I have owned the Elektra MCAL (ie the machine reviewed here) for 10 months now, and as this video was one of those I watched to assist me in making up my mind to purchase it, I thought I would give a review of the machine here. I turned 40 last August (2022), and not being rich enough to buy a Porsche, my midlife crisis purchase was the £1,338 (UK) Elektra. I've never owned an espresso machine previously, have zero training, and was concerned that this might be a bit of a stretch for a noob. However, learning to make a great latte with this machine took very little time. I'm still hit and miss with the steam wand, but I derive immense pleasure from using this machine, making slight adjustments every time I make a coffee. It being my first espresso machine, I also had none of the kit. I invested a lot of time in trying to find the perfect (whilst affordable) grinder, and ended up with the Niche Zero. It immediately struck me as a mistake, and I wish I had gone for a manual coffee grinder (eg ROK), as that would have better complemented a manually operated espresso machine. However, the Niche is very good, and it cost £500, so I won't be replacing it any time soon. I also bought some cheap scales, which are cr*p, and I'll replace them when I don't mind burning £200 on a decent set. The downside. I burnt myself three times in the first month of ownership, but since then have not burnt myself again. I got the copper and brass version. It's hard to keep clean, and there are marks (particularly on the tank directly behind where you insert the portafilter) that will require polishing at some point [edit update: I've just polished it, and it's worn away some of the brass colouring, I understand the chrome version does not have this issue]. The steam wand is also a little gunky at the end, in spite of purging/cleaning with a cloth each time I've used it. The drip tray is also very scratched/discoloured. Sometimes water drips from the dispenser whilst it is heating up. I understand this is a limescale issue. I've used (as recommended by the supplier) Puly Descaler, but the problem still occurs intermittently. However, at worst when this occurs the drip tray will be a third full, leaving plenty of water in the tank. There's a tiny little hole behind the lever, and sometimes water spits out of there when I pull the lever. This, I believe, is because a rubber ring inside has been slightly eroded. The above two issues occurring in the first 6 months of usage may be because I would turn the machine on at 7.30am, and generally leave it on until 11am. I now just turn the machine on when I want a coffee, and turn it straight back off again. The puck size is small and non-standard, so I have to spoon coffee from the Niche doser, rather than tipping it straight in. The upside. One of the reasons I bought the machine is it's sheer beauty; it's like a work of art in the kitchen. Even though it's a little mucky now, I'm still in awe of it. I absolutely love using the machine. I derive immense pleasure from it. I also chop my own firewood, and the sense of satisfaction that gives me is similar to the satisfaction I get from using the machine. The sense of accomplishment would be lower with a semi-automatic machine. It makes outstanding coffees (with the right beans). (I have to caveat that by saying I am not an expert). It heats up in around 13 minutes, which, I believe, is on the faster side for prosumer coffee machines. I use a plug that I can turn on from my phone when I wake up. You can bang out a few coffees in a row, though 99.9% of the time, I'm just making a single coffee for myself. This is probably the best purchase I have ever made, and I like buying quality products. If you want a machine with zero problems and zero effort, this is not the machine for you. If, like me, you love how it looks, love the idea of actively taking part in making coffee, and you're open to putting up with a bit of bulls**t, then this machine is for you. Other points to add. I assumed that I would pretty much only use the double shot, but I find I make better and more consistent coffees using the single shot. I've read elsewhere of others having the same experience. I don't have to hold the portafilter. It's never once moved a fraction with the pressure. I'm guessing this was an issue that Elektra recognised and fixed. I have however sometimes made a bit of a mess when removing the portafilter. But no biggie. I use 7.5g of beans for singles, and 14g for doubles. I use Clumsy Goat Italian espresso beans most of the time, as I've found them to be the best for my tastes. (Open to suggestions in the UK). I replaced the tamper with a proper tamper. It only needs a bit of pressure, otherwise you choke the machine. I use Volvic water. I was initially using other bottled water, but learnt that the minerals they contain are as harsh as tap water or more so. From reading elsewhere I learnt Volvic was one of the best waters you can use on this machine. If you've read my whole post, I hope you have found it helpful. If you end up buying this machine, I hope it enhances your life as much as it has enhanced mine.
Thanks for sharing this story - I've had automatic espresso machines all my life (Profitec Pro 700, Sage Dual Boiler, a Profitec Go which I love, and a few bean to cups which I hated) but after reading this review I decided to take the plunge and order a Micro Casa!
@@giovannibolton Thanks for replying, I'm happy my review has been useful for you, and that you've decided to buy one. I'd be keen to hear your thoughts on it once you've had it a while.
This was one of the most entertaining videos for an espresso brewing machine I've ever seen! I'm SO happy you left in the bloopers. Still can't decide on getting a lever machine like the Elekra or a full size lever. She is so beautiful though. Just don't get burned.
Thank you for a most enjoyable presentation and since I'm doing some research to familiarize myself with lever machines, I'm tending towards deciding in favour of the Electra micro casa a leva in spite of my original thoughts of getting a Pavoni. The only downside I see is 30 min. warn-up time. My Isomac Tea Pid takes 30 min. to warm-up but it has a larger boiler. I could respectfully suggest if Electra used a stronger heating element, that could have been avoided.
for commercial ( event vehicle) use how many espressos can you make in one hour, thinking of one of these for aesthetic and one Elektra Sixties 2 group . what about the Mini Belle in background? Can that be used commercially ?
Thank you for the presentation. Do you have an opinion on the Elekra vs the La Pavoni Professional? I was rather surprised to come across the Elekra, as I was unaware of it. All my research for a purchase has been on the La Pavoni Professional. Interestingly, all the videos and reviews of the La Pavoni, I never heard or saw any heads up or warning on the portafilter flying off. It is opposite install, turns left and the handle pull is with the right hand. I would think that the right hand pull with the left hand on the portafilter is better for right handers, and vice vs. for left handers. Just curious if the same situation with the La Pavoni can occur if the portafilter works loose. Not sure yet, but probably going with the La Pavoni.
Hi Stephen! The machines are comparable. However, the Elektra a leva espresso machines have larger boilers which means more capacity for steaming and for more espresso shots before pulling. The handle can fly off because of the pressure created by the spring piston in the grouphead. This spring piston also delivers the same amount of force at each point the lever moves up. Hence, the pressure on the espresso grinds becomes more consistent. Hope this helps!
The Elektra is far superior to La Pavoni with regards to extraction and to the “purity” of espresso. It is also however a much harder machine to master. But once you get it right, it will sing for you! Please research it thoroughly there’s plenty of information on it out there
I’d say that if you lock the portafilter and don’t touch it, it won’t blow off like that unless there is something wrong or worn with the group or portafilter. It blew off because she put rotary force on the portafilter. If you were putting pressure down on a Pavoni lever and moved the portafilter handle, you’d get a similar blow out. Elektra MCaL have better group temp stability than a Pavoni. Very nice machines.
@@aldobega2649 I didn't get either one. Wife went and got a DeLonghi Dedica DeLuxe Manual Espresso Machine, Cappuccino Maker - Black - EC685BK. She didn't want to mess around with pressing unfortunately. She got it through her work at a great discount and so far it has been a great trouble free machine. I still want an Elektra though.
Hi may I say you're just so professional but cool at the same time. Like, serious but fun too. Which really stands out to make one listen carefully. I'd just have a lil question... you're saying it's an 850 w machine... but does anyone have any idea how much it might consume through the 30 minutes warming etc... what i mean is, i have a glass halogen oven that is like 1000 or 1500 w - i can't remember now. But what i know is, it doesn't 'actually' burn all the said watts throughout its working. I really apologize, am just askingmoutnof the blue and havent even checked yet on google, however, just saying. :)
what to buy buy between elektra Microcasa e leva or La Pavoni ESPED Esperto COMPETENTE Its so hard to choose, i cant find a shop where i can see those machines and rely on what i read on reviews but theres not much written about the la pavoni competente
I have one of these machines and used to brew with it a lot more 10 years ago. I don't use it much nowadays not because it has bad results, quite the contrary - it pulls fantastic shots. I just found myself to prefer vacuum/siphon coffee more on a daily basis, so my Elektra has spent (too much) time in its case. That said, when I used it more frequently, I found that the group head would start to overheat around 7-8 shots in and the quality of the shots would diminish on subsequent shots. Therefore, I think that this could struggle in a cafe environment. Hopefully, someone will reply to you with more recent info. I'd think that there is probably some cooldown time/spacing between shots that could work, but unfortunately, I don't know what that would be.
@@1st-lineequipment this fantastic resource. would be great assuming there is demand that the PDFs > step by step videos ( piston ) appears to be complex and visuals would be great, probably see mote machines...
@@1st-lineequipment I would love to. I know from google previews that you have pages that answer many of my questions (such as how to adjust the pressurestat)... but you've blocked access to those pages outside the US.
You will need at least 30 minutes for the machine to fully warm up, which is a pretty normal amount of time for a lot of espresso machines within this price range. Are you looking to make espresso though or just a quick cup of coffee?
I have owned this machine for almost four years now and have only one problem, which you did mention in this video. When I pour a shot, unless I use my other hand to keep the portafilter secure, it loosens on its own and depressurizes (and explodes like in your demonstration). I feel this is either a design flaw or a flaw of my particular unit because I have experienced it many times. When I try to pour a shot and want to steam milk, I have to wait for the shot to be fully poured so I can then use both hands to steam the milk like a prefer. If anyone has any ideas on what I could do please let me know.
Hi Joel, thanks for your feedback and comments. Every make and model machine can have a design flaw. An example would be black paint on steel that bubbles/flakes then starts the rusting process. This is a known condition on many other machines, but they are still produced. With respect to the Elektra Micro Casa a Leva espresso and cappuccino machine, the 'explosion' is a known issue that can happen on any a leva unit. This is why we made it a significant point in our video. The causes are too much coffee in the basket, or too fine a grind, or both. There is a happy medium that 'can' be achieved to not have to hold the portafilter handle. HOWEVER, since bean blends change, yes the same bean blend that may be used week after week, the blend can change without notice to you, or even the roaster. One example is that bean hardness may change. When ground, the bean with a different hardness may change the grind fineness even with the grinder on the same setting. Other factors include humidity levels, ambient temperature, coffee storage in the supply chain, and many ther factors. If the grind does go finer, you can still have an explosion of the portafilter. Therefore, this is why we recommend always holding the portafilter. Let's all keep in mind that the a Leva espresso machine is not considered a production unit or speed machine, but one that home baristas love to enjoy the ritual as well as the flavor profile that is extracted. Lastly, the grouphead gasket should be replaced every 6-12 months dependent upon usage.
I had similar issues with some very frustrating cleanups in the mornings. Have you tried securing it a little tighter than usual? I pay extra attention now when I place the handle so I won't run into that problem
I have had this machine for about 15 years, and this has happened to me only a few times. The last time it happened, I took the machine to the local repair shop. They confirmed that this is a known issue, but that it can be largely avoided by scoring the top ridge of the portafilter basket to create a rough surface. This provides friction to help keep the portafilter in place. Of course, you still have to make sure the portafilter is loaded tightly into place and dial in the grind so your beans aren't pulverized into powder. Good luck!
Very informative. I didn't realize it takes 30+ minutes to pull a shot with this, but it's definitely helpful info due to the boiler. I'm guessing that's also the case for the semi-automatic? Is there any way to speed that up, like pre-boil ahead of time in a kettle? I had an "aha!" moment when you talked about pulling a shot of espresso-so the manual machines is where this term comes from. 😅 This video is much more entertaining, informative, and concise than your colleague's version of this machine.
Yep! Preboiling in a kettle would definitely help speed things up a little. Just be sure to wait at least 5 minutes after all the steam is out before removing the cap and refilling.
I own one of these and it's not 30 minutes. I've timed it and it's around 13 minutes. Still a long time for some people, but if you've got a routine then you'll know when you need to turn it on.
I have noticed myself having problems with this machine, i work with coffee everyday although automatic and now i want to learn it for real and learn how to use the manual ones. it feels as if im mimicking all the guides i found online but my coffee is terrible. feels quite bad when you spent an entire months wage on the machine XD when i first pull down the lever water just rushes through... and the result is 0 Crema and almost no taste at all. while for you it just drips and then when you release it starts pouring steadily, i have tried to slow down my pulling but the same problem is happening! i doubt it is because of bad tamping since i work with coffee everyday and dont get bad coffee there, and i also dont think it is because of my grind. since it feels and looks like it does at work and i also got from the store where i bought the beans an espresso grind to help me feel and see the difference between what i grind and how it "should" be and these guys work everyday with this. does anyone recognize having the same or a similar problem at the start and could help an fellow barista out!? it also sometimes drips out a bit from the edges of the filter. could it be that i dont attach it properly? again i have no problem with this at work and this being a thought ive had i have tried everything to get the portafilter to attach better.
One thing i just noticed while trying to play with just the water is that whenever i put it into the machine without the Filter, just using the older for the portafilter. and let it flush it does not drip out from the side, but whenever i did it with the filter connected it did drop on the side. altough obviously without the filter and coffee it just poured a steady stream of water, since there is no coffee for it to get through or filter. but it ran where it was supposed to be is there something wrong with my filter?
This isn't the easiest question to answer haha! First off, are the beans you're using pre-ground? Or are they ground at home? Are you grinding it at the store and then bringing it home? That would be your first issue if so. And you'll obviously need to adjust your grind for every new roast/machine you use, ESPECIALLY going from an automatic machine to a manual one. Not sure what you meant in your second comment though, sorry.
i have found some answers on a forum, and i am currently in testing. people are telling me that my grinder cant grind fine enough. which might be true, i use a manual zassenhaus Brasilia. maybe manual ones needs a finer grind? because the grind i get here at home looks and feels like the one we use at work. and no worries, the problem the second comment where referring to has been resolved!
Personally, I'm not a big fan of the manual grinders that look more like decorative pieces than practical grinders. Not to say they can't be useful at all however (and we do sell similar ones at 1st-line). You probably do need to go a lot finer in my opinion, and if it's a matter of your grinder not being able to go any finer, get another grinder! Also, once you go to electric grinders for your espresso, it makes it very hard to go back to manual :p
do you got any grinder that you could recomend for the elektra? that isnt to expensive since i cant afford the to fancy ones! but id like something that is going to do the job and not break to fast :D
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I have owned the Elektra MCAL (ie the machine reviewed here) for 10 months now, and as this video was one of those I watched to assist me in making up my mind to purchase it, I thought I would give a review of the machine here.
I turned 40 last August (2022), and not being rich enough to buy a Porsche, my midlife crisis purchase was the £1,338 (UK) Elektra. I've never owned an espresso machine previously, have zero training, and was concerned that this might be a bit of a stretch for a noob. However, learning to make a great latte with this machine took very little time. I'm still hit and miss with the steam wand, but I derive immense pleasure from using this machine, making slight adjustments every time I make a coffee.
It being my first espresso machine, I also had none of the kit. I invested a lot of time in trying to find the perfect (whilst affordable) grinder, and ended up with the Niche Zero. It immediately struck me as a mistake, and I wish I had gone for a manual coffee grinder (eg ROK), as that would have better complemented a manually operated espresso machine. However, the Niche is very good, and it cost £500, so I won't be replacing it any time soon. I also bought some cheap scales, which are cr*p, and I'll replace them when I don't mind burning £200 on a decent set.
The downside.
I burnt myself three times in the first month of ownership, but since then have not burnt myself again.
I got the copper and brass version. It's hard to keep clean, and there are marks (particularly on the tank directly behind where you insert the portafilter) that will require polishing at some point [edit update: I've just polished it, and it's worn away some of the brass colouring, I understand the chrome version does not have this issue]. The steam wand is also a little gunky at the end, in spite of purging/cleaning with a cloth each time I've used it. The drip tray is also very scratched/discoloured.
Sometimes water drips from the dispenser whilst it is heating up. I understand this is a limescale issue. I've used (as recommended by the supplier) Puly Descaler, but the problem still occurs intermittently. However, at worst when this occurs the drip tray will be a third full, leaving plenty of water in the tank.
There's a tiny little hole behind the lever, and sometimes water spits out of there when I pull the lever. This, I believe, is because a rubber ring inside has been slightly eroded.
The above two issues occurring in the first 6 months of usage may be because I would turn the machine on at 7.30am, and generally leave it on until 11am. I now just turn the machine on when I want a coffee, and turn it straight back off again.
The puck size is small and non-standard, so I have to spoon coffee from the Niche doser, rather than tipping it straight in.
The upside.
One of the reasons I bought the machine is it's sheer beauty; it's like a work of art in the kitchen. Even though it's a little mucky now, I'm still in awe of it.
I absolutely love using the machine. I derive immense pleasure from it. I also chop my own firewood, and the sense of satisfaction that gives me is similar to the satisfaction I get from using the machine. The sense of accomplishment would be lower with a semi-automatic machine.
It makes outstanding coffees (with the right beans). (I have to caveat that by saying I am not an expert).
It heats up in around 13 minutes, which, I believe, is on the faster side for prosumer coffee machines. I use a plug that I can turn on from my phone when I wake up.
You can bang out a few coffees in a row, though 99.9% of the time, I'm just making a single coffee for myself.
This is probably the best purchase I have ever made, and I like buying quality products.
If you want a machine with zero problems and zero effort, this is not the machine for you. If, like me, you love how it looks, love the idea of actively taking part in making coffee, and you're open to putting up with a bit of bulls**t, then this machine is for you.
Other points to add.
I assumed that I would pretty much only use the double shot, but I find I make better and more consistent coffees using the single shot. I've read elsewhere of others having the same experience.
I don't have to hold the portafilter. It's never once moved a fraction with the pressure. I'm guessing this was an issue that Elektra recognised and fixed.
I have however sometimes made a bit of a mess when removing the portafilter. But no biggie.
I use 7.5g of beans for singles, and 14g for doubles.
I use Clumsy Goat Italian espresso beans most of the time, as I've found them to be the best for my tastes. (Open to suggestions in the UK).
I replaced the tamper with a proper tamper. It only needs a bit of pressure, otherwise you choke the machine.
I use Volvic water. I was initially using other bottled water, but learnt that the minerals they contain are as harsh as tap water or more so. From reading elsewhere I learnt Volvic was one of the best waters you can use on this machine.
If you've read my whole post, I hope you have found it helpful. If you end up buying this machine, I hope it enhances your life as much as it has enhanced mine.
Thanks for sharing this story - I've had automatic espresso machines all my life (Profitec Pro 700, Sage Dual Boiler, a Profitec Go which I love, and a few bean to cups which I hated) but after reading this review I decided to take the plunge and order a Micro Casa!
@@giovannibolton Thanks for replying, I'm happy my review has been useful for you, and that you've decided to buy one. I'd be keen to hear your thoughts on it once you've had it a while.
This was one of the most entertaining videos for an espresso brewing machine I've ever seen! I'm SO happy you left in the bloopers. Still can't decide on getting a lever machine like the Elekra or a full size lever. She is so beautiful though. Just don't get burned.
Let us know how we can help! We'd be happy to talk more with you about it
3:57 that is my all time nightmare, and you just doing that for an example. great
Exactly my thoughts! That image was enough to ensure I never pull the wrong way.
Thank you for the review. One thing I did not get clear - there is a pressure gauge not temperature... at least as far as I see on mine
Thank you for a most enjoyable presentation and since I'm doing some research to familiarize myself with lever machines, I'm tending towards deciding in favour of the Electra micro casa a leva in spite of my original thoughts of getting a Pavoni. The only downside I see is 30 min. warn-up time. My Isomac Tea Pid takes 30 min. to warm-up but it has a larger boiler. I could respectfully suggest if Electra used a stronger heating element, that could have been avoided.
for commercial ( event vehicle) use how many espressos can you make in one hour, thinking of one of these for aesthetic and one Elektra Sixties 2 group . what about the Mini Belle in background? Can that be used commercially ?
how does this compare to the new La Pavoni Esperto ?
Well shaped ❤
The lever wants to go up too fast. Use a finer ground.
breaking that cup was "Hot"
Did you say 30 minutes to heat? My La Pavoni Professional only takes 8-9min, and my Europiccola only about 6 minutes.
Great looking machine👏🏼
Thank you for the presentation. Do you have an opinion on the Elekra vs the La Pavoni Professional? I was rather surprised to come across the Elekra, as I was unaware of it. All my research for a purchase has been on the La Pavoni Professional. Interestingly, all the videos and reviews of the La Pavoni, I never heard or saw any heads up or warning on the portafilter flying off. It is opposite install, turns left and the handle pull is with the right hand. I would think that the right hand pull with the left hand on the portafilter is better for right handers, and vice vs. for left handers. Just curious if the same situation with the La Pavoni can occur if the portafilter works loose. Not sure yet, but probably going with the La Pavoni.
Hi Stephen! The machines are comparable. However, the Elektra a leva espresso machines have larger boilers which means more capacity for steaming and for more espresso shots before pulling.
The handle can fly off because of the pressure created by the spring piston in the grouphead. This spring piston also delivers the same amount of force at each point the lever moves up. Hence, the pressure on the espresso grinds becomes more consistent. Hope this helps!
The Elektra is far superior to La Pavoni with regards to extraction and to the “purity” of espresso. It is also however a much harder machine to master. But once you get it right, it will sing for you! Please research it thoroughly there’s plenty of information on it out there
I’d say that if you lock the portafilter and don’t touch it, it won’t blow off like that unless there is something wrong or worn with the group or portafilter. It blew off because she put rotary force on the portafilter. If you were putting pressure down on a Pavoni lever and moved the portafilter handle, you’d get a similar blow out. Elektra MCaL have better group temp stability than a Pavoni. Very nice machines.
I have the same dilemma. Did you decide for la pavoni? how it's working after a year?
@@aldobega2649 I didn't get either one. Wife went and got a DeLonghi Dedica DeLuxe Manual Espresso Machine, Cappuccino Maker - Black - EC685BK. She didn't want to mess around with pressing unfortunately. She got it through her work at a great discount and so far it has been a great trouble free machine. I still want an Elektra though.
Hi may I say you're just so professional but cool at the same time. Like, serious but fun too. Which really stands out to make one listen carefully. I'd just have a lil question... you're saying it's an 850 w machine... but does anyone have any idea how much it might consume through the 30 minutes warming etc... what i mean is, i have a glass halogen oven that is like 1000 or 1500 w - i can't remember now. But what i know is, it doesn't 'actually' burn all the said watts throughout its working. I really apologize, am just askingmoutnof the blue and havent even checked yet on google, however, just saying. :)
what to buy buy between elektra Microcasa e leva or La Pavoni ESPED Esperto COMPETENTE
Its so hard to choose, i cant find a shop where i can see those machines and rely on what i read on reviews but theres not much written about the la pavoni competente
when you are about halfway up ,why you push back down ? Can't it be done double in one push?
Someone had a rough day with this machine....
4:02 oh my god, you are serious about this video, and broke a cup for it!!
Will this keep up in a small cafe? I'm talking about 15 seatings max. Or will the semiautomatica be more suitable? Interested to hear your thoughts.
I have one of these machines and used to brew with it a lot more 10 years ago. I don't use it much nowadays not because it has bad results, quite the contrary - it pulls fantastic shots. I just found myself to prefer vacuum/siphon coffee more on a daily basis, so my Elektra has spent (too much) time in its case. That said, when I used it more frequently, I found that the group head would start to overheat around 7-8 shots in and the quality of the shots would diminish on subsequent shots. Therefore, I think that this could struggle in a cafe environment. Hopefully, someone will reply to you with more recent info. I'd think that there is probably some cooldown time/spacing between shots that could work, but unfortunately, I don't know what that would be.
Absolutely NOT the machine for a cafe setting or any professional environment.
Was trying to follow you on the beauty of the Machine , but I found myself following how beautiful is the presenter ... very distracting ..
love the small foootprint. but how does one descale the boiler?
I use to have one.... you use regular descaler as you would use on any machine.
@@Romanog80 thanks for the help.
Please visit our website for the technical support.
@@1st-lineequipment this fantastic resource. would be great assuming there is demand that the PDFs > step by step videos ( piston ) appears to be complex and visuals would be great, probably see mote machines...
@@1st-lineequipment I would love to. I know from google previews that you have pages that answer many of my questions (such as how to adjust the pressurestat)... but you've blocked access to those pages outside the US.
What height is the micro casa to the top of eagle?
I think she said over 19in
thanks for sharing. So how long does it take heat up and be ready to make 2 coffees in the morning? I do not have 30min.
You will need at least 30 minutes for the machine to fully warm up, which is a pretty normal amount of time for a lot of espresso machines within this price range. Are you looking to make espresso though or just a quick cup of coffee?
I have owned this machine for almost four years now and have only one problem, which you did mention in this video. When I pour a shot, unless I use my other hand to keep the portafilter secure, it loosens on its own and depressurizes (and explodes like in your demonstration). I feel this is either a design flaw or a flaw of my particular unit because I have experienced it many times. When I try to pour a shot and want to steam milk, I have to wait for the shot to be fully poured so I can then use both hands to steam the milk like a prefer. If anyone has any ideas on what I could do please let me know.
Hi Joel, thanks for your feedback and comments. Every make and model machine can have a design flaw. An example would be black paint on steel that bubbles/flakes then starts the rusting process. This is a known condition on many other machines, but they are still produced. With respect to the Elektra Micro Casa a Leva espresso and cappuccino machine, the 'explosion' is a known issue that can happen on any a leva unit. This is why we made it a significant point in our video. The causes are too much coffee in the basket, or too fine a grind, or both. There is a happy medium that 'can' be achieved to not have to hold the portafilter handle. HOWEVER, since bean blends change, yes the same bean blend that may be used week after week, the blend can change without notice to you, or even the roaster. One example is that bean hardness may change. When ground, the bean with a different hardness may change the grind fineness even with the grinder on the same setting. Other factors include humidity levels, ambient temperature, coffee storage in the supply chain, and many ther factors. If the grind does go finer, you can still have an explosion of the portafilter. Therefore, this is why we recommend always holding the portafilter. Let's all keep in mind that the a Leva espresso machine is not considered a production unit or speed machine, but one that home baristas love to enjoy the ritual as well as the flavor profile that is extracted. Lastly, the grouphead gasket should be replaced every 6-12 months dependent upon usage.
I had similar issues with some very frustrating cleanups in the mornings. Have you tried securing it a little tighter than usual? I pay extra attention now when I place the handle so I won't run into that problem
I have had this machine for about 15 years, and this has happened to me only a few times. The last time it happened, I took the machine to the local repair shop. They confirmed that this is a known issue, but that it can be largely avoided by scoring the top ridge of the portafilter basket to create a rough surface. This provides friction to help keep the portafilter in place. Of course, you still have to make sure the portafilter is loaded tightly into place and dial in the grind so your beans aren't pulverized into powder. Good luck!
Very informative. I didn't realize it takes 30+ minutes to pull a shot with this, but it's definitely helpful info due to the boiler. I'm guessing that's also the case for the semi-automatic? Is there any way to speed that up, like pre-boil ahead of time in a kettle?
I had an "aha!" moment when you talked about pulling a shot of espresso-so the manual machines is where this term comes from. 😅
This video is much more entertaining, informative, and concise than your colleague's version of this machine.
Yep! Preboiling in a kettle would definitely help speed things up a little. Just be sure to wait at least 5 minutes after all the steam is out before removing the cap and refilling.
I own one of these and it's not 30 minutes. I've timed it and it's around 13 minutes. Still a long time for some people, but if you've got a routine then you'll know when you need to turn it on.
I want to do a double shot with lots of cream
The machine takes 10/12 mins to reach pressure. Not 30!
when she touched it lol
I have noticed myself having problems with this machine, i work with coffee everyday although automatic and now i want to learn it for real and learn how to use the manual ones. it feels as if im mimicking all the guides i found online but my coffee is terrible. feels quite bad when you spent an entire months wage on the machine XD when i first pull down the lever water just rushes through... and the result is 0 Crema and almost no taste at all. while for you it just drips and then when you release it starts pouring steadily, i have tried to slow down my pulling but the same problem is happening! i doubt it is because of bad tamping since i work with coffee everyday and dont get bad coffee there, and i also dont think it is because of my grind. since it feels and looks like it does at work and i also got from the store where i bought the beans an espresso grind to help me feel and see the difference between what i grind and how it "should" be and these guys work everyday with this. does anyone recognize having the same or a similar problem at the start and could help an fellow barista out!? it also sometimes drips out a bit from the edges of the filter. could it be that i dont attach it properly? again i have no problem with this at work and this being a thought ive had i have tried everything to get the portafilter to attach better.
One thing i just noticed while trying to play with just the water is that whenever i put it into the machine without the Filter, just using the older for the portafilter. and let it flush it does not drip out from the side, but whenever i did it with the filter connected it did drop on the side. altough obviously without the filter and coffee it just poured a steady stream of water, since there is no coffee for it to get through or filter. but it ran where it was supposed to be is there something wrong with my filter?
This isn't the easiest question to answer haha! First off, are the beans you're using pre-ground? Or are they ground at home? Are you grinding it at the store and then bringing it home? That would be your first issue if so. And you'll obviously need to adjust your grind for every new roast/machine you use, ESPECIALLY going from an automatic machine to a manual one. Not sure what you meant in your second comment though, sorry.
i have found some answers on a forum, and i am currently in testing. people are telling me that my grinder cant grind fine enough. which might be true, i use a manual zassenhaus Brasilia. maybe manual ones needs a finer grind? because the grind i get here at home looks and feels like the one we use at work. and no worries, the problem the second comment where referring to has been resolved!
Personally, I'm not a big fan of the manual grinders that look more like decorative pieces than practical grinders. Not to say they can't be useful at all however (and we do sell similar ones at 1st-line). You probably do need to go a lot finer in my opinion, and if it's a matter of your grinder not being able to go any finer, get another grinder! Also, once you go to electric grinders for your espresso, it makes it very hard to go back to manual :p
do you got any grinder that you could recomend for the elektra? that isnt to expensive since i cant afford the to fancy ones! but id like something that is going to do the job and not break to fast :D
I like...the beutiful girl
And the machine?
น่ารัก
narak maak maak 🙂
This machine looks scary to operate.
Very hot girl
this machine is pretty hot!
How beautiful you are, forget about the ELEKTRA S1C Micro Casa A Leva
Looks like tons of money for just design? Explosions, burning your fingers etc. thats not what i expecting from a quality coffee machine