Coffee machine recommendations?

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#3183336 18-Jan-2024 08:55

roderickh:

Been an interesting journey with coffee machines. 11 months in and have changed machines twice.

No looking back though, this thing is a beast!

https://imgur.com/a/CjBrcg3

Is that the dual boiler model, where you can run both ethe espresso shot and the steam wand at the same time?

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#3183339 18-Jan-2024 09:00

Handsomedan:

Is that the dual boiler model, where you can run both ethe espresso shot and the steam wand at the same time?

Nup - I think you're referring to the Dual Boiler as per the photo below; it's a grinder-less machine, which is why it's sold as the 'Dynamic Duo' in NZ, along with the Smart Grinder Pro. (Ironically, this means it's one of the few Breville machines that fitted in our kitchen, as the only place for it is under the microwave cupboard so height's an issue!) It's also got a 58mm group head, whereas most Brevilles are 54mm. I really rate this machine, and the ability to heat milk at the same time as pulling a shot is a great advantage. I'd have preferred a greater distance between drip tray and group head (can be difficult to fit scales in there so it limits cup options), but that's one of the few downsides.

Other brands have made 'consumer' models with dual boilers; my machine before this was a Sunbeam EM7100 which was also 58mm/dual boiler. Don't think I'd go back to a single boiler model now for my daily driver (but do cope with this for my work/take on holiday machine!).

Dual Boiler Espresso Machine | Breville | Breville (US)

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#3183356 18-Jan-2024 09:16

Handle9: @jonathan18 this video from James Hoffman is probably in your wheelhouse. I found it really interesting.

Thanks, that was really interesting viewing; such a fresh video I'd not seen it in my YT feed yet! Just the attitude I'd expect from him too, given he's not one of those coffee snobs who would oppose decaf simply on principle.

Interesting takeaway re the much shorter lifespan of decaf vs standard beans; I've noticed that even through the speed at which a finer grind is required over time. I may look to keep the spare beans in the freezer, though we do tend to buy decaf every 10 days or so.

My current ratio is 1:2, ie 1/3rd decaf with whatever 'normal' bean we have; it's enough to knock the top off the (freaky) caffeine buzz I'd otherwise often get and also not disrupt sleep too much. I was interested to see that Supreme is selling a 'pre-mix' here now! AM/PM's 50/50; while I do like and often buy Supreme, I prefer the ability to set and vary the ratio...

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#3228996 11-May-2024 12:39

jonathan18:

Thanks, that was really interesting viewing; such a fresh video I'd not seen it in my YT feed yet! Just the attitude I'd expect from him too, given he's not one of those coffee snobs who would oppose decaf simply on principle.

Interesting takeaway re the much shorter lifespan of decaf vs standard beans; I've noticed that even through the speed at which a finer grind is required over time. I may look to keep the spare beans in the freezer, though we do tend to buy decaf every 10 days or so.

My current ratio is 1:2, ie 1/3rd decaf with whatever 'normal' bean we have; it's enough to knock the top off the (freaky) caffeine buzz I'd otherwise often get and also not disrupt sleep too much. I was interested to see that Supreme is selling a 'pre-mix' here now! AM/PM's 50/50; while I do like and often buy Supreme, I prefer the ability to set and vary the ratio..

That black BES920 is exactly the machine I'm after. Does anyone know if this is stocked by any retailers in NZ? Breville NZ only lists the SS model.

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#3229014 11-May-2024 13:42

mabnz:

jonathan18:

Thanks, that was really interesting viewing; such a fresh video I'd not seen it in my YT feed yet! Just the attitude I'd expect from him too, given he's not one of those coffee snobs who would oppose decaf simply on principle.

Interesting takeaway re the much shorter lifespan of decaf vs standard beans; I've noticed that even through the speed at which a finer grind is required over time. I may look to keep the spare beans in the freezer, though we do tend to buy decaf every 10 days or so.

My current ratio is 1:2, ie 1/3rd decaf with whatever 'normal' bean we have; it's enough to knock the top off the (freaky) caffeine buzz I'd otherwise often get and also not disrupt sleep too much. I was interested to see that Supreme is selling a 'pre-mix' here now! AM/PM's 50/50; while I do like and often buy Supreme, I prefer the ability to set and vary the ratio..

That black BES920 is exactly the machine I'm after. Does anyone know if this is stocked by any retailers in NZ? Breville NZ only lists the SS model.

There has been many speculations about the dual boiler being discontinued and or new model coming out - the black one unfortunately you'll have to likely get from OZ...

NZ best time to buy will be via Briscoes when they're doing the 1/2 price Breville sale..

The "Oracle" was renewed recently as the Oracle Jet, which is basically a higher end Touch Impres (moving away from the dual boilers to one thermojet... which is bit sad!)

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#3229031 11-May-2024 14:25

Yeah, TBH I don't think I've seen the Dual Boiler in 'black sesame' for years - I got my black unit from JB HiFi and it was their floor model; this was before Briscoes started stocking the Dynamic Duo package, so paying $1599 for a floor model was cheap at the time (Dec 2020). Clearly it was old even then as it has the original water filter design.

I'd heard rumours Breville were discontinuing it, but then I also read reports that the rumours were just that and it was to be retained - will be disappointing if it does hold true. I'm not that interested in a highly automated machine, would prefer to stay with dual boilers, and I have no need for a built-in grinder. Guess it will be moving onto a European machine next time, if that's the case...

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#3229047 11-May-2024 15:31

What I would say about the BES920 is I wished mine hadn’t packed up. It made good coffee. I subsequently discovered that the hissing sound I heard coming from the machine was one of the steam line seals failing. The escaping jet of steam blew onto circuit board which made it fail. So the moral of the story is, if you hear hissing, get it serviced, or order a seal kit and replace them yourself (kits and how-to videos available online).

And further to my post a page or so back, I ended up buying the cheapest espresso machine just to get a steam wand. So now have 2 machines replacing the 2 machines I had with the Dynamic Duo.

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#3229069 11-May-2024 16:02

Dingbatt:

What I would say about the BES920 is I wished mine hadn’t packed up. It made good coffee. I subsequently discovered that the hissing sound I heard coming from the machine was one of the steam line seals failing. The escaping jet of steam blew onto circuit board which made it fail. So the moral of the story is, if you hear hissing, get it serviced, or order a seal kit and replace them yourself (kits and how-to videos available online).

And further to my post a page or so back, I ended up buying the cheapest espresso machine just to get a steam wand. So now have 2 machines replacing the 2 machines I had with the Dynamic Duo.

I've actually got a BES900 and one of the temperature sensors has steam coming out the top. I've replaced the o-ring with one I had lying around but it's still seeping out. Do those repair kits come with the sensors included? I feel like it needs a completely new sensor probe.

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#3229072 11-May-2024 16:06

mabnz:Do those repair kits come with the sensors included? I feel like it needs a completely new sensor probe.

I don’t know. At the moment my machine is in storage, unrepaired.

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roderickh

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#3229321 12-May-2024 16:45

mabnz:

Dingbatt:

What I would say about the BES920 is I wished mine hadn’t packed up. It made good coffee. I subsequently discovered that the hissing sound I heard coming from the machine was one of the steam line seals failing. The escaping jet of steam blew onto circuit board which made it fail. So the moral of the story is, if you hear hissing, get it serviced, or order a seal kit and replace them yourself (kits and how-to videos available online).

And further to my post a page or so back, I ended up buying the cheapest espresso machine just to get a steam wand. So now have 2 machines replacing the 2 machines I had with the Dynamic Duo.

I've actually got a BES900 and one of the temperature sensors has steam coming out the top. I've replaced the o-ring with one I had lying around but it's still seeping out. Do those repair kits come with the sensors included? I feel like it needs a completely new sensor probe.

Hey - do you mean the water level probe? If so mine also did the same, it's actually the inner smaller dia o-ring that is causing the issue. I replaced mine and it's all fine now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGYGlxsYWJ8&t=165s

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#3259395 14-Jul-2024 14:52

I’m away on holiday at the moment. I normally take my aeropress and pre ground coffee when I go somewhere it’s difficult to get good coffee.

Prior to this trip I bought a Timemore C3 Pro. For the money I’m really impressed. It’s easy to grind and the coffee I’m getting is really tasty. Highly recommended.

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#3259398 14-Jul-2024 15:07

Handle9: I’m away on holiday at the moment. I normally take my aeropress and pre ground coffee when I go some it’s difficult to get good coffee.

Prior to this trip I bought a Timemore C3 Pro. For the money I’m really impressed. It’s easy to grind and the coffee I’m getting is really tasty. Highly recommended.

I've got a grinder from the same brand (a C2) and I can see that it would be excellent for an Aeropress or similar, but it takes far too long to grind for espresso - my portable machine is a Picopresso and, while it makes fantastic coffee, the grind needs to be about as fine as for my home machine. I'm talking like 3-4 minutes of grinding for an 18g shot, and this is the worst thing for my OOS.

Thanks to this I've had to compromise and grind my coffee before going on holiday (which is fine for short trips). I've debated taking a cordless drill with me as that should make light work of the grinding with the C2, but a drill is not particularly compact; plus it's somewhat tragic!

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#3259409 14-Jul-2024 15:50

jonathan18:
Handle9: I’m away on holiday at the moment. I normally take my aeropress and pre ground coffee when I go some it’s difficult to get good coffee.

Prior to this trip I bought a Timemore C3 Pro. For the money I’m really impressed. It’s easy to grind and the coffee I’m getting is really tasty. Highly recommended.

I've got a grinder from the same brand (a C2) and I can see that it would be excellent for an Aeropress or similar, but it takes far too long to grind for espresso - my portable machine is a Picopresso and, while it makes fantastic coffee, the grind needs to be about as fine as for my home machine. I'm talking like 3-4 minutes of grinding for an 18g shot, and this is the worst thing for my OOS.

Thanks to this I've had to compromise and grind my coffee before going on holiday (which is fine for short trips). I've debated taking a cordless drill with me as that should make light work of the grinding with the C2, but a drill is not particularly compact; plus it's somewhat tragic!

Needs must. Life is too short not to have coffee 🤣🤣

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#3304952 3-Nov-2024 19:05

Dingbatt:

And further to my post a page or so back, I ended up buying the cheapest espresso machine just to get a steam wand. So now have 2 machines replacing the 2 machines I had with the Dynamic Duo.

An update on the above;

The trouble with buying a cheap machine just to get the steam wand is it was always a compromise (awkward to use and low pressure). The deLonghi automatic coffee machine makes nice espresso, but the milk reservoir system never made good silky milk for flat whites, cappuccino, etc.

So I began a search for a stand alone milk steamer. The only one i could find was a commercial unit from a crowd called diPacci in Australia. They have an NZ website but after they failed to respond to a couple of my emails I started to search a little further afield. It turns out their steamer was just a rebranded version of one by WPM that is widely available internationally.
So I got one through AliExpress. I am aware there are risks involved, but decided to take the chance on an international brand. The bonus being it ended up on my bench for less than half the Australian cost. Essentially bringing the price down to the “experimental” price bracket. It’s fully automatic. Put milk in the jug, put it under the wand and press go. So for now, I’m happy.

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#3305107 4-Nov-2024 09:02

For those that prefer to repair a coffee machine, at what stage does it become uneconomical?

We have a Jura Ena Micro 1 which was about $1600 new and is now about ~10 years old. Last year we replaced the drain motor (~$400), in august we replaced the brew group (~400), and now the grinder has had an internal failure and needs replacing (quoted ~$500). We are undecided about this repair as its not a lot more to get a new delonghi automatic as a replacement (for example).

Other than the thermoblock and the water pump, i dont know what else is in the machine and could break. The parts already replaced should outlive the machine so potentially doing this repair could extend the machine life for some years.

Thoughts?

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