Quick Mill · ThermoblockLuna
A compact Italian-made dual-thermoblock machine with PID, simultaneous brew-and-steam, programmable pre-infusion, and a front pressure gauge — a lot of prosumer-adjacent spec at a mid-range price, in an 11-inch-wide footprint.
The short version
The Luna delivers dual-thermoblock convenience and simultaneous brew-and-steam at a price well below comparably specced dual-boiler rivals.
Buyers must accept that shot-to-shot temperature consistency can wander, especially during the first few pulls of the day, which limits its ceiling for precision-focused home baristas.
Why people buy it
- Simultaneous brewing and steaming via two independent thermoblocks — no waiting between milk drinks and shots
- Compact footprint (28 cm wide) with full stainless steel construction and solid build quality from a family-run Italian manufacturer
Why they don’t
- Temperature consistency is measurably unreliable in the first two or three shots after heat-up, making dialling in repeatable across a session genuinely difficult
The full tally
- Simultaneous brewing and steaming via two independent thermoblocks — no waiting between milk drinks and shots
- Compact footprint (28 cm wide) with full stainless steel construction and solid build quality from a family-run Italian manufacturer
- Front-accessible OPV pressure adjustment and programmable pre-infusion without opening the machine
- Noise-reduced dual vibratory pump system with pulsor, noticeably quieter than typical single-pump machines
- Temperature consistency is measurably unreliable in the first two or three shots after heat-up, making dialling in repeatable across a session genuinely difficult
- Proprietary 3-lug bayonet portafilter and flat basket seating lock out the wide ecosystem of 58 mm aftermarket baskets and accessories
- Steam output from a 1000 W thermoblock is adequate but softer than a dedicated steam boiler — not the choice for rapid back-to-back milk drinks at volume
What the community knows
Years of owner threads, distilled — well regarded.
Fast heat-up and Italian build quality earn respect, but documented temperature instability on first shots, weak steam power, and proprietary 3-lug bayonet (incompatible with standard 58mm ecosystem) limit it as a long-term investment despite solid mid-range value.
Value
price-to-performance the community respects
Built to last
years before you outgrow or replace it
Parts & serviceability
parts and repairs — you are never stranded
All 9 community measures
price-to-performance the community respects
shows up every morning, year after year
parts and repairs — you are never stranded
mods, guides, and community know-how around it
kind to first-timers
years before you outgrow or replace it
how far the cup can go, per dollar
speed and simplicity, day to day
Worth knowing before you buy — Most owners wish they'd prioritized a better steam setup or accepted the ritual of stabilization shots before brewing.
Known weak points — Temperature instability on early shots and cold starts; PID display fluctuations; weak steam heating (80+ seconds for milk); volumetric programming unreliable due to resistance variance
“There is also LUNA, has two thermoblocks.”
“The manufacturing quality of the Luna leaves nothing to be desired in our test. The curved stainless steel casing feels high-quality, and we found no sharp edges, not even on the drip tray.”
The measurements
Scored 0–5 on the same rubric as everything on file — the words matter more than the numbers.
The measurements
0–5, one rubric- Shot ceiling
- capable3
- Steam power
- workable2.5
- Built to last
- durable3.5
- Easy daily
- demanding2
Position in the market
Every dot is a rival, measured the same way. The gold one is this.
- Lower half for shot ceiling
- a higher ceiling than 80 of the 237 machines we’ve measured
- A value pick at this level
- 64% of machines this capable cost more
- Mid-pack for build
- sturdier than 47% of the field, by the community’s own record
Every dot is a machine measured on the same rubric. See the whole market
Living with it
The part spec sheets skip: counter space, upkeep, and what owners learn later.
The honest note — Owners who grow frustrated with shot-to-shot temperature wandering typically migrate to a dual-boiler or high-grade thermojet machine (Ascaso Steel Duo PID, Lelit Bianca, or Profitec Pro 700). Those who prioritise the compact footprint may move laterally to the Quick Mill Pop with flow control.
The full spec sheet
- Type
- Thermoblock / thermojet
- Heat-up time
- ~8 min
- Steam power
- 2.5/5
- Brew + steam at once
- Yes
- Guest recovery
- 2.5/5
- Shot quality ceiling
- 3/5
- PID temperature control
- Yes
- Milk system
- Manual steam wand
- One-touch drinks
- 2
- Removable brew group
- No
- Hot-water tap
- Yes
- Cup clearance
- 9.3 cm
- Workflow demand
- 3/5
- Maintenance
- 2.5/5
- Noise
- 2/5
- Build longevity
- 3.5/5
- Dimensions
- 28 × 29 × 34 cm
Before it arrives
What completes this machine — the faded pieces can wait.
Descaler & backflush kit — Electric boilers scale up and grouts gunk up — a descaler plus backflush routine is what keeps the machine alive for a decade.
- Descaler & backflush kit — Electric boilers scale up and grouts gunk up — a descaler plus backflush routine is what keeps the machine alive for a decade.
- Coffee scale with timer — Espresso is a ratio. A 0.1g scale with a built-in timer is the single biggest consistency upgrade for any manual machine.
- Espresso cups & glassware — Proper demitasse and latte glasses keep the drink hot and look the part.
Feed it right
Week one is dial-in — and stale beans will lose it.
Coffee more than a few weeks past roast won’t extract predictably, and a new machine gets blamed for it. While you learn it, a forgiving medium-light roast keeps dial-in kind — bright enough to taste progress, sweet enough to drink the misses.
Pick your coffee — any of these dials in beautifully here:
Wild Ember - Ethiopian Buno Dambi UddoSCA 92Medium roast · Odo Shakiso, Guji Zone, Oromia · NaturalBlueberry · MarmaladeSteady and repeatable — right for this setup’s lane.CA$26.83 · roasted to order
Etherea - Ethiopian YirgacheffeSCA 88Medium roast · NaturalJasmine · BergamotSteady and repeatable — right for this setup’s lane.CA$24.16 · roasted to order
Sergio - Brazillian Fazenda Joia Rara Aerobic FermentedSCA 88Medium-light · Cerrado Mineiro · Aerobic FermentedHoney · OrangeSteady and repeatable — right for this setup’s lane.CA$29.18 · roasted to orderNo proper grinder yet? Sort that first — it decides more of the cup than the machine does. We ship whole bean, roast-dated, timed so it lands fresh the week your burrs do.
Roasted to order, daily, in Ajax, Ontario · ships Canada-wide. We’re the roastery behind this database — measuring the machines is how we make sure the coffee gets a fair shot.
On film
How it runs on camera, from around the community.
Common questions
Can the Quick Mill Luna brew espresso and steam milk at the same time?
Yes. The Luna uses two fully independent thermoblocks — a 600 W brew thermoblock and a 1000 W steam thermoblock — so you can pull a shot and texture milk simultaneously without switching modes or waiting.
Does the Luna accept standard 58 mm aftermarket baskets and portafilters?
No — this is a known limitation. The Luna uses a proprietary 3-lug bayonet portafilter and flat basket seating that is not compatible with the broad ecosystem of 58 mm aftermarket tools. You are largely locked into Quick Mill's own accessories.
How long does the Quick Mill Luna take to heat up?
Marketing materials cite approximately 5 minutes; independent testing by Kaffeemacher measured 8 minutes to reach 92 °C for a first shot, with temperature stability improving further if the machine is allowed to run for 10 or more minutes before pulling the first pull.
Is the steam thermoblock deactivatable?
Yes. The steam thermoblock can be switched off independently for energy saving when milk drinks are not required.
What grinder should I pair with the Quick Mill Luna?
A midrange espresso-capable grinder is the practical floor — something like a Eureka Mignon Specialita or similar. The machine's own temperature variability means ultra-premium single-dose grinders are slightly over-specced for this pairing, though they will not hurt.
Worth comparing
Ascaso
Steel Duo PID
A handbuilt Barcelona dual-thermoblock machine that heats up in roughly three minutes, brews and steams simultaneously, and fits the footprint of a compact single-boiler — with PID precision on both circuits.
US$1,699–1,749 · CA$2,195–2,735
SMEG
EMC02 Espresso Manual Coffee Machine
A La Pavoni-collaborated triple-thermoblock prosumer machine with a 58 mm portafilter, manual lever extraction, five pre-infusion profiles, and simultaneous brew-and-steam capability — the most technically ambitious machine SMEG has produced.
US$1,800–1,900 · CA$1,995–2,070
De'Longhi
La Specialista Maestro (EC9865M)
De'Longhi's flagship semi-automatic all-in-one — built-in conical burr grinder, assisted tamping, dual-thermoblock heating, and the first manual bean-to-cup machine with on-demand cold brew. A strong safety net for the learning home barista, though not a substitute for a proper standalone grinder and machine once skills grow.
US$1,099–1,199 · CA$1,195–1,400
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