Bezzera BZ16 DE Top – heat exchanger machine with rotary pump and volumetric dosing
Press the button, and the espresso runs exactly to the set volume – then it stops on its own. While it flows into the cup, you're already frothing the milk. It's this calm, bar-like way of working that defines the BZ16: less fiddling, more repeatability.
The Bezzera BZ16 DE Top is a heat exchanger machine with a quiet rotary pump and volumetric dosing. Bezzera builds it in Italy; our Top version runs either from the tank or from a direct water connection and is a CCC special edition with tilt valves instead of the usual rotary taps.
Heat exchanger machine with an electrically heated group head
Inside sits a 2-litre copper boiler with a heat exchanger: that's what lets you pull espresso and steam milk at the same time. The Bezzera group head is electrically heated and controlled via solenoid valves – that cuts heat-up time to around ten minutes and keeps maintenance low. Brew temperature follows the boiler pressure, which you can read off the gauge; there's no PID fitted. The large boiler gives you calm, stable heat management.
We extract by weight ratio – 1:2 as a starting point, so around 18 g of coffee for 36 g of espresso – and adjust grind size and dose until it tastes right to us. There's no right and no wrong.
Volumetric dosing and rotary pump
The heart of the DE version is the electronics: the microprocessor control lets you program four fixed brew volumes directly on the keypad, with a fifth key triggering a manual, continuous pour. That keeps the dose consistent every morning. The rotary pump runs quieter than a vibration pump and builds pressure evenly; it draws from the removable 4-litre tank or via a direct water connection. A twin gauge shows boiler and pump pressure. Steam comes through the cool-touch wand with a two-hole tip and tilt valve, and there's a separate hot water tap for tea.
At a glance
| Design |
Heat exchanger machine (brews and steams simultaneously) |
| Group head |
Bezzera group head, electrically heated, solenoid valves (not E61) |
| Dosing |
volumetric: 4 programmable volumes + button for manual pour |
| Temperature |
via boiler pressure (gauge), no PID |
| Boiler |
2.0 L copper, with automatic refill |
| Pump |
Rotary pump, quiet |
| Display |
Twin gauge (boiler and pump pressure) |
| Steam/water |
Cool-touch wand, two-hole tip, tilt valve; separate hot water tap |
| Portafilter |
58 mm, two portafilters included |
| Water |
4 L removable tank or direct water connection |
| Heat-up time |
around 10 minutes |
| Power |
ca. 1400 W |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) |
ca. 32 × 40 × 45 cm, ca. 22,7 kg |
| Special feature |
CCC special edition with tilt valves, passively heated cup tray |
| Origin |
Made in Italy |
Who the BZ16 DE Top is for
For everyone who appreciates repeatable shots at the push of a button – the character of a small bar machine for home, built with the morning routine in mind. Also suited to light specialty-coffee gastro use. If you'd rather pull a lever by hand and dial in temperature to the degree with a PID, an E61 machine is the better fit – take a look at our comparison for the models shown there.
What goes with it
Freshly ground makes all the difference. In our coffee grinders you'll find affordable, precise options like the Varia VS3 or the Comandante hand grinder; the Varia VS6 or the Weber Workshops EG-1 give you more room to play.
For clean tamping and puck prep, it's worth a look at the Normcore Collection or into the Weber Workshops range – thanks to 58 mm, everything fits. To nail your 1:2 ratio, a scale from the Normcore Collection helps, or, with an app, one from the Acaia Collection.
How a heat exchanger machine differs from a single-circuit and a dual boiler is explained in our deep dive on heating systems.
Buy the Bezzera BZ16 DE Top – in Bern, Zürich and online
The Bezzera BZ16 DE Top is available in Switzerland through 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 Swiss-wide and to Liechtenstein in 2 to 4 business days. Financing is available.
When you buy a machine, a personal introductory session (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 BZ16 DE Top have an E61 group head?
No. The BZ16 uses Bezzera's electrically heated group head with solenoid valves. As a heat exchanger machine, it brews and steams at the same time and is ready from cold in around ten minutes. The portafilter measures 58 mm.
Does it have a PID?
No. Brew temperature results from the boiler pressure, which you read off the gauge. The electronics control the coffee volume volumetrically, not the temperature. The large 2-litre boiler provides stable heat management.
What does DE, or volumetric dosing, mean?
The microprocessor control lets you program four fixed brew volumes on the keypad; a fifth key triggers a manual, continuous pour. That keeps the volume consistent from cup to cup.
Tank or direct water connection, and how do I maintain it?
Both: the quiet rotary pump supplies the machine from the removable 4-litre tank or via the direct water connection. Backflush daily with the blind filter without cleaning agent, and roughly every 50 shots with cleaning agent; descale regularly depending on your water hardness.
Where can I buy the Bezzera BZ16 DE Top?
Online, Swiss-wide 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 large heat exchanger and calm pressure delivery suit dense, sweet profiles, milk included. 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. That's our recommendation, one of many.
