La Marzocco GS3 - 3 Month User Review

La Marzocco GS3: Three Months of Home Brewing - A User Review from Artisti Roastery

Three months ago, the La Marzocco GS3 landed in my home here in Toormina, NSW, Australia, and as promised after our initial unboxing and first impressions, I'm back to share my in-depth user review after daily brewing. While the initial excitement was high, living with a machine day in and day out reveals a more nuanced perspective.

For those seeking the detailed specifications of the GS3, be sure to check out our previous video [Link to Unboxing Video]. Today, I want to focus on the aspects I've truly come to appreciate and, more importantly, the things that haven't quite hit the mark in my personal experience.

The Enduring Positives:

Let's start with what I still love. The GS3 is undeniably a beautiful piece of equipment. Its aesthetic appeal hasn't waned, and the quality of the steam wand remains exceptional – powerful and consistent. The hot water tap is convenient, and the generously sized drip tray is definitely a plus for catching waste.

The allure of pressure profiling is still a major draw. The ability to experiment with 3, 6, or 9 bar pressure opens up fascinating avenues for exploring the nuances of different coffees. The visual feedback from the gauge is engaging for the coffee enthusiast who wants to dial in their extractions precisely.

The Realities of Pressure Profiling (for a Non-Geek?):

However, the sensitivity of the pressure profiling gauge has proven to be quite finicky. I've developed a somewhat awkward technique of applying pressure to the brew head to achieve specific bar levels. It's a delicate dance, and I know other GS3 users have echoed this sentiment, often opting to simply go straight to 9 bar. This leads me to believe that the manual pressure profiling on this model is truly geared towards the dedicated coffee geek who enjoys the intricate details of extraction. If you're not inclined towards this level of experimentation, the AV model of the GS3, with its automatic volumetric brewing, would likely be a more user-friendly choice for the significant extra investment.

The Grinder Upgrade: A Necessity:

One crucial realization I had early on was the necessity of a high-quality grinder to truly appreciate the GS3's capabilities. My initial entry-level grinder simply wasn't allowing me to achieve the nuanced flavor profiles that the GS3 promised. I've since upgraded to the Anfim Best On Demand grinder. This upgrade has been transformative, providing the consistent and precise grind adjustments needed to explore the impact of pressure profiling and temperature changes effectively. Given our commercial use of Anfim SP2 and La Marzocco grinders at Artisti Roastery, this felt like the natural progression to benchmark my home brewing against commercial standards.

The La Marzocco Home App: Hit or Miss?

The integrated La Marzocco Home App offers some handy features, such as remote on/off and temperature adjustments. It's a convenient addition when it connects reliably. However, I've experienced intermittent connectivity issues with my home Wi-Fi, which can be frustrating. Once connected, the basic functionalities work as expected, and the brew reports can offer some insights into your extractions. I'm keen to hear other users' experiences with the app and its long-term utility.

The Unending Thirst (Literally):

Now for my biggest gripe: the water tank. While the flexibility of pressure profiling is fantastic, bypassing water into the drip tray when experimenting with lower pressures means I am constantly refilling the 3-liter tank. It's become a daily frustration, especially first thing in the morning when the tank seems to empty after just a couple of shots (or even just wetting the puck!). The GS3 does come with a plumbing kit, and after three months of this, I wholeheartedly advise anyone considering this machine to plumb it in from day one. The constant refills negate some of the enjoyment of the brewing process. The large drip tray does its job of catching the wasted water, but it doesn't solve the inconvenience of the frequent refills. Our usage statistics in the app show a significant portion of our water usage is simply "water," which likely includes the water bypassed during pressure profiling and hot water dispenses for teas and long blacks.

Steaming and Hot Water:

The steam wand continues to perform admirably, though I've learned to give it a thorough purge to eliminate occasional moisture buildup that can affect milk texture. The hot water tap is also great, and as mentioned, its frequent use for tea and long blacks likely contributes to the water tank depletion.

GS3 vs. Linea Mini: A Reassessment:

In my initial excitement, the GS3 felt like a significant upgrade from the Linea Mini. And in terms of steam pressure and the inherent brewing quality that comes with the La Marzocco name, they are on par. However, after living with the GS3 for three months, if pressure profiling wasn't a key interest, I would unequivocally recommend the Linea Mini over the GS3. The significant price difference primarily buys you the manual pressure profiling capabilities. If you're not planning to actively experiment with and leverage this feature, the Linea Mini will provide an equally exceptional brewing experience without the added cost and the water tank frustrations associated with pressure profiling on the GS3.

Final Verdict (for Now):

Despite the water tank annoyance and the somewhat finicky nature of the manual pressure profiling, I still genuinely love the La Marzocco GS3. It's a powerful and flexible home machine that allows me to brew coffee exactly to my preferences. However, it's crucial for potential buyers to understand the nuances and whether the unique features align with their coffee goals and brewing style.