Congratulations on your new ECM Estetika Dual Boiler Espresso Machine! In this guide, you should find everything you need to set up and operate your dual boiler espresso machine.
Please read through the entire setup guide before following along. If you have any questions, contact our team at Clive Coffee. Additional information can be found in the ECM Estetika User Manual.
Step 1: Inspect the box and the machine for damage
Remove the machine from the box and place it on a stable, level, water-resistant surface. Because of the machine's weight, it is best to lift it with both hands from underneath, and easier with two people.
Before adding water and turning on the machine, inspect for damage that may have occurred during shipping. If you notice any damage, contact us immediately.
Save all packaging in case of returns and tech support.
Confirm that all accessories are present: the modular portafilter with single and double silicone inserts, the double, bottomless, and blind baskets, the tamper, the cleaning brush, and the braided metal line for plumb-in use.
Step 2: Water quality and filling the reservoir
Before introducing water to your machine, it is essential to test it to ensure it is adequately soft, in the range of 35 to 85 ppm (parts per million). Water in this range helps prevent scale and protects your machine over the long term. To learn more, check out our blog post, The Importance of Water and Your Espresso Machine. Do not use distilled or reverse osmosis water, as it lacks the mineral content the machine needs, and the reservoir may not register as filled.
Open the water tank flap on top of the machine, lift out the reservoir, and rinse it. When you reinsert it, orient it so the magnetic float point faces up and the valve sits at the bottom right, then seat it so the edges rest flush against the housing.
Fill the reservoir with filtered, softened water and close the flap.
Please note that you may need to refill the reservoir after the initial boiler fill phase.
Step 3: Turning on your machine and filling your boilers
Your machine is set for use on a 110V outlet. Before starting, check that the steam and hot water levers are closed (in the middle position), the machine is off, and the drip tray is inserted correctly.
The machine is defaulted to reservoir mode. See Step 7 for changing your water source to plumb-in mode.
Plug your machine directly into a grounded outlet (do not use an extension cord or power strip) and press the on/off button to switch it on. The LED ring will illuminate. If you have any concerns about your outlet or circuit, consult a certified electrician.
Fill mode will now commence, indicated by the "Fill" icon on the brew group display. Place a container under the group head and press one of the brew buttons to start the pump filling the brew boiler. Wait at least 30 seconds for water to flow steadily from the group head, then press the same brew button again.
The "Fill" icon disappears, and the steam boiler fills automatically. As soon as the steam boiler filling is finished, you will no longer hear any pump noise. After the boilers are filled, the machine starts heating.
Note: You may need to refill your water reservoir during or immediately after this process.
Before your first shots, rinse the machine through 2 to 3 full reservoirs of fresh water. Place the portafilter in the group head between rinses to help it reach temperature and stay there.
Step 4: Fast heat-up mode and pulling your first shots
The Estetika heats both boilers simultaneously, so it is ready to brew from a cold start in roughly 6 minutes. Fast Heat-Up mode briefly overheats the machine to bring the group up to temperature even faster, and can be turned on or off in the Advanced User Settings.
Because Fast Heat-Up overheats the boiler, the machine will prompt you to perform 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 and press a brew button. The flush stops automatically after about 3 seconds. You have about 60 seconds to complete this flush.
The Estetika is ready to make espresso once your set brew temperature is shown on the brew group display.
With coffee dosed and tamped, lock the portafilter into the group and press a brew button to begin. On first use, the buttons brew until you stop them; see Step 5 to save your volumes for hands-free dosing.
Step 5: Programming volumetric dosing
The three brew buttons each store their own shot volume, so once dialed in, a single press pulls the same measured shot every time.
To program a button live: load and lock in your portafilter with coffee, briefly press the button you want to set (its LED flashes and a timer starts), and press the same button again when the shot reaches your target volume in the cup. That volume is now saved to that button.
You can also set an exact volume in milliliters through the menu under Brew Settings> Brew 1, 2, or 3 Settings> Volume.
To stop or extend a shot at any time, press the flashing brew button. Pressing a different button mid-shot switches to manual brewing, up to a 60-second maximum.
Optional: turn on the Shot Observer (under Brew Settings, then Observer Settings) to get under-extracted, well-extracted, or over-extracted feedback against a target time you set for each button.
Step 6: 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.
Step 7: Operating the machine in plumb-in mode
Ensure that you use the provided braided metal water supply line. Do not reuse an old hose.
Line pressure must stay between 1 and 2 bar. If your supply can exceed 2 bar, install a pressure regulator and add a shut-off valve within easy reach.
We highly recommend installing a filtration and softening system with a pressure regulator between your machine and your water source. For most home users, the single-stage filtration and softening system is sufficient. For home users with very to extremely hard water, the two-stage commercial water softening and filtration system is a better choice.
Follow the steps below to use the Estetika in plumb-in mode:
Connect the braided line to the water connection nozzle on the underside of the machine using the supplied adapter, then connect the other end to your water supply.
Turn the rotary valve on the underside of the machine into the mains water position, pointing toward the water connection nozzle.
Enable Advanced User Settings, open the Tank Mode menu, and set it to OFF to switch the machine into plumb-in mode.
Run roughly 5-8 liters of water through the machine before pulling your first shot.
If desired, the included drain pan can be connected to the drip tray and a wastewater line. If you install it, remember to remove the rubber stopper in the middle of the drip tray. If you are unsure about your plumbing connection, have a qualified professional install the machine.
Additional Resources
If you need help dialing in your equipment or pulling shots, check out the articles below or contact our team of 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.