ANDREJA PREMIUM A Closer Look The details were correct at the time of writing, but the manufacturer and Bella Barista reserve the right to change the technical specification of the packaging, machines and any accessories supplied with the machine (including quantity and type of accessories supplied) Andreja Premium closer look v6.
Overview The Andreja Premium arrived very well packed in a sturdy cardboard box and used shaped polystyrene as a packing material. This machine is unlikely to get damaged in transit. Externally the machine is very well finished indeed (very shiny), it uses high quality components and has a quality feel. The warmer tray is of a good size, the machine is quite tall, but fits comfortably under normal height kitchen wall cabinets.
How it arrived and unpacking Sturdy box, good use of polystyrene packaging obviously specifically designed for the machine. It is not easy to get the machine out of the box as there is limited room at the sides to reach down and get a good grip. Most customers are likely to grip on the cup rail and front underneath the drip tray as shown. The Quick Mill came with a manufacturer’s manual that is of the usual poor standard common with these machines.
Preparing the machine for use There is nothing to remove, peel off, portafilter baskets to assemble or any thing else to do other than lift the machine onto the counter, wash the cold water tank, fill it with filtered water. Flushing the machine before 1st use I included this as I never like the idea of using a machine without thoroughly flushing it through, especially considering that the machine may have stale water from factory testing (many months old), or manufacturing residues.
I sure it will not cause a problem, but I do not know why they have not used steel braided pipe? High pressure pump line was simple high pressure plastic tubing not steel braided as we’re used to seeing? The only other machine I have seen this on so far was the Super Giada We will of course be asking them.
The ventilation slots on the side panels serve a valuable function in keeping the electronics inside the machine cool to prolong their life and reduce faults It does make the pump sound a little noisier than other similar machines. When low on water machine just switches off.
At last, they can’t cost much extra and it’s nice to see them fitted. Brass Y connectors Very Strong Steamer Steamed 400 ml of water at around 5c to 60c in around 45 seconds. Fantastic steaming performance (professional steaming ability), especially for large milk volumes. It might be difficult initially for the inexperienced user to get microfoam from smaller domestic volumes.
Good sized cup warming tray, with a fill hatch, so that you don’t have to remove the tray. Unfortunately under standard height kitchen cupboard, filling via this hole is awkward and you can’t easily see the level of the water. It’s a nice touch, but doesn’t quite work, as well as I had hoped. I found myself having to move the machine out from under the counter, and then it was usually easier to remove the cup tray and fill it.
Temperature and Pressure Issues The Andreja Premium runs hot, as is usual with HX machines, which are a tight compromise between continuously available steam, and production of brew water for espresso. The boilers are running at some 124-126c so the group gets much hotter than on a single boiler machine running at around 98-102c (because there is some pressure in the boiler of these machines).
Outer Case Removal This is not an easy task because there are 10 to remove from the Andreja Premium. The procedure is described nicely in a popular USA retailer’s web site. I have only once difference from step 5 onwards, to lessen the chance of damage to the machines outer case. 1 4 Once these two screws are undone the back just pops off. It’s held by two press fittings near the base of the panel on the inside The last 4 screws are here making 10 in total.
Final Thoughts It is one of Quick Mill’s “flagship” machines and as such carries a unique pedigree. The Andreja Premium is a great machine, no doubt about it. It’s not a cheap machine and at this level the look of the machine is as important as the quality. My closer look picked up little things I would like to see improved, but I had to struggle to find them! Be assured this is an excellent quality machine that will last a lifetime if (if well maintained and carefully used).
I think there is very little room for improvement, if however Quick Mill ever reviews the design: 1. A sideways mounted water tank could have placed the fill hole in a more favorable position at the front right of the drip tray (this would probably be very difficult to do) 2. If the gauges could be mounted higher they would be even easier to read 3. Audible warning when out of water 4.
