Electra coffee makers might be said to be minor works of art, or at least design objects created to look superb on your table or worktop. And, of course, this means they aren’t cheap. But if you want a coffee maker that produces the best espresso and looks good doing it, it might be worth the expense. Look at their microcasaaleva model and drool. Electra machines are made for those who enjoy the rite of coffee making and go by the rules. They are meticulously crafted but you don’t have to be a professional barista to enjoy them.
It began in 1947 when the Electra brand name first appeared, introducing the coffee machine business owned by the Fregnan family. In 1950 the company produced the first automatic hydraulic unit machine. Today Electra machines are still produced one by one using the skills of their workforce. It’s traditional and modern design mated with state-of-the-art technology.
Finding the website
You can visit the Electra website by going to www.electrasrl.com .
Finding the section on coffee makers
When you’ve reached the Electra home page go to the bar at the top of the page and click on the ‘Products’ tab. This brings a drop down a menu from which you choose ‘Divisione Casa’, or household division. This will bring up a secondary menu with the product range listed.
The selection available
Elektra have created a wide selection of beautifully designed coffee makers from its ‘Nivola” range to its retro family ‘Microcasa’ models. All are of superb design quality and reliability.
Information provided on the site
Before looking at the products on the website go to the Company Diary tab on the bar at the top of the page. Click on ‘The Story’ and learn how this fabulous Italian coffee machine company began. It will put you in the mood to look at the product available. It’s satisfying, for instance, to know that every machine is tested for non-stop for 48 hours before being delivered and that packing is carried out manually to ensure maximum protection of the product.
Make sure you click on the ‘Products’ tab at the top of the page, and then on the ‘Divisione casa’ link to get household products. You then have the choice of the ‘Nivola’ range or ‘Family Retro’ range.
Click on ‘Nivola’ to look at the modern design features of this range. The items have a streamlined look reminiscent of thirties futurist design. On the left hand side of the page is a menu that lists Models, Features, Details, Specifications, Grinders, Accessories and Download Brochure PDF.
Click on ‘Models’ to bring up the models window. There are images of each variant featuring a polished aluminium or red varnished body. The ‘Features’ window has images of each feature mentioned from the ergonomic knob controls in aluminium for both coffee and cappuccino function to the frothing mechanism that automatically froths when temperature and steam pressure are just right. And if the water isn’t hot enough to prepare a good coffee the machine goes into standby until it is.
There are two versions of the ‘Nivola’ Machine, one that uses ground coffee the other that uses a pod system to alleviate the need for grinding. And there’s a step by step illustrates sequence showing you how to load your machine.
If you prefer your coffee makers retro then click on the ‘Family retro’ tab. The Microcasa models available are stylish and elegant as well as functional. The one unit semi-automatic Miniverticale machines come in copper, brass or chrome.
Where to buy
Electra products are available in outlets in the United Kingdom including Harrods, Knightsbridge, London; Tinderbox coffee bar, Glasgow and Islington, London and Selfridges, Oxford Street, London. But to find an outlet near you go to ‘Contact’ in the bar at the top of the page. Click on it and then on ‘end user’. This will bring up a page with a form to fill in so you can receive further information on products and the nearest distributors.
Fill in the form with your details; name, address, e-mail and so on then press the send button.
Buying from the website
There is no facility for buying from the website. But there are a number of websites, such as Italy-Outlet that feature them.
Finally
If you purchase an Electra coffee maker you are not just purchasing a functional coffee machine but a piece of art. Each item is virtually hand assembled and it shows in the quality. The down side, of course, is that these coffee makers are expensive. Still, if you love your coffee and you want a machine that will impress your guests an Electra may be the brand for you.