Bezzera Strega Commercial Espresso Machine - switchable tank / direct connect, vibration pump - V2

There are times when one wants the best espresso extraction without hesitating to what is involved to install a quality espresso machine and without hesitating to learn the skills needed to make it happen. Well, after setting up this machine, using the appropriate commercial grade grinder, and refining our skills, you, like we did, may see every other espresso machine as inadequate!

The reason is the flavor profiles offered by the Strega line are extraordinary!

The only downside was the lever requires some muscle! The lever is pushed down against a spring until the lever locks into position. After locking and after the bottom rim of the demitasse cup is covered with espresso, the lever needs to be disengaged from the locked position, and the spring will push the lever up. If the grind is too coarse, the lever will come up too fast. If there is no coffee in the basket or the portafilter is missing, this lever will snap upwards. We warn you that the lever can cause personal injury to your face or eye socket. BE CAREFUL NOT TO PLACE YOUR FACE IN FRONT OF THE LEVER AT ANY TIME!

Have more interest? Read a third party review of this machine.

Features:

• Double water supply / switchable: This machine can be operated with the tank / reservoir only or it can be plumbed directly to the water line. Our suggestion on initial usage, to avoid heating element damage, is to first operate the unit as a tank model.
• Vibration pump: Activated to refill boiler or when lever is brought into down, locked position for pre-infusion.
• Pressurstat: Monitor boiler's steam pressure.
• Grouphead: Heated by a separate heating element to keep the temperature more stable.
• Stability: There are weights placed in the lower rear of the machine's interior to keep it more stable while pulling it down on the lever.
• Hot water wand: Located on the right side. Multi-directional. Activated using joystick control.
• Steam wand: Located on the left side. Multi-directional and utilizes non-compression valve with a joystick control.
• Boiler pressure gauge: Indicates steam pressure in boiler.
• Drip tray: Made of stainless steel. Removable for manual cleaning. Optional drip tray to drain is available (order parts #12 through #17 in direct connect diagram).

Details and Specifications:

Measurements: 27.95" H x 12.99" W x 17.72" D (71 cm H x 33 cm W x 45 cm D)
Weight: 63.93 pounds (29 kilograms)
Power: 1550 watts, 110 volts, 50/60 hertz
Boiler capacity: 0.53 gallons (2 liters)
Tank capacity: 1.06 gallons (4 liters)
Portafilter size: 2.28" (58 mm)
Nipple for water supply: G 3/8" (9.53 mm)
Drain connector diameter: 0.39" (10 mm)
Country of manufacture: Milan, Italy

Additional Notes:

1. Water line pressure: Should be regulated to be between 35 and 40 pounds for proper operation of this machine. Check with your local plumbing supply to advise on purchase so as to meet any local building codes. In addition, check with them about your local building code may require a backflow preventer (which does not allow boiler water to backflow into water supply).
2. Drain line: For those customers who can not or have difficulty to plumb the drain line on this model, we do sell a drip tray that can be put in place of the drip tray for training. The same drip tray cover can be used.
3. Backflushing: Bezzera forbids backflushing the Strega as there is no 3 way solenoid valve for the water pressure to be relieved. If you backflush this machine at your risk, you may have a difficult time removing the portafilter, or the portafilter, upon removing, may explode off the grouphead and cause damage or injury. The proper way to clean the grouphead is by manually removing the dispersion screen and scrubbing it with a small wire metal brush and soaking it in Ascaso backflushing detergent. Please note that the screen can be damaged upon removal and is not covered under warranty.
4. Packaging for shipping: We open every Bezzera box to inspect the machine and add additional packaging inside the box for safer transport. We then place the Bezzera box into a larger box.
5. Some assembly required: The lever handle needs to be hand screwed on and the Allen key screw needs to tighten into the hole to hold the lever handle in place. Last we checked, the Allen key and Allen key screw are included in a small bag in the accessories box.