9Barista Mk.2 – Real Espresso From a Camping Stove?

The 9Barista Espresso Machine Mk.2 promises real espresso from a camping stove, with no electricity and nobattery. But how practical is this extraordinary piece of engineering on the road? We put the stovetop espresso machine through its paces while camping to find out who can genuinely justify the steep €570 price tag.

This review is part of our group test of the best camping espresso makers, in which eight different concepts go head-to-head, from the classic stovetop pot to the electric mini portafilter machine. For an overview of all the contenders, head to our buyer’s guide.

Table of contents

1. First Impressions: Design, Materials & Feel
2. 9Barista Mk.2 Espresso Machine in Review: How Does It Work in Everyday Use?
3. Does the Camping Espresso Machine Deliver on Its Promise?
4. Conclusions
5. Tops & Flops
6. The Test Field

At first glance, the 9Barista Espresso Machine Mk.2 looks like a classic stovetop pot for your camping stove. Its ambitions, however, are entirely different. Instead of brewing moka coffee, its patented two-chamber design produces real espresso without the need for electricity or a battery.
At its core is a dual-boiler system. Water heats up in the lower boiler, while a second boiler above it keeps the pressure and brewing temperature stable. Once the target values are reached, the water is forced through the coffee grounds at around 9 bar, extracting the espresso.

The unusual concept has already proved itself impressively in our sister magazine ENDURO’s review of the 9Barista Mk.1. The Mk.2 retains the same patented brewing principle. Instead, according to the manufacturer, it features numerous detailed improvements to material quality, durability and ease of use. For a deeper dive into the technology, you’ll find the full background in ENDURO’s detailed review of the 9Barista Mk.1.

The key question remains: can the 9Barista Espresso Machine Mk.2 justify its €570 price tag in real-world camping scenarios? We put the stovetop espresso machine to the test on a gas stove.

This article is part of our Coffee Special, full of product tests, exciting insights and some valuable new perspectives on coffee. Curious? Then take a glimpse!

First Impressions: Design, Materials & Feel

At first glance, you could mistake the 9Barista Espresso Machine for an especially refined stainless-steel moka pot. A closer look quickly dispels that impression. Its unusually tall, tiered silhouette, numerous precisely machined metal components and narrow “chimney” at the top make it look more like a piece of precision laboratory equipment or a miniature steam engine. Pick it up and the machine makes its case before you brew: almost 1,900 g, which is not a coffee pot, and not pretending to be.

9Barista Mk.2 Espresso Machine in Review: How Does It Work in Everyday Use?

Operation, Brewing Workflow & Control

Anyone coming from an electric camping espresso machine or a classic Bialetti will need to rethink their routine. The 9Barista demands considerably more attention: the grind needs to be fine and consistent, the dose has to be right, and careful tamping pays off too. If you already have experience with a portafilter machine, you’ll quickly find your feet. Beginners, on the other hand, will need a few attempts before all the variables come together. What most people will have to get used to is the Mk.2’s substantial weight. At 1,900 g it feels heavy in the hand, and our testers found it noticeably more difficult to handle than anything else in the field.

The brewing process itself is surprisingly relaxed. Once the machine is filled and placed on the stove, the patented system takes care of the crucial part of the job. Depending on the type of stove, you use either the supplied Heat Transfer Plate or the induction adaptor. Both ensure that heat enters the machine in a controlled way, allowing the brewing system to work reliably. The valve system does the thinking. It regulates pressure automatically and holds the espresso back until the conditions are right, which takes three to six minutes depending on the stove and how high the flame runs. Then the first drop reaches the upper chamber, and the smell arrives with it.

How Practical Is the 9Barista Espresso Machine Mk.2 in Real-World Camping Scenarios?

The 9Barista isn’t a machine for squeezing in a quick coffee between packing up the tent and hitting the road. At almost 1.9 kg, it weighs more than any other espresso machine in our review and, most importantly, requires a stove. That makes it a poor first choice for bikepacking or minimalist trekking. Pack one of these and you can leave the kettlebells at home ;). In a camper van, motorhome or at a campsite, however, the weight matters far less.

Once the coffee is ready, the machine needs time to cool down – or access to cold running water – before it can be opened safely again. Anyone hoping to serve several people one after another will therefore need a little patience. Cleaning itself is straightforward: remove the coffee grounds, rinse the metal components with water and reassemble the machine. There are no electronics, batteries or sensitive parts that could cause trouble on the road. It’s precisely this uncompromising mechanical design that will probably continue to win over 9Barista fans for years to come.

Does the Camping Espresso Machine Deliver on Its Promise?

Yes. During our test, the 9Barista Espresso Machine delivers exactly what the manufacturer promises: real espresso from a camping stove. The price doesn’t buy you additional convenience. Instead, it pays for an exceptionally well-considered brewing system, high-quality materials and convincing espresso quality. If that’s exactly what you’re looking for, the 9Barista is unlikely to disappoint.

Conclusions

€570 is a lot of money, but for the right target group, this piece of engineering makes a surprising amount of sense. The 9Barista Espresso Machine Mk.2 isn’t a camping espresso machine for a quick caffeine fix. It’s for anyone unwilling to compromise on espresso, even on the road. The more involved workflow, substantial weight and high price make it a specialist. But if that’s what you’re after, you’ll struggle to find a more fascinating espresso gadget.

Tops & Flops

Tops

• Ingenious brewing system
• High-quality construction and durable material choices

Flops

• High weight can take the fun out of using it

For more info, visit 9Barista.

This article is part of our Coffee Special, full of product tests, exciting insights and some valuable new perspectives on coffee. Curious? Then click here!

Are portable espresso machines your main focus? We’ve also reviewed the Wacaco Picopresso.

The Test Field

All machines reviewed: AeroPress Go Plus | Bialetti Moka Express | Ciarra BloomBox | Flair 2GO | Handpresso E-Presso | IKAPE K2 Pro | 9Barista Stovetop Espresso Machine Mk.2 | OutIn Nano

Words: Felicia Nastal Photos: Tim Eckermann