Bezzera BZ16 DE Top – Heat Exchanger with Rotary Pump and Volumetric Dosing
Press a button, and the espresso pours to the set volume – then it stops automatically. While it's flowing into the cup, you can already froth the milk. It's this calm, bar-like workflow that defines the BZ16: less fiddling, more repeatability.
The Bezzera BZ16 DE Top is a heat exchanger machine with a heat exchanger, quiet rotary pump, and volumetric dosing. Bezzera manufactures it in Italy; our Top model runs optionally on the tank or plumbed-in and is a CCC custom-made version with toggle valves instead of the usual rotary taps.
Heat Exchanger with Electrically Heated Brew Group
Inside, a 2-liter copper boiler with a heat exchanger allows you to brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously. The Bezzera brew group is electrically heated and controlled by solenoid valves – this shortens the heat-up time to about ten minutes and makes it low-maintenance. The brewing temperature is determined by the boiler pressure, which you can read on the manometer; a PID is not installed. The large boiler ensures calm, stable heat management.
We extract by weight ratio – 1:2 as a starting point, i.e., around 18g of coffee to 36g of espresso – and adjust the grind size and quantity until it tastes good to us. There is no right or wrong.
Volumetric Dosing and Rotary Pump
The heart of the DE version is the electronics: using the microprocessor control, you program four fixed brewing volumes directly on the keypad; a fifth button initiates a manual, continuous pour. This ensures the volume is consistent every morning. The rotary pump operates more quietly than a vibratory pump and builds pressure evenly; it is supplied from the removable 4-liter tank or via a fixed water connection. A double manometer shows boiler and pump pressure. Steam is controlled via the cold-touch wand with a two-hole tip and toggle valve; for tea, there's a separate hot water tap.
At a Glance
| Type |
Heat exchanger (brews and steams simultaneously) |
| Brew Group |
Bezzera brew group, electrically heated, solenoid valves (not E61) |
| Dosing |
Volumetric: 4 programmable volumes + button for manual pour |
| Temperature |
Via boiler pressure (manometer), no PID |
| Boiler |
2.0 L copper, with automatic refilling |
| Pump |
Rotary pump, quiet |
| Display |
Double manometer (boiler and pump pressure) |
| Steam/Water |
Cold-touch wand, two-hole tip, toggle valve; separate hot water tap |
| Portafilter |
58 mm, two portafilters included |
| Water |
4 L removable tank or plumbed-in connection |
| Heat-up time |
Approx. 10 minutes |
| Power |
Approx. 1400 W |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) |
Approx. 32 × 40 × 45 cm, approx. 22.7 kg |
| Special Feature |
CCC custom-made with toggle valves, passively heated cup warmer |
| Origin |
Made in Italy |
Who the BZ16 DE Top is Made For
For everyone who appreciates repeatable shots at the touch of a button – the character of a small bar machine for home use, with the morning routine in mind. Also suitable for light commercial use in the specialty coffee sector. If, however, you prefer to pull the lever by hand and select the temperature precisely with a PID, you'd better look at an E61 machine – for example, the models shown in our comparison.
What Goes Well 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 hand grinder; the Varia VS6 or the Weber Workshops EG-1 offer more flexibility.
For clean tamping and puck prep, it's worth checking out the Normcore Collection or the Weber Workshops range – thanks to 58 mm, everything fits. 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 a single boiler and dual boiler is explained in our Deep Dive into Heating Systems.
Buy Bezzera BZ16 DE Top – in Bern, Zurich and Online
You can buy the Bezzera BZ16 DE Top 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 within 2 to 4 working days. Financing is possible.
When purchasing 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 information can be found at coffeecoachingclub.ch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Bezzera BZ16 DE Top have an E61 brew group?
No. The BZ16 uses the electrically heated Bezzera brew group with solenoid valves. As a heat exchanger machine, it brews and steams simultaneously and is ready from a cold state in about ten minutes. The portafilter measures 58 mm.
Does it have a PID?
No. The brewing temperature is determined by the boiler pressure, which you read on the manometer. The electronics control the coffee volume volumetrically, not the temperature. The large 2-liter boiler ensures stable heat management.
What does DE or volumetric dosing mean?
Using the microprocessor control, you program four fixed dispensing volumes on the keypad; a fifth button initiates a manual, continuous pour. This keeps the volume consistent from cup to cup.
Tank or plumbed-in, and how do I maintain it?
Both: The quiet rotary pump supplies the machine from the removable 4-liter tank or via the plumbed-in connection. Backflush daily with the blind filter without detergent and with detergent approximately every 50 extractions; descale regularly depending on water hardness.
Where can I buy the Bezzera BZ16 DE Top?
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 large heat exchanger and calm pressure delivery lend themselves to dense, sweet profiles, even with milk. We recommend Cozy Chocolate, Nutty Delight, and Very Nutty. If you prefer light and fruity, try Wild Peach or Bright Cassis from our coffee beans. This is our recommendation, one of many.
