Wendougee: The Most Interesting Manufacturer in China?

Summary

Key Points

• —The Wendougee LITA espresso machine requires the user to provide their own tablet for full control, though it has a small built-in display for basic functions. 0:22
• —The Wendougee LITA is a compact, tablet-controlled espresso machine featuring dual boilers and pressure/flow profiling, priced around $2,000. 0:25
• —The Milo Play Grinder is a $1,000, 64mm flat burr grinder with variable RPM and a unique digital micron adjustment for grind settings. 0:41
• —Chinese brands are increasingly producing premium coffee equipment, challenging the long-held perception of imitation and potentially becoming leaders in the market. 2:14
• —The Milo Play Grinder's digital micron adjustment is highly precise and repeatable, allowing for easy switching between grind settings, but it suffers from significant retention issues. 6:51
• —The grinder also exhibits a potential regrinding problem, leading to hotter grounds and more fines, which could be addressed by modifying the clump crusher. 10:55
• —The LITA's software offers both an 'easy mode' and a 'professional mode' for profile creation and brewing, with features like temperature control for dual boilers and connectivity to smart scales and grinders. 14:37
• —The espresso produced by the LITA is good, but the reviewer notes that the grinder's particle distribution is not as refined as some competitors, potentially impacting clarity and sweetness. 26:54
• —While the LITA's hardware is capable, it lacks the robust community support and open-source development seen in competitors like the Decent espresso machine. 30:09
• —Despite some surprising material choices and minor software bugs, the reviewer believes Wendougee has significant potential for rapid iteration and competitive pricing due to China's manufacturing capacity. 32:26