Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

[DavidW1960]

Mate - it's not working properly - how long do you think that seal will last with that kind of treatment?

Take it back!

Aeropress is better than the alternatives - get a Cafelogic filter from Andy and it's not so bad.

Get it fixed mate.

[Banjo.au]

It may very well be time to take it back, but before you do check these points, and I'm sorry if they're a lesson in sucking eggs:

* Were the seal and your portafilter dry? I can only get the portafilter to easily go past the six o'clock position when both are wet, and with not too much effort it gets to about half-three. When dry, I'm back to between half-five and six for the same effort.
* Is the recess for the seal clean?
* Did you torque the screw holding the shower screen and dispersal block when the machine and all parts were hot? The machine, block and shower screen need to be hot, and the screw shouldn't be overtightened or the seal will be too compressed.

Your description of leak from the back of the seal (or is it the back of the group?) seems odd. If this is the case, maybe the seal isn't the issue at all and something has moved.

PS. If you're not exerting a lot of effort to turn the portafilter as far as you are, you're not harming the seal.

[ajhclarke]

This may be of assistance to some rural readers .....
I live in Woodend, an hour from Melbourne, and most of the time we use tank water (collected from the roof) -- although the current drought has had us switch on town water for the first time in 3 years.
Anyway, we have an external filter fitted and I asked a Breville service person how often we should change the water filter given that all water entering the home is filtered externally.
In those circumstances, change it once a year, he said. He grew up in the country and knew the type of filter we were using, so I'm happy with that ....
Meantime, I'm searching for a second portafilter handle so I don't have the hassle of changing between the single and double baskets (mine is an over-snug fit) and am wondering if there's an economic generic portafilter handle which would fit and be less expensive than Breville's own...
cheers

[DavidW1960]

and am wondering if there's an economic generic portafilter handle which would fit and be less expensive than Breville's own...

No it's proprietary to Breville. You could buy a Naked?

[Thirteen13]

Well its progressivly getting worse and worse, which makes me think its wear. It seems like the collar that that PF locked into is wearing down, i dont know if 2500 shots or so is too much for this to handle. Its definately not overfilled with grinds, so its not excessive force.

Yes all those things where exactly how i did it, all dry, hot and locked in. I think its just wear on the machine, oh well ill do it after the weekend so i get a least a few more cups in before the big dry

Got the aero tho! So better than nothing

[WiredArabica]

Well its progressivly getting worse and worse, which makes me think its wear. It seems like the collar that that PF locked into is wearing down...

I've seen pictures (on the -ah- red forum ) of the collar (or I suppose a liner for the collar) which seems to be made of a plastic material; might be worth while seeing if that surface has worn down to the metal.

[Thirteen13]

I've seen pictures (on the -ah- red forum ) of the collar (or I suppose a liner for the collar) which seems to be made of a plastic material; might be worth while seeing if that surface has worn down to the metal.

I took all that apart, took the steam seal out, the screen etc and got a bright LED torch up into there and its not really worn down, but then it could be a mm or less thats been worn over over time which is causing the gap.
I think its cause its plastic thats its worn down. It sounds like the most logical idea, but not saying thats what it is.
Either way its under warranty so ill take it in and see what they reckon.

[Thirteen13]

Heres few snaps of the guides

[PrescottCR]

Anyone looking for a bottomless PF from Breville USA should consider sending an eMail (or message) through their site. It wasn't showing in stock so I asked to be notified, if possible, when they are available. I promptly got an email back saying there was a limited supply. If you pad your order a little you get free shipping. That's pretty easy to do with some reasonably priced items like baskets and such.

[SouthsideAmericanBulldogs]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

Shot I poured this morning . Is this considered too much? Or is this just about right? 30 seconds in shot clock and just started to blonde. Still trying to gauge exactly how well my tamp and grind needs adjusting but seem to be on the money now. Cheers

[WiredArabica]

Shot I poured this morning . Is this considered too much? Or is this just about right? 30 seconds in shot clock and just started to blonde. Still trying to gauge exactly how well my tamp and grind needs adjusting but seem to be on the money now. Cheers

Hi SAB, welcome to the BDB club!
Without knowing just how much is in that glass that's a little difficult to answer. But in trying to scale off landmarks on the machine, at first glance I'm inclined to say that looks like too much... But how did it taste? (Also, how long did it settle before the photo was taken? How old are the beans?)

Ideally you're after 50-60ml from the double basket. If you've a measuring glass of some sort it helps take out some of the guess work. Alternatively, a set of scales and some water will teach you the levels on your particular receptacle.

~Wired.

[SouthsideAmericanBulldogs]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

Hi SAB, welcome to the BDB club!
Without knowing just how much is in that glass that's a little difficult to answer. But in trying to scale off landmarks on the machine, at first glance I'm inclined to say that looks like too much... But how did it taste? (Also, how long did it settle before the photo was taken? How old are the beans?)

Ideally you're after 50-60ml from the double basket. If you've a measuring glass of some sort it helps take out some of the guess work. Alternatively, a set of scales and some water will teach you the levels on your particular receptacle.

~Wired.

100ml glass, tasted great so in turn as is always mentioned does it really matter how long the pour etc. As long as it tasted like it should. Beans are a week old but I assume roast date is anywhere between 1 and 2 weeks before. Settled for no more than a minute, so not long at all.

~SAB

[WiredArabica]

100ml glass, tasted great so in turn as is always mentioned does it really matter how long the pour etc. As long as it tasted like it should. Beans are a week old but I assume roast date is anywhere between 1 and 2 weeks before. Settled for no more than a minute, so not long at all.

~SAB

Beaut! Sounds like you're onto it.

[SouthsideAmericanBulldogs]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

Had a go at latte art, ended up with a love heart. Still very inconsistent with the Microfoam but getting there slowly

[MarkZammit]

Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

Had a go at latte art, ended up with a love heart. Still very inconsistent with the Microfoam but getting there slowly

Keep at it. After 6 months with the BDB, my art is improving. This from a few days ago.



Most importantly, it tasted awesome.