Casabrews 5418 PRO Review: Is the Lightning-Fast Heat-Up Worth the Upgrade?

After weeks of testing the new Casabrews 5418 PRO, I can tell you exactly why this machine caught my attention. Every morning, I press the power button and within five seconds, I’m pulling my first shot of espresso. No waiting, no impatient finger-tapping while the machine warms up.

Compare that to the original CM5418’s 40-second heat-up time, and you’ll understand why this upgrade matters for your daily coffee routine. But is that speed boost worth the extra cost? Let me walk you through everything I discovered during my testing.

Here is the detailed Casabrews 5418PRO Review on my YouTube Channel.

The Heart of the Upgrade: A Complete Heating Redesign

The biggest change isn’t visible from the outside. Casabrews completely redesigned the heating system using what they call a thick film heating element made of stainless steel and high-temperature glass. I was curious enough to open both machines and see the difference myself.

Performance Comparison: PRO vs Standard CM5418

The standard CM5418 uses a common aluminum heating block that you’ll find in most budget machines. The PRO’s heating system looks completely different inside. After speaking with Casabrews, they explained that this new element provides much faster heat transfer and includes a built-in safety fuse that shuts down the machine if temperatures get too high.

The indicator light stops flashing in about five seconds, and the water is already hot to the touch. By the time you’ve ground your coffee and prepared your portafilter, you’re ready to brew.

Design That Makes Sense

This remains an entry-level machine, and that’s actually its strength. The compact stainless steel body takes up minimal counter space, which I appreciate in my small kitchen. The design feels intentional rather than cluttered.

What’s In The Box

• 51mm portafilter with pressurized basket
• Single and double shot baskets (both pressurized)
• Plastic tamper and measuring scoop
• 1.3-liter removable water tank
• Cleaning pin

The control panel couldn’t be simpler: power, single shot, double shot, and steam buttons. You can adjust shot volumes to your preference, which I found handy when switching between different cup sizes. There’s no confusing menu system or unnecessary complexity.

The steam wand uses a single-hole tip, and once you find the right angle – I position it at either 3 o’clock or 9 o’clock – it produces surprisingly fine, silky microfoam. When steam mode is off, it doubles as a hot water dispenser for Americanos.

Speed That Changes Everything

Here’s where the PRO truly shines. The heating speed transforms your entire morning workflow. With the standard CM5418, I’d turn it on, then go brush my teeth or make breakfast while waiting 40 seconds for it to heat up. The PRO eliminates that waiting entirely.

But the speed advantage extends beyond initial heat-up. Switching from brewing to steaming takes just 3-5 seconds, compared to the standard model’s 10-second wait. More importantly, switching back to brewing is nearly instant. I can pull a shot, steam milk for my partner’s latte, then immediately pull a second shot for myself.

This quick switching means the crema on your first espresso is still intact when you’re ready to pour steamed milk. On slower machines, you’re often pouring into coffee that’s already started to cool and deteriorate.

Temperature Testing Results

Many budget machines struggle with brew temperature, often producing lukewarm espresso that tastes flat and under-extracted. I tested the 5418 PRO’s temperature performance using a thermometer at the group head after one minute of operation.

My temperature measurements:

• Group head temperature: 85-87°C (held steady)
• Estimated basket temperature: 92°C+ (optimal for extraction)
• Final cup temperature: Around 80°C (pleasantly hot)

This temperature stability helps explain why espresso from the Casabrews 5418 PRO tastes more balanced than what I’ve experienced from other budget machines. The extraction stays consistent rather than varying wildly from shot to shot.

Pre-Ground Coffee: Better Than Expected

Let’s be honest – not everyone has an espresso grinder yet. The included pressurized basket makes this machine surprisingly forgiving with pre-ground coffee.

That tiny hole at the bottom creates back-pressure, forcing coffee through a small opening for additional pressure buildup.

My Pre-Ground Process:

1. Use 14 grams (15g if grind is particularly fine)
2. Leave headspace between puck and shower screen
3. Light to medium tamp pressure – don’t overdo it
4. Watch pressure gauge hit red zone during extraction
5. Stop extraction around 30g to account for residual dripping

I tested this extensively with various pre-ground coffees. Even with slightly coarse grinds that would fail miserably in a non-pressurized basket, the PRO produces espresso with a thick, creamy layer on top. It’s not true crema – that only comes from proper extraction of fresh beans – but it looks impressive and tastes decent.

One important note: this machine lacks a three-way solenoid valve, so water continues dripping briefly after you stop the shot. For a 36-gram yield, I learned to stop extraction around 30 grams to account for this residual flow.

Fresh Coffee: Where Magic Happens

Fresh beans completely transform this machine’s capabilities. I tested several budget grinders that work well with the PRO: the Gemilai Molight Grinder, Tuni G1, and HiBREW G5 all produced good results within reasonable price ranges.

My target became 25-30 seconds extraction time to yield 30-36 grams of espresso from 14-15 grams of ground coffee. Finding this sweet spot required several test shots with each new coffee, adjusting grind size until the flow looked right.

Bottomless Portafilter Workflow

For those ready to take things further, Casabrews offers a 51mm bottomless portafilter upgrade. This transforms the brewing experience entirely. Here’s my improved process:

1. Add dosing ring – keeps counter clean during grinding
2. WDT (Weiss Distribution Technique) – break up clumps, distribute evenly
3. Level the bed – gentle circular motions
4. Upgrade tamper – metal gives more consistent results than plastic
5. Clean basket rim – extends group head gasket life
6. Use puck screen – helps water distribution

With proper puck preparation and the bottomless portafilter, I achieved results that rival machines costing several times more. The difference in crema quality and body is immediately apparent – this is real espresso extraction, not the artificial pressure created by dual-wall baskets.

Milk Steaming: Fast and Effective

My steaming routine with 200ml of cold milk became almost meditative. After pulling an espresso shot, I press the steam button and wait just a few seconds for the system to switch modes.

My Steaming Technique

1. Fill pitcher to 1cm below spout line
2. After espresso, press steam button
3. Purge water first for drier steam
4. Position wand 1cm from pitcher wall, tip touching milk surface
5. Listen for gentle hissing – that’s air incorporation
6. Steam until pitcher is too hot to hold (about 1 minute)
7. Clean wand immediately, then purge again

The steaming process takes about a minute, and the resulting texture is smooth and glossy – perfect for practicing latte art, even though mine still needs work. The quick brew-to-steam switching means my espresso crema remains intact throughout the entire process.

Real-World Performance Over Time

After several weeks of daily use, the PRO has maintained its performance consistently. The fast heat-up never gets old – it genuinely changes how I approach my morning routine. Instead of planning around the machine’s warm-up time, I can decide I want espresso and have it ready within minutes.

The build quality feels solid despite the entry-level positioning. The stainless steel body shows minimal wear, and all the controls remain responsive. The only maintenance required has been regular descaling and cleaning, which is standard for any espresso machine.

Should You Buy the 5418 PRO?

The Casabrews 5418 PRO typically costs around $200, roughly $50-70 more than the standard CM5418. Whether that premium makes sense depends on your priorities and brewing habits.

Choose the 5418 PRO if you:

• Make multiple drinks daily
• Value efficiency in morning routines
• Frequently prepare milk-based drinks
• Appreciate improved engineering quality

Stick with standard CM5418 if you:

• Primarily drink straight espresso
• Have a tight budget
• Don’t mind waiting for heat-up
• Are testing whether home espresso suits you

My Final Take

The Casabrews 5418 PRO succeeds because it solves real problems that matter in daily use. The five-second heat-up isn’t just a marketing number – it fundamentally changes how you interact with the machine. The improved heating system provides better temperature stability, which translates to more consistent espresso quality.

At around $200, it occupies a sweet spot between basic budget machines that frustrate users with slow performance and more expensive options that offer features most beginners won’t use. The upgrade path to better accessories keeps things interesting as your skills develop.

For beginners serious about home espresso but working within budget constraints, the 5418 PRO feels like the smarter long-term investment. The time savings alone justify the modest premium over the standard model, and the improved engineering suggests this machine will serve you well as your coffee skills evolve.