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Cooling flush on a Bezzera Mitica Top

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  • Cooling flush on a Bezzera Mitica Top

    Hi folks. My old ECM Rocket packed it in and has led me to a new Bezzera Mitica Top. I've been using it for a couple of weeks now and have followed my standard cooling flush routine. The thing is that I get none of the steamy splutter I used to get with the Rocket, the absence of which would define the end of my cooling flush. Is it possible I don't need a cooling flush with the BMT? I assumed that all HX machines by design required a cooling flush. Is it possible the machine is not calibrated correctly and running too cool? My steam is great. Pressure of shots is about 9 bar. My pucks are definitely wetter than those with my Rocket but maybe I just haven't dialled in my grind and/or grind quantity. The double basket is definitely deeper than that of the Rocket and I'm compensating with extra grinds.

    It'd be great to hear from other similar Bezzera machine owners or indeed any other CSers in the know on the topic. I'm also going to reach out to the store where I bought it but there's no substitute to first hand owner experience, in my view.

  • #2
    Hey Bigrizz,

    There should not be any need for a cooling flush on an HX that has been set up for the Australian market. There are a few threads discussing this if you search around.

    Cheers, Dave

    Comment


    • #3
      Fear not Bigrizz. Your machine is working well and as intended. [emoji736]

      What baskets are you using?

      If stock baskets, then it's worth weighing out your doses ( if you're not already doing this ) to keep an eye out for changes and work toward what dose works best with that basket.

      I've had success with 18g VST baskets in the Bezzera double spout PF.

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by bigrizz View Post
        Hi folks. My old ECM Rocket packed it in and has led me to a new Bezzera Mitica Top. I've been using it for a couple of weeks now and have followed my standard cooling flush routine. The thing is that I get none of the steamy splutter I used to get with the Rocket, the absence of which would define the end of my cooling flush. Is it possible I don't need a cooling flush with the BMT? I assumed that all HX machines by design required a cooling flush. Is it possible the machine is not calibrated correctly and running too cool? My steam is great. Pressure of shots is about 9 bar. My pucks are definitely wetter than those with my Rocket but maybe I just haven't dialled in my grind and/or grind quantity. The double basket is definitely deeper than that of the Rocket and I'm compensating with extra grinds.

        It'd be great to hear from other similar Bezzera machine owners or indeed any other CSers in the know on the topic. I'm also going to reach out to the store where I bought it but there's no substitute to first hand owner experience, in my view.
        Your Bezzera is running spot on Bigrizz. Not needing a cooling flush shows that it is actually set up correctly.

        As for the wet pucks, I would look at your dose. Generally a wet puck indicates under dosing.

        The Mitica is, IMO at the top end of home domestics. For some reason it doesn't seem to get much recognition here which is unusual when you consider how popular the newer and less established Profitec ( and to a lesser extent ECM Germany ) brands are.

        Styling queues between the three brands should give you a little hint... rumour has it that not that long ago it was actually Bezzera who made the parts, or most of the machines for ECM (and Profitec)

        Cheers

        Antony
        Casa Espresso
        Casa Espresso - Home
        Last edited by Casa Espresso; 29 April 2017, 10:29 PM.

        Comment


        • #5
          Did you allow enough time for the grouphead to fully warm up? It could be that your BMT has a flow restrictor in the thermosyphon loop that your old machine may have lacked. Secondly: even though they may not have been fully dialed-in, how did your shots taste so far? Unless they were distinctively sour, I wouldn't worry too much.

          Comment


          • #6
            which mean good design is more important than who made the parts? For me Profitec or ECM does offer more bling than the bezzera regardless of where they are made.



            Originally posted by Casa Espresso View Post
            Your Bezzera is running spot on Bigrizz. Not needing a cooling flush shows that it is actually set up correctly.

            As for the wet pucks, I would look at your dose. Generally a wet puck indicates under dosing.

            The Mitica is, IMO at the top end of home domestics. For some reason it doesn't seem to get much recognition here which is unusual when you consider how popular the newer and less established Profitec ( and to a lesser extent ECM Germany ) brands are.

            Styling queues between the three brands should give you a little hint... rumour has it that not that long ago it was actually Bezzera who made the parts, or most of the machines for ECM (and Profitec)

            Cheers

            Antony
            Casa Espresso
            Casa Espresso - Home

            Comment


            • #7
              I thought that a HX machine, by its design, develops what I call a "thermal unbalance" when it rests for a while; the water Inside the HX runs hot, approaching the steam temperature (but remaining liquid due to the elevated pressure), while the grouphead runs slightly cool because of heat loss to the environment. The flush not so much cools the grouphead, but equalizes the HX and the grouphead to the target brew temperature. If not to get rid of sizzling hot water, wouldn't the flush stabilize conditions and improve shot consistency ?

              Comment


              • #8
                The brilliance of the HX design is that the movement of the water through the boiler and through the group is controlled so that the temperature is relatively stable. The brass group acts as the fine tuner of the heated water that runs through into the puck. There are a number of controls in place. These can be modified, as in the case of Australia, so the brew water temp is corrected for the beans we use. In AU we require a lower temp. In EU because of different beans their temp is closer to boiling point so a cooling flush is needed to remove any steam. Grey Imports are not set up for AU, so cooling flushes maybe needed.
                My tuppence worth!

                Comment


                • #9
                  No harm in flushing sine water through as a rinse but not required for cooling

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by symphonie View Post
                    For me Profitec or ECM does offer more bling than the bezzera regardless of where they are made.
                    Bought a smile to my face, try as I might, have never been able to pinpoint the taste difference "bling" adds to the cup, perhaps my taste is simply underdeveloped.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by symphonie View Post
                      which mean good design is more important than who made the parts? For me Profitec or ECM does offer more bling than the bezzera regardless of where they are made.
                      The point was there is more than just a minor parts association between Bezerra and ECM, at least there was according to the Chinese whispers of the Italian coffee machine industry . That's a whole other thread !
                      Here's a photo of an Ecm and the Mitica, not much bling difference that I can see

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        "My stainless steel box is better!" "No, my stainless steel box is better!"

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Casa Espresso View Post
                          The point was there is more than just a minor parts association between Bezerra and ECM, at least there was according to the Chinese whispers of the Italian coffee machine industry . That's a whole other thread !
                          Here's a photo of an Ecm and the Mitica, not much bling difference that I can see
                          Not much between the two appearance wise, my preference is for the Mitica, to my mind more attractive layout and stylish design, Bezzera have a reputation for quality espresso, longevity and reliability, not saying ECM don't meet these criteria however from personal experience as well as observation Bezzera certainly do.

                          Don't forget the pedigree, Luigi Bezzera patented the espresso process in 1901.

                          Yep! I know, my bias is showing again, someone has to defend Mazzer grinders and Bezzera machines.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Not that I'm weighing into the debate, but just curious - got any photos of insides of these two machines Antony? Curious to know if they have the same internal layout as well. One assumes that the chrome (by that I mean the whole external look) is largely low priority for the R&D budget, and most of the work goes on inside.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by readeral View Post
                              Not that I'm weighing into the debate, but just curious - got any photos of insides of these two machines Antony? Curious to know if they have the same internal layout as well. One assumes that the chrome (by that I mean the whole external look) is largely low priority for the R&D budget, and most of the work goes on inside.
                              Hi Al, no I haven't but it's a good point.

                              You have got me searching for some now

                              Cheers
                              Antony

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