I have noticed that it is suggested to raise the dose in the basket when using strega and i also found that some people suggested to use other baskets instead of the original one.
So which third party filter basket should I buy?? Usually i make double espresso. I seldom drink single.
Btw I have already bought the Bezzera original bottomless porta filter

Espressoparts HQ 14 ridgeless basket.

photobillyli wrote:...some people suggested to use other baskets instead of the original one ...

right, but it worth mentioning that the original one seems to differ by shipment, in time and space: in Europe, in 2015 they shipped with a 16g basket; I bought 2 of them, then another 2 from IMS, as recommended here on HB, and also on Reiss blog for Londinium users;
as I posted here, those two, "are geometricaly identical; that is:
- the IMS baskets B70 2T H26.5 M (2 pcs);
- the Bezzera stock basket 16g, p/n 5471035 (also 2 pcs of it);
absolutely, the same gabarit dimensions - with 26.5 mm height and the same number and disposition of holes (641);
well, the only difference could be, and I hope it is, inside each hole!"

and after over half a year of working mainly with IMS baskets, but with Bezzera's too, I would mention no difference in the two models... but these could be my limits;
also it worth mentioning another basket from Bezzera (in fact manufactured by NR - Nuova RIcambi) a 20g double, also resembling (geometrically identical - 28mm height, has 58,84mm internal diameter at mid height - actually the walls are cylindrical - has 715 holes) some 21g VST basket;
I am using it with a very fine grind, about 21g, with interesting results, but mostly for 2 x singles in a spouted PF (Strega's PF's are deep enough);

doublehelix wrote:... I haven't PID'ed my Strega yet, but to maintain a higher grouphead temperature, I added some insulation ...

I've also worked a while with the group insulated:

mine is made from probably the same pipe insulation foam (PE, elastomer?) tube, but I covered it (for mechanical rigidity, and heat reflectiveness) with aluminium adhesive foil;

having group PID installed, and light roasted coffees being not my preference, this mod wasn't much of a relevance for my measurements;
yes, it's about 3-4C gain in group temperature, but I can have a starting 85C on group (front lower cylinder) instead of 81-82C by rising the set value on PID, to, say 95C, instead of 91-92C;

It seems for me, that a proper cooling of the group between succesive shots is part of the design!
otherwise, for head-to-head shots, I noticed a gradual increase along the shots in the peak temperature of the grup at 3-5 secs after starting the pump for a shot (as I call it, Tmax);
this happens, at higher group temperatures if I use the insulation, and in general, it happens - especially first shot cooler, compared with the followings - on a cooler group;
the best results - that is, a consistent Tmax temperature for each shot including the first - I've got when working with warmer group (83-84C), and higher PID setting (93-94C)
I am not using flushes at all, at the beginning or inside session - except a final one for cleaning the shower;

in fact, I experimented with an insulated group, in the hope that there will be a smaller decrease in temperature during the shot; and also, for a shorter recovery interval in group;

interestingly enough - I may be wrong of course - I didn't noticed such an improvement in thermal stability during the shot;
in fact, the group temperature drop from Tmax during a shot of, say, 30 s of flow, is not so much - cca. 3.2C; and this is what a lever machine has as characteristic and it is for better;
what's intriguing me is (1) the fact that the temperature on the group wall continues to decrease after the chamber was emptied, and the PID is energizing the 100W heaters, and (2) the heat lost outside the group is of course, important, but not reflected significantly in the log, for both cases
meaning there is still a heat transfer from the group walls to inside (?)
and, continuing to speculate, the piston, in lowest position now, could have a lower temperature than the one of the group at, say 30-60 secs after starting the extraction (flow beneath the PF);
and the longer interval it stays up, nearer the heaters (during PI), the higher would be its accumulated heat, hence, the smaller decrease of group overall temp in the active area (lower cylinder) during the extraction!

it was easy for me to drop this experiment, as I have many other parameters to play with, and I am still convinced that I am not mastering them...

radudanutco wrote:I've also worked a while with the group insulated:
<image>, in lowest position now, could have a lower temperature than the one of the group at, say 30-60 secs after starting the extraction (flow beneath the PF);
and the longer interval it stays up, nearer the heaters (during PI), the higher would be its accumulated heat, hence, the smaller decrease of group overall temp in the active area (lower cylinder) during the extraction!

it was easy for me to drop this experiment, as I have many other parameters to play with, and I am still convinced that I am not mastering them...

Wow! Impressive, as usual...much more insulation than what I'm using. I just insulate the front of the grouphead (piston sleeve) and don't have any foil.
Given my insulation I see the grouphead temperature rise an additional ~10 deg F...and this stays steady (1-2 deg) across time and shots.

I have received my strega 2 weeks ago and still experimenting with alot of stuff.

I am wandering if i should change dose and grind setting when i switch from making milk or straight shot. Straight shot is nice but a little weaker to my liking for milk drink.
I have used 18.5 gr on 14hq but i can see very little mark from the puck hitting the screeen. I dont know if using 20gr on 21hq ridgeless will improve the taste

I have bought a gauge to measure preinfusion pressure. But with the pre welded copper tube, i wasn't able t locate a hole big enough to run the flare nut inside the casing. Since the machine is very new i try not to drill a hole to do this.

iCarumba wrote:... i wasn't able t locate a hole big enough to run the flare nut inside the casing. Since the machine is very new i try not to drill a hole to do this.

well, this is how I did it (not the nicest, but reliable enough):


about taking off the cover:
Owner experience with Bezzera Strega
and some others experience (the bent tab):

Thanks alot for the pictures... Im really desparately need a gauge since counting seconds for preinfusion is not reliable enough for me.

Is it ok to flip the machine on the side like you did ... Did you remove the water inside the boiler before that? Because its really hard to work with the machine standing up.