JHCCoffee What version DE1 do you have? I just acquired a pre-owned DE1XL v1.42 and am looking at upgrade parts as well. What is the impact on channeling, distribution evenness and taste? Were they worthwhile upgrades?
Hello! I have a v1.42, the same as you. I bought mine in 2021, and really enjoy using it every day.
The new group head parts are great. My wife immediately noticed once I had swapped them over, commenting that the shots taste sweeter than before. She didn’t know I’d swapped them and asked whether I’d changed to a new batch of beans, which is obviously a pretty good review. On the negative side, some users on Diaspora have commented that the IMS shower screen used by Decent is more difficult to align with the new group head parts than the older brass, but I have had very good distribution through the screen. Ben is apparently working on a new shower screen to work specifically with the Decent to optimise distribution. I don’t know whether I’ll bother to get this as my distribution is already as good as any machine I have owned, but I really like the way the team at Decent are always improving their products.
I also need to determine shipping costs, as Decent will only ship to Canada via their Express service, which they advise me is quite costly but have yet to tell me how much cost.
I can however have these shipped via Standard shipping to either the US or UK and then use ReShip to get it to Canada.
Might you tell me what shipping service you used and what the shipping cost was.
I used their standard shipping option when I bought my machine, but I’m afraid I can’t remember how much it cost. Their website should show current rates though if you add a DE1 to your basket.
Btw, what accessories do you have? Did you get the refill kit? Were the accessories worthwhile?
I have a few accessories, and I am generally very impressed with the accessories made by Decent. I have their WDT tool, which is well-made and inexpensive. It does the job well. I also have their short portafilter stand for the Niche, which is brilliant and I would buy again in an instant. The newer version has a slot in the base so you can adjust the portafilter to ensure the coffee falls exactly in the centre of your portafilter basket, and it makes a nice cone.
I thought about getting their tamping stand but decided to just use an ice hockey puck as it does just as good a job.
I also have a non-magnetic dosing funnel, which is good, but if I was buying it again I would go for the magnetic one. It is pretty expensive though. Decent have just adjusted their prices to account for changes in exchange rates, so for me in the U.K. everything they sell is now 20% cheaper than it was a month ago which is pretty cool.
I also have their v1.2 scale which is awesome. I had a v1.1 which had an issue with the power button. This was quickly replaced free of charge by Decent with an updated v1.2 unit. I haven’t had any problems since switching to the new model, it’s been great. I think a scale is the most important accessory to get for your DE1, as it allows for gravimetric dosing (stopping the shot automatically by weight), which is a game-changer. The Decent Scale works very well but is quite tall. I would suggest waiting for the thin scale John is currently working on which is due to be released in September, is made of metal rather than plastic, and is less than half the height. You could also use an Acaia if you like, it’s beautiful but has no added functionality over and above the Decent scale and is very expensive.
I didn’t get the refill kit. I thought about it, but decided it was too expensive for me. Instead I got the perspex case, which I really like, and have drilled it to accommodate a funnel. This means I can fill the reservoir directly without needing to remove it from the machine. I still put it through the washing machine weekly to keep it nice and clean, and the funnel works really well.
I also added some LEDs inside the case too which brings me much more joy than it has any right to do.
I’m very happy to answer any questions about your lovely new machine if there are any you want to ask.
