Getting started with the Vibiemme DoubleDomo Super

by **annp** on Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:51 am

Hey gang - I know those of us who pre ordered are getting our machines any minute. Has anyone received their Vibiemme DoubleDomo yet?

I know this because there is a charge on my card this morning from Stefanos : )

Anyway, I'd really like to read about everyone's experience with the VBM. I know there will be an official review here, which is good as well - but for us pioneers, I'd like to share information.

I will say when I got one of the very first Anitas, you all really helped me to hit the ground running. Dan was kind enough to send me some info via email before I even got the machine with some set up info. I was successful at making good espresso pretty much from day one.

And thanks to all of you fellow enthusiasts, I've never used anything but a bottomless portafilter.

So sadly, I will not be able to use my VBM once I get it for a while due to extenuating circumstances (unless someone wants to come to Atlanta and play assistant Barista for me), which is ironic. I will be able to sit in front of my computer or my laptop and read about it though. And absorb all sorts of data.

So, please share your experiences - I am sure I won't be the only person benefiting from reading this. Just don't make me laugh too hard, ok?

Ann

by **seattlesetters** on Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:03 pm

I'll be watching this thread very closely. The Vibiemme DoubleDomo Super is sitting perfectly in my sites right now, but I won't be able to pull the trigger until next March. Everything I can learn from the great folks here before making the final purchase decision will be time well spent.

by **DavidBB** on Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:34 pm

I'm hoping mine gets here in the next few weeks, so I'll be watching this thread with interest also.

by HB on Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:21 pm

annp wrote:I know there will be an official review here, which is good as well - but for us pioneers, I'd like to share information.

Due to heavy customer demand and the need for demonstration models for the upcoming SCAA conference, the review will be delayed until late May/early June. I look forward to reading first impressions from the early adopters.

by **networkcrasher** on Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:27 am

Mine shipped today and will be here Monday according to UPS.

I think it could have shipped yesterday but I was out of town here in Augusta and didn't have access to fax in my approval for the order from 1st-line. Apparently they consider it a commercial machine and need a signature to release it.

by **annp** on Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:06 am

networkcrasher wrote:Mine shipped today and will be here Monday according to UPS. I think it could have shipped yesterday but I was out of town here in Augusta and didn't have access to fax in my approval for the order from 1st-line. Apparently they consider it a commercial machine and need a signature to release it.

You know, I got super busy on Friday and have no email from anyone about the tracking number for my machine. I wonder if thats why I've not heard?

Sounds like a job for Monday!

Also - Mark - I'm in the ATL too : )

Where do you get your beans?

Ann

by **networkcrasher** on Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:53 am

Hey Ann, I'm not sure about Stefano's as I got mine from 1st-line. Didn't know I needed to sign anything until I got a call that the machine was in.

I'm over in Smyrna off South Cobb, but work in Midtown. Love the ATL!

I usually get mine from the GCBC or Sweet Marias. I haven't found a local roaster that I really like other than the Counter Culture stuff I can pick up at Octane - but those beans are expensivo! The roaster for Bergdorf and Bronson is kinda close to my house, but I don't know if I can go over there and pick up greens or not. I don't even know of any high end espresso retailers for equipment in the ATL area! I've heard of the Faema/Astoria one called Southeast Espresso or something, but that's it.

by **networkcrasher** on Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:47 pm

So my machine arrived today! It's much heavier than I imagined and there are some sharp(!) edges on it. I saw blood splotches all over it after I got it onto the counter and didn't realize I had cut myself. There are some instructions to check the height of the boilers but that's about it. The instruction manual seems to be from a normal HX style Domobar Super, along with a PID specific sheet. It's pretty quiet until it goes up to pressure while pulling a shot, and that's with the back cover and top taken off. I'm not sure what it will sound like when the covers are on. I made a double for me and a latte for the mrs and she gave me approval and a smile. I need to dial in the grind a bit better and get a tamping stand for the single spout, but all in all I'm very impressed. The only odd thing I've noticed so far is the steam boiler is pre-set to 1.5bar and after pulling a shot, the boiler pressure stays where it was during the shot, even though I noted a discharge from the 3way upon moving the lever back down. If I do a flush after that, the pressure in the gauge seems to drop back to 0.
The naked PF for my Silvia doesn't fit at all. Gasket probably needs to be changed for one of the thinner ones.

Let the pics begin! (I know they're dark - I was excited and this thing shines so much, it's hard to photograph) They're also here for larger resolution

I'm not sure what they were thinking with this OPV location. It's pointing at the boiler when it could easily point backwards towards the hole in the frame under the water pallet.

I'm surprised that the steam boiler (to the right) is much smaller than the brew boiler! The steam is nice and dry though. Worked great on my first latte tonight.

by **networkcrasher** on Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:50 pm

I'm pretty sure the pressurestat isn't supposed to look bent like that. It's impossible to get to the adjustment through the hole below the cup tray. Will ask about that tomorrow.

by **networkcrasher** on Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:52 pm

by **networkcrasher** on Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:53 pm

by **networkcrasher** on Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:54 pm

The top shelf came with the white "sticky film" that protects the stainless from scratches, but once I peeled mine away it was very nasty looking on the stainless. I'll call in tomorrow and see if there's something I can do to make it look better.

by **networkcrasher** on Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:02 am

Last 3!

Anyone know if there should be a plug in the end of the PF handle?

by **networkcrasher** on Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:07 am

Now, I have a question. Being as my only *real* experience has been on Silvia (Don't ask about previous machines), my cleaning regimen has changed a bit with the manual lever. It doesn't seem like as much water comes out as Silvia when there's no pressure. I don't know if that's a feature of the pre-infusion, or just my eyes deceiving me. This is interesting - I feel a bit like a newbie again :mrgreen:

by **zin1953** on Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:45 am

Mark (et.al.), you might want to check out the photos off this website . . . good looking machine(s)!

by **networkcrasher** on Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:15 am

zin1953 wrote:Mark (et.al.), you might want to check out the photos off this website . . . good looking machine(s)!

Interesting. In the "DOMOBAR Dualboiler mit PID 03" photo, it doesn't have the Sirai pressurestat like mine does?

by **zin1953** on Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:43 am

I can't answer the question, Mark, but I can tell you that it is not uncommon for the "same" machine to be built differently for different export markets. Keep in mind, too, that the German machine is 220v; here in the US, it's a 110 model. Perhaps that explains it; perhaps not. Ask Jim @ 1st-Line . . . .

by **networkcrasher** on Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:54 am

zin1953 wrote:I can't answer the question, Mark, but I can tell you that it is not uncommon for the "same" machine to be built differently for different export markets. Keep in mind, too, that the German machine is 220v; here in the US, it's a 110 model. Perhaps that explains it; perhaps not. Ask Jim @ 1st-Line . . . .

Gotcha. Thanks Jason. I was thinking along the same lines, but given my limited knowledge, I thought it would require a pressurestat in conjunction with the PID. Then again, I just know my machine has one and was mostly curious to see if their pressurestat was bent at an angle like mine. It seems that machine just uses the PID to control the boiler instead of the combination.

by **stefano65** on Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:00 pm

PID controls the brew boiler
Pressurestast control the steam boiler
all the DOUBLEDOMO i received
have the Sirai UL approved pressurestat

by **CafSuperCharged** on Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:04 pm

networkcrasher wrote:Interesting. In the "DOMOBAR Dualboiler mit PID 03" photo, it doesn't have the Sirai pressurestat like mine does?

In one of the photos on that site, labeled "Bild 8 von 50", you can see the pressurestat: a small CIEME or Jaeger model. Why would you need a big, bulky Sirai if you have a PID?

Mind you the site shows two double boiler models: one vibration pump and water tank, the other rotary pump and plumb in.

networkcrasher wrote:The only odd thing I've noticed so far is the steam boiler is pre-set to 1.5bar and after pulling a shot, the boiler pressure stays where it was during the shot, even though I noted a discharge from the 3way upon moving the lever back down. If I do a flush after that, the pressure in the gauge seems to drop back to 0.

You have two boilers. The steam boiler has no connection with the 3way discharge.
The pump and brew boiler are connected to the group. The discharge is to release pressure on top of the puck so as you don't get sprayed when you take the portafilter out.
The steam boiler is connected to the steam valve and wand.

My question would be, as there is a pressurestat, if it is only for the steam boiler and why would you take a big, expensive Sirai when steam temperature might not be as critical as espresso temperature. Does the non-PID version have two pressurestats then, one for the steam boiler (Sirai?) and the other for the brew boiler?
Another interesting thing is how the brew boiler maintains group temperature. There must be a loop from the brew boiler into the group and back. But does it include a HX?

Regards
Peter
Netherlands
Europe


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