Alex by Izzo - rotary pump you don't have to plumb in! - Page 2

[DaveC]

I have found a vast amount of info on 'Alex' on the european site: http://www.toomuchcoffee.com/index.php Just do a search for 'Alex".


Chris, this is a tank! 72lbs! Is this due to the boiler? Frame? Casing? Combo of all these things?
A few comments on the above site about the pressure being set at 1.5 bar from the factory, apparently b/c of better recovery in a small commercial environment and serious steaming power, but with the disadvantage of very large cooling flushes. Are you adjusting this and if so what do you recommend? How accessible is the adjustment? Seems like 1.5 bar in the home environment may be overkill.
Jay

There is a review on the Bella Barista web site (they carry reviews of all the machines they sell, check the downloads area). The review is of the MK1 Alex, but most of the basics are still correct (many of the improvements have addressed the issues raised by that review). I will be reviewing the MKII machine soon.

http://www.bellabarista.co.uk/Ale...encrypted%20v2.pdf

As for Pressure, I have mine set to about 0.8 bar, which is quite sufficient for home use. Steaming is very powerful with the Stock tip and I recommend the fitting of an Expobar single hole steam tip to the machine (which if you DONT have the no burn steam wand, is a direct fit). This works much better to micro foam small quantities of milk. You can just open the steam wand and steam....pretty much for as long as you want (in the European version the element is certainly powerful enough to keep up with demand, presumably the US one will be as well.) Pressure adjustment on my MK1 can be done through a hole in the top, which is directly above the MA-TER XP110 pressure stat adjustment screw. Even if it's not on the MK II, case removal only takes a minute.

Seem to be some worries about the machine not having a different type of pressurestat. I personally have had no problems with the MA_TERS, they have a tight deadband and are very simple and cheap to replace if they go wrong.

The Frame & Case is a hugely heavy thick high quality authentic stainless steel, this does contribute greatly to the machines overall weight.

I also read in the thread some confusion about a Vibe pump in the machine, this could be confusion with it's little sister the Vivi

Oh Alex is not male, the Alex is a she! Vivi and Alex are the daughters names of the founder/owner of Gruppo Izzo.

One important thing with the Alex MK1 and I would guess it's exactly the same on the MKII. case removal is very easy because there are a few very handily placed securing screws and then it simply lifts off some holding tabs. The machine is however, VERY heavy and you should NOT lift it by the outer case when removing from the box or carrying it around. Lift it using the bottom where the legs attach. It's unfortunate that the double skinned outer case seems to provide great handholds at either side of the machine, but with so few screws needed to hold it on and the machines weight....I don't recommend it.

I hope you guys in the US enjoy a machine I have enjoyed for a very long time now.

[dvs100]

Does this mean we will see a HB review?

[HB]

It's under consideration after the holidays. As a reminder, readers are welcome to post their suggestions to the equipment nominations thread.

[dvs100]

Great!! im sure it will do very well!

[javajay]

Can anyone comment on the possibility of using an external reservoir w/o a flojet. It seems that logically it would work since there is no line pressure from the internal reservoir.
Jay

[jesawdy]

Can anyone comment on the possibility of using an external reservoir w/o a flojet. It seems that logically it would work since there is no line pressure from the internal reservoir.
Jay

It may or may not work. I know that some Cimbali machines can do this, up to something like pulling a 10 foot water column. The Alex might rely on the head pressure of the water in the reservoir and gravity, since the water is above the rotary pump.

[jesawdy]

It may or may not work. I know that some Cimbali machines can do this, up to something like pulling a 10 foot water column. The Alex might rely on the head pressure of the water in the reservoir and gravity, since the water is above the rotary pump.

Hmm... Dan, why was I not able to edit this post?

I wanted to add that my Cimbali M32 bistro relies on mains pressure to fill it's water reservoir (it can be plumbed or used pourover, but doesn't require any switching of valves or anything like the Alex). All subsequent operations, such as brew water, boiler fill, do not require any mains pressure, it all pulls from the reservoir. A level sensor opens a solenoid that fills the water reservoir as needed.... that seems a more elegant solution than switching the plumbing, with the added expense of a level sensor and solenoid, minus a valve. I just realized that my Cimbali also has an added benefit of operating consistently, regardless of mains pressure, unlike other plumbed rotary pumps arrangments that are sensitive to incoming line pressure.

This is a nice looking machine though!

[HB]

Hmm... Dan, why was I not able to edit this post?

Sorry about that, editing / deleting is temporarily blocked for this forum in preparation for the Holiday Wish List Contest. The posting code will check for attempts to edit/delete from the "special" contest thread, but to be certain I didn't miss anything, it's also disabled for the whole Marketplace.

[Martin]

Seems like this is basically a direct-plumb machine with an occasional-use reservoir option. I would not recommend it to someone who planned on refilling the reservoir every day or oftener unless they planned on direct plumbing at some point. Looks like very limited access. Am I missing something? That said, it's a tempting machine for its sheer robustness.

Martin

[chris]

Yes you are missing the very first sentence of the very first part of this thread.

Since we introduced the Vetrano over a year ago many people have asked for an espresso machine with a nice quite rotary pump that they did not have to plumb in."

There are lot of people out there that want the benefit of a quiet rotary pump but either do not wish to plumb a machine in or cannot for one reason or another.

For example:

They live in an apartment that it would not be allowed but would like the quiet rotary plus the fact they know if they move someday where they can plumb it in they can.

Some have very nice and very expensive granite counter tops they do not want to cut holes in.

Some like the idea that they can direct plumb it at their house but can take it to their church on Sunday or to their mother's house with family on holidays.

Some times where the machine is going to be located there is no way to get a water line to it.

I would not have brought this machine in if it did not fill a niche.

[Martin]

Chris,
All of the reasons that you list (and the one that I list) are good reasons for buying the machine. The "what am I missing?" had to do with a friend who's looking for a new machine and neither of us understanding how he'd refill through that smallish hole without having some missing or splashing. Specifically, what minimum height clearance would you recommend?

Martin

[chris]

It's not different than 90% of the machines out there. If you are sliding the machine under a cabinet then you need to slide the machine out to fill it. I recommend people put felt under the rear feet that way all you do is use two fingers to pull it forward to fill, it will slide with the felt under the rear feet.

These are electrical appliances and you should be very careful when adding water. I strongly recommend you pull the water tank out, rinse it and put it back in. You should also sanitize your water tank at lease once a month, more often if you leave it on all the time. A few machines have and opening to pour water in but I do not recommend it. That is like taking a bath with a radio sitting on the edge of the tube. Not a good idea.

[iginfect]

Another reason not to plumb a machine is the well water tastes of sulfa and bottled water needs to be used.

Marvin

[miKe mcKoffee]

As far as using this machine for catering goes, I would not recommend it. You need something more powerful. My choice for 110 volt single group machine for catering is the Nuova Simonelli Appia.

My question wasn't whether you recommended the Alex for light catering. Obviously with only 1400w heater and 2L boiler it will have duty speed limitations, especially steaming.

My question was and is whether Alex is certified for commercial use.

[Martin]

It's not different than 90% of the machines out there. If you are sliding the machine under a cabinet then you need to slide the machine out to fill it. I recommend people put felt under the rear feet that way all you do is use two fingers to pull it forward to fill, it will slide with the felt under the rear feet.

These are electrical appliances and you should be very careful when adding water. I strongly recommend you pull the water tank out, rinse it and put it back in. You should also sanitize your water tank at lease once a month, more often if you leave it on all the time. A few machines have and opening to pour water in but I do not recommend it. That is like taking a bath with a radio sitting on the edge of the tube. Not a good idea.

I knew that.
Seriously, This post makes more sense than I care to think about. Lots of dribbles inside my (now departed) Tea. Felt beneath the feet never occured to me. Sanitize? There goes my impression of myself as a maintenance freak. Very humbling.

My Vivaldi II arrived, is up and running, and I'm already appreciating direct plumb. So my "advice" to my shopping friend remains: If there is "ever" a chance to direct plumb your home machine, you should have that capacity. Reservoir option is added value, especially on a machine that has so many other merits. The much quieter rotary is nice, but noise would not be my biggest consideration.

Martin (whose advice is not intended to clarify)

[DaveC]

BTW, how do you like the Alex, DaveC? I have the pro two group that I'm getting over, the novelty of using a giant Caterpillar dump truck to haul small loads around is wearing off, and I'm eventually gonna want my kitchen back, and I was thinking that the Alex was the answer to having a replacement that would live on the countertop, and remain on 24-7. Wouldja recommend it?

I was one of the first people to get an Alex, just before they were launched, I have a MK1 Alex and I love it. The MKII though has a load of improvements and should be Vetrano quiet now (the old Alex had the motor mounted directly to the frame and it made more noise).

I did a number of Independent machine reviews for a UK Coffee Machine reseller called "Bella Barista", so you can always read those if you want to see what I thought about it. There were a few things I would have liked to have seen on the old Mark 1 Alex and did tell Gruppo Izzo, so it's good to see they have incorporated many of those changes and some I hand't thought of. I believe the USA Reseller for Gruppo Izzo machines like the Alex is "Chris Coffee".

Would I recommend it...hmm always a difficult one. I like it; and out of 20 or so prosumer coffee machines I reviewed over a 6 month period, I can honestly say there wasn't one that made me regret my decision. Now you can plumb it or use it pourover...even more versatile. Another key thing about the Alex or it's little sister the Vivi is parts prices.......really really cheap, and I assume this will be the case in the USA. e.g in the UK a Heating element is £17 and a rotary pump £39....for me cheap spare parts are an important factor for any machine. If you do get one...I strongly recommend you get an Expobar single hole steam tip with it, fits perfectly and great to microfoam smaller milk quantities.

Commercial machines are a Novelty, but for the average (tiny) UK kitchen, I do'nt think they are practical, also big warmup time high amperage circuits etc.. The Alex gives you many of the benefits without some of the disadvantages...it's still heavy tho, which is nice, I think about 35+Kg or 72lbs in old money. You mentioned 24x7, unless your going to use it during the night, probably best not to, I switch mine on at 9:00 and off at 2am. Hopefully it will last longer that way.

P.S. The gruppo Izzo Machines (Alex and Vivi) had some of the neatest and best quality wiring I had ever seen in a prosumer machine, when I spoke to GI last they said they had kept the high standard of wiring (because I have not opened up a MKII model yet).

[Psyd]

You mentioned 24x7, unless your going to use it during the night, probably best not to, I switch mine on at 9:00 and off at 2am. Hopefully it will last longer that way.
P.S. The gruppo Izzo Machines (Alex and Vivi) had some of the neatest and best quality wiring I had ever seen in a prosumer machine,

There have been a few arguments about what is actually better for electromechanical components, constant on (and hot) or cycling daily. Some say that the constant on will wear faster, some say that the heat cycling, with the constant expansion/contraction as things heat and cool, are more damaging. I've never heard anyone come up with anything conclusive in that court.
OTOH, quite a few machines coming in from Europe on the 110V train retain their 220V wiring. Half the voltage at the same amperage requires twice the wire size.
Chris, have they rewired the Alex for 110V use, or have they wired the originals with adequate ampacity? And what's your take on the 24/7 on question, too?

[lparsons21]

I just ordered my Izzo Alex (version 2) and should have it next week. It fit all the niches I could imagine wanting in an espresso machine.

[lparsons21]

I received my Alex today. I have a thread "Izzo Alex is here!" on CG for those interested.

Tomorrow is 'plumb in day'!!

[Ron_L]

I just ordered one a few minutes ago!

It's your fault, Lloyd Your pictures showing all of that shiny, gleaming chrome tipped me over the edge!

Anyone in the Chicago area want a well-cared-for Millenium? I know one that will be available in a week or so.