Man vs Machine (Cimbali Junior vs Elektra Microcasa a Leva)

[ajcorn]

Presently I use a Cimbali D1 but need a second machine for my office and I am curious about using a lever espresso machine such as the Elektra Micro Casa A Leva.

How would you compare the Cimbali D1 to the Elektra Micro Casa a Leva? Thanks for any feedback you can share.

Joe

[HB]

I struggle to imagine two espresso machines more different. The Microcasa is very strictly service for one or two people, Junior is a workhorse. Our Microcasa is a living room showpiece:



I use it weekends and on vacation. The only thing the two machines have in common is the potential for great shots. It's painful to fathom Elektra laboring in an office environment. As Mark's detailed review says, expect a high learning curve from the Leva. You of course already know about Junior, but you're welcome to read my own buyer's guide to see if I got it right.

I'd love to work in the sort of office that would be conducive to such a machine as the Microcasa. Mine certainly is as far from that. I would look for something very utilitarian, rugged, and not overly expensive. Depending on who's expected to operate the equipment, a super-automatic may well be the best choice. They prepare a decent cup, especially compared to the drip-swill my employer offers us.

[ajcorn]

Dan,

Thanks for the guidance. Being an owner of a Cimbali D1 I have to say your review blew me away and is spot on. We love this machine since we do so much entertaining at home. In addition, my wife is Italian and after trying a half dozen other machines this was the one that reminded her most of home. I'm a lucky guy when the wife says buy the Cimbali.

Now that we are considering a second espresso machine for my office I was wondering if you compared the Elektra to the Olympia Cremina? My office is a one person operation and pulling espresso's would my version of going to the gym.

Joe

[HB]

Thanks Joe for the kinds words.

As for the Olympia Cremina, I'll reiterate some of my notes from last year's Counter Culture Coffee EspressoFest:

I was lucky to receive the Olympia Cremina early enough to photograph and pull shots on it for several days. My wife liked the small profile ("It doesn't dominate the countertop like your other one..."). I find the 'handcrafted' aspect of lever machines irresistable, which accounts for my unwavering adoration of the Elektra Microcasa a Leva. Unlike the spring-powered Microcasa, the Olympia Cremina is 100% manual.

The groups and portafilters of these two lever machines are nearly identical -- attentive eyes will note the superior finish and polish work on the Swiss lever machine. The price is out of my league, but I can very easily picture this on the credenza of a Zurich banker or international CEO. It oozes Swiss precision. The Cremina was also the only machine to come with its own custom knockbox and frothing picture, not to mention its stainless steel funnel and perfectly sized scoop.

The instructions are also a model of what we could only dream other manufacturers would follow. I was a bit dubious of the suggestion to use the back of the scoop to lightly tamp ("What? Not even a POS tamper?!?"), but what do you know, it worked well. As a point of interest, I found that the suggestions documented in Mark's excellent detailed review of the Microcasa applied almost exactly to the Cremina, which may explain why I was able to pull good shots in short order.

One difference, however, is a plus -- the Cremina grouphead heats up more slowly when idle. That means you can turn on the Cremina, take a leisurely shower, come back and prepare your espresso. With the Microcasa, you better not dilly-dally or the group will be blazing hot! Also like the Microcasa, the Cremina is ideally a three or four shot machine. After that, the group no longer acts as a heat sink for the boiler water. I found the second and third shots were the best, and the fourth was "cappuccino worthy."

*sigh* I would love the sort of office credenza (or job!) worthy of such a luxury as the understated, elegant Olympia Cremina. Attendees gasped at the price. Well, I figure it's like a Rolex watch. If you have to ask why it costs that much, you just don't understand.

Bottom line is that the Cremina is built like a Swiss watch and priced accordingly. However, I prefer the Microcasa simply because (a) it's off-the-charts gorgeous, and (b) it's a spring lever not manual. On the other hand, if you prefer something more understated and more "hands on", the Cremina is worth considering, assuming the price is within your range.

[ajcorn]

Thanks again Dan! What is the height of the Elektra to the top of the Eagle? I know its an outrageous thought, but can the Eagle be removed to fit on a counter under cabinets 18 inches above the counter? How dangerously hot is the Elektra boiler to touch? Does the Cremina case provide any additional safety? Thanks again....

Joe

[HB]

It's 18" to the eagle's wingtips and 19-3/4" to the top of the lever (the lever unscrews easily for storage). You can remove the eagle or replace it with a Murano glass decorative globe (scroll about mid-way to see a picture). Elektra's boiler is as hot as the hinges of Hell's Gates. The Cremina exterior is warm to the touch and the top is very hot. Even a casual brush against Elektra isn't something you'll do a second time.

[joatmon]

It's 18" to the eagle's wingtips and 19-3/4" to the top of the lever (the lever unscrews easily for storage). You can remove the eagle or replace it with a Murano glass decorative globe (scroll about mid-way to see a picture). Elektra's boiler is as hot as the hinges of Hell's Gates. The Cremina exterior is warm to the touch and the top is very hot. Even a casual brush against Elektra isn't something you'll do a second time.

Dan,

I just "retired" my Pulser and now use a MCaL. My in-laws were over and were acting interested in my new machine. I was explaining how hot the exposed boiler can get by using your "Gates" quote. My M-I-L's response, "How would he know?"

Jack

[HB]

My M-I-L's response, "How would he know?"

In case she was serious, "dramatic license ...is a colloquial term used to denote the distortion or complete ignorance of fact."

However, I prefer the Microcasa simply because (a) it's off-the-charts gorgeous, and (b) it's a spring lever not manual. On the other hand, if you prefer something more understated and more "hands on", the Cremina is worth considering, assuming the price is within your range.

Quote from May 2005 above... what a difference a week will make. As I mentioned in More signs of ECD, I'm liking the all-manual Cremina compared to the Microcasa, especially with respect to crema volume. Then again, I haven't given the Microcasa a chance with the single basket, with which Karl et al report better results. Another item for my espresso exploration to-do list.

[timo888]

Our Microcasa is a living room showpiece:

image: http://www.home-barista.com/images/elektra-microcasa.jpg

Along with its handsome traveling case

Regards
Timo

[joatmon]

Along with its handsome traveling case

Regards
Timo

Yep, I have the case for taking it to the beach. If I get "Change Fever", I'll swap the eagle for the murano glass or vice-versa.

[timo888]

Yep, I have the case for taking it to the beach. If I get "Change Fever", I'll swap the eagle for the murano glass or vice-versa.

You wouldn't want the eagle clutching a murano globe in its claws?

Regards
Timo

[joatmon]

Quote from May 2005 above... what a difference a week will make. As I mentioned in More signs of ECD, I'm liking the all-manual Cremina compared to the Microcasa, especially with respect to crema volume. Then again, I haven't given the Microcasa a chance with the single basket, with which Karl et al report better results. Another item for my espresso exploration to-do list.

Dan,

I'm juiced about the MCaL. The taste is incredible. I've now pulling singles for straight drinking, and a double for my morning take-out cappa.

I installed Eric's mod to my Pulser this weekend and pulled a couple to try it out. It's a great mod for a reasonable price. In testing, the Code Brown was pure crema, about 90% remained when the pour completed. I was struck with fear, what have I done? My MCaL can't do this. After consuming the drink, and then pulling a single from the MCaL, I had my answer. Taste in the end game.

I've ordered 8 coffees from Intelligentsia as my son and daughter-in-law are coming for the long weekend. We'll go from 1 to 3 espresso drinkers in the house. I plan on giving both machines a workout. A full report will follow.

Jack

[joatmon]

You wouldn't want the eagle clutching a murano globe in its claws?

Regards
Timo

Well, as long as that eagle doesn't grab my grubby little fingers when I'm reaching for the lever, I'm OK.

So far, that little Italian eagle is well mannered. Must be the chrome plating.

Jack

[KarlSchneider]

Dan,

I'm juiced about the MCaL. The taste is incredible. I've now pulling singles for straight drinking, and a double for my morning take-out cappa.

I installed Eric's mod to my Pulser this weekend and pulled a couple to try it out. It's a great mod for a reasonable price. In testing, the Code Brown was pure crema, about 90% remained when the pour completed. I was struck with fear, what have I done? My MCaL can't do this. After consuming the drink, and then pulling a single from the MCaL, I had my answer. Taste in the end game.

I've ordered 8 coffees from Intelligentsia as my son and daughter-in-law are coming for the long weekend. We'll go from 1 to 3 espresso drinkers in the house. I plan on giving both machines a workout. A full report will follow.

Jack

Jack,

I agree completely. In my experience the great virtue of the Elektra MCaL is precisely taste. It gives a purity and clarity I have not had from any other machine. A Cremina gives great shots but they are so different it does not make sense to compare.

I had some people over recently. Both are Silvia/Rocky owners. Both were quite focused on classic espresso blends. I could tell they did not really grasp my passion for Levers or for SO coffees. I find that a lever (both the Elektra and the Cremina) are perfect in pulling out the completely individual tastes of SO's at each day of their evolution. In a cafe one wants something different. One does not want variation, one wants stability and consistency. These are not differences of better / worse. They are different worlds.

I can imagine ajcorn totally happy with a MCaL and a Cimbali.

KS

[HB]

Along with its handsome traveling case

It's a nicely made case, but I regret not keeping the cardboard box the Microcasa came in. The hardcase is designed to withstand the abuse of an airline carrier and has the weight to match (estimated weight of the two combined is ~40 pounds). Taking it on a beach trip is a real workout. One year we rented a condo - it was located on the third floor with no elevator. I brought the Microcasa in its hardcase AND a PID'd Amica "just for fun", lugging it all up the stairs along with the family's belongings for the 10 day stay... never again.