The Sage Precision Brewer Filter Coffee Machine

Description

After extensive testing in our coffee lab, we can confidently say that the Sage Precision Brewer stands out as the most versatile and capable filter coffee machine for the majority of coffee enthusiasts.

While our testing process involves dozens of brewers, this particular machine impressed our team of certified baristas with its exceptional balance of precision and convenience.

Features and Benefits

* Maximum Capacity: Brews up to 1.7L of coffee
* Premium Construction: Stainless steel insulated carafe
* Brewing Flexibility: Multiple pre-set programmes plus customisable “My Brew” setting
* Filter Compatibility: Accommodates personal filter brewers (Kalita, Orea, V60 and others)
* Temperature Stability: PID temperature control
* Smart Detection: Recognises small cup volumes for single servings
* Versatile Functionality: Includes cold brew setting

What sets the Precision Brewer apart in our testing is its remarkable ability to replicate the nuanced control of manual brewing in an automated format.

Rather than simply being another filter coffee machine, we found it functions more like an automated pourover system.

Unlike standard filter coffee machines that simply dispense hot water into a filter basket, the Precision Brewer offers the same level of control you’d expect from manual pourover methods.

Whether you prefer V60, Orea, or Kalita Wave, this machine can match those brewing parameters – and as coffee professionals, we particularly appreciate that you can even swap in your preferred manual brewer.

The customisation options on this machine are brilliant. Our team particularly appreciates the PID-controlled temperature system, which delivers outstanding precision and stability. You can fine-tune every aspect of your brew, from the blooming phase to the flow rate. For those who prefer a more straightforward approach, the “gold” setting automatically configures everything to SCA standards.

After extensive testing, we can confidently say this is an exceptional coffee maker. While it’s not entirely without fault, its shortcomings are minor rather than major concerns.

The fixed water tank stands out as our primary gripe. We’ve discussed this at length during our testing sessions, and none of our team members can fathom why Sage opted for this design choice. It seems particularly puzzling given that no professional would consider a fixed tank acceptable on an espresso machine.

Our second small frustration centres around the gold setting’s opacity. We would have loved to see Sage provide detailed information about the specific bloom times, volumes, brew temperatures, and flow rates used in this preset. This information would have been invaluable for fine-tuning our personal recipes using the ‘my brew’ function.

Better yet, we believe making the gold setting programmable would have been ideal. Based on our experience in coffee competitions and training, we know the SCA understands that brewing parameters often need adjusting to match different coffees and personal preferences. The ability to modify, save, and reset these settings to factory defaults would have been a welcome addition.

The machine’s noise level might surprise some users. The vibration pump, particularly during the final stages of brewing, produces sound levels comparable to typical espresso machines with similar pump systems.

However, let’s be clear – these critiques shouldn’t overshadow the Precision Brewer’s tremendous strengths. The features that shine truly sparkle!

For an exhaustive analysis of this brewer’s capabilities, check out our complete review: