Includes post-warranty DIY repair!

The Terra Kaffee TK-01 is the US distribution of a Chinese super automatic espresso machine called the Rooma RM-A10 (or A7, A8, or A9- not sure of exact model). There are other distributors in other countries that sell under different names (e.g. “Rosato”).

Problems and Solutions

Pre-ground (via by-pass chute) brew produces weak espresso and watery pucks

Grounds are too coarse- use espresso / “fine” grounds (but not extra fine)

Also need to use 1.75 to 2 scoops of grounds, not just 1 scoop.

After refilling & replacing water tank machine shows: “water tank mis-alignment”

If the water tank is actually aligned ok ("clicked" in), this just means the system got air in the tubes when the tank emptied last time. If you ever let your water tank go empty enough that the espresso or hot water dispensers start spitting air then you need to re-prime the system after filling and replacing the tank. Do this by pushing the “hot water” button and let the machine produce hot water until steady streams come out.

Machine stops sensing "low water tank level" correctly

There is a sticker covering a little reset button behind the water tank door near the bottom hinge. (Video)

• Remove water tank
• Remove sticker
• Press & hold reset button until screen starts to flash
• Unplug machine
• Release reset button
• Fill water tank to max line
• Put water tank back in
• Plug machine back in
• Push power button on front
• Let machine run through start up (press check mark on screen if it notifies you of water tank mis-alignment)

Coffee grounds get everywhere inside brewer compartment

Grounds get stuck in the chute sometimes- especially when using the bypass chute for pre-ground coffee. They then drop randomly onto the brewer machinery during the brew and get scatter around the brewer compartment. Solution: When using the bypass chute, after putting the grounds in, use a plastic straw or something like that to poke around in the chute and make sure all the grounds make it into the brewer pot before starting the brew process.

EDIT: I just got into 3D printing and created a coffee grounds funnel specifically for the TK-01 pre-ground chute. I put it on (Etsy) if anyone else wants one or it's public on OnShape if you want to print one yourself.

Volume of espresso drops significantly and water drains into drip tray from behind the face plate

(Also steam coming out of sides of machine)

Broken tube inside machine or boiler steam valve connections are leaking.

NOTE: You should take advantage of your warranty if within a year of purchase, but if not and you don't want to pay $175 for official post-warranty repair...

For steam valve leaking you need to access the boilers (pop off the plastic heating plate on top or for more aggressive diagnosis / repair- disassembly instructions) and remove the retaining clip from the boiler side of the offending connector. (Use needle nose pliers and be very careful not to drop clips or gaskets down into the "guts" of the machine!) I discovered that on the left-hand boiler (as you face the machine) the top connector had a degraded rubber gasket that needed to be replaced (I happened to have something of similar size & material lying around). On the bottom connector scale deposits had formed on the metal tube under the rubber gasket. I used fine(ish) grit (100) sandpaper to gently remove deposits.

EDIT: See comments for viable o-rings (stack of 3) if you don't have a spare gasket.