How to Set Up and Use a La Marzocco Linea Micra (Make Your First Coffee)

Congratulations on Your New La Marzocco Linea Micra Coffee Machine!

This beauty is designed to bring the café experience to your home. In this post, we will guide you through the unboxing, initial setup, and essential tips to get you started on making great espresso right away.

Skip Straight into Our Micra Set Up Video

What’s in the Box?

When you unbox your Linea Micra, you’ll find an array of accessories that not only help you make wonderful coffee but also assist in the care and maintenance of your machine:

• Group head cleaning chemical
• Blind basket
• 14g and 17g baskets for different brew recipes
• Naked portafilter handle with single and double spout inserts
• A beautiful milk jug
• Screwdriver for shower screen removal
• Group cleaning brush
• 58mm tamper

Setting Up Your Linea Micra

Filling the Water Reservoir

The water tank is cleverly hidden under the drip tray. Here’s how to fill it:

1. Slide out the drip tray.
2. Disconnect the connector hose.
3. Remove the tank and fill it with filtered water.
4. You can either use the easy-access hole or remove the entire lid for cleaning.
5. Reattach the tank by aligning the fitting and sliding the drip tray back in place.

Note: Always use filtered water to prevent any long-term issues with your machine.

Powering Up the Micra

1. Connect the power cord (it’s easier to do this before filling the tank).
2. Turn on the machine using the switch on the back right-hand side.
3. The machine will start the pump, fill the boiler, and begin heating up. You’ll see different colored lights on the front: a flashing red means it's heating, and a solid blue indicates there's sufficient water in the tank.

Preparing the Machine for Brewing

1. Run a bit of water through the group head to ensure there’s no air and it’s full of water.
2. Attach the portafilter handle with the double spout connector and 17g basket.
3. Lock the portafilter into the group head to start heating it up.

Coffee Making Essentials

While your Micra is heating up (which takes about 5 minutes), gather these essentials:

• A high-quality coffee grinder (e.g., La Marzocco Pico)
• Your favorite cup and saucer or latte glass
• Milk jug
• Tamper and tamp mat

Grinding Coffee on the Pico

1. Fill the portafilter or dosing pot with 18 grams of coffee.
2. Adjust the grind setting to be fine but not too fine. If the grind is too fine, water won’t flow properly.

Extracting Your First Espresso

1. Ensure the portafilter is hot, clean, and dry.
2. Level the coffee grounds and tamp firmly.
3. Lock the portafilter into the group head.
4. Use a scale to measure the espresso output. Aim for a 2:1 ratio (36 grams of espresso from 18 grams of coffee).
5. Adjust the grind if the extraction is too slow or too fast.

Steaming Milk on the Micra

1. Purge the steam wand to remove any excess moisture.
2. Position the steam wand at a 45-degree angle and just below the milk spout.
3. Turn on full steam and ensure the milk spins in the jug.
4. Lower the jug for a hiss sound, then lift it back up once the desired volume is reached.
5. When the milk is hot, turn off the steam, wipe the wand, and clean the tip.

Pouring Your Milk

1. Tap and swirl the milk to incorporate microfoam bubbles.
2. Pour the milk into your espresso, starting low and gradually raising the jug to create a beautiful latte art design.

Final Tips

• Always flush the group head after making an espresso to remove any residual coffee grounds.
• Keep the portafilter handle warm by leaving it in the group head, but don’t jam it in tightly.
• Utilize the app to control the machine’s on/off settings for daily use.

In the video we used Delicate Blend, our organic product with a smooth caramel flavor and fruit-forward focus, perfect for milk-based drinks. 

Enjoy your new La Marzocco Linea Micra, and happy brewing!