Bezzera Strega Lever machine 2 Year Review

Koffee_Kosmo

My- how the time flies The Bezzera Strega has now been in use for 3+ years Still makes daily coffee Still on its original group head seal ( because I regularly pull it out to clean it ) Still looking like a model in her prime Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

Lwowiak

on 1372201012:

To clean the lower head area e.g. Screen and seal, they come out together Just use a spoon as a lever and pry the screen down from a tiny lip on the lower portion of the screen It brings the seal down with it Next time I do It I will take photos KK

Hi KK, When you have some time, can you please post some photos of your cleaning regime. I am sure many will be very interested. Thanks L.

Kevohere

on 1400734276:

Still looking like a model in her prime Also thank you Derrilex for the beautiful one of a kind handles

3 Years, still looks brand spankin' and those handles..... :thumb: maybe I need to contact Derrilex to get a set for my Witch! Is the lever handle matching? It's almost my Strega's 1st birthday, so perhaps a "bling" tweak is due.  :coffee2:

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1400738756:

Hi KK, When you have some time, can you please post some photos of your cleaning regime. I am sure many will be very interested. Thanks L.

I will get right in it and plan one post per task

on 1400800214:

3 Years, still looks brand spankin' and those handles..... :thumb: maybe I need to contact Derrilex to get a set for my Witch! Is the lever handle matching? It's almost my Strega's 1st birthday, so perhaps a "bling" tweak is due.  :coffee2:

I had made 2 sets of PF handles, Lever Pull handles and toggle knobs, as we were experimenting with colour and shape ( willing to sell the spare set if you are interested ) And they look even better in real life KK

Kevohere

on 1400802523:

( willing to sell the spare set if you are interested )

Very. PM sent your way.

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1400738756:

Hi KK, When you have some time, can you please post some photos of your cleaning regime. I am sure many will be very interested. Thanks L.

From the time the Strega came home to live with us, it has been lovingly looked after First thing I did was to apply a protective polish on the stainless steel finish This application of polish not only keeps it shiny but also protects the metal surface from milk, coffee and water stains I personally use a polish product called Glare Ultra 2000 Advance and has Glass Plexin in it Depending on the Polish one uses ? An application will last from a couple of years to 7 years in the one I use Attachment not found.Attachment not found.Attachment not found.

lukemc

How often do you guys remove the piston etc from the group and re lube it?

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1407211401:

How often do you guys remove the piston etc from the group and re lube it?

Believe it or not - I have never done it on the Strega I do however clean the brew head area under the screen regularly KK

lukemc

on 1407214215:

Believe it or not - I have never done it on the Strega I do however clean the brew head area under the screen regularly KK

I'm the same KK. I was getting worried I should have by now, I think I read on one of the US forums someone suggesting monthly but I think I'll wait and if it gets squeaky then I'll look at it.

Lacehim

If it's not broke don't go looking for things to fix IMO.  They should see years of service before needing changed.

borat123

on 1400734276:

Still on its original group head seal

Geez KK, that's a good effort. On the Urania I change mine out every 2 or 3 months, and lube the piston about every 3-4 months.  Mine is also used for daily coffees at home but stays on 24/7 unless the house is empty or it needs some maintenance... I last bought a bag of 20 from a catering supply place in Ireland for about 29 cents each!

Koffee_Kosmo

Next in the series of maintaining your Bezzera Strega Lever and other lever machines in general Lever machines don't require chemical back flushing but benefit from daily hot water flushes or a cleansing flush after making coffee My general routine is to remove the shower screen and seal assembly to clean it thoroughly On the Strega it's fairly easy using a thin spoon or one can also use a screwdriver carefully The screen and seal come out in one piece [attachimg=1]  [attachimg=2] Separate and wash thoroughly [attachimg=3]  [attachimg=4]

Koffee_Kosmo

Wipe inside the water dispersion area to remove oils and grinds prior to replacing the screen and seal [attachimg=3] Do the same cleaning procedures for the group handle and basket [attachimg=1] Add a little lube on the seal and replace I have found that the easiest way to replace, is to place the water screen and seal onto the group handle and lock it in just like one normally makes coffee [attachimg=2]

derrilex

Wow KK, look at that handle !  :D

Trooper

Where did you purchase the Glare Ultra 2000 Advance from KK

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1407833649:

Where did you purchase the Glare Ultra 2000 Advance from KK

I got it online but it's expensive It's a paint protection system that lasts 7 years Originally purchased to give the family cars a paint service The same polish system was used on my handles as we'll and they also look great I am running low on it now but If you need a little amount of polish you can have some

on 1407830490:

Wow KK, look at that handle !  :D

Still Beautiful after a couple of years

Brett H

Sure the handle is quite nice but mine's better :P

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1407840803:

Sure the handle is quite nice but mine's better  :P

Your handle and all the handles that Derrilex has made were polished with the Glassplexin polish I gifted him  :stir KK

Brett H

It looks just as good as the day I picked it up!  Superb product and a superb craftsman!!

derrilex

on 1407878001:

It looks just as good as the day I picked it up!  Superb product and a superb craftsman!!

Too kind Brett.