Many consider La Marzocco's espresso machines to be the very best in the coffee industry. They have pioneered much of the technology out there, and also created some of the most iconic designs. They have achieved the impressive feat of being known for reliability and quality, all while leading the charge on the newest features for baristas to use in the pursuit of that perfect extraction. 

About the La Marzocco GB5 commercial espresso machine

La Marzocco's most recognisable design may be the clean contemporary lines of the La Marzocco Linea but with the GB5, they offer something more nostalgic for the lovers of vintage aesthetics. Equally iconic in its looks, the GB5 is no less impressive in its engineering.

The original GB5 was one of the first commercial espresso machines to fully exploit onboard CPU control. It also featured dual PID systems and insulated boilers, providing unrivalled temperature stability and ensuring a high level of consistency during even the busiest rushes.

South African coffee lovers may recognise the GB5 as the machine found in every Woolworths café across the country. This should speak volumes about the consistency and capacity of these machines, given the number of people those cafés serve.

About the new La Marzocco GB5

The original GB5 has now been retired after a couple of decades of great service and has been replaced by this, new La Marzocco GB5. With the same vintage European aesthetics, albeit with some more contemporary touches, it is designed to stand out visually and also incorporates all the latest technology under the hood.

All the important features of the original GB5 also remain, but one significant upgrade is the onboard water sensor that measures the conductivity and hardness of water as it enters the machine. This information allows the user to monitor water quality and verify filtration performance without the need for additional testing tools. As water quality becomes increasingly challenging and is also recognised as an incredibly important component of high-quality coffee service, this feature should serve high-end cafes very well.

La Marzocco GB5 Model S vs Model X

The main difference between the 2 new GB5 models is the brew boiler configuration. The GB5 X has independent brew boilers for each group head and a separate steam boiler shared by all groups. The GB5 S has one brew boiler and one steam boiler, much like the older version. What the X offers is the option of having different groups making coffees at different temperatures, as well as even more precise temperature control.

The GB5 S can be identified with the two red lilies on the side shields recall the company’s Florentine heritage while the front panel has been redesigned to increase group visibility. The GB5 X can be identified by the white logos and lilies; it combines advanced La Marzocco proprietary electronics with the industry-leading temperature stability and hydraulic systems to always ensure maximum consistency. 

La Marzocco GB5 EE vs. AV vs. ABR

The La Marzocco GB5 S & X come in three models:

• EE (semi-automatic) - operates via a manual push button - your baristas start and stop the shot when they choose.
• AV (Automatic Volumetric) - offers software-driven, highly accurate volumetric brewing, for consistency in high volume environments.
• ABR (Auto Brew Ratio) - Uses precision scales, built beneath each group, that are incorporated in the espresso machine's electronic system and provide the barista a new level of consistency, by giving control over beverage mass.

La Marzocco GB5 Espresso Machine features

• Comes in automatic (AV), semi automatic (EE; Model S only) and auto brew-ratio (ABR) versions.=
• Separate insulated brewing and steaming boilers
• Boiler material: stainless steel
• Dual PID brewing and steaming temperature controllers
  
• Piero Group Caps - Re-engineered internal water path and flow-meter positioning that increase temperature stability
• 24V electronics - New generation of electronics for improved reliability and machine diagnostics
• Hot water economiser (set water spout temperature)
  
• Easy Rebuild Steam Valve - Engineered so the valve can be serviced directly from the front of the machine without needed to be removed
• USB interface, making it possible to update the firmware
• Dimmable barista lights (AV, ABR) - 3-stage customizable intensity led lights for Eco, on and brewing modes
• Eco mode can be programmed to enter standby mode, improving energy efficiency
• Digital display intuitive programming makes it easy to adjust machine parameters
• Pro App compatible electronic board that will allow connectivity with the La Marzocco Pro App, available in mid-2021
• Independent Saturated Boilers (Model X only) - Separate saturated boilers for each group head allow barista to optimize temperature for individual coffees, ensuring thermal stability
• Pro Touch Steam Wands (Model X Only) - High-performing steam wands that are cool to the touch

La Marzocco GB5 Model S Espresso Machine specifications

La Marzocco GB5 Model X Espresso Machine specifications