If you’re set on buying a Jura machine but don’t want to spend a fortune, then Impressa C60 is worth considering.
In this article, we’ll talk about all the features of this espresso maker, so you can decide for yourself if this is the machine for you.
Without further ado, here’s the in-depth Jura Impressa C60 review.
Jura Impressa C60 Overview
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The Impressa C60 is one of the more affordable machines by Jura. But that doesn’t mean it can’t compare with pricier models in terms of features.
Jura knows well when to splurge and when to save up, and that’s rather obvious with this model. It might not have a fancy touchscreen like the brand’s high-end models, but it has what’s necessary for making an excellent coffee drink.
The C60 has some of the best Jura features, like pre-infusion and a thermoblock heating system.
Of course, there’s plenty more of what this bad boy offers.
In the next section, we’ll get into details about every feature worth mentioning.
Pros
- The thermoblock heating system heats up practically instantly, so you don’t have to wait between two cups
- You can adjust each drink to your preference, from brew strength to the amount of water
- The aroma preservation cover keeps the beans fresh for longer so you get a great coffee every time
- You can set the machine to turn off automatically after being idle for a while, thus saving energy
Cons
- A single-screen display is not very easy to navigate through
- Both coffee and milk spouts aren’t high enough for travel mugs
Features & Functionalities
The C60 doesn’t have tons of bells and whistles like some high-end Jura machines. But its features are nonetheless worth mentioning.
Design
Jura makes some of the best-looking espresso machines out there, and Impressa C60 is no exception. It features a shiny black case with silver details, which blends in perfectly with any kitchen aesthetic.
With the dimensions of 15 x 11 x 16 inches, the Impressa C60 has a decently sized footprint. It might be slightly bulky for a college dorm, for instance, but it’s suitable for mid-sized kitchens.
A water reservoir with a 64-ounce capacity is more than enough for an at-home espresso maker. This essentially means you can make about 64 regular espresso shots before you need to refill it.
I like the fact that the reservoir is located on the left because you don’t need to move the machine around whenever it’s time to refill. Given the fact that the C60 weighs over 20 pounds, that really saves you from unnecessary arm exercise.
Now, the display on this model isn’t exactly impressive. The Impressa C60 uses a one-line display – kind of like a calculator. As you go through the menu by turning the dial, it spells out the currently selected option.
Even though this is one of the brand’s more affordable models, the one-line display is a bit underwhelming. It makes it hard for you to change any settings without going back and forth tons of times.
Grinding & Brewing
The coffee bean hopper has a 7-ounce capacity, which roughly translates to 30 cups of espresso. Now if you don’t drink gallons of coffee each day, this means you won’t have to refill it that often.
And to make your beans stay fresh for longer, the C60 features the so-called aroma lid. It sits right underneath the regular hopper lid and it preserves their flavor.
As for the grinder, it’s made of stainless steel and allows you to adjust the grind size from fine to coarse. That way, you can experiment and find the ideal grind for your coffee.
Now if you like to drink a cup of decaf every now and then, you don’t have to change the beans inside the hopper to do so. With the bypass doser, you can switch to pre ground coffee whenever you want just by changing the settings on the machine.
The C60 comes with a feature you often see on more expensive Jura models – the so-called Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System.
Basically, what this feature does is it wets the grounds prior to actually brewing. That way, they swell and pack better inside the portafilter. As a result, they extract more evenly.
Like most Jura machines, this model also uses a single thermoblock as a heating element. What makes a thermoblock so great is the fact that it heats up rather quickly. The machine is ready in a minute or two to brew coffee.
For a more affordable machine in the brand’s range, the C60 offers a decent amount of customizability. You can choose between four coffee strength options and determine the amount of water you drink.
So while you don’t actually have ristretto or lungo as preprogrammed options, you just need to customize how much water you need.
Of course, you can save your settings in programming mode for later use.
Milk Frothing
For making milk-based drinks, this model features an external fine foam frother. With a pipe, it draws milk straight out of the carton.
Since it’s attached to the side, you have to physically move the cup left to right when making a cappuccino, for instance.
And since there are no premade options for milk-based drinks, here is how you can make them manually.
First, you turn the selector switch to the Milk Foam position and place the cup underneath the frothing spout.
Once you have the desired amount of foam, turn the switch to the Coffee position and move the cup underneath the coffee spout. The machine will pour the espresso into the foam.
The milk spout also doubles as a hot water dispenser. This can be handy in certain situations, like when you want to make a fast cup of tea.
Drinks
The Impresso C60 doesn’t have the biggest drink selection out there. There are four options available: single and double coffee, as well as a single and double espresso.
So if you want to make a cappuccino or other milk-based drinks, you need to make the foam separately. Plus, you can’t choose the amount of milk beforehand – you can only stop the frother manually, by using the switch.
One thing that annoys me about this model is the fact that the spouts are very low. Although they’re adjustable, you can’t set either of them to fit a mug that’s more than 4.3 inches tall.
If you’re only making espresso shots, that won’t be an issue. But if you want to make milk-based drinks, you’ll have to tilt the glass to fit it under the spout.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Jura machines are known for making maintenance an easy task. The C60 is no different.
There are three programs available: rinsing, cleaning, and descaling. And the best part is – the machine lets you know when it’s time to run any of them. The only thing you actually need to do manually is add cleaning tablets and start the program, The machine does the rest.
A cool little thing about this model is that it has a chamber for used coffee grounds. It’s located at the front of the machine and can hold up grounds of 16 espressos before it’s time to clean that up.
I also love that the machine rinses itself every time you turn it off. That’s one less thing to think about every day.
FAQ
Have some questions about the brand in general? To help you out, I’ve put together a quick FAQ section to solve your doubts about Jura.
How long should a Jura coffee machine last?
This ultimately depends on how well you take care of the machine. But generally, you can expect it to last anywhere between 5 and 10 years.
How often should I clean my Jura coffee machine?
Every espresso machine should be rinsed every day, while you should rinse the frother every time you’re using it. As for cleaning and descaling, the C60 will prompt you to run the program when required.
How do you make Jura coffee hotter?
In programming mode, you can adjust the temperature of your drink. This setting is permanent, so the machine will use it for all the drinks you make.
The Final Verdict
If you don’t feel like spending your whole paycheck on an espresso machine, then Impressa C60 is definitely worth considering.
True, it doesn’t have tons of bells and whistles, like other Jura machines. But what it lacks in variety, it makes up in customizability. The C60 allows you to adjust each drink per your liking, by changing brew strength or water temperature.
Overall, this is a decent machine that makes consistently good cups of coffee.
