Bezzera -- BZ02SDE Semi-Commercial Full Automatic Espresso
http://www.1st-line.net/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=BZ02SDE&type=store

I've been reviewing machines again all morning. This Bezzera is $949, for the fully automatic model. I see no draw back to getting the automatic since you can still start and stop it manually.

The only feature that I was interested in that this doesn't have is for it to be plumbable. It's a full $400 more for this model in plumbable and $250 for the semi-auto in plumbable. It does have large water tanks, so I think I am just going to forget about a machine that is plumbable for now. I think my plan will be that some day when I upgrade this, I'll then get a DB that is plumbable.

One of the very few complaints if you will, I read about this machine is that you have to make sure the grounds don't hit the screen and it can be a close fit.

I found this:

Bottomless Portafilter for ... Bezzera, ... with all chrome plating and true 3 cup basket
http://www.1st-line.net/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=50891&type=store

Since I think a bottomless portafilter is a nice idea anyway, I think I will get that with the larger basket and solve the potential issue, since I will have more room in the basket.

Overall the feature set on the Bezzera seems quite impressive for the price. I suspect I will end up liking it much better than the Silvano, as with the boiler in the Bezzera, I believe it is going to have much more powerful steaming.

Thanks again for all your help.
Jamie

erics wrote:Why not the BZ07 in semi-automatic mode? The (admittedly pessimistic) con to the automatic models is a few more gizmos to fail and relatively expensive when they do.

I have thought about this, and if it was just me that was going to use it, I would just get the semi. But with my fiancee using the machine also, I know that she can't time it right without and timer, and I know she won't bother with a timer. I stand a much better chance of having drinks she makes turn out well with the auto button. I'll still likely just use the manual button to start and stop when I am using it.

erics wrote:In lieu of the "3-cup" filter basket, consider a couple of the larger Bezzera 14 g doubles baskets, also available from 1st line.

Is the double shot basket that comes with it smaller than 14g?

The bottomless portafilter said it comes with a triple, but I would think I could just change that out with the double that came with the machine?

erics wrote:The BZ07 will steam 4-5 ounces of milk so fast it will make your head spin.

Awesome!!

Thanks

Jamie

I can't tell from the stuff on the Bezzera site if it is 12 or 14, they list both, even in the manual for this model they list both.

erics wrote:I subsequently bought two 14g baskets from 1st-Line.

Does this look light the one you got?

http://www.1st-line.net/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=L859&type=store

They have this listed on 1st line for a Bezzera 14 gram basket, but it doesn't look right to me, I think it's a basket for pods or something:

http://www.1st-line.net/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=5471009&type=store

Jamie

Thank You.