MrHouse Senior Member Joined: 30 Jan 2004 Posts: 42 Location: Ohio Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Mar 24, 2004, 10:48pm Subject: Re: Elektra Mini Vertical
Tom,
I've been studying this model for a couple months now. It's beautiful, and two other models by the Elektra company (Micro Casa Semi Automatica and Lever) are "top three" rated espresso machines.
Unfortunately, there are no reviews for the Mini Verticale. I have contacted all of the U.S. retailers on the web offering this model, but, very few of the salespeople have actually tried the machine. Giuseppe, from the Tucano company, told me over the phone that I would be happier with the Micro Casa, but, he didn't tell me why, and I had a hard time understanding him due to his accent.
Then, I received an email from Walter, at Italy Outlet, telling me the quality of espresso between the Micro Casa and Mini Verticale is the same. This is good news, because the Micro Casa was dissected thoroughly in a detailed review on the CoffeeGeek website and given a very high rating. However, Walter's exact words were: "I would say the quality is the same". That doesn't sound very definative.
All I can tell you is that the Mini Verticale has a heat exchanger and is semi-commercial.
I have asked, even begged, anyone on this website to take a look at the Mini Verticale. But, no one has demonstrated an interest. This may be because of the availability of superior machines: in the same price range, you can get the La Spaziale S1, which offers incremental temperature control (Nice!), or the Expobar Athenea (high quality, proven results, similar appearance to the Mini Verticale). Or, it may be due to the fact that the over-the-top copper/brass/rosewood appearance of the Mini Verticale prevents it from being taken seriously by espresso afficionados.
If the last scenario is correct, I will be dissapointed. After all I've been through in my personal life, I absolutely will not tolerate an espresso machine in my house that looks like some kind of medical apparatus (it's the cold steel).
Anyway, I wish you luck finding information on the Mini Verticale. At $1,650, it's just too expensive to purchase without some positive reviews or referrals.
If you do find someone who is experienced with this model, please let me know!
tenacioustommy Senior Member Joined: 10 Mar 2002 Posts: 129 Location: boulder Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Thu Mar 25, 2004, 4:11am Subject: Re: Elektra Mini Vertical
MrHouse Said:
Tom,
I've been studying this model for a couple months now. It's beautiful, and two other models by the Elektra company (Micro Casa Semi Automatica and Lever) are "top three" rated espresso machines.
Unfortunately, there are no reviews for the Mini Verticale. I have contacted all of the U.S. retailers on the web offering this model, but, very few of the salespeople have actually tried the machine. Giuseppe, from the Tucano company, told me over the phone that I would be happier with the Micro Casa, but, he didn't tell me why, and I had a hard time understanding him due to his accent.
Then, I received an email from Walter, at Italy Outlet, telling me the quality of espresso between the Micro Casa and Mini Verticale is the same. This is good news, because the Micro Casa was dissected thoroughly in a detailed review on the CoffeeGeek website and given a very high rating. However, Walter's exact words were: "I would say the quality is the same". That doesn't sound very definative.
All I can tell you is that the Mini Verticale has a heat exchanger and is semi-commercial.
I have asked, even begged, anyone on this website to take a look at the Mini Verticale. But, no one has demonstrated an interest. This may be because of the availability of superior machines: in the same price range, you can get the La Spaziale S1, which offers incremental temperature control (Nice!), or the Expobar Athenea (high quality, proven results, similar appearance to the Mini Verticale). Or, it may be due to the fact that the over-the-top copper/brass/rosewood appearance of the Mini Verticale prevents it from being taken seriously by espresso afficionados.
If the last scenario is correct, I will be dissapointed. After all I've been through in my personal life, I absolutely will not tolerate an espresso machine in my house that looks like some kind of medical apparatus (it's the cold steel).
Anyway, I wish you luck finding information on the Mini Verticale. At $1,650, it's just too expensive to purchase without some positive reviews or referrals.
If you do find someone who is experienced with this model, please let me know!
DixieJava Senior Member Joined: 5 Dec 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Charlotte, NC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Elektra Mini Verticale Grinder: Saving pennies for now! Roaster: Saving for purchase
Posted Mon Dec 5, 2005, 9:48am Subject: Re: Elektra Mini Vertical
My husband also looked here and all over for facts about this machine -and found nothing. He purchased the semi-automatic machine for my birthday about a month ago - and we just love it!! This is the first espresso machine we have owned and couldn't have asked for better! We learned quickly the difference between fresh roasted/ground and not -- now we are saving to purchase the Elektra grinder - and one day our own roaster.... until then we will have to keep visiting our local roasting company.
This is simple - Turn on the 'On' button, prime the machine to fill the heating reservoir with water, then wait seconds for the light to go off (saying its ready to brew). Frothing is just as quick and simple - turn on - press the steam button - and seconds the light goes off telling you it's reached optimum pressure to froth. We are up and having the best cup of espresso fast, has never run out of steam for us, and very simple to clean.
The machine came nicely packaged, brief instructions (2 pages only) but there's really not many facts to know - more of figuring out what works best for you. Lift the brass eagle to fill the plastic resevoir with water (about 1 to 1.5 liters). The drain dish also holds enough - we drain about twice a week.
The brass tag on the machine that shows the Elektra name is a little different than all the pics/advertisements show (has some white enamel fill instead of all brass) -- it is just as beautiful if not more!
Someone recently asked me about it and I followed up with Jim at 1st-line. He says it definitely is not a heat exchanger. Looking at the switch arrangement, I have no reason to doubt him (two on the left are power and pump, one on right is the steam switch).
Posted Tue Dec 6, 2005, 12:03am Subject: Re: Elektra Mini Vertical
Hi. I've just received my Miniverticale in Chrome. I just love it!! It's early days, but if I can get a great espresso from pre-ground Illy, when I get the matching Electra grinder I've ordered, it'll be better than my local coffee shop!!
At the start of this thread, Mark stated he didn't want to risk $1,650 without reviews. I'm not sure if you have made a purchase, but you may want to take a look at a copper and brass model for €899 ($1060) www.italiankitchenaids.com
DixieJava Senior Member Joined: 5 Dec 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Charlotte, NC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Elektra Mini Verticale Grinder: Saving pennies for now! Roaster: Saving for purchase
Posted Thu Jan 5, 2006, 3:18pm Subject: Re: Elektra Mini Vertical
We're still learning about our Elektra that we've had for a little over a month now ..we haven't made a bad cup yet & we love all the frothing!! Heck, we just love our machine more than we ever imagined. Who knew it could be this easy and always soooo tasty :O)
Jim (at 1st line) has helped us with instructions for backflushing and de-calicifying and obtaining the necessary products.... he also instructed us what blind filter we needed to purchase to do our backflushing. We found the instructions for cleaning our group head on this website (the Elektra manual only mentions cleaning the portafilter and drain catch - guess you're suppose to already know the rest).
Until we order our grinder we were having to clean out our drain basket quiet a bit (due to the inconsistencies in our grinds - we can now tell w/ 'fresh ground' there is not much water in the drain - 'old grinds' leaves lots of water in the drain). We've actually modified the unit a bit - added a 3ft plastic tube to the drain tube - drilled a hole in the drain basket to pass the tube underneath and through the back (where the power cord exits), and now we can drain all the time without having to keep dumping out that drain basket.
KGCafe Senior Member Joined: 23 Jan 2013 Posts: 2 Location: Mumbai Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Rancilio Classe 6 Compact,... Grinder: Mahlkonig automatic,...
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2013, 11:49am Subject: Re: Elektra Mini Vertical - disappointing
This machine was bought in Dubai. When I asked about after sales service, the saleswoman said "Don't worry about that, Elektras never pack up", and anyway we have the expertise. Bought the machine, it ran well for a while. One thing that did initially disappoint was that for such a Chromed beauty (I bought the chrome version), the water tank is cheap plastic, hidden of course by the dome with Eagle atop. Anyway, after a couple of the months the espresso shots started coming out without any crema. The shop took it back, "fixed it" and gave it back to me. Same problem with lack of crema. Unfortunately by this time I'd brought the machine to India so couldn't go back to Dubai shop to complain. Anyway, sent a few emails to Elektra asking about service in India and or even at least a service manual - to no avail. Now the machine doesn't even switch on, and no reply from Elektra on anything. Won't be buying Elektra again...
stefano65 Senior Member Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 1,337 Location: Eugene OR Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Vibiemme,Elektra, Grinder: Vario,Macap, Vac Pot: not Drip: not Roaster: not
Posted Wed Jan 23, 2013, 3:14pm Subject: Re: Elektra Mini Vertical
Then, I received an email from Walter, at Italy Outlet, telling me the quality of espresso between the Micro Casa and Mini Verticale is the same. This is good news, because the Micro Casa was dissected thoroughly in a detailed review on the CoffeeGeek website and given a very high rating. However, Walter's exact words were: "I would say the quality is the same". That doesn't sound very definative.
I fully disagree with the above statement the miniverticale has a lot to look at however as mention is a single stage boiler, just above the size of a silvia boiler
the semiauto is an heating exchanger all other comment in regards are already spoken in regards
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