The BlitzHome CM5520 coffee maker offers a conical burr grinder and espresso maker in a compact size, and at an affordable price.
Watch my video about the machine!
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What is this?A semi-automatic, 20 bar pressure espresso coffee machine with a built-in conical burr grinder.
What do you know?It freshly grinds coffee beans, makes hot espresso and cold coffee, and froths milk with a steam wand.
What does it cost?It is available for 53,200 HUF with a coupon code.
BlitzHome CM5520: The “All-in-One” Solution
Az coffee at home His revolution is taking place in silence. The convenience of capsule machines attracted many, but true connoisseurs know: the secret to perfect coffee lies in freshness. To preserve the aromas and oils of the coffee beans, it is essential that the grinding takes place immediately before brewing, and it is even more perfect if the coffee beans are not even unpacked weeks before grinding. It is precisely this “all-in-one” experience that is aimed at BlitzHome CM5520.
The central element of the machine is the built-in, second-generation conical grinder (conical burr grinder). This technology far surpasses cheaper, knife-type grinders, as it provides a uniform grain size , which is the basis for even extraction and full flavor. The icing on the cake is that you can precisely adjust the fineness of the grind., adapting to the type of coffee.
The machine then produces professional, fresh ground coffee. 20 bar pressure makes espresso using. This high pressure guarantees the effective release of oils and aromas, and the rich, thick crema that is the hallmark of a quality espresso.. The water needed for coffee is provided by the large, 1.8 liter, removable water tank.. I'll write it down now, before anyone takes any of my ancestors to task, I also know that you don't need 20 bars to make espresso coffee. I wrote this in the previous coffee maker article, I promise I won't write it again, read it here: We brewed it! Can this budget-friendly BlitzHome CM5105 coffee maker provide a coffeehouse experience?
However the BlitzHome CM5520 it doesn't stop at hot drinks. One of its most unique features is the dual extraction system, which, in addition to the traditional hot espresso, produces a surprisingly smooth, refreshing cold coffee (cold brew). This versatility is a rarity in this price range and allows us to enjoy our favorite coffee drinks regardless of the season.. I'll note that I'm not a fan of cold brew coffee myself, but that's a matter of taste. It's certainly rarer than a white raven in this price range, and that's not much either.
Of course, the milk frother couldn't be left out either; the machine has a very well-functioning steam wand that can be used to create silky, creamy milk foam for cappuccino or latte in seconds.. A modern, large touchscreen provides control , which makes use even more intuitive with a preheating indicator bar.
In this article, I will thoroughly examine how the BlitzHome CM5520 “bean-to-cup” system Can it really live up to the expectations placed on it?
The BlitzHome CM5520: Convincing and surprisingly compact appearance
A BlitzHome CM5520 unmistakably an “all-in-one” grinder coffee maker. Its appearance is relatively modern, but not futuristic, I would rather use the term robust. It is undeniable that the black casing is clean. and the layout is well thought out. The top of the machine is clearly marked by the built-in, second-generation cone grinder above, transparent container for storing coffee beans dominates.
The device is controlled by a large frameless control panel located at the front of the machine. touch screen occurs through. No, don't think of some kind of LCD or TFT display here, there are simple, LED-backlit pictograms on the surface, which of course hide touch-sensitive buttons. It's not too complicated, but it's a spectacular solution. The undeniably mModern-looking interface is extremely intuitive and absolutely free from complicated menus or hidden settings. All functions – such as grinding, single or double espresso, special cold coffee and steaming – available with a single touch. A prominent feature is the “Preheat Progress Bar”, which clearly shows when the machine has reached the optimal temperature (coffee preparation will not start until the entire bar is lit).
Although the machine also has a built-in grinder, the designers placed great emphasis on for compact design. The CM5520 is surprisingly space-saving for its size , dimensions approx. 317 mm deep, 267 mm high and 203 mm wide, and this allowing it to fit comfortably on most average kitchen countersMy own older BlitzHome grinder is a monster in both size and weight compared to the BlitzHome CM5520.
Practical use is facilitated by a large 1.8 liter water tank. This generous capacity is ideal when making several coffees in a row or when several people in the family use the machine, as it does not require refilling every half hour.. The tank, the cone grinder Similar to the drip tray below, it is completely removable , which greatly facilitates charging and daily maintenance. The drip tray also has a red indicator (float) that pops up to indicate when the tray is full..
There is a knob on the left side of the machine that allows you to precisely adjust the fineness of the grind. , up to 20 different levels. There is a place for the filter holder under the grinder. Designers have come up with practical solutions, such as magnetic fastening or with a dosing funnel They ensure that the fresh grind reaches the filter basket directly and without waste.
The steam lever is located on the right side of the machine., which is an essential tool for preparing milky coffee drinks. This is operated by a separate, continuously adjustable knob. helps. This variable steam strength allows the user to experiment and create anything from simple milk froth to silky, pourable microfoam.
BlitzHome CM5520: specification
A BlitzHome CM5520 It clearly represents a higher category, which is also reflected in the technical data. The heart of the machine is also a 1350 W motor. To ensure proper results, the machine is equipped with a high-performance, 20 bar equipped with a pressure pump , which ensures the effective release of coffee oils and the creation of a rich, thick crema (you would write about 20 bars again, but I won't, you can read why above).
The real special feature and central element of the machine is the built-in, second-generation cone grinder (conical burr grinder). This technology guarantees a uniform grind fineness, which is essential for achieving a consistent flavor profile.. The grinder is not just a basic accessory; the user can precisely control the fineness of the grind, according to one source, up to 20 different levels. , allowing you to experiment with different coffee beansI will note here that experimentation will be necessary, but I will describe why in the next chapter.
A BlitzHome CM5520 Its heat management system is also more advanced than its previously tested cheaper sibling. The machine adopts PID intelligent temperature control , which guarantees that the temperature of the water used for extraction remains stable around 92°CThis precision is key to avoiding bitter or sour flavors. The versatility of this system is demonstrated by the machine's unique cold coffee (cold brew) function, which allows you to prepare a completely different type of drink in addition to hot brewing.
Even though a complete grinder was integrated into the machine, its dimensions remained surprisingly compact. According to BlitzHome's official specifications, the machine is 317 mm deep, 267 mm high, and only 203 mm wide. , which according to a Hungarian-language source is also exceptionally narrow (approx. 20 cm). Machine weight 6.3 kg (according to another source 12 pounds, i.e. approx. 5.4 kg) ), which provides sufficient stability on the counter.
Another technical detail is that the filter holder arm (portafilter) has a diameter of 51 mm, which is common in this category.. A milk frother steam lever powerful , and a separate, infinitely adjustable button allows you to control the steam intensity, giving the user complete control over the texture of the milk foam.
BlitzHome CM5520 on the test bench: is the “All-in-One” worth it?
I experimented with the machine for days, and naturally I developed a pretty strong opinion about it. There are advantages, disadvantages, and of course, flaws, which I will try to summarize in a coherent way so that you can decide how suitable this machine is for you.
I'll start by saying that we can get a lot of different types of coffee machines for home use. There are many of them, from a few tens of thousands of forints to many hundreds of thousands of forints, and their capabilities naturally vary significantly. However, we can no longer deny that making coffee with enjoyable value requires less and less of a deep wallet. A machine that can be considered quite professional is already available for 100 thousand forints, and one that also has a normal grinder can be had for 150 thousand (approx.). In addition, the BlitzHome CM5520 costs only a third of that, i.e. approx. 50 thousand forints, and this is no coincidence.
The machine has some very valuable features that are unusual in this price range, to put it mildly, such as the grinder and cold coffee making. But to be honest, I can't list anything more besides these two (which are really not small) advantages, because the BlitzHome CM5520 will be more of an experience for a beginner, and a more experienced coffee maker will avoid it.
The machine is noticeably capable, but I have to start this paragraph with something that I don't consider a positive at all. Moreover, no matter how professional the machine looks, it has a pressure-boosting filter, which usually doesn't indicate professionalism. The pressure-boosting filter provides security for those who don't want or can't deal with fine-tuning the coffee-making process, but still want to feel like they've made an acceptable quality drink. So the lack of a normal filter reveals that this machine could have been made for anyone, but certainly not for professionals.
I think it's a positive thing that for beginners there is an automatic grinding time, which makes about the right amount of ground coffee for one or two doses. It's also a positive thing that the grinding length can be customized, so if you are precise and accurately measure the weight of the ground coffee, you can set very precisely how much coffee you want to use for 1-1 dose of espresso.
Another big plus is that you can adjust the amount of water. Of course, even complete beginners will get a relatively adequate amount of time here, during which approximately the amount of water passes through the machine, which is perfect for one or two cups of coffee. It's also very good that you can customize this time, so you can make the brew longer or thicker depending on your taste.
These are great things, but why don't I consider the machine professional?
One is that the description does not mention the flow meter anywhere. That is, there is a good chance that there is none. The flow meter is needed so that the machine does not determine the amount of water using the operating time, but specifically measures how much water has flowed through the meter. Why is this important? because the density of the cake determines the amount of water flowing through per unit of time. In other words, less water flows through a denser cake in the same amount of time than a loose, poorly tampered cake. This makes it difficult to set the correct amount of water.
My other problem is the lack of a pressure gauge. These affordable home machines cannot adjust the pressure, the pressure depends on the grain size you grind and how much you compress the cake. If the grain size is small, if the ground coffee swells more or less during pre-soaking (yes, it is a positive thing that there is pre-soaking, I forgot to mention that), if you compress the cake more or less, different pressure values are created. And this determines to a large extent the taste and quality of the coffee that comes out.
Without a pressure gauge, you can't control the process, you can't possibly adjust the grind or your hand to make the cake more or less compact. In short, you won't have a shot at how the coffee will be until you taste it. And if you taste it and it turns out to be too burnt or too weak, you won't even know how much you over- or under-pressured it.
Huhh, I hope that was understandable, I didn't overcomplicate it.
So that's all about making coffee, and then a few more words about using it:
In the case of such a machine, cleanability is a particularly important and important issue for me, and that machine did not win my approval in this regard, for several reasons. For example, the part around the tray consists of two pieces, the ground coffee spills into the very thin gaps between the two pieces, it is difficult to clean, specifically you need a vacuum cleaner for that. The other serious problem, in my opinion, is that the coffee container cannot be removed, so it is difficult to clean. I have already had a case (with my own machine) where the grinder got stuck, in which case it is very useful to be able to access the mechanism without the help of a mechanic. Okay, I don't recommend that everyone undertake such an operation, but for me, due to my profession, it is just a kind of finger exercise.
Expect to clean the grinder at all times, because even if you pour all the coffee beans out of the machine's container, there will still be at least two and a half grinds of coffee left in the grinder, which you will need to grind to complete the cleaning!
As with the previous smaller BlitzHome machine, I have to highlight how well the milk frothing works. It's absolutely flawless, and I really appreciate that, as I'm still a big fan of milky coffee drinks!
However, I have one more unpleasant experience for the end of the chapter. There is a good chance that the machine has a solenoid valve, which is responsible for releasing the remaining pressure after making coffee and letting the water and steam into the drip tray. I say there is a good chance that there is one, because there is a small part on the drip tray that extends into the machine housing, this is where the water left in the structure usually ends up in the tray. However, somehow the thing still doesn't work perfectly, because when I remove the portafilter, the coffee grounds are completely soaked (soggy, I can't think of a better word for it), and there is water floating on top. It shouldn't look like this, I should find a relatively dry cake in the filter.
Okay, let's summarize!
BlitzHome CM5520: The final evaluation, so is this a good or bad machine?
In the experience part, I tried not to cover up the problems, based on which many people now give up on the whole thing, saying this machine is crap. And yet it is, because, as I often say (write), the goodness of a piece of equipment, an object, a car, anything, must be compared to its price. If they sold Fords at Ferrari prices, then no one would buy Fords. Does that make Ford make bad cars? Not at all, their cars are just overpriced (if they were at Ferrari prices).
The BlitzHome CM5520 is such a machine. Can we expect it to have the capabilities of a machine worth hundreds of thousands or even just 150 thousand? Obviously not, since they are asking for just 50 thousand forints for it! How much does it give for a price of 50 thousand forints? Extremely much!
The thing is, for this much money, the precise grinding with a conical blade, the preparation of cold coffee, the relatively precise adjustment options are truly unique capabilities. Yes, it is a fact that for those who want to make professional coffee, the lack of a pressure gauge will cause difficulties, for example, but what can you say about that, little money, little football. However, it is undeniable that for 50 thousand strong Hungarian forints, the listed capabilities available in the machine are still considered a luxury!
Who would I recommend buying this machine?
Well, for those who want to make the “brewing” process as simple as possible, the machine has pretty good basic settings, so the amount of ground coffee and the amount of coffee that comes out are both appropriate (or close to it). However, if you are so demanding that you would like to grind fresh coffee, then this machine will be perfect for you.
I also recommend it to those who want to slowly delve deeper into the subject. This machine can be an introduction to a more serious machine if you have fallen in love with truly quality coffee. It won't be easy, but you can slowly achieve a really good coffee experience with it, something that you can't achieve with fully automatic or simple lever coffee makers.
I also recommend it to those who, like me, prefer milky drinks and prefer drinks “served” in a larger mug that you can sip for a long time instead of sipping espresso from a small cup (which is still very enjoyable). The milk frothing in this machine is really excellent!
If you liked it and want one for yourself, or maybe you would like to surprise one of your family members, then the BG56bcc4 ordered from EU warehouse with coupon code 53 200 forintYou can buy it at the link below for a discounted price. Remember, you will need to use the coupon code to get it at this price, so don't be surprised if you see a higher price on the product page at first!
Click here to buy
BlitzHome CM5520 coffee maker
Frequently asked questions about the BlitzHome CM5520 coffee maker
- What is the biggest special feature of the BlitzHome CM5520?
A BlitzHome CM5520 an “all-in-one” grinder coffee maker. With built-in second-generation conical grinder has, so it makes coffee from freshly ground beans ("bean-to-cup"). - Can I use pre-ground coffee in the BlitzHome CM5520 machine?
The machine design is optimized for grinding fresh coffee beans. The user manuals and descriptions emphasize that only coffee beans should be filled into the grinder container, but of course you can put pre-ground coffee in the filter.. - Can the BlitzHome CM5520 really make cold coffee?
Yes! The machine is equipped with a unique dual extraction system , which, in addition to the traditional hot espresso, can also produce a special, refreshing cold coffee (cold brew). - How big is the water tank of the BlitzHome CM5520?
The machine has a particularly large, 1.8 liter removable water tank, which is ideal if you consume a lot of coffee in the household. - How to control BlitzHome CM5520?
The control is a modern, large (800 mm²) frameless touch screen occurs through. The interface is intuitive and features a visual “Preheat Progress Bar” to help you navigate through the process.. - Can the grinder fineness be adjusted on the BlitzHome CM5520 model?
Yes! The built-in cone grinder The fineness can be precisely adjusted with a side knob , according to one source, up to 20 different levels, so it can be perfectly adjusted to the specific coffee bean. - What is the BlitzHome CM5520 milk frother like?
The machine is equipped with a powerful steam lever , whose steam intensity can be regulated with a separate, infinitely adjustable knob, so you can create silky microfoam for latte art. - How much space does the BlitzHome CM5520 take up?
Surprisingly, considering its capabilities (built-in grinder) compact design. One Hungarian-language source highlights that it only takes up 20 centimeters on each side. , the official size is 203 mm width. - What pressure does the BlitzHome CM5520 work with?
A BlitzHome CM5520 also uses a professional 20 bar pump to achieve the perfect taste and crema. - What size portafilter does the BlitzHome CM5520 come with?
The machine is compatible with the 51 mm diameter filter holder arm common in the category.
- Built-in, adjustable fineness conical grinder for fresh coffee
- Dual system: making hot espresso and cold coffee
- Large (1.8L) removable water tank
- Large, intuitive touchscreen with preheat indicator
- Powerful, adjustable steam wand for excellent milk froth
- Professional 20 bar pressure and PID temperature control
- Surprisingly compact, space-saving design for its size
- High quality tamper
- Requires regular and thorough cleaning and maintenance
- The coffee container is not removable.
- Difficult to clean design
- The grinder's wear parts may need to be replaced over time.
