Bezzera Strega Switchable V2 TOP Espresso Machine
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!
For this reason the flavor profiles offered by the Bezzera Strega line are extraordinary!
We, at 1st-line, do sell coffee beans that we do not personally like, but our customers very much love. After experimenting with many different blends of coffee, we were amazed in the quality of the cup on the beans we normally do not like! This spoke volumes about the Bezzera Strega.
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!
If you like this Bezzera Strega, take a look at our other Bezzera Espresso Machines!
Do you want to see our other home espresso machines? Then feel free to view the webpage!
- 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).
- Accessories included: Single spout portafilter, double spout portafilter, 1-cup filter basket, 2-cup filter basket, handle for lever, stainless steel braided hose, grouphead cleaning brush, plastic tamper, and plastic measuring scoop.
| Brand | Bezzera |
|---|---|
| Height (inches) | 28, approximate |
| Width (inches) | 13, approximate |
| Depth (inches) | 18, approximate |
| Weight (pounds) | 64 |
| Wattage (watts) | 1550 |
| Voltage (volts) | 110 |
| Boiler capacity (liters) | 2 |
| Portafilter size (mm) | 58 |
| Tank capacity (liters) | 4 |
| Country of manufacture | Milan, Italy |
- Before 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.
- 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.
- Manual Drain Valve: Starting with serial number NP01815321 and higher (until further notice from Bezzera and it may change again without notice), the minimum water level probe in the boiler has been removed. A manual drain valve has been added.
General Espresso Machine Notes/Warnings:
- Upon first use (tank/reservoir models): On the initial start-up (or after a long period of non-use), it is important to make sure the pump is removing water from the tank. When the machine is powered on, you will hear the pump running. After 5 seconds, squeeze the in-line hose in the tank (usually the longest hose, has a particle filter attached). if you hear a different sound, this means the pump is working correctly. If not, immediately power down the machine and contact us. For more information, visit this page General Manual Pump Priming.
- Electrical: To avoid electrical damage to this espresso machine which is not considered a manufacturer’s defect, please acquire and install a single-outlet surge suppressor rated at 1080 joules or higher. Without the recommended surge suppressor, the espresso machine can be damaged at the power switch, the electronics, the heating element, the pressurstat, or the wiring inside. For more information, visit this page Power Protection.
- Water: To increase the useful life and not damage your espresso machine, please use softened water. Softened water is water without calcium and magnesium, but still has other minerals for espresso extraction. Do not use distilled, purified, or reverse osmosis water as these types of water create oxidation with the metals and cause the same damaging effects as limescale. For more information, visit this page Water Choice.
- Descaling: We do not recommend descaling unless there is an issue with the espresso machine. The reason is that too much descaling can eat away at the metals and gaskets inside an espresso machine. As a preventative measure, we recommend using softened water as explained in the bullet point above.
- Backflushing: Unfortunately this type of espresso machine cannot be backflushed because there is no solenoid valve to relieve built-up pressure in the grouphead. A quick way to clean the grouphead is to lock in your portafilter with no coffee and pull the lever down a few times. The long way is removing the screen, however, this runs the risk of damage.
5 reviews for Bezzera Strega TOP V2 Espresso Machine