If you’re on the hunt for a high-quality espresso machine, you’ve probably come across a lot of information regarding the different boiling types.
There are single boiler machines, dual boiler machines which hold the heat in separately for the steaming unit and the brewing unit, and then there are heat exchange machines which move the water in a way that allows you to steam and brew at the same time.
Dual boiler espresso machines allow for high quality, commercial production of espresso. Many people shopping around for a dual boiler machine are doing so because they make large amounts of espresso, maybe in a coffee shop or office space, and need a machine that can handle all of the traffic and use.
The biggest shock when looking into a dual boiler espresso machine can be the price tag attached. They come at a high cost when compared to smaller, home-use espresso machines. The benefit to using dual boiler machines is that the user will be in complete control of the temperature, leading to more consistency with extraction.
If you’re struggling to find the most affordable dual boiler machine that will suit your needs, don’t get discouraged. It can be overwhelming to see the price tag and number of features included in these machines, but that doesn’t have to scare you away.
We’ve taken a look at the cheapest dual boiler espresso machines on the market today to make your search easier.
Breville BES920XL Dual Boiler Espresso Machine
This machine is more affordable than similar items on the market, coming in around the century mark depending on where you shop and what sales you find.
Both broilers are stainless steel, and are accompanied by stainless steel dual Italian pumps which allow for simultaneous brewing and extracting.
It comes with an over pressure valve which prevents the machine from over extracting during the brew process. It also has an electronic temperature control setting which keeps everything at the desired temperature.
The machine itself will let you know when it needs to be taken care of through its LCD display. It has a descale alert, and the screen will offer instructions for descaling for those who have never cleaned a coffee maker before.
KitchenAid KES2102ER Pro Line Series Espresso Maker
This espresso maker is an eye-catcher, with its available colors in red, pearl and black. I immediately was drawn to its bold, elegant style. The price is similar to the Breville featured above, which makes it one of the most affordable options out there today.
It can reach a boil in about six minutes, and includes a hot water dispenser that allows for tea, hot cocoa, instant soups, and other preparations. The cup warmer can accommodate between four and six cups at a given time.
The milk frother arm is adjustable, so you can swivel it around as you prepare your milk. The spout is carefully designed to allow for easy creation of latte art.
La Spaziale Vivaldi II Dual Boiler BLACK Espresso Machine
This machine is small with a short body, but packs a powerful punch. It comes in around $2,000, making it one of the more costly options in the bunch.
It has a programmable passive pre-infusion setting, which is clearly indicative of its high quality capabilities. This means the grounds are automatically wet a moment before pressing, and then a full shot is pulled.
The espresso machine also has a programmable offset differential. The machine itself will figure out the optimal temperature for the separate boilers to offset the other. This means you won’t have to do anything math as you prepare your first cup in the morning.
To go along with the dual boilers, the machine also has a dual manometer. It measures the pressure of each boiler, so you can monitor and keep your espresso consistent each day.
Izzo Alex-Duetto-3 Espresso Machine
This espresso machine also falls near the high end of the range for consumer grade dual-boiler espresso machines.
While more expensive than some on this list, it still is a high quality choice for a relatively inexpensive machine when you consider its functions.
The design is a beautiful, sleek stainless steel. The drip tray can hold up to 32 ounces of liquid at a time, and has a catcher on the back to keep any excess drink from making a mess. It is easy to disassemble and put back together.
It has a cup warmer tray with good ventilation and rails to prevent spills. The machine also has a no-burn hot water arm that prevents users from being scalded by a hot machine.
The machine has a low water sensor which will alert you when the reservoir, which holds over 2 liters of water, needs to be refilled. It is designed for easy switch between the temperature controls for the steam boiler and brew portion.
Buyer’s Guide
Sifting through all of the available dual boiler espresso machines can make narrowing down the right option a challenge. There are so many available machines to choose from, with a huge variety of functionality, it sometimes feels impossible to know what you really need.
The most important thing about a larger purchase like a dual boiler espresso machine is to make sure that you are buying the machine that aligns with your needs most. Take some time to figure out exactly what you plan to do with your espresso maker.
If you’re looking for a dual boiler, you probably aren’t making personal use espresso at home. If you are looking for something that will allow you to make endless cups of espresso all day long, you want to look for the machine with the most durability.
Convenience is also a factor. Decide how often you’ll need to take your machine apart and clean it, and how programmable you want it to be. Some allow you to preprogram anything you’d need, while others require you to set them up manually each time.
The most important thing when buying a machine is to know what functions you need, and what functions you don’t. You can then look at each individual machine and take note of all the features. It is equally as important to not spend excess money on a machine with features you don’t need as it is to make sure you don’t try to save money and end up with a machine that can’t do everything you need.
FAQ
What is the difference between dual and single boilers?
The most obvious difference dual boilers have from their single boiler counterparts is that they have twice the number of boilers. Instead of having one source to heat all of the water in the reservoir, the machine has two chambers that do not cross paths.
The result is more control over your drink, as you can get the milk frothing temperature to a different temperature than the brewing, to hone in on each individual part. The ability to get more precise with the brewing method is the whole point of using a dual boiler machine.
You can pull your espresso shot while foaming the milk because the two come from separate sources.
What are boilers made out of?
Most boilers are made up of metals, typically stainless steel, copper, or brass.
Copper is especially common because it is the best at holding heat for long periods of time. Stainless steel also very common, as many find it to be healthier than using copper or brass.
What are the benefits of single-broil machines?
The biggest benefit to a machine with a single boiler is the cost. Any espresso machine with one boiler is going to be significantly less expensive with a dual boiler.
If you do not care too much about precision in your espresso, not having control over the temperatures in your machine will not be a big deal. Dual boilers are for those who really want to refine their drinks.
Conclusion
If you’ve decided to go for a dual boiler espresso machine, you won’t be disappointed by the quality of your brew with any of these espresso makers. The biggest decision comes from choosing which machine is best for your needs.
Since there is a such a wide range of products, you’ll need to look into the specifics of each machine’s functionality. Different espresso machines work better for different lifestyles.
Personally, the Kitchenaid dual boiler espresso maker aligns with my needs the most. I can have control over the temperature of my steaming water and my brewing water, resulting in a more precise cup of espresso, at a lower cost than many other machines.
I don’t require a lot of functionality, so the dual boiler function is all that I am looking for. I like the Kitchenaid machine as well because it comes in a variety of colors, and is more open to customization than the other espresso makers.
Many connoisseurs would be disappointed by the functionality of the Kitchenaid, making it not worth the cost because it doesn’t perform to their needs. This is why figuring out exactly what you need and what a machine has to offer is so important.