FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Ordering, gas, brewing, travel and repairs. If a question is missing, the contact page reaches a person.
Before you write to us
Most questions that arrive by email are answered on this site already:
- Choosing a machine — portable coffee maker buying guide
- How the technology works — pneumatic espresso engineering
- Shot runs too fast or too slow — brewing tutorials
- Brewing outdoors — camping espresso procedure
- Price and configurations — pricing
If your question is about a specific machine's specifications, we will tell you which figures are measured and which are still being validated. We would rather say "we do not know yet" than invent a number to close a sale.
Questions
Frequently asked
When can I buy a Gilka One?
No date is published, because none is confirmed. The launch list receives the specification sheet, the price and the shipping date at the same moment they are set. We will not open pre-orders on an unconfirmed date.
How does a pneumatic machine make espresso without electricity?
Compressed food-grade CO₂ supplies the pressure. A regulator reduces cartridge pressure to a brewing setpoint near 9 bar, and the gas pushes hot water through the puck. Water is heated separately — a kettle, stove or flask — so the machine itself has no electrical requirement at all.
Is CO2 safe to brew with?
Food-grade CO₂ is the same gas used in draft beer and soda systems. The hazards are mechanical rather than toxic: stored pressure, cold from rapid expansion, and oxygen displacement if a cartridge vents in a sealed space. Never use or store cartridges in an unventilated tent or vehicle, and always check that a machine has a relief valve.
Can I take gas cartridges on a plane?
It depends on the airline and the country, and food-grade CO₂ cartridges are classed as dangerous goods in some jurisdictions. Check the operating carrier's rules before flying. Never assume a small cartridge is cabin-approved — the machine and grinder are usually fine, the gas is the problem.
How many shots does one cartridge brew?
About 5–7 doubles from an 8 g CO₂ cartridge in practice. The theoretical ceiling for a 36 ml shot at 9 bar is roughly 11, since the cartridge holds about 4.1 litres of gas at atmospheric pressure and a shot consumes about 0.32 litres. Purge cycles and regulator losses account for the difference.
What does a shot cost?
Gas plus coffee. Divide your local food-grade cartridge price by five to seven, then add 16–18 g of coffee. Cartridge pricing varies widely by region and pack size, which is why we publish the method rather than a single figure.
Can it steam milk?
No. There is no boiler and no steam wand. Milk has to be frothed with a separate tool — handheld frother, French press or stovetop steamer. If flat whites are the main use case, budget for that second tool.
Does it need special pods or capsules?
No. It uses standard espresso grind, dosed into a double basket. Nothing is proprietary except the seals and baskets we sell as spares, and those are priced openly.
What is the warranty and return policy?
The targets are 24 months on mechanical parts and 30 days for returns. Neither is final, so neither is stated as a commitment. Both will be published with the price sheet before any pre-order opens. Gas cartridges are excluded from warranty scope for transport reasons.
Where can I get spare seals and baskets?
Directly from us at launch, priced individually, with the part numbers published. A machine that depends on one proprietary component has a shelf life, so serviceability is treated as a design requirement.
Does it work at altitude?
Brewing pressure is unaffected, because the chamber is sealed. What changes is water temperature: at 2,500 m water boils near 91 °C, below the usual espresso range. Preheat harder, grind slightly coarser, and accept a brighter cup.
Can I use it in a hotel room?
Yes — it is silent, needs no power and produces no steam or flame. Most hotel kettles get you to brewing temperature. Preheating the chamber with the first 50 ml of water is the step that matters.