My Atomic...

Just discovered that what I thought was a mere prop that \"looked cool\" is in fact the great, timeless Atomic espresso machine. Mine, however is a little different than the ones I see in Frederick's collection. For instance, mine has a pressure guage on top...? and a long metal peg type part that goes through the spout...? I've had some luck using it, but don't really know what I'm doing....help? Thanks, Peter

Well, being impatient as I am, I searched a bit more and found the answers to my questions in an earlier post- John Ramsay
from Vancouver, Signed on: Mon Feb 21 13:47:50 2005, however I'd love to get a copy of the owner/user's manual and while it says Frederick posted it, I can't find it. Once again...help? Thanks again, Peter

Ok, last time I answer my own questions...I just emailed the man himself...the great and poweful...well you know. Thanks again, again, Peter

Sorry about that Friend!

Are you refering to Frederick the great?

There is no larger legend of the Atomic Espresso
than Frederick...

Ok, he is not that large..

COlin

Peter, You have a Thomas Cara modified Atomic. The gauge was never installed by the original maker. I talked a few times with Mr. Cara junior, located in San Francisco, he admitted that they added the device to calm down peoples nerves. These were unacustmed to steam etc. coming from the ATOMIC.
As for the shaft, let's just say that it was an add-on to promote sales. You don't need it one bit. In fact it is a nuisance. as the coffee holder dilates with heat, when you insert the shaft, it is loose, this is why they tapered it... you bottom it out for a good seal....ever try to remove it after when everything cooled off? They noticed this also and put a bend in it so that you can wiggle it back and forth.
Get rid of it, the coffee grounds having swollen up ensures a lot of pressure. A beautiful machine all the add-ons are useless. handshake, FredeRICK

I think I have eight or nine different Atomics. Different ones for different markets. The one from Vienna had a different structure but basically the same design.

The Atomic is one the very few coffee maekrs I have ever seen with a sample of the right grind size delivered with the maker. I always found it a fussy coffee maker requiring just the right grind and the right amount of coffee to create the correct extraction and to stop the steam coming thought the coffee which would have scalded it.

Re the rod through thte group holder, I can imagine that it is not easy to remove when the machine is cold but was there to help the milk be frothed.

I have no idea why it is so popular in people's minds. I cannot imagine that the coffee is so different. My only thought is that when you have a coffee maker with theater and the Atomic had theater, it was a commercial success.

If anyone wants to know something else please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.