Sage Dual Boiler: An In-depth, Long Term Review

[@ShrednESP]

Good review, I have had mine for about 6 months. I'm happy with mine. Paired it with a df64. I do mostly espresso/ americano and the occasional milk drink. My wife does mostly flat whites. We also steam milk for hot chocolates. Other than wanting an e61 machine for esthetics I don't think you can go wrong with the DB.

[@SteveHowkins]

Agree. I think any other machine is going to be marginal gains and as we know the grinder is much more important than the machine! I’m eyeing up a df64 gen 2. They look fantastic for the money.

[@ShrednESP]

@@SteveHowkins i went with the gen 2. Static is minimal. Haven't really needed rdt

[@randomstoragespace]

For me it was the Descaling issue. After the 3rd time it broke. Got the blue flashing light of death. Sent back for new one and that had same issue 8 month later. After 2 years the steam boiler was leaking so i had to open and change O Rings but not a big deal. Amazing machine for the price

[@SteveHowkins]

Im yet to descale and I am fearful from what I read. Hopefully you have less issues going forward

[@full_metal2452]

Use remineralizef distilled water (third wave water) and you will never need to descale.

[@davidcarlin3850]

Steve nice review. I am thinking of getting one. Can you heat cups on top of the unit ?

[@SteveHowkins]

it does "warm" the cups and take the chill off. Not much more than that in my opinion.

[@PTcyap]

Hey Steve. If you want more pressure, you can order the steam wand tip for the Sage Barista Pro and use it on the dual boiler. It has 4 holes and a little bit larger diameter as well. That's what I've been using for the past 4 months and it definitely has improved steam power for me. Anyways great video man. Cheers!

[@SteveHowkins]

Thanks for the advice. See if I can get my hand on one!

[@simondelorean]

Thanks for your review. I wanted to upgrade to this one from a Sage Barista that served me quite well the last couple of years. I'm getting more serious about coffee and that machine just didn't cut it any more. Then last week someone offered me his complete setup for a bargain, consisting of a Baratza Sette 270 and an ECM Casa V. The grinder is awesome, but the machine is actually kind of scary to use. My morning coffee routine turned into kind of a job really and I'm not sure if I like it. It's definitely more of an occasion and the built quality and general feel is in a completely different league, but I do miss the ease-of-use that Sage provides. Let's see how it works out.

[@SteveHowkins]

Glad you are enjoying your new setup so far.

[@wsteele5864]

If OEM spare parts ever do get as easy as the average auto manufacturer, I can’t think of a reason, other than pure aesthetics, to buy anything else. The BDB does everything so well (I agree a little stouter steam capacity would be nice, but not critical for a home barista), potential durability is my only negative for the machine. If I knew I could fix it when it malfunctions (or take it locally to someone who could), I would never buy another espresso machine.

[@SteveHowkins]

I have to agree somewhat. Variable flow without a hack would be nice, cool touch steam wand and rotary pump 😂😂 but yes it’s a very capable machine for the money and I’m not planning a change/upgrade for years. Money better off going on tools or a new grinder.

[@Geefiasco]

Great review. I pulled the trigger because of one of your earlier videos, was good to see a Brits opinion on the DB. ps. Is your pre-infusion mod worth doing with medium to dark roasts? I use Origin’s Resolute as my everyday go-to. Cheers.

[@SteveHowkins]

Awesome! Give it a try. See if you like the taste. For me medium around 8 bar is good. I don’t drink dark but would assume 9 to be nicer flavour wise but everyone is different.

[@Geefiasco]

@@SteveHowkins Thanks, I’ll check it out today!

[@Powerer2]

I'm on the same track, just changed from the Gaggia Classic Pro to the Dual Boiler, and I also have the Niche Zero. Could you let me know some of your settings for lighter roasts? Dosage, grinder setting, timing, etc? Thanks a lot!

[@SteveHowkins]

Yes sure. So I use pre infusion to pull all my shots. 18g in 45ish out for espresso. PP set to 73-75 on machine, niche setting around 13 for 7-8 bar shot in around 30 seconds but this can be tweaked slightly from coffee to coffee depending on taste. By all means try my settings but the best thing you can do is experiment, write down the settings and change to taste.

[@Powerer2]

@@SteveHowkins Thanks for the reply! Wow, that's something completely different what I have now. I'm more traditional at the moment, just experimenting with the Sage since two weeks. I usually grind at around 17-19, 17.5g in, 35-45 out, 8-12 sec preinfusion then extraction until 28-30. Of course it depends a lot on the coffee and actual level of roast :) Thanks!

[@oliolioli1381]

​@@SteveHowkinsgame changer! Set pre infusion to like 60 secs. 75 percent will get me 6 bar shots, amazing

[@oliolioli1381]

I like a simple life so manual shots and i stop it based on colour/translucence

[@someguy9520]

I personally love the concept of the BDB Ton of features, many settings to configure, excellent temperture stability, low power consumption(compared to other dual boilers) But the "cheapness" really bothers me. The fact that many ppl state that they have problems with this and that down the line makes me hesitant to get one.

[@SteveHowkins]

None yet for me (touch wood) but only 10 months in. I guess at this price if you pack it full of the features it has on some units something has to give. It’s almost too good for the money so expect it to fail at some point. Bizarre reality but a true realisation for some. Yes sure there is some brand tax out there like with everything but that does usually bring quality with it to uphold that brands name.

[@crawdaddyy]

BDB is a great machine at a great price. There is always the looming fear that something will break outside of warranty and you’ll be out of luck (my experience with Breville appliances). My only wish is that they bring back the black sesame color

[@SteveHowkins]

Here in the UK the black is available and currently cheaper than the silver!

[@adamg.manning6088]

Nothing else on the market? Lelit Elizabeth is up there and cheaper. It always gets forgotten because of the Bianca, but it’s a very capable machine.

[@SteveHowkins]

I was under the impression it had been discontinued. Quick google search tells me it hasn’t! True. Bianca is what Lelit is mostly known for. My only issue with the Elizabeth is the looks. Personally not a fan but no doubt a capable dual boiler.

[@mcmatrix58]

lelit bianca? v3 have youseen the price?

[@SteveHowkins]

Yes £2000 give or take a few quid.

[@weeksy79]

What portafilter is that?

[@SteveHowkins]

It’s the pesado 58.5 bottomless not the new hybrid one. Think you can still get both. Cost £100 so fair investment but the sage one is £60 is memory serves me. This one has a great weight, feel and quality to it. Although a little more I rate all the pesado bits and pieces.

[@weeksy79]

@@SteveHowkins cheers! I just got a chrome Eureka grinder so was looking for a matching Portafilter! Will check it out

[@phahad8]

I have questions is it 50 or 60 Hz or automatic ?

[@SteveHowkins]

I think if you have 220-240v main power supply it doesn’t really matter but I’m no electrician. My assumption is it can alternate automatically between the 2.

[@SteveHowkins]

I think if you have 220-240v main power supply it doesn’t really matter but I’m no electrician. My assumption is it can alternate automatically between the 2.

[@-Vee_]

Just remove the group head shower screen and see that melting, flaking, pealing coating. It's common with every Breville Dual Boiler and they are saying it's cosmetical. I dont think so! This issue it's been for years and they do nothing about that. I just sandpaper mine completely. I'm so disappointed..

[@SteveHowkins]

Yes mine has that too. I think there has to be a compromise somewhere for the price. Has it made a tangible difference to your coffee as you say it’s more than cosmetic. I have noticed no difference at all.

[@dejedejsson]

@@SteveHowkins From what I understand the machine sells for around $700 in Australia so I don't really understand your argument about cost/quality, had it cost $700 like in Australia I would have been more inclined to agree with you!

[@SteveHowkins]

@@dejedejsson in the world of dual boiler machines £1200 is cheap. All depends what you value. If in the UK it was £700 it would be a sell out machine for sure.

[@dejedejsson]

@@SteveHowkins Yes and $700 is even cheaper, why do we pay twice as much here and be happy about it, make no sense!