HB wrote:The Elektra website lists some
basic specifications, though Jim at 1st-line isn't convinced the boiler is anywhere near the claimed 2 liters. He'll have one in soon to check himself, but looking at the photo, I agree that a boiler housed between the grouphead and cup holder can't be much larger than a Rancilio Silvia.
Actually, a boiler measuring just 6 inches in diameter and 4 inches high would hold 2 liters. Seems not so unlikely given the size of the Mini Verticale.
I agree, that there will be limitations as to what this machine can do. Will I (or by PF-wielding partner) ever exceed it's limits - only time will tell. Anyway, sometimes you just have to have a nice looking junk of steel and chrome in your house, brings out the "artiste" in me...
As to the recommended procedures - FWIW - from the Elektra Australia user manual for the Mini Verticale:
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Working the machine
1. Press the steam button.
2. When the element indicator light goes out, insert steam wand into a jug half filled with cold water. Turn on the steam tap and heat the water until it's nearly boiling. Switch off steam button and empty the jug.
3. Place empty jug under steam wand and turn steam tap on.
4. Press the coffee brewing button until a continual stream of water flows from the steam wand into the jug.
5. When the light goes out, press the coffee brewing button to run about 30mls of water through the group head into a cup.
The machine is ready when water from the group head hisses with steam. Remove the handle to check. Return it to the group head to keep it warm. If necessary repeat the above steps.
Making coffee
1. Remove coffee handle from the machine and:
° To make a single cup -- with the single cup filter basket fitted to the handle, add one rounded espresso dosing spoon of coffee grounds to the basket, and tamp down firmly.
° To make a double cup -- with the double cup filter basket fitted to the handle, add a level espresso dosing spoon of coffee grounds to the filter basket and tamp down firmly. Add another level dosing spoon of coffee grounds and tamp firmly.
In all cases, the tamped coffee grounds should be around 4mm from the top of the filter basket.
2. Wipe off excess coffee grounds from the rim of the filter basket and fit the coffee handle securely into the group head by pulling the handle horizontally to the right.
3. Place coffee cup(s) onto metal drip tray. Press the coffee brewing button and extract coffee to the required level. Press the button again to stop coffee flow. Then remove cups from drip tray.
4. Remove the handle by carefully pulling it horizontally to the left.
5. Dump the used coffee cake into dumping box or by tapping the coffee handle on a non-metal surface.
6. Rinse the handle/basket and return to the group head.
Note:
° It normally takes 25-35 seconds to extract a shot of coffee.
° When the coffee brewing button is turned off, an electric solenoid valve operates to release the pressure inside the group head. This also has the benefit of extracting the remaining water from the coffee cake. The water is expelled into the drip tray, so you need to regularly empty this tray.
Frothing or heating milk
Froth or heat milk before making coffee. This ensures the boiler is at the optimum temperature and pressure to make coffee.
To froth or heat milk:
1. Press the steam button. This will usually cause the element indicator lamp to light.
2. When the lamp goes out, turn the steam tap anticlockwise to purge the steam wand of condensation by releasing steam into a container.
3. Fill a stainless steel jug with the required amount of milk. Avoid filling jug more than half way.
4. Immerse the tip of the steam wand into the centre of the jug, just below the surface of the milk.
5. Turn on the steam tap anticlockwise until you hear a soft "psst-psst" sound, which indicates the milk is being frothed. As the milk level rises, lower the jug to ensure the wand stays just under the surface of the milk to maintain the "psst-psst" sound.
6. When the milk is sufficiently frothed, lower the steam wand into the milk to heat it. Move the wand around the milk to ensure even heating. Do not boil the milk!
Correct temperature can be judged by holding your hand against the jug. When the temperature is too hot to the touch, wait four seconds or so, then turn off the steam.
7. Remove the jug and top up the boiler water level. To do this:
° Insert the steam wand into an empty jug and open the steam tap.
° Press the coffee extraction button until a continual stream of water flows through the steam wand, indicating the boiler is full. This will also flush out any milk deposits inside the wand.
° Wipe the steam wand with a clean damp cloth to remove any milk before it dries.
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I'll report back how the results are with this method.
Cheers,
Oliver
by EL8ED on Fri Dec 02, 2005 11:35 am 
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