SHARDOR CJ-265EB Espresso Machine: A Powerful Yet Easy-To-Use Espresso Machine For Home Baristas

The History and Culture of Coffee

The history of coffee dates back hundreds of years, originating from the highlands of Ethiopia in Africa. Over time, coffee spread widely across the Arabian Peninsula, where it became extensively cultivated and consumed. By the 15th century, coffee had become a significant part of the Islamic world. Entering Europe in the 17th century, it quickly became a symbol of the Renaissance, with coffeehouses emerging as centers for philosophical and enlightenment discussions. Today, coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide, with over two billion cups consumed globally each day.

Making delicious espresso-based drinks is an art that takes practice to master. The SHARDOR CJ-265EB aims to give home baristas the tools they need to craft café-quality beverages with ease. Keep reading this lighthearted review to see if this countertop machine can pump out the pressure and precision required for incredible espresso.

Overview

The SHARDOR CJ-265EB 15 Bar Espresso Machine is a semi-automatic espresso maker with a 15-bar pump pressure and fast Thermoblock heating system. It can produce single or double shots at the touch of a button. The built-in steam wand froths milk manually for making lattes and cappuccinos. Plus, thoughtful design features like the cup warmer and large removable water tank make the workflow smoother.

The Evolution of Espresso Machines

The history of espresso machines dates back to the late 19th century, with the first commercial espresso machine appearing in 1901. Early machines used steam pressure to extract coffee, but this method was difficult to control water temperature and pressure, resulting in inconsistent coffee quality. In the mid-20th century, piston-driven espresso machines emerged, using a manual lever to generate pressure and improve coffee extraction quality. With the advancement of technology, pump-driven espresso machines became popular in the 1960s, providing stable pressure through an electric pump, making espresso preparation more convenient and consistent. Today, espresso machines have evolved into various types, including semi-automatic, fully automatic, and super-automatic, to meet the needs of different users.

Design - Sleek and Compact

The SHARDOR CJ-265EB 15 Bar Espresso Machine has a slim profile with a compact footprint, making it perfect for small kitchen counters. Its matte black exterior gives it a modern, yet understated look. The water tank and drip tray tuck neatly into the body for a streamlined aesthetic. The body of the SHARDOR CJ-265EB is constructed from high-quality stainless steel, ensuring durability and longevity. The choice of materials signifies SHARDOR’s commitment to producing environmentally friendly and sustainable products.

Ease of Use - Fast and Intuitive

This SHARDOR CJ-265EB 15 Bar Espresso Machine delivers piping hot espresso in as little as 30 seconds. The one-touch buttons make it incredibly easy to pull consistent single or double shots. The manual steam wand allows you to texture milk to your liking without a learning curve. The large 0.9-liter water tank reduces the need for frequent refilling. The removable drip tray with a full water level indicator makes cleaning a breeze.

Coffee Quality - Rich Crema and Complex Flavors

Thanks to the 15-bar pressure and PID temperature control, the SHARDOR CJ-265EB 15 Bar Espresso Machine produces espresso with a rich, golden crema layer and robust flavors. Thanks to the PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) temperature control, the SHARDOR CJ-265EB precisely regulates water temperature, ensuring optimal extraction every time. This commercial-grade technology, not always found in home models, guarantees that the coffee’s natural oils and aromas are fully released, while avoiding under or over-extraction.

Brewing Types - Versatile Espresso and Steamed Milk

The SHARDOR CJ-265EB Espresso Machine can brew both single and double shots of espresso using ground coffee. The manual steam wand lets you steam and froth milk for making various coffee drinks, such as cappuccinos, lattes, Americanos, macchiatos, and more.

Ideal Coffee Types - Espresso-Based Drinks

This SHARDOR CJ-265EB 15 Bar Espresso Machine is ideal for brewing shots of espresso as well as milk-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. The 15-bar pressure extracts bold, aromatic espresso. The steam wand produces silky steamed milk for topping drinks. Furthermore, the SHARDOR CJ-265EB is suitable for various coffee beans, whether it’s dark roasted espresso beans or medium roasted single origin beans, they can all be perfectly interpreted on this machine.

How Espresso Machines Work

Espresso machines extract coffee by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely-ground compacted coffee. Factors such as water temperature, pressure, coffee amount, and grind size can all affect the flavor and quality of the espresso. Pump-driven espresso machines use an electric pump to generate high pressure, pushing hot water through the coffee puck to extract the espresso liquid. The steam wand heats up to produce steam, which is used to froth milk for making drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.

Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines

Semi-automatic espresso machines are a type of coffee maker that combines manual and automatic functions. They use an electric pump to provide consistent pressure for coffee extraction, but the user manually controls the grinding, tamping, and extraction time. This type of machine offers greater flexibility and control, allowing users to adjust the flavor and strength of their coffee to their liking. Semi-automatic machines are also relatively easy to operate, making them suitable for both beginners and experienced coffee enthusiasts.

Smart Features and Customizability

While the SHARDOR CJ-265EB Espresso Machine is not a fully automated smart device, it offers a level of user customizability that stands out in its class. Users can choose between single or double shots, adjust the steam wand for milk frothing, and even experiment with different coffee strengths by varying the amount of coffee used. This semi-automatic espresso machine strikes a perfect balance between hands-on control and ease of use, allowing coffee enthusiasts to fine-tune their brewing process to match their personal taste preferences. Notably, the SHARDOR CJ-265EB features a double pre-infusion system. Before the actual extraction, it pre-wets the coffee grounds under low pressure, allowing the coffee grounds to fully release their aroma, thereby enhancing the taste of the coffee.

The double pre-infusion system is a highlight of the SHARDOR CJ-265EB, which involves pre-wetting the coffee grounds under low pressure before the actual extraction. This helps in more evenly extracting the flavors, enhancing the overall taste and aroma of the coffee, ensuring that each cup meets professional standards.

Pressure - 15 Bar Pump

The 15-bar pressure produces cafe-style espresso with a rich crema layer and robust flavor. This high pressure improves extraction compared to lower bar machines. When making espresso, 15 bar pressure is the optimal choice, as it strikes the perfect balance between flavor extraction and oil emulsification, ensuring that each cup of coffee has a rich aroma and mellow taste.

Heating and Temperature Maintenance

The SHARDOR CJ-265EB Espresso Machine is equipped with an advanced Thermoblock heating system that ensures rapid and consistent heating, allowing you to enjoy your espresso without long waits. Moreover, the integrated cup warming feature on the machine’s top keeps your cups at the ideal temperature, ensuring that your coffee remains hot and flavorful from the first sip to the last. This attention to temperature details highlights SHARDOR’s dedication to delivering a superior coffee-drinking experience.

PID Temperature Control - Ensuring Optimal Extraction

PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) temperature control is a critical feature for any espresso machine, aimed at maintaining precise water temperature throughout the brewing process. This control mechanism is vital for extracting the full flavor profile of the coffee, avoiding under or over-extraction. By ensuring the water is at the optimal temperature, PID technology helps in achieving a consistent and flavorful espresso shot every time.

NTC Intelligent Temperature Control System

The NTC intelligent temperature control system precisely controls the water temperature to ensure stability throughout the extraction process. This is crucial for coffee extraction as even slight temperature variations can affect the flavor. NTC control ensures that every cup of coffee is extracted at the optimal temperature for the best taste and aroma.

Double Pre-infusion Function

The double pre-infusion function is a highlight of the SHARDOR CJ-265EB. Before the actual extraction, it pre-wets the coffee grounds under low pressure, allowing them to fully release their aroma and enhance the coffee’s taste.

51mm Portafilter

The 51mm portafilter is the standard size for commercial espresso machines and can hold more coffee grounds for a richer coffee flavor. The SHARDOR CJ-265EB’s portafilter is made of food-grade stainless steel, offering excellent thermal conductivity and durability, ensuring even and stable coffee extraction.

Permanent Filter

The permanent filter is not only environmentally friendly but also eliminates the need for disposable paper filters, saving costs. It is made of stainless steel, durable, easy to clean, and can be used for a long time.

Dual Boiler System

The dual boiler system is a major feature of the SHARDOR CJ-265EB. It is equipped with two independent boilers, one for coffee extraction and the other for steam generation. This design ensures optimal temperature stability and performance, allowing users to simultaneously make coffee and steam milk without affecting each other’s temperature and quality.

Double Shot Capability

The double shot function allows you to make two espressos simultaneously, perfect for sharing with friends or family. With just a press of a button, you can make two cups of aromatic coffee in a short time, saving time and effort.

Milk Frothing - Manual Steam Wand

The manual steam wand allows you to texture milk with varying amounts of foam and froth. The wand must be submerged properly to achieve high-quality, creamy froth.

Mastering the Manual Steam Wand
The art of milk frothing with a manual steam wand requires patience and practice. For the perfect froth, always use cold milk and a chilled pitcher. Start by submerging the tip of the wand just below the milk surface to introduce air, then lower the pitcher gradually to incorporate the air and heat the milk simultaneously. This technique helps in creating that rich, creamy froth ideal for lattes and cappuccinos.

Water Tank - 0.9 Liter Capacity

The 0.9-liter water tank allows brewing 3-4 drinks before needing a refill. It’s removable for easy filling under the tap. The water tank is equipped with a water level indicator, allowing users to easily check the water level.

Removable Drip Tray

The removable drip tray design makes it easy for users to clean and maintain. The drip tray also has a water level indicator so users can easily check the water level and avoid overflow.

Cleaning - Removable Parts

The water tank, drip tray, portafilter, and steam wand are all detachable and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. The metal body can be wiped down as needed.

Noise Level Consideration

The operation noise level of the SHARDOR CJ-265EB Espresso Machine is comparable to other machines in its category, producing a moderate sound while brewing and frothing. This makes it suitable for home use, where a quieter operation is often preferred, ensuring that your morning coffee routine is as peaceful as it is flavorful.

Safety - BPA Free Materials

The water tank and parts touching coffee and milk are BPA-free. The body doesn’t heat on the outside for safety.

Power - 1300W

With a 1300W power output, it brews faster than lower wattage machines. The cord length is 2.5 feet.

Brand

SHARDOR is a coffee equipment brand that offers affordable, user-friendly machines for home use. Their products aim to bring café-style drinks into the comfort of your kitchen. SHARDOR’s vision is to make high-quality coffee accessible to everyone, and its mission is to continuously enhance the home coffee experience through innovation and user-friendly design.

Ideal Use Cases

The SHARDOR CJ-265EB 15 Bar Espresso Machine is ideal for home baristas who want to level up their espresso-making game. It has the power and features to produce consistent espresso and milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. This machine shines in home kitchens, offices, dorm rooms - anywhere you want barista-quality coffee at the touch of a button. Whether you’re a coffee novice or an experienced enthusiast, this machine can cater to your needs.

Value

For an affordable super-automatic espresso machine, the SHARDOR CJ-265EB 15 Bar Espresso Machine packs an impressive punch. The 15-bar pressure extracts flavorful shots comparable to specialty cafes. Temperature precision usually found in pricier models ensures drink consistency. For home baristas seeking quality espresso on a budget, this machine delivers excellent value.

Conclusion

With high pressure, smart temperature regulation, and easy workflow, the SHARDOR CJ-265EB 15 Bar Espresso Machine empowers home baristas to craft consistent espresso drinks. Its durability and thoughtful features punch above its budget price point. For espresso enthusiasts seeking more control in a countertop machine, the SHARDOR CJ-265EB Espresso Machine hits the mark.