Hey guys, here's my contribution to this thread, hope you enjoy.

Started out a couple years ago with the Aplimont minigaggia (with 2spring mod), a vintage hand grinder and a graef toy (long sold)


Did not take long before there was a commercials grinder and prosumer pump machine

The carimali alpha which got rebuild to this:

Together with a large >75mm flatburr commercial grinder, the kitchen already got to small.

It became especially small when I picked up this big boy, because the vibe pump wasn't really satisfying.

This thing caused me to hook up a water line and resin filter in the living room. Also got a 220v 16amp group dedicated to just the coffeecorner.
And the sharp eye can see that I also refitted the doser to my grinder as I finally learned to love a doser.

But as a two group commercial machine of mediocre quality wasn't worth the use of all that electricity.
Also I still loved using the mini gaggia from time to time, for that classic lever taste.

So I got rid of the 2group machine when I found this, my current machine.

I call my machine the Strega's bastard brother, its a 1 group commercial HX lever machine from Bezzera preduced in the +mid 90's.

And here's a complete picture of my coffeecorner and "cupboard"

Nice pics and great to see how your coffee corner has progressed over the years. I really like that Bezzera and if I would have to choose a machine only on looks I'd probably get that one or the Faema Lambro. I know the shots from the Lambro are great, but how is the Bezzera? Not many of those around, but would buy immediately if I could just find one. Really nice looking machine and seems to be the perfect size. How is the coffee from the Femoka? I've always been intrigued by those, but have not read anything about what the coffee is like. Would assume it reminds of moka, am I right?

Beaniac, nice journey in your evolution of coffee

Coffee is indeed a vitamin, and thanks for sharing the photos.

kenuko wrote:Nice pics and great to see how your coffee corner has progressed over the years. I really like that Bezzera and if I would have to choose a machine only on looks I'd probably get that one or the Faema Lambro. I know the shots from the Lambro are great, but how is the Bezzera? Not many of those around, but would buy immediately if I could just find one. Really nice looking machine and seems to be the perfect size. How is the coffee from the Femoka? I've always been intrigued by those, but have not read anything about what the coffee is like. Would assume it reminds of moka, am I right?

I bought the femoka 2 weeks ago at a flea market (for €15). It heats up and builds up pressure but my best guess is that the dipper tube from boiler to group is clogged. So I haven't got around to try it.
The femoka is complete, except for the driptray cover and all the rubbers are in exceptionally good shape. It must be one of the latest types, as suggested by the use of a modern writing style of the letter "e" on the type-badge.
Based on how the machine operates, the coffee will probably be comparable with a mokapot/ percolator.

As to how my machine compares to a Lambro, I used both all be it with different grinders.
The Lambro has a hole in it's HX making it a thermosyphon dipper. This gives you a lot less temp control, where my bezzera can easily be surfed to manipulate brew temp.
Also bezzera is known for there rather high starting pressure, so it is possible to grind really fine, still dose 14gr and get a traditional comfort shot without losing to much body. Where the Lambro shines in making shots with a buttery mouthfeel the bezzera shots are generally less thick.

The lambro is by far more pleasing in its looks, but I like the sixties/seventies in general if it comes to design. I find the built quality of my bezzera very good if compared with prosumer machines of roughly the same size, but I have to see if it will still be rocking in 30+ years like some Lambro's are doing.

Beaniac wrote: The lambro is by far more pleasing in its looks, but I like the sixties/seventies in general if it comes to design. I find the built quality of my bezzera very good if compared with prosumer machines of roughly the same size, but I have to see if it will still be rocking in 30+ years like some Lambro's are doing.

I also like the simple and functional design of the 60s and 70s. I have the Ater Family myself and love the look these small club machines. My dream machine would be a similar one what comes to looks, but with a commercial group, small footprint, and built like a tank. The Bezzera you have sounds like that machine. Really nice.

Funny I was at the point of ordering a red PV lusso 2group in italy when this machine came up on our version of craigslist. For €200 less then a new lusso 2!

Being used to commercial quality and reading the recent stories about CQ issues around Ponte vecchio makes me feel like I made the right call.

I also stocked up on some groupseals and pistonrings for the Bezzera. And the group spring and heating element got changed by the previous owner.
If it ever comes to a rebuilt, it is still going red though!

Hey guys,
Long time lurker, thought id share pictures of my baby. BFC Classica.

As of today on my kitchen counter, for now, to manually pressure profile or programmed profile the shot!

Compass Coffee wrote:As of today on my kitchen counter, for now, to manually pressure profile or programmed profile the shot!
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That's quiet the toy collection.

In his case, it's tools for the craft. A collection it is indeed!