The Breville dual boiler is a popular semi-automatic espresso machine that allows you to brew espresso and steam milk at the same time. With dual stainless steel boilers, you can extract espresso at the optimal temperature while having steam on demand for milk texturing. When it comes to brewing espresso, temperature is a crucial factor that affects the flavor and quality of the shot. So what is the ideal temperature range you should aim for with a Breville dual boiler?
What is the optimal brewing temperature for espresso?
The Specialty Coffee Association recommends an ideal brewing temperature between 195-205°F (90-96°C) for optimal espresso extraction. This hot water temperature allows the flavors and oils from the coffee grounds to extract properly. Temperatures lower than 195°F risk underextraction, leading to weak, sour, or bitter tasting espresso. Temperatures higher than 205°F risk overextraction and a more bitter, astringent flavor.
Default temperature settings on the Breville Dual Boiler
The Breville Dual Boiler comes optimized with default temperature settings to hit the ideal 195-205°F brew range. Here are the key default temperatures:
- Brew boiler temperature: 197.6°F (92°C)
- Steam boiler temperature: 248°F (120°C)
The brew boiler maintains a lower temperature tailored for espresso extraction, while the steam boiler maintains a hotter temperature for steaming and frothing milk.
How to check and adjust the brew temperature
Here are some steps to check and adjust the brew boiler temperature on your Breville Dual Boiler:
- Turn on the espresso machine and allow both boilers to preheat for at least 30 minutes.
- Insert a portafilter with the double spout into the group head.
- Program a button for a 1 ounce espresso shot.
- Run the 1 ounce shot through the group head into a shot glass.
- Immediately measure the temperature of the extracted espresso using a thermometer.
- The ideal temperature should be 195-205°F. If it’s outside that range, you can adjust the brew temperature setting:
- Press and hold the “1 Cup” and “2 Cup” buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds to enter the Advanced Temperature Mode.
- Press the “1 Cup” button to toggle between the brew boiler and steam boiler temperatures.
- Use the “+” and “-” buttons to adjust the brew boiler temperature up or down in 1° increments.
- Press the “1 Cup” button again to exit the Advanced Temperature mode.
Measuring the brew temperature directly from an extracted shot is the best way to dial-in the ideal range. Test a few shots, adjusting the boiler temperature up or down as needed, until you hit the sweet spot of 195-205°F.
Other brewing factors that influence temperature
Aside from the brew boiler temperature setting, there are some other factors that can impact the actual brewing temperature:
- Group head temperature: The group head needs to preheat adequately to stabilize temperature. Allow at least 30 minutes warm-up time.
- Brew water temperature: Use cold filtered water straight from a reverse osmosis system. Hot water from your sink can lead to excessively high brew temperatures.
- Brew ratio: Larger shot volumes can cool down the brew water temperature slightly.
- Dosing and tamping: The amount of coffee in the portafilter and the tamping pressure impacts water dispersion and temperature.
- Shot time: Quicker shots around 25-30 secs tend to be hotter than slower shots.
- Portafilter material: The stainless steel portafilters help maintain heat vs. bottomless portafilters.
- Cup temperature: Using a pre-heated cup helps maintain a hotter brew temperature.
The effect of temperature on flavor
Why is brewing temperature so important for espresso? The hot water temperature greatly impacts extraction and flavor:
Low Temperature – Under 195°F:
- Underextracts coffee, leaving sour, weak flavors
- Fails to extract enough solubles and oils from the coffee
- Thin, watery body and muted aromas
Ideal Temperature – 195-205°F:
- Extracts the optimal amount of solubles and oils
- Balanced, sweeter flavor with rich aromas
- Proper viscosity and mouthfeel
High Temperature – Over 205°F:
- Can overextract coffee, leaving bitter, astringent flavors
- More acidic and drying mouthfeel
- Roasted and burnt flavors
Tips for dialing in the right temperature
Here are some tips when dialing in the ideal 195-205°F temperature range on your Breville dual boiler:
- Start with the default settings, then adjust from there.
- Measure temperature directly from an extracted shot.
- Adjust temperature in 1°F increments and retest.
- Allow for a full warm-up and flushing the group head.
- Use fresh, filtered brew water around 68°F.
- Maintain consistency in other variables like dose, yield, tamp pressure.
- Pull shorter shots around 25-30 secs to maximize temperature.
Getting the brewing temperature dialed into the optimal zone takes some trial and error. But it’s worth taking the time to get it right, as small temperature tweaks can make a big difference in your cup!
How does brew temperature compare on HX and double boiler machines?
Brew temperature can vary across different types of espresso machines:
| Machine Type | Temperature Control | Brew Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Single Boiler | Less control of brew temp | 190-200°F |
| Heat Exchanger (HX) | Some fluctuation in brew temp | 195-210°F |
| Dual Boiler | Very precise brew temp | 195-205°F |
Single boiler machines struggle to achieve hot enough brew temperatures. HX machines use a temperature fluctuating brew water supply. But dual boiler machines like the Breville allow the most control for dialing in the ideal 195-205°F extraction range for optimal espresso flavor.
Conclusion
For the best tasting espresso from a Breville dual boiler, aim for a brewing temperature of 195-205°F. This hot water range allows for full flavor extraction and balanced espresso. Check your temperature directly from extracted shots. Adjust the brew boiler up or down in 1° increments until dialed into this optimal zone. Keeping water temperature consistent and precise is crucial for delivering quality shots. Once dialed in properly, the Breville dual boiler’s separate brew and steam boilers can maintain this perfect temperature for impeccable espresso.