This Sage Dual Boiler coffee espresso machine review looks at all aspects of this coffee machine and why it’s such an impressive piece of work.
The machine even outshines some entry-level commercial machines.
Let’s dig into the amazing Sage Dual Boiler!
Our Sage Dual Boiler Coffee Machine Review in a Nutshell
If you like to multitask and get things done in style and with excellence, this is the best choice for you. In terms of flavour delivery oil extraction, this device is truly excellent.
The Sage Dual Boiler gives a better experience of coffee making and has various settings you can select from.
This lets you bring your personal touch to how you make good coffee.
This machine has some noteworthy accessories to enhance your barista skills and encourage trying new methods.
The two boilers that run this coffee machine allow users to steam their milk and use the portafilter at the same time.
This saves time and means the espresso is fresh when you pour the frothed milk over it.
The Sage Dual Boiler has a grand style and features that are most attractive to the more advanced barista—especially in terms of its pre-infusion methods.
This device won’t rob you of the opportunity to learn your own unique style of coffee making. The Sage boiler machine does well with time-saving.
It’s design means you can make two cups of coffee whilst working the steam wand to create a silky microfoam, perfect for a flat white.
The top tray creates a great platform for warming your cup before making a hot cup of coffee.
The minimalist look of the machine includes a stainless steel casing, and a durable construction. This gives it a long life span and a sanitary surface.
The steam wand works with a tap control for off and on and is instantly ready to give off the steam you need.
Did You Know: The Sage Dual Boiler and the Breville Dual Boiler are the exact same machine.
The company is based in Australia and named “Breville”, but operates in the UK under the name “Sage”.
To minimise confusion, we will refer to the company as “Sage” throughout this review.
There’s a lot to discuss about this grand machine, so let’s jump right in!
Specifications
When you invest in a good coffee machine, you need to know the specifications of the machine so you can make an informed decision on your home barista setup.
The Sage Dual Boiler espresso machine BES920UK brings a lot to the table in terms of quantity and options for customising your personal touch when making a good espresso.
Let’s take a look at what they are.
| Capacity | 2.5 Litres |
| System | Dual boiler system PID temperature control |
| Construction Materials | Stainless steel |
| Maximum Mug Height | 100 mm |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 37.8 cm x 40.5 cm x 37.7 cm |
| Weight | 15.54 kilograms |
| Volt | 240 volts |
| Power | 2200 watts |
| Accessories | 58mm Razor dosing tool 58 mm stainless steel portafilter 1 cup & 2 cup single and dual wall filter baskets Integrated tamper 480 ml stainless steel milk jug Cleaning kit Water hardness test strip Water filter holder & water filter |
| Special Features | Cup warmer Jug Milk frother Programmable timer Water filter Integrated coffee grinder |
| Colour options | Silver, or black at a higher cost |
| Settings | Manual or automatic Single & double shot Customisable temperature |
| Warranty | 2-year repair, replace or refund guarantee |
Features
In this Sage Dual Boiler review, we look at the features in finer detail, so before you buy the machine, you know about each function and capability.
2.5 L Water Tank
With any good espresso machine, the water tank size matters. This means fewer trips to refill it.
The 2.5-litre water tank is generous in size and stores neatly at the back of the machine.
It requires some love and attention periodically, replacing the water filter and refilling when required.
This is an easy step as it’s detachable and simply slides back into the machine once refilled.
The Boiler System
The Sage Dual Boiler espresso machine operates with two boiler units, setting the scene to produce both water and steam simultaneously.
This means you can make two cups of coffee while also working the steam wand to create excellent frothy milk.
The boiler system is perfect for good heating value for the pre-infusion method and sets the platform for a great cup of hot coffee.
The machine can take three to five minutes to warm up and has a programmed auto wake-up feature, so it’s ready for you in your morning routine.
The dial on the left side controls the water boiler. This feature is perfect for making Americanos, as the machine simply lets out hot water.
Dose Grinder Control
The 58cm portafilter is perfect for 19 to 22 grams of pre-ground coffee beans to extract the full flavours and oils of excellent coffee.
Included with the purchase is a professional Razor-dose trimming tool for a more precise measure of coffee.
Use the Razor tool (after you give the ground coffee a firm push with the tamper) to get a solid cake of ground coffee.
Optimised Water Pressure
Any good barista knows that the key aspects to making good coffee are heat and pressure.
The Sage Dual Boiler espresso machine delivers just that to aid your unique style of coffee making.
The overpressure valve limits the maximum pressure pump, preventing bitter tastes in the extraction.
Low-pressure pre-infusion creates a fuller soak and extraction with a gradually increasing pressure, gaining the best flavours out of the ground coffee beans.
The Steam Wand
The steam wand is excellent at making microfoam milk, which is essential for latte art and enhances the flavour of the shot.
The boiler creates heat perfectly, and the steam is formed instantly with the tap on the right side of the machine, giving you full control.
The Control Panel and LCD Display Panel
This espresso machine gives you many selections which you can control fully from the control panel.
The gauge in the middle of the machine shows the temperature of the boilers, and indicates when the machine is ready to perform.
The LCD control panel allows you to set the water hardness as well as see the temperatures as the boilers heat up – this allows you to reprogram the settings as you prefer.
You can also select a single or double shot, or switch to manual selection using the button on the right of the control panel.
Fitted in Features
The tamper neatly fits next to the group head on a magnetised cradle.
The drip tray caters for a large number of spills and is easy to slip out and rinse before replacing it in the machine.
Behind the drip tray is a nifty little storage unit for your cleaning supplies. It will come out when you remove the drip tray.
Accessories
Not all espresso machines come with a great selection of paraphernalia.
However, many machines come with everything you need to be a great barista.
The Sage Dual Boiler basket size facilitates both single and double-walled baskets for both single and double shots. That’s four baskets in total.
The metal jug provided is the perfect size for steaming milk into microfoam.
It gives you a perfect indicator for when to stop steaming the milk. As soon as it’s too hot to hold, it’s time to stop.
A water hardness test aids in balancing out which extraction texture it needs to cater for.
The machine will do the work once you’ve input the water hardness data.
This device also has a water filter (which fits into the water tank), a cleaning kit, and an easy-to-read user manual.
Issues to Consider
The Sage machine has some drawbacks, and it’s always wise to look at both the pros and cons of the machine.
We’ve already covered the machine’s great aspects in the features. Now let’s look at the shortfalls, covering all the information you need to make an informed decision.
No Bulit-in Grinder
This device doesn’t have a built-in grinder, which is inconvenient and an added expense. You’ll either need to buy a grinder or buy ground coffee.
You can buy the grinder separately, or you can buy the grinder and the coffee machine as a package deal at a higher cost.
A separate grinder gives you more options for the texture of the ground-up coffee beans.
You would set this on the grinder and not with the settings you select on the actual coffee machine.
While more grind options are beneficial, not having an incorporated grinder means it takes longer to make a cup of coffee.
Water Leaks
Some users report that the Sage Dual Boiler has a leak issue. With steam and condensation, this isn’t really avoidable.
In this case, the good still outweighs the bad in the end result.
The little water pools found during cleaning, etc., won’t do any damage to the machine, and it’s still a small price to pay for a good cup of coffee.
The drip tray isn’t adjustable in height levels, and this means more spill and splash value and more of a mess to clean up.
To avoid this we suggest descaling your machine at least once every two months.
The Cleanup
It’s debatable if you should see this as a flaw, as you’ll need to clean it no matter which machine you have.
The espresso boiler is easy to clean, and the LCD display will alert you to clean the machine after approximately every 200 shots.
Wiping and purging the steam wand after use, and descaling the machine regularly will keep it running in perfect condition.
The Cost
This coffee machine has a relatively high price tag, but the price is fair for what it provides.
There are always more cost-effective machines available, but they don’t come with the same features and value that the Sage Dual Boiler coffee machine offers.
If you’re on a tight budget, it’s best to save up and buy the real deal.
You can always look out for specials like the Sage Black Friday specials.
The cost also extends to cleaning materials and further paraphernalia should you decide to invest further.
The Wait
To the beginner, the wait for the dual boiler to heat up might seem trivial, but over time your patience may start to wear thin.
We live in a here-and-now world, and five minutes is a long time to wait when you’re in a hurry.
Having said that, the preparations you need to do in the interim could also bring that time down so that it’s a fair wait.
How to Make An Espresso
You just received the coffee machine you’ve been waiting for. You set it up, and now you want to put your barista skills to work.
But where does one start if you’re a beginner or still new at learning the functions of this impressive espresso machine?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to pouring a consistent espresso shot using your Sage bean-to-cup coffee machine.
What You’ll Need:
- Milk Jug
- 150 ml milk
- Fresh coffee beans
- Small cup (200-250 ml capacity)
Procedure:
- Power the machine on and let it idle for about two minutes while it heats up.
- Place your single or double shot basket inside the portafilter.
We suggest double shots, though if you’re caffeine sensitive you may want to know the amount of caffeine in different coffee drinks - Use your home grinder, or pre-ground coffee, and fill the basket with the right amount according to the basket size.
Pro Tip: The ideal amount of coffee is usually between 14 and 18 grams per shot, but can vary depending on your tastes and the machine. A traditional Italian 30ml double espresso is made with a 14-gram dose.
- Grab the tamper and tamp the grounds down firmly.
When tamping, do your best to push the grounds down evenly.
If the tamp is uneven, the water finds an easy channel to escape through, producing an unpleasant cup of coffee. - Preheat the cup by running heated water through the portafilter and cup before adding coffee.
- Use the Razor™ precision dose trimming tool.
This helps trim the puck of uneven grounds and ensures the puck is at the correct level for consistent extraction. - Purge the heated group head by pressing the single shot button.
Water will run for a few seconds, ensuring the group head is cleaned from any gunk and previous grounds. - Place the portafilter in the group head and firmly lock it into place.
- Place your cup under the portafilter and press the single or double shot button, depending on the basket selected.
- The golden rule is that the extraction process takes about 30 seconds from start to finish.
- Be sure to clean out the dry puck from the basket and clean the drip tray once you’ve completed the espresso shot process.
If you’d like to make a flat white and froth up some milk, check out our guide to latte art.
The aroma and flavour that fill the air will definitely assure you of your success in the shot, and the taste will further confirm it.
Sage Barista Sage Dual Boiler vs Sage Barista Pro SES878BSS
When investing in a good machine, comparing it to another machine allows you to see how you feel about certain features.
Do you want a built-in grinder? Will all the added options be beneficial?
Each machine caters to certain wants and needs of different individuals, and this will fine-tune your expectations of what you want in your espresso machine.
Why Should I Choose the Sage Dual Boiler Coffee Machine?
The Sage Dual Boiler is an excellent machine.
It has an impressive style and a secure, solid construction. This adds a classy touch to your kitchen, where the machine fits well under cabinets.
The value of what you’re getting is well worth the cost of the dual boiler.
When you bring together the machine and the accessories, you’ll soon fine-tune your barista skills.
The pre-infusion method is top-class thanks to the precise pressure and heat provided and the way the machine works.
Setting up the machine is fairly self-explanatory, the manual provides clear instructions and advice in case you get lost.
The warranty provided with the machine offers a repair-and-replace option which is a great deal with the supplier.
This dual boiler is impressive and competes well against entry-level commercial machines.
The accessory selection includes two sets of single and double baskets.
The machine offers many opportunities for learning, and you can and will enhance your personal barista style if you put some work into getting to know the machine.
You’ll end up with a routine of making good coffee and will easily learn to produce different coffee choices at your guests’ request.
We love the Sage Dual Boiler, but what do you think? Let us know in the comments.
If you’re still looking for the perfect fit for your kitchen, here is a link to some other coffee machine reviews.
