Contents

Introduction Espresso Primer First Impressions Getting Started Espresso Performance Steaming Performance Conclusion La Spaziale S1 Cheat Sheet (download)

Dimensions

The corners of the S1 are smoothly curved, and the back and front arch slightly. To make the depth dimension more meaningful, all are measured with the machine against the wall, measuring from the wall to the front of the machine. The steam arm doesn’t extend out from the sides of the unit unlike many of the Isomacs, so very little side-clearance is required. Allocating 28” of counter space for the S1 and a grinder allows for generous elbowroom.

Width: 16½”
Depth: 16¼”
Depth with portafilter in place: 19½”
Height: 15¾” (including ½” for cup guard rail)

Cup clearances, all measurements from the drip tray surface:

To bottom of grouphead: 5¼”
To bottom of double-spout: 2¾”
To bottom of single-spout: 2¾”
To bottom of portafilter (spout removed): 3¾”
To bottom of water tap: 4½”

The cup warming tray is square with a raised guard on three sides and a small ridge in the front.  Below are its dimensions:

Width: 13¼″
Depth: 7¼”

There are two rows of cup space with room to spare. You can safely rest the front row of cups cocked on the front ridge to squeeze in three rows. The cup warmer easily accommodates 10 standard demitasse cups in two rows and 15 if they are “Milano-style” in three rows. I place three medium-sized cappuccino cups in the back row (7.5 ounces) and three small in the front (six ounces), or three medium-sized cappuccino cups and five demitasse cups in the front row (2.5 ounces).

Acknowledgements

I would like to gratefully acknowledge the help, advice, and corrections offered by Richard Bone, Ian Bryant, Mike Evans, Keith Monaghan, Chas Rimpo, Jim Schulman, Mike Walsh and several others who prefer to remain anonymous (you know who you are).

I would also like to extend a big thanks to Intelligentsia Coffee for providing the coffee for this evaluation. I’m a long-time fan of their Black Cat blend, which they describe as “a result of our fanatical quest to build the perfect espresso blend. Exceedingly heavy in body, earthy, spicy, and bold, this blend is exotic and powerful with a sweet finish. Black Cat produces a sublime shot of espresso.”

Darn right it does!

La Spaziale S1 Cheat Sheet (download)

Click here to download a brief summary of all the programming capabilities of the S1 as a PDF file.