Single Boiler vs. Heat Exchanger vs. Dual Boiler | Which One Is Best?

[@mike216514]

Just wanna say, this channel deserves more attention!

[@satchmofan1]

Thanks for explaining how these different machines actually work so a laymen can understand!

[@ceremonie2988]

Modded single boiler Gaggia CP here, opv spring 9 bar + pid. Works perfectly for 2 person household, its 25 seconds heat up between pulling a shot and steaming. But steam pressure is awesome as is espresso temp. Espresso temp set at 94C, steam temp set at 155C (purge at 145C, steam at 150C)

[@valeriebassett3107]

I have a Breville Duo-Temp Pro. I love it! I have had it for years. I'm the only one who uses it, so it is great for me. Years ago I had a machine that had a grinder built-in, it was not a Breville, anyway the grinder broke down and I had to buy a separate grinder. The machine was huge and and took up a lot of counter space. I was happy when I could throw it away. Lesson learned, I buy one machine for each job. That way I am not stuck with an elephant that only half works. Thanks for your videos, I really enjoy watching them. Love your sense of humor.

[@brentwalker8596]

The Expobar Brewtus dual boiler machine uses one heat exchanger boiler and one regular boiler in a design that has them connected whereby the heat exchanger steam boiler feeds feeds water into the brew boiler. Pretty interesting design.

[@dannyo3317]

Based on my experience (I had a single boiler machine and now have a heat exchange machine), I would not buy a single boiler again, but do not know if I would need or buy a dual boiler. Pulling a shot and steaming at the same time is not something I do, or could do very well.

[@hobbeeswe7472]

Great video, all I wanted to know plus some extra I wasn't aware of. Thanks!

[@Buckster1968]

Great video, great explanation! 👍🏻👍🏻 Thank you

[@jeremiahchamberlin4499]

Very informative, thank you.

[@kyepyep]

Hi Steven. I don't think you mentioned the time it takes to heat up each of the different boilers. Is there a difference between warm up times? Thx for the vids!

[@HomeGroundsCoffee]

Good catch! Thermocoils will heat up the fastest, as there’s the least amount of mass/water to heat. Heat exchangers will typically be faster than dual boilers for the same reason, but it depends on the size of the boilers. Thanks!

[@teacollecter1503]

Good video before I choose what type of my next espresso machine.

[@nikoskilis2737]

Hi Steven, do you recommend Rancilio Silvia bro X , as dual Boiler? Thx!

[@alexballar]

What do you think of the ascaso duo Vs the Profitec pro 400? Which would you choose?

[@umangplastik9288]

Is it good to have a dedicated brewing and a dedicated steamer?

[@eitansenerman8071]

Hi Steven, loved the video! Im in between this and the Profitec 400 or 500. Any thoughts?

[@krakencoffeeroasters3727]

Well explained, thanks! I’m looking for something for a mobile cart/pop-up event type of commercial use (but still want to keep 110V if possible. Why does nobody discuss using a standalone commercial milk steamer? Or a 110v prosumer machine dedicated to steaming milk while a PID boiler on an E61 gave you the ability to finely control brew/head temps?

[@HomeGroundsCoffee]

Interesting question. I rarely ever see commercial milk steamers, and doing a quick search makes it seem like the pricing doesn't really make sense to purchase two separate machines. I think it makes more sense to just pay a little more for a dual boiler machine that can do it all, but let me know if you have any different opinions! Would love to hear how everything goes.

[@krakencoffeeroasters3727]

@@HomeGroundsCoffee I just remembered that I have an old (new in the box) Gaggia Carezza from the early aughts. 1400W. Maybe I could use that for just steaming & use a propane single group for the espresso pulling. (Just thinking out loud).

[@timhanley4396]

Wish this channel posted more videos

[@back_to_the_bike8820]

If E61. And if you make little or no milk drinks, temperature management becomes the priority for good espresso. So a PID-equipped SB will be more precise than an Hx machine. As for DB machines, the coffee part is often identical to SB machines, at least for E61 machines (for other machines, it's different, there's sometimes communication between the boilers). PID on Hx is not useful. Cooling flushes will be more necessary on Hx.

[@YUSince]

Excellent presentation👍👍

[@Zoozahh]

I'm debating between the profitec go and the lelit Elizabeth. You think just forking out the extra $700 is worth the upgrade. Will be making cappuccinos and Americanos in the morning. My biggest worry is regret going with the go then being annoyed with the steaming and cooling process. Would appreciate any input you have.

[@Bugdeek]

I’m debating between both as well. What did you end up doing and are you happy about it

[@Zoozahh]

@@Bugdeek I went with a lelit Elizabeth and honestly I never use lol I'm just too lazy in the morning and always grab an iced Americano from my local cafe. If you make milk drinks a dual boiler is very nice though.

[@andrewt1327]

Thanks for your video. With the single boiler, I must say I dislike how much water it runs through the machine to regulate the water temperature.. need to constantly top up the reservoir. Seems like 4-5 coffees and you need to top up.

[@MrAndrew60]

Nice breakdown. How can one truly consider a heat exchange when there's so much risk in the inconsistency of the group water temp - accurate water temp is everything. To know that I can control the majority of the variables going in...grind, quality water, and puck prep, to be left to guess if my back-to-back shots are suffering from temp surfacing?! It just seems like a waste of money to go for a heat exchange vs. a single or double boiler, depending on your budget and needs. Am I crazy?

[@pr520]

Which is the most reliable ?

[@Yourbeautyformyashes]

I just got a cheap Breville Barista Touch that has the thermocoil/block, I'm worried that it won't last me very long, as I've read from anecdotal stories of people having the sensors burn out after de-scaling, or the cheap mechanical aspect of the thermocoil eventually failing. I am upgrading from a Gaggia classic with it's sturdy tried-and-true aluminum single boiler. I have taken that thing apart and fixed it, and have no fear that if a fuse or temp sensor goes out, I can easily fix it. I'm not so sure about the Barista Touch. Seeing that you've opened yours up, and perhaps have serviced it, do you think it's worth keeping the Barista Touch over the Gaggia Classic if I'm looking for long-term 5-8 year solution? Also: Such a great video that goes in-depth about boilers whereas most popular coffee tubers don't, can't emphasize that enough. Subbed!

[@tech-eddy]

thermalblock ist not the same like singleboiler ... there are lots of differences

[@iggyman83]

He mentions this

[@TheOneLin3]

Hi,what if... I want a single boiler (never steam, only espresso), heat exchanger and a E61 flow controle and maybe a rotary pump :) ... What kind of machine is there? Thank you so much

[@hugyroy]

Bellaza inizio R Leva !! Got this for a few week and its great.

[@hakan265]

Why do you want a heat exchanger when you dont want to steam? That doesn't make sense

[@temmie-shop]

Nice video!!

[@akaBunta]

People willing to spend thousands of dollars on dual boiler so they dont need to not wait 1 minute to get to steam temp or to have the possibility to steam and dial in an esprreso shot at the same time but are willing to wait 30 minutes so that their huge dual boiler tank machines gets up to temp each time they want a coffe. maybe It make sense in a household with ten members who are all heavy coffee drinkers, for the remaining 95% this is nuts!

[@Bowser558]

The la Marzocco lineas heat up quick even though they’re dual boiler

[@littlestar5737]

Thermoblocks are quick to warmup but produce highly uneven temps within 25-30 seconds of pulling a shot. Whereas single/double boilers do take a while but the temps are accurate within 0.5c swing. So the final extraction is precise. It really helps to get very consistent shots. I have set up alexa to turn on the machine and send chime once warmed up. Works flawlessly. Steaming milk is where dual boiler truly shines. Takes literally 15 seconds. No technique necessary.

[@dannyo3317]

​@@littlestar5737: I have a heat exchange machine and I can't complain about the steaming speed. I don't know if it is 15 seconds. I never timed it, but it does not seem vastly different.

[@stefal22]

They love espresso but hate common sense. You can't have both

[@OneIdeaTooMany]

I don't know. I pull triple shots for myself, my wife, and my son. That's 6 shots back to back and I'm steaming milk at the same time I'm pulling shots and they're all consistent. Mine heats up pretty quick and I can turn it on early via Alexa. I don't want to have to teach people how to purge so they can get the best results from a HX machine so a dual boiler is the way to go. Hell, even the Breville Dual Boiler is a great machine for not a whole lot of money.

[@murilocost]

Ótimo vídeo parabéns

[@cressdiligent]

So a single boiler is a thermal block, a boiler is a heat exchanger, and a double boiler Is a boiler

[@espacesX]

Small single Boiler integrated into the brew-unit ala De'Longhi ECP is the best... Let heat Up a De'Longhi ECP for approx. 15 minutes, use a bottomless portafilter and forget about any machine which is much more expensive than a - De'Longhi ECP or - Gaggia Classic Pro (sequentially mounted Boiler onto the brew-head. Somekind of integrated but Not as effective Like at the De'Longhi ECP), since MY2019 with a stainless steel Boiler.

[@fickbasterd]

so you would recommend the ecp from delonghi ... which grinder do you recommend thx

[@espacesX]

@@fickbasterd Manual grinder: Comandante grinder Electric Grinder: Solis Scala Zero Static

[@stuartschwartz234]

Milk not melk 😅

[@Conservator.]

You asked for a comment, so here you go. Haven’t watched the video though, I therefore haven’t much to say So gonna push the button that says play.