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  • Wega WMini

    So as a new year's present to myself, I thought I splurge on the new Wega WMini. This is my first E61 machine, so it feels like a pretty steep learning curve right now. I've made one good coffee, and a dozen terrible -> slightly less terrible ones. There are a lot of variables that I thought I could easily control, and I was wrong, hahaha.

    I bought from Di Pacci, and Michael was super responsive during the holiday break when I was asking for pricing etc.
    It seems to be a somewhat new release, and as such there isn't much info going around about it. Rather than complain about the lack of info, I thought it best to be part of the solution and get some stuff started here.

    Packaging was super solid, and in the box I received the following:
    • Wega WMini
    • Tamper
    • 500mL jug
    • Microfiber cloth
    • Single and double filter holder
    • Blind filter for cleaning
    • Cleaning tablets
    • Cleaning brush
    • Dust cover
    • Manual instructions
    I got the black version with wood knobs and PF handles, and it looks great on the bench.
    Build quality is great. It feels very solid, although there is a tendency for it to flex when loading and unloading the portafilter. This then leads to the side panels moving around, and I've had it jump out of the locating screws. I've backed off the amount of pressure, and I naturally hold the machine now to avoid this happening.

    Pros:
    • Looks beautiful
    • Build quality
    • Steaming speed is insanely fast
    • Steam and pull a shot at the same time (although I'm not quick enough to take advantage of this yet)

    Cons:
    • Steam wand is not cool touch / double walled so you need to be careful around it
    • Location of the hot water spout is too close to the lever, and it gets a bit awkward making sure everything stays separated and I don't get burnt
    • If used as per designed or displayed in the promo shots, the drip tray requires tilting for removal. It think it's safe to just push it up to the locating strip, but I would prefer the magnetic style the Rocket has to know that it's not going to move around
    • PF has spouts that are pretty big, and are located away from the handle. This limits the size of the cup you can use, thus leading me to use a shot glass for my taller cups.
      • I will inevitably move to a naked PF which may negate this
    I'd like to add the heat up time as a con, but that's the nature of this machine so I really shouldn't. It would be great to be able to froth milk on a whim for a hot chocolate, or have a sneaky ristretto though.

    I've got a lot to learn to control this beast, and I'm hopeful (as is the household) I'll be able to make consistent coffees soon. I've ordered a temp gauge for the group head so that I can control that a bit better. I'm also thinking of getting a 2 or 3 hole tip for the steam wand to try to slow it down as my foam is more froth at the moment.
    Attached Files

  • #2
    An update after 2.5 months of usage.
    I installed a temperature gauge into the E61 head and found that it was running really hot (110° at times) which was a bit concerning, as I was flushing a lot to cool it down.
    Then it suddenly started behaving itself, and it was running pretty consistently at around 98° all the time. Much rejoicing was had.

    I'd had a few instances of turning it on in the morning and coming back after my morning walk to find it still cool at around 40°. I'd flush and wait, flush again and it would heat up slowly. This prolonged the wait from turn on to get coffee in me by quite some time.
    Recently, it's happening consistently. Turn it on, gets a little warm and then stops. It seems like there is an air bubble being created in the line and stopping the water from getting to the heat up stage.
    I've checked the temperature gauge is tight and other than that I don't know what else to really check.

    I'll also note that the paint in the drip tray is also coming off, which is a bit disappointing for something so new. I also still have the flexing frame issue which moves the surrounding panels.
    Attached Files

    Comment


    • #3
      Good review thank you. I am looking at the same machine but can't find any info or reviews on it anywhere.

      How are you finding it 6+ months in?

      Comment


      • steiny555
        steiny555 commented
        Editing a comment
        I'd be a bit concerned with build quality getting frame flex enough to buck out screws when locking in the portafilter. I'd also be disappointed with the paint flaking after such a short time. Hopefully Koala is having a better time.
        I've just recently bought an Izzo Vivi PID from Casaespresso and can honestly say it feels built like a tank. Zero flex when locking in portafilter and at a similar price point to this model Wega if that is where your budget sits.

    • #4
      Sorry for the delayed response, I’ve been absolutely flat out and haven’t checked this part of the site in a while.
      After the service was completed, the machine was a totally different beast. There were multiple issues that were addressed in terms of valves, seals and screws.
      It’s now very stable in terms of temperature and behaves as you’d expect from an E61 machine.
      I’m super thankful for that.
      The Wega team also passed on a replacement tray, although I haven’t used it yet, as I thought I’d just use the old one until it’s totally paintless and move on from there.

      Nearly a year on since the purchase, if I could turn back time based on the knowledge I have now, I would probably have bought a different machine. Not because this is a bad machine, it’s actually very nice, but because I could’ve gone for a second hand HX cheaper, or DB for the same price.
      I had no idea just how rock solid E61’s are, and how long they are serviceable and productive.
      I think I got caught up in the moment and bought based on emotion and not having a machine for weeks did my head in.
      At some point in the future I’ll be either doing some upgrades to it, or going for a new machine.

      All that said, it generates very nice coffee every single day, so I shouldn’t complain too much.

      I’d also say, I bought an IMS nano quartz shower screen and a VST basket, and it was a huge improvement to the water dispersal. I’d recommend this every day of the week.

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