Owner opinions of Elektra Semiautomatica

by **Carneiro** on Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:49 pm

Hi, guys!

I know that probably there is few Elektra Semiautomatica around, as it's an expensive machine, but... How do the owners (and ex-owners) like it? I think today a lot of this machines have more than 5 years of use, maybe someone could have information to share...

I've read the HB review, but I wonder how (if anybody measured) is the temperature profile of the machine and if there are any common problem around...

Thanks,

Márcio.

by **another_jim** on Tue Mar 15, 2011 9:28 pm

My initial bench thread contains the temperature graphs for a regular WBC test, and a modified one using 5 second flushes.

If you are interested in more accuracy than high, medium and cool shot temperatures, get another machine. If you are interested in pressure regulation, get another machine. If you want a machine you never have to repair, get another machine -- you'll be changing the pump and pstat every 18 months to two years. If you are interested in consistently good and clear tasting shots that respond very precisely to dose and flow changes, this is your machine.

I have two, btw.

And I have had zero yearnings for Aurelias, GS3s or Speedsters. I do admit to a huge yen for the Stega lever, based on absolutely no experience at all, except the desire for a home sized commercial lever; but my upgrade lust for pump machines has been erased by the Semi.

by **Dogshot** on Tue Mar 15, 2011 10:18 pm

Funny... I ordered a Semi last week; it should arrive tomorrow. I noticed that of the 4-5 people who posted about getting one around the time of Jim's review still list it in their equipment profiles.

No machine is beyond needing repairs and maintenance; to me the critical thing is how easily that can be done. The semi-auto is a comparatively simple machine with easy access to parts that need servicing. No reaching around fibreglass insulated boilers into a miasma of wires and tubes to replace a pump or opv.

Mark

by **howard seth** on Tue Mar 15, 2011 10:27 pm

... and it does really good foam for cappuccinos. Easier and better than most machines, I figure.

I also like the fact that it does not have that extra hot water wand/tap - which has always been an utterly useless device for the way I use a 'pour over' espresso/cappuccinos machine.

I have had my Semiautomatica (originally a demo machine) for 4 1/2 years. I have had to replace pressure stats regularly like Jim said - but not the pump yet.

(I have also replaced the valve that opens closes the steam wand - not too tricky a repair)

Howard

by **DrDregs** on Wed Mar 16, 2011 3:28 am

Jim summed it up nicely - again.

I love my 2003 model semi. I have owned him for two years now and, from what the previous owner told me still has the original pstat and pump - although the steam was a little down the other day so it's nearly time I think.

Overpriced, overblinged and underspecced they may be but if one machine were to remain on my bench it would be the Elektra.

Nobody could say it better than Jim in his original review so, with permission I will quote;

"If one imagines espresso machines as cars, they would range from subcompact little home machines to Mack truck four groupers. The Elektra Semiautomatica doesn't fit anywhere along this continuum, because it's the motorcycle of espresso machines."

What more is there to say?

by **Carneiro** on Wed Mar 16, 2011 6:01 am

I missed the Jim's thread, great stuff there!

I was afraid that the temp profile would be a rising one, but Jim's data makes some sense considering the HX is small and the boiler 2L vertical.

Márcio.

by HB on Thu Mar 17, 2011 8:39 am

After the review, Jim decided to get a second Semiautomatica for side-by-side testing. Knowing of his plan, I convinced him to let the second one take the circuitous route from 1st-line to my house to Jim's house so I could satisfy my curiosity about it. At the time, we agreed to a one or two month layover. Needless to say, the Semiautomatica delivered to my house never made it to Jim's; he ordered another.

For those considering the Elektra Semiautomatica, Jim's review is a must-read. I consider it the best written and most informative review on this site; he really captured in words the Elektra's nuances. Although its design is eclectic, the result is delightful espresso, wonderful steaming, overall great ease of use, and small footprint. And it's better looking than 98% of the espresso machines out there (or, at least it's more interesting looking, even if ornate design isn't your thing). Jim's brew temperature profiles indicate a "humped whale" curve, but I found it's rather malleable. For those seeking a Schomer-esque brew temperature profile, increasing the boiler pressure and flush amount will flatten the curve, similar to its much bigger brother, the Elektra A3.

Although years later I'm quite happy with the Semiautomatica, today's prices would give me pause. Unlike most Italian espresso equipment manufacturers, Elektra decided to let its import prices follow the decline of the U.S. dollar against the Euro. Consequently Elektra's equipment is more expensive across the board than competitive HX espresso machine offerings available in the U.S.

by **Carneiro** on Thu Mar 17, 2011 9:04 am

Thanks a lot, Dan!

I've read again the review and two long threads about it. I love my Elektra Leva, but sometimes I miss the convenience of a HX (or dedicated boiler), and I can't use a higher pressure so the steamer suffers a little bit. The Semiautomatica could be a nice companion to it with more steam pressure and different extraction, considering the pump pressure and 58mm filter basket.

Márcio.

by **Carneiro** on Thu Mar 17, 2011 9:38 am

One thought about the pstat problem... I think my Elektra a leva is showing some behavior like the stick pstat of the Semi. Twice it haven't turned the heat element off (initial warm up), so I turned the machine off and then it worked at the next cycle, but it's a concern...

My question is: Stefano said that it could be scale as the pstat is below the boiler. But what about the Semiautomatica owners that only fill the boiler with distilled water? Are they having problem too?

Márcio.

by **da gino** on Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:12 am

I haven't had trouble with my P-Stat in the two year's I've owned mine, but I assume I will have the problem, too, in spite of using only distilled. There are definitely people who have used only distilled who have had to replace the P-Stat (there is a thread where this is mentioned that I remember reading from when I bought mine).

I agree that Jim's write up of this machine is spot on. Part of the virtue of his review is he describes the biggest negatives very well and you can decide how negative they are for you.

There was a thread about a year ago on this linked below and my take on the machine hasn't changed much since then.

da gino wrote: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).

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.

Elektra Microcasa Semiautomatica

I was lucky enough to get a bargain on one, but I also agree with Dan that the price hike makes it a tougher choice. On the other hand there is no machine under the price of the A3 that I would trade it for so perhaps the price isn't so bad after all.


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