I hope that our experience was unique, or at least rare. The Duetto II does produces geat coffee, but can require maintenance, so buy from a source like Chris's.
Positive Product Points
Appears to tick all the right boxes and offer all the best features. Looks good on the outside and produces great coffee. Chris Nachtrieb and his Coffee service have been outstandingly helpful and also very honest about potential problems and their cause, throughout.
Negative Product Points
Retail price has dropped by nearly a quarter. The initial quality of the stainless steel used was mediocre: the inside of the steel sheeting panels was pitted and corroded after less than two years. UPDATE: Chris's Coffee Service, the North American importer and distributor states that the Stainless Steel was upgraded to a higher, more corrosion-resistant and expensive grade in the last 700 Duetto II's and all subsequent machines machines. (Ventilation also seems to have been improved.) Still unsure whether the root cause of the responsible water/steam leaks is some strange problem with our water supply (which has not affected us our four aquariums of tropical fish) or some inherent defect or some combination of the two.
Detailed Commentary
We were very disappointed with the Izzo Alex Duetto II. When you spend nearly $3,000. on a product, you do so because you expect it to last longer, and even to preserve some significant resale value than cheaper alternatives. Reassured by reviews, one of which even included mechanical disassembly, we bought a Duetto 2, and even had cabinetry and plumbing, including a second RO system and a special 20Amp electrical service installed for it. Our previous Brasilia machine is still working for our daughter and son-law after 20 years, so we assumed that with the very light use it has and good care, we could spare ourselves the additional cost of and extended warranty, Four months ago, we noticed moisture under the back right side of the machine. This seemed to get worse after we started, to turn the machine off, overnight. (Previously, we'd generally left it on .) Because our plumber had had considerable problems connecting the machine, we initially assumed a simple hose leak.
When we finally pulled the 75 pound machine out enough to take off the top plate, we were shocked to see extensive corrosion on the inside of much the supposedly stainless steel sheeting. Apparently a nut holding the PID sensor was loose, and the pressure relief stack was leaking steam. I have enough of a technical background to understand that there are different grades of stainless steel, and that simple steam and water should not, in such a short time, result in such extensive pitting and rusting in all but the poorest grades. I expect this from bargain shiny goods from some countries, but not from what is claimed to be a high quality Italian machine.
BTW if you are in Canada, then don't buy from Cafetech! They seem to be too busy to respond to calls, a major reason for the delay and likely extent of the damage.
Buying Experience
Initially terrible, bought for $3000 a year ago, now retails for 25% less, and possibly resalable for about $1500, after extensive work, if we are lucky! The local Museo Cafe, has done everything possible to diagnose and fix the machine, and there has been honest and conscientious support from the US distributor ( (we are in Canada so he was probably under no obligation to provide it) of Chris Nachtrieb and his coffee service.
Three Month Followup
The machine is apparently working well, except for a minor leak, but still under repair. In the meantime, we have been given another machine on loan. The length of time this has taken mostly reflects the situation of the person repairing it, who has been in the midst of opening up another location, across the street from a Starbucks, and also has seen his roastery business expand greatly, but also deeper problems with the machine, including partial, then complete failure of the PID controller. Chris Nachtrieb personally, and his Chris's Coffee Service have been extremely helpful throughout.
