About 9Barista
9Barista is a Cambridge-based espresso machine company that turns jet-engine thermodynamics into stovetop espresso. We design and build compact, repairable machines that deliver true 9-bar extraction without pumps or electronics, made to last a lifetime.
Every 9Barista is assembled and tested in our Cambridge factory, using a patented dual-boiler system to give café-quality espresso on any hob, with as little waste and as few resources as possible.
The 9Barista Story:
The Garden Shed
As a teenager, William Playford, the inventor and founder of 9Barista, developed a passion for building complex thermodynamic machines. His creations included constructing rocket motors and several fully functioning gas turbine engines, all within the confines of his parents' garden shed.
Building model jet engines is challenging, although well documented. The harder problem, as it turned out, was brewing true espresso at home without a huge, power-hungry machine. That puzzle eventually became 9Barista.
The Inspiration
By day, Will pursued a Ph.D. in jet engine thermodynamics at The University of Cambridge Whittle Lab. However, his passion for thermodynamics didn't end with jet engines. By night, he could be found in the garden shed analysing the thermal performance of his La Pavoni lever espresso machine.
These late-night experiments proved to be more than just a hobby, they led to a groundbreaking idea. Will patented the innovative concept of using two saturated steam boilers at different pressures and temperatures; one to generate 9 bars of pressure, and the other to regulate the brew temperature via an inter-boiler heat exchanger.
That thermodynamic layout became the core of the 9Barista espresso machine: a compact stovetop brewer that uses saturated steam at two pressures to hit both 9-bar pressure and stable brew temperature.
The Development
Once the idea was born, Will got to work building the first prototype using his jet engine workshop in Cambridge. It worked! Inspired by this early success, he refined and perfected the machine over 5 years, building computer simulations and dozens more prototypes, running detailed performance measurements until it worked precisely as intended, and could be manufactured at scale.
Kickstarter & the Launch at London Coffee Festival
Will gathered his friends and family with expertise in business, marketing, engineering and graphic design and created a Kickstarter campaign that launched 9Barista at the London Coffee Festival in 2019. The new technology that featured in the machine was wonderfully received, so much so that the machine was awarded ‘highly commended’ status for the most innovative product award at the festival in 2022.
Our Factory, Our Team, Our Future
Today, 9Barista is an independent espresso machine company based in Cambridge, UK. Our team of engineers, technicians and coffee lovers design, build and test every machine in-house, and ship them around the world. The goal hasn’t changed since the first prototype: precise, repeatable espresso from a machine that’s built to last and designed to be repaired.
Our Values
Unconventional Thinking
We don’t feel obliged to follow the usual espresso-machine playbook. 9Barista exists because we applied jet-engine thermodynamics to a stovetop brewer and followed the data, even when it led in strange directions. Most experiments fail. That’s fine. Rigorous experimentation is how we find the ideas that are worth building.
Precision Focussed
We design, machine and test our parts with the same obsession for repeatable performance. Pressure, temperature and flow are measured, simulated and verified, not guessed. Once we decide what “good” looks like, we focus relentlessly on achieving it in every machine that leaves the factory.
Built to Last
9Barista makes machines you can keep for a lifetime, not throw away every few years. Every component is replaceable, and we design for “right to repair” from the first design iteration. We publish detailed service guides and supply spare parts so owners can maintain and service their machines for decades, cutting the materials, energy and waste behind every shot.
From Idea to 9Barista
"Hi, I'm Will, the founder of 9Barista. I started the company because I wanted a way to produce café-quality espresso at home without buying a huge, resource-intensive machine full of electronics that would be hard to repair.
9Barista was designed to use as few resources as possible and to last as long as possible, while still delivering true 9-bar espresso extraction. Every part is replaceable, and we’d rather help you keep a machine running for decades than sell you a new one before you need it.
Since founding the company we’ve built a brilliant team in Cambridge and a community of customers who care about engineering, coffee and the planet. We’re always looking for ways to improve how we run 9Barista so we can reduce our impact and make a positive contribution to society."
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Your questions, answered...
What is 9Barista?
9Barista is a Cambridge-based espresso machine company that uses jet-engine thermodynamics to deliver true 9-bar espresso on a stovetop. We build compact, repairable machines that give café-quality results without pumps or electronics.
What is the story behind 9Barista?
Born in Cambridge from jet-engine engineering, 9Barista set out to deliver true espresso at home without pumps or electronics, precision thermodynamics in a compact stovetop form.
How does 9Barista achieve 9-bar extraction?
A patented dual-boiler system controls heat and pressure to a stable ~9 bars, the commercial espresso standard, so you get consistent crema and balanced flavour on any hob.
What makes 9Barista different from moka pots and other stovetop brewers?
Moka pots run at ~1–2 bars and make strong coffee, not espresso. 9Barista reaches ~9 bars, extracting like a professional machine, no pumps, fewer variables, repeatable results.
Can 9Barista be repaired or serviced?
Every component is replaceable. We supply spares and engineer-written guides so you can maintain, repair, and keep brewing for years instead of replacing the machine.
