What Decent do you own and what's your experience been like? Quality? Functionality? Service? Do you still own one? Would you buy it again? Why? Here is my experience thus far. So I have just entered the world of Decent, having acquired a Decent DE1XL V1.42 from a current owner located in Vancouver. It's now sitting in my son's apartment awaiting my pick up in late August. I expect to be operational on August 30. The Decent team are just phenomenonal. Very helpful, very responsive, great service! Their approach to the sale and transfer of ownership of pre-owned units is rightfully very security conscious, but very supportive. They wisely understand that they are gaining new customers and fans. And, I can and will buy an extended warranty for piece of mind and convenience. It's worth every penny (well every $$). They will also sell me version upgrade parts at nominal cost. Assuming that I like the machine, which I am confident I will, Decent will have me hooked into their upgrade path. And an added benefit. As I was able to fund the purchase through prior / excess equipment sales, adding only $600 CDN (well$ 1,000 after I buy the extended warranty), my wife is now acclimated to this next price point in espresso machines 👌

I bought a DE1 Pro v1.43 in October, upgrading from a Gaggia Classic. The upgrade has been incredible in everyway. I get much better coffee from the DE1 and I love the control I can get from it. The integration with the Acaia scales is second to none, I couldn't imagine not using this feature, the ability to stop by weight is incredible. Being able to see the shot parameters mid flight is very useful. In terms of the actual machine, it's small compact and fairly light. I did have an issue in December where the group head ring light froze and I couldn't reset it. I spoke with Decent and I shipped the machine back to them and they repaired a board free of charge ( i didn't pay for shipping) Would I buy it again? - Yes. It's offerings are completely unique at the price point.

Congrats on the purchase @"JHCCoffee"#639 I've had my DE1XL for 2.5 years now. Hasn't missed a beat and comes with a life time extendable warranty. That speaks volumes about John Buckmans confidence in the durability of his machines. A swirl of espresso machines have come and gone around my Decent in those two and a half years.. It's simply extraordinary. For example, this morning I used a DF64V with Gorrilla Gear burrs which pairs well the "Adaptive" profile for medium roasted beans very well. Well balanced, full bodied, full flavored. Later I used a Niche Duo with SSP Espresso burrs and with just two taps on the tablet I switched to another solid match in Scott Rao's "Blooming" profile (designed for lighter roasts) and enjoyed all the bright juicy intenstity that those burrs can offer up. Adding to the easy-to-access diversity of options on the Decent, the Decent Diaspora has members such as John Weiss, the Barista Hustle guy, Scott Rao, John Buckman and a host of other vastly experienced and helpful professionals posting and contributing to anwers. It's really quite extraordinary. Almost as good as CT! People love or hate the Decent. They are like a black jellybean: people who like them tend to love them and the rest can't stand them. And that's just fine. Celebrate that diversity of opinions. Accept and applaud differences. The Decent is the mainstay of my coffee island... [URL=https://i.imgur.com/noTa2gn.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/noTa2gn.jpg[/IMG][/URL] PS my first shot of the day generally has me simply pushing the button through blurry eyes, just to get a quick caffiene fix. So it's not all about nerding out. The Decent can be as simple or as complex as you enjoy making it.

Thanks @"tompoland"#121. I appreciate your Decent insights. That's definitely a full bench! Just curious. What brand is the pour over kettle and base on the right side of the bench. I’d like something that is more temperature controlable than my current stovetop gooseneck kettle.

@"JHCCoffee"#p50221 yes Fellow Stagg with optional wood accents. Hario Server 01 with a Hario Switch on top. Acaia Pearl scale. The Stagg features a useful "hold" option that will keep the water at the set temperature for up to an hour.

I have the scales and the connection has died on one of the buttons. Despite it being a common occurrence they are not interested. Seems like they view the scales as a beta play thing that their customers who buy £4K machines can view as disposable and buy the next model they release. Won’t buy from them again.

> @"simonc"#p50391 have the scales and the connection has died on one of the buttons. Despite it being a common occurrence they are not interested. Seems like they view the scales as a beta play thing that their customers who buy £4K machines can view as disposable and buy the next model they release. > Won’t buy from them again. That’s unfortunate. They should stand behind everything that they sell. I’ve had pretty good service thus far. Who did you deal with?

@"simonc"#p50391 I’m sorry you’ve had that experience, that seems really weird. I’ve had several dealings with Decent and their support team, and they have been amazingly helpful every single time. I had an issue with one of the buttons on my v1 scale and they replaced the entire scale for free with the updated v1.2 model. It hasn’t missed a beat since. I’d definitely raise this with them again. I know John was away on a trip recently but should be back now. If it was me I’d go through the Decent support portal on their website or message him directly on Diaspora and I’m sure he’ll sort this for you.

I like that the machine heats up quickly, I just wonder how long it takes for the portafilter to heat too? There’s always the kettle to speed things a long but when spending £3k that seems a bit bonkers. I’d say by BDB takes 10 minutes from a cold start.

@"simonc"#p50391 Seems their entire approach is beta... granted some are fine with constant beta testing and 'possible' improvements, but when I buy an item I like it to be quite finished and tried/true for some time to come. Decent has approached trying to bring out the ultimate in every type of item coffee related, but IMBHO most items look like child's play, but to each their own. Seems every other month an updated version of their machine will be available... like oh it's 1.45111 in 2 weeks and there will be a slight price increase, blah blah blah. Personally don't care to have a featherweight espresso setup with that type of water reservoir among other oddities. More power to those constantly seeking, but rarely finding, satisfying cutting edge items that are never fully refined. I like something that will work every single time I need it to and do so indefinitely and have parts available infinitely.

Decent Experience and Poll

Cuprajake

Or it’s just Lance being Lance, recently he’s ripped everything apart from the zerno grinder.

Pushed that as hard as the time more and the pre sale sold out in just 5mins 250 grinders. There already on the V2 version of the grinder whilst not fully having sent out the version 1 from march payments.

I’ve never know such fomo around coffee gear ATM,

Re the decent, I’m not sure it’s a machine that you would use for making 15 shots back to back. I look at it more as an experimental machine, while I’ve heard it be called a jack of all trades from previous owners stating their next machine was better, but that’s generally true with most who say what they have is the best so

Giphy - Stephen Curry Bae GIF by MOODMAN

dfk41

Cuprajake I think the day of the influencer is starting to wane. Strip it away, and you have a QVC salesman appearing on camera, trying ever so hard to make you buy the latest thing. I remember when Hedrick first started out and did not have much of a following. He promoted Sage products as that seemed to be the only sponsor available to him. He even had one named after him. Where are Sage now in the Hedrick portfolio?

I would question the technical ability of most influencers. They seem hell bent on persuading folks to part with their hard earned on what are often products still under development and no where near the finished article. If I know one thing only in life, I would not buy a half finished product from a QVC salesman. I just wish more people would see the bigger picture

JonWoo187

dfk41 The whole influencer thing is a joke to begin with. Honestly who cares what others find works for them when every setup will vary in a different environment, various coffees being used, etc… If the social media garbage didn’t pay out in some way most of the videos would never exist as that’s the primary reason for it regardless of what some wanna claim.

One in particular was a product pimp for Breville, which is junk… as well as Baratza at one point, more junk… as well as Onxy Coffee which is over priced/hyped crap.

DavecUK

Decent could use the small FOT DC pump, although even then they would be space constrained for the transformer required. There would be a second problem as well, I believe (could be wrong) they use 2 vibe pumps, one for the brew thermoblock and one for the steam one? If you used a single rotary, you couldn’t steam and brew at the same time…it would be problematic.

JammyDodger

DavecUK I believe (could be wrong) they use 2 vibe pumps, one for the brew thermoblock and one for the steam one

My understanding Dave is they use two vibe pumps in order to dynamically mix hot and cold water to the specific temperature required for the profile. This allows accurate temperature profiling as the vibe pumps can pump very small increments of water if needed, and allows it to compensate for cooler coffee/ambient temp etc. They have a separate heater for brew and steam functions.

DavecUK

JammyDodger They have a separate heater for brew and steam functions.

Presumably you cannot steam and brew at the same time then?

JammyDodger

DavecUK that’s right. A lot of people get really hung up on this issue, which I find weird! If I’m manually profiling or reviewing the graphs I don’t don’t have enough hands or brain space to steam at the same time. I’ve heard similar from Bianca users who profile regularly, there’s too much going on! In a commercial setting, this would be a big downside. The thing is you’d have two DE1s for commercial use anyway as you’d want two groups, which allows concomitant steaming and brewing.

tompoland

Amazing what can be done with a Decent. First it was espresso (of course), then it was the tea portailter and now a pour over basket compliments of the extraordinay duo of Scott Rao and Jonathan Gagnes. Assuming that it works well (I harbour a wee bit of doubt depite those illustrious names), the benefits of this machine just continue to get better and better. I have ordered the basket, I’ll have a play and report back.

Short version

Long version

JonWoo187

tompoland Extraordinary duo, bwahaha… Seems Gagne might be trying to incorporate a bit much on the scientific end and IMBHO coffee (especially espresso) is the same as roasting in that it’s ⅓ skill, ⅓ art form and ⅓ science. Maybe he should stick with boring astrophysics as coffee is far more involved!

Regarding Rao, never been impressed with his style of roasting or arrogance… to each their own obviously as I’ll never get caught up following the typical (usually short lived) fad.

Regarding the Decent as the thread suggests, maybe one day they will actually get the thing maxed out and performing to the claimed/expected standards. Never used one and have no intention, but what I’ve read from plenty of users is it’s more of a jack of all trades, but clearly master of none.

Redla

tompoland Yes I get your point. People shouldn’t get too hung up on the idea of a rotary pump anyway. Check the Diaspora for ‘Bengle’ John has already posted pictures of the new machine.

MediumRoastSteam

Redla John has already posted pictures of the new machine.

It’s like the Nurri machine and the DE1 had a child. 😉

tompoland

Redla

the Bengle is not a new machine, it was a new design concept that’s since been dropped (around two years ago from memory, which is rarely a good idea in my case) . A possible aesthetic upgrade if you will.

That’s the last I heard of it but someone may have news of its pending resurrection?

Redla

tompoland It’s not been dropped, beta testing should take place this year according to Johns update in April.

tompoland

Redla thanks for that update. Do you know what’s new about it other than the exterior design?

Found this which is probably what I vaguely recalled:

tompoland

tompoland I said I’d provide an update on Lance’s variable pour times with his Decent.

Reading more craefully through the relevant thread in Diaspora, I think my theory about Lance’s discrepancies with pour times being attributed to running a 110v machine in Europe with a voltage converter is at best without foundation.

I’ve run out of ideas for explaining his experience but I note there was not even one “me too” post in the thread which surprised me a bit given that as @JammyDodger mentioned, thoroughness of puck prep is a significant variable on its own.

Must be annoying for Lance.

tompoland

tompoland answering my own question and thanks @Redla for bringing me up to date.

As best I can tell it looks like mostly the same internals but a very different exterior (white metal and timber) and featuring an integrated scale, a cup warmer, 2 minute warm up time (not for the 110v version), lighting for the espresso cup area and a Samsung A7 tablet. All welcome improvements but nothing earth shattering enough to motivate me to upgrade.

Maybe if it looked like this?

Cuprajake

From reading he wants to go commercial and do all the services etc. Not sure if true or not

tompoland

The Bengle wil be safety certified for commercial use. The other models are not.

JammyDodger

JonWoo187 Never used one and have no intention

Yes I find this the best of all ways to form a reasoned opinion.

Joking aside, surely we are better on this forum than just regurgitating whatever third-hand information has slopped into our echo chamber? Let’s keep on topic.

tompoland

JonWoo187

Never pulled a shot from one but you’ve reached a firm conclusion on them.

And it is Rao who is arrogant.

DavecUK

Something has been happening recently on another forum, and similar has happened in the past from the same manufacturer. Where a customer has not only been treated shabbily, but the manufacturer has gone out of their way to blame the customer. This prompted me to say…the Decent sales experience seems a good one, John works very hard to ensure customer satisfaction.

« Previous Page Next Page »