Ciarra BloomBox: A Stylish Espresso Machine for the Modern Camper
The Ciarra BloomBox is a portable espresso machine that brings a touch of flair to your camping kitchen, promising barista-quality espresso at the push of a button. Priced at approximately $179, this battery-operated machine aims to deliver convenience and style to coffee enthusiasts on the go.
Design and Build Quality
Departing from traditional stainless steel aesthetics, the BloomBox features a playful, colorful design reminiscent of a Barbie dollhouse accessory. Constructed primarily from plastic, it offers a lightweight and durable build. The included dosing scoop doubles as a tamper, fitting precisely into the portafilter, enhancing the overall user experience. While the design is eye-catching, it leans more towards practicality than luxury, with more plastic than a traditional stainless-steel appearance.
Functionality and Performance
The BloomBox operates on both AC power and battery, with the manufacturer claiming up to 60 brews per charge. However, unlike some electric camping espresso machines, it does not heat water internally when running on battery power; the water must be pre-heated. This design choice means that without a power source or pre-heated water, the coffee remains cold. The machine offers three temperature settings (white, blue, and red) tailored for different roast levels. While the operation is straightforward—fill the water tank, add coffee grounds, press the start button—the brewing process takes over four minutes, making it one of the slower machines in its category. Additionally, smaller water volumes may result in coffee that isn’t as hot, and the crema produced is minimal. Optimal results are achieved with the maximum water capacity, yielding a drinkable temperature above 60°C and a finer crema.
Practicality for Camping
In everyday use, the BloomBox excels in ease of operation. However, for activities like bikepacking or camping in remote areas without infrastructure, it proves less practical. Despite its battery, the need for pre-heated water diminishes its convenience, as one would expect an electric coffee machine to also heat the water.
Target Audience
The BloomBox is designed for those who wish to enjoy a straightforward espresso experience in settings like offices, vans, or campsites. It’s ideal for individuals who prefer pressing a button over adjusting grind sizes, brewing pressure, or extraction times. However, coffee aficionados seeking to extract the full potential from each bean and actively control the brewing process might find manual lever machines or barista-oriented espresso machines more satisfying.
Conclusion
The BloomBox aims to simplify the process of making camping espresso, targeting comfort-seekers rather than barista enthusiasts. Its distinctive design would likely appeal to those looking to add a touch of style to their camper or office. In comparative tests, it ranks lower due to its reliance on pre-heated water, which negates a significant advantage of electric camping espresso machines. Therefore, its concept is only partially compelling compared to the rest of the test field.
Pros
- User-friendly operation without prior barista knowledge.
- Clever dosing scoop with integrated tamper function for a clean workflow.
- Striking lifestyle design with high recognition value.
Cons
- Water is only heated when plugged in, despite being battery-operated.
- Long heating and brewing times.
- Coffee doesn’t always reach an optimal drinking temperature.
- Limited options to actively influence the espresso extraction.
For more information, visit Ciarra’s official website.
This article is part of our Coffee Specials, where we present all tested products, exciting insights, and valuable information on the topic of coffee. Curious? Then take a look!
If you’re interested in portable espresso machines, we’ve also tested the Wacaco Picopresso.
The Test Field in the Camping Coffee Machine Test
All camping coffee machines in the test:
- AeroPress Go Plus
- Bialetti Moka Express
- Ciarra BloomBox
- Flair 2GO
- Handpresso E-Presso
- IKAPE K2 Pro
- 9Barista Stovetop Espresso Machine Mk.2
- OutIn Nano
For the main article, click here.
Words: Susanne Feddersen
Photos: Tim Eckermann