Bezzera Strega - still a good choice?

[shapeshifter]

*sigh* wish it was me.

[Casa Espresso]

it indeed is
really versatile machine

We have just delivered another of our PID Stregas to a happy customer.

Someone is getting a great Christmas present this year!

[eanion]

it indeed is
really versatile machine

[KopiOkaukau]

PID is for the cartridge heaters on the group head. Some people say the stock thermostat makes it too hot.

Thank you Sink_cut for clarify this.

[Sink_cut]

Sorry for my ignorant. How could a HX Machine benefit from PID?

PID is for the cartridge heaters on the group head. Some people say the stock thermostat makes it too hot.

[KopiOkaukau]

Sorry for my ignorant. How could a HX Machine benefit from PID?

[LeroyC]

Quick plug - I still have one Strega on clearance. Just one that I want out before June 30. See here: http://coffeesnobs.com.au/showthread.php?t=43666

I'll give you $1500 for it. LOL.

[LeroyC]

Damn. $1500 - that's the dream zzzzzzz

Tell me about it. Bargain.

[LeroyC]

I just missed out on one of these on Trade Me here in NZ. 4yr old machine in immaculate condition with a fresh full service. It went for $1500 to some very lucky bugger.

[Yelta]

The Strega is a great entry level lever. Use it stock then yes, Rick's PID is a great upgrade option down the track.
I have a Strega and a Profitec Pro800 on display in my showroom. Visit any time for a play.

$3000 machine entry level!

[Sink_cut]

Thanks Mondoh for the review, it will be useful for many people considering their purchase. I am sure I would have been stoked with the Strega.
I ended up getting the Alex leva from TC, and am incredibly happy with it.

[Casa Espresso]

Thanks Raymond for the great review.

We do consider ourselves lever specialists here (or maybe that's because I'm just a bit obsessed with them)

With thanks to Chris from Talk Coffee we have now added the Izzo Alex leva to our range.

Our leva range now includes entry level machines all the through to top end PID domestics and plumbed comercial variants

La Pavoni Europiccola
Elektra Micro casa Leva
Strega Leva
Strega Leva PID
Izzo Alex leva
Victoria Arduino Athena 2 and 3 group

Antony
Casa Espresso

[Mondoh]

Hi Dave,

I bought a Strega from Antony at Casa Espresso in the middle of last year as he recommended it to me as positive step up from what I had.
I was working with a standard E61 Magister with a vibration pump and I was already producing damn fine coffee from this unit.

Previously, part of my wonderful history was as a restaurateur which for me meant constantly improving all pertaining to the production of great food and beverages for my customers.
At my last gig I had an old lever arm machine, which I always loved so Antony's suggestion sparked memories that were too good to ignore.

So, I bought it _ Yay!

Now, notwithstanding anyones comments about other machines here, I can say the Strega is an absolute beauty.
I have had no trouble producing great shots and the steaming is pretty damn amazing.
All it took for me was a bit of fiddling and playing to get used to the unit, such as always giving a quick flush before producing a shot, listening for the air to escape and timing the pre infusion.

The coffee always comes out as planned, smooth and creamy with amazing flavour extraction - the puck is always dry as a chip after each shot pulled.

I have seen other machines on the market which have a (slightly) better build quality but they are madly more expensive and are not as versatile and portable as the Strega and they invariably have a larger footprint:
Everyone still comments on what a great looking machine it is;
Operating on a tank with pump, it can be moved around with comparative ease (and I cannot plumb it in so a double bonus for me);
& It's also quite quick to heat up so it won't slow you down if it is for your morning brew on the way to work.

My only gripe about the Strega is that it's pump is a tad noisey at the beginning but I guess that is the price for portability.

As for the PID Rick installs, it is no doubt a huge improvement and will help to automate some of the fine tuning and produce even more consistent shots.
But you said you wanted to get something with a minimum of fuss so it's worth a try and gives you the option to upgrade to a PID installation from Rick if you want to take it to the next level down the track.

Cheers,
Raymond.

[Sink_cut]

Thanks Dave - good to know.
Why do you think the Izzo would pull a better shot?

Do you think the Izzo would pull a better shot than a Strega with a PID fitted to the group heater?

From what I can see online I would get an Izzo over the Strega for the overall quality. In terms of consistent shot temp there is no data on the Izzo, there is heaps on the Strega with and without PID, so very hard to compare.
My logical thinking would say that a modded Strega with PID direct group heating would have a more consistent temp than an indirectly heated Izzo group. However, the opinion seems to be the Izzo is very stable.

[Canelli]

Hi David,

I have had my Strega for about 3 1/2 years. It was an ex demo machine from the importer. I still love my machine and have no desire to upgrade. I do about 50 shots a week and the only problem I've had is a dodgy pressurestat about 18 months ago. I must admit the Izzo looks an impressive machine and would pull a better shot but if I had to buy another machine today I'd buy the Strega again.

All machines in this price bracket are capable of pulling great shots, it often comes down to the quality of the beans, quality of the grind, and knowledge of the operator. Just my my two cents worth

Cheers,
Dave