The Expobar Office Lever espresso machines is a welcome addition to the Expobar line. Its traditional styling, compact size, and commercial strength make this a leading competitor in the semi-automatic lever operated espresso machines. The commercial style copper boiler has all the features that are found on larger commercial machines. It allows simultaneous brewing and steaming, enabling smooth operation. It has both a steam wand and hot water dispensing wand that adjust laterally so that they can swing in either direction for easy access. With commercial capabilities its size makes it convenient for those who want great espresso without sacrificing a large amount of counter space. It is 15” tall, 10.25” wide and 17.5” deep. The E61 brew group provides pre-infusion and a thermal siphon for maximum temperature stability and aroma extraction. The eye catching highly polished steel housing is as durable as is it beautiful. The accessories include a chrome plated brass portafilter, tamper, single shot filter basket, double shot filter basket, backflush disc and a 7 gram coffee scoop.
Features & Benefits: Coffee
Heavy Duty Commercial Portafilter
The portafilter is commercially designed and made of chrome-plated brass, which is excellent for temperature stability throughout the brewing process. The machine comes with a double spout portafilter.
E61 Commercial Brewing Group
This is the portion of the machine that the portafilter locks into. It is made of chrome plated marine brass, which provides a superior brewing environment with maximum heat stability and component longevity. The commercial E61 brew group is known throughout the industry to be one of the best due to its thermal siphon design. The thermal siphon circulates hot water from the boiler to the group thus keeping it piping hot in times of inactivity. Its temperature stability is as good as it gets.
Progressive Coffee Infusion
The brewing system provides a smoother delivery of pressure then a traditional vibration pump. Not found on other machines in this class and was noticeable on our own technical analysis - a nice feature.
Commercial Design Heat Exchanger Boiler System
The large 1.8-liter copper boiler with brass end plate takes about fifteen minutes to heat up. Once it is up to operating pressure it can brew continuous espressos all day long. Due to the boiler’s large size it can also do many lattes and cappuccinos without any down time. The heat exchanger allows you to brew and steam at the same time.
Unique Lever Control w/ 3-Way Valve
There are only two controls on the Office Lever. The main power switch is located on the upper left. And a lever on the right, which operates the brewing process and solenoid valve. The main power switch is a lighted rocker switch, when the machine is turned on it glows red, and the boiler immediately starts to heat up. When the pressure gauge reaches 1 bar of pressure, you are ready to brew. The only control you will need to operate is the lever that is located just to the right of the brew group. This is a very unique system because this lever actually controls a valve in the brew group. Press the lever up to open the valve to start the water flow through the coffee this also activates the pump. Press it all the way down when you are done brewing and it opens a valve that relieves the water pressure off the coffee. This serves two functions; it dries out the coffee to prevent dripping and makes it easy to knock the coffee out of the portafilter with one knock. This valve that you are operating is a very high quality piece of equipment that gives you more of a hands on system that most standard pump machines.
Low Water Cut Off
The Office Lever has a low water sensor mounted in the water reservoir that will turn off all power to the boiler if the water level gets to low.
Pressure Controller w/Pressure Gauge
The boiler temperature/pressure is controlled through a pressure controller. It senses the pressure in the boiler and turns on the heating element in the boiler as the pressure drops. You can visually see the boiler pressure through a pressure gauge on the front of the machine. When the needle in the gauge is between 1 and 1.5 bar of pressure you are ready to brew and steam. If the pressure controller ever gets out of calibration you can tell by the pressure on the gauge. Just give us a call and we can easily walk you through resetting the pressure controller.
Electronic Controls
The "Electronic Boiler Refill Control" is the brain of the machine. It uses probes mounted inside the boiler and on the base plate below the reservoir to sense their water levels. It uses this information to control the operation of the pump for refilling the boiler when necessary. It will also turn the boiler off for safety if the reservoir or boiler runs out of water.
Cup Warmer
We always preheat cups when brewing espresso. A non-preheated cup will immediately suck the heat out of the espresso thus robbing you of maximum enjoyment. The Expobar Office Lever has a passive cup warmer located on the top of the machine. The cup warmer is 10" x 10".
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Features & Benefits: Frothing and Hot Water
Hot Water Dispenser
The Expobar Office Lever has a separate hot water dispenser. Just turn the knob on the right and the boiler pressure will push hot water out through the dedicated wand located on the right side.
Steam Wand
The steam wand is high enough off the counter and long enough to work well in any situation. It also rotates the left so that it you have plenty of room to work.
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Features & Benefits: Care, Maintenance & Other
Water Reservoir
The 2.75-liter reservoir may be removed for cleaning. The easiest and safest way to fill the Office Lever is by removing the reservoir.
Maintenance
Back flush the Expobar Office Lever at least every 7-9 days. It is a simple process that takes only a few minutes. Put a blank filter basket into the portafilter (supplied) and add a tablespoon of cleaner. Install the portafilter into the machine and turn the control lever up to start the pump. The pump will be noisy as it starts and will quiet down as the pressure builds. When the pump has quieted down, turn the lever all the way down. This will cause the cleaner to be blown up into the brew group, through the three-way valve, and down into the drip pan. Do this until the cleaner that is being directed into the drip pan is just free of coffee colors. Finish the process by rinsing out the brew group.
Housing Construction
The Expobar Office Lever is breathtaking. Polished steel housing, cup warmer and front panel. Stainless steel drip grate and drip pan. Heavy powder coated steel frame and chrome plated brass brew group.
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