Breville Dual Boiler recommended dose for single/double espresso

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visi107
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Joined: 11 years ago

#1: Post by visi107 »

I have had the breville dual boiler for about a month but just received a scale a couple of days ago and I wanted to ask you guys if you weigh your coffee and how much do you use.

I am using the single and double filters that came with the machine, the single wall filters. After receiving the scale I started using 8gm for the single and 16gm for the double. I am using the baratza vario to grind the coffee and adjusted the grind so that i am getting about 25-30 seconds for the shots.

My question is, now that i am weighing my coffee for 8gm and 16 grams it seem like the filter basket is underfilled especially after I tamp it. And after the coffee is extracted there is no real 'puck' in the portafilter, the used coffee doesn't seem compressed at all, it seems like used coffee that you would see in a regular drip coffee maker?

Is 8gm and 16gm not enough for this machine? What do you guys who have the dual boiler use?

cpreston
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#2: Post by cpreston »

Here's a post from Phil Knight, who guided the BDB development:
If you are using the stock baskets, then 17g will be a little on the low side as you will bottom out the tamper against the tapering walls of the basket at that level. 18-19g is what I've tested as the "optimum" level with the stock baskets. [snip].... adjust the grind until you see espresso start to drop from the spouts at between 11 & 14secs. If this happens then I guarantee you will have a good shot that runs from 30-35secs inc pre-infusion delivering a 50-60ml double (providing your dose distribution was OK).

Cheers, Phil
I haven't used the stock basket myself much (no particular reason), but it is well thought of by many BDB owners.

visi107 (original poster)
Posts: 12
Joined: 11 years ago

#3: Post by visi107 (original poster) »

Thanks for the reply, that helps. What filters do you use if you don't mind me asking?

cpreston
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#4: Post by cpreston »

I use the HQ14 and the VSTs mostly.

GaryM
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#5: Post by GaryM »

Breville manual recommends the following for the single/double basket:
"Breville's filter baskets have been designed for 10g/18g, a larger volume than the industry standard of 7g/14g. Using less than 10g/18g may affect the espresso produced."

visi107 (original poster)
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Joined: 11 years ago

#6: Post by visi107 (original poster) »

So then does that mean you can not use a smaller filter basket with the breville machines? And if you use a smaller filter basket ex 7gm/14gm can you still get a good coffee?

MerleApAmber
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Joined: 11 years ago

#7: Post by MerleApAmber replying to visi107 »

No.
Yes, of course!

My double is just under 19.5 grams and hits Phil's suggested times for volume/weight extracted using a nominal 10 second preinfuse.

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[creative nickname]
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#8: Post by [creative nickname] »

I like Italian-sized double ristrettos, so with my BDB I get best results using a small VST filter basket (the 15g size), dosed between 14 and 15 g. I've also really enjoyed the singles I've pulled using 10g in the stock single basket. Obviously what you like may vary depending on your tastes, but this is what has worked for me.
LMWDP #435

MerleApAmber
Posts: 100
Joined: 11 years ago

#9: Post by MerleApAmber »

Here's an 'ah-ha' moment; I "had" to use some *$s French Roast whole bean of late.
(Don't ask - I'll not tell...)
To get back to the times and volumes/liquid draw mass I'd ringingly endorsed Phil's metrics with, using theirs and not my home roasts, I had to reduce the mass of the dry grounds to 17.8 grams and back off the fine grind setting almost one major division on the Preciso. This demonstrates to me just how much drier and further into char the traditional factory coffee is processed to make their signature blend.

The surprise is: the significant other appears to associate the taste in the cup to 'goodness' and is enjoying herself greatly. ...which means I have a long road to hoe with my "artisan roasting and quality S.O. greens"... /sigh.
((( at least "I" know mine's better!!!)))
This difference is due to normally using fresh beans where more of the essential oils/liquids are still available at time of dosing and extraction.