This manual should contain everything you need to operate and maintain your ECM Estetika dual boiler espresso machine. Please read it carefully before operating your machine. For a full list of specifications, accessories, and other details, see the ECM Estetika product page. For setup information, please refer to the setup guide.
Getting Started: Water
Espresso machines have specific water requirements. There are two primary considerations: filtration and hardness. Please read about the importance of water in espresso to understand how water affects your espresso machine. For further learning, check out Coffee School's Water 101.
Note: It is essential to test, filter, and soften your water to reduce it to 35-85 ppm. Water in this range helps prevent scale and protects your machine over the long term. Reverse osmosis and distilled water lack sufficient mineral content and can cause issues with your machine, such as a reservoir not registering as filled.
Technical Details
Please see the spec table on our product page for a complete list of technical details.
When you are ready to start pulling shots, check out our Espresso 101 section to learn about steaming milk, latte art, our suggested starter espresso recipe, grinder dial-in tips, and much more.
Understanding the Displays, Rotary Knob, and Brew Buttons
The Estetika is controlled with a rotary knob and three illuminated brew buttons, and it has two displays: a brew group display near the group head and a machine display on the front panel.
The rotary knob opens the menu and adjusts settings. Press it twice in quick succession to open the main menu, turn it to move between submenus and values, and press it to open a submenu or confirm a selection. If you don't enter anything for a few seconds, the menu closes on its own.
The three brew buttons (marked I, II, and the manual symbol) start and stop shots and hold your saved volumes. When the machine is ready, the buttons are lit steadily. The button running a shot flashes during extraction. The buttons flash quickly, and a water tank icon appears when the reservoir is empty or seated incorrectly.
Shortcuts you can use while the machine is running, without opening the menu:
Press and hold the rotary knob for 3 seconds to switch on ECO mode.
Press and hold the brew buttons I and II together to start automatic cleaning.
Turn the knob to the right, then press it quickly, to activate or deactivate pre-infusion.
Turn the knob to the right to bring up the steam boiler icon, then press it to switch the steam boiler on or off.
Adjusting Machine Settings
From the menu, you can adjust the volume, pre-infusion, and shot observer for each brew button, plus brew temperature, steam boiler on/off, steam temperature, automated cleaning, scheduling, cleaning and filter reminders, offset correction, fast heat-up, the clock, temperature unit, ECO mode, tank or plumb-in mode, dose key lighting, and Barista Lights.
A few defaults and ranges worth knowing:
Brew temperature is set to 92 C (about 198 F) by default and is adjustable.
Steam temperature is set to 128 C (about 262 F) by default and can be set between 115 C and 134 C (about 239 F to 273 F).
Offset Correction compensates for the small temperature drop between the boiler and the group. The Estetika has two offsets: a Coffee Offset and a Brewing Head Offset, each adjustable from -10 C to +10 C. The default is plus 5 C.
ECO mode is on by default with a 30-minute countdown, adjustable up to 600 minutes in 10-minute steps.
The temperature unit can be switched between C and F, and the dose key color can be set (0 off, 1 red, 2 green, 3 blue, 4 white).
Note: Offset correction, fast heat-up, clock, temperature unit, ECO mode, tank mode, dose key lighting, and Barista Lights live under Advanced User Settings, which are hidden by default. To reach them, open the main menu, select Advanced User Settings, and set it to ON.
Using Volumetrics
The Estetika's signature feature is volumetric dosing. Each of the three brew buttons can store its own shot volume, so once a button is dialed in, a single press pulls the same measured shot hands-free every time. You program each button independently, either through the menu or directly at the buttons.
To set a volume from the menu:
Open the main menu and select Brew Settings.
Choose Brew 1 Settings, Brew 2 Settings, or Brew 3 Settings.
Select the Volume option, set the value to milliliters, then confirm with the knob.
Program the remaining brew buttons the same way.
To set a volume live at the buttons (the machine brews while you program, so prep the portafilter with coffee first, tamp, and lock it in):
With pre-infusion off for that button, briefly press the button you want to program. Its LED flashes, and a timer starts.
When the shot reaches the volume you want in the cup, press the same button again to stop and save. That volume is now stored for that button.
To end an automatic shot early or extend it, press the flashing brew button. You can also press one of the other two buttons mid-shot to switch into manual brewing, which runs until you press the flashing button again, up to a 60-second maximum.
The bottom display shows flow rate in milliliters per second and a progress bar during the shot. After the shot, the displays report the total time, the volume drawn, and the button used. If the flowmeter detects an unusual flow disturbance, a flowmeter icon appears, and it is best to end that shot manually.
Using the Shot Observer
The Shot Observer gives you feedback on whether a shot ran fast or slow. For each button, you set a target shot time in seconds, plus a tolerance (the default is 2 seconds, adjustable from 0 to 10). After each shot, the machine compares the actual time against your target and flags the result as under-extracted, well-extracted, or over-extracted. The Shot Observer is off by default and is configured per button under Brew Settings, then Observer Settings.
Pulling a Shot
Measure your coffee dose with a scale (16-18g for a double basket and 19-21g for a triple basket), grind it, distribute the grounds gently, and tamp as evenly as possible.
Turn the portafilter into the group at roughly a 45-degree angle to the left, and turn the handle to the right until you feel resistance. Do not overtighten.
Place your cup (s) under the portafilter and press the desired brew button. The button flashes, the machine automatically pulls your saved volume, then stops on its own.
Remove the portafilter, knock the spent espresso puck into a knock box, and rinse the portafilter with water from the group head or hot water spout for the next use. Wipe dry with a clean microfiber towel. Place the portafilter back into the group head.
Tip: Leave the portafilter locked in the group between shots to keep it hot. If it cools, warm it with a quick flush, without coffee in the basket.
Fast Heat-Up Mode and the Flush
Because both boilers heat simultaneously, the Estetika reaches brewing temperature from a cold start in roughly 6 minutes. Fast Heat-Up mode briefly overheats the machine to warm the group even faster, and can be turned on or off in the Advanced User Settings.
When Fast Heat-Up is used, the machine prompts you for a short flush to bring the group back down to your set brew temperature. When the "Flush" icon appears, place an empty container under the group, press a brew button to start the flush, and the machine stops the flush automatically after about 3 seconds. You have about 60 seconds to perform this flush. If you do not, the machine lowers the boiler temperature automatically and alternates between the "Flush" icon and the current brew temperature.
Drawing Hot Water and Steam
The steam boiler must be switched on and up to temperature before you can draw hot water or steam. Both wands are operated with levers, and the double-walled steam wand features a no-burn design.
For hot water, place your mug under the hot water wand, open the hot water lever, and close it when you have drawn the amount you need. When drawing several cups in a row, it helps to switch the machine off first so cold water is not pumped back into the boiler.
For steaming milk:
Purge the steam wand by briefly opening the steam lever to clear condensation, then close it.
Prepare your milk steaming pitcher. The colder the milk, the better. Keeping the pitcher in the refrigerator helps.
Match your milk steaming pitcher size to the drink you want to make. E.g., If you’re making an 8-oz latte, use a 12-oz steaming pitcher. If you’re making a 12-oz latte, use a 20-oz steaming pitcher.
Using the steam wand as your guide, slide it down the spout of the steaming pitcher and submerge its tip. Tilt the steaming pitcher slightly to the left so the steam wand is angled. Dip the pitcher down until the steam tip is visible just above the surface of the milk.
To activate the steam wand, move the joystick down until it clicks into place.
When you reach your desired milk texture and/or temperature, flip the steam joystick back to its default position.
Using a damp cloth, wipe down the steam wand, then quickly purge it to remove any milk particles from the steam tip. Wipe dry.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Daily: Rinse and wipe the portafilters, silicone inserts, baskets, drip tray, and grid with warm water and a soft cloth. Do not put these in the dishwasher. Wipe the steam and hot water wands after every use so residues do not dry on. Empty and clean the reservoir.
Every 1 to 2 weeks: Empty and refresh the boiler water by drawing it off through the hot water wand while the machine is switched off, then rinse with fresh water.
Every 90 to 140 shots: Run the automatic group cleaning cycle. Clean the group gasket and shower screen with the brush, insert the blind basket with 3 to 5 grams of an espresso machine cleaning powder, lock it in, then start Automated Cleaning from the menu or by holding brew buttons I and II together. The cycle runs for 135 seconds. When it finishes, remove the portafilter, rinse it, reinstall it, and run a few post-rinse cycles by briefly pressing a brew button until the water runs clear.
Use only a soft, non-abrasive cloth and never use chlorine-based or scouring cleaners. After cleaning the group or changing the filter, reset the reminder in the Reset Reminder menu. For a deeper walkthrough, see our cleaning and maintenance guide.
Resetting the Machine
A reset clears all your custom settings, so you will need to run through the initial start-up again afterward.
Switch the machine off, then switch it back on.
Press and hold all three brew buttons at the same time.
Wait until the "Reset Done" icon appears on the machine display, then switch the machine off.
Additional Resources
If you need help dialing in your equipment or pulling shots, check out the articles below or contact our coffee experts and technicians. Our phone consultations and post-purchase dial-in support are here to help you get the most out of your machine.