Crew Review: Izzo Alex II

Izzo's recently re-engineered heat exchanger, the Alex II, now comes with something else no other kid on the heat exchange block has: A PID! This is very exciting stuff -- and we tested out the new version to see how it performs overall. Watch Gail walk through its features and make a latte.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• izzo
• alex II
• semi-automatic
• espresso machine
• review
• demonstration
• how-to
• PID
• heat exchange
• compare
• e61

[joeldamianicigan]

They need to somehow make these like the Giotto Premium Plus for those of us who have no need to plumb the machine.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@joeldamianicigan I don't think they will change their plumb option story since it was such a big part of their design and feature set -- they were the first to offer that functionality, and I doubt they will depart from it. - Kat

[joeldamianicigan]

My grandfather's family is from the Naples area which is the origin of this machine so that's another reason I was considering it. Still at the top of my list along with The Rocket. I just got word that Chris' coffee got their shipment of Izzos back in stock to allocate to preorders mostly. When will you guys be getting yours in or have you already?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@joeldamianicigan The received a container that was all spoken for in mid May. Still waiting on the next container (and pricing info) to determine if we'll carry and sell it. - Kat

[joeldamianicigan]

I don't really plan on plumbing the espresso machine anytime soon. I therefore seem to be on the fence with what machine to buy. I was originally thinking the Izzo Alex Duetto ii but now am beginning to think I don't really need the converter to reservoir feature. All I will be really using is the reservoir.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@joeldamianicigan Yeah, given that, it's a little hard to make a case for this machine since you are paying more specifically for that functionality and the performance, otherwise, is similar to other E61 Hx machines. - Kat

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Urbino237 Sure! Let me know if you have any other questions as you're researching. - Kat

[Urbino237]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Thanks Kat - I do appreciate your detailed reply. This is most helpful as I continue my research into which machine to get for home use.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Urbino237 There is a minor difference in their noise quality, but not much in our opinion. You could try a funnel -- we haven't ourselves, but may make it a bit easier to negotiate. It is nice that the Alex II does have the convertible water source functionality, which the Premium Plus doesn't. The PID on the Alex doesn't seem to be of real practical benefit with the shot quality, and it has limited range without impacting steam function. Otherwise, pretty similar functionality. - Kat

[Urbino237]

Happy (belated) Birthday Gail! Naps on the couch are my saviour.

Do you find the rotary pump on the Izzo appreciably quieter than the vibrating pump on the Rocket Giotto?

Could the water reservoir on the Izzo be refilled with a funnel, or would access be awkward?

The price for the Giotto Premium Plus & the Izzo II appear to be close. Do their features make them a 'tie' or does either one stand out for something the other does not have (for home use only, 1-2 pulls per day).

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Palshoej Ahhh - Sorry, I haven't heard of that machine, so figured you were just being sweet on your Vivaldi with a little nickname ;) - Kat

[Palshoej]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Ha Ha not the Vivaldi, the Izzo Vivi PID ;) - Henrik

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Palshoej Yeah, the Vivaldi is a great machine. We're never going metric! Why start now? ;) - Kat

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Palshoej Gail can't multi-task like that ;) I always tell her to, but she won't do it. :D - Kat

[Palshoej]

@skoredreng, I use a bottomless portafilter I brought for my old Silvia and it is no problem!

@SeattleCoffeeGear, Why do you not steam and brew at the same time? I think that it will do great for Gail's latte art ;)

[Palshoej]

Well 1/2 year ago I brought the Vivi PID, it is almost the same, except for the pluming option, and the rotary pump, but it was as far as the money went at that time! However, I totally agree with Gale, the water tank is a disaster, 1. the tiny hole, witch apart from the cleaning bit, also makes filling a nightmare!!, and 2. it could easily be 0,5 L bigger! But that said, I love my Vivi and the size is perfect for me.

Ps.: when do you move in to the 21 century and go metrical! ;) Henrik

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ultraman8899 Hi! :) - Kat

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@CrazyElectoneSteven Ha! totally :) - Kat

[ultraman8899]

Hi,

[CrazyElectoneSteven]

It's Mt. St. Helens!

[skoredreng]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Okay cool! Thanks! :)

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@skoredreng I had Jess test it @ the store -- yes, the bottomless one we carry does fit this machine. - Kat

[skoredreng]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Dont hurry or anything.. i was just courios.. Cause thats a machine i really like the looks of, and if you are able to get a bottomless portafilter, it would just look SO great :P

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@lukewarm711 It is kind of nice because it doesn't get so hot, but I do agree that it might be a little excessive, size-wise. - Kat

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@watcherjohnny I let her know so she can be sure to take you up on that ;) - Kat