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Breville Dual Boiler V Oscar II

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  • #31
    Originally posted by 338 View Post
    Wilpark, most retailers, especially specialist retailers of items like the Oscar don't really have terms where you can use the item for a few weeks then return it because you have changed your mind. The two items here also aren't generally sold by the same vendor.
    thanks for the education. here in the states the same vendor will sell both with a 30 day return policy. you will have to pay for return shipping and maybe a restock fee.

    this is tough choice.

    Comment


    • #32
      Oops. Bit mixed up there.
      I have a musica and like its looks. So i also like the looks of the oscar2. The musica has had its share of issues, but it is a older machine and was needing love when i got it. The latest was the brew pressure was down. I shimmed the 'non adjustable' opv with copper washers.
      No experience with thd db.

      Comment


      • #33
        Originally posted by artman View Post
        BDB is a great machine when it works, lots of user friendly features and capable of great brew with the right ingredients and technique. if/when it break the places that can fix it are limited and if you DIY the part suppliers are limited. looks a bit more like an appliance (subjective). for $7xx its amazing value. resale is poor.

        the oscar is more a "traditional" machine, built on a different level, and built more to last.

        Have a play with both if you can.

        cheers
        I'd venture to say even for resale you'd probably lose less money with BDB than OSCAR if you're planning to sell say in 3 years time.

        Comment


        • #34
          Originally posted by Mattm14 View Post
          I have been debating and deliberating for some time now about the next machine. My old Sunbeam 6910 is still producing good coffee but she is old and goes through group head seals much quicker than it should. It looks tired and with each new seal I find myself saying "ok it is time to retire the old machine". Trouble is I then have to make a decision about what to replace it with.

          After much research I have come to the point of considering either the Breville DB or the Oscar II. They are not too far apart in price and as we tend to make mostly milk based coffees so the ability to steam and pour the espresso at the same time is appealing (I think I would struggle to move to a single boiler arrangement after the 6910). Yes the BDB has more options/features but I am not sure I would spend a whole lot of time playing around with these to be honest.

          So my questions are as follows:
          • Can owners of the BDB and Oscar II (I don't imagine you will be the same people) comment on reliability? Any issues with faults? Ease of repairs / service if required?
          • If you had to choose between one of these machines which would it be? Why?
          • Any comments on the quality of the finished product on either machine?


          Thanks in advance for your input.

          Matt
          So which one did you buy?
          I'm considering these two machines at the mo...

          Comment


          • #35
            Hi coffee lovers

            Was about to purchase the Breville Dual Boiler but thought I would get some quotes from the suppliers on here.

            both have recommended the NS Oscar II.

            I don’t mind paying the extra $300 odd if it is superior. Longevity isn’t a massive concern if I get 5-6 good years I am happy.

            I usually drink lattes so the steam wand on the Oscar is appealing and I like it’s design but as I am a novice and want it as simple as possible maybe the Breville is a better option

            what would you recommend if someone wanted nicely textured milk, consistent shots (without playing about too much) and easy cleaning and use?

            TIA

            Comment


            • jasiano
              jasiano commented
              Editing a comment
              my totally biased opinion (because I own a BDB after much deliberation/consideration of 'proper' machines) - the BDB is super easy to clean (and keep clean) and very easy to steam milk. As for consistent shots, it depends always on your puck prep, but the temp stability & control on the BDB is very good.

              Also you just missed out on the good guys 15% off

          • #36
            jasiano thanks ah that’s a shame I know JB have it for $999 have seen it as low as $850

            Comment


            • #37
              I can comment from first hand experience as I'm actually in rather unique position of (still) owning both BDB and Oscar II.

              I was on the same boat last year when looking to replace my Breville Barista Express. After weeks of reading reviews etc., I decided to pay the extra for Oscar II with OPV kit fitted from Antony, coupled with Eureka Specialita and I was super happy with the setup. The Oscar steaming power is excellent, because my wife and I mainly drink latte.

              However, after 9 months of only light use (mostly 2 cups a day), my Oscar II suddenly won't heat up one morning. I live in regional WA, so I ended up having to send it back to Melbourne, where the heating element was diagnosed to have failed and had to be replaced. Because of Covid lockdowns etc., my Oscar II just got shipped back this week, almost 2 months since it first stopped working.

              When I lost my Oscar II, I came into quick realisation of how dependent I've become to a working coffee machine. Mokapot and plunger coffees just didn't cut it for me. So, I went to my local HN and picked up a BDB which I've now been using for almost 7 weeks.

              To my surprise, the only thing that BDB does worse than Oscar II is the steaming power. But I'm talking a difference of about 10 seconds longer when steaming 200ml of milk here. BDB's pressure gauge, filling up water through the front and programmable wake up time are definitely plus points over Oscar II.

              I'm now leaning more towards keeping the BDB and selling the Oscar II when I receive it back. But I might do a proper side by side comparison and see which one excites me more.

              Comment


              • #38
                ysul Thanks so muchI am still so torn. I am going to replace the grinder too (I have a Breville Smart Grinder) and the helpful peeps from Coffee Parts recommended the Eureka Classico. The Oscar and the Classico together will push 2k and I feel this may be a bit pricey but perhaps if I get the BDB and the Classico this would be a good set up?

                Comment


                • #39
                  Some people say the grinder can be more important than the espresso machine itself.

                  I only have experience with Barista Express' built in grinder and Specialita. The difference between the two is night and day, I can dial in the grind that I want for different beans with Specialita and they're always nice and fluffy. I hardly need to tamper by force anymore, I use Motta tamper now which is already somewhat heavy and I just let its natural weight to tamp the coffee.

                  My Specialita + BDB gives me equally, if not better, coffee (lattes) than Specialita + Oscar II. Pressure gauge and shot timer also make it a lot easier.

                  I don't have any experience with Classico but it's of the same line as Specialita so I'm speculating that it may perform similarly.

                  Features wise BDB is better than Oscar II (except for steaming power). Some people say that Oscar II will last longer than BDB, this maybe true and I'm just unlucky to have issue with the heating element after only months of use. Oscar II is supposedly more repairable compared to BDB (considered as appliance type machine) - true from my experience but you still need to get the right people to do it unless you're a DIY type of person.

                  Oscar II does have more accessories and consumable parts range available in the market, I had replaced my Oscar II group gasket and shower screen with cafelat red and precision shower screen. I also got naked portafilter from Pesado for NS. The availability of these comparable parts for BDB are somewhat lacking.

                  Comment


                  • #40
                    Originally posted by ysul View Post
                    Oscar II does have more accessories and consumable parts range available in the market, I had replaced my Oscar II group gasket and shower screen with cafelat red and precision shower screen. I also got naked portafilter from Pesado for NS. The availability of these comparable parts for BDB are somewhat lacking.
                    Cafelat make a blue silicone group head seal for the BDB (https://www.coffeeparts.com.au/cafel...l-blue-silicon). You can replace the shower screen with an IMS CI 200 IM, although by all reports it doesnt improve the coffee only makes it slightly cleaner. Breville themselves sell a naked portafilter (BES058NPCRO). There is slightly less available but I wouldn't call it lacking. What do you want that isn't available?

                    Comment


                    • jasiano
                      jasiano commented
                      Editing a comment
                      +1 on this. I replaced the shower screen with the IMS one... and then switched back... and then back again. I can't tell if there's actually a difference in the cup !!
                      You could even go the full send with gasket & disc 'upgrade'.

                      I've got the breville naked PF as well - I like the Breville handles on their PF's, plastic outside yes but they are quite solid.

                  • #41
                    Thanks Ninja, I was aware of those ones. Perhaps I shouldn't call it lacking, more of limited options. I'm mainly disappointed that Pesado doesn't make naked portafilter for BDB, I really like their portafilter when using the one for Oscar II.

                    ​​​

                    Comment


                    • level3ninja
                      level3ninja commented
                      Editing a comment
                      Weird they do the 54mm but not the 58mm. You could probably get the lugs machined if you really wanted to use it

                  • #42
                    level3ninja that's an interesting option, too bad I have neither the equipment nor the skill to do it

                    I might take my chance with one of the knock offs from ebay later if I end up keeping the BDB.

                    Comment


                    • #43
                      Originally posted by ysul View Post
                      I can comment from first hand experience as I'm actually in rather unique position of (still) owning both BDB and Oscar II.

                      I was on the same boat last year when looking to replace my Breville Barista Express. After weeks of reading reviews etc., I decided to pay the extra for Oscar II with OPV kit fitted from Antony, coupled with Eureka Specialita and I was super happy with the setup. The Oscar steaming power is excellent, because my wife and I mainly drink latte.

                      However, after 9 months of only light use (mostly 2 cups a day), my Oscar II suddenly won't heat up one morning. I live in regional WA, so I ended up having to send it back to Melbourne, where the heating element was diagnosed to have failed and had to be replaced. Because of Covid lockdowns etc., my Oscar II just got shipped back this week, almost 2 months since it first stopped working.

                      When I lost my Oscar II, I came into quick realisation of how dependent I've become to a working coffee machine. Mokapot and plunger coffees just didn't cut it for me. So, I went to my local HN and picked up a BDB which I've now been using for almost 7 weeks.

                      To my surprise, the only thing that BDB does worse than Oscar II is the steaming power. But I'm talking a difference of about 10 seconds longer when steaming 200ml of milk here. BDB's pressure gauge, filling up water through the front and programmable wake up time are definitely plus points over Oscar II.

                      I'm now leaning more towards keeping the BDB and selling the Oscar II when I receive it back. But I might do a proper side by side comparison and see which one excites me more.
                      I had my Oscar II back last week, so I did the side by side comparison for few days.

                      Oscar II definitely has the advantage on steaming power, the longer steam wand also somewhat useful to froth milk faster and easier (I sometime splashed some milk when frothing with BDB due to the shorter steam wand).

                      I also like the built of Oscar II more than BDB - it's not as plasticky and feel more robust.

                      But, overall I found the BDB is more user friendly with the LCD, integrated wake up timer, shot timer and pressure gauge.

                      So, I'm keeping my BDB, hoping it will last me at least as long as my Barista Express (had that for 6 years) and the Oscar II is now up for sale.

                      Comment


                      • Whorl
                        Whorl commented
                        Editing a comment
                        Was your preference only in regards to the user-friendliness? I'm curious if there was any taste difference in preferring one to the other.

                      • ysul
                        ysul commented
                        Editing a comment
                        Comparing the taste was a bit tricky. I think my Oscar II OPV was set to slightly higher pressure than the BDB, because for the same bean and same grind, the Oscar II was a bit over extracting compared to BDB - (at 9 bar according to its pressure gauge).

                        This made the Oscar's tasted a bit stronger, but still in a good way. And because I drink latte, the Oscar's had stronger taste overall compared to BDB's which feels smoother.

                        I'd use any of these two machines at any day with no complain for the coffee that it makes. But eventually I don't need two machines, and the extra features of BDB gave it the advantage.

                    • #44
                      Thanks for sharing. I really enjoy my BDB, but i do love the lines and look of the Oscar 11 - I would rate the BDB steaming capacity as adequate compared to others I have seen - but was surprised in the James Hoffman Price point shoot out where the steaming times weren't all that much longer than other offerings. GLWS

                      Comment


                      • #45
                        Ive had an Oscar 1 and now own a BDB.
                        Those that call the BDB an appliance may not have owned both as the internals of the the bdb are similiar in 'commercial' status as the Oscar.
                        Same pump, stainless steel boiler vs copper, water tank and reservoir of similiar sizes, similiar solenoids etc.
                        I had many problems witht the Oscar over a five year period as would be expected from any constanly used machine. Boiler, pump, solenoid all replaced. OPV added.
                        Shots were good but not consistent. Steam is excellent.
                        We bought the BDB after the last break down of the Oscar. It was second hand and three years old. It had a leaky steam wand which is common. I bought it off a fella who had the transferable five year warranty from the Good Guys. After a year of consistently excellent shots using stock basket and no issues, I sent it in for repairs which were all covered with the extended warranty and the maching has come back as new. You can pressure profile, temp profile, it measure with time and volume.You can even modify to put in a rotary pump and plumb it in.
                        If you buy new, buy with an extended warranty. Good guys Concierge is excellent value and you are basically guaranteed a working machine for five years.

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