Izzo Alex Duetto 3.0 User manual

Made In Italy
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Owner’s Manual

Alex Duetto 3.0 Espresso Machine
1
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
Lights ..........................................................................................................................................................................8
Switches .....................................................................................................................................................................9
Drain Kit......................................................................................................................................................................9
PID Controller......................................................................................................................................................... 10
Setting Temperature................................................................................................................................................ 10
Advanced Settings And Modes ............................................................................................................................... 11
Brewing Espresso ................................................................................................................................................. 12
Quantity of ground coffee ........................................................................................................................................ 12
Tamping................................................................................................................................................................... 12
The grind.................................................................................................................................................................. 12
Consistency ............................................................................................................................................................. 12
Cleaning Tip............................................................................................................................................................. 12
Steaming Milk –Basics......................................................................................................................................... 13
Milk........................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Milk Temperature..................................................................................................................................................... 13
Frothing Pitcher ....................................................................................................................................................... 13
Amount of Milk......................................................................................................................................................... 13
Stretching the milk................................................................................................................................................... 13
Texturizing the milk.................................................................................................................................................. 13
Steaming Milk - Technique...................................................................................................................................... 14
Helpful Tips and Information.................................................................................................................................... 15
Hot Water Wand Operation................................................................................................................................... 15
Regular Maintenance............................................................................................................................................. 16
Backflushing ............................................................................................................................................................ 16
Plain water backflushing.......................................................................................................................................... 16
Backflushing with espresso machine cleaner.......................................................................................................... 16
Removing The Outer Shell ...................................................................................................................................... 17
Setting Pump (Brew) Pressure................................................................................................................................ 17
Group Gasket And Shower Screen Replacement................................................................................................... 18
Gasket and Screen Removal................................................................................................................................... 18
Cleaning The Group ................................................................................................................................................ 19
Gasket And Screen Installation ............................................................................................................................... 19
Descaling................................................................................................................................................................. 21
Troubleshooting .................................................................................................................................................... 21
No Steam From Steam Wand ................................................................................................................................. 21
No Water From Hot Water Wand ............................................................................................................................ 22
Not Heating.............................................................................................................................................................. 22
PID Display Is Turned Off........................................................................................................................................ 23
Steam Is Continually Discharged Into The Drip Tray .............................................................................................. 23
Steam Gauge Shows Full Pressure But Drops To Zero When Steam Knob Is Opened ........................................ 23
Espresso Coming Out Too Slow Or Not At All ........................................................................................................ 24
Espresso Coming Out Too Fast.............................................................................................................................. 24
Leaking Around Portafilter When Brewing .............................................................................................................. 24
PID Alarm Codes..................................................................................................................................................... 24
Warranty ................................................................................................................................................................. 25
We Are Here To Help............................................................................................................................................. 25

Alex Duetto 3.0 Espresso Machine
2
Diagrams
1. Steam Pressure Gauge
2. Steam Knob
3. Steam Wand
4. Pump Pressure Gauge
5. E61 Group Head
6. Drip Tray
7. Drip Tray Cover
8. Brew Lever
9. Hot Water Wand
10. Coffee Boiler Heating Light
11. Steam Boiler Heating Light
12. Hot Water Knob
13. PID Controller
14. Cup Warming Tray
15. Single Portafilter
16. Double Portafilter
17. Backflush Disc
18. John Guest Fitting
19. Braided Water Line
20. Drain Tube

Alex Duetto 3.0 Espresso Machine
3
Introduction
First of all, thank you for your business! You are going to love your new Alex Duetto 3.0
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 water 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 Duetto 3.0 Espresso Machine
4
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. If you are using the machine in
20 amp mode then the outlet must also be rated for 20 amps or it may pose a fire
hazard. A resettable GFCI outlet is strongly recommended, but is not necessary.
Turn the main power switch to the on position. The pump will come on to start filling the
boilers. 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 boilers 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.
If you are going to be using the steam boiler then make sure the steam boiler switch is
turned on. If you are only making espresso then the steam boiler switch can be turned
off to help conserve energy.
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 Duetto 3.0 Espresso Machine
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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 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. If you are using the machine in
20 amp mode then the outlet must also be rated for 20 amps or it may pose a fire
hazard. A resettable GFCI outlet is strongly recommended, but is not necessary.

Alex Duetto 3.0 Espresso Machine
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First Time Set Up - Plumbed In Mode –Continued
Turn the main power switch to the on position. The pump will come on to start filling the
boilers. 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.
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.
If you are going to be using the steam boiler then make sure the steam boiler switch is
turned on. If you are only making espresso then the steam boiler switch can be turned
off to help conserve energy.
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.
Before Each Use
Verify the steam and hot water knobs are both closed and your brew lever is pointing
straight down.
If you are using the machine in reservoir mode make sure the reservoir is filled with cold
softened water.
Place whichever portafilter you intend to use into the group head and turn the power
switch to the on position and let the machine warm up for 30-45 minutes for optimal
performance.
If you plan on using the steam or hot water wands then make sure the steam boiler
power switch is also turned on.

Alex Duetto 3.0 Espresso Machine
7
Normal Operation
Reservoir
The reservoir is located in the back of the machine under the cup warming tray. The
reservoir should be filled with cold softened water only. The reservoir can be cleaned
with mild dish detergent and should NOT be used in a dishwasher.
The water reservoir is equipped with a magnetic float to detect the water level. When
the machine gets low on water an audible alert will sound and the PID and pump will
turn off to indicate the reservoir needs to be refilled with water.
When placing the reservoir into the machine it is very important that the float be on the
right side for the machine to function properly.
It is also very important that the reservoir sit as far down as it can go. It may have to be
jiggled a little bit for it to seat properly. If the reservoir is not seated properly then the
silicone tubing will get pinched and restrict water flow to the machine which can damage
the pump. When installed properly it should like the the two pictures shown below.
Audible Alert
The machine is equipped with an audible alert to indicate when the reservoir is getting
low on water. The audible alert can be turned off if you plumb the machine and are not
using the reservoir. To turn the audible alert off, pull out the drip tray and the alarm beep
switch can be found on the left side.
The alert may also sound if the steam boiler is not able to fill. If this happens turn the
machine off and check to make sure the machine is getting water, then turn back on.

Alex Duetto 3.0 Espresso Machine
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Normal Operation - Continued
Pressure Gauges
The top gauge is your boiler steam pressure. When the heating light turns off the boiler
is up to pressure and should be around 1.2 –1.5 bar. If the steam boiler power switch is
turned off then the steam gauge will not show any pressure.
The lower gauge is your pump pressure. When the pump is not engaged the gauge will
show the line pressure from your water supply. When you raise the brew lever then the
pressure should go to 9 bar.
Pump
The pump pressure has been set prior to shipping, but may differ based on your line
pressure or if the machine is used in reservoir mode versus plumbed in. The
recommended setting is 9 bar. Should you need to adjust your pump pressure please
refer to the maintenance section of the owner‟s manual.
Periodically the pump will come on by itself to maintain the proper water level in the
steam boiler which is normal. When this happens the PID display will turn off to protect
the heating element during filling.
Lights
There are 2 red heating indicator lights on the front of the machine. Each is stamped
with a white decal to indicate which light is for which heater.
The top light is for the steam boiler. The light will illuminate whenever the steam boiler is
heating. Once the steam boiler is up to pressure the light will go out and then it should
cycle on and off approximately once a minute to maintain the steam pressure in the
boiler.
The bottom light is for the coffee boiler. The light will illuminate whenever the coffee
boiler is heating. Once the coffee boiler is up to temperature then the light will cycle on
and off approximately once a minute to maintain the temperature in the boiler. As it
approaches temperature the coffee light will flash on and off rapidly which is normal.
This is done for more precise temperature control and to prevent the temperature from
exceeding the set point.

Alex Duetto 3.0 Espresso Machine
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Normal Operation –Continued
Switches
On the right side on the base of the machine there are 2 power switches. The larger
lighted switch in the back is the main power switch and will illuminate when the machine
is turned on. The smaller black switch in front of the power switch can be used to turn
the steam boiler on and off independently from the coffee boiler to conserve energy.
Behind the drip tray there are 2 switches. The lever switch on the right is used to switch
between plumbed in or reservoir modes. The switch on the left can be used to turn the
audible alert off if you are using the machine in plumbed mode.
Drain Kit
An optional drain kit can be attached for hooking the drip tray up to a drain. The drain
tube can be routed into an open drain, dishwasher drain tail piece, or even a 5 gallon
bucket can be used if a drain is not available.
To install the drain kit, pull out the drip tray and then pull the rubber drain plug out of the
center of the drip tray and save for future use.
Attach the drain hose to the black plastic drain box shown below and use the provided
clamp to tighten the hose. Tighten the clamp enough so that it will not leak, being
careful not to over tighten or it can crack the plastic drain box.
When using the optional drain kit it is very important that the drain tube has a gradual
descending pitch. If the tube lies too flat or goes up hill then the tube will not drain and
will back up with water causing a leak. The drain should only be used for liquids, coffee
grounds can cause the drain to be blocked and back up with water causing a leak.