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For those who love espresso, there is no tolerance for a bad cup of coffee. For caffeine addicts, the quality of the espresso machine is essential to the necessary cup of joe. Each Astoria espresso machine is heralded as a budget-friendly investment in exceptional espresso for years to come. In this article, we will review the Astoria Gloria Level Piston AL2 2 Group Espresso machine and discuss its pros and cons. To further this review, we will compare the Gloria model to other Astoria espresso machine models so you can gain a comprehensive view of the espresso machine market.
The Astoria brand is based in Italy and focuses on providing commercial espresso machines at reasonable prices. The Astoria espresso machine is known for longevity and exceptional espresso, and we hope that our review of some of their well-known models is helpful in your next commercial-brand espresso machine selection.
What Is the Astoria Gloria Lever Piston AL2 2 Group Espresso Machine?
The Astoria Gloria Espresso machine is an easy-to-use espresso machine with a high wattage heating element, a large, single steam boiler, a very small recovery time, and heat exchangers. It is capable of withstanding the intense pressure of your busy restaurant or coffee shop, and it is known as a “workhorse.” Baristas can work quickly with this machine, and the lever-operated machine will be the right hand to your busy staff handling a high volume of customers.
Product Specs
This Astoria espresso machine has turn style steam knobs, a single boiler system, lever operated groups, and included connecting hoses. The Astoria Gloria Group 2 has a 10.5 L boiler capacity, 2600/4000 wattage heating element, and weighs about 160 pounds. You can purchase this model in black/stainless steel.
Pricing
The Astoria Gloria Espresso Machine varies in price, depending on the Group that you choose, the electrical configuration, the color, and any upgrade options that you opt for. Upgrade options include adding an auto-steam function and purchasing cool-touch steam wands, which are customizable upon request. The cost of the Astoria Gloria Lever Piston AL2 2 Group Espresso Machine is about $5,900.
How It Compares
We picked a few similar Astoria espresso machines available on the market to see how they compare.
Astoria Sabrina Electronic Automatic 2 Group Espresso Machine
Astoria Perla Semi Automatic 2 Group Espresso Machine
Astoria Plus 4 You SAE 3 Group Automatic Espresso Machine
Astoria Gloria Lever Piston AL2 2 Group Espresso Machine
Price $$
Ease of Use ***
This Astoria espresso machine is easy to use with its lever operated groups and turn style knobs. It is not automatic, which prevents it from being programmable and making it easier for baristas to perform other tasks while the machine is hard at work. We have rated it as 3 out of 5 stars for its easy-to-use levers and knobs along with its missing automatic features.
Features ****
The Astoria Gloria Lever Piston AL2 2 Group Espresso Machine weights about 160 pounds (300 pounds when shipped), it has 110 volt/21.7 amps, NEMA L5-30P, is 31.5″ by 23″, and has a boiler capacity of about 10 L. It does not have a water filter included, and a professional will need to install the machine and connect it to a water filtration system. It works with a push-button ignition that ignites the powerful gas heating system, allowing it to operate without electricity when connected to direct water. We have rated this section as having 4 stars out of 5.
Design Quality ****
This Astoria espresso machine model is advertised as providing 100% customer satisfaction. The two groups on the machine allow for baristas to make multiple cups of coffee at the same time, and staff can operate the machine easily with the knobs and levers. Further, its powerful gas heating system allows the machine to operate without electricity when connected directly to water. We have given this machine 4 out of 5 stars for its design quality.
Warranty ***
This Astoria Espresso machine comes with a twelve-month parts warranty and a three-month labor warranty. We have rated this as 3 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Easy-to-use levers and turn-style knobs
- Powerful gas heating system, can operate without electricity when connected to water
- Two groups for coinciding coffee creation at one time
Cons
- Not automatic and not programmable
- Not a long warranty
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No included water filter
Astoria Sabrina Electronic Automatic 2 Group Espresso Machine
This Astoria espresso machine has an alluring design with distinct, soft lines, bold chrome features, and neon-style lighting. It is an automatic espresso machine with a touch screen display, six programmable volumetric buttons, cool-touch steam wands, raised group heads, and preinfusion technology. It enables fast workflow with its group heads that allow baristas to pull shots directly into big cups. This 2 group machine is perfect for a medium-volume cafe, and it has a wireless remote for side-panel lights, a plastic tamper, USD programming key, a drain hose, and a portafilter.
Price $$$
The Astoria Sabrina SAE Display Automatic Espresso Machine costs between $8,000 and $10,600. The cost depends on which group you select, the color, and the upgrade options. The Group 2 machine is about $8,900.
Ease of Use *****
This Astoria Espresso machine is very easy to use with the 6-dose touch-pad, its manual switch for semiautomatic brewing, its automatic water refill, and its automatic hot water creation. It also has an electronic cup warmer, a built-in motor pump, white lights on the side panels, and ergonomic chromed filter holders. We have given this model 5 out of 5 stars for its semiautomatic brewing, its automatic water refill, its automatic hot warmer, and its back-lit 6-dose touch-pad.
Features ****
The Astoria Sabrina Electronic Automatic 2 Group Espresso Machine has a 3900 watt heating element, a 9.2 quart boiler size, a built-in motor pump, and the option to upgrade to include an autosteamer in the purchase. It requires industry professional installation, and it weighs about 180 pounds (about 215 pounds when shipped). We have rated it as 4 out of 5 stars for its advanced features.
Design Quality *****
The Astoria Sabrina model is inspired by the vintage style of the 1960s and is designed to be elegant, reliable, and high-quality in its performance. It uses advanced technology to provide versatility for busy baristas, and it yields professional character within a refined outward style of elegance. We have given it 5 out of 5 stars for its mixture of reliability and productivity with elegance and style.
Warranty ***
This Astoria Espresso machine comes with a twelve-month parts warranty and a three-month labor warranty. We have rated this as 3 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Elegant and stylish design
- 6-dose touch-pad
- Semiautomatic brewing and automatic water refill
Cons
- More expensive model
- Not a long warranty
- Autosteamer upgrade not available with initial purchase, requires additional investment
Astoria Perla Semi Automatic 2 Group Espresso Machine
Astoria’s Perla semi-automatic espresso machine is convenient, affordable, and easy-to-use. It uses thermocompensated group heads and preinfusion technology with a singular button to start and stop the brewing process. This allows each barista to have freedom in controlling each shot while also being able to multi-task with the semi-automatic controls of the Perla model. The 2 group is best for low to medium volume cafes or restaurants.
Price $$
The Astoria Perla Espresso machine ranges in price from about $3,800 to $6,300, depending on the group option and color. The 2 group model costs about $5,900.
Ease of Use *****
The Perla model is convenient and reliable. It uses a heat exchange boiler, preinfusion technology, and a hot water dispenser. It is easy to operate with a backflush screen and a single button to operate the brewing process. This is a great machine option for baristas that do not want a fully automatic machine with little control over each shot but want some automatic functioning so they can better multi-task. We have given it 5 out of 5 stars for its semi-automatic nature and its provided convenience and ability for control.
Features ****
The Astoria Perla Semi-Automatic 2 Group Espresso Machine has 2 double portafilters and 1 single portafilter, one backflush screen, one 54mm plastic tamper, additional 4″ legs, an included water line, an included drain hose, and a 4 mm restrictor. It has a 10.5 L boiler capacity, and it weighs about 150 pounds. It has a 4,000 watt heating element, and it has a 2.5 inch drain hole. For all of its features, we have given the Perla model 4 out of 5 stars.
Design Quality *****
The Perla model has turn-style steam knobs, and it is constructed out of an electroplated steel frame without welding. The body of the machine is made from baked enamel steel, and it is available in burgundy or stainless steel. It has 4 programmable, volumetric dosing touchpads, and it has a powerful heating element that can supply a constant flow of dry team for quick espresso preparation. We have given it 5 out of 5 stars for its design and latest ergonomic features.
Warranty ***
This Astoria Espresso machine comes with a twelve-month parts warranty and a three-month labor warranty. We have rated this as 3 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- 4 programmable, volumetric dosing touchpads
- Semi-automatic machine
- Turn-style steam knobs
Cons
- Not a long warranty
- Professional installation and water filtration required
- No volumetric buttons in lieu of 1 operating button
Astoria Plus 4 You SAE 3 Group Automatic Espresso Machine
The Astoria Plus 4 You Automatic 3 Group Espresso Machine is Astoria’s “flagship machine” that uses energy saving technology and incorporates technical care and control with its efficient software. It uses patented software to perform intense amounts of espresso production and only operate in the functions that the barista needs. It reduces energy consumption by 47% and operates with a backflush screen and an Astoria aluminum tamper with a wooden handle.
Price $$$
The Astoria Plus 4 You SAE 3 Group Automatic Espresso Machine machine ranges in price from about $9,800 to $15,000, depending on the group option and color. The 3 group model can cost about $15,000 on Amazon or about $12,000 on Prima’s Coffee Equipment website.
Ease of Use *****
It uses a multi-boiler system with individual brew boilers. It functions with electronic temperature control of boilers and group heads. It has raised group heads for oversized cups. It has an electronic display, 6 programmable, volumetric dosing touchpads, and it uses preinfusion technology and turn-stye steam knobs. It also has a cup warmer and an electronic steam and group boiler controls. We have given it 5 out of 5 stars for its ease of use that validates its “flagship” status.
Features *****
Design Quality *****
The Astoria Plus 4 You Automatic Espresso Machine is designed with a greenline energy saver, and it has an auto wash cycle. It uses a hot water dispenser and cool-water mixing valve. It is available in red/black or white/chrome. It also has barista downlights, and you can upgrade your purchase and buy cool-touch steam wands. We have rated the design quality as 5 out of 5 stars for its impressive design and energy saving functions.
Warranty ***
This Astoria Espresso machine comes with a twelve-month parts warranty and a three-month labor warranty. We have rated this as 3 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Reduces energy consumption by up to 47%
- Multi-boiler system with individual brew boilers
- Electronic temperature control of boilers and group heads
Cons
- Not a long warranty
- Expensive model
- Upgrade option for Cool-touch steam wands requires an additional purchase
Conclusion
If you are looking for a commercial-style espresso device, you cannot go wrong with an Astoria espresso machine. The model that you purchase depends on what you prioritize: budget, control, automatic functions, an electronic display screen, or another variable. Overall, we have rated the originally reviewed Astoria Gloria Lever Piston AL2 2 Group Espresso Machine as 3 out of 5 stars for its reliability and convenience.
We recommend the Gloria model option if you are looking for ultimate control over every cup of coffee that you create. If you are seeking something highly convenient and easy to use, we recommend one of the semi-automatic or automatic options described above: the Perla Semi-automatic model, the Sabrina automatic model, or the Plus 4 You Automatic model. Whichever you choose, we hope that you soon have excellent espresso at your fingertips from your new Astoria espresso machine.
