Nice single-group machines, but they are all about the same size - huge!

I'm convinced that the ideal home machine is a full-size group spring lever. Easy maintenance, no pumps, no noise, no solenoids; just great body and flavour. I don't really hanker for an upgrade from what I have right now - but if Kees made a 1-group PID'd Idrocompresso, I'd probably have a hard time staying away from it.

Paul wrote:I came in here to say this looks like a rebranded izzo. see: http://www.napoliimports.com/prod.../myway/pompei.aspx

on further viewing, the gr construction looks more like san marco - (can't find a pic of an exposed gr to support my assumption, I am just going from parts diagrams. Here is a pic of a modern sm leva http://www.mokatrade.com/Products...arco/85-Leva-2.htm )

Actually the Fiorenzato and the Izzo have different groups.
Izzo developed their own group for their lever machines whilst most machines use a Rossi group,
Also the joysticks for frothing are different.
As well as the casing.

Dogshot wrote:I'm convinced that the ideal home machine is a full-size group spring lever. Easy maintenance, no pumps, no noise, no solenoids; just great body and flavour. [...] if Kees [van der Westen] made a 1-group PID'd Idrocompresso, I'd probably have a hard time staying away from it.

On my visit to his workshop (see Sneak peek at the all new Speedster Mk II) I talked with Kees about such a machine. The problem with the spring-loaded lever at Idrocompresso size is the forces relative to the size/weight of the one-group machine are so high the espresso machine would need to be bolted to the surface it is on or else pulling the lever would tip over the machine.
To Kees, this means he does not explore this alternative. (yes, but ... 's, not to me please)

Regards
Peter