CC1 V 2.0 Semi-Automatic Programmable Espresso Machine

I've only had this machine about two weeks, so if the machine holds up I will increase my overall rating to 5 stars. The machine is very well built and quite heavy. All functions work as advertised, I paid the money as I have had about 5 different machines over the last 20 years or so, recently buying $200 Delonghi's which worked for about 12 to 15 months and then the pumps die, and the cost to repair aren't worth it. I am hopeful this machine lives up to the many reviews that the V1 machine seems to last for a very long time, and when it goes down is repairable as an entry level commercial grade machine, time will tell. So far recommended based upon functionality alone. Durability is yet to be seen, I believe it has two years warranty from Crossland, and I bought I think another two from Amazon.

I purchased a new Crossland CC1 on June 20, 2020. It showed up dead on arrival. I turned it on and got the "SH" light meaning the temperature of the steam boiler was over 230 degrees F. I immediately returned the machine and ordered another brand. Back story: I had owned another CC1 which had died the week before I ordered the new one. It had an "E2" light come on telling me the steam boiler could not reach proper temp. After 5 years of use I gave it the benefit of the doubt. In truth I had had to return the machine twice for repairs during the 5 year life span. So why you might ask would I order a new one? Because I like the features. But really...great features but bad guts. I'll become a tea drinker before I order another Crossland CC1.

If there is an entry level espresso machine that provides more bang for the buck than the Crossland CC1, I sure couldn’t find it. The current $700 price tag (I was fortunate to buy mine when they were $550) is excellent when considering the features, functionality, and build quality. Constructed from stainless steel and weighing about 23 pounds, the Crossland CC1 is as solid feeling as it looks. And despite the tendency that many espresso machines have toward top-heaviness (since pumps are located in the top section), the CC1 possesses excellent balance and I can easily install and remove the portafilter with a single hand without the machine tipping or sliding. It’s a very simple machine that is simple to operate and goes for the minimalist approach with only an on/off rocker switch and a steam valve knob on the side along with two multi-function knob/buttons on the front for program selection and on/off. An easy to read LCD screen completes the clean and uncluttered front panel. The portafilter is a commercial style 58 mm that weighs one pound and possesses brilliant mirror-finish plating. The inside of the CC1 is where it separates itself from other machines that I considered buying in (as well as above) this price range. To begin, the CC1 uses a PID controller rather than a thermostat for accurate and stable water temperatures, which is much needed for pulling consistent shots. The other similarly priced entry level machines I saw with PID contained copious amount of plastic, or they cost hundreds more if they possessed a comparable build quality. Next, in what I believe to be a unique feature (at least I didn’t see another machine with it), is the addition of a thermoblock for the steam function. Like any single boiler machine, the CC1 pulls water from its reservoir to produce steam for milk frothing, but, rather than waiting for the PID to bring the water to steam temperature after pulling a shot, the water is run through the thermoblock to (almost) instantly create steam. It’s a neat trick that mimics a dual boiler or heat exchange machine at a fraction of the cost. And it really works. My longest wait time for steam has been maybe about 10-12 seconds, but most often it is ready as soon as I select the steam function. Now, this setup will not duplicate a dual boiler or heat exchange machine in allowing both brewing and steaming at the same time, but who really does that anyway? It also has a three-way solenoid valve that pulls water from the coffee grounds for a nice, dry, and easy to dump puck. This really is a terrific espresso machine that possesses a lot of value for something that would be categorized as “entry level”. When compared to similar machines like the Gaggia Classic Pro, Rancilio Silvia, and Breville Infuser, the CC1 just seems to bring a little more to the party. The Gaggia Classic Pro (which I did buy and return) is well built, but it’s too top-heavy and the noise and vibrations from the pump are simply unacceptable. The Rancilio Silvia (did not purchase) seems a decent machine, but the iron frame with its propensity for rusting and the fact that it costs an additional $300 (over a $1000) for the PID version makes it a no-go for me. Breville has certainly sold a lot of Infuser models, but plastic in the construction and a thermocoil instead of a boiler also makes it a no-go. The CC1 just ticks all the right boxes for me in regards to build quality, looks, functionality, and cost, and nothing in the past 3 months I have used it have made me think otherwise. Now, the most important aspect for brewing good espresso is a proper and consistent grind, but also having a machine that delivers consistent performance like the CC1 is important as well. I find it very easy to set the pre-infusion and brew times to pull the best tasting espresso I have ever tasted (side note: I roast my own coffee beans).

I have had this machine for about 2.5 years now. I have been very satisfied with its performance overall. However, I started having issues with the machine leaking about 5 months ago. At first I thought maybe I was just spilling water when filling the tank. After refilling it very carefully I realized it was not operator error. So, I removed the top cover and inspected the hoses connected to the boiler. Several of the brass nuts were lose and one hose was almost completely off. I think it is strange that this would happen after 2 years, however, I reconnected the hose and tightened two of the brass nuts and everything was fine. About a month ago the LCD presented error message HH. At first I thought maybe the boiler ran dry and it just needed to be refilled and restarted. However, that is not the case. The HH error message will not go away. I believe the temperature probe is bad and plan on replacing it. Two weeks ago I tried to order the part but it is not in stock. Hopefully the part will be in stock soon and I can replace it and I will be good to go. Maybe I am just unlucky but it seems as though this should not happen. Hopefully I will be able to get the part soon and it will solve the problem and everything will be back to normal. I was very satisfied with the machine up until this point.