!!!PRESUMED SOLD!!! - Trade - E61 for double boiler. Reluctantly

[dlight]

And while the Breville is capable of a 3min warm up, I'm sure it hasn't achieved decent temp stability in that time. For making multiple coffees you'd still want to give it 15min wouldn't you?

The small thermal mass of the Breville actually works in its favour. The boiler is mounted directly above the portafilter holder and there is a separate PID controller for the heater mounted in the portafilter holder. So the portafilter holder heats extremely quickly (under 3 minutes) and more importantly, is able to maintain this operating temperature due to the PID controller for the heating element in the head.

So when one says it is at temperature in 3 minutes, it really is. Of course, your coffee cup won't be warm and the portafilter itself not up to temperature. But a 10 second flush into the coffee cup sorts that out.

I have the machine turn on automatically in the morning, so everything is nice and warm when I start. However, I'll often find the machine has turned off automatically, and need to turn it on again to make a coffee. So a few minutes later it's all ready to go.

I use the volumetric setting on the machine. Based on a 20g dose, and subject to a 'correct' grind setting, I'll have a 40g espresso in around 30 seconds. I've set the pre-infusion to 10 seconds - prefer it to the 7 seconds that is standard.

All so easy, because the machine is so consistent.

Of course, a good grinder makes a big difference. I've recently upgraded from a Breville to a Compak A8. The consistency of the grind is immediately noticeable, both visually and in the improved coffee flavours.

[LeroyC]

Trade - E61 for double boiler. Reluctantly

Lots of interesting discussion. I don't think there's anything particularly wrong with a Breville DB, but I've never used one myself. I've seen and handled them in stores and have always felt both a bit pleasantly surprised and at the same time slightly disappointed by them. There's so much to like about them, why can't they just put a little bit more money into making them look nicer?!!! Ah well.

If this is urgent then the Breville DB will be your easiest solution as they're a dime a dozen. But there are other options. What about an Ascaso Duo? There are 3 versions - the standard which has a brew boiler and a thermoblock for steam (not great apparently and prone to thermoblock issues), the Duo Pro which is twin boiler (much better performer), and the Duo Pro E (twin boiler with volumetric dosing). I think they're similar size to the Breville so should be fine in your small space (a NS Musica would probably be too big).

Then there's small HX machines like a Grimac Mia, a Unic Pony, a Nuova Simonelli Oscar, or like I have - a Brugnetti Simona Top. All but the Oscar come in versions with volumetric dosing. The Oscar is the only one still being made, but these others do pop up 2nd hand more often than you might think so don't count them out.

And while the Breville is capable of a 3min warm up, I'm sure it hasn't achieved decent temp stability in that time. For making multiple coffees you'd still want to give it 15min wouldn't you?

[Dimal]

The Breville sounds like the fit you're after. Not sure why there is so much negative sentiment here about the Breville.

Like a lot of things, I believe it all comes down to a matter of perception and where you're starting from.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I started off with a cheapie Sunbeam a long, long time ago and for what it was, I was very happy with the quality of espresso I was able to get out of it. I did have a decent grinder right from the get-go though and always used high quality, freshly roasted coffee....

I think, for what it is, the Breville Dual Boiler machine is an excellent product from what is essentially, an appliance manufacturer. For the same sort of money though, you can get an awfully good quality used Italian/Spanish/German manufactured machine, that while it may not have all the bells and whistles of the Breville, is built to an entirely different specification and aimed at end-users who appreciate a more bespoke quality of build.

It's very doubtful that I would ever head back into an appliance manufacturer's machine now, but if the Sunbeam was still sitting on my bench, then I would give the Breville a place for consideration on my equipment short-list...

Mal.

[dlight]

The Breville sounds like the fit you're after. Not sure why there is so much negative sentiment here about the Breville.

Time from turn it on to making coffee is around three minutes. That's with the portafilter holder at a temperature of 93 degrees. A short flush to heat your cup and portafilter and you're ready to make coffee. I find it an amazing machine for the price. I'd love to trade up, but the price gap to a Vesuvius is too large. I guess it's now obligatory to say IMO.

I certainly wouldn't downgrade to a single boiler. Been there, done that and the Breville is a massive improvement in terms of consistency, speed (brew and froth simultaneously), temperature stability and ease of use. I keep the dose constant, so the only variable now is the grind (as it should be).

Interested to see the responses...

[saoye]

Yeah mate, they both drink lattes.
I drink a latte in the morning and then short blacks from then onwards.

I think a Breville will have to be the option when we look at all the options

When you look at all the options you will realise Breville does not have to be the option...

[Giddyupgaz]

Yeah mate, they both drink lattes.
I drink a latte in the morning and then short blacks from then onwards.

I think a Breville will have to be the option when we look at all the options

[kyeba]

Do they only drink milk coffees? maybe look into the Brazen?

[readeral]

I'm sure there's a Breville owner out there that only pulls shots these days that'd be keen for a nicer machine. Good luck with it!

Maybe re-title your thread 'Swap Diadema for Breville' and see what happens.

[Giddyupgaz]

Yes selling is the best option, but as I first put out there I was looking to see if I could do a trade first.

probably a Breville 900 or 920 would probably be all I would be offered - not 100% sure that's what I want to end up with but it may do for the time being.

I have been to see Chris in the past and their are so many options, but once again that's another step up. I think at this stage i would prefer to swap or sell into a Breville option rather than buy into a more expensive machine at this stage.
Not the CS way i know as upgradeitis is the preferred option on here, but I need to satisfy all the family here so i may need to take a backwards step on my coffee journey to keep the peace.

[Dimal]

Despite Mal misinterpreting my intent in post #2 I was only encouraging you to post accurate info

so that you might be more successful.

Don't know about that mate....

Can only interpret what was has been written. It wasn't in Lithuanian after all...

Mal.

[readeral]

Just walk into Talk Coffee and see what's sitting around and what they can do for you :P

Selling really is the best option for you to move forward quickly on this.

[WantRancilio10]

A new-ish Breville BES900 bought from fleabay (from a reputable seller) or CS and selling the Perfetta on CS really is one obvious solution rather than a trade. You might even make a profit?

And yes Melb, sorry - I should have looked harder.

[Giddyupgaz]

Location was on post #8, sorry should have added it to the opening post.
I'm in Melbourne

Yes the size of the Perfetta was a major selling point, as was the look and performance.
Yes the reluctance to part with it means I am looking for a good deal, but hoping someone is looking for a genuinely good shot making machine to continue their coffee journey. Otherwise selling it and waiting on a good deal to pop up will be the best outcome I think, and by the PM' that doesn't look like it will be that hard

[TC]

Hello giddy,

I think the solution is easy. Best bet is to sell your machine to someone looking for a great single boiler machine and then purchase whatever you think you need.

I can't see that the owner of any HX, Dual boiler or superauto is going to be interested in a trade down to a machine which is best suited to an espresso purist. Our espresso machine buyers guide might help you to determine what it is that suits your requirements.

Cheers

Chris

[WantRancilio10]

Your location would help!
To ask someone to trade 'down' will be hard enough as it is (unless you're willing to consider a thermoblock). Or is that the plan - this is all a charade - you're actually too 'reluctant' to part with it?


There's a stack of different dual boilers out there and an even bigger stack of different HXs. Buying one of those and selling the Perfetta separately (which shouldn't be hard) is a more realistic outcome but hey... it doesn't hurt to try (to trade).

One advantage of the Perfetta in an apartment setting is its size... If you go DB or HX it might not be just the silly cord situation interfering with the cooker