Barista Expresso on the go with Outin Nano | TechManPat

What is the Outin Nano?

The Outin Nano is a compact, battery-powered coffee brewer designed for making espresso away from a conventional machine. It includes a 70 ml water reservoir, a heating element and a small pump. The lower section holds either an espresso-style pod or ground coffee, with a scoop and filter included in the package shown in the review.

The product is made from heat-resistant plastic components, but Pat measured the assembled unit at approximately 633 grams. He therefore questioned whether calling it Nano accurately reflects its size and weight, particularly for people carrying it in a backpack while trekking.

How it brews coffee

For a standard shot, the instructions recommend adding 50 ml of water, which produces approximately 30 ml of coffee. Ground espresso coffee is filled to about 80 percent of the basket, then pressed down using the supplied parts before the water reservoir is attached.

The Outin Nano can heat cold water itself, or it can extract coffee from water that has already been heated elsewhere. With cold water, the review found that the unit takes time to heat before brewing begins. It also requires a suitable charger, with the instructions stating that a charger below 5 volts and 3 amps will not charge it.

When using pre-heated water, the device only needs to pump the water through the coffee. Pat considered this the more practical option for people who can boil water while camping or travelling.

Battery life and charging limitations

The supplied information suggests that cold water can produce only one shot under the stated test conditions, while Pat found the practical result to be approximately three shots. This is a significant limitation if several people want coffee and the unit must heat the water for every brew.

Using pre-heated water changes the result considerably. Pat said the device can produce approximately 40 to 50 brews when it does not need to use its battery to heat the water. However, the Outin Nano cannot be plugged in and charged while it is brewing, which limits its usefulness as a permanently connected machine in a hotel room.

Coffee quality

The first coffee, made by heating cold water in the Outin Nano, had a good appearance, with a consistent extraction and crema on top. Pat described the drink as hotter than the measured 60 degrees, but not as hot as he would have preferred. He also noticed some sourness, which he attributed to the brewing temperature not being high enough.

The coffee made with pre-heated water had a similar appearance and texture, but was less sour. Pat rated the cold-water result six out of ten, while the hot-water result was approximately six and a half to seven out of ten. He noted that the final aroma, colour and flavour will also depend on the beans used.

Who is it for?

Pat did not consider the Outin Nano a replacement for a home coffee machine or a coffee shop. Instead, he saw it as a small espresso treat for travellers, campers and people staying in hotels or Airbnb accommodation where the available coffee may be poor.

He also described it as a potentially good gift because of its novelty and portability. However, he said a coffee connoisseur may not be satisfied with the result, while someone who regularly travels and wants a single espresso in the morning could find it useful.