another_jim wrote:All the Elektra home machines are made of marine brass. The surfaces are plated with chrome, copper, or a shiny brass (I'm not sure about the last part, this may just be the actual building material polished), and finally clear coated with a polymer similar to the finish on cars (you can restore scratches by using an automotive clear coat scratch remover or filler). This is a very beautiful finish, but it's not for the ages. In particular, the plating will probably start to peel in a ten to fifteen years or so. This can also be fixed at an automobile or motorcycle shop.

It is a gorgeous machine, it makes very good espresso, but it is not a tank.

PS: My Yaeger stat seems to be doing better than the Cemes or Maters too. All the innards do better if you don't run the machine 24/7, but put it on a timer instead.

PPS: What this machine ...

Hi Jim

Thanks for your feedback. Also I want to thank you for the reviews which helps us a lot to find a dream machine as newbies as well as building knowledge of this espresso world. (we would like to send our appreciation to Mark too, but not sure where to send...)

I am kinda person who is willing to invest a little bit more in a quality and classic one, and stick with it as long as possible. I know this machine will still age, have broken parts, not be shiny any more. However, all these processes build the friendship between users and a machine which I treasure a lot. Besides, sometimes the aged appearance also reveal a different kind of attraction with its age and history. Which one would still look classic (or even more classic) after 7+ years? This is the question making us not sure which version to get. What do you think?

Same question I asked Howard: will we be able to replace the Pstat by ourselves? Is it something we are capable to execute as newbie (we are willing to learn, but the experience needs time to build...)

We are unlikely to keep the machine on 24/7. I don't quite understand what "but put it on a timer instead" means. Could you please explain it to me? Thank you!

Hi All - My wife and I went to Williams-Somona last night, and finally got the chance to see the machine (chrome with eagle) in person. It's much bigger than what we expected from all the photos (someone mentioned it in the forum), but it's indeed beautiful and classic. With its ability to pull good shot and high quality steaming performance which we value the most, we decided to go for it. Wow are trying hard to find a retailer with reliable service and competitive price that we can afford.

We want to thank you all for responding our questions. We really appreciate your time and willingness to help. If we are lucky to get the machine, for sure we will have more questions. We will stick here and continue to learn from you more.

Question: I would like to buy a bottomless portafilter for this machine to help me improve my tamping skill. I checked many major online retailer such as Chris, 1st-line, WLL, but I did not see one made for Elektra Microcasa Semiauto. Could you please let me know where I could get one? Thanks again!

Yen-Chen (kuoyen)

Kuoyen,

Yes - you can replace the pstat yourself - if I can do it - then I believe most people could, as well. I bought my Jaeger replacement pstat from Chris Coffee - it came with some instructions - and you can always call them if you get confused. You just need some wrenches, and a roll of Teflon tape.

I bought my Elektra Semi. from 1st-line equipment (NJ). They had some Demo models at the time - which were a good deal. (The eagle-lid chrome model was what they had as a demo) The prices have risen a lot in the past 2 years, I notice. You may wish to call Jim at 1st-line- ask if he has any demo models now. They also had a good deal on grinders - if you bought an espresso machine at the same time, you got a discount on a grinder. Chris Coffee would be another dealer I would recommend.

Whoever you buy the machine from - don't be shy about getting operating advice - the manual that comes with the machine does not cover everything -and do not overfill the Elektra portafilter baskets - my first mistake when I got the machine - it's hard to get the portafilter into the grouphead, if you do (less clearance than the e-61 type machines).

Howard

The standard bottomless, cut from a Rancilio PF, works pretty well. The group bell on the Elektra is fairly tight, and with some PFs, you may need to file the ears. Some of the vendors will custom cut PFs, so you can convert the Elektra one to bottomless.

The Pstat is an easy changeout, since it's accessible. As always with espresso plumbing, use two wrenches, one to hold the fitting in place, along with the one to loosen the nut, so you don't deform the pipes.

PS: you can turn the machine upside down to work on the parts in the base, even with the boiler filled. The vacuum breaker valve at the boiler top shuts when turned upside down, so there is no leakage (obviously, you must empty the water tank).

Hi Howard - Thanks for your advice. I am looking forward to receiving the machine and try it out next week.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yen-Chen

I read this review several times and was wondering when the review was done. The reason I ask is because I wonder to what extent this machine has been overtaken by newer machines post review. For example I also read the Brewtus III/IV review and see that it appears to offer more or less equally good espresso. Comparing the prices is the UK, the Elektra Microcasa Semiautomatic is £1295 while the Expobar is £1069. I don't really care about enough about how a machine looks to want to pay more. it really comes down to how the coffee tastes.

So I was wondering what people thought about this example: is the extra £230 justifiable?

Ian_G wrote:I read this review several times and was wondering when the review was done.

Since you reference the review, I merged your question with the article feedback thread. The review research began in July 2006 here and the article was published in September 2006.

Ian_G wrote:The reason I ask is because I wonder to what extent this machine has been overtaken by newer machines post review. For example I also read the Brewtus III/IV review and see that it appears to offer more or less equally good espresso.

I'm not sure how you are thinking about your choice of machine. It's hard for me to imagine considering both these, since it's a bit like wondering whether to buy a motorcycle or SUV. Just about every machine we review or that people here own make excellent espresso. The choice at this level is not about espresso quality, but about ergonomics and aesthetics.

I'm basically torn between the two machines. What worries me about the Brewtus is that it may suffer from being built to a cost, and so would have reliability issues. Technically it seems like a good design.

What I like about the Elektra is that it succeeds in making great coffee in spite of its temperature and pressure issues. Clarity of flavour has been mentioned as being particularly good, compared to other pump machines, and the way the water travels through the group appears unique and wonderfully effective.

What I was wondering about with the review was: are there newer machines that were not available at the time of the review, that have subsequently shown to be either better than the Automatica, or do the same job for a lower price?

There has been discussion about a few Bezzera (non E-61) models that are less expensive than the Elektra - but may produce similar espresso.

I have a Semiautomatica the last 4 1/2 years. Yeah, I see the prices on it have gone up a lot since then. I use my Semi every day - have replaced several pressure stats, and the bar gauge is no longer accurate. Still makes very good coffee though, and Steamer is still a champ... (though I replaced the on/off steam valve once.)

Howard