Seeking Coffee Snob Opinions - Espresso Machine

[jyl]

I have this curbpicked Elektra commercial espresso machine languishing in the garage.



Here is a picture of a similar model, from an eBay ad, so you can get a better sense of it.


Needs 240v electric, hard plumbed water supply, and I think a drain line.

Should I refurbish this and try to find a place to install it in my house? Worth the effort? Suitable for home use?

Seeking opinions from the Pelican coffee snobs!

[dan79brooklyn]

Commercial machine.
I’m not so sure how practical it would be for home use.
But if you have the time, space, and interest in a project then go for it!

[merbesfield]

No hmlyou drjnk a LOT of espresso. I have a Ranchilio Silva. You will also need a bean grinder.

[Bill Douglas]

THey use up a lot of electricity just to make a couple if cups of coffee.


I use this thing. It's a Vibiemme, and the grinder is a mini mazzer. Sorry re the crappy pick.

[a2jon]

We purchased a Rocket Espresso (R58) machine from Seattlecoffeegear.com and it’s the centerpiece of the kitchen and makes great coffee. Not a cheap option but when I added up what we spent at Starbucks for two of us, I could somewhat justify it. The espressos and lattes reminds us of what we get in Europe.

https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/espresso-machines?manufacturer=Rocket+Espresso

If you watch their “open box” you can find some deals

[a2jon]

We purchased a Rocket Espresso (R58) machine last year from Seattlecoffeegear.com and absolutely love it. It’s the centerpiece of the kitchen. The espressos and lattes taste so much like what we get in Europe. It’s pricy but I rationalized it on what we spend on Starbucks to make sense of it.

https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/espresso-machines?manufacturer=Rocket+Espresso

If you watch the Open Box options you can find some great deals.

[cstreit]

Totally impractical and probable expensive - but cool as hell.... Do it.

[Charles Freeborn]

Pavoni.

[red-beard]

I guess it all depends on the cost to refurbish and to install. Even a super-automatic will probably be cheaper. I bet TABS builder would be cheaper.

[Gogar]

See if you can clean it and get it up to snuff for free; that will help you determine whether or not you want to dedicate the space and the hookups.

Cleaning it and determining its Issues will help you sell it anyway if you want out.


Totallly impractical and awesome!!!

[Gogar]

If I was willing to commit to a drain and a hookup I think I’d have one of these! So awesome

[RSBob]

We have gone through 3 machines and the Jura (Swiss made) is the best in terms of speed and most importantly quality espresso. The machine has had zero issues in two years. It grinds the beans for you too using a bur grinder. Highly recommend. They start at $800 and go up to several thou. We have the cheap one and it works beautifully.

[greglepore]

That Slayer is a piece of art.

As to the electra, it depends on why it was at the curb. I doubt its something "simple" but espresso machines are easy to troubleshoot, other than the automation.

That said, anything more than a single group takes up a TON of counter space and you'll never in your lifetime need two groups unless you cater and have a second barrista.

[jyl]

I spoke to the neighbor who put the machine on her curb. She worked for someone in the coffee biz who gave her the machine as a gift or to settle a bill, I forget. She stopped using it and eventually decided to get rid of it. So apparently it was at one point in working order. I'm going to inspect it more closely and contact the shop that last serviced it (sticker on the machine).

All kinds of interesting stuff gets given away here. There are some affluent people in my hood, who would rather give things away than go to the trouble of CL. Watch the local curbs and Nextdoor forum for six months and you can furnish a whole apartment or house with my neighbors' castoffs, and it'll be nicer stuff than I have in my house!

I've been reading - it is an Elektra "Maxi", made in Italy, probably from the 1980s or 1990s. From when Elektra made stuff for espresso bars. The whole process around pulling shots sounds very daunting but I assume that's mostly just uber-snobs obsessing over picayune details, much like Porsche nuts. Thousands of baristas run these machines all over Portland, it can't be rocket science.

[porsche4life]

I would say it’s a bit too industrial for a home kitchen.... but I’ve seen photos of the rest of your appliances. 🤣🤣🤣

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Gogar

See if you can clean it and get it up to snuff for free; that will help you determine whether or not you want to dedicate the space and the hookups.

Cleaning it and determining its Issues will help you sell it anyway if you want out.


Totallly impractical and awesome!!!

This is good advice. You like to tinker, I assume, so why not rig a temporary hookup in the garage and fire it up? Just the basics to determine function. Then you will also understand how long it takes to heat etc. and how practical it is for a small household. You can toss it out if it is too far gone, clean it up and sell it if it is working but too impractical and if it works out for you, then polish it up and move it to the kitchen, we'll be over!

G

[Gogar]

https://www.espressocare.com/schematic-pdf-links

Here’s some schematics!

I think you’re “modern 2-group.”

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Gogar

If I was willing to commit to a drain and a hookup I think I’d have one of these! So awesome

I'm guessing that lovely device is the price of a small car... but what is is anyway? (just in case I hit the lotto)

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I'm guessing that lovely device is the price of a small car... but what is is anyway? (just in case I hit the lotto)

It’s a single group “slayer”, made in Seattle. And yeah you better really like coffee.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Gogar

It’s a single group “slayer”, made in Seattle. And yeah you better really like coffee.

$8K And I'm having a hard time justifying a $1K super auto