Atomic Coffee Machine - Fakes and Replica’s + how to spot them

[@oldxebeche]

The phenomenon of trickling water is well known with Bialetti Moka types. There it's not a matter of design or amount of water but sealing! Somewhere, and it can be hard to spot, pressure escapes.

[@RyanBuchmann]

Do you recommend the use of distilled vinegar in the Atomic to remove lime scale?

[@rarknivesandleatherwork8045]

It's interesting that respected companies like Bellman and Brewtool were happily selling the fake in the UK at around £299 - 350. I was fooled and picked up and even closer replica, without the incorrect safety release valve and with a steam tip more like an original. I bought better baskets from Australia and a spare set of seals. To be fair, it makes good coffee, although, like yours, it needs more water than an original. I paid a lot less for it, so I don't feel too bad and I can keep my eyes open for an original. Thanks for the informative video.

[@antitrollusk]

Hi, have sent you a question on a machine to your Hotmail account. Also would be great to have a systematic video about how to spot fake Atomics - all online resources seem to be dead.

[@LackadaisicalLiar]

What's your opinion of the Bellman Atomics? I've found practically no discussion or review of them, and I wonder how they compare to original models

[@scottitonline]

Thanks for your comment and question. Here is my take.... There was a period of several years when the factory in Italy stopped producing original Atomics. At that time, a cheap and nasty fake was produced in India and what is now known as the Bellman also came into being.Originally the Bellman has an Atomic badge but they got into a Copyright dispute with the owners of the original brand and changed the label to Bellman. Ok...so that is the history. Do I love the Mercedesc300SL gullwing? Yes. Do I think somebody should be able to copy the iconic shape and build a replica? No...and neither did Mercedes and the replica was ordered to be crushed. I kind of feel the same way about the Bellman. It is basically a replica of the iconic Atomic BUT the difference is,that the original Atomic is still made in small quantities. The distributors of the Original Atomic (Bon Trading in Sydney) are very unhappy that there is a replica floating around and I can see why. The replica is not true to the original in that it uses a different material for the internal tube that runs through the machine. It also use philips screws where there should be slotted. I have used one and it works OK BUT I wouldn't buy one personally....any more than I would drive around in a replica classic car. Owning an original just feels better to me. Mike

[@gavinmews7841]

Where to find or order ?

[@ferartdesign5634]

Hi. Can you tell me if spare parts are still being made for atomic machines. Some of the key parts are no longer available from Bon Trading and they are not answering the phone. If I can’t find needle valves and steam arms I will have to fabricate them myself.

[@scottitonline]

Hi - sorry to hear you cant get through to Bon Trading on the phone. YOu should be able to get the parts you need from their website: www.atomiccoffeemachines.com.au/atomic-coffee-maker-parts/ What country do you live in? Mike in England

[@ferartdesign5634]

@@scottitonline Thanks I am in Australia and phoned Bon Trading direct, got their answering service but no response back. Some of the crucial parts on their web site are shown as "out of stock". There is also a supplier in New Zealand but they are also out of stock of the same range of things. The Sorrento company have a few spares but also showing out of stock on steam arms etc.

[@jrYoutube1]

@@ferartdesign5634 disturbing news as they should be trying to get direct supplies from italy as Sydney are the distributors here. I just bought mine brand new today of a fellow that never used it ( unused) , so I haven’t yet faced difficulties. What happened to your pin?

[@ferartdesign5634]

I found a supplier in Taiwan. Obviously the parts are replicas but the quality and appearance is very good. My second machine is now up am running like the original. I think this whole renovating old Atomics could become my new hobby / obsession 😅

[@jrYoutube1]

@@ferartdesign5634 😂 quite a collection you have indeed

[@Rubenalejandrox]

Can you help me with an Atomic coffe maker! Dont know if its original and how does it work! Where can I send you photo!?

[@scottitonline]

Hello - You can send a photo to [e-mail]. Let me know when you have sent it as I don't check that email address unless I'm expecting something.

[@davidfreeburn8592]

Looks like a la sorrentina from taiwan but someone has changed the label

[@scottitonline]

Yep - I reckon you are right. Originally, these replica's actually had an Atomic label but the real importers of genuine Atomics complained and they subsequently changed their badge to the Bellman branding. There is another type of fake circulating aswel. Mike

[@jrYoutube1]

That fake it doesn’t say MADE IN ITALY underneath as a stamp, the letters of CAPPUCCINO are very large(should be upper case but smaller and not spread out end to end, should say made in italy on the sticker(mine also says the Australian company distributor who have the rights to sell in Australia on behalf of ATOMIC), flat head not Philip screws. Good video, thanks

[@scottitonline]

Thanks for your comment. Only later Bon Trading branded Atomics had 'Made in Italy' stamped on the bottom.....presumably to differentiate them from the fakes. It is also worth noting that there are 100's of variations of the label - some of them atre shown here: www.atomiccoffeemachine.com/badges1.htm Someone actually wrote a boom dedicated to the labels! Mike

[@jrYoutube1]

@@scottitonline ones enough for my collection, but after watching your video on the Atomic VS THE LITTLE GUY I purchased a used one of fb market place with a little guy induction plate for 450$ Australian dollars. Not a bad score. I think I’ll leave it as that. One of each

[@syncrosimon]

Use my Made in England Atomic at least twice a day, sometimes thrice😋😋 another useful video on these machines.

[@scottitonline]

Thanks for your comment - did you know that there are 4 different versions of the UK Sassoon? Red, blue and yellow steam knob and the non steam knob version. Mike

[@syncrosimon]

@@scottitonline I have the red steam knob version. I use 20g of coffee to make 2 large lattes. (2/3 full) or completely full for three large lattes.

[@daviddoyle9310]

Interesting