Meraki Espresso Machine - What's the REAL Deal?

Is the Meraki Espresso Machine the best home espresso machine to land in recent memory? Or, is it destined to become another piece of kickstarter vaporware? This machine packs an incredible featureset, grind by weight coffee grinder in collaboration with Timemore Products, brew by weight automation, automated and manual milk steaming, in a package with killer looks... Can it actually hit the ground running by November? Is this the ultimate espresso machine for home baristas? Let's dive into my first impressions review video featuring the Meraki Prototype. Meraki Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/... Tests I will run on the production model (comment if you'd like to see something not listed): Pressure testing. Peak pressure, time to reach peak pressure. Temperature offset and stability Time taken for full warm up to stable temperature Preinfusion - Timing, pressure and flow rate diagnostics Running volume level Grinder volume level Time taken to steam a pitcher of milk Grinder retention and approximate exchange Difference in shot timing between individual grind settings Shot time consistency with same grinder testing Grinder Seasoning and Stress Testing Cleaning and disassembly ease 0:00 Meraki 0:25 - Kickstarter Craziness 1:47 - Machine Overview 2:28 - My Highlights 3:25 - Pricing 3:57 - First Impressions 4:35 - Screen Dreams 6:47 - Grinder 9:31 - Espresso Brewing and Group 12:28 - Temperature Stability 13:27 - Hot Water Spout 14:01 - Taste 14:33 - Steam Boiler 16:37 - The Experience of Using It 17:06 - Uptates to the Production Version 18:13 - Is it Worth It? 18:53 - My Concerns 22:32 - To Meraki’s Credit… 22:50 - But Is this Even Possible? 23:26 - Why I’m Hopeful