sweaner wrote:I have no direct knowledge, but I can't imagine that the steam boiler pressure is not adjustable.

For whatever it's worth, the steam pressure on the Vivaldi is not adjustable either.

They removed the pressurestat and replaced it with a thermostat. While this is good from a reliability standpoint, it's not so good from an adjustability point of view. Since the pressure is fixed at between 1.1 bar and 1.3 bar (a bit high for dedicated steaming in my opinion), getting good microfoam with that much power takes a LOT of practice (or switching to a lower flow 1 hole tip as someone mentioned). This applies mostly to the Mini Vivaldi which does not have an adjustable steam knob.

It's still a great machine, but I'd like to see the next generation of Vivaldi use an adjustable PID for both boilers (like the Duetto II).

Dan's sorta right about the positions, but I want to make it crystal clear.

HB wrote:

Heater on, pump ready
This position is to power up both elements, the pump is always at the ready


Pump only, no heater
This position is to turn on only the PID for the brew element. The brew element power is then controlled by the PID's on/off position and temperature setting. The steam element is OFF in this position, and the pump is always at the ready.

In any way I now have 2 pretty good espresso machines: The Brewtus III and the Vibiemme DoubleDomo Super PID. Is this the start of a collection? I haven't worked yet with the Vibiemme as I was off to Schotland last week for work. However, as soon as I have some results, I will post them. Thanks for all the tips.

SJ

I have been lurking for quite some time but decided to wake this dormant thread for my first post instead of creating another redundant one. As I understand it, the recommended "signal path" if you will, is to use a >1080 joules surge strip between the Domobar and the timer to protect against surges. I don't know if this amounts to being overly-cautious but it certainly can't be detrimental in any way.

I am considering this model as I plan on pulling espresso more than using steam. I'm still trying to decide which grinder to pair with it. Right now I'm leaning towards an Anfim Best but they're getting hard to find in stock.

I put my VBM DD, and eventually my GS/3, on one of these

networkcrasher wrote:I put my VBM DD, and eventually my GS/3, on one of these

Thanks for the link. No one shows the back of it but going by the description permitting permanent installation, I'm assuming it requires both of the wall outlets? How does that work with the ubiquitous single-outlet timers? Or do you simply put the timer after the surge protector? I was under the impression that the surge protection needed to be between the timer and the machine.

It basically plugs into the lower of the 2 outlets in a plate. There's a cool little rubber bumper at the bottom of the surge protector on the back that keeps it from marring the wall below the plastic wall plate covering the outlet. Then, there's a little screw that replaces the one holding on the wall plate that attaches to a bracket on the surge protector.

I'd put the timer between the surge and the machine.

Simply put it:
position ONE turn power ON to everything
except the heating element of the STEAM BOILER
it will power also the PID but the PID has is own on/off switch

position TWO all the above plus the heating element for the steam boiler

steam temperature can be adjusted from the pressurestat
brew one from the PID

networkcrasher wrote:It basically plugs into the lower of the 2 outlets in a plate. There's a cool little rubber bumper at the bottom of the surge protector on the back that keeps it from marring the wall below the plastic wall plate covering the outlet. Then, there's a little screw that replaces the one holding on the wall plate that attaches to a bracket on the surge protector.

I'd put the timer between the surge and the machine.

I see. Very nice. Thanks!