Neretva PE3650U Coffee Machine: A Fully-Featured Home Espresso Maker

Coffee Culture and History

Coffee is not just a beverage but also a bond that connects people, reflecting lifestyles and values ​​of different cultures and societies. Since its origin in the highlands of Ethiopia, coffee has spread rapidly worldwide, becoming an indispensable part of people’s lives. From the coffee culture in Italy to the coffee rituals in Turkey, coffee plays an important role in different cultures, symbolizing socialization, leisure, and enjoyment. The history of coffee is full of legends and stories, with each type of coffee having rich cultural connotations and historical origins.

Neretva has been a trusted name in the coffee industry for over two decades, known for its commitment to quality and innovation. The Neretva PE3650U 20 Bar Espresso Coffee Machine is the latest addition to our lineup, combining cutting-edge technology with user-friendly design to deliver an exceptional coffee experience at home. Whether you prefer a strong espresso or a creamy cappuccino, our machine is designed to meet your needs with precision and reliability. Join the thousands of satisfied customers who have made Neretva their go-to choice for coffee appliances.

Overview

The Neretva PE3650U is an all-in-one automatic espresso machine for home use. It incorporates a 58mm stainless steel portafilter, a 200g bean hopper with built-in conical burr grinder, and steam wand for frothing milk. With a 20-bar Italian pump, it can extract rich, flavorful espressos to blend milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. The Neretva PE3650U 20 Bar Espresso Coffee Machine’s strongest selling point is its comprehensive functionality paired with simple operation—enabling café-caliber drinks at home.

Key Features - Espresso Excellence, Simplified

• Commercial-Grade Components: 58mm stainless steel portafilter and 20-bar Italian pump for café-quality results.
• Integrated Burr Grinder: Freshly grinds beans with 30 adjustable settings for optimal flavor extraction.
• Automated Steam Wand: Effortlessly froths milk for creamy lattes and cappuccinos.
• Intuitive LCD Display: User-friendly interface with programmable settings for personalized brewing.
• Smart Heating System: Ensures consistent water temperature for optimal extraction.

Espresso: The Heart of Coffee Culture

Espresso, often hailed as the soul of Italian coffee culture, is a concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely-ground coffee beans. This method of extraction yields a rich, flavorful shot with a characteristic crema—a golden-brown layer of emulsified oils on top. Espresso serves as the base for a wide array of coffee drinks, from the classic cappuccino and latte to the more elaborate macchiato and Americano. Its versatility and bold flavor have made it a beloved beverage worldwide, and its preparation is considered an art form by many coffee aficionados. The Neretva PE3650U, with its advanced features and precision engineering, is designed to help you master this art and create café-quality espresso drinks in the comfort of your own home.

Market Comparison

The Neretva PE3650U stands out in the crowded market with its all-in-one capabilities. Compared to other home espresso machines like the Breville Barista Express or the Gaggia Classic Pro, the PE3650U offers similar features but at a more affordable price point. Its 20-bar Italian pump is on par with high-end machines, ensuring that the coffee extraction rivals that of professional café machines. Additionally, its built-in grinder with adjustable settings is not commonly found in other machines at this price range, making it a superior choice for home baristas looking for quality and affordability.

Design - Scandinavian Simplicity Meets Functionality

The Neretva PE3650U embodies the essence of Scandinavian design, emphasizing clean lines, minimalism, and functionality. Its all-white exterior exudes a bright, uncluttered aesthetic that complements any kitchen décor. The machine’s housing, crafted from durable polycarbonate plastic, ensures both longevity and a lightweight build, weighing in at just 8.22 kg. With its compact dimensions of 12.7” x 13.5” x 15”, the PE3650U fits seamlessly on your countertop, making it a practical and stylish addition to your home coffee bar.

Ease of Use - Brewing Made Effortless

The Neretva PE3650U is designed with the user in mind, making the art of espresso brewing effortless and enjoyable. Its intuitive LCD panel features clear icons for each operation, guiding you through the brewing, grinding, and steaming process with ease. Programmable buttons allow you to save your preferred settings for single or double shots, ensuring your coffee is always brewed to your liking. The automatic tamping function eliminates the guesswork, ensuring consistent pressure on the coffee grounds for optimal extraction. With the PE3650U, you can enjoy café-quality coffee at home without the need for barista skills.

Coffee Quality - The Science of Deliciousness

The Neretva PE3650U doesn’t just brew coffee; it crafts a sensory experience. The integrated conical burr grinder ensures your beans are ground to perfection moments before brewing, preserving their delicate aromas and oils. This meticulous grinding process, combined with the machine’s precise mechanical control, guarantees a consistent grind size, a crucial factor in achieving optimal extraction and a rich, velvety crema. The PE3650U’s 20-bar pressure pump, a hallmark of professional espresso machines, extracts every nuance of flavor from your coffee grounds, resulting in a full-bodied, aromatic brew that rivals your favorite coffee shop.

Brewing Types - Versatility at Your Fingertips

The Neretva PE3650U isn’t confined to a single brewing style; it’s a versatile machine that caters to your every coffee whim. Whether you prefer the convenience of pre-ground coffee or the freshness of whole beans, this machine has you covered. Its professional-grade 58mm stainless steel portafilter, a staple in high-end cafes, ensures optimal extraction, while the commercial 20-bar Italian pump delivers the pressure needed to unlock the full spectrum of flavors from your chosen coffee. From a robust single or double espresso to a velvety cappuccino or latte, the PE3650U empowers you to explore and enjoy a wide range of coffee creations.

Suitable Coffee Drinks - Your Home Café Awaits

With the Neretva PE3650U, your home transforms into a bustling café, ready to serve your favorite coffee creations. Craving a classic espresso? The PE3650U delivers a rich, concentrated shot with a beautiful crema. Fancy a creamy cappuccino or a smooth latte? The machine’s built-in steam wand effortlessly froths milk to perfection, allowing you to craft these beloved beverages with ease. But why stop there? The PE3650U’s versatility extends to a wide range of specialty coffee drinks, from the invigorating Americano to the indulgent mocha. With this machine, your coffee options are limited only by your imagination.

Coffee Beans - The Essence of Your Brew

Coffee beans, the heart and soul of your morning cup, are as diverse as the cultures that cherish them. Primarily, there are two main types: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica, grown in high-altitude regions, is known for its nuanced flavors, ranging from fruity and floral to chocolatey and nutty. Robusta, on the other hand, thrives in lower altitudes and boasts a higher caffeine content, lending a bolder, more bitter taste to your brew. The choice between these beans, or a blend of both, depends on your personal preference. But the journey doesn’t end there. The origin of the beans, the roasting process, and even the grind size all play a crucial role in shaping the final flavor profile of your coffee. With the Neretva PE3650U’s adjustable grind settings, you have the power to experiment and discover the perfect combination for your palate.

Features - From Bean to Cup, a Symphony of Flavor

The Neretva PE3650U is not just a coffee machine; it’s a symphony of flavor, orchestrating a perfect cup of coffee from bean to cup. Its 58mm professional-grade stainless steel portafilter ensures a consistent and even extraction, while the 200g bean hopper and integrated conical burr grinder with 30 grind settings allow you to customize your grind for the ultimate taste experience. The powerful 20-bar Italian pump extracts the coffee’s full essence, delivering a rich, aromatic brew with a velvety crema. The automated steam wand transforms milk into a silky microfoam, perfect for crafting lattes and cappuccinos. And to ensure your coffee is always at its best, the PE3650U features a smart 3-layer heating system that maintains a consistent temperature throughout the brewing process.

Working Principle - The Science Behind the Perfect Cup

The Neretva PE3650U operates on the principle of pressure extraction, a process that involves forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans under high pressure. The machine’s 20-bar Italian pump generates the ideal pressure to extract the coffee’s full flavor profile, including its delicate aromas, oils, and soluble compounds. The water temperature, a critical factor in coffee extraction, is precisely controlled by the PE3650U’s smart 3-layer heating system, ensuring optimal extraction without burning the coffee grounds. The duration of the extraction, also known as the “shot time,” is another key variable that affects the taste of your espresso. With the PE3650U, you can experiment with different grind sizes, water temperatures, and shot times to discover the perfect combination for your taste preferences.

Pre-infusion - Awakening the Coffee’s Soul

The Neretva PE3650U incorporates a pre-infusion function, a feature often found in high-end espresso machines. This process involves a brief, gentle flow of water over the coffee grounds before the full 20-bar pressure is applied. This pre-infusion helps to evenly saturate the coffee bed, allowing for a more uniform extraction and a more balanced flavor profile. It also helps to release trapped gases, which can otherwise create channeling and lead to uneven extraction. By incorporating pre-infusion, the PE3650U elevates the brewing process, ensuring that every nuance of flavor is extracted from your coffee beans.

Temperature Control - The Key to Flavor Consistency

The Neretva PE3650U employs a sophisticated PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controller to maintain precise water temperature throughout the brewing process. This technology ensures that the water reaches and stays at the optimal temperature for espresso extraction, typically between 195°F and 205°F. Consistent water temperature is crucial for achieving a balanced and flavorful espresso. Too hot, and the coffee can taste burnt; too cold, and it can taste sour and underdeveloped. The PE3650U’s PID controller eliminates these inconsistencies, delivering a consistently delicious espresso every time.

Pressure - The Force Behind Flavor Extraction

The Neretva PE3650U’s 20-bar Italian pump is the powerhouse behind its exceptional brewing capabilities. This high pressure is not just a number; it’s a force that unlocks the full potential of your coffee beans. By forcing hot water through the coffee grounds at 20 times atmospheric pressure, the PE3650U ensures a thorough and even extraction, drawing out the nuanced flavors, oils, and aromas that make espresso so captivating. This level of pressure, often found in professional-grade machines, results in a richer, more full-bodied espresso with a thick, velvety crema. The PE3650U’s pressure gauge allows you to monitor the extraction process, ensuring you achieve the perfect balance of pressure and flavor for your ideal cup of coffee.

58mm Stainless Steel Portafilter - The Barista’s Touch

The Neretva PE3650U boasts a 58mm stainless steel portafilter, a hallmark of professional espresso machines. This larger size allows for a more even distribution of water across the coffee grounds, resulting in a balanced extraction and a richer, more flavorful espresso. The portafilter’s ergonomic design ensures a comfortable grip and easy handling, making it a joy to use for both novice and experienced baristas alike.

Smart Heating System - Precision Temperature Control

The PE3650U’s smart 3-layer heating system is the key to its consistent brewing performance. This innovative system rapidly heats the water to the optimal temperature for espresso extraction and maintains that temperature throughout the brewing process. This ensures that every shot is extracted at the perfect temperature, resulting in a balanced and flavorful espresso. The heating system also preheats the cups, ensuring that your coffee stays hot for longer.

Intuitive LCD Display - Brewing with Confidence

The PE3650U’s user-friendly interface puts you in control of your coffee experience. The intuitive LCD display features clear icons for each operation, guiding you through the brewing, grinding, and steaming process. Programmable buttons allow you to save your preferred settings for single or double shots, ensuring your coffee is always brewed to your liking. The display also provides real-time feedback on water temperature and pressure, giving you the confidence to brew like a pro.

Single and Double Shot Filters - Your Choice, Your Flavor

The PE3650U comes with both single and double shot filters, giving you the flexibility to customize your brew to your liking. Whether you prefer a quick shot of espresso or a larger, more leisurely cup, this machine has you covered. The filters are made from 304 stainless steel, ensuring durability and easy cleaning.

1350W High-Power Performance

The Neretva PE3650U is equipped with a robust 1350W motor, ensuring rapid heating and efficient brewing. This high power output not only reduces waiting time but also enables the machine to maintain consistent temperature and pressure throughout the brewing process, resulting in a perfectly brewed espresso every time.

Innovations

The Neretva PE3650U 20 Bar Espresso Coffee Machine stands out for effortlessly automating the entire espresso making process from grinding to milk texturing at the touch of a button. The smart heating and extraction pressure mimic a commercial machine.

Automated Steam Wand - Your Personal Milk Frother

The PE3650U’s automated steam wand takes the guesswork out of milk frothing. Simply immerse the wand in your milk pitcher, and let the machine do the rest. The powerful steam jet creates a velvety microfoam, perfect for topping your lattes and cappuccinos. The wand’s swivel design offers flexibility and control, allowing you to create intricate latte art with ease. Whether you’re a seasoned barista or a beginner, the PE3650U’s steam wand makes it easy to achieve professional-quality milk froth at home.

Grinding - Precision for Flavor Perfection

The Neretva PE3650U’s integrated conical burr grinder is the key to unlocking the full potential of your coffee beans. Unlike blade grinders, which chop beans unevenly, burr grinders crush them consistently, resulting in a uniform grind size that is essential for optimal extraction. With 30 adjustable grind settings, you can fine-tune the grind to match your brewing method and taste preferences. A finer grind is ideal for espresso, while a coarser grind is better suited for drip coffee. The PE3650U’s grinder dispenses the freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter, minimizing mess and maximizing freshness.

Water Tank

The 1.4 liter removable water tank allows brewing 3-4 drinks before needing a refill. It’s easy to access and fill from the sink.

Additional Functions - Personalized Brewing at Your Command

The Neretva PE3650U goes beyond the basics, offering additional functions that put you in control of your coffee experience. Programmable brewing time and volume settings allow you to customize your single or double shots to your exact preferences. The illuminated LCD screen provides clear visual feedback, guiding you through each step of the brewing process, from grinding to steaming to extraction. These thoughtful features not only enhance the user experience but also ensure that you get the perfect cup of coffee every time, tailored to your individual taste and preferences.

Noise Level

The grinder and brewing produce about the same noise level as a typical drip coffee machine. The pumping is noticeable but not disruptive.

Safety

The plastic housing remains cool to the touch while brewing. An automatic shut-off turns the machine off after 30 minutes of inactivity for safety and energy savings.

Power

With a power consumption of 1350 watts, this espresso machine can run on a typical kitchen outlet. The power cord is a standard length to reach countertop outlets.

Cleaning

Both the water tank and drip tray are removable for quick rinsing. The portafilter, steam wand, and grounds bin are also simple to clean. All parts are dishwasher safe for convenience.

Maintenance

The machine requires no disposable filters or pods. An occasional descaling of the water lines every 6 months will keep it running optimally.

Brand

Neretva is a reputable Hong Kong-based small appliance brand with 20 years experience. They are known for quality and innovation.

Usage Scenarios:

The Neretva PE3650U 20 Bar Espresso Coffee Machine is perfect for espresso enthusiasts who want to enjoy high-quality espresso, lattes, and cappuccinos at home without the hassle and cost of going to a café. It’s ideal for the kitchen, dining table, or home office bar. This versatile machine can create traditional espresso shots, milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, and speciality beverages such as mochas. It’s great for an energy boost in the mornings, afternoon pick-me-ups, weekend entertaining, or fueling at-home workers. The automation makes it easy for anyone to use.

User Feedback Analysis:

Overall, most users are very satisfied with the performance, ease of use, and value of the Neretva PE3650U 20 Bar Espresso Coffee Machine. They praise its ability to brew delicious, café-quality espresso drinks at home.

Many reviewers compliment the smooth, rich taste of the espresso with a nice crema layer on top. They mention the 20-bar pressure extraction and 58mm steel portafilter contribute to robust flavor. Several note the machine heats up quickly and maintains a consistent temperature throughout brewing multiple drinks.

A number of users highlight the convenience of the built-in burr grinder for freshly grinding beans right before brewing. They say it dispenses the perfect amount of grounds into the filter with little mess. Some appreciate the thoughtful details like the illuminated display icons that guide you through the brewing process.

Many comment on the ease of use and programmable single or double shot pours that make brewing customized drinks simple. Several compare the automation and quality favorably to commercial-grade super automatic machines costing much more.

While most reviews are positive, a few users experienced issues with reliability and build quality. A couple mentioned inconsistent grind size from the burr grinder. Some reported plastic parts feeling flimsy or breaking over time. A few had problems with water leaking that required replacement under warranty.

In terms of downsides, some users wish the bean hopper was bigger than 200g capacity. Some felt the steam wand could produce finer, denser foam for milk-based drinks. A couple users found the noise level slightly disruptive.

Overall, the vast majority of feedback indicates the Neretva PE3650U 20 Bar Espresso Coffee Machine consistently delivers delicious espresso drinks with the convenience of grinding, tamping and milk texturing automation. For an affordable home espresso machine, most agree it provides exceptional performance and quality that rivals far more expensive models. The minor quibbles around build quality and reliability are outweighed by its ease of use and value. It earns high marks as a budget-friendly option for those seeking great tasting espressos from the comfort of home.

Pros:

• Comprehensive all-in-one functionality
• Commercial-quality 58mm portafilter
• High 20-bar pressure extraction
• Built-in burr grinder for fresh grounds
• Intuitive operation with LCD display
• Removable parts for easy cleaning
• Attractive Scandinavian design

Cons:

• Mostly plastic construction
• Steam wand could be improved
• Bean hopper capacity could be bigger
• Some quality consistency issues

Value:

With solid construction featuring Italian-imported components, the Neretva PE3650U 20 Bar Espresso Coffee Machine delivers exceptional value at its price point. For an automatic, all-in-one home espresso machine, it provides tremendous functionality and convenience. The performance rivals more expensive commercial-style machines. Overall, it’s a budget-friendly option compared to similar feature-packed models.

Conclusion

The Neretva PE3650U 20 Bar Espresso Coffee Machine is an exemplary model in its class, offering unmatched functionality and ease of use at an affordable price. Its robust construction, coupled with advanced brewing technology, ensures that you enjoy high-quality coffee every time. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned coffee aficionado, this machine is designed to meet your needs with its versatility and efficient performance. If you’re looking for a reliable home espresso machine that delivers consistent results and enriches your coffee experience, the Neretva PE3650U is an excellent choice.

Specifications:

• Brewing Technology: Automatic espresso machine
• Pump Pressure: 20 bar
• Bean Hopper Capacity: 200g
• Grinder: Built-in conical burr grinder
• Adjustable Grind Settings: 30
• Portafilter: 58mm stainless steel
• Water Tank Capacity: 1.4 liters
• Steam Wand: Yes
• Frothing Nozzle: Single hole
• Maximum Cup Height: Unknown
• Housing Material: Plastic
• Product Dimensions: 12.7 x 13.5 x 15 inches
• Product Weight: 8.22 kg
• Watts: 1350W

Box Contains:

• Espresso machine
• Portafilter
• Coffee scoop/spoon
• 2 filters
• Instructions manual

After-Sales Service

With the Neretva PE3650U 20 Bar Espresso Coffee Machine, you not only get a high-quality product but also excellent after-sales service. Our dedicated customer support team is available to assist you with any inquiries or issues you may encounter. Additionally, the product comes with a comprehensive warranty package, ensuring peace of mind and satisfaction long after your purchase. We are committed to providing you with the best coffee experience possible, from the moment you unbox your new machine to years down the line.