JohnLyn Senior Member Joined: 15 Aug 2011 Posts: 230 Location: Golden, BC, Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Spaziale Mini Vivaldy Grinder: Vario Drip: Bonavita Roaster: Toastess popper
Posted Wed Nov 7, 2012, 8:11am Subject: Re: Swapping out the BDB
Just got the Err1 message again. this time it was after a backflush. I stopped doing them daily on a hunch that it might be that. But I still do once per week. this morning, backflush with cleaning disc (has a hole in it so creates less pressure that a blind and even less pressure then pulling a shot. I hit the power button because I was done cleaning and the Err1 appeared. Unplug, replug, machine just starts heating up again as if nothing happened. VOltage readings in the norm between 199 and 122.
Well, I'm done. Not blaming the machine because my issue is unusual, but I think another machine will be less sensitive, and I'll want less computer control. I also think that with a more standard machine bought from a good source will allow me to problem solve with a TECH rather than a REP IF I have a problem... Looking forward to checking out Clives...
zedex Senior Member Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 126 Location: B.C Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Spaz v2 Grinder: vario
Posted Wed Nov 7, 2012, 8:48am Subject: Re: Swapping out the BDB
The mini has the optional pre infusion chamber because its not plumbed in. Where as the v2 has pre infusion via line pressure from your water service. Endo on this site has the mini, so you can probably pm him in regards to function . With the v2, when you start your shot, line pressure soaks the puck for a predetermined time set by you, then the pump starts and begins the shot. One thing i love about the spaz is its dead easy to program the machine and change settings at any time. Its also a very quiet machine because of the rotary pump. Good luck at Clives.
JohnLyn Senior Member Joined: 15 Aug 2011 Posts: 230 Location: Golden, BC, Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Spaziale Mini Vivaldy Grinder: Vario Drip: Bonavita Roaster: Toastess popper
Posted Wed Nov 7, 2012, 12:14pm Subject: Re: Swapping out the BDB
Well... it's done. I have accepted the refund from Breville and I have ordered a Mini-Vivaldy from Idrinkcoffee.
The match between the Breville and my household did not work so what conclusions can I draw: Well, something keeps tripping the computor mechanism in the BDB, what is doing that is unknown. Therefore I remain gunshy regarding any appliance that has a computor board involved, with the exception of my computor itself, as maybe it is too sensitive for my household.
Thoughts: Breville canada was amazing, I appreciated the service, their attempts at finding answers and at least fixing problems through replacement or refund. They were always respectful. They are limited though because they do not have tech support or immediate support of product engineers. Therefore actually fixing something is not possible.
I have chosen the Mini Vivaldy because it is tried and true, has a GREAT reputation, and has fixable electronics rather than a motherboard. My understanding is that this machine has ever so slightly fewer returns then others and techs are appreciative of the comercial componentry. It meets my needs. Idrinkcoffee has a two year warrenty that includes shipping cost if there is a problem that needs it (I bloody well hope not). They also do phone support and provide parts. They also added accessories for free which helped push the decision along. If problems arise I now feel like I will be in touch with a place that can diagnose and fix things.
As usual, the coffeegeek community has been extreamly helpful and helped me learn a lot and try different things....
I am really looking forward to the Vivaldy now!!!!
danfrommass Senior Member Joined: 24 Nov 2012 Posts: 1 Location: Massachusetts Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Nov 24, 2012, 8:26am Subject: Re: Swapping out the BDB
I saw the quote from Phil McKnight as well and was baffled. I just hit my fourth Err1 failure this morning - so between you and me we have beaten the purported worldwide failure rate. This last machine has been in my house about 6 weeks. I am at a loss. I love the coffee that I make with this, but am tired of packing, unpacking and setting it up.
How did you get Breville to refund the purchase price? It might be time to give up on this fragile model.
JohnLyn Senior Member Joined: 15 Aug 2011 Posts: 230 Location: Golden, BC, Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Spaziale Mini Vivaldy Grinder: Vario Drip: Bonavita Roaster: Toastess popper
Posted Sat Feb 23, 2013, 11:15am Subject: Re: Swapping out the BDB
danfrommass Said:
I saw the quote from Phil McKnight as well and was baffled. I just hit my fourth Err1 failure this morning - so between you and me we have beaten the purported worldwide failure rate. This last machine has been in my house about 6 weeks. I am at a loss. I love the coffee that I make with this, but am tired of packing, unpacking and setting it up.
How did you get Breville to refund the purchase price? It might be time to give up on this fragile model.
Very sorry that I missed your post. Must have been after a vacation and I forgot to go back to this thread so I never saw it. Have you sorted it out? I would love to hear about your journey. I was dealing with a manager at Breville Canada, Gaetan. I have to give him credit, he was awesome with customer service issues. That is also how I learned that even he can't even get proper information on why this was occurring. I was still under warranty and he figured that they are unable to find a solution so he decided to offer a refund. I am really glad I took it.
Funny story, as I was calling places about machines, one guy had just gotten off the phone with someone else who had swapped out 4 BDB's!
I think the BDB has introduced a new idea, the idea of high end consumer grade (as opposed to prosumer), made to produce excellent coffee for the home. I think they are on the right track and the coffee was amazing. But they have some growing pains to work out that I hope they manage to fix.
I ended up going with the Mini Vivaldi (the other machine I was exploring was the duetto). This machine has a low return rate and is appreciated by techs. Music to my ears as I know that it will be possible to fix it within warranty (2 years!), and beyond. This has become important to me. I fear higher electronics for now so I opted against the Dream. Early adopter once, now someone else can pay to work out the bugs on that one.
The coffee is just as good as the BDB. I got to compare them side by side for a week. I need to pay a little more attention to temperature but it is consistent. Also have to be more patient with warm up time. I got the timer for free (200$ seriously!). But I have to say, I like that you can program different days and that it is all remembered within the unit. I've moved from 18-19 gr of coffee to using 14-16 gr. I get more out of my bags. The Mini V2 is way quieter. No start up noise like the BDB which makes my wife very happy at 7 am. I like the option of keeping the steam boiler off. great energy savings while I am focused on straight espresso. Needed to buy a shot clock of all simple things. Hot water dispensing is better on the BDB, more volume. Learning curve with the steam monster. It's better than the BDB when making big latte's for people but more challenging with the 5 oz caps. The BDB is easier to produce great microfoam, just longer. The Mini V2 has no random leakage on the counter like the BDB.
I'm loving it. To be honest though, I would probably love any of the quality machines all for different reasons and in fact I would love to try different machines. I got to try a Silvia for the first time recently and that was really fun. It's a lot of messing around to produce great coffee but you can get there. And again there, I have become an appreciator of durability track records!!
I miss the ease of the electronics but so far I am very pleased with the mini V2. Most importantly, no problem's yet and peace of mind.
Iluvdabean Senior Member Joined: 7 Mar 2005 Posts: 1,060 Location: California Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: La Nuova Era Cuadra/Gaggia... Grinder: Baratza Preciso/K-A Pro... Drip: Capresso MT 500/Pour Over Roaster: Nesco 1010/Behmor 1600
Posted Sat Feb 23, 2013, 7:25pm Subject: Re: Swapping out the BDB
Amazing story of a quest to escape the BDB nightmare....and it does sound that way to me. Wow...simply amazing. I would not recommend a BDB to anyone. Im glad you endured and made it out.
JohnLyn Said:
Very sorry that I missed your post. Must have been after a vacation and I forgot to go back to this thread so I never saw it. Have you sorted it out? I would love to hear about your journey. I was dealing with a manager at Breville Canada, Gaetan. I have to give him credit, he was awesome with customer service issues. That is also how I learned that even he can't even get proper information on why this was occurring. I was still under warranty and he figured that they are unable to find a solution so he decided to offer a refund. I am really glad I took it.
Funny story, as I was calling places about machines, one guy had just gotten off the phone with someone else who had swapped out 4 BDB's!
I think the BDB has introduced a new idea, the idea of high end consumer grade (as opposed to prosumer), made to produce excellent coffee for the home. I think they are on the right track and the coffee was amazing. But they have some growing pains to work out that I hope they manage to fix.
I ended up going with the Mini Vivaldi (the other machine I was exploring was the duetto). This machine has a low return rate and is appreciated by techs. Music to my ears as I know that it will be possible to fix it within warranty (2 years!), and beyond. This has become important to me. I fear higher electronics for now so I opted against the Dream. Early adopter once, now someone else can pay to work out the bugs on that one.
The coffee is just as good as the BDB. I got to compare them side by side for a week. I need to pay a little more attention to temperature but it is consistent. Also have to be more patient with warm up time. I got the timer for free (200$ seriously!). But I have to say, I like that you can program different days and that it is all remembered within the unit. I've moved from 18-19 gr of coffee to using 14-16 gr. I get more out of my bags. The Mini V2 is way quieter. No start up noise like the BDB which makes my wife very happy at 7 am. I like the option of keeping the steam boiler off. great energy savings while I am focused on straight espresso. Needed to buy a shot clock of all simple things. Hot water dispensing is better on the BDB, more volume. Learning curve with the steam monster. It's better than the BDB when making big latte's for people but more challenging with the 5 oz caps. The BDB is easier to produce great microfoam, just longer. The Mini V2 has no random leakage on the counter like the BDB.
I'm loving it. To be honest though, I would probably love any of the quality machines all for different reasons and in fact I would love to try different machines. I got to try a Silvia for the first time recently and that was really fun. It's a lot of messing around to produce great coffee but you can get there. And again there, I have become an appreciator of durability track records!!
I miss the ease of the electronics but so far I am very pleased with the mini V2. Most importantly, no problem's yet and peace of mind.
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