Bellman CX25P Espresso Maker Review: Portable Espresso and Steaming Milk on the Go

 

The Bellman CX25P Espresso Maker is a unique and robust two-in-one brewing device that provides both high-quality espresso and powerful steaming capabilities, making it ideal for camping, travel, or small spaces.

While it shares its brewing principle with a traditional stovetop moka pot—using heat to force water up through coffee grounds—the Bellman adds crucial control and a functional steamer, setting it apart from typical portable brewers.

Watch our YouTube video review. 

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Key Features and Functionality

 

The Bellman CX25P combines two distinct functions into one polished, compact unit:

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Brewing Guide: Water and Coffee Ratios

 

The Bellman includes a guide to help you customize your brew, offering different basket inserts to adjust the amount of coffee used.

 

Customizing Your Dose

 

The internal basket guide allows you to change the coffee dose, but remember: the coffee must sit on top of the insert, not underneath it.

• Largest Dose: $\sim 50$ grams of finely ground coffee (using the basket without any inserts).

• Medium Dose: $\sim 30$ grams (using the insert with the flat side down).

• Light Dose: $\sim 15$ grams (using the insert with the flat side up).

 

Water Measurement

 

The internal reservoir is marked with fill lines for $3$, $6$, and $9$. This indicates how many shots of water will pass through the coffee. Crucially, do not fill past the $9$ mark, as the unit needs headspace to generate the necessary steam pressure.

 

Example Recipe

 

For a rich, strong brew suitable for adding milk (like a small Americano or a latte base), a good starting point is:

• Water: Fill to the '3' mark ($\sim 150\text{mL}$).

• Coffee: Use the $50$ gram (largest) filter basket.

• Grind: Use a fine grind (like espresso).

 

Brewing Steps

 

1. Fill Water: Use pre-boiled water to speed up the process. Fill the reservoir to your desired mark (e.g., '3').

2. Dose Coffee: Place the desired amount of fine coffee into the filter basket. Lightly tamp the coffee to create back pressure, which improves extraction.

3. Filter: Place one of the small included paper filters on top of the coffee bed—this prevents fines from entering the upper chamber.

4. Assemble: Secure the top chamber and handle, making sure the top nut is nice and firm as this is a pressure vessel.

5. Heat: Place on your heat source. Ensure the tap and steamer are both closed.

6. Extract: Watch the pressure gauge. Once it reaches $1.0$ to $1.5$ Bar of pressure, carefully open the espresso valve to begin the extraction. You can adjust this valve to control the flow rate.

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Steaming for Beautifully Textured Milk

 

Once the espresso is pulled, the machine will have plenty of residual pressure for steaming.

1. Purge: Briefly open the steam wand to purge any condensed water (wet steam).

2. Texture: Place the tip just below the surface of the milk to introduce air. Once you have the desired microfoam texture, submerge the tip and heat the milk until it reaches the ideal cafe-style temperature of 65∘C (150∘F).

3. Clean: Wipe the steam tip immediately after use and give it a quick purge to clear any milk residue sucked back into the wand.

The Bellman CX25P is a highly capable travel brewer that delivers on both espresso quality and steam power.

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