The big shiny spring-loaded lever group is the most prominent part of the Spiritello. This classic technical marvel, praised for its thorough pre-infusion and diminishing extraction pressure, is now enhanced with the latest modern-day improvements. This ensures a virtual ideal extraction, so brewing a tasteful espresso comes naturally.
Expected availability date: Fall 2024
A one group machine that transcends time, offering the classic lever group combined with all essential features of modern-day developments.
Over 70 years of extraction knowledge cramped in one machine, discover the Spiritello.
LEVER GROUP
PLUG & PLAY
Starting up the Spiritello only requires plugging in and filling up the reservoir. It comes with a built-in 3.5 litres stainless steel water reservoir and an internal quiet rotary pump. The drip tray is easily removed by sliding it forward and up. Naturally all parts to connect it directly to water mains and/or drainage are included as well. To give you the convenience of choice.
ZAPPO STEAM WAND
The Zappo type steam wand consists of a double walled stainless tube, with a PEEK steam tip, four holes of 1.2mm each. These insulated steam wands are generally appreciated for their “non-burn” qualities, but their ability to have milk hardly or not adhere is a possibly even greater benefit.
DISPLAY
The large round display at the front of the Spiritello, measures 53mm/2 inch and features a push/turn knob to its side. The barista can tune the machine exactly to their wishes. Eco mode and a host of handy features are readily accessible. A shot-timer automatically appears in full view on the display, whenever the lever is pulled.
ZAPPO STEAM WAND
The Zappo type steam wand consists of a double walled stainless tube, with a PEEK steam tip, four holes of 1.2mm each. These insulated steam wands are generally appreciated for their “non-burn” qualities, but their ability to have milk hardly or not adhere is a possibly even greater benefit.
CUSTOM
Make your machine fit or contrast its surrounding by adding some colour to the mix. On all our machines we offer the option to have the entire frame and body work covered in a RAL colour of your liking.
DISPLAY
The large round display at the front of the Spiritello, measures 53mm/2 inch and features a push/turn knob to its side. The barista can tune the machine exactly to their wishes. Auto ECO mode and a host of handy features are readily accessible.
LOCKING MECHANISM
Our distinctive Idrocompresso group is designed with a newly developed effective and reliable locking mechanism, which virtually eliminates the danger of a bouncing lever. This system does away with the old danger of fast moving heavy metal colliding with fragile human parts.
STOP & FLUSH
The Spiritello offers the possibility to stop extraction and flush the group without pulling the big lever. There’s a small button next to the lever for this function. Pushed during extraction, it will stop the shot immediately and the lever will quietly return to its resting position. Right next to it, there’s another button to easily purge and clean the group screen.
TECHNICAL DRAWINGS
DIMENSIONS
Approximate dimensions and footprints of the Spiritello are shown in the illustrations. Measurements do not include overhanging component such as the portafilter and lever handle.
WEIGHT
The Spiritello weighs 45kg without water.
SPECIFICATIONS & FEATURES
Specifications
Spiritello specifications | ||||
Coffee Boiler | 0.8ltr water | 316L stainless steel | |||
Steam boiler | 3.5ltr | 316L stainless steel | |||
Pump + motor | Rotary pump | |||
Water tank | 3.5ltr water | 316L stainless steel | |||
Power setting | Normal | Reduced power* | ||
Tension (single phase) | 220-240 V | |||
Frequency | 50/60 Hz | |||
Peak power | @ 230V 50Hz | 2500 W | 2050 W | |
Peak current | @ 230V 50Hz | 10.9 A | 8.9 A |
* The machine offers the possibility to electronically reduce peak power.
The power-outlet must have rating to safely deliver Normal setting (2500 W, 10.9 A).
Double boiler system
Spiritello offers a dual boiler system. Both boilers are made in stainless steel 316L, which is more resistant against aggressive water than stainless steel 304 and has a long life expectancy in an espresso machine. Each can be switched on or off separately. Filter holders are in stainless too.
Both boilers can be easily drained through a ball valve. The coffee boiler`s drain is connected to the drain tray. A fitting with hose is supplied to drain the steam boiler.
Large steam boiler with total volume of 3.5ltr. Together with two 900Watt heating spirals controlled by a PID system, this ensures powerful and long lasting steam. Hot water is mixed with some cold, to deliver a non-spattering flow from the spout, at the touch of a button. The final temperature can be easily adjusted with a screw driver, reaching a jet through a hole in the body work. The hot water quantity can be adjusted through the display.
The steam valve has a turning knob, but can be ordered with a small toggle type lever as well. The wand is in double walled stainless, finished by a PEEK tip. No milk will burn on.
The coffee boiler, complete with the group, is one large piece, holding 0.8ltr. with a 450Watt heating element, controlled by a PID system. This saturated set-up ensures a highly precise temperature. Cold water first runs through a heat-exchanger with hot-cold cross-flow system, to be pre-heated to near coffee boiler temperature, before entering the coffee boiler.
All welding is done inside and outside, no crevices to start corrosion.
Temperature stability
Our approach is to create an exact water temperature and then make sure it does not lose any heat on its way to the coffee puck. Coffee boiler and group are one large piece, temperature is PID controlled. The Idrocompresso’s cylinder with piston sits inside the group and is fully surrounded by a generous amount of the very same water that will flow into the chamber when pulling the lever. The bottom of the piston is made in PEEK. This is fully heat neutral, so the water does not lose any of its heat and the piston does not become dirty.
The coffee boiler is fed with preheated water from the heat-exchanger in the steam boiler. All parts are stainless steel (316L where in contact with water). Stainless has a roughly ten times less heat transferring capability, compared to brass, so heat is not lost to surrounding metal.
Pump
The Spiritello offers an internal pump. It is a stainless steel rotation pump, powered by a 180 Watt motor, fit for continuous use. This pushes water first through an manually adjustable pressure reducer, then to the heat-exchanger in the steam boiler, followed by the coffee boiler and lastly into the brew chamber underneath the piston. The heat-exchanger pre-heating the water enables the use of a small coffee boiler, yet ensures the machine keeps its coffee target temperature easily and precisely, also when working hard and fast. With the machine connected to the mains, water will flow directly to the pump. Pre-infusion pressure is still fully adjustable. When the water mains pressure is sufficient (a minimum of 3 bar) one may decide to dis-engage the pump. This results in a truly silent machine, but may limit the range of pre-infusion pressure.
The pump is also used to top up the steam boiler and to add some cold water when hot water is taken from the spout.
Lever group
When the lever is pulled into its lock, the group solenoid valve and pump are activated and water immediately flows up into the brewing chamber under the piston and down onto the coffee puck. As long as the lever sits in its locked position, the pump runs. This pump pressure can be adjusted by the large knob of the pre-infusion adjuster, from 1.5 to 4 bar. When the lever is un-locked the pump stops and the spring with piston starts to push the water through the coffee. The piston has 3 discs made in PEEK to hold the V-rings. The PEEK discs make it easy to replace the V-rings, do not absorb any heat and remain clean very long. At any time the extraction process can be stopped by pushing a button next to the group.
The solenoid valve will be de-activated and the lever will then quietly move to its original rest position and the remaining water in the cylinder will flow to the drain box. Flushing the group can also be done by pushing a button. The quantity of water for flushing can be adjusted by the display.
DISCOVER MORE FEATURES
CONFIGURE YOUR SPIRITELLO TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS
Make your machine fit or contrast its surrounding by adding some colour to the mix. On all our machines we offer the option to have the entire body covered in a RAL colour of your liking. The colour is applied by powder coating, offering a long lasting, sturdy finish.
Please note, these photos show examples of tailor made espresso machines. When we handcraft your custom machine, details may vary – and of course you can also make your own choices. Where possible, we will build your own customised machine as you have envisioned it.
Your personal machine to pull espresso the easy way!
Design and detail in equal measure
Design and detail in equal measure
HANDCRAFTED IN THE NETHERLANDS
At Kees van der Westen, we quietly craft exceptional espresso machines for those who appreciate the art and science of making great coffee.
We spare no details when it comes to designing and engineering our machines. Down to the smallest parts we design for delight. Meaning we aim to bring joy to everyone involved in our espresso journey. From the knowledgeable distributor to the passionate barista and from the handy maintenance technician to the people standing in line ordering their coffee treat.