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Elektra Microcasa Semi Automatica

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MarkPrince
Moderator

Joined: 19 Dec 2001
Posts: 5,462
Location: Vancouver, BC
Expertise: Professional

Espresso: KvdW Speedster
Grinder: Compak K10 WBC
Vac Pot: A bit too many
Drip: Clive Coffee Drip Stand
Roaster: Hario Glass Retro Roaster

Posted Mon Feb 23, 2004, 12:00am Subject: Elektra Microcasa Semi Automatica

Elektra Microcasa Semi Automatica In our longest running review ever, we put a work of art through the hoops and then some. Find our our definitive take on one of the oldest heat exchanger machines made for the consumer.

brook0
Senior Member

Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 1
Location: NJ
Expertise: Just starting

Posted Wed Feb 25, 2004, 10:15am Subject: Re: Elektra Microcasa Semi Automatica

Mark, Great review. Why does the grouphead not get too hot when making multple shots, ala the La Pavoni?

MarkPrince
Moderator

Posted Wed Feb 25, 2004, 10:54am Subject: Re: Elektra Microcasa Semi Automatica

The grouphead doesn't over heat (like the a leva or the pavonis) because it doesn't have a direct water path like the lever machines do. Those up and down tubes you see on the machine - that's the water path for brewing water, before and after it passes through a heat exchanger; on the lever machines, the brewing water comes direct from the boiler. This can overheat the grouphead, and also deliver too-hot water to the espresso process. Mark

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FXDXT
Senior Member

Joined: 14 Sep 2002
Posts: 165
Location: Sandy, OR
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: La Spaziale Vivaldi II
Grinder: Cimbali Max Hybrid
Vac Pot: Sunbean
Drip: Vac: Royal Balance Brewer
Roaster: RK Drum Roaster/Hottop

Posted Wed Feb 25, 2004, 4:58pm Subject: Re: Elektra Microcasa Semi Automatica

Mark Said The Elektra Semiauto is faster than the a Leva model, but still slow when you consider the size of the boiler. In five tests of 7oz of milk frothed in a 12oz pitcher, I averaged just under 32 seconds. Compare this to 23 seconds for a Pasquini Livia (which has a boiler that is .4L smaller than the Elektra), or the stellar 11 seconds record time on a custom La Marzocco. Mark, I believe more than boilers size it’s the heating element and the size of the boiler and how they are matched. I have the Wega Lyra EVD and had trouble with it steaming ability. Mostly because of the five hole tip. It just expelled the steam too fast for the heating element to keep up. The Lyra is stamped on the side as being 1200w. I replaced the 1200w element with a 1500w element. All is good now. When I had everything taken apart I measured the resistance of the 1200w element. It was 12.4 ohms, with my voltage at 118v the available Wattage = 1122. The 1500w element measured 8.6 ohms with the voltage measuring 118v the available wattage is 1619. That’s almost 500 watts different. I have modified the standard 2 hole tip into a one hole tip. The steaming takes a bit longer but I can now get nice silky microfoam. I realize that most heating elements are of a nominal value and it makes a differences were the machine is plugged in and what ever else is on that circuit. I don’t think that you can just look at boiler size alone with out considering the heating element and how well they match up. In my case a 1200w element is just to small for a 2 liter boiler and the amount of milk I steam. Thanks Tom (who thinks too many people over look the heating element and boiler size matching)

handcannon
Senior Member

Joined: 5 Jun 2003
Posts: 237
Location: Ames, IA
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: PIDed Zaffiro
Grinder: MCI, Innova, Zass, Capresso
Drip: Capresso Aroma Classic 461
Roaster: Modded FR & WBs

Posted Wed Feb 25, 2004, 6:39pm Subject: Re: Elektra Microcasa Semi Automatica

Mark: Excellent review, but one (longstanding) quibble: it's a _manual_ three-way valve unless it uses electricity to actuate it. A solenoid valve uses a coil and electricity to move the valve. A good commercial solenoid valve has a coil of at least 2" O.D. and an inch thick (that would be for a small valve). If it doesn't use electricity to move it, it ISN'T a solenoid valve, and is a manual three-way valve, such as my Zaffiro has. I've got a URL at home (posting from the road) on a really good DIY durable food grade clear coat for metals such as the Elektra has. I'll send it to you once I get back home.

"Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most." A. Brilliant

MrHouse
Senior Member

Joined: 30 Jan 2004
Posts: 42
Location: Ohio
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Fri Feb 27, 2004, 6:38am Subject: Re: Elektra Microcasa Semi Automatica

Very helpful review. A "top three espresso machine" rating? That's high praise! Considering that, would someone please, please, please.....speculate on a comparison between the Elektra Microcasa Semi Automatica and Elektra's top home model: the Mini Verticale. I'm very interested in buying a Mini Verticale, but I cannot find a single review on this machine. I can't even find a spec. report that lists whether or not it has a heat exchanger. I could really use your help before I make a final decision about purchasing an expensive, top of the line, home espresso machine.

gourmetguy
Senior Member

Joined: 10 Dec 2002
Posts: 111
Location: Atlanta
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: All kinds of stuff
Grinder: Various in my day
Drip: You name it I've had it
Roaster: just an iRoast

Posted Sat Feb 28, 2004, 9:11am Subject: Re: Elektra Microcasa Semi Automatica

A drip tray that has to be emptied after every shot? What a PITA! That in itself takes the machine out of consideration for me. What was Elektra thinking? Sounds like a fun machine, all that aside.

stackie
Senior Member

Joined: 29 Feb 2004
Posts: 81
Location: california
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Fiorenzata Bricoletta
Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Vac Pot: Why
Drip: Ummm, same.
Roaster: Gene Cafe

Posted Sun Feb 29, 2004, 10:25pm Subject: Re: Elektra Microcasa Semi Automatica

Mark, Great. Just when I was trying to figure out which of the shiny chrome E61 clones to buy, you go and release the review on this beaut. Now I'm jonesin for the Electra MC Semiautomatica. You mention that this machine does not seem to have the problems with handling temperature variation from the reservoir water at least from a subjective comparison of the shots. Did you measure the water temp from the grouphead with various reservoir temperatures? It just seems odd to me that you would not measure this after the amount of time that you had with the machine and your history with temp surfing the Silvia. I'd like to have this machine to leave on 24/7 or perhaps timer to come on 30 min prior to waking, so temperature stability is important. Also, you mention that one of your friends bought this machine and the matching grinder for his dining room. Is there any way that he could give a three sentence blurb about the grinder. I would pay the extra gonks for the Electra if I knew that it was as good as or nearly as good as the Mazzer Mini. Otherwise, I'd have to make a serious style concession and get the Mazzer Mini. Seriously, great review! Jon

american_abroad
Senior Member

Joined: 16 Mar 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Utah
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Elektra Microcasa SA
Grinder: Mazzer Mini...someday
Drip: French press only!

Posted Wed Mar 17, 2004, 2:54pm Subject: Re: Elektra Microcasa Semi Automatica

I have owned an Elektra MC SA for about 1 1/2 years, and generally speaking, I love it. I have had exactly the same experiences as the author with my machine: great shots, good foam (but slow), good looks; also, a broken pressure gauge after 6 months (mine stops at .25 bar), discoloration under the drip tray (my theory - UMEX detergent eats the finish), slow warm-up times (I usually plan on 30 min, I used to use a timer, now I turn it on before the shower) and inevitable scratching of the pretty finish. That said, I always get comments on both the looks of the machines and the drinks I can make. I have also had the similar experience of trying to get very finely and evenly ground coffee to get good shots - I think the Mazzer is calling my name. I currently buy small amounts of Starbucks' Italian roast and have them grind it for me, and I have them use just one setting coarser than Turkish grind on their professional grinder! I had a Solis, but it couldn't make the grade, and I blew it up trying to get a finer grind out of it. Overall, I'm very pleased with the performance, but don't have much experience with other machines to compare it to. Still, my local barista was impressed when I hauled the machine down to his place so we could practice pulling shots. And on a good day, I would compare my drinks to any of the local shops (in Park City, UT) and feel competitive. One more thing; when I first received my machine, the water temp was a little low (about 87 deg C at the grouphead). There is a simple screw adjustment under the machine that increases the temperature and boiler pressure - I jacked it up to around 92 deg C (can't go much higher at 7,000 ft altitude) and the coffee is much better. Plus, I get a little better steam pressure. I'd recommend playing with this if the temp doesn't seem quite right. If anyone wants to know more about my experience with this machine, please feel free to ask me.

skithebird
Senior Member

Joined: 1 Jan 1970
Posts: 101
Location: Evanston
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Elektra Micro Casa...
Grinder: Rancilio Rocky, Mazer Mini
Vac Pot: NA
Drip: French Press
Roaster: NA

Posted Sat May 8, 2004, 5:03pm Subject: Re: Elektra Microcasa Semi Automatica

I decided to purchase this machine after reading this excellent and comprehensive review. Now with about a week of ownership and experimentation I'm in complete agreement with every point Mark made, save one. The shallow drip tray is not as big a drawback as one might imagine it could be. Oh, that a deeper drip tray would be nice if it were there, I agree. But, using a small plastic box, and dumping the box to the sink, works just fine, maybe better, since it's so simple to dump. I'd probably still use this method even if the drip tray were deeper. The pressure release valve output in a day is about half the tray, and it works for me to dump and clean the pan each night. This machine is so beautiful that it's even more thrilling than I expected to actually make such high quality shots. Mark's review makes it clear that surprisingly great shots can result. Still, getting them as easily as reported and right off the bat, can't be stressed enough. I was able to dial in balanced full bodied rich shots with my old Rocky Grinder just as quickly as Mark reports. A side-by-side comparison with my well-appreciated Rancilio Audry shots made the word syrupy and honey-like come to life for me. My results have been quite consistent, regardless of bean type used. Thanks again for such an excellent and well-detailed review!

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