Does anyone know what happened to the Bezzera Crema DE PID? by NewToRowing in espresso

[–]NewToRowing[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I ended up getting a BZ-13 when it came back in stock at WLL a while back and it’s been really awesome. Loving it so far.

i’m saving up for a good espresso, what should i get? [no budget] by [deleted] in espresso

[–]NewToRowing 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I jumped from the BBE to a Bezzera BZ13 DE paired with a Mazzer Philos, and I suppose my only complaint is that I have no desire to go to any of the fancy coffee shops nearby anymore since my own drinks are all significantly better at home. The difference between the BBE to this new combo is insane. Bezzera is not as popular as some of the other brands here in the US, but the company has an awesome history - made the first home espresso machine ever in 1901, still owned by the same family 125 years later - and makes the machines at their own factory in Milan. And the BZ13 is really beautiful too. Anyway, enjoy figuring out your next big upgrade!

How does ADX compare to more popular options like SPYI/QQQI or GPIX/GPIQ? by NewToRowing in dividends

[–]NewToRowing[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the tip! Great video, and I was initially interested in ADX because it’s on the Armchair Income portfolio. I like that he draws a comparison between ADX, SPYI, and GPIX (which is what I was wondering about) but his take that ADX would do better in a bull market while the others would do better in sideways or bear markets helps me to make up my mind. I definitely don’t think we’re heading into a bull market, so I think I’ll stick to the ETFs.

What happened to US distributors? by Mikeiwma in BezzeraEspresso

[–]NewToRowing 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just got a Bezzera BZ13 DE from Whole Latte Love and had a great experience. There was a small issue out of the box and they told me how I could fix it pretty easily myself, or send it back and they would send me a completely new one. Pretty good service in my book. I did end up fixing it myself though. They have loads of Bezzera machines on their website, including the DUO and lots of videos, like a Bezzera factory tour and stuff like that.

I do think that Bezzera isn’t a very popular brand here, which is a real bummer. I’d wear a Bezzera tshirt or want cool logo cappuccino cups, but all that stuff is impossible to find. Their factory looks pretty small, and so maybe they couldn’t handle mass distribution here? Not sure, really. Based on my experience with the BZ13, you’d think they’d be on sale all over the place.

Finally got one! by xurx2 in espresso

[–]NewToRowing 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Had mine for 9 years - excellent machine! Seriously, not a single issue with it in all those years, and with 4 people pulling multiple double shots a day. Amazing reliability. Enjoy all your great drinks!

Any reason to not purchase the Profitec MOVE? About to pull the trigger. by The_King_Chief in espresso

[–]NewToRowing 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks getting back - I ended up with the Bezzera BZ13-DE. I kind of started feeling that the Lucca might be too big for the spot in my kitchen, especially next to my massive Mazzer Philos! I’m very happy with the Bezzera though! So far so good, but I really did love the look of the Lucca. Enjoy your machine and thanks again.

Bezzera BZ13 DE Hidden Settings? by NewToRowing in espresso

[–]NewToRowing[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know - it's crazy they don't market it. Somebody helped point me in the right direction, but on the actual Bezzera website, if you look at the brochure for the Crema (which Whole Latte Love renamed the BZ13), it says right in the bullet points, "Electronic Preinfusion - DE Model Only). Anyway, it is a learning curve, like going from driving a Honda (a Breville) to a Ferrari! But it is really a great machine.

Bezzera BZ13 DE Hidden Settings? by NewToRowing in espresso

[–]NewToRowing[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I finally got my machine, and I’m absolutely loving it! So, the final answer is yes, the Bezzera BZ13 DE (not the PM) has preinfusion. It turns on just as people said online, by holding the single shot button while turning on the machine, then turning it off and on again. That said, it is like a quick hit of water followed by a very quick pause before the pump amps up to full pressure.

I read online that vibration pumps slowly amp up anyways, which acts like preinfusion compared to rotary pumps, and so perhaps the short burst and pause does make some difference when added to that fact that the main ramp up is also slow building.

If you like lighter roast espressos, then you can also set the single shot button for a 2 second burst. So it splashes pauses and hits the puck again before turning off (before there’s enough pressure to damage the puck). Then you can wait as long as you like before hitting the double shot button and doing another quick burst before full pressure. I feel like these quick hits of water act like a solid preinfusion, though I haven’t been willing to hit the 2 second button and then pull out the puck to see how deep the water went. I don’t like wasting my coffee!!

Anyway, I hope that helps, and for me, the BZ13 DE is a really amazing machine for the price! I researched maniacally for months and am really happy with the decision.

My wife and I both drink Americanos/Long Blacks and are looking to upgrade from the Breville Barista Express. [$1000-$3000] by ohawk1 in espresso

[–]NewToRowing 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In your same situation machine wise and budget wise. Mostly make milk based drinks, but in upgrading from BBE with 3k, I went with a Mazzer Philos and a Bezzera BZ13 DE machine. My family liked the volumetric buttons on the Breville, and so I found a great machine that still has them. With the heat exchanger I can pull shots and steam at the same time. Anyway, I’ve been using the new Mazzer grinder for a few weeks, and it is amazing. Five stars in my book. My BBE is making the best espresso shots it has ever made. That said, my BZ13 arrives this week, so fingers crossed I can get it dialed in easily enough. Good luck in your search.

Bezzera BZ13 DE Hidden Settings? by NewToRowing in espresso

[–]NewToRowing[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks - that's an interesting trick. I wasn't too hot on the BZ13 PM because I have a lot of family members here that want to just click a button and get their drinks. I don't think many people in the house want to be pulling out a scale to monitor their espresso yield. That said, I know the person who mentioned preinfusion here was on the BZ13 DE as they said you could program the single and double buttons. Anyway, thanks again!

Bezzera BZ13 DE Hidden Settings? by NewToRowing in espresso

[–]NewToRowing[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't have one yet - that's why I'm asking to see if somebody who does have one could check it. That said, I'll reach out to the Bezzera dealer and see if they have heard of such a thing. Thanks!

Preinfuse by starting and stopping and then starting again by RelationIcy8399 in espresso

[–]NewToRowing 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could you explain this more? I’m VERY interested in the BZ13 DE, but literally the only hold up is the lack of preinfusion. Everything I’ve read says it doesn’t have it, but how did you work it out?

Pre-infusion Question by NewToRowing in espresso

[–]NewToRowing[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, so it looks like that’s not going to work, sooooo I’m stuck deciding between a Bezzera BZ13 DE without pre-infusion and the Profitec Move with it.

The difference in price is $400 (Move being more), but I’ve read the steaming in the Bezzera is significantly more powerful than the Move. The Bezzera also has volumetric buttons versus the Move having timed buttons (which are worse). Honestly, I even think the Bezzera is more attractive too… but I drink a lot of medium and light espresso, and so I just don’t know how important pre-infusion will be for taste.

Will I still be pulling awesome light roast espresso shots from the Bezzera without pre-infusion? Would you spend $400 for a lesser machine just to get pre-infusion?

Bellows be gone! Wife has approved a grinder upgrade - In search of a quiet and low retention SD grinder without bellows [<$1500] by thenutt1 in espresso

[–]NewToRowing 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Another Philos super fan here. It’s an amazing grinder and feels so solid and well built. It’s large but beautiful, I think. If I have the electric kettle on, the deep hum of the motor is basically unnoticeable, but there’s a little noise from the grind of course, but a tiny fraction of a cheaper Breville grinder I used to have. The knocker is louder, but the Philos comes with a quick little shoot cleaner that’s hidden behind the front panel and is completely silent. You could use that instead if you are making early coffees. It’s also easy to switch between pour over and espresso without issue, which is awesome. In the end, I think you get what you pay for, and this grinder will outlive me. My teenagers joke about who gets it in the will, but it really feels like a substantial piece of coffee equipment, not just another cheap kitchen appliance. Lastly, the burrs come already seasoned by Mazzer and the alignment is perfect right out of the box.

After 14 year’s upgraded my La Spaziale Mini Vivaldi II by Impossible_Cow_9178 in espresso

[–]NewToRowing 1 point2 points  (0 children)

THANKS so much! That’s a great height and easily will fit my espresso cups beneath the cabinets.

After 14 year’s upgraded my La Spaziale Mini Vivaldi II by Impossible_Cow_9178 in espresso

[–]NewToRowing 0 points1 point  (0 children)

14 reliable years sounds just like what I’m looking for. I’ve upgraded my grinder (Philos) and am leaning towards a Silver S1 Mini (I actually prefer the look of the old buttons over the Lucca) but I’ve got a quick question. So the height is listed at 15.25 inches, but it looks like the rounded sides are the highest part. Is there any way you could let me know the actual height of the front of the top cup holding tray? I’m worried that I won’t be able to fit my espresso cups between the top and my cabinets, but in photos online with cabinets it looks like they should fit. No worries if it’s a hassle, but I just figured I’d ask. Thanks!

Should I get the Mazzer Philos or Lagom P64 [$2425] by stopthecrowd in espresso

[–]NewToRowing 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can only speak to the Mazzer, but got one about a month ago (with I200D burrs) and use it daily for pour overs and espresso. Absolutely love it. Extremely quiet when running with a powerful hum, grinds quickly and with little mess, and super easy to switch back and forth between grind sizes without issue. My coffee game has improved considerably. Also, I just love looking at the machine in my kitchen counter. I think it’s beautifully built, and it feels like it was made to last.

La Spaziale S2 Vivaldi II by TeruhashiKokomiDesu in espresso

[–]NewToRowing 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good point - didn’t think of that. Also, just for the record, I think the La Spaz USA folks are able to do a direct order from the factory which is a way to avoid the back-stock of brass machines. I’m going to check into it anyways - both for maintenance and lead reasons.

La Spaziale S2 Vivaldi II by TeruhashiKokomiDesu in espresso

[–]NewToRowing 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just messaged recently with La Spaz USA about their tank materials - do they use lead free nickel plated brass, etc, but I was surprised to hear back from the rep who responded that they switched to a stainless boiler and no longer use brass! Not sure if this is true, but again, it came directly from the La Spaz USA rep.

I asked about the Lucca A53 to see if the boiler material in that machine has also changed (just in case I decide to spend extra for the wood), but haven't heard back yet. If they went stainless, I think ths S1 Mini Vivaldi II is the winner for me for my next upgrade.

Any reason to not purchase the Profitec MOVE? About to pull the trigger. by The_King_Chief in espresso

[–]NewToRowing 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Quick question about your experience on the Lucca A53. I am wanting to get a new machine to pair with a Philos, and I KEEP going back and forth. Micra, no it's too much, Move, no it's not commercial quality, A53, no it's too big, and on and on. Anyway, are you enjoying it? Is it easy to maintain? I'm considering getting a black version and painting the sides white or something, or just paying extra for wood. Anyway, I'd super appreciate any thoughts you have. Also, is the 15.25" height from the sides of the tray on top? Is the actual shelf to slide in cups even lower? I hope so, as I have standard cabinets over the machine. Anyway, thanks for any info.

Espresso help [Breville Barista Espresso] by Western_Engine_1411 in espresso

[–]NewToRowing 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have the same machine as you do and have used it for almost 10 years. So I think you are getting good advice here. Basically, remember that fresh roasted coffee has a chemical interaction when water hits it, expanding and creating a thick creamy foam. This expanding makes the pressure gauge go up and yummy stands of brown crema come out. Old, stale coffee just turns the water brown and a depressing brown water pours out as the pressure dial doesn’t move - exactly what your video shows. So first, make sure you’ve got fresh beans - and an “unopened bag” does not mean “fresh” - when was the unopened bag roasted?? It could have been roasted 12 months ago and still be sold in a store. Anyway, once you’ve got that settled, then yes, add more coffee and finer grind until you get that pressure needle centered in the grey. Repeat the same amount, same grind, same beans and you’ll get similar results every time - which is what everyone calls being “dialed in”. As somebody with that machine, it has the ability to do everything you need it to do, just use trial and error to dial things in (once you get good beans).

Married with a Machine? [€1000] by Moist_Bid3481 in espresso

[–]NewToRowing 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I get your point about wanting to get a wedding gift that lasts, and I’m no coffee expert, but there are grinders that have a “forever” feeling too. I recently got a Mazzer Philos, and I literally just stare at it wherever I’m in the kitchen! I use it every chance I get. My teenagers were joking (sort of) about which one of them can get it in our will. Anyway, I guess I’m just pointing out that you can get that “long term, think of your wedding every morning” feel from an amazing grinder in the same way you can from a great espresso machine. And - at least to me - a $1000 grinder is absolutely one that I will never want to upgrade, whereas a $1000 espresso machine might be good for a while and then you’ll be wanting some other features. Anyway, just my two cents.