Bezzera Magica w/ PID Espresso Machine Overview

An overview of the features of the Bezzera Magica with PID and a demonstration of three drinks. A double shot of espresso, a cafe latte and an americano.

[@BensCoffeeRants]

Nice explanation of the PID. I like the joystick style knobs. So much quicker and easier than unnecessarily rotating a knob to start and stop steaming.

[@Mega7607]

With it being HX I heard that after 3-4 cups I would have to wait for a minute due to not being dual boiler? Is that correct? For instance sometimes I have several friends over at a time? So could I make 10 cups back to back?

[@nataniel517]

Is there any difference beeywen the Magica PID from 2017 ?

[@dobrescubogdan5740]

Hi, which is the difference between BZ Magica PID and Lelit Mara X V2 ? As far i understood, Lelit confirm that a big issue with overheating temperature was solved due the double PID priority on espresso or steaming . Is that true ? Is that a Lelit performance VS. other HX machines like Profitec 400/500 , ECM Classica, BZ Unica, BZ Magica or Rolet Apartamento ?

[@loukastheodoulou8661]

Hey there, I got confused regarding the MAGICA with PID, is it the same with Mitica TOP with PID?

[@bradlywilliams5570]

Could this support a small coffee trailer/shop? I’m actually looking at buying two of these with expectations of 150 customers per day average.

[@iDrinkCoffeeCanada]

Hi, we do not recommend this machine for commercial use. 75 cups per machine if you have two far exceeds what I would recommend for a machine like this. For 150 cups I would suggest a compact two group commercial machine.

[@GHOLT81]

Hi-thanks for the review-does this beat the Profitec 400?

[@jonnytran4429]

Is it a recommended to add an after-market Lelit flow control kit to the Magica's E61 grouphead? Would that cause any temperature stability problem as the water flows through the heat-exchanger?

[@iDrinkCoffeeCanada]

No, we have added flow controls to a variety of e61 machines without any problems.

[@Tech-fh7fc]

Good video. Thanks. How does it compare against Lelit Elizabeth?

[@iDrinkCoffeeCanada]

Hi, I've never personally used the Elizabeth, but the Magica has an e61 grouphead and heat exchanger boiler. From what I know the Elizabeth has two seperate small boilers.

[@carly7474]

What is the recomended output please? How many coffees can this machine make per day? Just windering if it would be suitable for a small coffee shop

[@iDrinkCoffeeCanada]

Hi, this machine is not rated for commercial use so I do not recommend it for a coffee shop. If you need a machine for a small coffee shop there are some inexpensive single group machines from brands like Futurete. These will have a larger boiler and also a rotary pump which is more robust and suitable for commercial use.

[@MongooseReflexes]

Great review! Have you heard anything about Bezzera updating the Magica PID? Just wondering with the upcoming Aria PID.

[@iDrinkCoffeeCanada]

Hi, I haven't heard anything about an update to the Magica. The Aria is a different machine, it has a smaller footprint and boiler (1.5l) and a different aesthetic than the Magica.

[@MongooseReflexes]

@@iDrinkCoffeeCanada I know it's different, I was just hoping they would be updating their line with some of the new tech & features from the Aria.

[@iDrinkCoffeeCanada]

@@MongooseReflexes Hi, the insides of the machines are quite similar. Both the Magica and Aria are heat exchanger machines controlled by a PID. The Aria has a rotary pump which the Magica does not but this is available on the Mitica which is very similar to the Magica.

[@javajohnsroasting]

Would this be a good choice for a small coffee trailer?

[@iDrinkCoffeeCanada]

I would recommend a machine with a rotary pump for even a small commercial application. We carry the Mitica top which is like the Magica but it has a rotary pump and can be plumbed in. For more than 25-30 cups a day I would recommend getting a full sized single group commercial machine like Rocket Boxer or Simonelli Appia

[@avnergassner2595]

Is it normal that i received my bezzera magica PID with 12 pompa pressure using with the blind filter?

[@MsRadetsma]

Yes. Bezzera prefers high pressure with a vibration pump.

[@luatle3077]

Does it use Rotary bump or Vibration bump?

[@MsRadetsma]

It's a vibration pump

[@RossenBial]

Is it possible to pre-wet the puck? Other similar heat exchangers allow dripping of brew water as their lever is lifted somewhere half way up. I understand that with vibratory pump you can’t do pre infusion, but is still nice to know if you have that option?

[@iDrinkCoffeeCanada]

Hi, without line pressure there isn't any water in the middle position. The water that does come out is the same amount that you would get if you were to put the lever all the way up. I recommend just lifting the lever all the way. This is not a limitation of a vibration pump vs the rotary but the design of the e61 group head

[@RossenBial]

iDrinkCoffeeCanada Thank you so much for the data! Really appreciate it. I’m watching a lot of vids these days on hx machines and flow control🤗 Yeah it’s either flow control or line pressure for some true pre infusion, however video demonstration on Lelit Mara did show some water trickling as the lever was half way up. They’d call it pre-wetting, Thanks again for your input as Magica is one of the machines I am considering🙂

[@BensCoffeeRants]

@@RossenBial yeah some machines do that. Kinda pre wetting possibly an unintentional 'feature' that would be cool to play with. My rocket giotto v doesn't do it. :(

[@RossenBial]

@@BensCoffeeRants I got over the flow control. What I do is just quickly apply the pressure with the lever/button and then disengage for about 5-7 seconds. The pressure achieved at the group is enough for pré infusion. Then I fully apply the lever again to extract the espresso.👍🏻😎

[@BensCoffeeRants]

@@RossenBial Yeah that could work, I think the only downside is if you let it go too long it is applying some pressure on the coffee, I haven't tried experimenting with that too much yet, but I'm planning on it. The good thing about the E61 design is you can do that since the lever half way stops the water flow but doesn't activate the suction which would potentially disrupt the puck.

[@paulpampena351]

Hi Slawek, I have this exact machine and I find that my espresso shots have been coming out a bit bitter. I have the temperature setting on the PID at 96 is that too hot? I also use the Breville grinder with digital display and have the grind setting to 15, is that too coarse?

[@MsRadetsma]

It can be adjusted between 80 and 100 so you are within the limits but on the high end. As to grind settings check needed time to get the right volume and adjust to match.

[@BensCoffeeRants]

96c if it's the actual 'estimated' brew temperature is a bit hot, you want coffee generally to be brewed between 195-205f and 93-94c is a good starting point around 200f. On my machine it gives the boiler temperature which is 120c so not as convenient since I have to check the guide which says 120c in the boiler should be about 201f where it's actually brewing the coffee. I believe there are a number of Breville grinders also each one is likely calibrated differently. You generally want to brew your espresso shot within about 30 seconds. So if it's too fast grind finer, too slow grind coarser. Most people will use 16-18g coffee and end up with 32-40g of espresso espresso liquid in their cup about a 1:2 ratio, which is technically a restretto. Use a fast reacting scale to measure weight for accurate results rather than relying on how much appears in the cup.

[@Batuhan1988]

You need to find your own grind settings. If it’s bitter for you, you are probably over-extracting. Make your grind 1 click course and try again. I use 16.5 grams and stop extracting at 40g espresso. This also varies between different beans. You need to tune each bean for your taste. I don’t have this espresso machine but these are apply to all machines.

[@daisy180709]

Does the PID also double as a shot timer ??

[@MsRadetsma]

No. It just displays the temp.

[@daisy180709]

@@MsRadetsma Its ok i bought an ECM Synchronika, thanks anyway

[@jbosch3362]

Hi Slawek. Im at the point of buying a new coffee machine. I like the classical look of Bezzera. Doubting between the Bezzera Magica S MN and the Rocket Appartemento Serie Nera White. Which one is more handy and qualitywise better. Thanks in advance . Best regards

[@iDrinkCoffeeCanada]

Hi, Both are high quality machines from well known and respected manufacturers. Bezzera is the oldest espresso machine manufacturer in the world, they were founded in 1901 and have nearly 120 years of experience. Rocket is also very well established and known for their beautiful machines and great reliability. You would be well served with either machine.

[@BensCoffeeRants]

Did you get one? I think this one with pid and joystick knobs has more features but if you're looking to control temps (quickly but inacurately) with cooling flushes the apartamento may be better for that.

[@BensCoffeeRants]

So does the PID really negate the need to do the cooling flush?

[@MsRadetsma]

Sort of. I don't need to do a cooling flush. And if I do, I see no boiling water or steam.

[@BensCoffeeRants]

@@MsRadetsma Thanks, same experience with my new machine, another e61 hx with pid. Interesting since many claim you still need a cooling flush with any heat exchangers (in theory).