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.
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.

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