Description
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Elektra Microcasa Semiautomatica Espresso Machine – SX & SXC
The Elektra Microcasa Semiautomatica is a “statement maker” in your kitchen. One of the most stunning home espresso machines out there! This machine gives your kitchen a whole new look.
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- Beautiful long-lasting chrome finish combination.
- Bakelite portafilter handle.
- Three red switches – power, coffee brew, & boiler refill.
- The Brass eagle sits on the dome with wings up.
- A large, round base with a 10″ diameter for the stability of the espresso machine on your countertop.
- Water level sight glass with pressure gauge.
- Pump-operated to deliver water to grouphead and to refill the boiler.
- Heat exchanger system with proper temperature to extract the most flavorful espresso beverages!!!
- The only assembly required is the attachment of the steam wand.
- Manual water refill switch for boiler.
- Boiler pressure relief valve for safety.
- A durable brass boiler that provides very dry steam for frothing milk.
- Extended steam wand away from the boiler.
- Twist knob steam valve for quick turn-ons and offs!
- Three-way solenoid valve to relieve pressure in grouphead when finished extracting espresso to avoid “espresso explosion” when removing the portafilter handle.
- Top loading water basin for easy refill and for continuous water delivery (manual switch by the operator) so the machine does not have to be shut down like hand lever models.
- Armor-plated, 800-watt heating element.
- Automatic pressure/temperature regulator.
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- Warning: Please read this article regarding first use.
- Caution: All surfaces are hot and can cause burns.
- Environment: This machine is intended for home use only. It doesn’t have the capacity, nor the approvals, for commercial use.
- Upon receiving: 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.
- Some assembly required: The steam needs to be installed on the machine using a wrench. To prevent scratches, put a cloth between the wrench and the steam wand nut.
- 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.
- Water choice: Please note that 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 warranty 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 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.
- 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.
- Paint remover can be used to remove the paint from copper and brass parts.
- Elektra uses varnish to paint the parts. 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.
- Sight glass fluctuation: The water in the boiler is not used to make coffee. The water to make coffee comes directly from the reservoir and passes through a pipe in the bottom boiler for flash heating. If cold water passes through this pipe, the change in temperature will cause the boiler water (sight glass) to fluctuate. The only time the water level in the sight glass should change is when the steamer is used and the water level drops, or the red button on the left hand side of the base is depressed and held to refill the boiler.
- Safety reset: 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.
- Americanos: This espresso machine is NOT suitable for making americanos since it does not include a hot water wand.
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Maintenance
Documentation
- Instruction manual
- Training manual
- Parts diagram (up to 2017, 2018, 2019)
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Technical Support
- Boiler Refill Valve Cleaning
- Bulb Change
- Cloudy Sight Glass Water
- Heating Element Check
- Pressurstat Adjustment / Removal
- Pressure Gauge Change
- Safety Thermostat Reset
- Sight Gauge Glass Repair
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Howard S M –
Note: There are 2 excellent extensive ‘pro’ reviews about this espresso machine available online. There is one by Mark Prince at CoffeeGeek.com and also a review by Jim Schulman at Home- Barista.com. It was after reading these two reviews that I decided to purchase the Semiautomatica from !st-line which had an immaculate demo chrome model for sale.
Overall those 2 reviews seem accurate. This Electra is very handsome, makes excellent coffee, is built exceptionally well, but you need to take extra care not to burn your fingers, and it has a small drip tray – so you better have a sink or container nearby. It does not have a hot water tap – but I consider that a positive since I never use one anyhow. I also spend more time and care wiping it down and also flushing and cleaning its grouphead than I did when I was using an Isomac Millenium – which somehow seems natural for this machine with all its gleaming chrome beauty – (the Electra Semiautomatica was compared to a ‘motorcycle’ in Jim Schulman’s review.) It also does not have a boiler auto fill -so you have to pay attention to maintaining the water level in the ‘sight glass’ but I do not find this to be any inconvenience.
I have had this Electra now for two months and my daily coffee making is going smoothly. However, for the first week and a half this was not the case; either the espresso came out to fast or too slow, and I often had trouble getting the portofilter into the grouphead when using the single basket ( I was overfilling the basket slightly -and this grouphead has tight clearance for the portofilter). But part of those early problems could be due to the fact that I was also breaking in a new grinder ( a Macap M4 doserless) purchased at the same time as the Electra Semiautomatica- so there was a ‘double device’ learning curve to deal with. (I am now also happy with this new grinder.)
All in all, after 2 months I quite like this espresso machine – and hope to use it for many years
Keith J –
Adding to the previous review, this is my first home espresso machine. I decided that if I was going to spend enough to get a good machine, then I was going to buy the best machine I could. The Elektra is both beautiful and functional. I doubt I’ll ever feel the need/desire to replace this machine. The shots are delicious and easily accomplished. If you are not producing microfoam with this steam wand, then you’ll know it’s not the machine’s fault!
I did have some trials with this machine in the area of maintenance. The machine is so beautiful that I was intimidated about backflushing and descaling for fear of breaking it, or somehow damaging the finish. I finally took on my first backflush after about 3 months, and wish I’d done it sooner – it was easy, and I let an unnecessary amount of buildup occur. Don’t do that if you buy this machine – backflushing is a no-brainer.
Also, I had been using filtered water, and did not realize that filtered water still contains the minerals that cause scaling. By the time I was brave enough to do my first descaling, I had a severe enough scaling problem as to require replacing the pressurstat. The machine is well designed, and changing the pressurstat was pretty easy, and not terribly expensive, and once again working like a champ. Don’t bother buying this machine if you are not also in possession of a really good grinder. I also saw many posts from people who bought the copper/brass model and wished they’d bought the chrome because the finish is more durable. I’ve found the chrome finish to be very hearty – but don’t let water drops go unattended, or they’ll burn into the finish.
Last, 1st-Line has provided excellent support, and despite my noobie mistakes, have helped me to quickly resolve them and get things back on track!
howseth –
I’m back with an update about 14 years later of my Elektra SemiAutomatica (I bought here at 1st- line – as a demo – along with a Macap M4 grinder. Well, I am still using it daily nearly 14 years later. (The grinder too in daily use)
In 14 years: my SemiAutomatica has needed a heat pump replacement, steam valve replacement (2x) some other stuff – such as the pressure-stat a bunch of times – (I could replace myself)
Not my first espresso machine – but the one I’ve liked best – it does have it’s quirks – and can be temperamental – The water level sight glass works – but the gauge above is not precise – not too important in my estimation. Having to manually fill the machine and check the sight glass has not been a hassle all these years.
One thing to note – this machine – really requires very clean water – The tap water where I live is a NO. Brita Filter pitcher water is also a NO. I use reverse osmosis water. I buy in town – I refill jugs. An under sink R. Osmosis set up would be fine too. If you don’t do this the pressure-stat will fail often… getting gummed up – calcified – unless you have amazingly clean water where you live.
Would I recommend this machine at this current price point? I don’t have experience with others – so I don’t know – I’ll keep mine going for as long as I can, though. (I also roast my own coffee – I hardly ever use store roasted coffee)
Robert Stewart –
I have three machines but this is the go to. I just make espresso from my own roasted beans. I bought this in 1995 from 1st-Line and finally decided to give up my ECM Giotto. For my needs it is perfect. I have a separate tea maker so I don’t need Hot water. If I need a cappuccino I will use a separate milk frother/ warmer. The advantage is that I do not have to flush the boiler. How I know that is that I replaced the heating element two years ago. Tank and element were spotless. I am moving back to the USA in about a year(post-Covid) and will be purchasing another one from 1st-Line. Really a quality machine once you have gotten over E-61 hoopla.
Vince –
Best looking espresso machine with a high wife acceptance factor. Sits prominently on a handsome Elektra wooden base in pantry and gets lots of compliments from friends and family both for its looks and for the pro lattes. Low cost of ownership as all its parts are modular and easily replaced… there are no electronic gremlins to deal with. Have had machine for more than 12 years and had to replace pressure stat twice at minimal cost since I did it myself.