wifi timer espresso machine

How to Smarten Up Your Coffee Maker or Espresso Machine

Make Your At Home Coffee Maker or Espresso Machine Smarter! 

All You Need is a Wi-Fi Timer

With most of the espresso machines we sell here at Cliff & Pebble (and most coffee makers in general) there’s a heat-up time involved. Unless you like your coffee cold, it’s just a necessary component to making coffee. With premium domestic machines heat-up times can reach up to 40 minutes! Yeah – that’s a little longer than the line at your local Starbucks!

This heat up time can really turn people off of a premium machine and opt for a cheaper, more time-sensitive one. Most want their coffee and they want it quickly. We’re constantly asked if our machines can be put on Wi-Fi timers.

The answer? YES – they can! 

Here’s a quick list of our favorite tech gear to pair with any espresso machine or coffee maker.


1. WEMO Wi-Fi Timer

This thing is really cool and is exactly what it sounds like – it’s a switch you can plug your appliances in to (espresso machines and coffee makers included), set a time you want it to come on and off at and let it work it’s magic!

Benefits of the WEMO

Controllable From Anywhere Via an App

wemo wifi timer app

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Controllable from your smartphone via the WEMO app, simply set it up, set a schedule if you’d like and let it go. Me personally? I have my Rocket Mozzafiato set to come on at 6am every morning. This way, when my alarm clock buzzes me out of bed at 7am, my Rocket is heated and ready to go! No heat up time waiting involved.

Should you not set a schedule, leave the house and realize you left it on – no worries. You can use the app to turn it off from wherever you may be. 

No subscription fees.

wemo wifi timer

Image Courtesy of Amazon.com


2. “Hey Alexa, turn on the coffee maker!”

amazon alexa

If you don’t have one of these things by now, you don’t know what you’re missing. 

Alexa is your at-home personal assistant, knowledge base, stereo, news center, score updater, pretty much everything. The amount of things you can ask Alexa are endless. What’s even better is it’s compatible with WEMO!

That’s right – you can pair your WEMO Wi-Fi timer with your Amazon Alexa to tell it (from anywhere in your house) to “turn on the coffee maker,” or “Hey Alexa, turn on the Rocket.”

Give it the command and boom – your coffee maker or espresso machine is automatically switched to “on”.

Suggestions to ask Alexa:

  • “Hey Alexa, what’s the weather?”
  • “Hey Alexa, set a timer for 10 minutes.”
  • “Hey Alexa, how do I make a vanilla latte.”
  • “Hey Alexa, re-order some Starbucks beans.”
  • “Hey Alexa, what’s the traffic like to work right now.”
  • “Hey Alexa, what time is it in Rome?”
  • “Hey Alexa, play some baby making music!”

Just suggestions. As you can see, you can ask it pretty much anything.


AmazonTech

Related Stories

View all
espresso machines in a bright kitchen

Espresso Machine Warm-Up Time: Why It Matters & How to Speed It Up

The Coffee Guy

Waiting for your espresso machine to warm up can feel like forever—but skipping it can ruin your shot. In this guide, we break down why warm-up time is essential, how long different machines actually take, and proven ways to speed things up.

alaska airlines stumptown coffee roasters

From Clouds to Countertops: The World’s Best Airline Coffee — and How to Brew It at Home

The Coffee Guy

From chocolate-rich blends at 35,000 feet to single-origin elegance in premium cabins, airlines are stepping up their coffee game. Discover the world’s best in-flight brews—and how to recreate them at home with a prosumer espresso setup from Cliff & Pebble.

Lelit Mara X next to a DF64 Gen 2 in a bright kitchen

Cliff Notes: One Coffee Lover’s Upgrade Journey

The Coffee Guy

In our first edition of Cliff Notes, we talk to Alex — a young professional and Breville owner — about his path to better home espresso and what he’s eyeing next.

coffee grinder spread

How to Choose the Right Espresso Grinder for Your Machine

The Coffee Guy

The espresso grinder you choose plays a critical role in extraction quality, flavor clarity, and shot consistency. In this guide, we’ll explain how to pick the best espresso grinder based on burr type, motor power, dosing preference, and which models work best with machines like the Lelit Bianca, Mara X, and more.

lucca solo espresso machine on wooden table

Single Boiler vs Dual Boiler Espresso Machines: A Complete Comparison

The Coffee Guy

Not sure whether to choose a single boiler or dual boiler espresso machine? This in-depth comparison breaks down cost, temperature stability, workflow speed, and more — so you can confidently pick the machine that fits your lifestyle and skill level.

flow control on a lelit bianca v3 espresso machine

Pressure Profiling in Espresso Machines: What It Is & Why It Matters

The Coffee Guy

Discover the difference between true pressure profiling and flow control in espresso machines. Learn how machines like the Lelit Bianca V3 allow you to experiment with pressure-like extraction for better flavor, clarity, and consistency — even without a programmable pressure system.

la marzocco linea mini espresso machine in a lit kitchen

What to Look For in a $2,000+ Espresso Machine

The Coffee Guy

Ready to invest in a high-end espresso machine? This guide breaks down the must-have features and specs you should expect from a $2,000+ machine.

light roast coffee beans in a colorful spoon

Best Espresso Machines for Light Roast Coffee: Our Top Picks for 2025

The Coffee Guy

Light roast coffee is delicious—but difficult. In this guide, we break down why it’s so tricky to pull as espresso and which machines are best equipped for the challenge in 2025. From pressure profiling to thermal stability, we cover it all.

rocket appartamento serie nera in a dark kitchen

Rocket Appartamento in 2025: Still Iconic, Now Smarter

The Coffee Guy

Once the king of compact heat exchangers, the Rocket Appartamento has returned in 2025 with smarter tech and the same iconic style. Learn what’s new with the TCA model, how it compares to top rivals like the Mara X, and whether it’s still the right machine for your espresso journey.