The Chefman CraftBrew RJ54-SS-15-D is a compact semi-automatic espresso machine with a 15-bar pump, a built-in steam wand, a 1.5 L removable water tank and touch controls that let you adjust the shot volume. Chefman sells it for $119.99 on its own US store. This page lays out what the maker states, how it compares with two entry-level machines already covered on this site, and who the machine is for.
What is the Chefman CraftBrew RJ54-SS-15-D espresso machine?
It is a home espresso machine in the entry-level class. Chefman's pitch is that you can make café-style lattes and cappuccinos at home, using the 15-bar pump for the espresso and the steam wand for the milk. You grind and dose the coffee yourself, because the maker lists a portafilter, single and double shot baskets, a coffee scoop and a tamper in the box and mentions no grinder.
The control panel is touch-based, and Chefman says it lets you customize the brew time of your espresso. The water tank lifts out for filling, the drip tray is removable and the finish is stainless steel, which the maker says is easy to clean. Chefman also lists an automatic descaling alert that appears after 500 cycles.
Chefman CraftBrew RJ54-SS-15-D specs
| Type | Espresso machine with portafilter and steam wand |
|---|---|
| Pump | 15 bar |
| Controls | Touch panel with adjustable shot volume |
| Water tank | 1.5 L, removable |
| Power | 1350 W, 120 V |
| Dimensions | 10.8 x 8.9 x 11.9 in (27.43 x 22.6 x 30.22 cm) |
| Weight | 7.9 lb (3.58 kg) |
| Baskets | Single and double shot |
| Descaling | Alert after 500 cycles |
| Warranty | 1-year assurance from Chefman, cETL approved |
| In the box | Portafilter, single and double baskets, scoop, tamper |
The maker does not publish a boiler type, a portafilter diameter, a warm-up time or a maximum cup height under the group head. Those are the figures a buyer would normally want when pairing the machine with a particular grinder or mug, so they stay blank here instead of being guessed.
How the CraftBrew's 15-bar pump and touch controls work
Espresso machines in this price range use a pump to push hot water through a puck of finely ground coffee. The 15-bar figure is the pump rating Chefman prints on the page. It is the same number you see on many entry-level machines, and it is a pump capability rather than the pressure at the coffee. The pressure that matters during extraction is a separate matter, and the maker does not publish it.
What Chefman does describe is the shot control. The touch panel has adjustable shot volume, so you can set how much water runs for a single or double shot rather than stopping each one by hand. The single and double baskets set the dose, and the tamper and scoop in the box let you measure and press the grounds. Milk goes through the steam wand: you hold a jug under it and texture the milk yourself, since there is no automatic frother on the page.
The descaling alert after 500 cycles is a practical touch. Scale builds up inside any espresso machine that heats hard water, and a reminder means you do not have to keep count. The page does not say what descaler to use or how to run the cycle, so check the manual Chefman links for that.
Chefman CraftBrew RJ54-SS-15-D vs De'Longhi Stilosa EC260BK
The De'Longhi Stilosa EC260BK is listed on this site at $104.99, so it is the cheaper machine by about $15 on the maker prices. Both use a 15-bar pump and a manual steam wand, and neither includes a grinder. The Stilosa publishes a 1.0 L tank, 1100 W and a 4.3 kg weight, and it has a stainless steel boiler. The CraftBrew has the bigger tank at 1.5 L and more power at 1350 W, and it is lighter at 3.58 kg, but the maker does not state a boiler type.
The practical difference is the controls. The CraftBrew adds touch controls with adjustable shot volume. If a programmable shot matters, that is the point in its favor. If you want the lower price and a named boiler material, the Stilosa has it.
Chefman CraftBrew RJ54-SS-15-D vs CASABREWS 3700 Essential
The CASABREWS 3700 Essential Espresso Machine is listed at $93.99 and publishes more than the Chefman does. It has a 20-bar rating, a 51 mm portafilter, PID temperature control, a thermoblock heating system, a 1.3 L tank and a cup warmer. Its single and double shot volumes can be adjusted and saved, like the CraftBrew's. It also runs at 1350 W.
On published figures the CASABREWS is $26 cheaper and offers more named features. The Chefman's advantages are the larger 1.5 L tank and a descaling alert at 500 cycles. The pump numbers are not directly comparable, since 15 and 20 bar are both ratings of the pump, not of the coffee.
Is the Chefman CraftBrew RJ54-SS-15-D worth it?
Nobody tested the CraftBrew for this page, so there is no claim about the quality of the shots, the steam power or how long the machine lasts. What the maker states is a respectable list for $119.99: a 15-bar pump, touch controls with adjustable shot volume, a 1.5 L removable tank, a steam wand, two baskets and a tamper in the box. The price sits above both rivals on this page, and the missing details are the boiler, the portafilter size and the warm-up time. If those do not matter to you, it is a straightforward way to start making espresso drinks. If they do, the CASABREWS publishes more for less.
Who should buy the Chefman CraftBrew RJ54-SS-15-D (and who should not)
It suits somebody setting up a first home espresso station who wants a larger water tank, a steam wand for lattes and cappuccinos, and a set volume for single and double shots. It also suits a small kitchen, since the maker lists a footprint of about 10.8 by 8.9 inches and a weight under 8 lb.
It does not suit anyone who wants the machine to grind, dose and froth automatically. You need a separate grinder and you froth by hand. It is also a weaker fit for a buyer who wants a named boiler or temperature control, because the page states neither.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Chefman CraftBrew have a built-in grinder?
The maker does not list one. The box contents are a portafilter, single and double baskets, a coffee scoop and a tamper, which points to adding your own ground coffee.
How big is the water tank?
Chefman lists a 1.5 liter removable water reservoir.
Can I adjust the shot size?
Yes. The maker describes a touch control panel with adjustable shot volume and says you can customize the brew time of your espresso.
Does it have a steam wand for milk?
Yes. A built-in steam wand is listed for lattes and cappuccinos. The page describes no automatic frother.
How much does it weigh and how big is it?
The specification list gives 7.9 lb (3.58 kg) and dimensions of 10.8 x 8.9 x 11.9 inches.
What warranty does it have?
The page says the machine is cETL approved with a 1-year assurance from Chefman, and it links a warranty document.
