Well, it's finally about time to upgrade from the Caravel. Along with a steam-toy it has served me well, and I will still keep it for fun and travel. I am now considering the Elektra Semiautomatica.

The things I like about it are many, small thermal footprint (can be turned on/off easily and doesn't take 1h or more to heat up), clarity in shots, ease of pulling shots, easy microfoam, no need to plumb in...etc. Mostly I enjoy straight espresso, but I do make milk drinks for many other people and will enjoy ditching my current setup for those drinks. In general, price isn't much of a factor, but with the higher cost machines means a lot larger steaming capability and necessity to turn it on longer in advance...two things I don't need or want. And though I would like a rotary, I don't really want to have to plumb in.

So I think the Semiautomatica with a titan grinder is much better for my needs unless there's things I'm missing (maybe a DB w/ steam boiler turned off?...still seems like I'm not gaining anything over the Elektra). Onto the questions!

• Chromed? Or not? I like unchromed, but will it be a lot more trouble to keep up the nice color?
• Coming from the Caravel, I'm not a fan of the tinned and copper brew water chamber (or brew water path in general of most pump machines...Caravel is SOO easy to keep sparkling clean). Has anyone chromed this or are there any other ways to deal with this short of getting a different machine?
• Does any other machine fit my style better? I would think lots of home users have this dilemma, which I guess they just use a timer, or leave the machine on all day?
• I know there are pressurestat problems with the Semiautomatica, but if replacement with a commercial one is possible (Sarai?) I'm not too worried.
• Are there any problems in general with internal corrosion due to all the different metals being used? I though brass/copper/tin shouldn't really be mixed for those reasons, but I don't know for sure.

Hoping to find some answers from experienced people, as well as any suggestions. I know for the most part the business part of this machine is great, just hoping to cover some of the details. Thanks in advance, I know plenty of people will have some ideas!

I have the chromed 'eagle' version - 4 years. The chrome has been fairly easy to keep looking fresh - except some wear under the little drip tray - and the chrome cover of the drip tray. Note: I used a citric acid descale solution several times - took the chrome right off the inside of the water tank, first time I descaled. I do not know about other internal corrosion - (I see, and taste, no rust in my drinks. but...)

I do not think a Sirai stat will fit in the narrow base.

My pressure gauge has come a bit off calibration - just from use, I suppose - I set the pressure stat screw pressure largely by taste these days. I let the machine heat up about 1/2 hour before use - shut it off when I am done - I never leave it on 24 hours... I fear that would cause more wear on the pressure stat - (and also waste energy)

I use distilled or reverse Osmosis water to re-fill the boiler - for steaming - so I don't have to descale the boiler. The steamer still works wonderfully. (my drink ratio is about 3 espressos to 1 cappuccino) I use Brita filtered water to fill main tank for espresso.

For this machine I generally like to (home) roast my beans between Full City+ and Vienna.

Howard

Thanks for the response Howard. Nice to hear about your experience. Chances are good I would like to replace the gauge with a better one that I could use as a reference. Most likely would require a right angle adapter due to the tight space, but modifications like that and the pressure stat I think are worth the time and effort.

So the water tank on the top has an internal chroming as well as the outside? Would I be wrong to say that it wouldn't really need descaling since it's not getting up to brew temp? I was planning to use distilled water for the boiler as well and filter/RO'd water with some tap mixed to get a good desired ppm of hardness for brewing.

Thanks again!

All versions of the machine have a clear coat finish over plated metal (the copper machine has a plated fine brass and copper finish over the same basic brass that underlies all the different versions). The machines I see on ebay tend to lose their plating once the clear coat goes, but the clear coat has lasted four years without problems on my two machines. I'm told an auto or motor cycle detailing shop can refinish the machines when they need it; but I have no confirmation. The machine's replaceable components are easy to repair.

The machine is less reliable than most when left on all day. The pstats and Ulka pumps overheat and do not survive as long as most other home machines. On the other hand, spending an hour to putting in a $100 worth of parts every 18 months is really no big deal at all. However, if you hate doing your own routine repairs, this is not the machine (but then, espresso is probably your best choice of hobby either)

I had several mods and removed them all, they are a waste of time, since they did not affect shot quality; and detracted from the machine's aesthetic. I do not know what makes the taste of the shots so indifferent to pressure or temperature changes, but they are. The effective control is via dose and flow rate.

In terms of my personal taste, I like this machine (along with the Bezzeras) better than the E61s, home DBs or anything else below about 5K. This is not going to be true for everyone, but could hold for those who give greater weight to the flavor of espresso, rather its mouthfeel and intensity.

Despite nudging myself repeatedly, I have no desire to upgrade. The Semis small size and low power gives me the no hassle ability to run two of them whenever I need two groups. That means I'd have to go to a two group machine, with a special counter and 220V line, if I wanted the same functionality I have now, with maybe a hair better taste. The only temptation in this class is the two group lever Mirage. Maybe if Bill Crossland's new projects come to fruition, I'll bite on an upgrade.

A couple things to add. I agree that I have no urge at all to "upgrade" to a 2-3k double boiler. The a3 tempted me because it has a few conveniences this does not (plumbed in, rotary pump) and may be slightly more reliable, but as Jim says the things that need to be fixed on this are fairly cheap and easy to fix so I could never justify the added price tag. I also have a pressure gauge that is slightly off and so did Mark Prince in his write up, so this might be fairly common, but it doesn't seem to matter much in that it doesn't affect the coffee.

My brew switch is fussy and doesn't always catch, but again this is easy to fix (and to date I haven't even bothered since I know how to press it to make sure it does catch).

Also I wanted to add that not all vibe pumps are equally loud. I just had to tighten the screw on my pump that holds it to the case and have found it fairly quiet to my taste ever since. I was shocked how loud a friends E61 pump was and I would not be thrilled if mine were as loud as hers, but she may just need to chase down some vibrations to fix this.

Finally, I will add that this is an ideal path for a lever head like me because lever owners don't expect giant drip trays, hot water wands, plumbed in machines, etc that are the bigger quirks of this machine vs say a Vetrano so it isn't that hard to give them up. I thought I would use my much loved Pavoni half the time, but it isnt even close - if they are both at the same place I use the Elektra 99 percent of the time.

da gino wrote:My brew switch is fussy and doesn't always catch, but again this is easy to fix (and to date I haven't even bothered since I know how to press it to make sure it does catch).

The off/on rocker switch on my Microcasa is similar. You have to look to see if the "on" light is lit as half the time nothing happens when you flip the rocker. I chock it up to typical Italian quality & since I only use the machine a couple times a month I haven't bothered finding a better quality switch.

Thanks guys, I was also looking a little towards the Bezzera BZ07 (don't care too much for the E61s, but they are still good solid performers I believe)...but it's hard to find the dirty details about the machine. Mainly:

1. Is the espresso as good as the semiautomatica on average and at the top end?
2. Boiler and brew path metal materials?
3. Steaming performance compared to the Semiautomatica?

Of course the Elektra is the winner in looks. Repairs don't scare me, even minor mods which wouldn't be to improve the espresso but rather to improve it's longevity.

For myself, looking towards a larger machine doesn't really seem that appealing. The hassle of plumbing (or a bottle and pump) and/or 220v or 20amp wiring is something I don't want to worry about or think I really should have to considering this machine. Side looking towards similar things is what I'm thinking (Bezzera BZ07, PV Lusso...). A 2 group lusso might be a good fit...but I was thinking a pump machine for main espresso might be better and then having a Caravel and MCaL as fun levers to supplement and experiment.

2 Semiautomaticas is a pretty darn good idea I didn't consider if needing extra flow for an espresso party. Seems like a person could be easily trained to pull some shots while you're working the other. Jim: is the same grinder and grind setting used for both machines? Or is there some anomalies that prevent this?

Overall, I'd probably buy new unless I see one of these in person. I'm more concerned about if they have kept up the clearcoat (and metal internals) than the electronics as those to me are an easy replacement. Thanks again for the info, looks like I'm on the right track with the upgrade. For a grinder...I have access to a Super Jolly now, but I'm thinking about a K30 Vario or a K10 to upgrade to. I think it mostly comes down to how I'd use them....K10 would use single dose similar to how I use the SJ now, but maybe the K30 would be nice.

I did an afternoon running the BZ02, BZ07, and two Semis through a blind taste test with three other people. The shots were indistinguishable. Longer side by side tests may have nailed some sort of systemtic difference; but the machines definitely very similar in shot quality and style. This was also my personal impression alternating between the machines daily with various coffees over several months. So, for taste, I'd be happy with any of them. I prefer the Semi overall, but only for aesthetic reasons.

The best E61s and DBs in this price range also make excellent shots; but in a different style: bigger, heavier and fuzzier.

The BZ02 I tried had a beginner's one hole tip, so it steamed too slowly. The Elektra Microcasa line is famous for its precise steaming 3 hole tips. The BZ07 has a four hole tip that totally rocks; it is faster then the Semi, but with the same fine control. It is however definitely not for beginners

Droshi, My Semi is an all chrome 2003 model. It has the original pstat and the machine works as well as the day it was born - beautifully. The chrome finish still looks fantastic and is easily cleaned. I am not a big fan of the copper and brass plate models as age is not as kind to them as the chrome models. The trick with this and any coffee machine is to use water through a dedicated anti-scale filter. I use Bombora.

Over priced, under specked and with a diminutive steam wand. But still there is something magical about the Elektras that only an owner can relate to. Clever marketing might have something to do with it but when it's all said and done, a machine that has been around for over 20 years basically unchanged, must have something going for it. That something includes the ability to give you amazing shots time after time, great microfoam and something else few will deny. Presence.

As the Semiauto's heritage is in the Microcasa Leva, I reckon the lever-like flavour and texture you sometimes see in the semi's shots make it a unique machine indeed.

My Elektra sits next to a Brugnetti Aurora lever. I use both every day and each produce a very different shot. On a purely emotional level the Elektra rules.

DrDregs wrote:I am not a big fan of the copper and brass plate models as age is not as kind to them as the chrome models.

I'm a big fan of the all-chrome version too. Though I do not plan acquiring one, I was very tempted to get the Leva once. There are photos of the all-chrome version in the lever machines gallery thread. The most stunning machine as the looks go, and I mean it for both the Leva and the Semi.