Hi all!

Haven't posted in a while (been enjoying good coffee ), but would like the community's thoughts on upgrading.

I'm currently using a VBM Domobar Super, and while the machine is gorgeous and (after a pump replacement for a freak bad pump) makes absolutely fantastic coffee. However (and you knew there'd be a however given I'm talking about upgrades), I'm getting a bit tired of the water dance. I always feel slightly worried whether I've got the temperature I want, and, perhaps more importantly, the water flush means I have to fill the reservoir more often. These are tiny little annoyances, but they are gradually started to bother me. So, I'm considering an upgrade.

I haven't heard much about the VBM Double Boiler - it's been available for a while now, what do people think of it? I see the latest Brewtus model got great scores in the H-B review, and also that there's a new double boiler Izzo Alex over at Chris' Coffee.

Your thoughts on these machines upgrade path generally would be greatly appreciated.

Bah, my apologies. Found a couple of threads that are nearly identical (like Double Boiler Vibe: Expobar Brewtus III or Alex Duetto or Vibiemme Double Domobar and Your top two picks for HX and double boiler espresso machines), no need to repeat them.

Leaning toward Double Domo. I'm just a sucker for its looks and Jim has provided excellent support on my existing machine.

Tips for convincing my wife why we need to do this upgrade still appreciated.

You could try selling her on the idea that DB machines are more user friendly, and so she might be more comfortable making her own drinks. I think that would work best with a full auto machine like a La Spaziale or GS/3 rather than a semi auto, but it might be worth a shot (no pun intended).

That's not a bad idea at all!

Perhaps the most important input from you would be the duty cycle, use factor, or whatever you want to call it, e.g. 2 cappy's a day, espressofests on the weekend, etc, etc.

Although I do not own one, the Vibiemme Domobar Super is very difficult to surpass from the standpoint of value and rugged construction. It can easily be operated without any flushing:

Eric, I think my machine runs hot (or I have your thermometer installed wrong, which is entirely possible), but with a rough 1.0 setting the first water out of the machine in the morning is hitting 212+. Am I reading your chart correctly? It seems to suggest a setting of .9 would result in 203.

If there was a no-flush setting that still gave adequate steaming I would not upgrade at all. Maybe I need to experiment (gotta get a new battery for the thermometer - at least I hope that's it, it took a hard hit and had been behaving a little wonky).

Edit: my use = 2 cappas in the morning. Espresso during rest of day (if I'm home). Weekend evenings might make a few cappas for guests when entertaining.

I love the Vibiemme Domobar Super HX PID at home because mild mannered Clark Kent can turn into Superman with the flick of a switch. HX Heaven or 1½ Boiler

I love the Vibiemme DoubleDomo Super DB at the office because I can have the steam boiler off except for a few minutes to make latte.

If I could only have one or the other, I'd go with the HX because it's more powerful for the times when I need to make a half a dozen lattes in short order.

I suspect adding a PID to my machine in a way that didn't completely blow its good looks is beyond my skill (certainly don't have any tools/ability to cut the shell). But yeah, that looks perfect!

I didn't cut the shell either. A few people have installed a PID in the same place on the Vibiemme Domobar Super



A small project box mounted under the machine with double sided CPU mounting tape.
Been there over 3 years

Vibiemme Domobar Super Levetta PID Project pretty much covers it.
Once you've got all the bits, it's about two hours work.

Bex wrote:Eric, I think my machine runs hot (or I have your thermometer installed wrong, which is entirely possible), but with a rough 1.0 setting the first water out of the machine in the morning is hitting 212+. Am I reading your chart correctly? It seems to suggest a setting of .9 would result in 203.

The Vibiemme is typically equipped with a Parker pstat - similar to the Sirai - and is very easy to adjust. IIRC, turn the screw clockwise to decrease the indication on the gage until it reads 0.80 bar MAX. You should probably be going about 1-1/2 turns clockwise. Give the machine about 20 minutes to adjust to its new heartrate

You are reading the chart correctly BUT keep in mind that the water loses a lot in the 1-1/2 inches or so it travels from the thermometer probe to the coffee. Email me at erics@erols.com and I will send you the latest thermometer installation instructions or they are always available at my crude FTP site under digthermadptr3.pdf .