Elektra Microcasa a Leva learning curve? - Page 2

[KarlSchneider]

No, it comes with both a single and double. You can even get a custom travel case:

image: http://www.home-barista.com/images/elektra-microcasa.jpg
Pictured in the corner

But if I were to do it again, I would skip the case and use the very nicely constructed original shipping cardboard box. As nice as the travel case looks, it adds a lot of weight. On the other hand, it does work nicely as a small end table.

Although I do not have the travel case I can agree with Dan that the standard cardboard box is very substantial and the travel case is not needed unless you plan to be a travelling rock-star espresso barista. I would also save the $$$ and get instead a good grinder if you don't have one and/or a good 49mm tamper. A plastic tamper is included with the single and double baskets but it deserves replacement before all else.

Tonight I had comparison shots on the Elektra and Cremina. The coffee is a 5 day old Yemen Sana'ani. Today or yesterday was the peak. Once again the essential difference between the machines was obvious. The Cremina heats up faster so the first two shots were from it. Wonderful texture and amazing finish in the taste. I did not think he Elektra could surpass this. But then I had two Elektra pulls. Where they truly excelled was particularly in the first part of the taste. So much more clear and focused. Actually they were less good in the second half. But the highest level of all was in the beginning of the first two Elektra pulls. Wine analogies abound: Volnay not Pommard / Medoc not St. Emilion / Pauillac not St. Estephe / Hermitage not Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

KS

[Trisha]

In my next life I would choose to be a cat in Karl's home!

Don't laugh: I already have a 21 pound tortiseshell persian tom that adores Folie a deux (prefers Estate) Zinfandel with brix and smoked wild trout. The other, a petit shorthair tabby of matching coloration and only 5 pounds idly opened two paws of claws as my fresh double cappa made with 4th day Tanzanian peaberry, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian with steamed whole milk and a scant teaspoon or raw sugar went past en-route back to my desk.

It was a long double, and the cup was coated with what readily resembled melted butterscotches and a good 12-year old single malt from the highlands.

(winds to 50mph and ambient is already 14F - ideal time to have the Elektra singing in in warm, round alto solo. . .)

[mogogear]

You two are too much fun to read... My single blue-eyed Old english Sheep dog Maggie merely sniffed my 16 yr Lagavulin as I sauntered over to read your posts

That didn't read as well as yours but I was working with creative and descriptive handicaps, I mean a neat pour that otherwise clouded my abilities.

[Fullsack]

In my next life I would choose to be a cat in Karl's home!

Don't laugh: I already have a 21 pound tortiseshell persian tom that adores Folie a deux (prefers Estate) Zinfandel with brix and smoked wild trout. The other, a petit shorthair tabby of matching coloration and only 5 pounds idly opened two paws of claws as my fresh double cappa made with 4th day Tanzanian peaberry, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian with steamed whole milk and a scant teaspoon or raw sugar went past en-route back to my desk.

It was a long double, and the cup was coated with what readily resembled melted butterscotches and a good 12-year old single malt from the highlands.

(winds to 50mph and ambient is already 14F - ideal time to have the Elektra singing in in warm, round alto solo. . .)

I was just thinking how special Dan's place looks. H-B people seem to have a lot of class.

[HB]

I was just thinking how special Dan's place looks.

Thanks, but don't be too impressed; we put all our decorating effort into that one room, which is strictly off limits to our kids unless we are present. The rest of the house looks like one might expect given our houseful of young boys.

[tarak]

Thanks for the info - I have a Macap stepless (arrived two days before my gaggia died on me), so it's been used just for drip coffee the last 6 months while I debated and saved (and convinced my husband that it was reasonable to spend this much on an espresso machine). I was planning to visit Thor Tamper to get a new 49mm tamper (still have two 58mm thor tampers that I cannot bear to part with - some day I'll buy a machine to go with them...). Just wanted to make sure I didn't need to buy a double basket as well. I'm debating picking up a second portafilter to be made bottomless - I had one for my gaggia (still have that, too). Also - does anyone know if it's worth getting the whole gasket replacement set, or just the group head gasket?

[KarlSchneider]

In my next life I would choose to be a cat in Karl's home!

You will need patience. Fanny (sister of now deceased Felix) is a 22-toed tabby who likes being queen.

KS

[KarlSchneider]

Thanks for the info - I have a Macap stepless (arrived two days before my gaggia died on me), so it's been used just for drip coffee the last 6 months while I debated and saved (and convinced my husband that it was reasonable to spend this much on an espresso machine). I was planning to visit Thor Tamper to get a new 49mm tamper (still have two 58mm thor tampers that I cannot bear to part with - some day I'll buy a machine to go with them...). Just wanted to make sure I didn't need to buy a double basket as well. I'm debating picking up a second portafilter to be made bottomless - I had one for my gaggia (still have that, too). Also - does anyone know if it's worth getting the whole gasket replacement set, or just the group head gasket?

The Elektra is closer to a Maserati than a Fiat. I suggest that you get used to using it in its basic configuration and then decide it you need to try to improve on its design by modifications such as bottomless pf's. I get the sense bottomless pf's are a fad of HX users more than lever users.

The Macap should be just fine as far as I can tell.

If you can spend more $$ get a tamper from Thor. You will enjoy having it in your presence.

KS

[tarak]

The Elektra is closer to a Maserati than a Fiat. I suggest that you get used to using it in its basic configuration and then decide it you need to try to improve on its design by modifications such as bottomless pf's. I get the sense bottomless pf's are a fad of HX users more than lever users.

The Macap should be just fine as far as I can tell.

If you can spend more $$ get a tamper from Thor. You will enjoy having it in your presence.

KS

That makes a lot of sense - I had the PF made bottomless for my gaggia espresso machine and it was amazing how much it helped - however now that I think about it, I was able to look underneath as the espresso was brewing to see what was going on. Don't imagine that would work with a lever machine. Well, that saved me a bunch of money. I noticed that sweetmarias (I also roast all my own beans), has a 49mm thor tamper for sale that's pretty amazing to look at.

[GreatDane]

I have enjoyed this thread. I have both types of levers. I have a SAMA that is spring loaded and a Cremina. I really think anyone getting a lever should read Alchemist's thread "First ever lever pull pressure mod" What we learned is there is a narrow but predictable sweet spot with a manual lever. I don't think you can manipulate the lever as much as some think to make up for grind. There is about a 1 bar latitude before the puck collapses. The beauty of the SAMA and the Elektra is a predicable pressure curve that is well below the upper limit. If you look at that thread, we mimicked a spring machine. What we found was a very nice mellow shot. Just as Karl said, the coffee flavor clarity was coming through, but the body wasn't there like taking the pressure toward the upper limit. I don't think I will go back to an electric pump machine. The more I use the Olympia Cremina, the more I am able to pull much better shots than on an electric pump machine. If I were having to bang out shots for a crowd, I would get an electric pump machine. However I rarely pull more than 4 shots or cappos at a time. I need to get my SAMA out and do some comparing again. I have pulled some shots on an Elektra and if I were limited to a budget of less that $1,000.00, I would grab an Elektra. If I had the 3 grand I would buy a new Cremina tomorrow. No matter what you are going to get superior shots than from a pump machine. Like Karl, I am after quality flavor. I love the nuances of the S.O. shots. Tomorrow I will be enjoying some El Salvador cup of excellence coffee that should be stunning if I do my part.

Les