BEZZERA Strega AL R Lever Espresso machine

At a glance

• Hand levers
• Solid water
• Machine runs purely mechanically without a pump
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• Modern technology combined with the traditional lever system
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• electric heating

Suitable for

Bezzera Strega with fixed water connection without pump. The archetype of the espresso machine with a hand lever, the machine works only with the tap pressure of the fixed water connection and is therefore practically silent. Pulling down the lever pre-tensions a spring in the brewing group and opens the valve for the hot water. When the lever is released, the spring builds up the necessary pressure. Operating a manual lever requires some strength and experience, and it should also be noted that without counterpressure from a filled portafilter, the lever can strike upwards quickly and with a lot of force. Once you have familiarised yourself with the peculiarities of the machine, this traditional technique of espresso preparation delights with very round results, especially the dark roasts from the south of Italy take on an incomparable character.

In everyday life

First the work, then the pleasure. Operating a hand-held heblers turns espresso enjoyment into a craft. Small mistakes in preparing the portafilter are punished immediately; due to the (design-related) lack of a release valve, a too fine grind means a waiting time of several minutes, because the pressure of the spring must be completely released before the portafilter can be loosened. The three most important rules for the safe operation of a hand heblers are:

1. Do not pull the lever without the portafilter clamped and filled
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2. Always keep your hand on the lever for the first few seconds of the draw
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3. If the portafilter does not move easily, there is still pressure on the brew group
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The silence when drawing and the espresso result compensate for all the effort. The pressure curve of a hand-held heblers is highest at the beginning, when the best flavours can be released. At the end, when the flavours become rather unpleasant, the pressure has already been reduced. Perfect. The successful espresso from a hand-held coffee maker can hardly be surpassed, experienced baristas agree.

Details we particularly like:

• practically silent
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• Very good espresso result, especially with dark coffees with chocolate notes
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• Heated brew group reduces heating time
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In action