Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

[CDJansen60]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

Hello All

Another new member here. I have waited to join until I finallly got my BDB, which happened last Thursday after waiting since I placed my order early last November. Its been a tough few months without a coffee machine.

Previously I had a KitchenAid Artisan which died in mid October. It was ok but now I know what a good machine is capable of. Thanks to finding this site and reading the various threads I have found the right machine for me.

Set up the new beast over the weekend and started experimenting. A have a Baratza Preciso grinder and seem to now have nearly the right grind.

The OPV on my BDB seems ot be fine. Pulling a shot I get a tad over 9 bar, just where I want it. First drops are around 10 seconds with extraction finishing at about 28 seconds (a little bit quick but not bad.) The coffe is far superior to anything I ever made on my old machine.

The plastic liner thingy is still being installed in the PF and I know I can pull it out. But is there a good reason to do so? Does the coffee improve without it?

Thanks to everyone on this site for helping me make the right descision in getting the BDB. 

[cvis]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

hi!!!


had my 900 for a couple of weeks now...oooohhh bebe!!!


coupleof queries:

does everybody agree to rip the plastic insert from the PF? I find it traps water, only to spill it on the floor/grinder after pre-flushing the PF to heat it.

why did Breville spend money to fit it? if it is only for people not pre-heating the PF, those who do so dont need it?

what is the best way to remove it?

thanx for any assistance!

joe

[Metatron]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

The easiest way to remove the plastic thingy is with a large corkscrew. It is not doing anything useful and is possibly unsanitary as you cant clean under it.

[snowy]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

Metatron - could you please clarify the use of the corkscrew? Just put pointy end in the hole from the top of the PF and twist? TIA.

[specialpants]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

Two ways to remove the plastic thing that has worked for me.

The first way is to unscrew the spout and unclip the plastic insert. This method worked well for my dads BDB.

Sometimes this isnt possible (which was the case for my BDB). I was careful and making an effort not to scratch the portafilter; I found prying it out with a screwdriver quite difficult.

I ended up getting a blow torch to soften the plastic insert and using a screwdriver to lift and bend the plastic. Once this was done, I simply pulled off the plastic using pliers.

[Metatron]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

Yes, put the pointy end in the hole from the PF side. You want to use a large, strong corkscrew. Essentially it will grab on to the plastic and you pull it out. It will probably break the plastic as it comes out. It took a couple of minutes but was pretty simple. I think it is easier than unscrewing the spout.

[Oceanaussi]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

HELP!!!

Alright, this is really embarrassing...

I finally receivedmy Breville and just set it up. So far so good. But when I put the filter basket insidethe portafilter,I had to use alot of strenght. Inside the portafilter was a piece of wire, like a circlip. So I took that out and inserted the filter basket again. Was that right? How do I hold onto my filterbasket when I want to empty it? Or should I put the wire thing back in (which I tried) but then the filter basket is so tight, I dont know how to get it out again.

My second problem is, for the life of my, I cant lock the portafilter into the machine. > Either Im just too stupid or Im doing something completly wrong. It just wont hold. Can anybody help me please???

Thank you!

[Koffee_Kosmo]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

HELP!!!

Alright, this is really embarrassing...

I finally receivedmy Breville and just set it up. So far so good. But when I put the filter basket insidethe portafilter,I had to use alot of strenght. Inside the portafilter was a piece of wire, like a circlip. So I took that out and inserted the filter basket again. Was that right? How do I hold onto my filterbasket when I want to empty it? Or should I put the wire thing back in (which I tried) but then the filter basket is so tight, I dont know how to get it out again.

My second problem is, for the life of my, I cant lock the portafilter into the machine.  > Either Im just too stupid or Im doing something completly wrong. It just wont hold. Can anybody help me please???

Thank you!

It is normal & Yes leave the spring in
It holds the basket firmly into the group handle
Just press the filter basket with the palm of your hand all the way until it clicks in

To fit the handle into the machine do a visual, look at the lug position usually to the left and marry them up
To lock turn to the right

KK

[Oceanaussi]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

Thanks for the quick reply. Ive tried it in empty mode and that locked in, so I think I might have overfilled the basket. However, the only way to get the basket out while the spring is in is with help of a knife. Is there any better tricks.

BUT I just poured my first macchiato and its marvellous!!!

[Koffee_Kosmo]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

Thanks for the quick reply. Ive tried it in empty mode and that locked in, so I think I might have overfilled the basket. However, the only way to get the basket out while the spring is in is with help of a knife. Is there any better tricks.

BUT I just poured my first macchiato and its marvellous!!!

The only time I remove the filter basket is when I need to clean it with chemical
A rinse after every use will normally keep it clean until a chemical clean is required 
And yes it does take some force to remove ! believe it or not they make a special tool to remove it 

You need to find the correct depth to tamp
This depth is just before the coffee puck touches the screen inside the head when locked in 
It may require you to tamp 4,5,6 mm deep
A bit of trial and error is whats needed

[Oceanaussi]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

Ahhh! Thanks for that,I didnt know. 4 coffees and I gotta get up at 4.30 am...

[DavidW1960]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

I remove it every time I make a coffee because it does seem to have coffee under it and I just like to wash it out. I dont have any problem removing it with my fingers though.

[Barry_Duncan]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

You need to find the correct depth to tamp

When all else fails, read the instructions.

From page 24 of the BES900 instruction book:

"As a guided to the dose, the top edge of the metal cap on the tamper should be level with the top of the filter basket after the coffee has been tamped."

Welcome to the club Oceanaussi.

It is time for a macchiato.

Barry.

[Oceanaussi]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

Thanks for all your help! I guess I just have to experiment a bit. Made a really nice cappucchino this morning. Also, not sure about the froth. Normally my milk always doubled in size when I froth milk but this morning it didnt. It heated up and became a little frothy but not as much as Im used to. Am I doing something wrong? :-[

[DavidW1960]

Re: Breville BES900 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

Probably

Make sure you just pull the wand out of the milk so it sits on/just below the surface - you will hear a nice hissing noise.

Unlike other coffee makers, it doesnt add water to increase the volume and if you bury the wand it will heat the milk as you saw. If you let it hiss just on/above/below the surface you will get great foam with no problems and it will double in size or more. Make sure you tap and swirl the jug after foaming before pouring and you will get as good a result or better than any coffee shop.