Bezzera Aria Top PID – Heat Exchanger with Faema E61 (Stainless Steel)
A compact piece of stainless steel on the counter, quiet instead of rattling, yet it pulls a dense espresso like a large machine. The lever of the E61 group goes up, and while the shot is running, steam for milk is already available.
The Bezzera Aria Top PID is a classic heat exchanger with the Faema E61 brew group, rotary pump, and PID control – here in a closed stainless steel housing with black handles. Bezzera manufactures it in Italy.
Heat Exchanger with Faema E61
At the heart of the Aria is the proven Faema E61 brew group with thermosiphon circulation. Water constantly circulates through the heavy brass group, keeping it at temperature and ensuring stable, repeatable shots. As a heat exchanger with a heat exchanger, you can brew espresso and froth milk simultaneously. The E61 group also offers gentle mechanical pre-infusion and is flow-control capable, should you later want to manually control the flow with a separate kit.
We extract by weight ratio – 1:2 as a starting point, so around 18g of coffee to 36g of espresso – and adjust grind, quantity, and temperature until it tastes good to us. There is no right or wrong.
Rotary Pump, PID, and Comfort
Instead of a vibratory pump, the Top features a rotary pump: significantly quieter, with consistent pressure build-up and a flow rate of around 70 liters per hour. You can supply it via the 3-liter tank or a fixed water connection; the boiler refills automatically and switches off if there is a water shortage. You can precisely set the brewing temperature via PID, a double pressure gauge shows boiler and pump pressure, and a shot timer accompanies the brewing process. Steam is supplied via a swiveling tap, and there is a separate hot water spout for tea.
At a Glance
| Design |
Heat exchanger (brews and steams simultaneously) |
| Brew Group |
Faema E61, Thermosiphon, with lever |
| Temperature Control |
PID, precisely adjustable |
| Boiler |
1.5 L copper, with automatic refill |
| Pump |
Rotary pump, approx. 70 l/h, quiet |
| Display |
Double manometer (boiler and pump pressure), shot timer |
| Steam/Water |
Swiveling steam wand, separate hot water spout |
| Portafilter |
58 mm |
| Water |
3 L tank or fixed water connection |
| Housing |
Stainless steel AISI 304, closed, black handles |
| Heat-up Time |
approx. 10–12 minutes |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) |
approx. 25 × 43 × 41 cm, approx. 24 kg |
| Origin |
Made in Italy |
| Scope of Delivery |
1- and 2-cup portafilters (black handles), blind filter, tamper, brush |
Who the Aria Top PID is for
For everyone who wants the character of an E61 machine at home, but appreciates little space and a quiet rotary pump – whether it's your first machine with a lever group or you've been doing it for a while. Operation remains classic and direct, PID and shot timer give you control. No prior knowledge is required.
What goes with it
Freshly ground makes all the difference. In the Coffee Grinders section, you'll find affordable and precise options like the Varia VS3 or the Comandante as a hand grinder; more scope is offered by the Varia VS6 or the Weber Workshops EG-1.
For clean tamping and puck prep, it's worth checking out the Normcore Collection or the Weber Workshops range – everything fits thanks to 58 mm. To ensure your 1:2 ratio is spot on, a scale from the Normcore Collection or, with an app, from the Acaia Collection will help.
How a heat exchanger differs from single boilers and dual boilers is explained in our Deep Dive on Heating Systems; the Coffee Machine Comparison will help you choose.
Buy Bezzera Aria Top PID – in Bern, Zurich and online
You can buy the Bezzera Aria Top PID in Switzerland in our online shop or directly from us in Zurich and Bern, where you can experience it live: Bern at Gerberngasse 44 (map) and Zurich at Hagenholzstrasse 50b (map). We deliver throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2 to 4 working days. Financing is possible.
When you purchase a machine, a personal introductory course (approx. 60 minutes, in Bern, Zurich or online) is included – so you can get started right away. We are happy to answer questions via office@coffeecoachingclub.ch or by phone during business hours, more at coffeecoachingclub.ch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Bezzera Aria Top PID have an E61 group and can it brew and steam simultaneously?
Yes. The Aria uses the Faema E61 brew group with thermosiphon and is a heat exchanger – espresso and milk foam are made simultaneously. The portafilter measures 58 mm.
Tank or fixed water connection?
Both. The quiet rotary pump (approx. 70 l/h) supplies the machine either from the 3-liter tank or via the fixed water connection. The boiler refills automatically and switches off if there is a water shortage.
How accurate is the temperature and what does the manometer show?
You can precisely set the brewing temperature via PID; the copper boiler holds 1.5 liters. A double manometer shows boiler and pump pressure, a shot timer shows the brewing time.
How long does it take to heat up and how do I maintain it?
From a cold state, it is ready in about ten to twelve minutes. Backflush daily with the blind filter without cleaning agent and approximately every 50 shots with cleaning agent; descale regularly depending on water hardness.
Where can I buy the Bezzera Aria Top PID?
Online throughout Switzerland and Liechtenstein with delivery in 2 to 4 working days, or directly in our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b). Financing is possible.
From the roastery: The Aria's E61 group maintains a stable temperature – this favors dense, sweet profiles, even with milk. We recommend Cozy Chocolate, Nutty Delight, and Very Nutty. If you like it light and fruity, try Wild Peach or Bright Cassis from our Coffee Beans. This is our recommendation, one of many.
