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Refurbished/Used Bezzera Strega - First Things To Do

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  • Refurbished/Used Bezzera Strega - First Things To Do

    Hello fellow coffeesnobs!

    I've just received a Bezzera Strega which seems to be only gently used and has been well cared for and regularly serviced by the previous owner - according to the vendor I bought it from.

    The machine looks clean from what I can tell; but I haven't opened it up yet. Nothing is missing and all the accessories are in good condition.

    On its way across the country it sat at the courier's depot for about three weeks with what turns out to be ca 1/2 litre of water still in the tank. On cleaning the tank the little plastic mesh filter just crumbled away due to age and limescale deposit. I will order a new filter; and a new tank for good measure.

    Now I wonder, is there anything else that I definitely have to do before putting the machine to use? Is it ok to run it without the filter, or with the ripped filter until I get a replacement part?

    What about back-flushing? I must admit, I haven't even investigated how to back-flush a lever machine yet.

    I'd appreciate any advice from fellow Strega owners.

    Oh, and how to best clean the inside of the portafilter? It looks a little black/oxidized and sooty.

  • #2
    Congratulations lienemann - a nice machine in my experience and they don't seem to come up for sale very often, which says something about them. You will have many a wonderful coffee experiences with your Strega. If you are not replacing the filter in a hurry, I'd be very diligent about ensuring there are no foreign particles in the water tank. Re back flushing - your Strega does not require back flushing, but a periodic cleaning of the group head is in your best interests. For the portafilter, soak in Caffetto or similar - takes a few minutes and the results are excellent (rinse very well after cleaning). Have fun!

    Comment


    • lienemann
      lienemann commented
      Editing a comment
      Thank you WakeUp for your kind comments. Yes, I feel lucky to finally own one of these. The filter is already on order and on it's way to me. The tank looks alright for its age, a little bit discoloured but clean. Very crucial to hear about the back flushing not necessary! I appreciate that. Which of the myriad of Caffetto products do you recommend? There's powder, tablets, 'EVO' ...

  • #3
    Don't have a strega but have another lever the profitec pro 800.

    As WakeUp mentioned you don't really descale them often to have good quality water is very critical. Make sure your water is well within spec from filtration. Having said that you can descale by opening up the boiler and doing it manually rather than running it through the machine itself.

    A good group head clean is a must! I use a combo of warm soapy water and a orange oil degreaser to get off the coffee oils around the group head. I would also after every shot just flush a little water through the group head to stop the coffee oil buildup.

    I would also consider getting some dow/molykote 111 to lube up the piston/lever etc. Maybe check the condition of the seals while you do so.

    It's probably okay to use without the mesh filter for now as long as the water in the tank is clean and free of any debris - it's really just a chunky debris filter over actual water filtration for fine particles or chlorine etc. I believe the boiler is copper which is good as it has slightly better chlorine resistance than stainless.

    Comment


    • lienemann
      lienemann commented
      Editing a comment
      Thank you @WhaeverBeansNecessary for your very helpful comments. I'm in Perth and our water is incredibly hard. At the moment I only use a Brita water filter. I haven't experienced with making my.own water-yet. Any recommendations?

      I started flushing the group head after every shot. It's funny, the Bezzera manual for the Strega lists this as a no-no. Italians😏
      Last edited by lienemann; 16 June 2022, 03:23 PM.

    • WhatEverBeansNecessary
      WhatEverBeansNecessary commented
      Editing a comment
      I'm in Adelaide so in the same boat! However I had my water tested and it was a lot softer than I expected (I'm serviced by a different reservoir which is softer than Metro Adelaide).

      I would first get your water tested - there are lots of places to get it done but many will do it for free if you send a sample in a disposable plastic water bottle. Then you will know where you are at.
      Then you can either think about a benchtop softer which is circa $150 + $100 for a filter replacement. Or an RO system which can vary from $500-$1000+ depending on your needs. But without samples tested you wont really know what you need.

      As for group head flush - the Strega has a heated group head so maybe a pre flush isn't recommended as it might heat up the group head too much? Post i have no idea why they would say its a no no.

  • #4
    Ah yes, well said WEBN - a good flush after making a shot should be part of your work flow lienemann, for keeping the filter nice and clean, ready for the next one.

    Comment


    • #5
      Oops, meant to say keeping the shower screen clean ?

      Comment


      • #6
        I simply use the Espresso Clean in powder form - I mix it with some boiling water (it gets frothy) then soak the portafilter and basket, etc.

        Comment


        • lienemann
          lienemann commented
          Editing a comment
          Thanks. Will have to get that. Plus a decent cleaning brush.
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