5 Best Copper Espresso Machines Steampunk & Vintage Fans Will Love

While copper espresso machines aren’t that common, they are a great choice for coffee shops and restaurants that offer steampunk vibes. They combine both form and function and allow you to brew espresso in style.

Except for Electra, the most common brand you will come across when looking for a copper brewer, we gathered other top-rated models. Our reviews of each model, as well as our detailed guide, will help you find your match!

The Rundown

What To Expect From A Copper Espresso Machine?

As its name implies, a copper model is a regular espresso brewer made out of copper material. It is favored by all those who love the vintage, steampunk look that its aesthetics provide.

Copper-Made Vs. Copper-Color

Once you start looking for an espresso machine you will notice that there are models that are made out of copper material whereas others have a copper-color finish. The former, without a doubt, offer higher quality. However, the latter are usually more affordable, and for that reason, common amongst buyers.

Which One Should You Buy?

When possible, I recommend going with the copper-made. This is because if you opt for a copper-color model, you will notice that the colored surface is starting to peel over time. This is something that can not happen with real copper.

How To Notice The Difference?

To notice the difference between the two you can use a simple sound test: strike your copper brewer lightly and listen to the sound it creates. Real copper will create a deep and mellow sound, whereas the alloys produce a clear, bell-like ringing sound.

Material Combos You Can Find

Keep in mind that most models on the market are not made solely from copper. They feature additional brass parts, most commonly brass boilers, or a brass base. Brass is an alloy composed primarily of copper and zinc and has a yellow-red color.

Everything You Need To Know About Copper As A Material

Copper is a ductile and malleable metal that conducts both heat and electricity. For that reason, it is often found in “regular” espresso machines purposed for home in the form of boilers, pumps, wiring systems, etc.

Pros & Cons Of Copper

Copper offers many amazing features that make it a desirable material for use in versatile appliances:

• high electricity and heat conductivity
• high resistance to rust and corrosion
• malleability and ductility (meaning it can easily be shaped and can withstand high tensile stress)

The main disadvantages of copper are that:

• it isn’t as strong as, stainless steel is
• it is vulnerable to electromagnetic interference

How To Preserve The Copper’s Quality?

Keep in mind that you should never use any abrasive detergents to clean a copper-made espresso machine. Use only lukewarm water and mild dish soap.

Polish all exterior copper parts regularly to ensure that they keep their shine and beautiful reddish color. Copper doesn’t rust, however, it may form a green film, or patina if it isn’t polished regularly.

Copper Espresso Machines: Benefits & Downsides

Among attractive designs, these machines include pressure control gauges and milk steamers that enable you to make espresso and macchiato. Both manual and semi-automatic models are fairly easy to use and provide great performance.

However, while they may be easy to use for everyone who often brews coffee, a beginner will need to practice a lot to get the hang of the brewing process. They also come at a higher price, the cheapest models cost around 1000 dollars, and for that reason may not be accessible to everyone.

Buying An Espresso Machine: Is Copper Really Worth It?

Since you are investing a larger amount of money into a copper-made espresso machine, you want to be sure that you buy the best one on the market. Here is a list of things you should look out for:

• Intended Use – Before you buy the brewer, check whether it is made for residential or commercial use. If you purchase the first one and use it for professional use, the machine’s warranty will not apply.



• Manual Or Semi-Automatic – Copper machines for espresso are either manual-lever or semi-automatic. Either way, you get to manually control the brewing parameters. The only difference is that in semi-automatic models the pump does the extracting process for you.
• Ease Of Use – Both manual-lever and semi-automatic espresso brewers are fairly easy to use. With that in mind, you will need some time to figure out exactly how the machine works and how to get the best brewing results.
• Power Rating – The most important feature of every brewer is its power rating. If you want a home model, look for one with a 1000 Watt rating. However, for commercial use, you will need a much more powerful appliance. A 3000 Watt brewer works perfectly for busy coffee shops.
• Steaming System – What makes the machines so special is their dry steaming system. It allows you to make perfect milk froth for cappuccinos and lattes as it provides much more delicate results and a richer froth.
• Safety Features – Some copper-made espresso machines come with additional safety features. These include an internal overheat protection switch, boil-dry protection system, etc., and the more common features such as coated heat-resistant handles, non-slip base, etc.

5 Best Copper Espresso Machines

While the first espresso machine is intentionally made for home use, the last one is suitable for professional environments and can easily withstand the higher demand. Read more to find out which option is the best for you.

La Pavoni Professional Espresso Machine

With its 38 oz large-capacity water boiler, this espresso/cappuccino machine made out of copper and brass will allow you to pull up to 16 espresso shots before refilling the reservoir. It is piston operated and features steam pressure system thanks to which you can make a delicious cappuccino or a latte.

Included with this machine come all the accessories you need for carefree use. This includes a coffee tamper, a coffee scoop, and 2 different filter baskets. It allows you to choose whether you want to brew one or two espresso servings at once.

You can be sure that this brewer is perfectly safe to use. It comes with an internal reset switch that will automatically activate itself if the machine starts to overheat. Additionally, its manual level comes with a coated handle to ensure that you don’t accidentally suffer a heat burn.

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Elektra Microcasa Espresso Machine

Since its lever-operated system is spring-assisted, you will be able to achieve a consistent pump pressure with every pull you make. As a result, the entire use is much easier to master. Everything you need to do is raise the lever up, and slowly release it down.

If you want to pull a double espresso shot, simply push the lever downwards once it reaches the halfway point of the initial upswing. Its boiler provides high durability and great temperature stability. It is heated using an 800 Watt heating element and comes with a water pressure regulator thanks to which the water’s temperature remains consistent.

Although this Italian machine does require some assembly, you won’t have any trouble completing it. Everything you need to do is properly attach its steam wand and that is it. The brewer will be ready to use immediately.

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Elektra Semiautomatica Espresso Machine

This vintage machine comes equipped with a pressure gauge. It helps you monitor the steam pressure inside the boiler. You can extract the optimal espresso shot once the needle on the gauge is pointing to the green zone. To prevent boiler damage, the machine features a safety thermostat and a pressure relief valve.

Another thing worth mentioning is that this machine comes equipped with a brass heat exchange boiler. It is specially designed to enhance the stability of the water temperature which is the most crucial thing for brewing the perfect espresso shot. It also ensures an ideal dry-steam frothing cycle.

Since the machine offers a semi-automatic system, you get to manually control the water volume that is used to brew an espresso shot. On the other hand, its pump automatically refills the water boiler and delivers water to the group head.

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Elektra Mini Verticale Espresso Machine

Unlike the rest of the listed models, this home machine features a vertical design. It stands at a 27-inch height and offers a somewhat smaller footprint. Thanks to this feature it can easily fit atop any countertop surface. The only thing you need to consider is whether you have enough height between your countertops and kitchen cabinets.

The most important thing about this machine is that it offers a high power rating of 1000 Watts. It is equipped with a brass boiler that ensures a high-quality espresso pull, and adequate steaming capability thanks to which you can make perfect cappuccinos and lattes.

Keep in mind that both the bottom drip tray and the machine’s cover are completely removable and very easy to clean. Additionally, you can easily remove the water tank simply by removing the holding screw that comes attached to the bracket and reservoir.

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Victoria Arduino Athena Espresso Machine

Out of all listed models, this is the only espresso brewer that is designed for commercial use. It offers a power rating of 3000 Watts and operates at 220 Volts. This makes it a great choice for medium-volume locations that need to have professional appliances.

Note that this commercial machine comes equipped with 3-4 copper boilers. They are specially designed to ensure that you can independently set the desired temperature for each group head. Additionally, you can program different dosages for different group heads. By doing so you can ensure that the machine automatically stops at the set dosage.

Since its group heads are slightly raised, you get to brew espresso both into smaller and somewhat larger cups. Another user-friendly feature this model offers is a surface LED light system that is strategically positioned around the machine. Thanks to this feature you will always see what you are doing.

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Where Are Copper Models Used?

Since they come at a bit higher cost, you won’t find that many copper machines for espresso in domestic environments. With that in mind, some are specially designed for home use. Others are most commonly used in professional environments such as coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, and you might even find them in vintage bars.

Which Coffee Blend Works The Best With Copper Brewer?

The type of coffee blend you use to brew espresso does not depend on the machine’s design, but rather the type of brew you want to make. To achieve a full-flavored espresso brew it is recommended to use a medium-dark or a dark roast.

What Else Can You Use These Machines For?

Just like all other coffee and espresso brewers that come with a milk frother or a frothing system, these models are also suitable to brew versatile beverages:

• Espresso – a single, small shot of dark espresso
• Double Espresso – a full six-ounce cup filled with straight espresso
• Cappuccino – 1/3 espresso, 1/3 hot milk, and 1/3 thick milk froth
• Cafe Late – a single or a double shot of espresso combined with a triple amount of foamed milk
• Espresso Macchiato – a small shot of espresso topped with a pinch of hot foamed milk
• Latte Macchiato – a half-filled 8 or 10-ounce glass of hot foamed milk combined with a single espresso shot
• Mocha – 1/3 espresso, 1/3 unsweetened, strong hot chocolate, and 1/3 hot steamed milk

Steampunk Design: A Short History

Steampunk design has roots deep in the Victorian era. It combines vintage features with modern functionality. It is often defined by brass, iron, and wooden materials, a combination that is often found in copper models in the form of wooden handles, brass boilers, base, etc. Its main purpose is to provide a functional tool that can stand as a decorative piece.