milk Frothing – 3.5/5

The Quick Mill Pippa has a relatively small boiler, so it can’t match the steam pressure of a larger machine. But few home users will find this a problem. You can easily make two lattes in a row before it needs to recover.

It has a no-burn steam water wand, so you can hold the outside while steaming. The pressure is controlled with a knob that’s a nice balance of sensitive and responsive. The wand doubles as a hot water dispenser for making tea or an Americano.

Build Quality – 4/5

The Quick Mill Pippa is a semi-professional machine with excellent build quality. It has a steel frame, chrome-plated brass group, and commercial-grade internal components. 

It is wrapped in a stainless steel 304 super-mirror body and comes standard with beautiful walnut wood accents – a standout feature that usually costs extra. If the mirror finish is too ostentatious for your taste, it is also available in more subtle matte white or black.

So, how big is the Quickmill Pippa? This machine is compact, a nice perk of the single boiler design. It fits easily in most kitchens, measuring 10” wide by 12” deep by 15” tall. One double-spout Quick Mill Pippa portafilter and three baskets – single shot, double shot, and blind basket – are included.

A Few Negatives

It’s disappointing but not surprising to encounter some plastic at this price. The drip tray is plastic, but its cover is stainless steel – a fair compromise. It ships with a flimsy plastic tamper that is only one step up from useless.

Cleaning and Maintenance – 4/5

The Quick Mill Pippa has no automated cleaning cycles, but it is easy to care for. Day-to-day maintenance is filling the water tank (ideally with filtered water), emptying the drip tray, and wiping any spills to keep the mirror finish pristine. 

I love the side-access water tank. Unlike most other machines, you don’t have to remove the lid (and any warming cups) to pull the tank out. It’s especially handy if you keep your Pippa under upper cupboards.

On a weekly basis, backflush using the provided blind disk and give the group head a good scrub with the included brush.

Don’t Buy Quick Mill Pippa If…

• You make a lot of milky drinks: Latte lovers should splurge on a machine that can pull shots and steam milk simultaneously. Consider a heat exchanger like the Quick Mill Rubino or Anita.

• You’re on a budget: The iconic Gaggia Classic Pro remains the best for prosumer espresso on a budget. It features a commercial-style portafilter, professional steam water wand, and fantastic build quality at less than half the price. The trade-off is a tiny 0.1-liter boiler.

• You want a PID: Prepare to pay a little more for the unbeatable temperature control of a PID. Lelit Anna 2, Ascaso Dream, and Profitec Go are three great entry-level options.

The Verdict

The Quick Mill Pippa is an excellent espresso machine for anyone looking to move into prosumer espresso without breaking the bank. The boiler, stainless steel build, professional steam wand, and commercial-style portafilter make it a significant step up from standard domestic models. However, a more serious home barista may prefer a pricier alternative with a PID or HX boiler.