Bezzera DUO Top DE 3 PID – Dual Boiler with Touch Display
In the morning it's already up to temperature, because you've programmed it for the day of the week. One flick of the lever, the espresso runs – and while it flows into the cup, the milk is already steaming in parallel. Two separate boilers, no waiting in between.
The Bezzera DUO Top DE 3 PID is a compact dual-boiler portafilter machine with three PID thermostats, volumetric dosing and a 3.5-inch touch display. Bezzera manufactures it in Italy, in a slim stainless steel housing with rosewood handles and an illuminated back panel.
Dual boiler with three PID
Two separate copper boilers share the work: a 0.45-litre coffee boiler for extraction and a steam and water boiler holding around 1 litre. Because both are independent, you can pull espresso and steam milk simultaneously, as often as you like, without pressure or temperature dropping. Three PID thermostats keep the values steady: one for the group head, one for the coffee boiler, one for the steam boiler, and you set the brew temperature within a range of roughly 88 to 96 °C.
We extract by weight ratio – 1:2 as a starting point, so around 18 g of coffee to 36 g of espresso – and adjust grind size, dose and temperature until it tastes right to us. There's no right and no wrong.
The electrically heated BZ group head
Unlike the E61 variant (called Bezzera DUO MN), the DE works with the brand's own, electrically heated BZ group head. This shortens the heat-up time considerably: from cold, it's ready in around ten minutes. The 58 mm portafilter is a standard size, so common accessories fit.
Touch display, dosing and comfort
The 3.5-inch touch display controls everything: set boiler temperatures, read the digitally displayed gauges for pump and boiler pressure, program the pre-infusion and set on and off times for each day of the week. The DE designation stands for volumetric dosing – a microprocessor measures the amount of water passing through, you program four shots directly on the keypad, and the fifth button dispenses manually. There's also an automatic group flush program and a water filter alarm. The machine is supplied either via the removable 4-litre tank or a direct plumbed connection; the rotary pump runs quietly and reliably.
At a glance
| Type |
Dual boiler (brews and steams simultaneously) |
| Group head |
Bezzera BZ group, electrically heated (not E61) |
| Temperature control |
3 PID (group head, coffee boiler, steam boiler); brew temperature approx. 88–96 °C |
| Boilers |
Coffee boiler 0.45 L, steam/water boiler approx. 1 L, both copper |
| Dosing |
volumetric (DE): 4 programmable shots + manual |
| Display |
3.5-inch touch, digital gauges (pump and boiler) |
| Pump |
Rotary pump (brew pressure approx. 9 bar) |
| Pre-infusion |
adjustable |
| Comfort |
Weekday timer, automatic group flush program, water filter alarm |
| Steam/water |
Cool-touch wands, lever valves |
| Portafilter |
58 mm |
| Water |
4 L tank or plumbed connection |
| Housing |
Stainless steel AISI 304, rosewood handles, illuminated back panel |
| Heat-up time |
around 10 minutes |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) |
326 × 470 × 425 mm, ca. 33 kg |
| Origin |
Made in Italy |
| Included |
2 portafilters (rosewood handle), baskets for 1 and 2 cups (7 g, 16 g), rosewood brew buttons, blind filter, tamper, measuring spoon, nylon brush |
Who the DUO Top DE is made for
For anyone at home who wants to brew and steam in parallel without limits, while appreciating comfort – weekday timer, automatic dosing and touch control take routine steps off your hands. Whether it's your first dual-boiler machine or you've been at this for a while: the DUO makes getting started easy while still leaving you room to explore. No prior knowledge required.
What goes with it
Freshly ground makes all the difference. A machine of this calibre deserves a capable grinder from our coffee grinders – such as the Varia VS6 or the Weber Workshops EG-1; a little more affordable are the Varia VS3 or the Comandante as a hand grinder.
For clean tamping and puck prep, it's worth a look at the Normcore Collection or the Weber Workshops range – thanks to 58 mm, everything fits. To nail your 1:2 ratio, a scale with an app from the Acaia Collection or a compact one from the Normcore Collection helps.
How a dual boiler differs from a single-boiler and a heat-exchanger machine is explained in our deep dive on heating systems; the choice is easier with our coffee machine comparison.
Buy the Bezzera DUO Top DE 3 PID – in Bern, Zürich and online
The Bezzera DUO Top DE 3 PID can be bought in Switzerland in our online shop or directly with us in Zürich and Bern, where you can experience it live: Bern at Gerberngasse 44 (map) and Zürich at Hagenholzstrasse 50b (map). We deliver throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2 to 4 business days. Financing is available.
When you buy a machine, a personal introductory course (around 60 minutes, in Bern, Zürich or online) is included – so you can get started right away. We're happy to answer questions by office@coffeecoachingclub.ch or by phone during business hours, more at coffeecoachingclub.ch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Bezzera DUO Top DE have an E61 group head?
No. The DE version works with the brand's own, electrically heated BZ group head and three PID thermostats. The E61 variant is called DUO MN. The BZ group heats up faster – around ten minutes – and uses a 58 mm portafilter.
What does DE mean and what do the 3 PID stand for?
DE stands for volumetric dosing: you program four shots on the keypad, and the fifth button dispenses manually. The three PID thermostats separately control the group head, the coffee boiler and the steam boiler.
Can the DUO brew espresso and steam milk at the same time?
Yes. As a true dual boiler with two separate copper boilers (coffee boiler 0.45 L, steam boiler around 1 L), both run in parallel without pressure or temperature dropping, and you set the brew temperature to around 88 to 96 °C.
Tank or plumbed-in – and how do I maintain it?
Both: the removable 4-litre tank makes it flexible, or it can run on a plumbed connection instead. An automatic group flush program is on board; backflush daily with the blind filter without detergent, and about every 50 shots with detergent. We recommend soft, low-limescale water and regular descaling depending on hardness.
Where can I buy the Bezzera DUO Top DE 3 PID?
Online throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein with delivery in 2 to 4 business days, or directly at our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zürich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b). Financing is available.
From the roastery: the DUO holds temperature remarkably steady – that suits dense, sweet profiles, even with plenty of milk. We recommend Cozy Chocolate, Nutty Delight and Very Nutty. Anyone who likes it light and fruity can try Wild Peach or Bright Cassis from our coffee beans. This is our recommendation, one of many.
