Copper & Brass
All copper & brass units now have a chrome steam wand assembly.
Chrome
Chrome & Brass
Elektra Microcasa a Leva S1/S1C/S1CO Espresso Machine
If you want exceptional espresso and an espresso machine that makes minimal noise in the morning, then you found the perfect machine – the Elektra Microcasa a Leva Espresso Machine. Although some people will contest that it is more difficult to make espresso with these lever machines, this is really not the case because the spring in the piston makes consistent pump pressure at each point from one pull to the next. Once again, for exceptional espresso, choose Elektra!
Manual Lever Operation
- Spring piston-operated grouphead – Lever starts in the upward position, the user pulls down against spring until coffee fills the bottom of your espresso cup, then the lever is slowly released and the spring in the piston pushes the lever to pump the water through the coffee grinds. If making double, it is important to pull the lever down a second time at the halfway point and released.
- Brass piston – While other machines may have plastic pistons in the grouphead, the Elektra Microcasa Leva has a brass piston to house 2 piston gaskets. Plastic pistons can get brittle and crack over time with all the heat in the grouphead whereas the brass piston in the Elektra is a great add-on to maintain heat within the grouphead.
Single Boiler System
- Durable brass – Provides exceptionally dry steam for creating microfoam.
- Water level sight glass – This indicates the level of water in the boiler. Helps when filling the boiler to prevent overfilling.
- Armor-plated heating element – Rated at 800 watts.
- Pressure gauge – This shows steam pressure in the boiler. The needle in the green zone indicates optimal time to extract espresso. Standard pressure ranges anywhere between 0.8 – 1.3 bar.
- Boiler pressure relief valve – This is located on top of the boiler for safety.
- Internal pressure regulator – Automatically regulates the temperature.
- Built-in safety thermostat – Prevents meltdown if left without water – please note that you can still damage the heating element if the machine is run dry (without water).
Beautiful Design
- Handcrafted finish – Each Elektra Microcasa Leva is carefully handcrafted which makes each one unique. Available in 3 different body color variations/plated finishes: Art.S1 is copper and brass, Art.S1c is all chrome, and Art.S1CO is chrome and brass finish.
- Hand crafted polished chrome eagle – Sits on the top dome. Our units have the eagle with wings UP!
- Large, round base – Approximately 10″ diameter. This helps keep the unit steady when pulling the lever down.
- Drip tray – Easily removable from the base. The finish of the grill matches the finish of the boiler.
Accessories Included
- Filter baskets – 1-cup filter basket and 2-cup filter basket. 49 mm in diameter.
- Portafilters – Dual spout portafilter. Bakelite handles. 49 mm filter head.
- Tamper – Plastic tamper.
- Plastic scoop – If you are using pre-ground coffee.
- Instructional manual.
Notes
Espresso Machine Warning:
- ELECTRICAL WARNING: To avoid electrical damage to this espresso machine which is not considered a manufacturer's defect, please acquire and install a single-outlet surge suppressor rated at 1080 joules or higher. the lack of the recommended surge suppressor, the espresso machine can be damaged at the power switch, the electronics, the heating element, the pressurstat or the wiring inside.
- WATER WARNING: To increase the useful life of and not damage your espresso machine, please use softened water. Softened water is water without calcium and without magnesium, but still has other minerals for espresso extraction. Do not use distilled water, purified water, nor reverse osmosis water as these types of water create oxidation with the metals and cause the same damaging effects as limescale.
- DESCALING WARNING: We do not recommend descaling unless there is an issue with the espresso machine. The reason is that too much descaling can eat away at the metals and gaskets inside an espresso machine.
Warning for Elektra Microcasa a Leva Espresso Machine:
Please make sure the sight glass is the field between a minimum of 25% and 75% at all times during operation. If the water level lowers below the 25% mark, damage can occur to the machine.
- Warning: Do not pull the lever down without holding the portafilter installed in the grouphead and filled with very fine ground coffee. Failure to do so will cause damage and personal injury.
- Caution: All surfaces are hot and can cause burns.
- Assembly Required: Steam wand needs to be attached and tightened with a wrench. Eagle needs to be attached to dome and lever handle needs to be attached to grouphead by owner.
- Water choice: It is very important to use 'softened water' in these machines, as well as all espresso machines. Hard water will cause these machines to malfunction, and Elektra will not cover the parts due to hard water. In addition, it is extremely important to run the a leva and semiautomatica machines with water at least 25% full in the sight glass. Running these models with a water level lower than this can cause heating element damage which will not be covered as this is not a manufacturer's defect. If you return the unit with a damaged heating element, you will be charged for the repair, and the repair charge will be deducted from the credit.
- Portafilter: The filter handle will explode off if the machine operator places too much coffee in the basket which does not allow the handle to be locked in the grouphead all the way, or the grind is too fine which does not allow the lever's pressure to be relieved. The filter basket will fall out of the portafilter as these machines are hand made. Due to the smaller portafilter size, this machine is not pod-capable.
- Boiler pressure: The normal operating boiler pressure read on the gauge is between .75 and 1.2. However, the manufacturer has been asked for machines produced in the USA to set the maximum pressure to approximately 0.9 so the most flavorful espresso can be extracted. Over time, the manufacturer's setting can change as the machine ages. In addition, if the boiler pressure reads 1.4 and up to 1.5, this is a symptom of limescale buildup from calcium/magnesium in the water or oxidation from purified/RO water. In this case, the machines will need to be descaled and the pressurestat will need to be replaced after the descaling. Limescale buildup or oxidation can occur in as little as 1 week from use.
- Body finish: Elektra espresso machines feature a high polish finish, with materials ranging from chome to copper to brass. Most parts are clear-coated. Special attention is required when cleaning. Hash products can eat away at the clear coat or even etch the chromed finish. Descaling solution can eat clean through plating. The exterior color, which includes a clear coat finish, will naturally change as each each Elektra machine ages. This would not be covered under warranty as color changes are not considered manufacturer's defects.
- Safety thermostat: There is a safety feature on this machine when water is not pumped into the boiler on initial startup. If this isn't done the safety kicks off and the machine will have to be reset. On the bottom of the machine underneath the yellow cap there is a reset button for the safety thermostat. If you purchased the machine from us and are still having issues, you can email us for instructions.
- Maintenance: This machine cannot be backflushed.
- Environment: Although this machine would look beautiful in a restaurant of cafe, it is built for home use only.
- When you 1st receive the machine: Elektra informed us that every one of their home machines is tested with water and coffee to insure there are no leaks under pressure and to insure proper operation when received by the customer. Although they clean each grouphead to the best of their ability, you may find some coffee grinds in the grouphead or on the machine when dislodged from the grouphead during shipping.
- Cup seen in the picture above is not included.
- Americanos: This espresso machine is NOT suitable for making americanos since it does not include a hot water wand.
For more Elektra equipment, please visit our Elektra brands page. If you have any questions, please reference the Q&A tab on each product page.
Descaling
Water softening (
Instruction Manual
Parts Diagram (
Sight Gauge Glass
Piston gasket (
Filter basket (
Bulb Change
2 reviews for Elektra Microcasa a Leva Espresso Machine