Recently my Timemore scale that I had been using up to now broke down (it seems that many people complain that the Timemore breaks down after just one year of use – suspicious, don’t you think?)
Anyway, looking for a more compact sized replacement to fit better on a narrow tray like my Sage Bambino Plus, I found the Wacaco Exagram Pro, and decided to give it a try.
| Manufacturer | WACACO |
| Part number | Exagram Pro |
| Item Weight | 155 g |
| Package Dimensions | 14.71 x 14.3 x 5.89 cm; 155 g |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Item model number | Exagram Pro |
| Colour | black |
| Material | Aluminium |
| Maximum weight capacity | 2 Kilograms |
| Measurement Accuracy | +-0.1 |
| Display style | LED |
| Special Features | Exclusive Pour-Over Ratio Program |
| Included components | Built-in Battery |
| Batteries included | Yes |
| Batteries Required | Yes |
| Battery Cell Type | Lithium Ion |
Wacaco is the brand responsible for some well-known barista gadgets , such as the Nanopresso or the Picopresso, as well as other accessories focused on mobility and being able to make espresso on the go. But their Exagram Pro coffee scale seemed like a very good option to use as a coffee scale at home, since it is made of good materials (a mix of ABS plastic, aluminium and stainless steel), it is elegant, it is very compact and it has very good reviews.
The Wacaco Exagram Pro comes with an anti-slip mat, which also serves to protect the surface from splashes, although Wacaco claims that this surface is already splash-proof. It also comes with a practical carrying case, which not only allows the scale to be transported safely, but can also be used as a lifting platform for the scale in those cases where the distance between the filter holder and the glass is too great.
It has three modes of use: Normal, Pour Over and Espresso. In normal mode the scale simply weighs as any kitchen scale would, while in Pour Over mode the Wacaco scale facilitates preparation by automatically calculating the coffee/water ratio. The scale memorises the weight of the ground coffee and, when pouring begins, displays the ratio in real time. For the first stage(blooming), it suggests a ratio of 3 and activates a countdown to indicate when to resume pouring until the recommended final ratio (between 15 and 19) is reached. A step-by-step instruction card is included in the box, guiding the process through five successive pours.
In espresso mode, the Wacaco Exagram Pro performs the normal weighing function, but also adds a timer. The tare function is automatically activated, and pressing the time button activates the automatic detection to start the timer from 0.03 grams of pouring. This timer stops automatically when the coffee pouring stops. The scale then displays the total weight and the extraction time, which serves as an indispensable guide for the calibration of the grinder.
The operation is no different from other coffee scales, but the Exagram Pro is accurate, beautiful and has the advantage of its compact size. As you can see, the drip tray of the Sage Bambino Plus – which also applies to its smaller sister, the Sage Bambino – is very narrow and scales like the Timemore or similar scales are too big. The Wacaco Exagram pro fits perfectly into a narrow tray like the one in these coffee machines.
Another very good thing is the arrangement of the display indicators, very clear, with good definition, showing the weight on the right side, the battery in the centre, the timer on the left, and at both ends the two touch buttons; on the right the tare button, on the left the timer button.
Its battery is also superior to other scales I’ve tested, lasting almost a month on a single charge. It has a USB-C charging port on the back of the scale. The only question I have is what happens if there is an accident and some liquid gets into the port; I wish the port had been covered.
On the right-hand side, next to the operating mode selector, is the power switch, which has two positions for turning off or activating the scale’s audible indicators.
This is, roughly speaking, what the Wacaco Exagram Pro offers, a compact, elegant and not very expensive coffee scale, which is an ideal coffee scale for compact coffee machines, such as the two Bambino from Sage or the De’Longhi Dedica, which also have a small drip tray (even smaller than the Bambino). Similar alternatives are the – very recent – MiiCoffee Minipress or the Maestri House mini scale, but if you decide to give the Wacaco Exagram Pro a try, you won’t regret it.
José Noguera
