Brim Espresso Machine Review: Is the 19 Bar Worth It?

Hi, Sam here, writing between the morning rush and lunch. The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker is a semi-automatic home espresso machine, model 50019. It has a thermocoil heater, a steam wand and a hot water wand. SENSIO Inc. backs it with a two-year warranty.

My baristas near Ocean Parkway compare semi-automatic espresso machines every week. The Brim pulls 2 oz or 4 oz shots at the press of a button. It steams milk after a preheat step. Its 19 bar label is a pump rating, not brew pressure. Owners praise the looks and the espresso. They also report leaks and early failures.

Is the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker on your list? I explain shot volume and steaming milk, and no brand gave input. Prices have run from about $192 on sale to about $450 at list. Several retailers list the machine as sold out. This review ends with a plain verdict on whether the machine is worth buying.

What Is the Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker?

The Brim 19 Bar Espresso Maker is a semi-automatic home espresso machine with a thermocoil heater and a steam wand. Brim sells it as model 50019 in stainless steel with a wood-finish handle.

Semi-automatic means the user grinds, doses and tamps the coffee. The machine controls heat and shot volume. SENSIO Inc. issues the warranty for the machine and handles customer service calls.

The machine has no built-in grinder, so fresh beans need a separate burr grinder.

A thermocoil is a heating coil wrapped around a water line. The coil heats water as it flows. A boiler, by contrast, stores a tank of hot water.

The removable water tank holds 71 oz (2.1 L). The tank has MIN and MAX marks, and the manual allows cold water only.

The unit draws 1250 watts, and the manual allows a 120V AC outlet only. The manual asks for a separate electrical circuit. A circuit shared with other appliances may stop the machine from working properly.

The machine measures 28.5 cm deep, 27.3 cm wide and 33.4 cm tall (11.2 by 10.7 by 13.2 in). It weighs 7.9 kg (17.4 lb). The manual asks for 4 inches (10 cm) of space between the machine and any wall.

An E61 is a commercial group head that Faema introduced in 1961. Brim Consumer Care confirms the Brim does not use an E61 group head.

What Comes With the Brim Espresso Maker?

The Brim espresso maker comes with a portafilter, four baskets, a tamper, a scoop and a milk pitcher.

The four baskets are 1 cup and 2 cup sizes in pressurized and non-pressurized types. The 2 cup basket holds 14 g (0.5 oz) of coffee. The 1 cup basket holds half of that.

The tool kit adds a heavy duty metal tamper, a measuring scoop and a cleaning pin. The stainless steel milk pitcher holds 12 oz (355 ml).

In the Box:

Portafilter with two spouts
1 cup and 2 cup pressurized baskets
1 cup and 2 cup non-pressurized baskets
Heavy duty metal tamper
Measuring scoop
Cleaning pin
12 oz (355 ml) stainless steel milk pitcher

Brim Consumer Care lists the tamper and a distributor leveler size as 51 mm (2 in). The manual lists a 55 mm (2.2 in) portafilter. The two figures differ, so a buyer needs to measure the basket before ordering a tamper.

How Does the Brim Espresso Maker Work?

The Brim espresso maker works by pumping hot water from its thermocoil through the coffee to a set volume.

The power button flashes while the machine heats. All four control buttons light when the machine is ready. The manual calls for a blank shot first to warm the cup and the portafilter.

Once the machine is hot, the buttons set how much water passes through the coffee. The single button pulls 2 oz (60 ml) and the double button pulls 4 oz (120 ml). Holding a button for 3 seconds starts a flow. Pressing it again stores that volume for later shots.

Brim publishes no brew temperature, and the manual lists no temperature setting. Specialty espresso targets 195 to 205°F (90 to 96°C).

Steam needs its own step. After the shots, the STEAM PREHEAT button flashes until steam is ready. Then the function dial turns to STEAM. The same dial gives hot water through a second wand.

A red FULL indicator rises when the drip tray fills. Lifting the drip plate and sliding the tray straight out empties it.

Does the Brim Espresso Maker Really Brew at 19 Bars?

No. The Brim espresso maker rates 19 bars as its pump maximum, not the pressure at the coffee.

Brim Consumer Care states that the figure is the maximum pressure the unit can produce. Pump ratings are measured with water going nowhere, so the number describes the pump alone. An over-pressure valve typically holds brewing near 9 bar (130 psi).

The manual says the gauge shows the range from pre-infusion to espresso pressure. Five buyers on the Canadian listing report a needle that does not move. Others report pressure too low to push water through the grounds.

A higher pump rating adds headroom for the pump. Strength still comes from dose, grind and ratio. The 19 bar label does not make better coffee by itself.

Does the Brim Espresso Maker Pre-Infuse the Coffee?

Yes. The Brim espresso maker pre-infuses the coffee with low, steady water pressure before the full extraction starts.

Pre-infusion wets the coffee at low pressure before the pump builds to full pressure. The product listing also names low pressure pre-infusion as a feature.

The manual gives no setting for pre-infusion time. Only the single and double shot volumes can be reprogrammed.

How Good Is the Espresso From the Brim Espresso Maker?

The espresso from the Brim espresso maker is good on one US retailer page and mixed on a Canadian listing.

The US page shows espresso quality as the top praise, with 113 mentions among 300 reviews. Buyers there rate quality 4.1 of 5. The Canadian listing tells a less clear story. It has 14 positive and 13 negative mentions of espresso quality, which is almost an even split.

Owners who step up from a pod machine can find the shots richer. Some call the result close to a chain cafe drink. Such reviews often carry promotional considerations, so the praise needs a grain of salt.

Fresh beans matter. The manual lists old or dry coffee, a coarse grind, light tamping and a small dose as the causes of weak crema. A blank shot warms the cup and the portafilter before the real shot.

Topping an espresso shot with water from the hot water wand makes an Americano.

Which Filter Baskets Suit the Brim Espresso Maker?

The Brim espresso maker works best with pressurized baskets for pre-ground coffee and non-pressurized baskets for fresh beans.

A pressurized basket has a double wall and one hole in the bottom. Tamping is not critical but must be consistent. These baskets make larger bubbles in the crema, the foam on top of the shot.

A non-pressurized basket has a single wall and many holes in the bottom. The manual calls for medium to fine, freshly ground coffee from a burr grinder. Tamping matters here. The brew is often less bitter.

Coffee pods fit the 1 cup pressurized basket. No part of the pod filter may hang over the lip, or water leaks.

Basket Types:

Feature	Pressurized	Non-Pressurized
Wall	Double wall	Single wall
Bottom holes	One	Many
Best coffee	Pre-ground or pods	Fresh beans from a burr grinder
Tamping	Consistent, not critical	Even and firm
Result	Larger crema bubbles	Often less bitter

How Well Does the Brim Espresso Maker Steam Milk?

The Brim espresso maker steams milk well enough for lattes and cappuccinos with its 360 degree swivel wand.

The wand swivels 360 degrees, so it can reach a pitcher from any angle. It has a silicone handle. The frothing tip comes off for cleaning. Brim calls the output dry steam.

The manual says to fill a cold pitcher no more than one third with fresh milk. It says skim froths best. The tip sits just under the surface to make fine microbubbles. Milk is ready at 140 to 150°F (60 to 66°C), or 160°F (71°C) for extra hot.

Steam also has to wait for the shot. Pressing STEAM PREHEAT after the shot starts the heater, so milk drinks take longer than the shot alone. Some owners note the frother can splash.

Milk leaves residue in the wand, so it needs a purge after every use. A wet cloth wipes the outside. The cleaning pin clears the tip to stop milk buildup.

What Do Owners Say About the Brim Espresso Maker?

Owners rate the Brim espresso maker about 4 of 5, praising its looks and complaining about leaks.

One US retailer page shows 300 reviews with a 4.0 average. A total of 184 gave five stars. Of those buyers, 76 percent would recommend the machine.

US Star Ratings:

Stars	Reviews
5 stars	184
4 stars	40
3 stars	21
2 stars	10
1 star	45

A Canadian listing points the same way. It shows 3.9 of 5 from 136 ratings. Five-star ratings make up 62 percent, and one-star ratings make up 19 percent.

Tagged pros on the US page are espresso quality (113), ease of use (61) and price (19). Tagged cons are water tank (20), pressure (18) and noise (17).

Many of the US reviews were written with promotional considerations or sweepstakes entries, which the page flags.

What Do Owners Like About the Brim Espresso Maker?

Owners like the Brim espresso maker for its looks, easy use, accessories and price.

Six of seven Canadian mentions of appearance are positive. Owners call the machine slick, compact and well built.

A total of 61 US reviewers tag ease of use as a pro. Removable parts, including the tank and drip tray, make cleaning simple.

A total of 19 US reviewers tag price as a pro. Value splits on the Canadian listing, with 8 positive and 8 negative mentions.

Owners praise the included accessories and the separate hot water wand for tea.

What Problems Do Owners Report With the Brim Espresso Maker?

Owners report leaks, pressure faults and early failures with the Brim espresso maker.

All 14 Canadian mentions of leaks are negative. Water leaks from the top, rises into the drip basket and fills the pressure gauge. Leaks underneath can appear after two years of use.

Reliability draws 18 mentions on that listing, and 13 are negative. Units stop turning on, pumps fail after about a year, and some fail in the first week.

A total of 18 US reviewers list pressure as a con. Five Canadian users say the gauge does not move or the pressure is too low to push water through the grounds.

The machine can overheat under heavy use. After four double-shot milk drinks in a row, all lights can flash while the machine cools for over an hour. Custom shot volumes can also fail to save.

A total of 17 US reviewers list noise as a con and 20 list the water tank.

Common Complaints:

Water leaks from the top and into the drip basket
Units that stop working in the first year
Pressure gauge that does not move
Overheating after repeated milk drinks
Noise and water tank concerns

How Do You Care for the Brim Espresso Maker?

The Brim espresso maker needs care after every use, with a rinse and a vinegar descale about every 6 months.

The manual calls for emptying and rinsing the portafilter and basket after every use. The small end of the cleaning pin clears the basket holes. The larger wire clears the steam wand and water wand outlets.

Coffee can also run down the side of the portafilter and dirty the brew head. A damp cloth wipes it clean. The brew head holds a rubber seal. A damaged or worn seal needs a call to customer service.

No part goes in the dishwasher, and the machine never goes in water. The pitcher and tamper wash by hand. A basket can soak in cleaning solution for 20 minutes if needed.

A blocked basket, a grind too fine or hard tamping stops espresso from streaming. The fix is a clean basket, a coarser grind and lighter tamping. A blocked steam nozzle needs the cleaning pin.

The machine is unplugged and cooled before storage. The manual stores it in its box in a clean, dry spot. The manual lists no user serviceable parts, so repairs go to a qualified technician.

How Do You Descale the Brim Espresso Maker?

The Brim espresso maker needs descaling every 6 months with one part white vinegar to three parts water.

Descaling starts with the dial on STANDBY and the machine heated. Steam purges the line for at least 45 seconds. Water runs from the wand next. The double shot button then runs the mix through the machine.

Hard water calls for a second round. After the vinegar, a refill of fresh cold water and the same steps rinse the machine. The tank must never be fully empty during descaling.

Descaling Steps:

Fill the tank with one part white vinegar to three parts cold water.
Heat the machine and purge steam for at least 45 seconds.
Run water from the wand into a container.
Press the double shot button to run the mix through the machine.
Refill with fresh cold water and repeat to rinse.

Does the Brim Espresso Maker Come With a Warranty?

Yes. The Brim espresso maker comes with a two-year warranty on mechanical defects and 90 days on non-mechanical parts.

SENSIO Inc. holds the warranty. The company repairs, replaces or refunds the machine at its own choice.

The warranty covers the original retail buyer only. The warranty is not transferable, and the original receipt is required. Resale and used units carry no cover.

Normal wear, negligent use, wrong voltage and poor maintenance are not covered. Disassembly or repair by anyone other than SENSIO staff is excluded too. The manual sets descaling at about every 6 months as routine maintenance.

Not Covered:

Normal wear
Negligent use
Wrong voltage
Improper routine maintenance
Disassembly or repair by anyone other than SENSIO staff

A claim starts with a call to customer service. If the call fails, the owner ships the tagged machine with the receipt. Shipping and insurance are prepaid by the owner.

How Much Does the Brim Espresso Maker Cost?

The Brim espresso maker can cost about $192 on sale and about $450 at list.

The sale price has shown up in more than one deal. A 2022 deal listed the machine at $192.50 on Amazon, down from a regular price of up to $400. A 2021 deal showed $192.62 with a coupon.

Belk lists the machine at $449.98 and shows it out of stock.

The machine is not the only cost. Fresh beans must be ground, and the manual points to a burr grinder for the non-pressurized baskets. Pre-ground coffee in the pressurized baskets avoids that cost.

How Does the Brim Espresso Maker Compare With Rivals?

The Brim espresso maker can compare with rivals like the Bambino Plus and the Gaggia Classic Pro on price.

The Breville Bambino Plus lists at $399.95 to $499.95 at US retailers. The machine heats in 3 seconds, holds 9 bar of stable pressure and uses a 54 mm (2.1 in) portafilter.

The De'Longhi Stilosa lists at $149.95 in the US. The machine has a 15 bar pump and takes ground coffee or ESE pods.

The Gaggia Classic Pro E24 lists at $499 at Whole Latte Love, with a brass boiler and a 58 mm (2.3 in) portafilter. Heat-up takes about 3 minutes. Verified owners report 10 to 20 years of reliable service.

The Brim 19 Bar uses a thermocoil, a 71 oz (2.1 L) tank and 1250 watts. Owners can need 10 to 15 minutes of warm-up before the first shot.

The 19 bar label gives no edge over a 9 bar machine. Pump ratings of 15 to 20 bar describe headroom, and brew pressure sits near 9 bar on all of them.

Brim also sells a 15 bar model, item 50030, with a 51 oz (1.5 L) tank. Brim says its thermocoil warms up in under a minute.

Rival Snapshot:

Machine	US Price	Pump Rating	Portafilter
Brim 19 Bar	$192 sale, $450 list	19 bar	55 mm (2.2 in)
Breville Bambino Plus	$399.95 to $499.95	Not listed	54 mm (2.1 in)
Gaggia Classic Pro E24	$499	Not listed	58 mm (2.3 in)
De'Longhi Stilosa	$149.95	15 bar	Not listed

Where Can You Buy the Brim Espresso Maker?

The Brim espresso maker sells on Amazon, while Best Buy, Macy's and Belk list it as unavailable.

Best Buy shows the machine as sold out and no longer available new. Macy's lists it as unavailable, and Belk shows it out of stock. New units are therefore hard to find at these three stores.

Open-box and used units appear on Woot and eBay. The warranty does not transfer to a second owner, so these units carry no cover.

Is the Brim Espresso Maker Worth It?

Yes. The Brim espresso maker is worth it only at a sale price near $200 and only for light use.

The machine has programmable shots, a swivel steam wand and a separate hot water wand. It also comes with two basket types. A two-year warranty covers the original buyer. Looks and espresso quality draw the most praise.

Leaks, a pressure gauge that sits still and failures in the first year draw the most complaints. One-star ratings make up 19 percent of the Canadian listing. They make up 45 of 300 US reviews.

At about $192 the risk of a failure is easier to accept. At $450, a machine with these reports does not earn that price.

Who Should Skip the Brim Espresso Maker?

Anyone making many milk drinks in a row needs to skip the Brim espresso maker, which can overheat after four double-shot drinks.

Used and resale buyers also lose out. The warranty does not transfer, so a second-hand unit has no cover.

Tinkerers who want temperature or pre-infusion control find none. The manual lists only shot volume as programmable.

Buyers who want a long-supported brand find stock thin, as several retailers list the machine as sold out.

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