decent_espresso wrote:The DE1+ has a hardware flow meter wired into the water flow, so that we can do volumetric dosing, and also flow profiling.

A quote from mid' July
(source):

"The difference between the DE1 and DE1+ will all be software, and we'll release both models simultaneously." - so this statement isn't true anymore? Will it still be possible to upgrade a DE1 to a DE1+?

P.S. Thanks for documenting the whole development process - very interesting.

Correct, things have changed. We've now:

a) found that we'd like to have a more expensive pump in the DE1+ to give us higher pressure capabilities (this new pump is rated to 19 bars).

b) found that our flow estimations on the DE1 are just that, estimations, and that we'd like to buy and install a hardware flow meter into the DE1+ so that we get really accurate numbers, like the expensive pro machines do with hardware flow meters as well.

We will still have a software upgrade path from the DE1 to the DE1+, and many, but not all the capabilities will be available. A little bit like when you upgrade your phone software. Not all features can be back-ported.

We're hoping to be able to do volumetric and flow profiling with the DE1+ software on DE1 hardware by calculating pump-cycles to estimate water flow, and that does work, but it has about 30% error. We didn't think that was good enough to sell the feature as volumetric dosing on the DE1+, since the whole point of volumetric is consistency, which is why we've added a flow meter into the DE1+.

There might be more decisions we make before the DE1+ ships that differentiate the hardware. For example, we're planning on having a cool-touch steam wand on the DE1+, and a regular wand on the DE1.

mauijer wrote:I was wondering, with your programmable options will it be similar to a digital camera with, for example, with "shutter control" where the computer allows you to change one setting and automatically adjusts the others to give an optimal exposure or extraction in the case of espresso? Or will it be 100% manual where every parameter will need to be set, or somewhere in between

You can have it either way, like you have with an SLR/DSLR camera. "Flow priority mode" means that if the flow goes to fast (say, you have bad channeling) but you wanted 9 bars of pressure, the pressure will automatically be pulled back so that the flow comes back under the maximum flow rate you had specified. A program might be "go to 9 bars of pressure, but never exceed 2 ml/second of espresso flow." We have a theory that reducing pressure when a channel appears will help it collapse, and will also will lower the amount of bad-tasting-espresso that was caused by the channel.

Manual mode is simply leaving the "priority" modes off and that's available too. That's what a traditional machine does.

mauijer wrote:I suppose for the most part I see initial setup being difficult to guess too much until pouring a few shots and then tweaking as needed. Specifically, I think the flow rate might be most difficult for me to anticipate initially.

Flow profiling is, I believe, a new feature that is not currently available on any other machine, so naturally people are going to need to experiment to figure out what works best. However, it's my belief that Lever machine users are already doing flow profiling, with the barista adjusting the pressure based on the speed of espresso they observe going into the cup. I also think that the "slow pressure decline" pressure profile curve, that is very common (and that Rao says works best) is generally the same approach as what Lever users have done. We'll have our own presets on the DE1+, but you can make your own, and share what you learn with others on forums such as HB.

So: I think there's already a body of knowledge out there about the relationship of flow to flavor, and I'm hoping that some people with that knowledge buy a Decent Espresso machine, start tinkering, and share.

mauijer wrote:Also, since I do not see the portafilter flow adapter you had mentioned in other posts is this flow rate simply the rate at which water enters the portafilter rather than the flow leaving the portafilter and entering the cup? Or is the flow rate only applicable if one has your Bluetooth scale attached?

The flow rate is calculated as water going into the puck. Once the machine is at full pressure, and the puck is full saturated (say, about 10 seconds into the shot), water in equals water out.

The bluetooth scale you mentioned isn't yet available, and will bring gravimetric (weight based) shot profiling to our ecosystem. This will likely be even more accurate than volumetric profiling, since companies like La Marzocco have been rolling out gravimetric to their high end machines, and I've heard from baristas that it does indeed work better than volumetric. Our scale manufacturer is making progress on that product, and I received a video yesterday of the new firmware working. However, the scale and the gravimetric features it enables will be a 2017 features.

VIDEO: The drip tray and water tank, both made of ceramic, have arrived from the factory. This is our first experience trying the real thing in our espresso machine prototype. You'll see how they get placed, and how you can fill the water tank.

decent_espresso wrote:You'll see how they get placed, and how you can fill the water tank.

The video shows the (slick looking) being inserted - and pulled out - into the back of the machine. Will the tray also be accessible from the front?
I would assume a lot of people have their machine against the wall.

Hmm, the video I watched showed that if you remove the drip tray you can bring the water reservoir out the front. I recommend a second viewing!

Correct, the water tank can be pulled (and filled) from the front or back.

The confusion for me was the pipe that was mentioned that anchored in the back corner of the tank. How does that move?

Video stated there will be a lever/switch to move it and keep the tank in place otherwise.

MAKING ESPRESSO ON TV: this photo shows me making a shot on the DE1 next door, while others being able to watch me on a big 19" screen, located in the room next door. I'm using Google's $35 chromecast device to send the DE1's 8" tablet screen to any HDMI compatible TV or monitor.

I'm working on the DE1+ software currently, which has real time charts showing pressure, water flow and temperature. That display will be more interesting to watch.

This screen-casting feature is going to be great for presentations and training. Also, some cafés might show espresso being made on a big screen, providing insight to their customers about the science and process behind their drinks.