Amaste espresso machine specifications

Detail	Amaste Espresso Machine with Grinder
Model	AC-517E
Type	Semi-automatic espresso machine with built-in grinder
Grinder	Conical burr, 15 grind settings
Pump	15 bar, with a pressure gauge; Amaste gives 9–12 bar as the extraction range
Pre-infusion	Low-pressure pre-infusion at the start of each shot
Portafilter	51 mm stainless steel, single and double baskets
Steam wand	Rotates 360°, with a silicone cover
Water tank	68 oz (2 liters), removable
Drip tray	Removable, with a red float that shows when it is full
Power	1450 W, 120 V
Dimensions	11.6 × 11.0 × 16.1 in (D × W × H)
Weight	About 20 lb
Colors	Retro White (cream), Retro Blue, Retro Green

What the built-in grinder and gauge do

• Grinder with a portafilter cradle. Beans go into the hopper on top and are ground straight into the portafilter, which sits in a cradle so you do not have to hold it. Fifteen settings run from coarse to fine.
• Pressure gauge. The dial on the front shows the pressure during a shot. Amaste gives 9 to 12 bar as the range for extraction, which helps you tell whether the grind and dose are right.
• Pre-infusion. The machine starts each shot at low pressure to wet the coffee, then raises it.
• Steam wand. A rotating wand froths milk for lattes and cappuccinos; the silicone cover keeps the grip cool.
• 68 oz water tank. Removable for filling, with a window on the side to check the level.

What is in the box

• Espresso machine with grinder
• 51 mm stainless steel portafilter with single and double baskets
• Tamper and tamping spoon
• Dosing ring
• Milk frothing pitcher
• Cleaning brush and cleaning needle

How to make espresso with the Amaste machine

The user manual covers the controls on your unit. These are the general steps for a semi-automatic machine with a grinder:

• Fill the tank with fresh cold water and let the machine heat up.
• Add beans to the hopper and pick a grind setting; start in the middle of the range.
• Grind into the portafilter with the dosing ring on, using the single or double basket.
• Tamp the coffee level and firm.
• Lock the portafilter into the group head and place one or two cups underneath.
• Pull the shot and watch the gauge: for a double, a shot that runs very fast usually needs a finer grind, one that barely drips a coarser one.
• Steam milk if you want a latte or cappuccino: purge the wand, froth the milk in the pitcher, then wipe and purge the wand again.

Dialing in the grind

If	Try
Shot runs too fast, tastes sour or thin	Grind finer, or use a little more coffee
Shot runs very slowly, tastes bitter	Grind coarser, or use a little less coffee
Gauge stays low	Grind finer and tamp evenly

Cleaning and care

• After each shot: knock out the used coffee, rinse the portafilter and basket, and wipe the group head.
• After steaming: wipe the steam wand at once and run a short burst of steam to clear it.
• Drip tray: empty it when the red float rises.
• Grinder: brush out coffee residue regularly with the cleaning brush.
• Descaling: descale as the user manual describes; hard water means doing it more often.

Espresso machine or drip coffee maker?

	Amaste Espresso Machine with Grinder	Amaste Retro Drip Coffee Maker
Best for	Espresso, lattes, cappuccinos	A pot of regular coffee for one or two
Coffee	Whole beans, ground in the machine	Ground coffee
Effort	Grinding, tamping and steaming each time	Add water and coffee, press start
Size	11.6 × 11.0 × 16.1 in, about 20 lb	6.3 × 7.8 × 10.8 in, about 4 lb
Power	1450 W	600 W

Amaste espresso machine FAQ