Profitec Flowprofil E61 – upgrade kit for manual flow control
The needle on the pressure gauge climbs slowly instead of jumping to nine bar, and the first thing to come out of the spout is a hesitant drop.
A valve that gives you one more dial to turn
The flow profiling valve replaces the top cover of the Profitec group head with a hand-operated valve. With it, you decide how quickly water flows into the brew chamber – during the shot, not just before it. Until now you had grind size and dose. Now flow joins them.
Why that makes a difference comes down to time. Different aroma compounds dissolve out of the ground coffee at different moments, and pressure shapes this aromatic window. A slow start lets the puck soak evenly before full pressure arrives, which lowers the chance of a channel forming right at the beginning. A gentle finish can make the tail end of the shot more restrained.
To be honest: pressure profiling is a learning process, not a switch. In the first week you'll pull shots that tell you less than before, because you have one more variable in your hands. That's normal. If you enjoy turning one more dial and drinking coffee along the way, you'll have a lot of fun with it. If you already like your shot, you don't need the valve. Nobody needs it. You either want it or you don't.
And one more observation that helps put this in context: we find that a saturated group delivers a more refined aroma profile than an E61, regardless of the heating system. Others see it differently. That takes nothing away from an E61; it just describes where we're coming from. Our opinion is one of many, and in the end what counts is that the coffee tastes good.
At a glance
| Function |
Manual control of the flow rate during the shot |
| Compatible with |
Profitec espresso machines with a Profitec group head |
| Fitting |
Retrofit on the existing group head |
| Supplier item number |
P1065 |
| Profitec item number |
AC100094-00 |
| EAN |
4260347831996 |
| Manufacturer |
Profitec GmbH, Germany |
Who the kit is for
For anyone with a Profitec machine who is curious about what happens when the flow is lower at the start. For anyone working with lighter roasts who wants more time in the early part of the shot. And for anyone who simply enjoys changing something on a machine and looking for the difference in the glass.
It isn't necessary for anyone whose shots already taste good today. No setup is worth less because of it, and affordable equipment doesn't make worse espresso – it makes different espresso. The quickest way to find out which machine suits you is our coffee machine advice tool.
The matching machines are in the Profitec collection. In Bern and Zurich you can try Flow Control in person on a machine that's set up, and if you want to buy Profitec accessories in Switzerland, you can also get them from us directly online. Financing is available for machines and more expensive grinders.
What goes well with it
Flow control only shows what it can do once the grind is resolved finely enough. For anyone who wants an affordable, precise coffee grinder: the Varia VS3, or the Comandante C40 as a hand grinder. If you want larger burrs and finer adjustment: the Varia VS6, the Weber Workshops EG-1 or an Option-O Lagom. Burr sets are like car engines, subjective, and no budget is just a beginning.
And without a scale, every change to the flow remains a feeling. We describe extraction by brew ratio, 1:2 as a starting point, never by time alone. For anyone who wants an affordable, reliable coffee scale: the compact scales from the Normcore collection. If you want an app, flow-rate display and Bluetooth: the scales from Acaia.
Frequently asked questions
Which machines does the kit fit?
Profitec specifies espresso machines with a Profitec group head. It is a retrofit to the existing group. Send us your machine's item number before you order, and we'll confirm the fit instead of you having to guess.
What does the valve change about the espresso?
You control by hand how quickly water flows into the brew chamber, including during the shot. A slow start wets the puck more evenly and lowers the chance of channelling. Different aroma compounds dissolve at different moments, and the flow shifts this window.
Do I need experience for it?
No, but patience. Pressure profiling is a learning process, not a promise of a better shot. You get one more variable in your hands, and you'll need to get to know it. There's no right or wrong here.
Can I fit it myself?
It is retrofitted to the existing group head. Profitec doesn't publish fitting instructions for end customers, so we won't claim across the board that it's done in five minutes. Drop us a line and we'll work out what needs doing for your machine.
Can I see the product before buying?
Yes. In our showrooms in Bern at Gerberngasse 44 and in Zurich at Hagenholzstrasse 50b, you can try Flow Control in person on a machine that's set up. Buying online remains the normal route, and this text gives you everything you need for it.
How quickly do you deliver, and where to?
We deliver within 2 to 4 working days throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein. The quickest way to get answers to your questions is by email to [email protected] or by phone during business hours.
From our coffee roastery
When you're playing with flow, a forgiving bean helps. From our coffee roastery, we recommend Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight: dense, aromatic and full-bodied, with caramel, chocolate and nuts.
If you're looking for maximum body without any acidity, stick with Very Nutty. And if you really want to hear the slow start, you'll find a fruity, lively discovery in Wild Peach. That's our recommendation, one of many, and any bean you enjoy will work.
Questions about fit or your order? Write to us at [email protected] or visit us at coffeecoachingclub.ch. The showrooms in Bern at Gerberngasse 44 and in Zurich at Hagenholzstrasse 50b are open during business hours.
