Owning the Expobar Office Control The Expobar Office Control had us like “Control is right!” This unique heat-exchanger is an automatic espresso machine that has four programmable buttons and one manual button. We think the programmability aspect is a game changer, especially at the pricepoint. It allows any user, regardless of skill level, to brew a volume-specific shot at the press of a button, perfect for the entertainer or office kitchen. We also love that Expobar doesn’t give us something flashy and skimp on the other details. Just like on the Pulser, the Control boasts 360° rotating steam and hot water wands, a commercial chrome-plated brass portafilter, and their reimagined E61 group head. A traditional E61 syphons hot water through the brew circuit to ensure the brew water always retains its temperature, and Expobar’s adds to that by integrating a concave pre-infusion chamber to soak the grounds prior to brewing and aid in the extraction. The same applies internally, with the Control’s safety switches, electronic boiler control and commercial-grade components. All of which is to say, this machine is as high-quality as it is forward-thinking. Using the Control is as easy as it gets. You can brew manually as you would on any other heat-exchanger, or press one of the four volumetric buttons programed to dispense a preset amount of water through your coffee with the push of a button. A passively-heated cup warmer keeps cups at the ready for the indicator light to signal it’s go time. With all its great features and compact footprint, the Control would serve any barista or espresso-layman well at home or in the office. Also part of Expobar’s Office Line are the Pulser, which is similar in looks and operation to the Control sans programmable buttons, and the Office Lever, which offers larger capacities and all over stainless construction, as well as an option to plumb the machine into a water line with the Office Lever Plus model.
