Should I switch my Sage Dual Boiler?

nosiesta

Hey all, I have a Sage Dual Boiler. I pretty much never make any milky drinks - like once a month maybe, max. I’m wondering what my options are to replace this machine with something more suited to making decent espresso, long blacks and americanos, with the rare milky thrown in. Or would you just stick with the SDB?

Things I like:

Temp control
Heated group
Hot water spigot
Manual pre infusion
Easy to fill tank
Possibility to play with pre infusion settings, but not bothered as yet

Things I’m not fussed about:

Dedicated steam boiler that never gets used!

Thanks!

MediumRoastSteam

nosiesta Or would you just stick with the SDB?

I’d stick with it.

Reading your post, it feels to me the SDB does everything you want it to do, apart from the fact you rarely drink milk.

The Elizabeth is certainly NOT an upgrade from the SDB. Maybe it will last longer and it’s easier to maintain if things break, it in terms of functionality it is not.

Reality is, for £800, you won’t have anything that convenient and precise in the single boiler territory.

You could venture out into the territories of the Flair 58+, or the ECM Puristika, or the La Pavoni. But I doubt you’ll be upgrading, if that makes sense.

Cuprajake

What’s your budget?

There’s an Elizabeth on sale with Bella barista. Would give great temp stability

nosiesta

Thanks for the speedy reply! My budget is that for a second hand SDB, so maybe £800. But not saying I’m switching - just wondering what folk would advise, at this stage. And is the Elizabeth not a dual boiler?!

Cuprajake

It is, but it gives you good temp stability.

For £800 you won’t get much better than what you have with the sage, upgrade your grinder perhaps.

Used machines are strong money right now.

nosiesta

Hi and thanks. I think you may have misread my post. Thanks though.

Cuprajake

In what way?

You have a sage dual boiler?

Have £800 to spend?

£800 won’t get you better than you have right now.

nosiesta

I was asking (perhaps not very clearly), whether there would be any benefit in changing my setup to something geared up more for non-milky drinks, or whether it would be best to keep the Sage DB. Based on the fact that I pretty much never use the steam boiler on my machine. Maybe a single boiler. I don’t know. Thus the question. Sorry if that wasn’t very clear - I’ll try harder next time.

DavecUK

nosiesta Unless you cannot switch the steam boiler off, then no, there’s probably no point upgrading..

Cuprajake

Got ya

nosiesta

Thanks all. Def can’t switch the steam boiler off. Maybe I’ll stick for now. Profitec Go looked good, but prob less machine for the same money (taking into account 2nd hand sale of SDB budget). Flair 58 could be the future… but the geekery may be too much as sometimes I just want an easy coffee :)

JonWoo187

nosiesta Surprised the steam boiler can’t be left off unless it’s involved with preheating brew water somehow. I know little about how that machine is setup function-wise except I wouldn’t care to have one based on build quality/design alone. In all honesty, any dual boiler made should have the option of leaving the steam OFF if not needed to minimize heat buildup, less electricity being used, etc.

hornbyben

The sage double boiler works well. If you want to improve your espresso a grinder will have the most impact. I wouldn’t replace the machine until it breaks based on your stated needs.

nosiesta

I’ve no problem with the quality of the espresso. It’s good. I have Niche Zero, so that’s fine. Was more the not using the steam, at all, thing. Thanks

hornbyben

nosiesta ah ok, sorry I misunderstood

dfk41

nosiesta Do you know that there is a ‘Barista’ menu that gives you access to a lot more controls? I have had a few Sage DB’s and found them to be very good machines. There is a way of pulling the shot at pre-infusion levels which made the biggest difference I have ever tasted. I have a set of instructions if you want a go matey.

tompoland

I’d stick with the Sage unless you have a hankering for trying something new in which case have a look at the ECM Puristika. But I wouldn’t switch for a better in the cup experience.

nosiesta

JonWoo187 Yep, the brew water is pulled through the steam boiler which helps with the temp regulation or something.

nosiesta

dfk41 I’ve had a tiny play with this, but I’d be keen for any advice, instructions etc that you have for sure.

Nightrider_1uk

nosiesta Yep, the brew water is pulled through the steam boiler which helps with the temp regulation or something.

But it is being used, abet not for milk though

dfk41

nosiesta These are the instructions for tinkering. It is straightforward and reversible of course. The first shot i made with this method, I got fruit where there were no fruit trees!

https://www.coffeeforums.co.uk/threads/sage-db-is-this-acceptable.32158/page-2

Pompeyexile

Being a Sage DB and Niche owner I often sit back and think the same, in that would I be able to notice an appreciable difference if I changed it to one of the chrome clad beauties I see on here, owned by those who really know about coffee and can appreciate and detect the nuances in taste from one bean to another.

However, it has also never ocurred to me that having a seperate boiler which is designated for steaming and as far as I am aware is not connected to or how the other boiler produces hot pressured water to the grouphead could affect the taste of the espresso. I put that solely down to my shortcomings and not the machines. Therefore, for me having that extra boiler for milk frothing duties should I ever need it, is simply a bonus.

I will admit, if the other single boiler machines out there owned by many on here allow more ‘tinkering’ ‘profiling’ and all that jazz, allowing you to experiment more or even if that can help you achieve coffee Nirvana for your taste buds, then yes go for it.

What is surprising for me, is how many on here who are non-Sage owners that recommend you stick with it. Which to me, means whilst yes it is more of a consumer product that may or may not last as long or be as easy to repair should anything go wrong than its chrome cousins, performance wise it must be pretty good. That means I really don’t need to keep scratching that ‘what if’ itch and just enjoy the coffee.