Sage Duo Temp Pro (2023)

FAQs

Is the Sage Duo Temp Pro worth it? ›

The Sage Duo Temp Pro isn't a true bean-to-cup coffee machine – it doesn't include a built-in grinder – but it produces excellent espresso. It's also easy to use, has a precise temperature control system and is cheaper than the Sage Barista Express (the next model up). There are some drawbacks to this machine though.

With those, it may take 15 minutes or more to reach operating temps and be ready to brew. The high-power thermo-coil produces endless steam of constant pressure. Compare that to traditional espresso machines which drop in steam pressure over time as they use up the steam in the boiler.

The Sage Duo Temp Pro espresso machine automatically includes a short preinfusion cycle as part of the brewing process. Preinfusion involves sending a small amount of hot water through the grounds at low pressure before the high-pressure extraction begins.

The Sage Duo Temp Pro Coffee Espresso Machine has a digital PID temperature control. The 15-bar pressure, combined with the accurate heating gives a thorough pre-infusion. This can make the espresso machine more attractive to a barista. This effect also ensures a consistently good cup of coffee.

So, weigh out 19g of coffee, tip that into the hopper and grind the coffee into your Sage portafilter (these are best warmed before hand). To grind your beans, we would suggest starting off at a grind size of 5 for the Barista Express and the Barista Touch or a grind size of 14 for the Barista Pro.

As long as the battery is charged, your coffee stays hot in the cup for around 90 minutes. If you want it hot longer, you can keep it on the charging coaster included with the mug. It has an LED light at the base to indicate when your drink is warming up or cooling, and when the mug has a low charge.

The heating time depends on the boiler volume and is about 10 – 15 minutes. Espresso machines with thermoblock do not have a boiler and are therefore much faster ready for use, usually after 2-3 minutes.

Start timing when you push the start button or lift the lever. This indicates that the whole brew/extraction time includes pre infusion.

Pre-infusion is a key parameter that allows one to grind finer for espresso because it helps reduce channeling. For those who don't know, pre-infusion is letting water into the coffee puck at a lower pressure than normal. Typically, pre-infusion pressure is between 0.5 and 4 bars. 1 to 2 bars is typical.

Most baristas will apply pre-infusion for somewhere between 2 and 8 seconds before lifting the lever all the way, engaging the pump. That method only works for direct plumb machines. Reservoir machines, without the benefit of line pressure, have to use different methods to accomplish pre-infusion.

Why is my sage coffee machine not enough pressure? ›

In other words, if your Sage produces low pressure, it produces poor brewing or no brewing at all. Typically, the cause here is a broken solenoid valve. The only solution here is to replace the valve.

Apply 20-30 pounds of pressure, and polish

Baristas often recommend 30 pounds of pressure, but some do as little as 20 pounds. More and more are finding that tamping pressure is overrated—it's hard on the wrist and cause an over-extracted, bitter brew. Use a twisting motion as you pull up to “polish” the puck.

You can identify the filter baskets by looking at them. Pressurized portafilters have one small hole in the bottom and use the tiny hole to build pressure to push espresso through. The non-pressurized baskets have small holes on both sides.

While the Sage barista pro vs express machines is in the same category, the Barista Pro is better if you want more convenience and automation. You'll be able to use the LCD to monitor the process, and the volumetric shot control lets you fine-tune your coffee grinds.

Sage Barista Pro

It has the faster ThermoJet heater so it heats up faster, and the steam ready time and overall steaming time is a bit quicker, It has a four hole steam tip vs one hole with the Barista Express, which aids in the slightly increased steam power of the pro.

Compared to the Barista Express, the Duo Temp Pro is going to have a much easier time fitting on a studio apartment kitchen counter. However, it's not quite the most lightweight semi automatic machine in Breville's lineup.

The machine will start the low-pressure preinfusion cycle once you turn the front-mounted dial to the espresso icon. As a semi-automatic espresso machine, there's no shot timer–your extraction will continue as long as you have the dial set to espresso. You should aim for an extraction time of around 20-30 seconds.