Posted Tue Jun 7, 2005, 4:33am Subject: Re: Elektra Micro Casa a Leva
Is the brass/copper, brass/chrome and fully chrome model all the same, but just with a different metal coat? Looking at getting one, just saving and deciding which "color" (if that's the only different between them).
Spindoc Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 5 Location: Sebring, FL Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra Micro Casa Grinder: Solis Maestro Drip: Capresso MT500 Roaster: i-Roast Mod.40010
Posted Thu Jun 9, 2005, 11:08pm Subject: Re: Elektra Micro Casa a Leva
Yes, they are the same machine in different metal combinations.
I have the brass and copper and it is quite beautiful; but the chrome models would not need to be lacquered to retain their shine and are likely to stay new-looking longer, I would think.
You can go to any site that sells the machines and find a link to the manufacturer's illustrations and descriptions of the various versions.
By the way, I needed a part for mine -- a new filler cap, the part you unscrew to fill the machine with water. Mine has a pressure relief valve built in. Finding it was not easy; but through the kind referral from Chris' Coffee site, I did ultimately find it at 1st Line (www.1st-line.net) at a very reasonable price, with good service to boot!
Posted Sat Jun 11, 2005, 3:51pm Subject: Re: Elektra Micro Casa a Leva
Spindoc Said:
By the way, I needed a part for mine -- a new filler cap, the part you unscrew to fill the machine with water. Mine has a pressure relief valve built in. Finding it was not easy; but through the kind referral from Chris' Coffee site, I did ultimately find it at 1st Line (www.1st-line.net) at a very reasonable price, with good service to boot!
That's really impressive that one vendor would recommend another. It speaks of their confidence in each other and themselves. I just ordered a Micro Casa a Leva. And purely by chance I ordered via 1st-line. I have no previous experience with either vendor.
But from what you write, I imagine either choice would've been a good one. I hope this doesn't read as a plug... since the contraption hasn't even been delivered yet! :-)
Posted Sat Jun 11, 2005, 5:49pm Subject: Re: Elektra Micro Casa a Leva
I guess that this is good a place as any, now that the thread has been bumped, to mention a solution I came up with to the problems some members reported with the gauge needle on the Casa not returning to zero.
One time when I accidently released the portafilter while the lever was down (i,e, at full pressure) I experienced a fairly dramatic portafilter sneeze which also blew the needle off its pin. I stayed behind the glass front of the gauge.
The brass ring which holds the glass in place can be removed by gently pushing it from behind with a small flat electrical screwdriver or similar. Start at the top and gently work around it in a circle and it slides off. The needle can be replaced on its pin in the zero position and the glass and ring replaced.
It's a fix too to the cosmetic problem of the needle not sitting back on zero. Obviously it doesn't correct any pressure problems but I think the needle issue probably arises from too vigourous shaking of the machine during attempts to clean the level glass tube. I do it by gently tipping the cleaning solution in and out of the tube. Takes longer but if you do it regularly it works.
Nearly a year with this machine and I still love it. Another resident of my town has bought one and is coming over tomorrow for a lesson on using it. This makes the Elektra/poulation ratio in my town 1:150 ... any other machines out there with this sort of consumer spread? :-)
Spindoc Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 5 Location: Sebring, FL Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra Micro Casa Grinder: Solis Maestro Drip: Capresso MT500 Roaster: i-Roast Mod.40010
Posted Sun Jun 12, 2005, 7:06am Subject: Re: Elektra Micro Casa a Leva
Thanks a lot for the info on repairing the gauge on the Micro Casa.
When mine is at pressure, it reads above the red range, about 1.5 bar. It is never vented through the safety valve and works great, but I wonder if anyone else's Micro Casa a Leva reads its pressure above the red range routinely?
Jeeze Louise, I am glad that you didn't get burned when you released the portafilter at pressure. You very easily coulda.
Instead, you accumulated some experience to benefit us all. A good thing!
Severino Senior Member Joined: 7 Sep 2005 Posts: 12 Location: Holland Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: yes Grinder: yes
Posted Wed Sep 7, 2005, 6:26am Subject: Re: Elektra Micro Casa a Leva
I am a virgin to buying one of these wonderfull looking lever machines and I love my coffee. But I am still confused. When it comes down to great coffee who would win? La Pavoni or Elektra? There is a big cost difference between the two! Sev
Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to play around with a domestic lever machine, but I'm also looking into it! I've stumbled across a number of comments praising spring lever machines over manual machines.
lethalblonde Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2005 Posts: 205 Location: Bailey, CO Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Elektra Micro Casa a Leva Grinder: Innova flat burr Drip: Capresso MT500 Roaster: Big, heavy, old wok;...
Posted Thu Sep 28, 2006, 8:26pm Subject: Re: Elektra Micro Casa a Leva
My journey with this lovely machine begins next week. Everyone, thank you so much for the posts and links to such a wealth of information to journey with me!
Mark, a lovely and complete review of a classic - it was a significant motivator to select this (in chrome) as our espresso machine here in the Rocky Mountains (where many electronic devices live nervously just beyond high-end surge protectors)!
A flat burr Innova (Love Red) grinder will round out the basics, with a Reg Barber tamp.
Let the fun begin!
Trisha
"The blessing lies not in living, merely, but in living well." Seneca, 8 B.C.
I contacted La Pavoni to order some new parts (more filters) and was forwarded to a distributor here in Holland (one only). They got back to me and said I should visit them to ensure I got the right part (ok - fine). So I asked them... "While I am there could one of your experts run me through what I was doing wrong with my PLH machine as I was still not getting the best out of it?" The instant response was a question "Was it a Lever machine?" I said "Yes" (proudly) Instant reply - "You will never get a great coffee from such a machine".
I was honestly left without words (...etc.)
I emailed La Pavoni right away and it is now some three days without any response. It has been a very deflating week.
Can anyone out there lift my spirits and give me hope everlasting.
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