Mueller Espresso Machine Review: A Worthy Contender?

Does the Mueller Premium Espresso Machine look familiar or is it just that most hybrid espresso machines look like they could be siblings? In today’s Mueller Espresso Machine review, I’ll be dealing with a manufacturer that’s new to me. Have these guys created something to rival other espresso machines with built-in grinders? Let’s find out!

good for beginners

Mueller Espresso Machine

New kid on the block

Sleek design

Simple user interface

Lots of accessories

30 grind settings

Quite bulky

Limited controls

CHECK PRICE

Mueller Espresso Machine Review Overview

When it comes to home espresso machines and drip coffee makers, certain names have the advantage. Plenty of people will opt to buy from Breville or DeLonghi simply because they know these manufacturers can hit a home run. I can’t blame anybody for playing it safe, but a new name doesn’t have to mean a bad one. That’s certainly the case with Mueller Austria. 

Amidst its array of cookware and kitchen appliances, the manufacturer has begun dabbling in espresso machines, including this hybrid semi automatic for $N/A. That may seem like a steep investment for a brand that just joined the ball game. Still, the first impression of this espresso machine with grinder is promising. 

Decked out in sleek stainless steel and black plastic, the Mueller Premium Espresso Machine has plenty of polish to it. The design feels reminiscent of something I’d see from Breville’s lineup, so I’m not complaining. 

This coffee maker is relatively compact for a semi automatic. However, it doesn’t do you any favors with its weight. Though it may look as light as a feather, it clocks in at around 28 pounds (12.7 kilograms). Semi automatics already tend to be on the heavier side, but who needs free weights when you’ve got this machine sitting on the counter? 

And we haven’t even gotten to the nitty-gritty details yet! I’ve got a lot more to say about this coffee maker in my Mueller Espresso Machine review, so stick around. 

Mueller Espresso Machine Features

You should always judge your espresso machine by what’s under the lid, not what’s on top. At least, that’s what I’ve done here in my Mueller espresso machine review. Let’s keep the ball rolling by taking a closer look at the Mueller’s many features.

User Interface

You can judge an espresso machine by one thing that isn’t under the lid – its user interface. Unfortunately, I think the customizable control panel on the Mueller Premium Espresso Machine is not one of its strongest attributes. The interface is navigable, but it’s not as intuitive as I would’ve liked. 

On the far left, you’ve got your power button. Next to that, you’ll find two buttons with coffee beans that represent the dosing size. The middle knob is where you’ll handle the hot water and steam action, which is a bit of a surprise. I’m used to seeing the selector knob near the steam wand. 

On the other side of the knob, there are three more buttons. One allows you to program the machine and the other two deal with dishing out single and double shots. Experienced home baristas might not have any trouble figuring out this panel, but I could see where it might trip some of the newbies up. 

The program button is easy to mistake for some sort of menu option versus what it actually controls – the temperature. Even the single and double-cup buttons could be more clear. Using symbols in place of words may add to the modern appeal, but users should be able to easily discern what those symbols mean. If the user interface requires the instruction manual to translate, it’s not intuitive enough. 

With that said, I’ll end on one thing I do like about this front panel: it’s a touchscreen. The buttons light up when you power on the machine, which means you’ll have no trouble seeing it on those dark winter mornings. 

Bean Hopper

Did you think I’d forget about the bean hopper? Situated on top of the machine, I don’t think there’s any way to miss this component of the Mueller Premium Espresso Machine. Given the rest of the machine’s design, I’m not surprised that Mueller has stuck the hopper on top. 

My only complaint about the bean hopper is that its location may not bode well for saving space on your counter. You may be out of luck if you need to fit this machine under a cabinet. However, that’s the same issue you’d have with any other hybrid machine, including the Breville Barista Express and the DeLonghi La Specialista. Plus, I can’t fault the new guy on the block for taking a few design tips from the big players! 

Looks aside, the hopper is still large enough to store your espresso beans and turns easily when you want to change grind settings. 

Conical Burr Grinder

A bean hopper and a grinder go together like peanut butter and jelly. You can’t have one without the other. At least, not if you want your hybrid espresso machine to be functional. Fortunately, Mueller doesn’t take any shortcuts when it comes to the grinder on this espresso maker. 

Not only is the Mueller Premium Espresso Machine packing a conical burr grinder, it’s equipped with 30 grind settings too. If “conical burr grinder,” sounds like technical gibberish, well … class is in session!

Conical burr grinders allow for less grind size variation as well as more control over that grind size.While there’s some debate over flavor imbalance with conical burr grinders, they’re also the industry standard. Flat burr grinders solve that flavor problem, but they also come with a whole host of their own issues – like more noise and higher heat retention. 

I don’t want to claim that conical burrs are better than flat burrs. However, if a conical burr grinder can satisfy a coffee fanatic like me, it should get the job done for most home baristas!

Tamper

If the whole “semi automatic” thing didn’t clue you in earlier, this Mueller Premium Espresso Machine requires manual tamping. Fortunately, the machine comes with a stainless steel espresso tamper. 

I’d expect nothing less at this price point, but some manufacturers do like to take shortcuts when it comes to accessories. A plastic tamper is functional. Still, I’ve used enough of them in my life to know you’ll eventually need to upgrade to something more substantial. I’m just glad that Mueller is saving us all that extra step. 

Portafilter

I could spend a couple of paragraphs telling you why I prefer bottomless portafilters over those with spouts. Instead, I’ll just tell you that the Mueller Premium Espresso Machine includes both types. 

Regardless of which type of portafilter you prefer, you’ll have both options on hand. Plus, you’ve got four filter baskets – two single-wall and two pressurized. It’s hard to complain about an espresso machine that comes equipped with the essentials. 

Milk Foam

Speaking of essentials, I haven’t forgotten about the steam wand – it’s certainly an essential part of my Mueller Espresso Machine review. As you’d expect, this machine features a manual steam wand. 

Considering its price and that it’s a semi automatic, I would’ve been more surprised to see an automatic steam wand. Really, the only thing of note about this steam wand is its knob. I’m used to seeing the steam knob attached to the side of the espresso machine.

The Mueller machine puts the steam knob smack-dab in the middle of the user interface. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. If nothing else, you won’t forget it’s there! 

Beyond the steam wand, here’s one thing I appreciate about this machine’s milk system: the included milk pitcher. My personal philosophy? When you spend hundreds of dollars on an espresso machine, the only other necessity you should be buying is the espresso beans. 

Boiler

I think I speak for most home baristas when I say that nobody wants to wait ten or fifteen minutes for their espresso machine to preheat. Fortunately, that’s not the case with this Mueller Premium espresso maker. There’s a thermoblock heating system on board, as well as a PID controller to ensure temperature stability.

With a preheating time of 48 seconds, I doubt you’ll have time to even dose the portafilter. Still, it’s not the fastest espresso machine on the block. I’ve seen plenty of other semi automatics that cut their preheating time down to 30 seconds or less. I won’t complain about 18 extra seconds, but I’d be lying if I said this machine was going to win any races. 

Cup Height

Taller doesn’t mean better – unless we’re talking about cup height! You’d expect any espresso machine to have room for espresso cups, but what about your travel mugs or insulated coffee mugs? The good news is that this machine offers plenty of room beneath the spout for tall cups. And if you need more room, you can always take out the removable drip tray. 

Barista Kit

I’m always hesitant to label espresso machines “beginner-friendly” unless they include an ample amount of accessories. Experienced home baristas may already have cleaning supplies or milk pitchers on hand, but beginners might not even know what they need. 

So, when I saw that the folks at Mueller included a barista kit, they only got more points from me. Here’s what you’ll get in the box: 

While it’s not a drastic change from what most semi automatics already include, the stainless steel tamper and milk pitcher are the biggest upgrades. It’s also a nice change to see cleaning tablets you can use for your first descaling. 

Warranty

As durable as an espresso machine might look, a safety net never hurts. That’s exactly what the one year warranty on this machine offers. Granted, most espresso machines don’t include more than a two-year warranty anyway, so it’s not a huge difference. 

How to Use the Mueller Espresso Machine

You’ve gotten this far in my Mueller Espresso Machine review, so it’s time to talk about how to use the thing. Since the interface is fairly intuitive and the machine’s controls are relatively basic, its operation isn’t like rocket science. Unless you’re a complete newbie, I’ll doubt you’ll need to peek at the user manual more than once or twice. 

Before using the machine for the first time, make sure to rinse the water tank and filter baskets. I’d also recommend purging the system by running hot water through the portafilter. While you’re at it, wipe out the bean hopper and purge the steam wand too.

Drink Preparation

For preparing single or double shots, here’s what you’ll need to do: 

If you want to make a cappuccino, espresso macchiato or other milk-based drink, you’ll need to prepare the milk foam before or after making espresso. I’d recommend purging the steam wand beforehand so you aren’t introducing water into the milk pitcher.

Once you’ve done that, submerge the steam wand tip just below the surface of the milk and turn the center dial to the steam position. It’ll take a little practice, but steaming milk is easier than you might imagine!

As for more complicated controls, like programming shot volumes and adjusting water temperature, I’ll leave the details to the user manual. 

Mueller Espresso Machine Cleaning

So, we’ve reached the less fun part of my Mueller Espresso Machine review: cleaning. Or, if you’re as particular about your setup as I am, this may be your favorite part! Either way, I’ll be telling you what you need to know. Here are the don’ts of cleaning: 

If you can manage to avoid the do-nots, you shouldn’t need to worry about voiding your warranty. Anyway, when it comes to actual cleaning and descaling, the Mueller Espresso Machine is relatively low-maintenance. You’ll need to rinse out the bean hopper and water tank from time to time, but some water and a cloth should get the job done. 

To clean the grinding system, you can use the included cleaning brush. Mueller recommends cleaning the grinding system once every two weeks to prevent debris and clogs from damaging or slowing down the grinder. 

As for descaling, you can use the cleaning tablets for this part. As with most espresso machines, you can count on running a cleaning cycle every couple of months. For more detailed directions on descaling, I’ll direct you to the user manual. However, when you eventually run out of Mueller cleaning tablets, there are always alternatives such as the Urnex Cafiza 

Finally, let’s not forget about the steam wand. After you froth milk or use the steam valve, you’ll want to rinse out the wand with some hot water. Then, use the cleaning pin to take care of the steam tube as well as the filters. 

That’s all there is to it! With the barista kit’s cleaning accessories, you should have everything you need to keep your espresso machine in tip-top shape. 

Mueller Espresso Machine Specifications

Mueller Espresso Machine vs Others

My Mueller Espresso Machine review isn’t done until I’ve shown you how it measures up to the competition. Here’s the scoop! 

Mueller Espresso Machine vs DeLonghi La Specialista Arte

If the name seems familiar, it’s because I’ve already mentioned the DeLonghi La Specialista Arte in this review. At $549.95, it represents a little bit of a price jump. 

If you don’t mind manual controls, I’d consider the La Specialista Arte to be a worthy upgrade. It’s more compact, and it has one of my favorite features on semi automatic machines: a pressure dial. Not to mention, the DeLonghi lets you play with your espresso settings a lot more. You can fiddle with temperature settings and even preset recipes. 

While it’s lacking in the grinder department, you’ve still got some room to experiment with eight grind settings. Ultimately, I consider the La Specialista Arte to be the better value here, especially if you’re not a newbie. I suspect most home baristas would grow out of the Mueller Premium Espresso Machine long before they’d grow out of the La Specialista Arte. 

Related: DeLonghi La Specialista Hands-On Review 2024 

Mueller Espresso Machine vs Calphalon Temp IQ

Available for $679.99, the Calphalon Temp IQ With Grinder doesn’t pull any punches with its integrated burr grinder’s 30 grind settings. 

Not to mention, it’s packing a few other impressive features – like PID temperature control and pre infusion. For a mid range espresso machine, those are great to have. Between these two, I’d say there’s almost no area where the Mueller comes in first place besides price. 

Even then, the price difference between these two is minimal enough that I’d recommend you skip takeout one night and grab the Calphalon Temp iQ! 

See Also: Calphalon Temp iQ With Grinder Review 2024

Mueller Espresso Machine vs Others Comparison Chart

Verdict: Mueller Premium Espresso Machine Review

good for beginners

Mueller Espresso Machine

New kid on the block

Sleek design

Simple user interface

Lots of accessories

30 grind settings

Quite bulky

Limited controls

CHECK PRICE

New kids on the block may not have the same advantages that the heavy hitters like Breville or Delonghi do. Still, I’m always willing to give rookies a shot, which is what I’ve done in my Mueller Espresso Machine review. I’d consider the most impressive part of this machine to be its conical burr grinder.  

While it may be affordable, you’ll still find plenty of other semi automatics in this price range packing more sophisticated temperature control, presets and pre infusion settings. That isn’t to say this Mueller machine wouldn’t do well as an entry-level semi automatic.

However, I think most newbies will grow out of it quickly. If you’re someone interested in really experimenting with your espresso, I’m not sure this machine is worth the investment.

Mueller Espresso Machine FAQ