La Marzocco has announced the next generation design of their iconic GB5 espresso machine. The machine has origins that date back 15 years to 2015, and the company wanted to introduce new technology while ensuring the machine is still recognisable as a GB5.
This turned out not to be so easy, as Stefano Della Pietra, the man behind the design explains in the video below.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEqDkqnU_Vs[/embedyt]It’s hard not to appreciate how they have added a lot of functionality, while retaining, and in cases, improving the clean lines of the new model, and Stefano’s enthusiasm and deserved pride comes across in the video.
The company has released a number of videos in a short series to explain the history and background to this new model, which gives context and a good understanding of how they approached the challenge. The videos are all shot at the companies impressive Accademia building, which houses an eclectic array of functions, from coffee plants, to a museum.
While the company states in an opening video that they constructed this building to support a range of activities around the coffee industry from education to research, they, unfortunately, leave out any mention of being progressive with equality issues. This is a shame since they had a disastrous PR debacle last year over racism allegations.
The machine itself looks like a solid progression of the previous model, with some sensible new design choices that will make maintenance easier, as well as support for their pro app, integrated scales and a programmable brew ratio. We’ll write in more depth about our impressions of the new features in the near future.
The original design was first introduced in 2005, and now comes in two new versions, GB5 X and GB5 S.
GB 5 X
The GB5 X is designed with traditional European style. It can be identified by the white logos and lilies, with La Marzocco proprietary electronics with the industry-leading temperature stability and hydraulic systems to ensure maximum consistency.
The machine features independent boilers allowing for different brewing temperatures on each group; a convenient hot water economizer to set the hot water temperature as well as a dynamic pre-heater for additional and unsurpassed temperature stability.
In ABR configuration the GB5 X is equipped with patented scale technology. The machine is equipped with a water sensor that measures the conductivity and hardness of water as it enters the machine.
This information allows the user to monitor water quality and verify filtration performance without the need for additional testing tools.
Here are the specs:
- dual boilers – Separate boilers optimise espresso brewing and steam production.
- dual pid (coffee and steam – Allows users to electronically control coffee and steam boiler temperature.
- insulated boilers – Reduce energy consumption while contributing to temperature stability.
- piero group caps – av, bar – Re-engineered internal water path and flow-meter positioning that increase temperature stability.
- 24v electronics – New generation of electronics for improved reliability and machine diagnostics.
- independent saturated boiler – Separate saturated boilers for each group head allow barista to optimise temperature for individual coffees, ensuring thermal stability.
- pro touch steam wands – High-performing steam wands that are cool to the touch.
- digital display – Intuitive programming makes it easy to adjust machine parameters.
- hot water economizer – Enables users to fine-tune the tap water temperature for tea.
- integrated scales – abr only – Precision scales built in the drip tray with the Drip Prediction technology provide a new level of consistency.
- high legs – special order – Makes it easier to access beneath the machine.
- easy rebuild steam valve – Engineered so the valve can be serviced directly from the front of the machine without needing to be removed.
- USB – Making it possible to update the firmware.
- dimmable barista lights – 3-stage customisable intensity led lights for Eco, On, and Brewing modes.
- eco mode – Can be programmed to enter ‘stand-by’ mode, improving energy efficiency.
- cup warmer (special order) – Maintain espresso and cappuccino cups evenly heated at a proper temperature.
- personalized colors (special order) – Customisable colors based on the RAL color system, on request.
- pro app compatible – Electronic board that will allow connectivity with the La Marzocco Pro App.
GB 5 S
The new GB5 S is identified by two red lilies on the side shields recall the company’s Florentine heritage while the front panel has been redesigned to increase group visibility.
The machine is equipped with a water sensor that measures the conductivity and hardness of water as it enters the machine.
This information allows the user to monitor water quality and verify filtration performance without the need for additional testing tools.
Here are the specs:
- dual boilers – Separate boilers optimise espresso brewing and steam production.
- dual pid (coffee and steam) – Allows users to electronically control coffee and steam boiler temperature.
- insulated boilers – Reduce energy consumption while contributing to temperature stability.
- piero group caps – av, bar – Re-engineered internal water path and flow-meter positioning that increase temperature stability.
- saturated groups – Ensure thermal stability.
- pro app compatible – Electronic board that will allow connectivity with the La Marzocco Pro App.
- pro touch steam wands (special order) – High performing steam wands that are cool to the touch.
- digital display – Intuitive programming makes it easy to adjust machine parameters.
- programmable doses – av, bar – Auto-volumetrics ensure repeatability and consistency in high-volume settings.
- integrated scales – abr only – Precision scales built in the drip tray with the Drip Prediction technology provide a new level of consistency.
- 24v electronics – New generation of electronics for improved reliability and machine diagnostics.
- easy rebuild steam valve – Engineered so the valve can be serviced directly from the front of the machine without needing to be removed.
- USB – Making it possible to update the firmware.
- dimmable barista lights – av, bar – 3-stage customisable intensity led lights for Eco, On and Brewing modes.
- eco mode – Can be programmed to enter ‘stand-by’ mode, improving energy efficiency.
- cup warmer (special order) – Maintain espresso and cappuccino cups evenly heated at a proper temperature.
- high legs (special order) – Makes it easier to access beneath the machine.
- personalized colors (special order) Customisable colors based on the RAL color system, on request.