Fiamma Espresso Machine

A Fiamma espresso machine is built for cafes and restaurants that want steady shots through the rush. The Fiamma Astrolab gives each group its own insulated coffee boiler, so brew temperature holds while you steam milk beside it. Your baristas pull back-to-back drinks without chasing the dial. Here is how to pick the Fiamma coffee machine that fits your bar.

How Do You Choose a Fiamma Espresso Machine for Your Cafe?

In a multi-boiler machine, one large boiler makes steam and hot water, and each group has its own small coffee boiler for brewing. On the Astrolab 2 MB that is a 10.5 liter steam boiler plus two 0.5 liter coffee boilers, all independent and thermally insulated. Steaming never pulls heat from your brew water, so the first shot at open tastes like the fiftieth at lunch.

Next, size the machine to your rush. A Fiamma 2 group espresso machine suits a cafe where one barista pulls shots and steams milk at the same time, and it covers most counters and restaurant bars. If two baristas work the bar at peak, look at larger options in our commercial espresso machines range, because more groups mean shorter queues when the rush hits.

Then look at what the barista touches all day. The Astrolab has an OLED display that shows each step of the extraction, with shot timers, temperatures and counters. Cool-touch steam wands cut burn risk on a crowded bar, and an instant flush clears each group between shots. Sequential heating brings the boilers up one after another, which keeps the electrical draw down at start-up.

Finally, plan your grinder. A multi-boiler machine holds temperature, but it can only be as consistent as the dose you feed it, so pair it with a commercial espresso grinder that you can dial in and trust.

FAQ

Is Fiamma the same as Faema?

No. Fiamma and Faema are two separate espresso machine makers, and Google often treats one as a typo of the other. Fiamma is based in Aveiro, Portugal, and its commercial line is the Astrolab. If a machine's badge reads Fiamma, you are in the right place; if it reads Faema, you want that brand's page instead.

Where are Fiamma espresso machines made?

Fiamma is based in the Zona Industrial de Aveiro, in Portugal, and that is where its espresso machines come from. The brand is Portuguese, not Italian, which is a common mix-up because so many commercial espresso makers are Italian. It is worth knowing when you look for service contacts or read a spec sheet.

What is the difference between the Astrolab MB and the Astrolab PP?

Both are Astrolab machines with the same premium build. The MB is the multi-boiler version, with traditional extraction at 9 bar, so you set the shot and it pulls the same way every time. The PP is the pressure-profile version, where you program how pressure changes during extraction for each coffee. Choose MB for consistency, PP if you want to tinker with each coffee.

Is a Fiamma worth choosing over a better-known commercial brand?

It is if the spec matches your menu. You get independent, insulated coffee boilers, a clear OLED display and cool-touch steam wands, which are the features that keep a busy bar consistent. The honest trade-off is name recognition: Fiamma is less common in US cafes than some rivals, so check how you will get parts and service before you commit.

What temperature and pressure should a Fiamma run at?

Fiamma's own troubleshooting guide points to 9 bar at the pump and brew water between 88 and 95 degrees C. Below 88 degrees C or under 9 bar, shots run weak and fast; above 95 degrees C or over 9 bar, they turn harsh. Check pump pressure with a blind filter that has a built-in gauge, then adjust the pump.

Do I need a water filter on a Fiamma?

Yes. Scale is one of the most common causes of group blockages and weak flow, and a multi-boiler machine has several small boilers to protect. A water filtration system matched to your local water keeps scale off the heating elements and groups, so the machine brews well for longer between service visits.

What does a 2 group Fiamma need to install?

A water line, a drain and a dedicated electrical circuit. The Astrolab 2 MB runs a 3 kW steam boiler plus two 1.5 kW coffee boilers, about 6 kW of heating in total, so it will not run on an ordinary wall outlet. Have an electrician confirm the circuit against the machine's spec sheet before delivery.

Where can I find a Fiamma manual or replacement parts?

Fiamma publishes a troubleshooting guide and a service contact on its own site, and the manual is specific to your model, so have the exact model name and serial number to hand. For gaskets, baskets and other wear items, browse our commercial espresso machine parts and match them to your machine.