Grey Senior Member Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Posts: 27 Location: Atlanta, GA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domo Superbar... Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Posted Fri Jul 4, 2008, 10:10am Subject: Should I adjust the pressure on my Vibiemme Domobar?
I've had this Vibiemme Domobar Super Electronic for over a year now and I love the machine. It's accompanied by a Mazer Mini grinder. Since the begining, with the right amount of grounds, properly tamped, the machine has always shown about 11 bars of pressure when pulling a double shot that last about 25 seconds. 9 bars seems to be the standard that is always referenced, but if I adjust my grind to be more coarse, therefore pulling a shot at around 9 bars, it's finished in maybe 15 seconds and I have a very weak, dull espresso. I love my current shots at 11 bars and consider them perfection. So, you might wonder why I would even think of changing anything. Well...two years ago, I thought the same great things about my FrancisFrancis machine. I just made a few shots from that for the first time in years the other day and had to force them down. So I was wondering, if I made a pressure adjustment to get my current grind down to 9 bars in 25 seconds, would that make a world of difference in my shot flavor? Should I mess with it, or are most of these pressure gauges unreliable anyway, and I ought to just stick with the settings I have?
wideasleep1 Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 581 Location: Sausalito,Ca Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: VBMDoubleDomo Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: nope Drip: Bodum Press Roaster: IR1 and 2,SC/TO,Behmor
Posted Fri Jul 4, 2008, 11:58am Subject: Re: Should I adjust the pressure on my Vibiemme Domobar?
You already know the answer. :) The only way to stem your curiosity is to try it..it's easy to do, and reverse, but please give it a try for an extended period. Out of the box, my VBMDB was 11.5 to 12 bar, depending on the gauge being used, and after dialing it down to 9-9.5, I find the shots much thicker, and using fresh roast, can get a shot glass totally full of crema with just a hint of liquid at the bottom. It took about a week after adjustment for the barista to 'adjust', but since you already have a years experience, it may happen quite a bit faster. :) Do it now. :D
Grey Senior Member Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Posts: 27 Location: Atlanta, GA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domo Superbar... Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Posted Fri Jul 4, 2008, 6:40pm Subject: Re: Should I adjust the pressure on my Vibiemme Domobar?
OK...I'm doing it now and I'll leave it for at least a few weeks. Hey wideasleep1, have you ever tried Espresso Vivace's Espresso Dolce? It comes to you one day after roasting and it's the heaviest creme, smoothest tasting espresso I've ever had. If you've got anything that sounds that good yourself, let me know what it is and I'll give it a try.
wideasleep1 Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 581 Location: Sausalito,Ca Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: VBMDoubleDomo Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: nope Drip: Bodum Press Roaster: IR1 and 2,SC/TO,Behmor
Posted Fri Jul 4, 2008, 11:36pm Subject: Re: Should I adjust the pressure on my Vibiemme Domobar?
Haven't tried it specifically, but have been to Espresso Vivace...I'll order some based on your recommendation. :) I've heard I can even buy it green, and will give some a go in the bimmer. (makes me wonder if there's a de-constructed recipe of this somewhere). :)
'The Best' is VERY difficult to nail down, as I love all different types of flavors, SO as well as balanced blends. SM's LiquidAmber, and Moka Kadir spring to mind, my own blend of Brazil Moreninha/Panama Baru/Ethiopian Harar has surprised me, and deserves to be perfected. For SO, one can't dismiss Yemeni Moka 'Sana'ani', Ethiopian 'Indido Misty Valley', and my current obsession with Monsooned Indian Malabar melange roast at FC+/FC++. I'm still exploring the 'bottom end' at FC and darker, but the lively surprises like Indido Misty Valley will eventually pull me towards the SO's at FC and lighter roasts in my journey. The Vibi sure allows more subtleties to shine, and I think dialing in the pressure has had a very positive impact in that regard. Let me know if you think it impacts your profile as much as it has mine. :)
babola Senior Member Joined: 6 Feb 2006 Posts: 71 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domobar Super, in... Grinder: Mini Mazzer E, Sunbeam... Roaster: Hottop
Posted Fri Jul 4, 2008, 11:52pm Subject: Re: Should I adjust the pressure on my Vibiemme Domobar?
My DS came with 13bars at the pump, from the factory. It was way too much for my personal taste so after playing with the pump pressure in 9-11bar range I eventualy settled @ 10.5bar which has been my sweet spot for some time now. Everybody's taste and palate is different, so I won't be surprised if you find your optimum @ 9-9.5bar range or even lower.
Anyway, let us know how it all goes, would like to know how it all worked out for you.
Grey Senior Member Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Posts: 27 Location: Atlanta, GA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domo Superbar... Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Posted Sat Jul 5, 2008, 7:40am Subject: Re: Should I adjust the pressure on my Vibiemme Domobar?
Every once in a while, my Vibi will only put out about 8 bars of pressure. Nothing has changed with the coffee, the grind the amount or the tamping...it just drops. It happens maybe once every 2 or 3 weeks. I usually back flush it a few times (which I do regularly anyway), and maybe (if the back flushing doesn't fix it) turn her off for an hour, then "re-boot." But I've never really figured out what causes it. Does anyone else with this machine ever see that?
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