Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

[brettreaby]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Oton as previously Posted you get no argument from me re the group to drip tray clearance. when I make a lowered drip tray insert I will post the results.

However in comparison to the minor iv I do believe the  duetto offers additional value for money with rotary pump, dual p.I.d., extra portafilter and metal tamper

Also if you do open it up for a look you will see that inside it is beautifully designed and built with highest quality.

No regrets here.

My mate who has a minore iv was definitely impressed with the izzo and finances alone was his only stopper.

Sure the e61 flexes a bit but it IS mounted on 2mm s/steel so it aint going anywhere!   

Thanks Chris. Wish I could have you as my seller. The support in my country is terrible. Heck, there are no "coffee shops" to buy espresso machines like Australia, USA or other countries.

I changed the water. I tried with mineral water, tap water, filtered water... same result. It seems to be the probe... perhaps its too deep? Should I get out a little?

Overall I like the Duetto. Im having very nice shots. However, there are 2 issues that annoy me a lot.

First is the clearance between drip tray and group. Very very very short. Makes it difficult to work with the machine. I usually use scale to weight my shots, so the clearance is even more short.

And second, the front panel bends. Jesus... why it bends so much!? You can "move" the group just with a little force... horizontal or vertical. This causes a very bad feeling, and not on par with the price tag of the machine IMO. I dont know if I made a mistake; I chose the Duetto over the Minore IV looking for better quality construction (the duetto is a lot of more money) but im not sure now.

[TC]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

First is the clearance between drip tray and group. Very very very short. Makes it difficult to work with the machine. I usually use scale to weight my shots, so the clearance is even more short.

As for headspace, we do need to keep in mind that this is an Italians espresso machine and his/her biggest coffee is the circa 160ml morning cappuccino. Theres plenty of room. Way better to have two great coffees than a milk shake! Leave em to the chains I say...

Hi Oton,

My thoughts havent changed on this one. I dont have the time to weigh my shots and honestly have no idea why youd want to? My palate weighs up as to whether to drink them or not and there is no time for mucking around once the shot is pulled.

And second, the front panel bends. Jesus... why it bends so much!? You can "move" the group just with a little force... horizontal or vertical.

My understanding is that most manufacturers deliberately engineer some flex into the design. I believe is helps prevent damage of the olive connection to the rear of the group.

As for the water issue, if you really have run your machine on mineral water, Id recommend you have it checked. From a scale perspective youre killing your machine. 

Cheers

Chris

[oton]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

when I make a lowered drip tray insert I will post the results.

Are you going to make a drip tray? Wow. Id like to see it.

However in comparison to the minor iv I do believe the  duetto offers additional value for money with rotary pump, dual p.I.d., extra portafilter and metal tamper

Yes, but I dont mind about the portafilters and tamper. Planing to use La Marzocco PF and a Pullman tamper. There is a Minore IV with rotary pump (no tank)

My mate who has a minore iv was definitely impressed with the izzo and finances alone was his only stopper.

Did you play with the Minore? Or your friend with the Duetto? Main differences?

My understanding is that most manufacturers deliberately engineer some flex into the design. I believe is helps prevent damage of the olive connection to the rear of the group.

Interesting. Whats the "olive connection"?

As for the water issue, if you really have run your machine on mineral water, Id recommend you have it checked. From a scale perspective youre killing your machine.

Ah, it was just a test. Im using filtered tap water. I ordered an Everpure Claris, next week I hope plumb the machine.

[brettreaby]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Oton I do plan to make a drip tray Yes but probably early next year, way too busy at the moment,  plus I bought special lower cups so I may as well use them.

Chris mentions he says he prefers espresso ceramic type cups and can taste the difference.  I doubt I could tell the difference between glass and ceramic, plus I really love the look of a perfect latte in the glass seeing the rich brown color.

Regarding my mates minore we have both used each others machines and I know I prefer the izzo. (he never said but did say he was staying to a budget.) theres not a lot of difference ( on the surface at least) between them except the rotary pump is noticeably quieter and I think more stable pressure. He is building a new house with the machine plumbed so needs to upgrade to the rotary pump ( I think a valve(s) need to change as well).  Also the minore does NOT have p.I.d. for the steam boiler so no readout either.

There is one difference between them which relates to the pump: with the izzo if you operate the lever WITHOUT a group head fitted the pressure builds to 10 bar.  With the minore (and my sunbeam) without a group head and coffee in the puck the pressure doesnt build to 10 bar.  Perhaps chris can explain why it is like this?

[McCartan]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Help! My Alex has suddenly started "spluttering" from the grouphead. I have to run off a considerable amount of water before I get a smooth flow. Would appear that the water temp is too high but I have not made any adjustments. Can anyone advise why this may be occurring????

[IPDiscuss]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Thermostat setting?

[McCartan]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Havent made any temp adjustments.............

[oton]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Havent made any temp adjustments.............

But at what temperature is the group boiler set? Try to set again the temperature (93ºC for example). Also check the offset - Its the E1 parameter (10ºC by default)

[TC]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Help!  My Alex has suddenly started "spluttering" from the grouphead. 

Hi Maureen,

Assuming that nobody else has made any PID adjustments (might be worth drilling down and checkong the PID settings), thats not normal and I have not seen it to this extent previously. To test and fix is not one for the end user, but I have observed the behaviour before in another brand and can make suggestions to Dimattina as to where to start looking in your particular case..

Cheers

Chris

[scarey]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

My Alex has suddenly started "spluttering" from the grouphead.

I had the same problem... when I looked the brew temp was 102.  Turned it off immediately and next time it was OK however more strange things started to happen more frequently - temperature jumping around randomly and especially A1 or A2 on the PID when turned on & no heating.

When serviced they found the brew thermocouple was faulty and I had serious scaling (NB - dont believe hardness figures published by your water co).  Im not sure if the two were related.

[Dr_Dave]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

My Duetto arrived on Thursday and it is fantastic! Just like closing the door on an expensive European car - you can feel the quality when you use it. The pictures do not do it justice - it looks great. So quiet too. I am still learning but so far - very happy with it

THANK YOU Chris (Talk Coffee) for all the help/advice that you have given me. Much appreciated!

Cheers
Dr Dave

[McCartan]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Assuming that nobody else has made any PID adjustments (might be worth drilling down and checkong the PID settings),

Checked PID settings, all OK but did a factory reset just in case and changed from Farenheit (to which it defaults) to Celsius. The following are the settings:
P = 1.3
I = 006
D = 1.5

The above appear to be those for Farenheit (as per the manual). Am I reading this correctly?? Could this be the issue? Had the machine in for a service a short time ago and dont really fancy having to haul it back again to Dims if I can avoid it

[TC]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Hi Maureen,

I have said previously that I dont like their behaviour at all in Fahrenheit at all. When you switch from one to the other, the appropriate settings dont follow.

My advice is run it in Celsius and with the user manual PID settings as recommended. Email me if you need a copy.

I trust you are running some coffee specific water filtration?

Cheers

Chris

[McCartan]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

My advice is run it in Celsius and with the user manual PID settings as recommended

Chris,
If the current PID settings are displaying in Farenheit (I am assuming it is in F as #s are the same as "American" settings in the manual) but the brew and steam temps are in Celsius, how do I get the PID to C?
As I mentioned earlier, when I did a factory reset, it defaulted to Farenheit which I then changed to display in Celsius.

[TC]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Hi Maureen,

Each parameter can be programmed in the same manner as you program temp units once youre in factory reset mode.

Give me a buzz and Ill talk you through it if that helps

Cheers

Chris