VBM Domobar Super V4 Dual Boiler PID Espresso Machine (Discontinued)

VBM Domobar Super V4 Dual Boiler PID Switchable Espresso Machine

Since 2008, Vibiemme (VBM) has worked diligently with importers, distributors, and industry professionals to upgrade their dual boiler models. One goal was to build a beginner dual boiler espresso machine that would not have any compromises at 15amp when compared to 20amp. Hence, the VBM Domobar Super was born!

The latest VBM Domobar Super Version (4.0) now has both boilers, coffee and steam, fully insulated and PID managed. The drip tray cover’s new design has a hole to reduce ‘splatter’ from the 3 way valve extended below the grouphead. The former versions 3.5 and below had a pressurstat to control the steam boiler.

Here is the kicker on other dual boilers. Especially those which preheat water through the steam boiler before entering the coffee boiler. This design is to reduce the temperature fluctuations in the coffee boiler. However, one issue occurs! The incoming water to the coffee boiler can be at a lower temperature when the steam boiler is off. Thus, with the same programmed PID settings, the coffee boiler may not react fast enough to maintain temperature. Since 2016, VBM’s solution was to implement a temperature management system. There are “2 heating elements” in the coffee boiler, a 600 watt, and a 300 watt. When the steam boiler is on, the system only uses 1 element in the coffee boiler to maintain temperature. When the steam boiler is off, the system uses both heating elements.

Since 2016, all VBM dual boiler espresso machines have an upgraded safety valve on the steam boiler. The safety valve opens up at 2 bar to prevent any excess steam out. This was to allow the programmed PID to elevate the steam boiler to a higher pressure to produce greater steam! In addition, the upgraded steam boiler can withstand higher steam pressure. Without the upgrade, the boiler walls would bow out, weakening the silver solder, and then creating leaks. You can program the steam boiler PID up to 1.5 bar pressure. Coupled with a large 1.9 copper boiler and a commercial-grade steam pipe, the throughput and capacity are there for superior performance. The steam pipe is not a no-burn wand because no-burn wands have half the diameter of the throughput of a standard pipe.

In fact, look at our PID overview sheet. With the steam boiler set at 1.5, you can also program the F.05 setting (steam boiler offset) to have the steam pressure go past 2 bar! However, the steam boiler safety valve will start releasing steam at 2.0-2.2 bar. So, be careful when adjusting the steam boiler offset. This feature was inside machines with a manufacture date from 2016 and on!

Dual Boiler System:

Copper, insulation – The boiler is copper which retains heat better than stainless steel. Typically copper boilers are more susceptible to limescale when you compare to stainless steel boilers. Therefore, we highly recommend using a water softener. The manufacturer wraps the boiler with insulation for maximum heat retention. This helps with temperature stability for the espresso extraction and also helps save energy.
Pull a shot & steam milk at the same time – Steam is always readily available. Hence, there is no wait time going from coffee to steam mode. Works well if entertaining a small group of people.
Optimal size copper boiler – 0.5-liter capacity. This smaller boiler size allows for quicker displacement of stale water. Larger coffee boilers for machines in this class have more difficulty. Boiler temperature is controlled by PID.
Large capacity steam boiler – 1.9-liter capacity. Boiler and temperature controlled by PID.
User programmed offset: The temperature regulation is at the coffee boiler, and the grouphead always has a lower temp. This feature allows the user to program this delta in temperature as every environment has a different offset.
Three-stage power switch – Allows you to operate the espresso machine with the coffee boiler only or both boilers simultaneously.
GICAR branded electronic water level control: Reacts to a .02 C of temperature change in the coffee boiler.

PID Control:

PID (Proportional, Integral, Derivative): This allows you to manage temperature control of the coffee boiler and steam boiler. If you are not sure what PID is, here is an overview.

E61 Grouphead:

True Faema E-61 – The original E-61 by Carlo Ernesto Valente who brought the design from Faema to VBM. More heavy duty than other E-61 groupheads on the market.
Constantly heated – Hot water circulates from the heat exchanger through the grouphead and back to keep the grouphead and your portafilter nice and hot. As a result, the grouphead temperature constant and stable when you compare to other groupheads that have a built-in heating element.
Pre-infusion – Lever next to the grouphead activates a microswitch which turns on the pump to pump water through the coffee grinds. Pulling the lever half way up will open the valve to allow water into the grouphead without activating the pump. Please note that true pre-infusion requires the direct water connection whereby the water pressure from the water line creates true pre-infusion.

Switchable Between Tank/Direct Water Connection:

Small water reservoir (2.1 liters): Allows approximately 20 double shots to be extracted without a refill. Refill can occur on the fly while the machine is operating. For those who believe the small boiler makes better coffee because of fresh water displacement, we have a smaller reservoir for the same reason.
Commercial-grade rotary vane pump: With the ability to make a direct water connection or use a water reservoir on the same machine with the movement of a lever under the machine. Includes stainless steel braided hose with 3/8″ male thread.
The VBM Domobar Super can operate using a water tank/reservoir or direct plumbing to a water line. The machine comes with a stainless steel inlet cold water hose to plumb your machine into your water line. Contact us for water treatment options as well as requirements to connect!
OPV (over pressure valve): Opens when too much pump pressure exists. Excess water flows to the drip tray and not the water reservoir. This will allow operation of the direct water connection without having the reservoir fill with overflow water which can get moldy and require constant emptying and cleaning. Although the pump has an adjustment screw for regulation, the OPV is an additional feature to manage overflow that may occur by overpressure from the water company when the machine direct plumbed mode.

Steam/Hot Water Wands:

Multi-directional – Allows for more movement and flexibility. The wands connect to the valves on an angle to the side for even more flexibility. As a result, there is less risk of burning oneself from the exposed grouphead.
Rotational knobs – Allows for easier control of the intensity.
2-hole steam tip – Allows for a slow gradual build-up of microfoam.

Rotary Vane Pump & Commercial Grade Motor:

Quieter than a vibration pump, but it is more expensive to replace. Hence, descaling is important.

Gauges/Indicator Lights:

Steam (boiler) pressure gauge – Located on the left. Measures from 0 to 4 bar. Optimal pressure is between 0.8 and 1.1. Regulated by a Mater pressurstat.
Brew (pump) pressure gauge – Located on the right. Measures from 0 to 16 bar. Optimal pressure is between 8 and 10. You can find the overpressure valve inside left near the vibration pump.
Heating light – Located on the left side. Indicates when espresso machine is heating. Once fully heated, there is no need to pay attention to the heating light unless temperature surfing.
Low water level light – Located in the middle. Indicates when the water level in tank/reservoir is low.
Power indicator light – Located on the right side. This will indicate when the machine is on.

Construction:

Stainless steel body – Polished to a mirror finish. Wrap around body which is easily removable. First remove the top cover. Then remove the 6 screws (3 on each side) and the wrap-around body slides off.
Drip tray: Slides out easily to drain out or can be connected to a drain with changing of included adapter and attachment of included drain hose!
Extremely large stainless steel drip tray: Can be easily removed for cleaning. Grate stays on the VBM Domobar Super when pulling out drip tray so that it is one step removal to empty.

Parts & Accessories Included:

Portafilters – Single spout portafilter and a dual spout portafilter. The neck has the VBM brand imprint, similar to the one on the grouphead.
Filter baskets – 1-cup filter basket which holds approximately 7 grams. 2-cup filter basket which holds approximately 14 grams. Blind filter basket which you use for backflushing. 58 mm in diameter.
Tamper – A cheap plastic tamper. Manufacturers will normally include a tamper like this to keep the overall selling price of the machine low. We recommend upgrading to a better tamper.
Cleaning brush – A simple brush for cleaning the grouphead. Ergonomically designed with an angle for easier usage.
Coffee scoop – A simple plastic scoop if you are using pre-ground coffee.
Instruction manual – 3 separate manuals: a quick start guide, a detailed instruction manual, and a description of the machine components.

1. Shipping: Please note this machine ships on a pallet with curbside delivery only. It is just too heavy for UPS or FedEx to handle properly with the care you deserve on a high end purchase.
2. Switch stages: To avoid any confusion on the operation of the machine:
   • Stage 0: Machine is off except low water light ‘may’ come on if water tank has low water.
   • Stage 1 w/ PID OFF: Brew boiler OFF and steam boiler OFF – used for initial refill without damaging the heating elements in either boiler.
   • Stage 1 w/ PID ON: Brew boiler ON and steam boiler OFF.
   • Stage 2 w/ PID OFF: Brew boiler OFF and steam boiler ON.
   • Stage 2 w/ PID ON: Brew boiler ON and steam boiler ON.
3. No burn wands: We have decided to NOT offer no-burn steam wands because the typical internal diameter is about 50% less than a normal steam wand, and this usually affects performance times in steaming. In addition, the grouphead has a much greater area to get burned.
4. 220 volt version: Sorry, 220-240 volt units are not available for ordering.
5. Some assembly required: Feet are not attached to the machine.
6. Direct connect mode:
   1. Setup: There is a screw in the water tank plate that the user can tighten to hold the plate down so the switch is activated to make the machine think there is water in the reservoir.
   2. Connecting water line: Water connection at bottom of machine is in the back left corner ~2″ from the rear and ~5 inches from the left side panel. The water connection elbow under the machine is 1/4″ male thread. The included stainless steel braided hose, is 46″ long and has the female fitting to connect to the water connection elbow. On the opposite end of the braided hose, there is a 3/8″ female thread fitting. It is best to purchase the V319 coupling to attach to your water line, and then attach the braided hose to the V319 coupling.
   3. Draining: This model has the capability to drain or not to drain. There is an included plug on the back of the drip tray. The plug can be removed or installed as desired. The machine’s drain pipe can be manually directed to drain either to the right or left side of the machine. In either direction, the drain pipe can be angled 4″ from either side. The included drain hose is 46″ in length and has a 1/4-3/8th inside diameter which slips onto the machine’s drain pipe. The drain hose needs to drop vertically 1″ for every 12″ it goes horizontal.
   4. Water line pressure: Should be regulated to be between 35 and 40 pounds for proper operation of this machine. Check with your local plumbing supply to advise on purchase so as to meet any local building codes. In addition, check with them about your local building code may require a backflow preventer (which does not allow boiler water to backflow into water supply).
   5. Water supply: Connection must be made to a cold water supply line only.

General Espresso Machine Notes/Warnings:

• Upon first use (tank/reservoir models): On the initial start-up (or after a long period of non-use), it is important to make sure the pump is removing water from the tank. When the machine is powered on, you will hear the pump running. After 5 seconds, squeeze the in-line hose in the tank (usually the longest hose, has a particle filter attached). if you hear a different sound, this means the pump is working correctly. If not, immediately power down the machine and contact us. For more information, visit this page General Manual Pump Priming.
• Electrical: To avoid electrical damage to this espresso machine which is not considered a manufacturer's defect, please acquire and install a single-outlet surge suppressor rated at 1080 joules or higher. Without the recommended surge suppressor, the espresso machine can be damaged at the power switch, the electronics, the heating element, the pressurstat, or the wiring inside. For more information, visit this page Power Protection.
• Water: To increase the useful life and not damage your espresso machine, please use softened water. Softened water is water without calcium and magnesium, but still has other minerals for espresso extraction. Do not use distilled, purified, or reverse osmosis water as these types of water create oxidation with the metals and cause the same damaging effects as limescale. For more information, visit this page Water Choice.
• Descaling: We do not recommend descaling unless there is an issue with the espresso machine. Too much descaling can eat away at the metals and gaskets inside an espresso machine. As a preventative measure, we recommend using softened water as explained in the bullet point above.
• Backflushing: This procedure of cleaning the grouphead will need to be performed from time to time. For more information, visit this page Espresso Machine Backflush – Why 50?