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Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread
For almost triple the price you expect improvements that matter in more than just one area. The way a rotary pump delivers pressure - more evenly with respect to time - is probably a significant factor, but there are many other factors in play. The thermal capacity of the Duetto makes it more likely that water delivered to the head is the expected temperature but thats something you can offset on the 900 with the dual flush ritual. I have never even touched a Duetto, but its just common sense: at that price you have to hope a lot of it was spent on achieving both temperature and pressure stability during shot delivery.
Weve heard the mantra time and again, that temperature is the most important factor, but so many people on this 900 thread have pointed out that pressure makes a big difference to texture, even if it doesnt impact on the taste as much as temperature.
As the poster is talking primarily about texture, pressure has to be a factor, and the pump relates directly to that. While this isnt the Duetto thread, its encouraging to know that spending another $2000+ gets you something besides a lot of shiny chrome. I cant imagine anyone believed the 900 was the epitome of espresso making, but it does seem to get very good results for the money if you follow the recommended practice.
Personally, I find that the flushing ritual makes a big difference to the result; it is absolutely critical if the machine has not had half an hour or more to warm up; and still makes a difference even if it has.
A discussion of whether the Duetto is the best way to spend well over $3000 on a coffee machine (or what price you can get one for on a good day) probably belongs on another thread though.
Getting 11+ bar out of a rotary pump requires a very good rotary pump, but on the other hand, such a pump should last practically forever. Ive read in the past that rotary pump machines deliver about 11 bar max because there is no need for them to produce excess pressure and some produce even less because their capacity to hit the required pressure of 9-10bar is so good in the first place, they dont need to over-pressure then dump through a control valve. If this is true, I dont think its an option for Breville at the 900s price point unless they come up with a cheap and clever pump design of their own.
Originally posted by 736E6A6A7E64070 link=1312978609/1814#1814 date=1333670302
Weve heard the mantra time and again, that temperature is the most important factor, but so many people on this 900 thread have pointed out that pressure makes a big difference to texture, even if it doesnt impact on the taste as much as temperature.
As the poster is talking primarily about texture, pressure has to be a factor, and the pump relates directly to that. While this isnt the Duetto thread, its encouraging to know that spending another $2000+ gets you something besides a lot of shiny chrome. I cant imagine anyone believed the 900 was the epitome of espresso making, but it does seem to get very good results for the money if you follow the recommended practice.
Personally, I find that the flushing ritual makes a big difference to the result; it is absolutely critical if the machine has not had half an hour or more to warm up; and still makes a difference even if it has.
A discussion of whether the Duetto is the best way to spend well over $3000 on a coffee machine (or what price you can get one for on a good day) probably belongs on another thread though.
Getting 11+ bar out of a rotary pump requires a very good rotary pump, but on the other hand, such a pump should last practically forever. Ive read in the past that rotary pump machines deliver about 11 bar max because there is no need for them to produce excess pressure and some produce even less because their capacity to hit the required pressure of 9-10bar is so good in the first place, they dont need to over-pressure then dump through a control valve. If this is true, I dont think its an option for Breville at the 900s price point unless they come up with a cheap and clever pump design of their own.
) for suggesting the DIY pressure mod, (& that this is certainly a step or 10 beyond that).
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