Overview
Have you ever been accused of “wanting it all?” If you’re looking for exceptional espresso and an espresso machine that makes minimal noise in the morning, then you’ve found the perfect machine – the Elektra “Leva” (pull lever) 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 ensures consistent pump pressure at each point, from one pull to the next. Once again, for exceptional espresso, choose Elektra!
Features
- Beautiful design: chrome and brass finish combination.
- Brass eagle situated on dome (our units have the eagle with wings UP!).
- Bakelite handles.
- Large, round base (~10" diameter).
- Spring piston-operated grouphead: Lever starts in upward position, the user pulls down against spring until coffee fills bottom of demitasse cup, then lever is slowly released and the spring in the piston pushes the lever to pump the water through the coffee grinds. If making a double, it is important to pull lever down a second time at the half way point and release.
- Brass piston: While other machines may have plastic pistons in the grouphead, the Elektra Leva has a brass piston to house two 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.
- Durable brass boiler: Provides exceptionally dry steam for creating micro foam.
- Pressure gauge: Shows steam pressure in boiler and needle in green zone indicates optimal time to extract espresso. Standard pressure ranges anywhere between 0.8 - 1.3 bar.
- Water level sight glass: Indicates level of water in boiler.
- Armour-plated heating element: Rated at 800 watts.
- Boiler pressure relief valve: Located on top of 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).
Style Number: ART.S1CO
Specifications
- Measurements (w/ handle): 21" H x 10.24" W x 10.24" D (53 cm H x 26 cm W x 26 cm D).
- The eagle on the top of the machine is ~3.75" tall.
- The maximum cup height under the portafilter is ~2.875".
- Weight: 24.25 pounds (11 kilograms).
- Power: 800 watts, 110 volts, 60 hertz, 15 amps.
- Boiler capacity: 33.8 ounces (1.8 liters).
- Filter basket size: 49-50 mm.
- Made in Treviso, Italy.
Notes
- 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 Vertical A1, Leva and SemiAutomatic 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 lime scale 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. Lime scale 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 chrome 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 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.
- This machine was featured in the Boston Globe. Boston Globe (Sept 23, 2004) ranked the microcasa a leva with 'pulled the best shots'.
Product Warranty
Elektra Warranty:2 Year Parts & Labor (limited to Manufacturer’s Defects, only)
Warranty Note: It is very important to use “softened water” in these machines (as in all espresso machines). Hard water will cause these machines to malfunction, and Elektra will not cover the parts warranty due to hard water. In addition, it is extremely important to run the Vertical A1, Leva and SemiAutomatic 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 under warranty 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.
