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Breville Dual Boiler BES900XL Owners Thread

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michaelgo
Senior Member

Joined: 21 Jan 2012
Posts: 91
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Breville 900XL
Grinder: Baratza Vario

Posted Thu Jan 3, 2013, 9:37am
Subject: Re: Breville Dual Boiler BES900XL Owners Thread

schuga Said:

However I am wondering if my new BDB is a 'calibrated' machine or not - my serial number begins with 1149. When pulling a double shot the manometer reads around 10.5-11 and sometimes spikes to a tad bit over this.

Posted January 3, 2013 link

My understanding is the over pressure valve should cut in around 9 bars so the machine shouldn't exceed that. Before I got mine replaced, it would routinely spike to 13. With the replacement, rarely over 9.5 so I'd think you've got a calibration issue.

schuga Said:

Plus I never realized that my tamper hits the sidewalls of the portafilter basket and am consistently getting the puck stuck on the brew group screen. I have not ordered a VST portafilter basket to help alleviate this and upon the suggestion of many people within this forum.

Posted January 3, 2013 link

I have the VST and rarely get a stuck puck but it does still happen. There's a vacuum created and it should release upon completion of the shot. Many have found a slightly heavier dose, around 18.5 will reduce the occurance. But it's a simple matter to just loosen the PF, hit the 1 or 2 cup button for a second to push water and drop the puck.

schuga Said:

In addition, I have ordered a naked portafilter to help me create better shots but one thing I am still not sure about is the plastic disk within the portafilter supplied by Breville. Do I need to remove this disk or not?

Posted January 3, 2013 link

I was under the impression that the newer shipments had that black disk removed so it sounds like you have a machine from old inventory. Yes, pull the black disk.

schuga Said:

So I went through the cleaning phase but notice there was no hole in the plastic insert and the cleaning solution did not pour out through the spouts but through the 'overflow' valve (I assume). So my question is, is this correct of should the disk have a small hole in the center?

Posted January 3, 2013 link

Again, I think the newer machines have no hole in the disk as the cleaning solution should be pushed up through the dispersion screen and valve. My older one does have the hole but i'm getting it replaced today, I can let you know if the new release has a hole in the disk or not but I think they've modified it to be holeless.

Michael

JJC
Senior Member

Joined: 2 Apr 2012
Posts: 55
Location: Santa Barbara
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Breville 900Xl, Saeco...
Grinder: Compak K3
Roaster: Behmor, Nesco

Posted Thu Jan 3, 2013, 9:59am Subject: Re: Breville Dual Boiler BES900XL Owners Thread

Agreeing with Michael on everything and adding that with current machines, the disc has no hole and the cleaning water overflows into the tray.

michaelgo
Senior Member

Joined: 21 Jan 2012
Posts: 91
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Breville 900XL
Grinder: Baratza Vario

Posted Thu Jan 3, 2013, 4:04pm
Subject: Re: Breville Dual Boiler BES900XL Owners Thread

JJC Said:

Agreeing with Michael on everything and adding that with current machines, the disc has no hole and the cleaning water overflows into the tray.

Posted January 3, 2013 link

Thanks JJC and yup, I can confirm. My replacement has arrived, serial # starting with 1205. No plastic insert in the PF and no hole in the rubber. Will be pulling my first espresso in a week as soon as the filter is done soaking. LOL

Michael

BubbaDude
Senior Member

Joined: 8 Jan 2011
Posts: 493
Location: Frisco Bay
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Breville Dual Boiler
Grinder: Baratza Vario
Vac Pot: Yama
Drip: Clever Coffee Dripper
Roaster: Hottop 2KB

Posted Thu Jan 3, 2013, 4:30pm Subject: Re: Breville Dual Boiler BES900XL Owners Thread

michaelgo Said: Thanks JJC and yup, I can confirm. My replacement has arrived, serial # starting with 1205. No plastic insert in the PF and no hole in the rubber. Will be pulling my first espresso in a week as soon as the filter is done soaking. LOL Michael Posted January 3, 2013 link Damn, you've been a whole week without a shot? My sympathies, good man.

"I've Scaced many HX/E61 machines, seeing shot variances of up to 8-10F or more. [The BDB] stays within 1F." - Mark Prince

michaelgo
Senior Member

Joined: 21 Jan 2012
Posts: 91
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Breville 900XL
Grinder: Baratza Vario

Posted Thu Jan 3, 2013, 4:36pm
Subject: Re: Breville Dual Boiler BES900XL Owners Thread

BubbaDude Said:

Damn, you've been a whole week without a shot? My sympathies, good man.

Posted January 3, 2013 link

Yeah, the only espresso near me is $tarbucks and Green Tea & Leaf and I refuse. LOL My girlfriend is even worse off as she's been spoiled by me getting up with her in the early AM to send her on her way with a nice fresh latte. I picked up some fresh roasted a few days ago and found a place not too far that has Black Cat which I guess I should try.

Anyway, got to go dial in the Vario again as I've been living out of the press pot. Oh yeah, did I mention I got one and the SmartGrinder is gathering dust in the garage. Craig's List here we come.

Michael

michaelgo
Senior Member

Joined: 21 Jan 2012
Posts: 91
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Breville 900XL
Grinder: Baratza Vario

Posted Thu Jan 3, 2013, 7:47pm Subject: Re: Breville Dual Boiler BES900XL Owners Thread

I figured since I have a new machine that I'd start over again. I need to dial in the grinder but wanted to check something. I pulled a shot using the 2-cup button and got a bit of a gusher, 18 sec total time on the shot clock but nowhere near the volume by weight. So I'm curious. According to the manual, the 2-cup is factory programmed to deliver 2 oz. (I'm guessing this is a liquid measure through the group head). Assuming the grind and tamp are correct, is it reasonable that the 2 oz delivery, would deliver 36g liquid in the expected 36 or so second?

danioro
Senior Member

Joined: 16 Sep 2009
Posts: 23
Location: Peoria Illinois
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Breville BDB, Gaggia coffee...
Grinder: Baratza Vario

Posted Sun Jan 6, 2013, 1:52am Subject: Re: Breville Dual Boiler BES900XL Owners Thread

Pardon me for jumping in! Noob here with new BDB and Vario, and I am sure I'll be back begging for help! I am interested in ordering VST baskets for my BDB, but am uncertain whether to get the ridged or the plain. Does anyone have experience with how well either one fits the PF? Thanks! Dan

Park_Ridge_Dave
Senior Member

Joined: 15 Feb 2010
Posts: 74
Location: Mundelein (Chicago)
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: BES900XL
Grinder: Baratza Vario
Vac Pot: N/A (French Press)
Drip: Technivorm MochaMaster
Roaster: None

Posted Sun Jan 6, 2013, 5:41am Subject: Re: Breville Dual Boiler BES900XL Owners Thread

danioro Said: Pardon me for jumping in! Noob here with new BDB and Vario, and I am sure I'll be back begging for help! I am interested in ordering VST baskets for my BDB, but am uncertain whether to get the ridged or the plain. Does anyone have experience with how well either one fits the PF? Thanks! Dan Posted January 6, 2013 link Dan, Don't apologize for "jumping in" that's what this forum is for. I just had to pop in myself as I have the same grinder as you. In answer to your question, I use a La Marzocco which, I am told, is the VST labeled as the La Marzocco. It fits fine in my standard Portafilter and also my Naked Portafilter. That having been said, I did get great results with the standard BDB single walled double basket. Just make sure to weigh the charge and take notes. Otherwise, you'll be over-caffinated and a little crazy lol. The La Marzzorca basket was purchased from Gail and Kat @ Seattle Coffee Gear (FWIW), but there are several places to order from. Fresh beans and a good scale are the real secret (IMHO). I have two local roasters that I can use, so, fresh beans are never a problem. The scale should be a few bucks but very necessary (JM2¢). Cheers and enjoy your BDB & Vario, Dave edited for spelling and punctuation

Don't forget to stop and smell the coffee...... er flowers!

danioro
Senior Member

Joined: 16 Sep 2009
Posts: 23
Location: Peoria Illinois
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Breville BDB, Gaggia coffee...
Grinder: Baratza Vario

Posted Sun Jan 6, 2013, 8:08am
Subject: Re: Breville Dual Boiler BES900XL Owners Thread

Park_Ridge_Dave Said:

Dan,

Don't apologize for "jumping in" that's what this forum is for. I just had to pop in myself as I have the same grinder as you. In answer to your question, I use a La Marzocco which, I am told, is the VST labeled as the La Marzocco. It fits fine in my standard Portafilter and also my Naked Portafilter. That having been said, I did get great results with the standard BDB single walled double basket. Just make sure to weigh the charge and take notes. Otherwise, you'll be over-caffinated and a little crazy lol.

Fresh beans and a good scale are the real secret (IMHO). I have two local roasters that I can use, so, fresh beans are never a problem. The scale should be a few bucks but very necessary (JM2¢).

Posted January 6, 2013 link

Thanks for jumping in Dave!

I guess my question for you is whether your La Marz filter has straight sides or a ridge. I thought that the ridged version might not fit in the PF as well.

We have just moved to Peoria IL and I dont know of any roasters down here, do you? Having said that, Chi town is a train ride away! Are any of your roasters downtown? Maybe I can order from them?

BTW, I am an anesthesiologist; no such thing as over caffeinatedhere, and we are all a little crazy anyway!

Dan

Park_Ridge_Dave
Senior Member

Posted Sun Jan 6, 2013, 8:25am Subject: Re: Breville Dual Boiler BES900XL Owners Thread

danioro Said: Thanks for jumping in Dave! I guess my question for you is whether your La Marz filter has straight sides or a ridge. I thought that the ridged version might not fit in the PF as well. We have just moved to Peoria IL and I dont know of any roasters down here, do you? Having said that, Chi town is a train ride away! Are any of your roasters downtown? Maybe I can order from them? BTW, I am an anesthesiologist; no such thing as over caffeinatedhere, and we are all a little crazy anyway! Dan Posted January 6, 2013 link The La Marz has straight sides and fits snugly. (I have an old table knife that I use to pop it out. I have arthritic fingers and very brittle nails lmao). I get my coffee from metropolis.com (Red Line Espresso) or consciouscup.com (several types of beans for French Press). Both deliver via UPS or USPS. I tend to go more with Tony (Metropolis) as That is what I have been using for 3 years. I just discovered Conscious cup. Both are good. OBTW I derive no commercial benefit from these recommendations. I am sure other members have favorite roasters (indeed, many do their own roasting) and they may join in as well, but I may get "flamed" for hijacking this thread as it is. If you need more information or just want to chat about our set-ups just PM me. Cheers, Dave

Don't forget to stop and smell the coffee...... er flowers!

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