Arkel Coast espresso machine

Arkel Coast – Dual Boiler Espresso Machine with Flow Control from Porto

Early in the morning, you press the buttons on the bottom right of the Arkel, and both boilers start heating – separately and electronically controlled, one for brewing water, one for steam. The display shows the heating progression. After a few minutes, the brew boiler and steam boiler reach their target temperatures – typically around 93°C at the puck, configurable on the touch display. You lock the portafilter into the electrically heated Saturated Group. You tap the hardened glass display on the front. The touch control responds. The shot flows evenly through the bottomless spout. The crema settles, golden brown, dense. In parallel, you steam milk with the steam wand – the 1-liter steam boiler has its own reserves, maintaining pressure stability even over several cycles.

The Arkel Coast is a dual boiler espresso machine, designed and hand-built in Porto, Portugal. Over 95 percent of the components come from Europe – a conscious decision by Arkel for local manufacturing and traceable supply chains. All parts in the water circuit (both boilers, pipes, brew group) are made of stainless steel instead of copper or brass. This is less a matter of romance and more an engineering decision: stainless steel does not oxidize, does not release metallic notes, and is easier to maintain in the long run. Coffee Coaching Club is Arkel's partner in Switzerland.

Dual Boiler and Electrically Heated Saturated Group

Many home machines in this price segment rely on E61 brew groups – heavy metal heads through which hot water circulates until the thermal mass stabilizes. This works well, but it takes time (typically 20 to 30 minutes) and is still affected by water flow through long pipes even after stabilization.

The Coast uses an electrically heated Saturated Group – the brew group is directly connected to the brew boiler and is actively maintained at target temperature. No temperature loss due to long pipes, no "flushing" necessary. Arkel officially states a heat-up time of under 6 minutes; in practice, full thermal stability takes more like 8 to 12 minutes. For home baristas, this means the machine can be switched on while grinding beans and is ready when needed. In our roastery, we observe that saturated brew groups provide a more refined aroma profile than E61 – regardless of the heating system. Others see it differently, and that's okay. Our opinion is one of many.

Flow Control as a Standard Feature

On the side of the Coast is a needle valve (Flow Control Paddle) that allows manual regulation of water flow during extraction. This is pressure profiling in its most direct form: if desired, you can start the extraction, turn back the flow for a gentle pre-infusion, and then open it to full pressure. If not desired, leave the paddle open – the Coast then behaves like a classic 9-bar machine.

For many comparable machines, flow control is an optional retrofit kit. With the Coast, it is standard. This is interesting for anyone who wants to experiment without having to invest in accessories beforehand – and for those who never use the function, it simply isn't in the way.

Two Independent Vibration Pumps, Separate Boiler Control

The Coast uses two separate vibration pumps – one for the brew circuit, one for the steam boiler. Both boilers are independently electronically controlled and can be switched on and off individually. If you only want espresso without milk, you can deactivate the steam boiler and save energy. If you're entertaining guests, switch both on and have full steam reserves for several cappuccinos in a row. The pump pressure is adjustable via an OPV next to the water tank – factory set to 9 bar, adjustable as needed.

Vibration pumps are mainstream technology, reliable, and repairable. For continuous café operation, a rotary pump would be the stronger choice – but in a home setup and office use with several shots per day, the Coast's vibration setup is completely sufficient and quieter than many believe.

Hot Water Wand, Steam Wand, Integrated Brita Filter

In addition to the steam wand, the Coast has a separate hot water spout. The water comes directly from the brew boiler – thus at coffee water temperature – and is suitable for Americano, tea, or pre-warming cups. The programmable Americano dosing is time-based: once set, always reproducible.

The 2.5-liter water tank is removable and has an integrated Brita filter that controls water hardness. The automatic descaling program uses the integrated drainage system, which completely empties both boilers – descaling without disassembly, a detail that Kaffeemacher explicitly praised in their review.

At a Glance

Who is the Arkel Coast for?

The Coast is suitable for home baristas who want a full-fledged dual boiler but cannot get used to the long heat-up times of classic E61 machines. For those who don't have twenty minutes lead time in the morning, the Coast offers a serious dual boiler alternative. For those who also value flow control as a standard feature and stainless steel in the water circuit instead of copper – the Coast offers a consistently built machine.

The Coast is not for everyone. Those who love classic Italian E61 aesthetics and haptics will find a richer selection from ECM, Profitec, or Rocket Espresso. For iconic Linea aesthetics: La Marzocco Linea Mini R. For a more compact dual boiler alternative: La Marzocco Linea Micra. For those who want the Arkel philosophy with a rotary pump and fixed water connection: the Arkel Tide is the bigger sibling.

The Coast is not the flagship – it is the machine that makes the Arkel idea accessible: stainless steel construction, European manufacturing, flow control ex-works. Those who want it know why.

Order Directly Online

The Arkel Coast can be ordered directly from the webshop. Delivery throughout Switzerland and Liechtenstein within 2 to 4 working days. For a machine of this size, we recommend Click and Collect in Bern, Gerberngasse 44 or Zurich, Hagenholzstrasse 50b. In the showroom, the Coast is in daily use – flow control, touch operation, and the Saturated Group are best experienced firsthand. An introductory course is included with the purchase – approximately 60 minutes, during which we will go through extraction philosophy together and build your personal espresso ritual, which then takes about 5 minutes. Financing is available through Heylight.

For questions about getting started with flow control, comparing with Linea Micra or Mini R, or distinguishing between Coast and Tide: office@coffeecoachingclub.ch or by phone during business hours.

What goes with it

The Coast unleashes its potential with a grinder that delivers precise, stable grinds. Obvious combinations: Varia VS3 Gen 2 or VS6 (exclusive Swiss importer) as an affordable choice, Weber Workshops EG-1 or Option-O Lagom P80 as flagship grinders. For hopper workflows with grind-by-weight: Mahlkönig E64 WS.

For consistent weight measurement at the output and flow rate analysis: Acaia Lunar. Affordable alternative: Normcore Scale. For puck prep: Normcore WDT and Tamper or Weber Workshops Moonraker and Really Nice Tamper. For precise coffee water – important for a stainless steel machine: Apax Labs mineral concentrates (exclusive Swiss importer). For airtight bean storage: Airscape. Background information on brew group types and extraction in our Sensory World and in our Technical Check E61 vs. Saturated Groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Coast differ from E61 machines?

E61 machines (ECM, Rocket, Profitec) use a heavy metal brew group through which hot water circulates. This requires 15 to 20 minutes of heat-up time but provides a characteristic feel and look. The Coast uses an electrically heated Saturated Group – directly connected to the boiler, ready for operation much faster and with consistent temperature from the first shot. Both approaches are valid – the Coast is the more pragmatic choice, E61 the more traditional.

How does the Flow Control Paddle work?

On the side of the machine is a needle valve that manually controls the water flow during extraction. If left open, you get classic 9-bar extraction. If you want to start the extraction gently (pre-infusion), you close the paddle slightly at the beginning and open it fully after a few seconds. This allows pressure profiling without additional hardware – especially important for experimenting with different roast profiles.

Why stainless steel in the water circuit instead of copper?

Traditionally, boilers and pipes are made of copper or brass – good conductors, easy to process. Arkel has opted for stainless steel: it does not oxidize, does not release metallic components into the brewing water, and is easier to maintain long-term. Modern copper boilers are also safe, but Arkel's stainless steel approach is more consistent from a hygiene and sustainability perspective.

Can I switch off the steam boiler?

Yes. On the side of the machine are two switches that allow the brew and steam boilers to be switched on and off individually. If you only drink espresso, you save energy by switching off the steam boiler. If you are entertaining guests, switch both on.

What is the Coast's actual heat-up time?

Official statement from Arkel: under 6 minutes. In practice, it takes about 8 to 12 minutes until both boilers are fully thermally stable – Kaffeemacher measured 12 minutes in their lab test. For comparison: classic E61 machines take 15 to 20 minutes. The difference is noticeable in the cup.

Is the Coast loud?

The two vibration pumps are specially mounted – significantly quieter than cheaply constructed comparable models. Switching it on in the morning without waking anyone is easily possible. For absolutely silent operation, a rotary pump (as in the Arkel Tide or La Marzocco Linea Mini R) would be the more uncompromising choice.

How is the Coast descaled?

Arkel has integrated a complete drainage system: both boilers can be completely emptied, and descaling takes place without disassembly. This is not the case with most espresso machines – there, the boiler usually has to be opened, otherwise descaler residue remains in the circuit. With the Coast, self-descaling is uncomplicated.

Can I see the Arkel Coast before buying?

Yes. The Coast is available in the showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich Oerlikon (Hagenholzstrasse 50b). Flow control, touch operation, and the Saturated Group cannot be conveyed through photos. Bringing your own beans is welcome.

Can I connect the Coast to a water line?

The Coast operates standard with the integrated 2.5-liter water tank. A fixed water connection is not provided. For continuous operation or gastronomy setups, the larger Arkel Tide would be the better choice.

How quickly is the Coast delivered in Switzerland?

2 to 4 working days throughout Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Click and Collect in Bern and Zurich is recommended for this weight and price class. Free shipping from CHF 60. Financing available through Heylight.

Where can I buy the Arkel Coast in Switzerland?

At Coffee Coaching Club, Arkel's partner. Via coffeecoachingclub.ch, by phone during business hours, or in the showrooms in Bern and Zurich.