brass safety valve designed for espresso pots brands

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These are new a design for Nuova Simonelli equipment only. It comes as a kit for retro-fitting most all (commercial) models new and old, but does not come with the anti-vacuum valve. NOT SUITABLE FOR THE PREMIER MAXI; the Premier Maxi was revised to use the smaller, 1/4" safety valve.

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The devil is in the details. It is often the smallest things, the particularities, that make all the difference. This is also the case in regards to the preparation of a good coffee, a ritual in which all the steps and every single component play a fundamental role. Among all, one of the most important elements is the Moka valve. Often ignored, it is vital not only for the quality of the coffee, but also for the safety of those who prepare it.

The valve was born with the invention of the Moka Express in 1933. It is a safety valve positioned on the bottom chamber. To better understand the importance of the valve and its use, we need to take a step back and illustrate step by step

If, for some reason, the water fails to pass through the filter, the pressure inside the bottom chamber would begin to increase rapidly. This can happen, for example, when:

This is where the valve of the Moka comes into play. It must open when the pressure is too high. By doing so, it allows the steam to escape regularly, without causing any damage. In short, the Moka’s safety valve provides security. Hence, it should only intervene when the coffee maker is used under abnormal operating conditions.

A long-standing and debated question: how far can you fill the bottom chamber for a state-of-the-art coffee? The Moka valve can come in handy to answer this dilemma. Another important role of the valve is that it acts as a "measuring cup". Its position on the bottom chamber is not accidental. Rather, it indicates to those who prepare the coffee the correct amount of water to use. The only exception is for some special coffee pots that are already equipped with a measuring cup. Ideally the water should reach just below the safety valve.

The Moka valve, therefore, is not a decoration or a mere design element. Rather, it is a very important component for the correct functioning of the coffee maker. It guarantees safety and plays a part in the making of an excellent coffee.

Consequently, it is necessary to keep it clean and maintain it regularly. For example, using tap water to make coffee brings with it the risk of limescale deposits obstructing the hole in the valve. The resulting danger is that it could get clogged.

We have seen that one can simply use hot water to clean the Moka valve. To avoid limescale obstructions, simply move the piston that comes out of the valve along its axis when washing it. To ensure the Moka functions correctly, it is recommended to repeat this checkup periodically.

The most important thing to look for is whether the pot is made from aluminum or stainless steel. Aluminum conducts heat faster and brews faster, but it"s not corrosion-resistant, nor is it dishwasher safe. Still, it"s D"Ottavio"s preferred material for gas and electric stoves thanks to its speed and relative ease of use. On the other hand, stainless steel is dishwasher-safe, but it takes a while to heat up and retains heat for a much longer time (which can lead to burnt grounds).

Other considerations you"ll want to take into account are the handle (plastic or heat-resistant metal or silicone) and the gasket (rubber or silicone). If you"re the type of person who tends to neglect things on the stove for even a minute or two, a plastic handle might not last long in your kitchen. And if you use your Moka pot regularly, consider models with a silicone gasket as opposed to a rubber one, which is going to give way far quicker.

One thing you"ll need to make the Moka pot shine, as with any brewing method, is a good burr grinder or a nearby barista willing to freshly grind your beans for you.

While both coffee-brewing methods rely on pressure, espresso occurs somewhere between five and 10 bars of pressure (depending on whom you ask) and the pressure a Moka pot achieves is, optimally, somewhere between one and one-and-a-half bars of pressure.

Because of this, the grind size for Moka pots is typically a little coarser, and, according to Matteo D"Ottavio, the 2020 UK Brewers Cup Champion, should be between espresso (very fine) and drip coffee (medium-fine) grounds. He wouldn"t give us a particular size, but we find somewhere around 500 microns will do the trick with a medium-roast coffee. Along with D"Ottavio, we also recommend you go up in size for dark roast and down in size for light roast.

The imperative thing is to get it dry and keep it dry after use. According to D"Ottavio, the best way to clean a Moka pot is to take it apart, including the screen and gasket, and soak it or wash it with water and a little white vinegar. If it gets really bad (as in, if you find you"ve left grounds or water in it for days on end), fill a large bowl with some mild dish detergent, disassemble the whole thing, and soak it until things loosen up. Once it"s clean, keep everything apart and store the parts loosely piled atop each other to prevent mold and allow for airflow.

The La Pavoni Stradivari is a harmonious pairing of art and ideal. High style Italian chrome and curves meets carefully crafted rosewood knobs and lever handles for the exacting performance that is La Pavoni"s trademark. La Pavoni Stradivari engages all the senses with tactile pleasure for the barista pulling shots as well as the beauty of the machine and always the wonderful taste and aroma of espresso.

This elegant manual espresso maker features a beautiful chrome-plated brass exterior and durable rosewood handles and knobs. Eye-catching profile is inspired by world famous violin maker Antonio Stradavari and designed by Carlo Gallizi in 2005 in celebration of 100 years of la Pavoni creating the finest espresso makers.

The Stradivari comes with a boiler that holds 0.8 liters, enough to brew 8 cups of espresso and a pressurestat that ensures a constant boiler pressure of 0.7 and 0.8 BAR. The machine is equipped with a chrome-plated brass portafilter for cafe-quality espresso and a commercial-style stainless steel steam wand. A fluid sweeping motion of the lever accentuates the subtle curves of the base and provides unlimited control to pull short, medium and long espresso shots. Additional features include a water lever gauge, a safety valve, and a manual reset safety thermometer that shuts off the unit in case of overheating. Remember before you can become a master there is an apprenticeship, La Pavoni manual espresso machines take more time and effort but the results are worth it!

The cylindrical body of this model was often made of brass or copper (but also nickel-plated brass, Sheffield steel, silver or porcelain) and was split into two parts: the internal part (boiler) contained the water to be heated, whilst the external part (cavity) collected the coffee infusion and had a valve plug (at the bottom) or a spout (at the top).

The boiling water went through the filter with such force that the liquid hit the internal part of the glass dome and ran down the external part of the container creating a kind of fountain effect.

Small brass coffee maker patented in Paris by Alexandre Lebrun in 1838. Steam pressure operation, it was fed by a spirit burner. The pressure of the steam pushing downwards rather than up was used by Lebrun for his small, ingeniously designed coffee maker. The ground coffee was pressed down using a pestle, in a box-shaped filter at the base of the coffee pot. The cold water was poured in from above. The lid was locked with a special clamp and the pot heated by the alcohol in a little plate at the base. In just four minutes the coffee was automatically poured into the cup through the finely worked spout.

H. Eicke’s machine was patented in Berlin, Germany in 1878. Although the device was balancing and the burner had a self-extinguishing lid and it was very similar to the compensation siphons Balance system, the way it worked was completely different. In this case, the depression of the vacuum of the boiler was not used for filtering the coffee but rather the pressure of the steam which pushed the boiling water from the boiler to the filter containing the ground coffee. When all the water contained in the boiler had gone through the filter, the coffee maker tipped and the lid of the spirit burner dropped to put out the flame. In this way, the preparation cycle finished automatically.

Elegant, with refined finishes and valuable handcrafted decorations, these two Italian coffee makers produced by Invicta are made of copper-brass and nickel-plated brass and have spirit burners. Two cup capacity.

On the left, the A.G. Oikos model in nickel-plated brass produced by Fratelli Carderoni in Milan. When the water was hot, the whistle signalled that it was time to turn the special tap in order to connect up the front filter containing the ground coffee.

Various steam pressure coffee makers, all made of copper and nickel-plated iron, with spirit burners, produced in Ferrara, Italy, by Fratelli Santini bearing the Aquilas brand and by Figli di Silvio Santini bearing the Orso brand. Two to six cup capacity. Operation of this small, charming machine for home use is simple and it is easy to use. The steam pressure pushes the hot water upwards through the coffee filter and the liquid is poured out from the front spout directly into the cups or a coffee pot.

Italian-made Adele and Stella coffee makers in nickel-plated brass. One to four cup capacity. Small travel and camping coffee makers are very compact and easy to use. The spirit burner and the cups are stored at the base of the coffee maker.

Czechoslovak-made coffee maker bearing the Sport brand. Made in steel and aluminium, it has a two cup capacity and the burner is fed with fuel tablets. This coffee maker was ideal for camping and came in a special box containing all the necessary accessories (fuel tablets, small box for sugar and coffee, teaspoon and tongs for handling the boiling coffee pot) for preparing and tasting the coffee.

Group of Italian stove-top coffee makers in aluminium. On the right, there is the characteristic Columbia Cr�me produced by OMG, steam pressure and pump coffee maker, with a six cup capacity. The pump in the handle makes it possible to increase the water pressure for extracting the coffee, making a larger quantity of coffee cream, or crema.

One of the very first versions of the famous Moka Express produced by Alfonso Bialetti in Crusinallo and sold during the post-war period. It has a solid aluminium structure, is octagonal in shape and features a brass safety valve and rubber gasket between the boiler and pot. Produced in models of varying capacity, the Moka brought a radical change to how Italians drank coffee at home, offering them coffee with a new flavour and stronger, and ousting out the Napoletana coffee maker which was popular at the time. Still today, the Moka is considered an icon of Italian-made goods throughout the world.

Italian coffee makers for families in nickel-plated brass produced in the shape of the column coffee makers for bars of the period. On the left, the Snider, on the right the La Pavoni, both from Milan.

Three Italian-made Eterna coffee makers produced by the company Watt in Pavia. Made in nickel-plated brass and cast aluminium, they are shaped like the column bar machines of the period.

Elegant, sophisticated nickel-plated brass coffee makers produced in Italy by S.I.M.E.R.A.C. in Ferrara (and subsequently Milan), with a two to four cup capacity. The coffee filter is set apart from the body of the coffee maker in order to prevent the ground coffee from heating up during machine operation. The spouts pour the coffee directly into the cups resting on the tray at the base.

The TATA coffee maker-cum-alarm clock produced by Turin company G.M.P. is both curious and ingenious. Designed for those who are unable to get up in the morning without having first sipped a steaming cup of coffee, this machine pours the last few drops of freshly-made coffee into the cup at the same time as the alarm goes off.

The French-made Cafeti�re Veritas from Lyons can produce up to six cups of coffee at a time. Made of nickel-plated brass (the 1920 model), it features a characteristic fountain shape and was redesigned for the 1940 Luxe model.

This German model, Paluxette, was very popular in Germany. Produced in solid steel and chrome-plated brass, it could be altered in height using vertical runners in order to adapt to the size of the coffee pot the user had at home. The small travel version to use in the car utilized a 12 volt supply to prepare a single cup of coffee.

The Italian La Victoria Arduino from Turin was produced in steel, nickel-plated brass and Bakelite and could dispense two to three cups of coffee at a time. This beautiful machine was built in the style of the period, bearing the enamelled brass brand of the factory in full view. When the steam reached the right pressure, the upper tap was closed and the hot water pushed through the coffee in the portafilter with a ‘bayonet’ connection and straight into the cups resting on the base.

Original in shape with elegant decorative motifs embossed on the aluminium body, this large electric machine has a four cup capacity. Moreover, the tap at the base of the heater dispensed water for making tea and infusions.

Italian-made coffee pots produced by R.V. in Milan. Made in hand-hammered copper, it works by pressure operation with an electric supply. Two to five cup capacity. With an original, topical design it features fine, carefully produced finishes. The hot water, driven through the filter containing the coffee, poured straight into the cup.

Group of electrical Italian coffee makers with a copper boiler and nickel (or chrome) plated brass body, pressure operation. Two to five cup capacity. The electric cables are clad in two-coloured swab with copper and porcelain pins.

Bavaria model produced in Germany on the left, and a large machine produced in Switzerland on the right, both electric with spouts for pouring the coffee into a jug.

Group of beautiful electric Italian machines in nickel or chrome-plated brass and Bakelite. From left to right: Diana Mignon from Turin, SCM and two models produced by Neowatt in Milan.

Chrome-plated brass coffee maker produced in Italy by Turrini B.T.D.. The various parts that make up this machine, the electrical resistance, boiler and coffee filter, are held together tightly by a clip with a screw.

Now, yesterday I did an errand run. After everything else was taken care of I stopped at the most stocked hardware store I know of, it"s the size of a small warehouse. It"s been there for at least 45 years, probably longer. I"d brought the bottom of my VeV and my spare valve (non-working) as well. They didn"t have the part. The manager said my valves had weakened due to all the steam, the spring that forces the ball against the closure hole was no longer capable of keeping sufficient pressure inside the machine to force the coffee up into the upper chamber, at least enough for a full pot of coffee.

I was directed to an upper crust culinary importer/retailer and they didn"t have the valve either. They suggested I try a specialty coffee place (brew and equipment) a couple of blocks away. They didn"t deal in moka pots any longer.

I then played my last card, which was to try the largest thrift store I know of, a giant recycling center, about the size of 1/2 a city block. I"d tried a couple of smaller thrift stores a few days ago, to no avail. They had an aluminum moka pot whose valve fits mine (I"d brought a Crescent wrench!). I paid the $6 for the pot, brought it home and made about 4 batches of coffee (later and this morning). The maximum output was about 11 ounces. I deliberated whether to keep using it or transfer the valve to my trusty stainless VeV, which can produce up to 13 ounces. The aluminum pot says Made in Italy, Junior Express, Crusinallo, and looks very nearly new. To me it appears that it was probably used not more than a few hundred times, probably less. It"s in excellent shape. However, the last brew I made with it, I couldn"t prevent it from spilling a bit of coffee on my stove when pouring into my favorite cup. That decided it. I removed its valve and screwed it into my VeV stainless, which I just used to make 13 ounces of brew. If I treat the thing well, it may make me another 40,000 brews if I live that long!

I"m going to try to be careful never to put the maker on high heat and forget it, which is what blew out the other two valves I have. Putting it on high heat is OK but once the coffee is rushing into the upper chamber it"s wise to reduce the flame to low, quite low, really for the rest of the brewing process.

Now, people say that stainless steel moka pots after a time get stained, and it"s true. Especially if you forget and leave the heat on high, the exterior darkens, scorches, and it no longer has that wonderful mirror gleam of the new pot. It IS possible to restore the original appearance (I"ve fought this "problem" for years, tried many many things). The only thing that really works for me, and I did this a few days ago, is to use wet-dry (black) sandpapers. These sandpapers can and usually should be used wet. I start with a very coarse grade, either 150 or 180 grit and work my way all the way up to extremely fine grits:

Before each brewing session, I wash the exterior with a soft kitchen-spongy netted dish cleaning implement with some soap and water (and rinse). This really helps to keep the maker looking great.

According to a 2022 report from the National Coffee Association, Americans drink 3 cups of coffee daily per coffee drinker — or 517 million cups of coffee a day. While you can drink coffee hot, cold brewed, over ice or blended, many prefer it in the form of an espresso, which uses a pressurized brewing method to produce a small, concentrated shot. In fact, the NCA reported that, while other brewing methods remain more popular, espresso-based beverages have still been on the rise with 26% of Americans reported having enjoyed an espresso-based drink in the past day when surveyed.

Espresso-based drinks are a bit more complicated to make than a pot of coffee, but the good news is that with the right espresso machine, the process becomes a whole lot easier. Before you know it, you’ll be dosing (grinding the proper amount of beans for your machine), tamping (compressing the coffee grinds) and extracting (turning your beans into beautiful liquid gold) — and using each term like an old pro. To get you there, we spoke to coffee experts about the different types of espresso machines, and which one is right for you.Best espresso machines in 2022

Michael Phillips, Blue Bottle Coffee’s director of coffee culture, told us a good quality espresso machine will have “stable pressure and temperature along with the ability to steam at least 12 ounces of milk inside of 30 seconds.” The experts we consulted also advised against home brewers buying steam-driven and manual lever-driven machines due to the lower pressure and complexity, respectively, but if you want to explore those routes, here are guides to check out from Coffee Brewing Methods (on steam machines) and Coffee or Bust (on manual lever-driven machines).

Otherwise, shoppers should consider the following while shopping for a quality espresso machine:Type of espresso machine: Espresso machines come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including pump-driven (high-pressure water through the coffee grounds), steam driven (heated steam through the coffee grounds), or manual-level driven (like pump-driven, but controlled manually). More on the different types of espresso machines below.

Number of boilers: Most espresso machines are powered by either a single boiler or dual boilers. Suarez noted that espresso machines with dual boilers are very helpful because you can, for example, pull shots and steam milk at the same time. Single boiler machines are more affordable, but slower, as you cannot do two tasks simultaneously.

Temperature control: All of the experts we spoke to said that a good machine will have a stable temperature. Many higher-end espresso machines use PIDs — or Proportional Integral Derivative controllers — to control temperature down to the degree. Suarez told us that this is a helpful feature as it keeps your water temperature steady. If you go with a PIDs machine, he suggests maintaining a temperature between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit.

Built-in coffee grinder: “Without a good grinder, an espresso machine is just a paperweight,” said Phillips. He said you should look for a grinder designed specifically for espresso, with stepless grind adjustment. Some machines come with built-in grinders — while these are convenient, Phillips warned that they break down and wear out quickly.

The options experts recommended for this guide are on the pricier side, with many selling for over $1000. Check out our roundup of more affordable espresso machines if you’re shopping on a budget.Best espresso machines in 2022

To pick the best espresso machines, we relied on expert guidance and consumer reviews to collect the most highly-rated options on the market. We made a point to include a variety of types of espresso machines.Top overall espresso machine: Breville

Both Phillips and Suarez, highlighted Breville as one of the best espresso machine brands on the market. At under $600, Suarez specifically noted that the semi-automatic Breville Infuser is one of the best budget options for home brewers. The machine allows you to control the volume of each of your brews, plus it has digital temperature control and a pressure gauge that helps you optimize your extraction.Best espresso machine with built-in grinder: Breville

Suarez told us the Barista Pro is a “really popular choice that seems to be a good option for people looking for an all-in-one solution.” This semi-automatic espresso machine has an integrated grinder that Breville says provides ground coffee on demand, and it’s built with the brand’s ThermoJet heating system that’s designed to hit near-boiling temperatures in 3 seconds. It comes in several colors, including Damson Blue, Royal Champagne and Black Truffle.Best affordable espresso machine for beginners: Gaggia

Suarez highlighted the Gaggia Classic Pro as a “no-frills machine that will get the job done,” noting that it’s also relatively affordable compared to the other semi-automatic machines on this list. This machine has a rapid heating boiler and a 58-millimeter chrome-plated brass portafilter. It also has a built-in commercial steam wand to produce foamy, frothy milk, according to the brand.Best espresso machine for experienced baristas: La Marzocco

La Marzocco is the brand that Blue Bottle uses in all of its stores, which is why Phillips called it “the working barista’s choice.” When paired with the La Marzocco app, you can turn the semi-automatic Linea Mini on or off, set the boiler temperature, enable pre-brewing and more. Though this machine is substantially more expensive than the other options on our list, Phillips noted that “the build quality is very high, it has stable temperature and pressure, looks great in a kitchen and just works.” Suarez also noted its “professional-level quality” espresso.Best affordable espresso machine for experienced baristas: Rocket

If the Linea Mini’s price tag is out of your range, Suarez suggested checking out espresso machines from Rocket. The Rocket Espresso Appartmento is still certainly an investment, but this semi-automatic machine offers a heat exchange boiler and a heated group head to help heat the water in your machine to the optimal temperature and steam milk while you pull your espresso.Best high-end espresso machine: Ascaso Steel

According to Suarez, Ascaso Steel machines “look incredible and have all the features you’d want in a home machine.” The automatic Steel DUO PID features a 58-millimeter portafilter and dual thermoblock insulation that heats water quickly and ensures continuous steam. With the PID temperature control on this machine, you can also control the temperature of your espresso in 1-degree increments.Best capsule espresso machine: Nespresso

If you’re looking for convenience over everything, the Nespresso VertuoPlus is a great option. Select writer Mili Godio said she uses her machine every morning and it requires minimal effort — she just chooses a capsule of her choice (typically a double espresso pod) and it starts pouring at the touch of a button. But keep in mind, you’ll need to buy pods directly from Nespresso in order to use the machine. You also need to either buy the frother separately or as a bundle.Best stovetop espresso maker: Bialetti

If you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on an espresso maker, consider the Moka coffee pot instead. Select writer Zoe Malin is a big fan of the pot, which allows you to make your espresso on the stove. To use the Bialetti Moka Express, fill the boiler to the safety valve with water, add ground beans into the filter and heat the water on the stove until it starts to gurgle.What are the different types of espresso machines?

There are many types of espresso machines, which can be bucketed by what mechanism they use to produce pressure (a necessary component in the creation of an espresso shot). Below, we highlighted the different types — pump-driven, steam-driven and manual-lever.Pump-driven espresso machines

Pump-driven espresso machines are the most common type on the market. They use an electronic pump to send hot water through the coffee beans at the ideal pressure — around 9 bars. “Because they use electronics to control temperature and pressure, you can produce very consistent espresso,” Suarez said. Most pump machines can be put into one of four categories: automatic, semi-automatic, manual or capsule.An automatic espresso machine does most of the work for you. Some automatic machines can grind, dose, tamp, extract espresso and steam milk to the perfect temperature, all at the touch of a button, explained Peter Giuliano, chief research officer at the Specialty Coffee Association, which hosts the Certified Home Brewer and Commercial Espresso Machine programs. Philips noted that “if you don’t have the time or patience to learn the craft of working with espresso and milk, [an automatic machine] is probably your best option.” However, automatic machines are usually the priciest options — you’ll likely find yourself shelling out well over $1,000 for a good quality option, with higher-end machines costing several thousands of dollars.

A semi-automatic espresso machine is what you will most often find in cafes, according to Phillips — they’re typically more affordable than automatic machines (around $400 to $1,000, based on the options we considered, though they can cost a lot more depending on the quality and brand). These machines require you to grind, dose, tamp and steam on your own, plus activate and deactivate the brew pump manually. “They require more skills and understanding of coffee and milk texturing,” said Kaleena Teoh, director of education at Coffee Project NY. That said, they’re a great choice “for those who like to be able to personalize the flavor profile of their espresso shot and pour latte art,” she said.

A capsule espresso machine is typically more affordable (usually in the $100-$200 range) and requires you to load an espresso capsule in the machine and press a button to pull your shot. It is the “pinnacle of ease of use and speed,” according to Phillips, though he noted that they tend to “fall behind on quality.” Suarez explained that you lose a lot of control over the quality of the shot itself with a capsule machine because of its incredibly simple process: All you do is load a capsule of coffee and press a button to pump pressurized hot water through the capsule and into your cup.Steam-driven espresso machines

Steam-driven machines boil water to create steam that is then used to heat the espresso grounds. Steam-driven machines typically produce less pressure than other espresso machines — around 1.5 bars, compared to the ideal 9 bars. Suarez noted that they can be a more budget-friendly option — typically under $100 — but ”they lack the ability to control your variables, and they can"t produce the concentration of brew like pump machines just due to the lower pressure,” he noted.Manual-lever driven espresso machines

Manual lever-driven machines tend to be for those who want a more physical relationship with their coffee and desire complete control over their brewing experience. “Instead of just pushing buttons, it requires the physical strength of pushing the lever to pull the shot, which tends to be for more advanced espresso aficionados,” according to Suarez. It also requires more work, skill and a greater understanding of coffee and milk texturing to get consistent results, Teoh explained. These types of machines usually take more time to perfect, “which is great for those that want the nuance but not great for those who are just looking for a fast easy cup of coffee,” he added.Meet our experts

This is a classic and gorgeous lever-operated espresso machine - the Electra lever espresso machine. While it is lever operated, the spring within the cylinder ensures that the pump pressure is consistent between (and during) all pulls.

This lever espresso machine is spring-operated. The lever starts in the "up" position, and the barista pulls down against spring until the espresso starts to drip into the bottom of your demitasse cup. Then the lever is slowly released, and the spring in the piston pushes the lever, which forces the water through the coffee puck at a uniform pressure. If making a double, it is important to pull lever down a second time at the half way point of the upswing, and then re-release the lever.

This lever-operated espresso machine features a beautiful copper and brass finish. The base and dome have a brass finish, and the main cylinder is done in copper. The espresso machine is topped with a brass American Eagle, and stands 19" high.

The espresso machine has a 10" diameter base. It also has a sight-glass that indicates the level of water in the boiler. The pressure gauge (see photo) shows the pressure in the boiler. When the needle is in the Green zone on the gauge, this indicates that it is the right time to pull an extraction. This espresso machine also has a pressure relief valve on top of the boiler, for safety.

The durable brass boiler provides excellent dry steam that makes a rich micro-foam. The espresso machine contains and Armour-plated 800 Watt heating element, and has an internal pressure regulator that automatically controls the water temperature. A built-in thermostat will prevent the machine from overheating if it is left "on" without water in it, but note that doing this can damage the heating element.

This espresso machine ships with the steam wand detached to prevent damage during shipping. The steam wand needs to be attached after the espresso machine is received, and this will require a crescent wrench. This espresso machine is for home use only. It is made in Italy.

Warranty Note: There is a one year parts and labor warranty limited to manufacturer"s defect. It is very important to use soft water in these espresso machines. Hard water will eventually damage these machines and cause them to malfunction. Elektra will not cover the parts warranty if the damage was caused by mineral buildup from hard water.

It is also important to run these espresso 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.

There is a safety feature on this espresso machine when water is not pumped into the boiler on initial startup. If this isn"t done, the safety mechanism will shut the machine 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.

While some espresso machines come with an inexpensive coffee tamper, these don"t really give the kind of tamping that results in a high quality extraction. We do carry a large selection of attractive heavyweight

A coffee cup will pull the heat from your espresso too quickly because of its size, and because of its area, you will lose most of the crema. Most of the crema will stick to the inner surface of a large coffee cup. So take a look at our large selection of