Fiorenzato Volante Commercial Espresso Machine - lever, direct connect

A clear winner for the espresso enthusiasts and for all low-volume coffee shops (up to 200 cups per day)! This Bricoletta VOLANTE has a rotary vane pump and direct water connection for a very competitive price! The Bricoletta VOLANTE sports a very solid, thick gauge stainless steel frame which is overshadowed by its one-of-a-kind polished, stainless steel square body. Enhancements include two large presurre gauges and multi-directional steam wands!

When we say 'heavy duty', you will see we mean heavy duty. It is also the most powerful machine in its class with 1900 watts of power. We certainly recommend a 20-amp circuit to supply electrical power to this machine. Why the high wattage? With the highest wattage in its class, it offers the quickest recovery time in the boiler for the most demanding applications.

When this machine needs repair (as every espresso machine will someday need repair), it is very easy to work on. There are three philips screws to remove the top cover, and then only 2 allen key bolts and one flat screw on the wrap-around side body panel. All parts can be replaced while the machine is standing up. There is no need to turn the machine upside down to get to a bottom access panel for access to a heating element underneath. Even the machine reset switch can be accessed with the machine in the upright position. The bottomline is that most customers can repair this machine with the 1st rate guidance of 1st-line's technical support. If not, the machine can be shipped in for repair, as well. 1st-line also stocks replacement parts for the Bricoletta.

Features:

• Beautifully designed and polished stainless steel body.
• The little lever next to the grouphead activates a microswitch which turns on the pump to pump water through the coffee grinds.
• The heat exchanger allows you to brew and steam at the same time (not recommended on any heat exchange machine with under a 5 liter boiler) or immediately after each other (recommended).
• Gicar brand brain unit is one of the top notch brain units available. It helps regulate the water level in the boiler so that there is enough water kept over the heating element. When the heating element is exposed to air, it can become damaged.
• Rugged stainless steel frame for longevity - we sell a lot of machines, and we found the Bricoletta to have one of the best frames for its class in the business.
• Industry known E61 grouphead provides exceptional espresso extractions - the Faema E61 grouphead has hot water from the heat exchanger pass through within the grouphead as opposed to just heat transfer through metal attached to the boiler.
• Professional stainless steel braided hose to directly connect to a water line - not the cheaper teflon plastic tube.
• Drain hose for drip tray to allow water waste directly into your drain.
• Rubber feet adjustable to maintain proper and level position.
• Boiler pressure gauge properly positioned for easy reading on front panel - this gauge allows you know when the machine is ready for brewing. However, once warmed up, it can make espresso after espresso until the water tanks runs out.
• Copper boiler durable for commercial applications and placed horizontally for even heat distribution to cup warmer on top. In addition, the lower half of the side and back panels remain cool.
• UPGRADED FEATURE: Multi-directional steam wand and hot water wand for ability to move forward, back, right, and left (not shown).
• Four hole steam tip provides powerful steaming performance for large quantities of milk. Optional 2 hole tip available for lower volumes of milk. This optional tip does take a little longer to froth your milk, but is is the best tip to make that perfect microfroth. Hands down!
• Passive stainless steel cup warmer - cups can take up to 2 hours to heat on top of any machine.
• Red light next to power switch indicates the machine is powered on
• Boiler capacity: 1.5 liters.
• Boiler safety valve allows evacuation of steam pressure in the event that excess steam pressure is created in the boiler.
• Heat Exchanger Capacity: 0.1 liters.
• Mechanical 3-way valve allows immediate removal of portafilter handle once the espresso extraction has completed as the 3-way valve evacuates the pressure built up in the grouphead during the espresso extraction.
• Boiler bleeder valve (a.k.a. vacuum breaker valve) prevents vapor lock and allows the machine to be placed on a timer. If placing machine on a timer, please make sure to plug in the timer first, then a surge suppressor, and then the machine as timers do cause small surges that can affect the electronics of any espresso machine.
• Reset button on bottom of machine can easily be accessed from right-hand side bottom.
• High limit safety thermostat with reset button located on boiler.
• Large, removable drip tray for easy cleaning.
• Rotary vane pump with ability to adjust pump pressure - small screw on pump allows adjustment.
• Internal pressure regulator adjustable to set pressure to desired setting on pressure gauge.
• Instruction manual in English, Italian, German, and French.
• Accessories: Instruction manual, 58mm single spout filter handle, 58mm double spout filter handle, 58mm one cup filter basket, and 58mm double cup filter basket.
• Power: 1900 watts 110 volts only 60 Hz.
• Weight: 54 pounds (approximate).
• Grouphead wieght: 9 lbs. 3.4 oz.
• Height from drip tray to portafiler spout: 3 3/4".
• Measurements: 11 1/4" W x 16 1/4" D x 15" H.
• Drip tray: 11" W x 6.5" D.
• Warranty: One year parts and labor warranty limited to manufacturer's defect. Please note that the rotary vane pump is not covered under warranty if a determination is made that the pump was operated without water. Please make sure that you connect a water line with water available to the machine prior to powering the machine on.
• Made in Italy.
• 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).
  
• Q: We are currently planning our kitchen and I need to know the specifications for the direct connect water line. Can you tell me what type of fitting needs to be installed to enable us to connect the machine using the supplied stainless line? Also, can you describe the best arrangement for the waste line? Does it just run into a sink or can it actually be plumbed into a waste line?
• A: Both direct water connect versions of the Bricoletta and Volante need a 3/8th inch male threaded fitting. The measurement is in BMU (British Metric Units) which is impossible to find in the USA. Therefore, we recommend a plastic/teflon male thread that can be found in a local Lowe's store or Home Depot Store. The female threads on the stainless hose can be cross-threaded (common practice with commercial machine installations in the USA) after teflon-taping the 3/8th inch standard NPT male threads of a metal fitting. If using the plastinc/teflon fitting, the teflon tape is not needed.
  
  The best arrangement for the drain line is that for every foot that the drain hose lays accross, it must drop a minimum of 1 inch. If it does not drop 1 inch, then waste water will backup and leak. You have the option of running the drain hose to the sink or plumb it into a waste line - the choice is yours and dependent upon one's own personal decsion.

Read a professional review of the Bricoletta here!

FAQ:
Q: I would prefer the Vibiemme Domobar Model DS2BROELIN for the rotary pump, but right now cannot plumb in. I've read where other rotary pump machines would work by just inserting the water hose into a jug of water. Would that be possible with this model? Thanks!!! Anthony

A: It is possible for the rotary vane pump to pull water out of an external water reservoir, but we do not recommend it as it puts more strain on this rotary vane (volumetric) pump which was not designed to do this. It is better to get a Flojet pump and have the water pumped from a 5 gallon water reservoir to the espresso machine. Please ntoe that the user has to be very careful in that a lack of water in the external reservoir will not shut off the machine, and certain parts (rotary pump and/or heating element) can become damaged (which is not covered under warranty).

Q: What are the differences between the Volante Lever Direct Connect espresso machine and the Bricoletta Volante Lever Direct Connect espresso machine?

A: The Volante has a pump pressure gauge to monitor pump pressure (not always needed if you get the right amount of espresso in the right amount of time) and a less expensive body style. The Bricoletta has a more expensive styled body and do not have a pump pressure gauge.