Astoria Gloria lever vs. Izzo Pompei vs. Ponte Vecchio Export

by **Bluedog2903** on Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:34 pm

I'd appreciate some advice.

I'm trying to decide between a ponte vecchio Export, a Izzo Pompei, and an Astoria Gloria single lever. I'll be feeding it with a super jolly and a mix of local and home roast.

I have a Wega Lyra (worn out/broken), a pre-millenium Pavoni lever, and the Biachi (not working well and too slow). I drink about 2000 shots per year (3 double/day).

I'm looking for a 20 year machine and am willing to go into the $3000 range. I see that the Export is under a grand and I've seen the Astoria as low as $2800.

My routine is to have the timer heat up the machine at 5 am and pull a couple of doubles at 6. More shots on weekends. I never steam but might for a party.

I prefer the body and taste of the one good Pavoni shot I can pull over anything I have made or can purchase so I am pretty committed to a lever.

Given the volume and regularity of my consumption, I am a little nervous about drinking straight from a copper or brass boiler. Would strongly prefer stainless or heat exchange.

The Gloria and Izzo are probably gross overkill. I'm hoping the high initial expense pays for itself over time. Other than that, any thoughts on why either machine would be a mistake appreciated. Other suggestions also appreciated.

Thanks

Tom

by **peacecup** on Fri Mar 25, 2011 1:28 pm

If you can afford the space, cost, and time to heat it, a commerical lever would probably give you best results (although I've never used one myself). That said, the Export makes great espresso, is very consistent, and easy to dial in.

I have used an Export for thousands of shots, and I can say its very consistent and super easy to use. I compared it to a Pavoni a while ago, and found it makes equally-good espresso. It is much easier to control temperature and adjust dose and grind with an Export in my opinion.

The main drawback with the Export is that the shot volume is small, i.e. 15 ml per lever pull. This means one needs two pulls to make a traditional 15g:30ml ristretto. There has been some discussion that multiple pulls disturbs the puck and results in channeling. I have not had that problem very often, and recently I got a bottomless PF which confirms this.

If portability is an option the Export is tops. Not sure about the Gloria, but it is easy to completely drain and refill the Export, so at least water does not get re-boiled. I figure a healthy layer of scale in the boiler may reduce any leaching of metals (I have no science on this though). If the Gloria is an HX than of course water quality is dealt with at the tap and the boiler is just for heat and steam.

PC

by **Bluedog2903** on Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:09 pm

Thanks PC. Do you know what the boiler is made of in the Export?

by **peacecup** on Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:30 pm

Its brass.

by **farmroast** on Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:37 pm

I'd certainly consider the new soon to be released Bezzera Strega lever being discussed in the lever section.

by **Bluedog2903** on Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:43 pm

Thanks. I'm learning my way around the site. I looked at the Bezzera Strega. Interesting but probably not for me. The vibe pump puts me off. For some reason, a big, old fashioned lever machine has a lot of appeal.

I've got a full wet bar set aside for espresso only. Plenty of room for a 4 lever machine if I stumbled across one.

The Izzo Pompei looks like a contender also. Now I'll need to compare it to the Astoria.

by **galumay** on Fri Mar 25, 2011 6:14 pm

I am just about to take delivery of an Izzo Pompeii, after a lot of research I decided the extra cost was justified. The proof will be in the cup, as they say!

by **Dogshot** on Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:49 pm

Bluedog2903 wrote:Given the volume and regularity of my consumption, I am a little nervous about drinking straight from a copper or brass boiler. Would strongly prefer stainless or heat exchange.

The Gloria and Izzo are probably gross overkill. I'm hoping the high initial expense pays for itself over time. Other than that, any thoughts on why either machine would be a mistake appreciated. Other suggestions also appreciated.

Thanks

Tom

If you have concerns about drinking from a brass or copper boiler, then the Pompei may not agree with your interests. At your consumption levels, you would be hard-pressed to exchange more than 25% of the boiler contents a day.

I have a PV Export (which can still be purchased for $500 at Gensaco), and I fill the brass boiler in the morning, refill as needed during the day, and I dump the boiler contents every night. This way the water is practically as fresh as anything delivered through an HX. On the other hand, I'm not sure I would put the Export on a timer. It only needs 10 minutes to get to temp. IMO the Export does not deliver the classic lever shot profile (clean and sweet). My tastes with the Export consistently gravitated toward full-bodied comfort-food espressos that liked to be dosed heavily. I had very little luck getting shots I enjoyed from lighter or more acidic coffees. Have you read the review of the Lusso? I think its espresso score sums up my feelings about the group fairly well.

It's a tough choice. If I was in your shoes, I would just pre-order a Strega, and take a chance on it. On the surface it has everything you are looking for - lever, HX design. If the pump really bothers you after a while, you might be able to mod it out by plumbing in.

Mark

by **jfrescki** on Fri Mar 25, 2011 10:26 pm

If you want a 20 year machine for $3,000, with a stainless boiler, you're describing a Junior Casa DT1. Unfortunately, not a lever though

by **Bluedog2903** on Sat Mar 26, 2011 12:21 am

Thanks. Does anyone happen to know what the Gloria boiler is made of? I'm having a tough time finding that kind of detail on the web.

The junior casa looks nice. Interesting that it is billed as a 20 year machine with a one year warranty.

Space limitations are not an issue with my setup so I may end up going with a big, hulking machine.

Maybe I'll go with the Strega...though waiting isn't really a strong point. I suppose I can get a pump machine with a stainless boiler in the $1500 range that will last another 5-10 years then reevaluate.


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