Bezzera BZ 99

Good – I bought this machine for $1,600 around 7 years ago when the selection of espresso machines was not as great as it is today. In that time it has operated continuously and required nearly as much in maintenance and repairs (controller, valves, heating element, head filter, pump) all performed by technician home visits on four occasions, except on one occasion when it had to be taken away to the workshop for servicing.

The heavy duty professional group head takes awhile to reach optimum temperature so I end up just leaving it on 24/7, which is extravagant on electricity since a lot of heat escapes from its traditional (non-lagged) boiler, not thermo blocks. I probably should put a timer on it at the power point, but there’s no accounting for when there’s a call for a cup in this household, including tea using the hot water dispenser.

There’s no fancy automation which is no problem to the experienced barista who may prefer to have full manual control, although there are no user adjustable settings.

This machine has all the key qualities of design that are required to consistently produce cup after cup of excellent espresso coffee. I’m a little disappointed in its overall reliability but have no relative experience to say if this aspect has been any poorer than makes and models of similar capability and build. If I was to replace it with something less expensive and smaller I’d definitely check out the Breville 800 Class http://www.productreview.com.au/showitem.php?item_id=3969.

I also have the fully automated De’Longhi ESAM http://www.productreview.com.au/showitem.php?item_id=16436 at another location which has given flawless performance for 8 months now and delights everyone who has used it. Solid heavy duty professional design that extracts coffee with good crèma and temperature. Simultaneously extract the perfect espresso while frothing milk. Expensive to buy and repair, manual, not energy efficient. Plastic water tank has developed a crack, effected by heat from boiler. Noisy, heavy and relatively big.

Excellent – After using for couple of years Krupps 450 ( for masochists only).Parts are acctually cheaper then Krupps and quality no compare!Service if you need any brilliant!Bought mine as refurbished one 7 years old looks like new one works like new too and cost me just $900 from Barazzi Pty.Ltd.2/25 Boyland Ave. Coopers Plains QLD 4108 Brisbane !!Try to beat this!Did I mention 3 months warranty? That is not Barazi!Barazi in importer of these maschines.Luigi Bezzera introduced first cffee machine in 1901 in Milan Italy.Bezzera BZ99S is the most simple robust and realiable machine on the market.This is semicomercial HX ( heat exchange)machine with 6 minutes startup time.All solid brass and high steel+chrome constutcions.Amasing 2 minutes to open it up and access all parts.Serviceman and user dream!Parts no problem www.barazi.com.au.Service second to none( at least at Brisbane ).Aha , coffee is supperb milk frothing is a dream.Constant pressure and temp.Easy to clean.change seals etc.Just 2 buttons to operate ,hot water on demand and simple, simple solid as a brick machine. Drip try a bit too small, but I use a jug any way , which make a better sense for cleaning any way .

Excellent – We have had our Bezerra for 2 years now and we love it. It is expensive but worth it for the quality of coffee, ease of use and longevity- my sister has had hers for 10 years and it's still working beautifully. I would recommend this machine and the Barazi team to anyone Classic design, relatively small machine for the quality of coffee it produces, easy to operate, fantastic service from Barazi- parts arrived here 2 days after my call! Like all coffee machines you need to clean it properly and regularly otherwise you will be up for some new parts. I would also recommend annual servicing- worth it to ensure no major problems. It's very heavy (17kg)- but we love it so much we still pack it up into the car and take it along on holidays.