IZZO ALEX DUETTO IV PLUS REVIEW: THE MOST UNDERRATED DUAL BOILER?

Why is no one talking about the fantastic Izzo Alex Duetto Plus home espresso machine?

The Izzo Alex Duetto IV doesn’t seem to get the same hype afforded many other brands, perhaps because of its reasonable price tag. In my opinion, that is a huge oversight. This impressive dual boiler espresso machine stacks right up there with the best – and comes in hundreds of dollars cheaper than many.

Does that sound too good to be true? In this Izzo Alex Duetto review, I’ll dig deep into the details, so you can decide for yourself.

Where To Buy The Izzo Alex Duetto

I understand the trepidation that comes with buying an expensive espresso machine, which is why I always like to offer multiple seller options. The distributors below have worked extensively with the Home Brews Coffee team and delivered consistently great service.

	Retailer
	Chris Coffee	Offers a wide range of prosumer coffee machines Reliable family-run company Amazing customer support	CHECK PRICE
	Majesty Coffee	Machines come with limited warranty Offers a wide array of equipment Free ground shipping (Expedited shipping available)	CHECK PRICE
	My Espresso Shop	Offers a wide array of equipment Financing Available 1-Year Warranty on Parts and Service	CHECK PRICE

The Full Izzo Alex Duetto Review

There are plenty of prosumer espresso machines with dual boilers and PID temperature control on the market, so what makes the Izzo Alex Duetto IV Plus espresso machine stand out from the crowd? Is it the right espresso machine for you? This review will help you decide. 

In this section, I will dive deep into the brewing and steaming capabilities, build quality, and user-friendliness of this surprisingly affordable and underrated model.

How We Rated It

• Brewing Capability
• User-Friendliness
• Milk Frothing
• Build Quality
• Value For Money

4.2

• SEE ON CHRIS COFFEE

All The Bells And Whistles!

The Izzo Alex Duetto IV Plus has all the key features of a top-of-the-line espresso machine, including dual boilers, PID temperature control, an E61 group, and a rotary pump — to name just a few. In this section, I’ll break down what you’ll find and what it means.

Dual Boilers With PIDs

The Izzo Alex Duetto is a dual boiler espresso machine with separate PID controllers for each boiler. You can steam milk and brew coffee simultaneously while maintaining independent control of both processes.

Specialty coffee lovers know that brew temperature has a strong effect on the quality of an espresso shot. So the water temperature accuracy afforded by a PID is crucial if you like to experiment with different coffees, especially exotic single origins (1).

It’s not just about temperature accuracy; a PID controller also yields better temperature stability than a pressure stat. This is invaluable when it comes to dialing in a perfect shot and repeating it consistently.

The Izzo Alex Duetto has a 1.8-liter steam boiler and a 0.8-liter brew boiler. While not the largest on the market, they are perfectly adequate for all but the busiest households. I was able to prepare four large lattes back-to-back.

Both boilers are made from copper with brass end plates, a common choice for high-end machines. Copper is relatively expensive, but it has better thermal properties than stainless steel (2). This is particularly evident in the rapid heat-up time. I found it took about 20 minutes for the Alex Duetto to preheat, whereas I have waited upwards of 30 minutes for similarly sized coffee machines with steel boilers.

E61 Group Head

The Izzo Alex Duetto IV uses the classic E61 group head, a favorite for prosumer and commercial espresso machines. This thermosiphon design cycles hot water from the boiler to the group, ensuring everything remains hot and at a stable temperature (3). This stability is aided by the 8-pound chrome-plated brass group, which acts as a heat sink.

E61 espresso machines have an automatic pre-infusion stage, using either line pressure or residual pressure in the brew boiler, depending on whether you’ve opted to direct plumb your Alex Duetto. In my experience, the line pressure option is far superior, so I definitely recommend direct-plumbing if it’s an option.

Pre-infusion wets the grounds so that they settle evenly, correcting any potential imperfections in puck preparation. The result is a richer and more complex espresso extraction with improved consistency (4).

Notes On Owning And Using The Izzo Alex

Most E61 machines have a similar workflow, and the Izzo Alex Duetto is no exception. However, it does have a few user-friendly features not seen in many others, which makes the overall experience of using it very enjoyable.

The PID controller display is located at the top of the machine for easy visibility. I found this particularly lovely when pulling a shot, as it automatically converts to a shot timer. 

Similarly, the two pressure gauges are located in the upper half of the machine. They allow you to monitor both brew pressure and steam pressure. 

I like that this machine doesn’t force you to choose between a water reservoir or direct plumbing. You can set up for both and quickly toggle between modes using the switch tucked behind the drip tray. The tubing and drain kit comes with the purchase.

The new Alex Duetto has nearly 6 inches of clearance between the drip tray and group head (reduced to closer to 4 inches with the spouted portafilter inserted). This is a much-requested update to a previous version of this machine, and you’ll definitely appreciate it if you’re a fan of larger drinks.

Adjusting Pump Pressure

The over-pressure valve (OPV) for adjusting pump pressure is more easily accessible than in previous models, but it’s not quite as straightforward as some competitor machines. You need to insert a screwdriver into the side.

One Of The Quietest Prosumer Machines I’ve Used

Most of the noise in an espresso maker comes from the pump and the motor. In the Alex Duetto, the motor mounts have been reconfigured to dampen vibrations, and the already quiet rotary pump of the previous version has been upgraded to an even quieter model. It’s far less noisy than my grinder.

I was particularly impressed to see that the large removable drip tray was affixed with magnets to minimize rattling during use. Those sorts of thoughtful touches always indicate a brand that is going above and beyond.

Standard Cleaning And Maintenance

E61 style machines like the Alex Duetto require regular maintenance and care. Perform the tasks the manufacturer recommends, including regularly backflushing and lubricating the gaskets (5).

My biggest tip is to always use filtered water in the tank to avoid scale build-up. Descaling a prosumer espresso machine is no easy task, and copper boilers are more prone to scale than steel.

Wipe everything down regularly with a microfiber cloth, and clean the portafilter daily. Purge the steam wand before and after each use, and wipe any milk off the outside immediately after steaming.

Izzo has made more substantial maintenance easier by making the boiler drains more accessible in this model and adding rubber insulating boots to protect vital joints. I also noticed that the boilers and heating elements are well-mounted, so they won’t budge during transit.

No Lack Of Steam Power Or Control

The milk frothing set-up on the Izzo Alex Duetto is exactly as premium as you would expect, though I wouldn’t say it brings anything extra special to the table.

Mine came with a 2-hole steam tip installed, which felt like a nice balance to me. But impressively, Izzo also includes three extra tips – something I haven’t seen from any other manufacturer. If you’ve mastered the 2-hole tip and want to steam a little faster, you can swap in a 3-hole tip or one of two 4-hole tips.

There are separate fully articulated, double-wall wands for steam and hot water, which I always appreciate for comfort of use and ease of cleaning. 

Both wands are controlled by knobs rather than joysticks. Knobs are great if you’re new to this level of steam power because they give you finer control for easing the steam on and off, although I occasionally find myself missing the quick bursts of steam you can get with a joystick.

Premium Build Quality And Shiny Good Looks

The build quality of the Izzo Alex Duetto IV is exceptional. Its massive 72-pound weight immediately indicates how many quality stainless steel components it includes, including the frame, exterior, and drip tray.

One of the best features, which I’ve rarely seen, is that the back and sides of the Izzo Alex Duetto are double-walled. This insulation strategy avoids adding extra heat to your kitchen, a serious consideration on a hot summer’s day when you have a 72-pound piece of steel heating to steam temperature.

Another clever upgrade is that Izzo has opted to reinforce the front panel of the Alex Duetto. As already mentioned, the group weighs an impressive 8 pounds. While this is great for temperature stability, it can cause the front panel to flex as the portafilter is twisted in and out. The additional bracing inside avoids this issue, increasing the machine’s longevity.

Space And Style Considerations

This is a big espresso machine, measuring 16.5 inches tall by 13.5 inches wide by 17.5 inches deep. Like any prosumer double boiler, it’s bound to have an impactful presence in your kitchen. Make sure you’re a fan of its sleek lines and mirror-finish stainless steel exterior before you invest.

The Izzo Alex Duetto comes with two professional-grade 58 mm diameter chrome-plated brass portafilters (a single spout and a double spout) plus appropriately sized steel filter baskets for each. It also comes with a lovely metal tamper, easily $50 worth of added value.

What About The Price And The Value?

The Izzo Alex Duetto IV Plus is priced just under $3000. I won’t claim it’s a cheap espresso maker by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a very good price for a machine of this caliber. It’s in the same ballpark as similar machines like the Quick Mill Vetrano, ECM Synchronika, and Profitec Pro 700. And it’s markedly cheaper than more premium options like the Rocket R58 or La Marzocco Linea Micra.

Do Not Buy the Izzo Alex Duetto IV If…

• You prefer a heat-exchanger espresso machine: If you prefer the workflow (and lower price tag) of a heat-exchanger machine, there are some excellent premium options – some even with PID temperature control. I’d take a look at the Rocket Evoluzione R, ECM Technika, or Profitec Pro 500 to start.
• You’re buying for a commercial coffee shop: The Izzo Alex Duetto doesn’t really have the chops to keep up in a busy cafe – nor is it rated for commercial use. Instead, consider a La Cimbali espresso machine or, if you have a bigger budget, perhaps a stunning Kees van der Westen (6).
• You don’t make a lot of milk drinks: Lattes and cappuccinos aren’t your thing? Don’t waste money on a dual boiler espresso machine or even a heat exchanger. A high-end single boiler espresso machine will meet your needs and save you a ton of cash and counter space. Izzo makes a single boiler version, the Izzo Alex. Or consider the ECM Classika or Quick Mill Alexia Evo.

The Verdict

If you’re in the market for a workhouse dual boiler espresso machine from a brand that doesn’t get the attention it deserves, you’ll be thrilled with the Izzo Alex Duetto espresso machine. It doesn’t have quite the flash of a Rocket or a La Marzocco, but I promise you won’t taste the difference. It is packed with the same key features, looks just as beautiful, and falls well under the price point of these trendier companies.

SEE ON CHRIS COFFEE