Jura Z10 test: an impressive and exclusive coffee maker with grinder

The Jura Z10 is a monster of technology in an almost perfect setting. As always with Jura, the finishes are impeccable, the design is minimalist and special attention is paid to the details (embossed water tank, touches of stainless steel here and there, LEDs under the spout, etc. ). As on many machines, plastic reigns supreme, despite the brushed stainless steel appearance of the sides of the facade. This one does not creak under the fingers and does not present any play.

Installed on the front of the coffee maker, the 4.3-inch touch screen acts as a control panel for navigating through a dense tree structure. To begin with, the catalog provides access to around thirty recipes for black or milky, hot or cold coffees. Alongside the traditional espresso, classic coffees and long coffees, we identify cappuccinos, milk coffees, flat white latte macchiato, etc.

The Jura Z10 is also the first coffee maker of its kind to offer the possibility of preparing a cold brew quickly. Unlike the traditional method which is based on infusion and requires between 12 to 24 hours of rest time, the one used by the Z10 is based on an injection of cold water at high pressure into the freshly ground coffee cake, but more coarsely than for a hot drink. At Jura, this recipe is prepared in 2 min 6 s for a normal coffee (when the Delonghi Eletta Explore does it in less than 4 min).

For each of these recipes, it is possible to select the intensity of the aroma on 10 levels (from 5 to 16 g of coffee) and modify the quantity of water in a cup. For example, one can increase the length of the espresso up to 80 ml. These settings are only suitable for the current preparation and can be saved in the machine. Each of the drinks offered by the coffee maker can be served cold, that is to say at room temperature.

The Jura Z10 chooses a milk hose to ensure the preparation of milk drinks. Here, and like all Jura coffee makers, the hose is attached to a dispensing nozzle. It is connected to a stainless steel pot supplied with the machine. Generally, we prefer milk carafes as they are designed at Delonghi or Philips (with the LatteGo system), because they are easier to install or clean. In addition, the small transparent tube is lost much more easily than a carafe.

On the purely technical side, the Z10 benefits from many in-house technologies, such as the system for injecting hot water into the coffee by impulse (pulsed extraction process or PEP) or the Claris filter which communicates with the coffee maker. Moreover, the water tank, with a capacity of 2.4 l, is relegated to the left side of the coffee maker. It is large enough not to force the user to recharge it too regularly, which is quite comfortable.

At the very top of the device, there is the bean container that can accommodate 280 g of coffee. It is closed by a transparent cover around which a seal is installed, so as to preserve the coffee beans from the air. Great novelty, and not least, the adjustment of the grind is done automatically. The functionality is made possible by the Product Recognizing Grinder System technology, which simply allows the grinder to adapt the fineness of the grind according to the chosen recipe. It will be interesting for those who do not dare to venture into the settings of the mill. However, and as everyone knows, the choice of grind is supposed to vary according to the coffee consumed. The risk with automated grinding is that the taste of the coffee (more or less bitter, more or less acid) does not suit the user and he has no flexibility to improve it.

A hatch for ground coffee is also included in order to change coffee from time to time.

Note, however, that the pouring spout is equipped with LEDs which make their little “wow” effect when you launch a recipe. Even better, the plastic cover is removable for thorough cleaning.

From the screen, the user accesses the parameters of the device to define, among other things, the duration of extinction of the Jura Z10, the hardness of the water, or to launch the cleaning or maintenance programs. . The screen therefore greatly facilitates the general handling of the device. Each phase is notified on the screen (filling the bean container, filling the water tank, emptying the coffee grounds container, etc.).

As soon as it is switched on and each time it is switched off, the Jura Z10 rinses the nozzles. Note that after 180 preparations, the manufacturer recommends cleaning the machine. This operation, as much as descaling, is automated, with the Z10 guiding users step by step.

The various elements (cup rests, water tank, grounds container, etc.) can be removed and reinstalled very easily. To ensure their durability, it is best to opt for manual cleaning. For a whole host of reasons, Jura does not provide access to the brewing unit. The Swiss manufacturer ensures that maintenance is simpler, as it is fully automated and more secure. Indeed, during cleaning, the temperature of the water reaches more than 80°C, a value considered adequate to eliminate germs and fully dissolve coffee residues, oils and greases. Finally, by preventing access to the percolation chamber, the risks of malfunction submitted by external factors are completely eliminated.