By the way...If you're in the UK, and you're thinking of buying a Sage machine (any Sage machine, not only their coffee machines), join my mailing list at coffeeblog.co.uk and then drop me an email to see if I have a current discount code to share. I don't currently get Breville discounts, sorry, but I do sometimes have Sage Appliances UK discount codes to share. Ta Kev
Nice summary but honestly, would suggest a few added negatives or insights that you’d want to pass on: - steam wand is not insulated meaning you can burn yourself and milk can get baked on pretty easily - 58mm portafilter but standard 58mm portafilters won’t fit Breville
I had a recon unit from Sage Germany pre Brexit for £500, few issues initially they repaired/returned and paid postage etc, then all good for 24months, then a few leaks and the steam wand drip/leak....got a price from Sage UK authorised repairer Coffeeclassics once I got up off the floor and went on RUclips and a few Forums ordered the seals from eBay and fixed the machine and saved myself £00s. Good machine the DB and despite the bad rep by some it's reliable with minimal maintenance compared to some other pro-sumer machines. Mine now has 4000+ shots on it...3K are mine!I If something big goes I will pay for the repair/exchange as it does everything I want and need.
Ooh, I’m tempted! I do have to say that I worry about longevity, though. My Bambino Plus isn’t quite two years old, and it’s creaking (and, as others have reported about theirs, it says it needs cleaning whenever I turn it on). This has made me a little distrustful of Sage. But of course it is a completely different machine … then again, same manufacturer …. Argh! Decisions, decisions.
Hi Kev, I've been looking forward to this series as I'm also interested in a Sage D.B. having decided that the Bambino Plus is too annoying for serious entertaining. Your enthusiasm is infectious and obviously completely genuine. As a by the way, you should be able to bypass the EU power-saver module with no great difficulty - it's not such a problem on the Bambino due to the quick heat-up time.
Cheers Jon :-). To be honest I've grown quite fond of the auto off ;-). There are so many times where I know I would have gone out and left it on for hours, or done what I've done in the past with other machines that don't have an auto-off, had to go back home to check if there was no one home to phone to turn it off. If it was a machine that takes a while to heat up then 15 mins would be a bit of a pain I think, but I'm not finding it to be an issue with this.
Thanks Kev, I took the plunge after watching your video review of the Sage Dual Boiler. It hurts the wallet and my wife won't be as thrilled as I about it, though with enough cappuccinos she might come around in time. :-)
i just bought this machine, is great!!! Wasnt that expensive too. I just couldnt justify spending 3 or 4 time more money for a similar machine with less features.
Thank you, this was very informative, just bought one after owning a Bambino Plus for more than year a So far I love still getting used to brewing and steaming at the same time.
@@Coffee_Kev starting to get used to steaming and brewing at the same time. Really wanted to do the slayer mod because pressure usually goes up to 10 bars when brewing. Recently I accidently I turned the hot water nob on while brewing and noticed that pressure dropped. I was wondering if this is some kind of out of the box flow control. The shots do come out smoother and are starting to compare to shots from my Flair Pro 2.
Great review mate thinking of upgrading my 5 yr old sage barista express. Old girl is leaking from the bottom so will get it repaired and donate it to a family member :)
Here's one for you kev. How do all these machines cope with altitude? Because water behaves differently at altitude. Or is this just an issue when brewing tea?..
I don't think I'd get on well trying to use one on a flight Dave ;-). Joking apart, it does make a difference, see: perfectdailygrind.com/2018/10/how-does-elevation-affect-your-ideal-coffee-brew-temperature/
Great review Kev, really like the detail in the features. I’m certainly looking at buying one! I liked the B-Roll you were shooting when you were straining the milk etc. Certainly helps keep these long single camera videos engaging 👌🏻
Hello. Thanks for all these thorough reviews. They are great value for us who search in the big sortiment of espresso machines. I was this week offered for the price of the dynamic duo (Sage Dual Boiler and the smart grinder pro) the Sage Oracle Touch (1250 pounds). Thought it was a great price, but am wondering if the Touch is something you recommend against the dual boiler. I know there is about 850 pounds price difference here in Norway, but I guess you then pay more for the screen and programming. Is the Oracle Touch just a Dual Boiler with a coffee grinder with extensive programming on a screen (not that it's a bad thing), or is it a better machine than the dual boiler for home use?
Hi Rene. Yeah the Oracle Touch is essentially the dual boiler with the grinder built in, with the Touch screen controls and all of the on-board barista stuff, auto dosing, auto tamping, auto milk texturing. It's the Sage/Breville answer to full one touch bean to cup machines. It's hard to beat I think when comparing with other bean to cup machines with Brewing units and milk carafes, but when compared to the Dual Boiler - they're two very different animals even though the Oracle Touch is based on the Dual Boiler. The Dual Boiler is very much a home barista machine, huge amount of flexibility, great espresso, and great milk texture, in the hands of someone who's gone through the usual home barista learning curve. The Oracle Touch is made for people who want to swipe the screen and walk away with their coffee, it'll give great shot quality and milk texture with virtually no experience required. Cheers, Kev.
Hey Kev, great video! The more personal/subjective stuff was great to hear rather than just "here are the specs"! Did you ever make more videos with the Dual Boiler? Just looked through your vids and couldn't see any more on this machine 🧐 thanks!
Thanks Kev, Great video. Currently have a barista pro. Is there a big difference in the cup between the BDB & barista pro? Just wondering if I should upgrade. I already have a niche zero. Many thanks
Hello Kev. Thanks for the informative vid. Looking to upgrade to a DB now and considering new vs reconditioned. Do you have any recommendations as to how to go about the latter option?
Thanks for that. Looks good. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on a comparison between this and the separate grinder compared to the nearest equivalent Sage (or other make) machine with integrated grinder. I'm starting to think about replacing my Gaggia Paros, which has given nearly 30 years daily service, but despite regular maintenance, is starting to struggle to produce consistent shots.
@@Coffee_Kev Thanks - I look forward to it. The Paros looks flash from the outside was built like a tank inside: it's just had the thermostats replaced twice, and I had to get a new shower plate retaining screw as the head had sheared
Hi, thanks for the review, I have a barista express and i'm looking forward to invest and Make a step up in my shot quality ... I will buy a dedicated grinder like the df64 and i'm struggle between the Bambino and the dual boiler, i'm not a late drinker, i like the compact form Factor and speed warm up of the Bambino, but i fear i will miss some quality expresso vs the DB, do you think the différence is huge in the cup? Can you turn off the Steam boiler to save energy on the DB? I don't use Steam... Thank you !
Hi :-). There's no getting away from the fact that these two machines are worlds apart. The bambino is very much an entry level machine made with the more "normal" coffee drinker in mind, so it's geared up mainly for user friendliness, beginner friendliness, and low cost. For the cost, it's a very impressive machine - but the only thing it really shares with the dual boiler is the brand name. If you're going to be using the dual walled baskets, and pre-ground coffee or a cheaper grinder which isn't capable of espresso with traditional baskets, then you're probably not going to fully experience the benefit of the additional cost, in terms of shot quality. If, however, you're going to be using a capable grinder, and the standard baskets, and decent coffee, and if your palate is developed to any level, I'd expect you to be able to tell the difference in the cup. No you can't turn off the steam boiler unfortunately, although it's not all wasted as part of the temp stability on the DB comes from the fact that the brew boiler is fed with hot water via a heat exchanger using the heat from the steam boiler, vs pulling in cold water and thermally shocking the boiler. Cheers, Kev
I am choosing between this dual boiler and Lelit Elizabeth pl92t. Do you have any personal experience with Lelit Elizabeth ? If yes, from those two, which one do you recommande ? Thanks
Kev I am struggling with one thing with the coffee machine the cups 1 and 2 how do i calibrate them to pre infuse for example 8 seconds and then pour at 8-9 bar for another 20 seconds.. i can for the life of my figure it out. I change the preinfusion but then this doesnt help with the extra 20 seconds i need for cup one for example
You can't adjust the pre-infusion, when using the shot buttons it's always the standard 8 sec pre-infusion, to tweak the pre-infusion you have to pull the shot manually. Ta, Kev
Howya Kev, thinking of buying an espresso machine and new grinder. Up to now i've been making chemex and Aeropresses with Wilfa Svart grinder. Obviously the svart cant do espresso grind size so wondering should i go for barista express or pro and use in built grinder for espresso and Svart for pour overs or go for dual boiler and something like Niche that can do both espresso and pour over? Both options can be justified from price perspective.
Hi Kevin :-), cool name. Well, you could go either way, but personally I'd say if budget isn't an obstacle, personally I'd go for the Dual Boiler and Niche Zero - great pairing, in my humble opinion, both such nice machines to use, and definitely capable of better results than the BE or BP, and quite likely to last longer too. Obviously it's not really a fair comparison due to the big price differences, the Barista Express and the Barista Pro are good for what they are, but neither of them are the DB & NZ. Cheers, Kev
Hi Kev, I've just found your channel and hear your enthusiasm for the Sage DB. How easy is it to strip down and repair? I don't like the idea that, like modern cars, I'll inevitably have to send it to an approved dealer for maintenance. I see on another channel that the brew pressure may need adjustment so the relief valve must be accessible for a start. I'll also confess that I prefer the classic presentation of polished stainless steel and pipework used in the E61 style heads. Must I give up on this to achieve a similar quality of brew?
Hi Kev. I stumbled on your video quite late hehe. I wanted to ask you, do you think this machine could be used for a business? Or would it break quickly?
@@julianandrewparra5379 You'd need a commercial machine for a coffee shop. Send me an email at kev@coffeeblog.co.uk and I should be able to give you a more in-depth answer. Cheers Kev
@@julianandrewparra5379 it's a great machine, but it's a home barista espresso machine, it's not designed for commercial use. It's not designed to be plumbed in to the water supply and waste (it's possible but it requires quite a bit of modding including fitting a different pump or using an external pump) and it's not really designed for the kind of daily use that commercial machines are designed for. Cheers, Kev.
Hi, I'm a relatively new youtuber compared to James . he's been doing it a lot longer than me, Hopefully I will keep growing and go from strength to strength :-)
Hi Kenneth, Thanks for your comments, this is one of my older videos, I have since updated the DB series, please see: ruclips.net/video/3yJyZM9AYdg/видео.html&pp=gAQBiAQB Cheers Kev
Does this grind the beans also,or do I use pre ground coffee , just found your Chanel as I’m wanting to buy a machine . I have about a thousand to fifteen hundred budget . I would like an automatic milk frothed ? Are there any ? Or is it just as easy like with this one your reviewing ,Your info kev is fantastic and so in detail . I had no idea which machine to buy but after watching since last night some of your videos I’m learning . I have a basic coffee pod machine and judge milk frother and I would love to go more professional but so confused , ???? Help x regards Julie
Hi Julie, thanks for the very kind words. This is a stand alone espresso machine so you'd need a separate grinder. This doesn't have an auto frother, and learning to get decent texture with a manual wand does take a bit of practice, but once you've got the knack it's very straight forward. If you want an integrated grinder and auto frother it sounds like the Oracle would be more up your street, they're £1800 at RRP but if you shop around you can get them for about £1500 - email me (kev at coffeeblog.co.uk) I sometimes have discount codes to share so if I have a valid one when you email me I'll reply with it. Cheers, Kev
By the way...If you're in the UK, and you're thinking of buying a Sage machine (any Sage machine, not only their coffee machines), join my mailing list at coffeeblog.co.uk and then drop me an email to see if I have a current discount code to share. I don't currently get Breville discounts, sorry, but I do sometimes have Sage Appliances UK discount codes to share.
Ta
Kev
Hi Kev, im currently looking to buy a Sage dual boiler. Would you have any discount code? Please and thank you
Nice summary but honestly, would suggest a few added negatives or insights that you’d want to pass on:
- steam wand is not insulated meaning you can burn yourself and milk can get baked on pretty easily
- 58mm portafilter but standard 58mm portafilters won’t fit Breville
Thanks Richard,
I am actually going to do a whole series on the Dual Boiler so I will add these points to the review
Cheers
Kev
I had a recon unit from Sage Germany pre Brexit for £500, few issues initially they repaired/returned and paid postage etc, then all good for 24months, then a few leaks and the steam wand drip/leak....got a price from Sage UK authorised repairer Coffeeclassics once I got up off the floor and went on RUclips and a few Forums ordered the seals from eBay and fixed the machine and saved myself £00s. Good machine the DB and despite the bad rep by some it's reliable with minimal maintenance compared to some other pro-sumer machines. Mine now has 4000+ shots on it...3K are mine!I If something big goes I will pay for the repair/exchange as it does everything I want and need.
Ooh, I’m tempted! I do have to say that I worry about longevity, though. My Bambino Plus isn’t quite two years old, and it’s creaking (and, as others have reported about theirs, it says it needs cleaning whenever I turn it on). This has made me a little distrustful of Sage. But of course it is a completely different machine … then again, same manufacturer …. Argh! Decisions, decisions.
Hi Kev, I've been looking forward to this series as I'm also interested in a Sage D.B. having decided that the Bambino Plus is too annoying for serious entertaining.
Your enthusiasm is infectious and obviously completely genuine.
As a by the way, you should be able to bypass the EU power-saver module with no great difficulty - it's not such a problem on the Bambino due to the quick heat-up time.
Cheers Jon :-). To be honest I've grown quite fond of the auto off ;-). There are so many times where I know I would have gone out and left it on for hours, or done what I've done in the past with other machines that don't have an auto-off, had to go back home to check if there was no one home to phone to turn it off. If it was a machine that takes a while to heat up then 15 mins would be a bit of a pain I think, but I'm not finding it to be an issue with this.
Thanks Kev, I took the plunge after watching your video review of the Sage Dual Boiler. It hurts the wallet and my wife won't be as thrilled as I about it, though with enough cappuccinos she might come around in time. :-)
Only just found this channel and I’ve always wanted a sage machine so it’s great to see a uk 🇬🇧 channel reviewing them! Good work!
Thanks Scott :-)
i just bought this machine, is great!!! Wasnt that expensive too. I just couldnt justify spending 3 or 4 time more money for a similar machine with less features.
Thanks John,
I think its a fantastic machine, Glad you do too!
Cheers
Kev
Been waiting for this one since the start of the series haha
Haha, hope it was worth the wait :-)
Thank you, this was very informative, just bought one after owning a Bambino Plus for more than year a So far I love still getting used to brewing and steaming at the same time.
yeah takes a bit of getting used to doesn't it? After using so many single boiler and thermoblock machines I still often forget I can do that! ;-)
@@Coffee_Kev starting to get used to steaming and brewing at the same time. Really wanted to do the slayer mod because pressure usually goes up to 10 bars when brewing. Recently I accidently I turned the hot water nob on while brewing and noticed that pressure dropped. I was wondering if this is some kind of out of the box flow control. The shots do come out smoother and are starting to compare to shots from my Flair Pro 2.
Great review mate thinking of upgrading my 5 yr old sage barista express. Old girl is leaking from the bottom so will get it repaired and donate it to a family member :)
Here's one for you kev.
How do all these machines cope with altitude?
Because water behaves differently at altitude.
Or is this just an issue when brewing tea?..
I don't think I'd get on well trying to use one on a flight Dave ;-). Joking apart, it does make a difference, see: perfectdailygrind.com/2018/10/how-does-elevation-affect-your-ideal-coffee-brew-temperature/
Hi Kev, love your content, very much appreciated & informative. Can you weigh in on what to look for or ask in regards to a used DB? Cheers
Great review Kev, really like the detail in the features. I’m certainly looking at buying one!
I liked the B-Roll you were shooting when you were straining the milk etc. Certainly helps keep these long single camera videos engaging 👌🏻
Hello. Thanks for all these thorough reviews. They are great value for us who search in the big sortiment of espresso machines. I was this week offered for the price of the dynamic duo (Sage Dual Boiler and the smart grinder pro) the Sage Oracle Touch (1250 pounds). Thought it was a great price, but am wondering if the Touch is something you recommend against the dual boiler. I know there is about 850 pounds price difference here in Norway, but I guess you then pay more for the screen and programming. Is the Oracle Touch just a Dual Boiler with a coffee grinder with extensive programming on a screen (not that it's a bad thing), or is it a better machine than the dual boiler for home use?
Hi Rene. Yeah the Oracle Touch is essentially the dual boiler with the grinder built in, with the Touch screen controls and all of the on-board barista stuff, auto dosing, auto tamping, auto milk texturing. It's the Sage/Breville answer to full one touch bean to cup machines. It's hard to beat I think when comparing with other bean to cup machines with Brewing units and milk carafes, but when compared to the Dual Boiler - they're two very different animals even though the Oracle Touch is based on the Dual Boiler.
The Dual Boiler is very much a home barista machine, huge amount of flexibility, great espresso, and great milk texture, in the hands of someone who's gone through the usual home barista learning curve. The Oracle Touch is made for people who want to swipe the screen and walk away with their coffee, it'll give great shot quality and milk texture with virtually no experience required. Cheers, Kev.
Hey Kev, great video! The more personal/subjective stuff was great to hear rather than just "here are the specs"! Did you ever make more videos with the Dual Boiler? Just looked through your vids and couldn't see any more on this machine 🧐 thanks!
Hi Tony,
Hopefully I will be doing a review very soon!
@@Coffee_Kev sti planning your follow up Dual Boiler video, Kev?
*Nice new studio btw!
Thanks Kev, Great video. Currently have a barista pro. Is there a big difference in the cup between the BDB & barista pro? Just wondering if I should upgrade. I already have a niche zero. Many thanks
Great video Kev!!! Please could you link part 2 / 3 videos on the sage dual boiler
I am going to be filming a series on the dual boiler soon, which I think will be really helpful to all DB users
Cheers
Kev
Hello Kev. Thanks for the informative vid. Looking to upgrade to a DB now and considering new vs reconditioned. Do you have any recommendations as to how to go about the latter option?
Thanks for that. Looks good. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on a comparison between this and the separate grinder compared to the nearest equivalent Sage (or other make) machine with integrated grinder. I'm starting to think about replacing my Gaggia Paros, which has given nearly 30 years daily service, but despite regular maintenance, is starting to struggle to produce consistent shots.
Cheers Andrew. I'll do a comparison video. 30 years, wow!
@@Coffee_Kev Thanks - I look forward to it. The Paros looks flash from the outside was built like a tank inside: it's just had the thermostats replaced twice, and I had to get a new shower plate retaining screw as the head had sheared
Hi, thanks for the review,
I have a barista express and i'm looking forward to invest and Make a step up in my shot quality ... I will buy a dedicated grinder like the df64 and i'm struggle between the Bambino and the dual boiler, i'm not a late drinker, i like the compact form Factor and speed warm up of the Bambino, but i fear i will miss some quality expresso vs the DB, do you think the différence is huge in the cup?
Can you turn off the Steam boiler to save energy on the DB? I don't use Steam... Thank you !
Hi :-). There's no getting away from the fact that these two machines are worlds apart. The bambino is very much an entry level machine made with the more "normal" coffee drinker in mind, so it's geared up mainly for user friendliness, beginner friendliness, and low cost. For the cost, it's a very impressive machine - but the only thing it really shares with the dual boiler is the brand name.
If you're going to be using the dual walled baskets, and pre-ground coffee or a cheaper grinder which isn't capable of espresso with traditional baskets, then you're probably not going to fully experience the benefit of the additional cost, in terms of shot quality. If, however, you're going to be using a capable grinder, and the standard baskets, and decent coffee, and if your palate is developed to any level, I'd expect you to be able to tell the difference in the cup.
No you can't turn off the steam boiler unfortunately, although it's not all wasted as part of the temp stability on the DB comes from the fact that the brew boiler is fed with hot water via a heat exchanger using the heat from the steam boiler, vs pulling in cold water and thermally shocking the boiler.
Cheers, Kev
Great Video Kev 👍
I am choosing between this dual boiler and Lelit Elizabeth pl92t. Do you have any personal experience with Lelit Elizabeth ? If yes, from those two, which one do you recommande ? Thanks
Hi Kev, Can you recommend a bottomless portafilter for this machine please?
Hi Darren :-), Sage/Breville supply one.
Sage UK: breville.oie8.net/NKyYJv
Breville US: breville.oie8.net/5b0BG9
Cheers
Kev
Kev I am struggling with one thing with the coffee machine the cups 1 and 2 how do i calibrate them to pre infuse for example 8 seconds and then pour at 8-9 bar for another 20 seconds.. i can for the life of my figure it out. I change the preinfusion but then this doesnt help with the extra 20 seconds i need for cup one for example
You can't adjust the pre-infusion, when using the shot buttons it's always the standard 8 sec pre-infusion, to tweak the pre-infusion you have to pull the shot manually. Ta, Kev
Could you do an in-depth video about slayer shots on this?
can the Oracle make nice shots with light roast coffee like this dual boiler? tia
Hi, the Oracle isn't really for use with light roasts due to the integrated grinder.
Cheers
Kev
Howya Kev, thinking of buying an espresso machine and new grinder. Up to now i've been making chemex and Aeropresses with Wilfa Svart grinder. Obviously the svart cant do espresso grind size so wondering should i go for barista express or pro and use in built grinder for espresso and Svart for pour overs or go for dual boiler and something like Niche that can do both espresso and pour over? Both options can be justified from price perspective.
Hi Kevin :-), cool name.
Well, you could go either way, but personally I'd say if budget isn't an obstacle, personally I'd go for the Dual Boiler and Niche Zero - great pairing, in my humble opinion, both such nice machines to use, and definitely capable of better results than the BE or BP, and quite likely to last longer too.
Obviously it's not really a fair comparison due to the big price differences, the Barista Express and the Barista Pro are good for what they are, but neither of them are the DB & NZ.
Cheers, Kev
Have you done any more video on the dual boiler series yet?
Hi Simon, I will be filming it in the next few weeks :-)
Hi Kev, I've just found your channel and hear your enthusiasm for the Sage DB. How easy is it to strip down and repair? I don't like the idea that, like modern cars, I'll inevitably have to send it to an approved dealer for maintenance. I see on another channel that the brew pressure may need adjustment so the relief valve must be accessible for a start.
I'll also confess that I prefer the classic presentation of polished stainless steel and pipework used in the E61 style heads. Must I give up on this to achieve a similar quality of brew?
Hi Kev. I stumbled on your video quite late hehe. I wanted to ask you, do you think this machine could be used for a business? Or would it break quickly?
Hi Julian,
What type of business would it be for?
Cheers
Kev
@@Coffee_Kev thanks for the quick reply Kev. A coffee shop man!
@@julianandrewparra5379 You'd need a commercial machine for a coffee shop. Send me an email at kev@coffeeblog.co.uk and I should be able to give you a more in-depth answer.
Cheers
Kev
@@Coffee_Kev thanks a lot Kev. Problem I have is that I want to send it to Colombia, and amazon sends this one for a reasonable price.
@@julianandrewparra5379 it's a great machine, but it's a home barista espresso machine, it's not designed for commercial use. It's not designed to be plumbed in to the water supply and waste (it's possible but it requires quite a bit of modding including fitting a different pump or using an external pump) and it's not really designed for the kind of daily use that commercial machines are designed for. Cheers, Kev.
Hi, I'm feeling very very frustrated that your video don't include any demonstration....
Sorry,
Coming soon :-)
great review, shockingly low views/subs. hoffman stealing all the limelight ^_^
Hi, I'm a relatively new youtuber compared to James . he's been doing it a lot longer than me, Hopefully I will keep growing and go from strength to strength :-)
I want but I am poor
Are you in the UK? If so, drop me an email Kev at coffeeblog.co.uk and I'll send you an email address, someone who re-conditions them. Cheers, Kev.
Too much talk, not enough do.
Hi Kenneth, Thanks for your comments, this is one of my older videos, I have since updated the DB series, please see:
ruclips.net/video/3yJyZM9AYdg/видео.html&pp=gAQBiAQB
Cheers
Kev
Does this grind the beans also,or do I use pre ground coffee , just found your Chanel as I’m wanting to buy a machine . I have about a thousand to fifteen hundred budget . I would like an automatic milk frothed ? Are there any ? Or is it just as easy like with this one your reviewing ,Your info kev is fantastic and so in detail . I had no idea which machine to buy but after watching since last night some of your videos I’m learning . I have a basic coffee pod machine and judge milk frother and I would love to go more professional but so confused , ???? Help x regards Julie
Hi Julie, thanks for the very kind words. This is a stand alone espresso machine so you'd need a separate grinder. This doesn't have an auto frother, and learning to get decent texture with a manual wand does take a bit of practice, but once you've got the knack it's very straight forward. If you want an integrated grinder and auto frother it sounds like the Oracle would be more up your street, they're £1800 at RRP but if you shop around you can get them for about £1500 - email me (kev at coffeeblog.co.uk) I sometimes have discount codes to share so if I have a valid one when you email me I'll reply with it.
Cheers,
Kev