The Quick Mill Alexia: Made For Espresso Purists

The Bottom Line Up Front

Are you searching for a new state-of-the-art home espresso machine to upgrade you from your manual pump device? If you are, then the Quick Mill Alexia is just the espresso maker for you.

Quickmill Alexia Espresso Machine

The Quick Mill Alexia semi-automatic espresso machine is filled with features and provides the perfect solution for coffee lovers who want to upgrade from their manual pump machines.

This stainless steel espresso machine is a single boiler device that boasts a professional grade vibratory pump and a commercial class brew head. This device is designed for the barista looking for an easy way to make rich and flavorful straight espresso right from home.

As one of the most compact devices in the Quick Mills line of espresso machines; this model is the perfect addition to most home kitchens.

Its convenient sizing paired with features such as a steam wand, insulated boiler and cup warmer make this machine ideal for daily home or small office use. It is simple enough to be used by a beginning barista, yet advanced enough to meet the needs of more seasoned professionals.

All of these features and more come within the Alexia’s sleek stainless steel packaging, for a user friendly, easy to care for home device that will quickly have baristas of all skill levels pulling rich and hearty shots of espresso.

Best for home use (output capacity of 20 shots per hour).

At a Glance

• Commercial grade E-61 brew head
• 3 Way Valve
• Commercial Grade Single Boiler
• Swiveling Steam Wand
• Ulka 52 Watt Vibratory Pump
• Three Liter Water Reservoir w/ Hinged Cover

Specifications

Height: 15.25 inches 38.7 centimeters
Width: 9.00 inches 22.9 centimeters
Depth: 15.75 inches 40.0 centimeters
Weight: 38 pounds 17.2 kilograms
Amps & Volts: 15 Amps / 110 Volts USA/NA and 220 Volts Europe
Watts: 1400 Watt heating element

Quick Mill Alexia Pros and Cons, Comparisons, and Tips

Pros

• E61 Brewgroup Equipped – Ensures repeatable and precise brewing temperatures each and every shot.
• Reasonably Priced – Heavy duty construction with everything you need to brew espresso and lattes for yourself and guests with low price tag makes the Quick Mill Alexia one of the better buys in the heat exchanger class of espresso machines.
• Compact Design – Takes up very little room on counter tops and easily fits under cabinets.
• Large Drip Tray – Despite being a compact machine, the pull out drip tray of the Quick Mill Alexia is well constructed and boast a 46oz capacity.
• Large Tank – A large 3 liter tank keeps refills to a minimum.

Cons

• Steam and Hot Water Arm – Although the machine uses a great swiveling arm design, the steam and hot water are available via one arm. The arm can dispenses hot water in brew mode and steam when switched to steaming. Also, it is NOT a no burn type of arm (although one is available at an additional cost). A rubber covering protects the user from burns.
• A Little Noisy – As with all units equipped with vibratory pumps, the Alexia can be a little loud and can be a concern if you have the unit on an appliance timer to turn on prior to waking up in the morning. If quiet operation is a need it is encouraged to purchase a unit equipped with a rotatory pump such as the Quick Mill Vetrano Rotary.

Comparison to Similar Products

A Quick Mill Alexia version equipped with a PID is sold exclusively by another company who installs the devices.  We find the stock potentiometer/thermostat is very accurate limiting the need to “temperature surf” and thus curtailing the need to pay over $150 more for a PID version.

Techniques, Tips and Tricks

A good tamper such as the innovative Espro Tampers makes dialing in espresso shots easier and a bottomless portafilter is essential for beginners for monitoring channeling (what is this?).

Build Quality

Made of polished stainless steel, this Quick Mill Alexia showcases a very simple and understated look. The machine has curved side panels and a sleek polished finish that help this device stand out from most standard home espresso machines. The polished covering of this machine helps give this espresso machine real lasting power.

This stainless steel is easy to clean and resistant to acidic stains from espresso and coffee and is immune to rust.

The Quick Mill line of home espresso machines has developed a reputation for excellence within the industry, and while the Alexia may be one of the newest additions to their lineup, this machine does not disappoint.

All of the exposed outer surfaces of this device are made with the high polished steel coating that comes in a darker hue; giving the device a warm and timeless look. The switches and panel lights on this espresso maker are securely mounted across the curved front edge of the machine.

All of the labels are screened or etched directly onto the device. The 58 mm portafilters that come with the Alexia are crafted from a heavy chrome plated brass, which allows them to withstand consistent use.

Features

Device Power Switches

Designed with usability in mind, the Quick Mill’s Alexia model comes with a three position power switch. Turning the switch to the left, puts the power on for initial fill, the center turns the power off, and the right allows for power on and heating capabilities. Located across the front panel of the device, the three position power switch can be used to execute a safe start-up that will prevent heat damage from occurring.

Included Brewing Systems

The Alexia comes with a commercial grade E-61 brew head. This brewing device is designed to regulate temperatures for outstanding quality with every espresso brew. The brewing component of this system also features a thermal siphon design; a time tested design n Quick Mills products.

This feature will stabilize the temperature of the brew group during period of inactivity, for consistent quality all day long. The included E-61 grouphead on the Alexia allows users to get consistent flavor with their espresso pours. The added ability to pre-infuse with this machine, also lends to easy creation of rich espresso shots.

This machine was crafted with a simple three-way bypass brewing design, operated by an easy to use lever control. With this feature, users can access a pressure release valve that will deliver a dry coffee puck once the brew is complete.

Commercial Grade Boiler

The Quick Mill Alexia is equipped with a 750 millimeter boiler. This insulated boiler minimizes heat cycle lengths for a quick warm up time.

As a heavily insulated boiling apparatus; this boiler has the protection needed to keep the items inside the machine protected and protects kitchen surfaces from falling victim to long term heat exposure.

The boiler is designed to provide consistency with its temperature settings; an essential component to creating quality espresso. While in use, the insulated boiler will insure consistent temperatures are maintained; thanks to its pressure controller features. This device can sense even the slightest drop in pressure and reacts quickly by kicking in the heating element of the boiler to keep temperatures steady.

This commercial grade boiler also comes outfitted with a low water cut off feature. This is a magnetic sensor inside the boiler that will cut off power to the heating circuit in the boiler, but won’t cut off power to the pump. This means no more boiler burn out and no more mid-pour shut offs; so you can always finish if you are in the middle of pulling an espresso shot.

The boiler has a control feature found underneath the cup’s warming tray that can be used to adjust the pressure. This easily accessible control knob can be accessed without removing the device’s outer shell.

Chrome Plated Brass Portafilters

The Quick Mill Alexia comes outfitted with two professional grade brass portafilters. This brass filters are covered with a heavy duty chrome plating. These artfully designed portafilters allows for ultra important temperature stability while creating espresso drinks.

Their durable chrome plated construction also makes them a long lasting addition to your home espresso machine. There are two brass 58 mm portafilters (one single and one double) included with the machine.

Swiveling Steam Wand and Hot Water Arm

The Alexia has an included swiveling steam wand, also crafted from stainless steel. The arm can easily move back and forth for convenient use and easy steaming accessibility. The wand comes with two holed steam tip and also doubles as the device’s hot water dispenser.

The steaming feature allows for easy creation of cappuccinos and lattes, while the hot water feature lends itself to easy creation of Americano drinks or teas.

Vibratory Pump

The Quick Mill Alexia comes with an Ulka 52 watt vibratory pump; a device from one of the most trusted pump brands in the industry. This pump is designed to offer thermal overload protection for users to help prevent heat related damages.

This also means the pump is outfitted with brass ends instead of plastic; allowing for a more secure connection and better performance.

Three Liter Water Reservoir

The Alexia comes with its own water reservoir instead of hooking up to a plumbing system; making it ideal for home and personal use. This included reservoir can hold up to three liters of water at a time.

The exterior has a hinged cover allowing for easy user access and can be accessed from the cup warming tray.

Drip Tray

The Alexia comes with a large, pull-out drip tray, with a mesh cover and stainless steel construction.  This drip tray can hold up to 46 ounces of liquid before it needs to be emptied. The stainless steel covering helps the drip tray maintain a polished look even with consistent use.

The oversized design is in place to catch liquid and to prevent counter stains and messes. The tray pulls out like a drawer for easy draining and cleaning.

Conclusion

The Quick Mill Alexia is a superb solution for  for anyone that prefers straight espresso over lattes (although it does a good job of steaming as well) and wants an upgrade in construction over the ubiquitous Rancilio Silvia.

With a collection of features all packed within one compact, easy to use device, the Quick Mill Alexia is the ideal machine for any aficionado that is looking for a semi-automatic model with the widely popular E61 Gouphead.

Quickmill Alexia Espresso Machine available from Amazon

Want to know more?  Read our Espresso Machine Buying Guide and our Guide to Semi-Automatics Models.