Izzo Alex-2 User manual

Made In Italy

Owner’s Manual

Alex Espresso Machine

Diagrams ...................................................................................................................................................................2

Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................................3

First Time Set Up – Reservoir Mode .......................................................................................................................3

First Time Set Up – Plumbed In Mode ....................................................................................................................5

Before Each Use .......................................................................................................................................................6

Normal Operation .....................................................................................................................................................7

Reservoir ....................................................................................................................................................................7

Audible Alert ...............................................................................................................................................................7

Pressure Gauges ........................................................................................................................................................8

Pump ..........................................................................................................................................................................8

Switches .....................................................................................................................................................................8

Drain Kit ......................................................................................................................................................................9

PID Controller ......................................................................................................................................................... 10

Setting Temperature ................................................................................................................................................ 10

Advanced Settings And Modes ............................................................................................................................... 10

Brewing Espresso ................................................................................................................................................. 11

Quantity of Ground Coffee ....................................................................................................................................... 11

Tamping ................................................................................................................................................................... 11

The Grind ................................................................................................................................................................. 11

Consistency ............................................................................................................................................................. 11

Cooling Flushes ....................................................................................................................................................... 11

Cleaning Tip ............................................................................................................................................................. 11

Steaming Milk – Basics ......................................................................................................................................... 12

Milk........................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Milk Temperature ..................................................................................................................................................... 12

Frothing Pitcher ....................................................................................................................................................... 12

Amount of Milk ......................................................................................................................................................... 12

Stretching the milk ................................................................................................................................................... 12

Texturizing the milk .................................................................................................................................................. 12

Steaming Milk - Technique ...................................................................................................................................... 13

Helpful Tips and Information .................................................................................................................................... 14

Hot Water Wand Operation ................................................................................................................................... 14

Regular Maintenance............................................................................................................................................. 15

Backflushing ............................................................................................................................................................ 15

Plain water backflushing .......................................................................................................................................... 15

Backflushing with espresso machine cleaner .......................................................................................................... 15

Removing The Outer Shell ...................................................................................................................................... 16

Setting Pump (Brew) Pressure ................................................................................................................................ 16

Group Gasket And Shower Screen Replacement ................................................................................................... 17

Gasket and Screen Removal ................................................................................................................................... 17

Cleaning The Group ................................................................................................................................................ 18

Gasket And Screen Installation ............................................................................................................................... 18

Descaling ................................................................................................................................................................. 20

Troubleshooting .................................................................................................................................................... 20

No Steam From Steam Wand ................................................................................................................................. 20

No Water From Hot Water Wand ............................................................................................................................ 21

Not Heating .............................................................................................................................................................. 21

PID Display Is Turned Off ........................................................................................................................................ 22

Steam Is Continually Discharged Into The Drip Tray .............................................................................................. 22

Steam Gauge Shows Full Pressure But Drops To Zero When Steam Knob Is Opened ........................................ 22

Espresso Coming Out Too Slow Or Not At All ........................................................................................................ 23

Espresso Coming Out Too Fast .............................................................................................................................. 23

Leaking Around Portafilter When Brewing .............................................................................................................. 23

PID Alarm Codes ..................................................................................................................................................... 23

Warranty ................................................................................................................................................................. 24

We Are Here To Help ............................................................................................................................................. 24

Alex Espresso Machine

Diagrams

1. Hot Water Knob

2. Steam Pressure Gauge

3. Cup Warming Tray

4. PID Controller

5. Steam Knob

6. Pump Pressure Gauge

7. E61 Group Head

8. Hot Water Wand

9. Portafilter

10. Drip Tray

11. Drip Tray Cover

12. Steam Wand

13. E61 Brew Lever

14. Single Portafilter

15. Double Portafilter

16. Backflush Disc

17. John Guest Fitting

18. Braided Water Line

19. Drain Hose

Alex Espresso Machine

Introduction

First of all, thank you for your business! You are going to love your new Alex espresso

machine. It combines classic beauty, value, and great performance for making the best

espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes you‟ve ever tasted! These instructions include tips that

will help bring out the Barista that‟s hidden within! Enjoy your new machine!

First Time Set Up – Reservoir Mode

 Remove the machine from the box and screw the legs into the threaded inserts on the

base of the machine.

 Before filling the reservoir with water, test your water for hardness using the provided

test strips.

 Fill a glass with cold tap water; dip the tip of the test strip into the water for one second,

then pull the strip out of the water and hold it horizontally for fifteen seconds. After

fifteen seconds, compare the color of the strip to the chart on the side of the package to

determine how many grains of hardness are in your tap water. Three grains or less of

hardness is acceptable.

Note: Should your water‟s hardness level exceed three grains, then it is strongly

recommended that a softener or a different source of soft water be used. If you are

using bottled water then it should also be tested prior to use as some bottled water can

also be very hard. A Brita or Pur style filter should only be used if the water is already

soft as they DO NOT remove any hardness from the water. Using soft water will prolong

the life of your machine and help prevent costly repairs.

 Remove the water reservoir and rinse thoroughly before use. The reservoir can be

washed with mild dish detergent. It should NOT be cleaned in a dishwasher.

 Fill the reservoir with cold softened water being careful not to over fill it or it can splash

out and get the electronics wet.

 Return the reservoir to the machine and be sure to put the silicone line back into the

reservoir.

 Note: Older style machines will have an additional shorter silicone water line going into

the reservoir. It may have slits cut into it which is normal and no cause for concern. On

heat up there will be a small amount of steam and water discharged into the reservoir

which is normal.

Alex Espresso Machine

First Time Set Up – Reservoir Mode – Continued

 Pull the drip tray out to expose the 2 switches shown in the picture below. Make sure

the lever on the right is in the RESERVOIR position and the Alarm switch is also ON.

 Before plugging the machine in, verify the steam and hot water knobs are closed and

the brew lever should be pointing straight down.

 Plug the machine into a 3 prong 120V grounded outlet. A resettable GFCI outlet is

strongly recommended, but is not necessary.

 Turn the power switch to the on position. The pump will come on to start filling the

boiler. Whenever the boiler fills the PID display will turn off to protect the heating

element. After the pump has turned off then raise the brew lever until you have water

coming out of the group head and then lower the lever.

 After filling the boiler then remove the reservoir to refill with water and return it to the

machine. An audible alert will sound and the PID display will turn off whenever the water

level in the reservoir gets low to indicate it needs to be refilled.

 Place whichever portafilter you intend to use into the grouphead so that it will heat up

with the machine. It is also recommended that you keep your cups on the top cup

warming tray to keep them warm. When making espresso if the portafilter or cups are

not hot then it will cool down the shot and make it taste sour.

 The machine should reach temperature in approximately 15 minutes, but to make

delicious espresso with thick rich crema it is necessary to allow the machine to be

heated for 30-45 minutes with the portafilter kept in the grouphead.

 Note: During heat up a small amount of water and steam will be discharged into the drip

tray which is normal and no cause for concern.

Alex Espresso Machine

First Time Set Up – Plumbed In Mode

 Before hooking the machine up to a water line test your water for hardness using the

provided test strips. If your water is above 3 grains of hardness then a softening system

should be installed to prolong the life of the machine. Even if your water is soft it is still

recommended to have either a sediment or carbon filter installed to protect your

machine from any sediment or debris that can be found in the water.

 The machine comes with a braided water line that connects to a fitting on the bottom of

the machine. Connect the elbow end of the braided water line to the bottom of the

machine.

 The other end of the braided water line should come equipped with a 3/8” John Guest

quick connect fitting. A 1/4” fitting can be substituted at the time of the order. If you are

not going to use the John Guest fitting then you will need a 3/8” Male BSPP fitting to

connect to the braided water line.

 Connect the braided water line to your water source. If you have a filter or softener

system installed then purge a few gallons of water into the sink to prevent any carbon

dust or softening resin from getting inside of the machine. Once the filters have been

purged then connect the water line to the machine, turn on the water supply, and check

for leaks.

 Pull the drip tray out to expose the 2 switches shown below. Make sure the lever is in

the “MAIN WATER” position and the alarm switch is OFF.

 Before plugging the machine in, verify the steam and hot water knobs are closed and

the brew lever should be pointing straight down.

 Plug the machine into a 3 prong 120V grounded outlet. A resettable GFCI outlet is

strongly recommended, but is not necessary.

 Turn the power switch to the on position. The pump will come on to start filling the

boiler. After the pump has turned off then raise the brew lever until you have water

coming out of the group head and then lower the lever.

Alex Espresso Machine

First Time Set Up - Plumbed In Mode – Continued

 Whenever the pump comes on to refill the boiler the PID display will turn off to protect

the heater during the fill process.