Elektra Micro Casa Lever S1CO

Consistent with other reviews perhaps a few months of 'practice' to hit the correct bean and recent roast from a local passionate provider, sorting grind setting / degree of tamping / not over or under filling the cup prior to putting it on the machine, and fine tuning milk frothing skills to fine silk result, but then .. wow .. only now going to a cafe for social reasons not to get a better brew. I tend to use mid setting on grinder (not fine at all) with slightly firm tamping to extract flavour and richness and crema, use a proper burr grinder, and use Jersey cow milk (high both cream and protein content). Just order a quality 49mm tamper in advance as the plastic one that comes with machine is totally inadequate. The machine is meant to last a decade or more so we'll see, hopefully so. Minor limitations: If needing to make more than 1-2 coffees, or if the machine is left on for greater than 10mins, then it can overheat sending steam rather than water through coffee so somewhat burning and changing flavour and compromising crema. There is a thermostat to fiddle with, but I haven't as yet as pressure dial does stabilise in white zone between green and red zones (albeit more red side at present). I wouldn't look to 'entertain' a crowd given a fiddle to make espresso for each person and some time to do, and overheating issue as above. For a coffee aficionado type for before work, and to enjoy over the weekend with a spouse or partner etc .. yep its good.

Excellent machine! My husband loves it! It makes the best espresso and lattes ever! High quality, super fast shipping, great communication.

I have been through stove-top, mocha's, hand-press, and nespresso's. This is hands down the best quality coffee I have ever produced. Whats the catch? First off - you need to know exactly what you're doing, at every step along the coffee roasting, grinding, tamping, and pulling process. One minute to soon on the roast and your cup may taste sour. One extra push on the tamp and you may not get any coffee. This is an art mixed with a strange mesh of scientific rigor. Once you get it down, you will love it and not want to drink another cup of espresso again. By the way, this thing is BE-A-UTIFUL.

For years I had the La Pavoni Europiccolo on my coffee counter. It was always a challenge to get a good espresso with it and it was particularly challenging to get a decent crema. After doing a lot of research, I decided to try this Electra model. Right out of the box, using unfiltered tap water and old beans that had been sitting in the grinder hopper for nearly a month, it made a decent espresso with a full head of crema. The grind was too coarse on that first shot, judging from the speed the espresso ran out of the portafilter, but even with too coarse a grind the shot was satisfying So I'm very happy with this at the start of what will be a learning curve - and I have fresh roasted beans arriving tomorrow. If you're looking at this machine, I recommend you Google "Coffee Geek Elektra Casa Leva," where you can read a very good review of this machine which gives lots of tips on how to use it.

You will need a good 49mm tamper because the plastic one that comes with the machine is trash (that's my only complaint about what's in the box and it's so minor in the scale of things that I'm still giving this product 5 stars) The Elektra is pricey, but if you prefer a lever espresso machine, this one's definitely worth a shot.

Update: After the initial post of this review, I've had the opportunity to try it using fresh roasted beans from Klatch Coffee - Belle Espresso blend - and have pulled about 10 shots and made cappucino for my wife a couple times. Every shot has been marvelous, thick with crema, reminiscent of espresso enjoyed in Italy. I calculate that cost-per-shot, this machine will pay for itself in a year. Glad I made this purchase!

If you are into learning the non-hurried art of espresso making this is the machine for you. I love it!! I am learning sooo much about the grind size, the amount of grounds to use and adjusting everything accordingly. It is perfect if you are a "need to know why" kind of person. I spent 1 hour last night practicing and am getting very, very close to the perfect espresso shot.

This machine not only makes wonderful Coffee but also looks like a work of art in its own right. Shiny chrome and so now for kitchen looks and style, a lot more different than the usual square boxed type coffee machine out there for sale.

Think of the Old fashioned Coffee bars and this one would not look out of place. We have had our for a few years now but at the moment not in service as the lever needs a slight bit of attention. So just looks good even if not being used. When it was being used it would be everyday up,to two or three times depending on how much coffee we drank. Always a super coffee was pulled from it and the machine itself kept warm for ages due to the marine brass boiler inside. One hefty machine, certainly not a lightweight and extremely well made.

Now if you do not mind using a lever method, just be careful of teeth. One wrong move with this ones lever and you could end up taking your teeth out.

Certainly not one for those in a rush to make their coffee first thing in the morning for sure. More for the coffee enthusiast than anything else as you have to want to use a lever, not use pods but fresh beans etc. and take the chance with your teeth.

The bird on the top an eagle screws onto the top of the machine and makes it look even more spectacular.