Can be perfect domestic lever machine be found?

Lacehim

Hello, Me again.

I'm considering a change, but I want to stay within the realm of lever machines. The problem is what.

What I would like is

Quality build and reliability
For domestic use, can run on 10Amp happily, Tank or plumb is an option, but will cost me more to plumb.
I like the quiet of the lusso, I would like to keep it that way. KISS for me please.
An antivac, so I can put it on a timer & turn it on and come back to a nice warm machine
Something that doesn't take 2 hours to heat up to make a coffee.

So, any suggestions?

So far there are the Bosco 1 group in stainless steel for $4500 big heavy, and hand made in Italy (does this sound familiar???)
The Bezzera Strega has been mentioned, but I really think they over complicated it all with the pump. Apart from that it's a nice looking machine, and seems to pump out good shots.
Then there is the Izzo. Bit of $$$, and I don't like the plastic that much at that price. Good feedback regarding the quality of the build and coffee though.

It is just me drinking coffee in the house too. Maybe it's all overkill and I should just get a tin of nescafe? :rofl:

Koffee_Kosmo

I will post photos of the Strega that will possibly grace my kitchen sometime in January (fingers crossed) Looking to do a quality plumbed in conversion KK

WotB

You can always go the DIY route and build one yourself.

Lwowiak

I am in the same situation. Bosco it is. I will be buying one next year, as currently I have other priorities. They are rugged, simple and designed to perform, day in, day out. No plastic, and best of all, hand made. I currently have a Boema, which was purchased on the same principle. I despise domestic machines, and prefer the solid build of a commercial unit. I hate replacing domestic appliances designed to fail. In reality, it is a well built machine that will enable you to make an excellent cup of coffee. It will definitely last a long time. What more is necessary? It is big and may not fit in some kitchens, but to be perfectly honest, most kitchens in Australia are too small. Don't people cook any more? On the American TV shows, every house seems to have a massive kitchen that leaves the average Aussie one for dead. We really do pay through the nose for our standard of living here, but that is another topic. My (blunt) 2 cents worth.

Brett_H

Who is the importer or retailer for the Bosco? It's one I've not heard of till now. Chris from Bezzera mentioned to me that there is possibly a plumbable non pump Stratega on the way. I wonder if this is still on the cards?

Lacehim

The Bosco retailers are http://www.coffeeroasters.com.au/products/sorrento-lever-espresso-coffee-machine/ it's a hand built Italian machine. That might inspire some, but I'm coming from a handbuilt Italian made machine :-| . A few threads I've read have mentioned that the build looks a bit rough, but it works, and is built like a tank. Some photos of the frame etc build by Bosco. http://www.home-barista.com/levers/bosco-update-work-in-process-t17468.html The Izzo, big bugger, and I'm not convinced about the plastic sides on a $5,000+ machine. Never seen on in the flesh and unlikely too unless there is a retailer in QLD. BF does rave about his though. The new machines have a PID, but I'm unlikely to find a second hand 1 group anyway. The Strega, I would consider if the pump wasn't a factor. Yeah I know you all think I'm anal, but it's just another thing to break down, and it's a noisey vibe pump to boot. Might as well go buy a pump machine and press a button. For me levers are uncomplicated and simple.

WotB wrote:

You can always go the DIY route and build one yourself.

Seriously interested in this WotB to be honest. I don't have ALL the technical skills to do this myself, but I'm going to start working on a project build on paper anyway. I read a few posts here the there on HB and it was mentioned that Bosco source the lever and most of the other parts from suppliers, and build the boiler and frame and side panels themselves. Second post from the top http://www.home-barista.com/levers/bosco-1-group-t16792.html Levers are taking off in popularity, mainly because I think people have realised just how good they are, and they are simple, uncomplicated machines that get great results. Surely if the parts can be sourced, and a decent boilermaker found, it would be an interesting project to build a espresso lever machine custom build for the Aussie market. Just another angle, sure to make the desicion harder! :laugh: Ages ago I found a thread on another forum where someone build a few machines in Australia. He made moulds of the groups and had them cast. Build the whole thing from scratch and it look like a vintage machine. They looked very nice. Can't find it again. 🙁

beanflying

About time I added a little here. Fioranzato Levers - the have a 1grp commercial (the one I have) and a smaller one (strega fotprint) that is not imported into Oz. Currently NO reputable dealer in Australia. Victoria Arduino lever - Never seen one in the flesh but Gwilym Davies likes his a heap. Not sure who the parent importer in Australia is but they could be locally sourced I am sure. Lamborghini Cafe in Melbourne maybe? Bosco as above and on seeing some shots of it a touch rustic in some of the workmanship. Seem to share the identical head with the F and A options above. Should be well backed up by Mark from CRA. Izzo - yep I love mine over others I have tried 🙂 It just makes great coffee with litle to no fuss or hassles. Currently 3 sources as far as I know plus some resellers. Izzo Australia in Sydney, TC in Melbourne and Chris Kay at Paridiso Roasters in Melbourne would be worth a go if you don't want the plastic sided option. He was the first importer of Izzo into Australia. There was a little scuttlebutt on the web a year or so back they were working on a true domestic sized version :-| KVW - lots of bling but far to fussy, overpriced and based on some issues one was giving in Melbourne I wouldn't. Bezzera Strega - Best "home sized" unit available currently. Lots to recommend it but a vibe pump that runs constantly during the entire shot just isn't on in my book. There is ways around that in a thread I have started to put together. Olympia Cremina - Only put this here as it is generally far better made and tougher etc than the small domestics but with a local price just under $4k OUCH ??? So which one for most homes a hijacked plumbed in Bezz or for best results an Izzo for me with no bench issues. I am not adverse to the groups used on the top 3 by any means but they are harder to get results up to the Izzo standard. There is a few more as well (Rancilio still make one plus others) but I would think either to hard to get and or not up to scratch.

Beanz

I am considering upgrading to a lever machine, I found the information in these posts very informative. I note the Ponte Vecchio Lusso 2 Espresso Machine is not mentioned. Is this simply because it is in a different price range from the machines being discussed or is it build quality / bling factor? Is it in a different league when it comes to the quality of the coffee it produces? Some reviews on the Lusso seem to give it quite a good rating. I would be interested in anyones feedback.

Koffee_Kosmo

Beanz wrote:

I am considering upgrading to a lever machine, I found the information in these posts very informative. I note the Ponte Vecchio Lusso 2 Espresso Machine is not mentioned. Is this simply because it is in a different price range from the machines being discussed or is it build quality / bling factor? Is it in a different league when it comes to the quality of the coffee it produces? Some reviews on the Lusso seem to give it quite a good rating. I would be interested in anyone's feedback.

I know that Lacehim owns a Lusso I am sure he would be here to talk the talk with you This is a thread he started http://www.bestcafes.com.au/forum/projects-rebuilds/ponte-vecchio-lusso-mods/msg12344/#msg12344 KK

Beanz

Many thanks KK will follow the link and have a read

Lacehim

Hi Beanz, I have the two group lusso currently. It's a great machine for it's price, but I suppose ultimately I would love a commercial lever 1 group at home. I love the lack of noise when making my coffee, less maintance than a pump machine (ie no backflushing) and best of all the coffee is fantastic but the build quality isn't the best. I knew that before I bought it though. It's not the worst either though, it's really just the leaking group thats annoying me. Support is good with Jack at Sorrentina which helps. The antivac mod made a big difference, and PV have said they would replace my left group which has leaked from new with a new one. 🙂 Just waiting on that from Jack soon I hope. When I get that I'm going to strip it down, and do a few more mods to make the machine last a good while longer. One day I might be able to afford a decent commercial one group, but in the mean time I'll be sticking with my lusso 🙂

Beanz

Thanks for the feedback