Vibiemme Domobar Super Junior HX or DB?

#1: Post by **yooncs** » March 20th, 2009, 2:34 pm

Hello,

1st-line and espresso care are taking pre-order of vibiemme domobar super junior. I am leaning towards HX just because DB isn't PID'd. If I get HX, I'll need EricS and be done with it. But with DB, I'll probably be interested in installing PID, which means extra time, money, hassle, etc.

What is your opinion? The price difference is almost negligible ($100).

#2: Post by **1atom12** » March 20th, 2009, 5:13 pm

There is an active thread on CoffeeGeek on this very topic...

That being said, I'm also trying to decide which way to go. I will probably wait until the first units ship out and we hear back from the new owners. Stefano and Jim will have more info on these machines as we get closer to release...

These machines will be world beaters at their current price point....

#3: Post by **blowery** » August 3rd, 2009, 11:06 pm

Has anyone actually used one (either HX or DB) of these machines yet? Seems like there's been no updates on them in a while, even though they're supposedly shipping now. Any thoughts?

http://users.rcn.com/erics/ · #4: Post by **erics** » August 4th, 2009, 5:59 am

Here are some XXX-rated pics (my favs) of the VBM Domobar Junior DB. To the best of my knowledge, the machine is built on the same chassis as the European Domobar SB machine (never sold in the US).

I was helping a friend in NJ set his machine up from a temperature and pressure standpoint and was very rushed for time. External features (valves, gages, grouphead) are identical to the other VBM machines. Internally, it is nicely laid out if not a little cramped.

#5: Post by **blowery** » August 4th, 2009, 10:45 am

Awesome, thanks for the photos.

Did you get any sense of how the steam boiler performed? It seems a bit small compared to most DB machines, but it might be enough for my needs... Coming from a Silvia, I don't think it'll be worse...

http://users.rcn.com/erics/ · #6: Post by **erics** » August 4th, 2009, 11:16 am

No, I didn't attempt to do any steaming or real brewing for that matter - maybe, next time.

Here are additional photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33145902@N ... 862858146/

#7: Post by **lostinla** » October 15th, 2009, 4:42 pm

Eric, you mention you helped someone set one up with regard to boiler temperature and pressure ....

I just bought one of the temperature probes that I think you developed (bought via Chris's Coffee, along with a bottomless protafilter) and should have it tomorrow.

Do you have some advice that you could share on the setup of this machine.

http://users.rcn.com/erics/ · #8: Post by **erics** » October 15th, 2009, 5:19 pm

Well, unfortunately, I did not take any notes and it has been a while BUT I do remember adjusting the manual thermostat such that the group read 195 F. I did a 2-second "screen flush" and pulled the thermofilter shot - pretty consistent 200 F.

One thing for sure - if you make any adjustments to the manual thermostat you need around 20-30 minutes for the grouphead to stabilize at that effect.

#9: Post by **lostinla** » October 15th, 2009, 6:05 pm

That long to stabilize temp .... how long would you estimate from turning on the machine to pulling the first shot?
I had assumed with a double boiler that after the boiler had boiled, doing a decent 20 second flush, and then letting the boiler recover that it'd be good to go (within 10 mins of turning on). Maybe I should be giving it a lot more time?
Looking forward to seeing the results with the thermometer this weekend.

http://users.rcn.com/erics/ · #10: Post by **erics** » October 15th, 2009, 6:23 pm

I would say 45 minutes minimum - put the machine on a good digital timer. I have had Anita on a digital timer for years and she goes on at 5:30 AM - 1st cappy at around 7:00 AM. You will have the opportunity to check the temperature stabilization "first hand". Boiler water temperature responds relatively quickly; grouphead temperature relatively slow.