Buyer's Guide to the Elektra A3 - Page 2

[HB]

Is it justified for the extra $1000+?

The A3 was a real pleasure to evaluate, for the reasons I iterated at length in the review:

The ease of producing an even, consistent extraction earns big points for Elektra and her predictable temperature control regime rewards good skills with better espresso, leading to a firm score of 9.0. Although not part of the official scoring sheet, I believe those with professional or near-professional skills working on the A3 will crack the 9.0 ceiling with time and practice...

Like her little sister the Elektra Microcasa a Leva, big sister knows just how to balance volume, velocity, and dispersion pattern. Milk frothing newbies nailed great microfoam with a short five minute lesson. Love it, love it, love it. Elektra bags HB's first perfect 10 for the cappuccino lover's score.

But the other espresso machines you're considering are fine choices too. Whether the A3 would be worth an extra $1000 to you is difficult to say. I can say, however, that you would not be disappointed.

[k7qz]

Is it really so much better than say, (the other 2 i have been weighing over) QuickMill Vetrano Rotary or the Brewtus2?
Is it justified for the extra $1000+?

Dan's nice review of the A3 also included this statement (hope you don't mind my adding to your last post Dan):

For those who have the funds and space, the Elektra A3 offers an unadulterated commercial experience in your kitchen. It's simply the best heat exchanger machine I've had the pleasure to evaluate.

j7on: if you have the additional $1000 available to you then I would purchase the A3 without reservation. (not trying to spend your money!). If you have adequate funding and buy a lesser machine you will (likely) be constantly asking yourself "Why didn't I just go ahead and get the A3?" (similar to the age-old question "Why didn't I just go ahead and buy the Rolex?").

The A3 will (more likely than not) be the last machine you will ever need to buy. After personally using an A3 for a year now (vs. a prior Cimbali DT1), I can't imagine any sort of "upgrade" which could out-perform the big Elektra- unless one begins to move into Synesso or perhaps LM GS3 territory.

FWIW (nothing personal Brewtus guys), I've used a Brewtus 2 on several occasions (my brother's) and it's a nice little machine. But, to modify a worn cliche', "it ain't no A3"...

The aforementioned assumes you have already (or will) buy a grinder of sufficient performance to obtain the outstanding espresso that the A3 is capable of serving you.

Good Luck!

[j7on]

Turned out my uncle lives in Treviso now(same city as the Electra factory) and he could pick up a A3 either straight from the factory or a local dealer for me.

Anybody know why nobody is replying my emails at the Elektra company(or a new email address?)?

I have been trying through their forms:
http://www.elektrasrl.com/contact.asp

& the email address:
info@elektrasrl.com

for almost 2 weeks now(like 10 emails, both in English & Italian, translated through Babelfish) and nothing?

[HB]

Seems too early to close for vacation, even for the Italians. Have you tried calling?

Elektra s.r.l.
Via A. Volta, 18
31030 Dosson di Casier
Treviso (Italy)
Tel. +39 0422 490405
Fax: +39 0422 490620

[j7on]

This is amazing!

Straight after posting on this forum last night i sent 2 more mails(1 through form & 1 to address), and got an immediate response to BOTH of them straight the next morning!

(seems like the workers should check their email box once in a while rather than hang around here all the time:)

[cannonfodder]

For a step by step learning to use guide and many videos on the A3, try Dialing in a new espresso machine, a step by step guide

[annp]

Two questions - and please excuse my ignorance in advance if I'm asking something that is obvious and/or impractical. I've gotten my nose bitten off here before, so please be gentle.

Eric S device on the A3?

and/or PID?

I'm getting tired of waiting for the Vaporware machine.

I'd be happy with an HX with a slightly smaller than 6 liter boiler, but bigger than the Quickmill products we know and love. A rotary pump would be nice too. Knowing/controlling temp would be wonderful as well.

I don't think with our use, and maxiumum dinner/houseguests present, I'd ever get to the point with the A3 that I'd be suffering from it being inadequate for our application! And it is pretty foxy as espresso machines go.

Ann

[HB]

Eric S device on the A3? and/or PID?

Bob already added a couple thermocouples similar to Eric's arrangement. He says it gives him added feedback that's helpful. I don't know if a PID would be worthwhile on the A3; as mentioned in the review, I found it easy to dial in the temperature.

[cannonfodder]

I may not be the best to answer the question, I am still in the honeymoon phase with my A3, but I love it. I kicked around the GS3 for some time, as well as other double boiler machines. Having pulled shots from commercial LM's, they make some tasty stuff, provided the Barista is up to the task. In the end I went with the A3, Dan knows I have wanted one since the review. So I spent my year end bonus on me this year instead on investing it in the house.

I am perfectly content with the A3 as is. The thoughts of the GS3 have faded into history. I love the large boiler and if you can outpace the machine pulling shots and steaming, you should be competing in the Barista championships. Dan's temperature flush routine is spot on. The only mod I see in my future is insulating the boiler for the summer, PID, maybe when the commercial Pstat fails (which will probably be another 10 years at least).

I know the price is high for most Home Barista's, but it is worth every penny IMHO. Frankly, I am surprised they don't fly off the shelves.

[annp]

I may not be the best to answer the question, I am still in the honeymoon phase with my A3, but I love it. I kicked around the GS3 for some time, as well as other double boiler machines. Having pulled shots from commercial LM's, they make some tasty stuff, provided the Barista is up to the task. In the end I went with the A3, Dan knows I have wanted one since the review. So I spent my year end bonus on me this year instead on investing it in the house.

I am perfectly content with the A3 as is. The thoughts of the GS3 have faded into history. I love the large boiler and if you can outpace the machine pulling shots and steaming, you should be competing in the Barista championships. Dan's temperature flush routine is spot on. The only mod I see in my future is insulating the boiler for the summer, PID, maybe when the commercial Pstat fails (which will probably be another 10 years at least).

I know the price is high for most Home Barista's, but it is worth every penny IMHO. Frankly, I am surprised they don't fly off the shelves.

I really appreciate hearing this. Especially the part about thoughts on the GS3 fading into history.

The reviewers here get to play with many more machines than I ever will, the reviewers have the knowledge and the tools to make measurements and comparisons that I cannot. This is a great resource and has been incredibly helpful with the equipment I've bought.

But... sometimes the best equipment on the market isn't the best for ME - even if I can afford it.

I thought that Versalab grinder was the coolest thing, but I'm glad I didn't buy it. I think I'd have had to mess with it more than I'm capable of messing with it. Brew/Boiler pressure adjustment, Pstat replacement, and the various gaskets I've done are about the extent of my mechanical expertise.

The biggest roadblocks to the A3 are likely to be the trip out here by the electrician for a 20A setup and drilling my new Corian (coffeeground matching) countertops. The plumbing is No Big Thing - the electrical is going to be a job - and the countertop drilling is more of an emotional commitment than a technical difficulty.

We won't talk about the delivery company trying to get their truck up our driveway with that pallet!

About heat. I was going to beg Chris Coffee to insulate before shipping. I also investigated Chris' PID vendor, but I'm not sure how needed it is. I think the water temp out the group head would be a better investment of modification $.

Also - what are/can you do about timers? I am not setting my clock for 4AM to get up and turn my machine on. Leaving it on after 10 AM, except when we have guests or a late night planned, is not part of the routine.

I looked at Dan's link to Bob's Elektra thermocouple modification (thanks Dan!). Not nearly as neat at the EricS mod. But possibly not needed if Elektra is as temp stable as she is reputed to be. I might need to dial in the flush timing with a Scace device (and if the pump is that quiet...) and we operate by observing the flush right now pretty effectively.

I'm glad you seriously considered the G3 and other dual boiler machines and don't feel like you've settled with the A3. I really like dealing with Chris Coffee and whatever GS3 list I'm on, is not Chris - its way out west. I'm not sure how much consumer stuff this particular vendor does and I know Chris has been more than supportive when I've been a New Implementer in the past!

Thanks for your response!

Ann

[cannonfodder]

Don't get me wrong, if someone offered a GS3 to me, I would take it. Am I going to sell the A3 to get a GS3, nope. I don't mind the cooling flush and it is far from rocket science.

As to a timer, you would need a heavy duty 20amp, the local hardware store would have them, or let it run 24/7.