DISCONTINUED VBM Domobar Original Espresso Machine
This product has been discontinued at 1st-line. Please visit one of the categories below for more comparable products.
VBM Domobar Original Espresso Machine
Overview:
The Domobar Original is VBM’s single boiler espresso machine model. Geared mainly for making espresso with the capability to froth milk for the occasional cappuccino. If you steam or froth a lot of milk, then check out the VBM Domobar Junior with a heat exchange (HX) system! However, if you want a simple, quality built machine without all the electronics to make espresso, this is clearly a superb choice.
Single boiler system:
- Copper – 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.
- ***Dual purpose – Capability to froth milk.
E-61 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 halfway 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.
Vibratory pump:
- Efficient – 41 watts, rated up to 15 bar with air valve bypass. You only need 9 bar to extract perfect espresso, and wattage has no correlation to longevity.
- Cost-effective – Pumps will degrade in performance over time. Replacing a vibration pump will cost less than a rotary vane pump.
Tank/reservoir system:
- Particle filter – Protects the machine from any unseen particles from entering the boiler. You can remove this filter if you are installing an inline water softener.
- Auto-shutoff – Prevents burning out the heating element. The water tank sits on a spring-activated plate. Once the water is low, the plate depresses the tank microswitch which turns off the heating element.
Steam wand:
- Swivel – Bi-directional. Helps prevent from hitting, and possibly scratching the body panel.
- 2-hole steam tip – Allows for a slow gradual build-up of microfoam.
- Rotational knobs – Allows for easier control of the intensity.
- Hot water – Also the capability of producing hot water for tea or hot chocolate.
Pressure gauge:
- Brew (pump) pressure – Ranges from 0 – 16 bar.
Construction:
- Body panel – Stainless steel wrap-around body panel. Polished to a mirror finish. The bottom portion is in black and the upper portion is in polished stainless steel.
- Easy access to the inside – First remove the top cover. Then remove the 5 screws (2 on each side, 1 on the back) and the wrap-around body slides off.
- Minimal components – Meaning less maintenance & less stuff to repair.
- Feet – Low profile to keep overall height low. Made of rubber to help prevent the unit from sliding on your countertop.
- Color accent – Available in black or white.
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 preground coffee.
- Instruction manual – Written in 5 languages: Spanish, German, French, English, Italian.
For more VBM equipment, please visit our VBM brands page. If you have any questions, please reference the Q&A tab on each product page.
| Brand | VBM (Vibiemme) |
|---|---|
| Height (inches) | 14, approximate |
| Width (inches) | 9, approximate |
| Depth (inches) | 16.5, approximate |
| Weight (pounds) | 34 |
| Wattage (watts) | 1400 |
| Voltage (volts) | 110 – 120 |
| Boiler capacity (liters) | 0.5 |
| Portafilter size (mm) | 58 |
| Country of manufacture | Milan, Italy |
| Approvals | UL |
Espresso Machine Warning:
- ELECTRICAL WARNING: 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. the lack of 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.
- WATER WARNING: To increase the useful life of and not damage your espresso machine, please use softened water. Softened water is water without calcium and without magnesium, but still has other minerals for espresso extraction. Do not use distilled water, purified water, nor reverse osmosis water as these types of water create oxidation with the metals and cause the same damaging effects as limescale.
- DESCALING WARNING: We do not recommend descaling unless there is an issue with the espresso machine. The reason is that too much descaling can eat away at the metals and gaskets inside an espresso machine.
- Two stage power switch (on/off): Requires particular attention upon initial machine startup – when powering on for the first time, please make sure the intake reservoir hose (has large particle filter) draws in water. Once the pump activates for a several seconds and release, squeeze this hose for 3 seconds. If you hear a different pump noise, the pump is working. If the pump sounds the same, power down machine and contact us. If you hear no pump noise for the first 30 seconds of powering on, power down the machine and call us as a wire may have come off the pump.
- 220 volt version: This machine is available in 110 volt configuration only. 220-240 volt units are NOT available for ordering.
- Some assembly required: Feet are not attached to the machine.
- Warranty: Effective February 8, 2017, shipping to / from our facility is not included under warranty.
Backflushing
Descaling
Water softening
Instruction Manual
Parts Diagram
Shower / dispersion screen
Portafilter / grouphead gasket
Pump
Water tank / reservoir
Beeping SoundAsk a question
Please ask follow up questions as a new question. Submitted questions will be first reviewed, answered, and lastly publicized.
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About a year ago I purchased a VMB Domobar Original (single boiler) from you. I am having a strange problem. I will heat the machine up and pull a shot (25-30 seconds). No problem. Then I remove the portafiler, clean the head and I try to use the handle to pull more water with the pump (just to clean the head a bit) but.... the pump turns on for an instant (less than 1 second) then immediately shuts off. If I try again it does it again. Its as if there is a pump overheat turnoff or something like that? If I leave the machine for a while (on) and come back to it ... problem goes away. Doesn't happen every time just some times. Is there a pump overheat cutoff? I am under warranty but I really don't want to send the whole device to you as that would be tough. Thanks so much for a great store and product line. I hope we can resolve this.
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Q About a year ago I purchased a VMB Domobar Original (single boiler) from you. I am having a stran...... Read more answer nowAsked by on August 9, 2021 12:06 pmAnswered by the admin Please unplug the machines form the electrical outlet, allow to fully cool down, and take off the body casing. Check the pump and check if there is a safety thermostat on the pump. If there is, this may be the culprit. Otherwise, it would be the pump.
Is the water tank removable or is this a hardline connection (or is either an option?). Thank you for all your help!
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Q Is the water tank removable or is this a hardline connection (or is either an option?). Thank you...... Read more answer nowAsked by on May 21, 2020 12:01 amAnswered by the admin
Water tank and removable from top rear after taking off top panel.
1) do you know if the 1st line bottomless portafiler will work with this VBM Domobar? If not can you recommend a bottomless Portafilter that will work with this VBM Domobar?
2) Can an IMS Basket fit the VBM Domobar and get 20-22 g of coffee in the stock double shot Portafilter?
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Q 1) do you know if the 1st line bottomless portafiler will work with this VBM Domobar? If not can ...... Read more answer nowAsked by on May 20, 2020 7:37 pmAnswered by the admin
There are two 1st-line bottomless portafilters. Please read the descriptions of each for the appropriate one.
As for the basket, IMS makes multiple variations and we do not sell all of them. Hence, we will not be able to answer this with accuracy.
My Domobar original turned up and I unpacked it and followed start up instructions to the letter. (this is my fourth Vibiemme espresso machine). Section 7.2 says to lift the lever until water flows from the grouphead indicating that the boiler is full of water. But nothing comes out of the grouphead, even after repeat lifts of the lever and leaving the pump on for up to a minute each time. Water comes out of the hot water and steam wand functions. I really don't want to have to box this up and send it back but can you advise what I should do?
Thanks, Andy
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Q My Domobar original turned up and I unpacked it and followed start up instructions to the letter....... Read more answer nowAsked by on August 22, 2019 12:52 pmAnswered by the admin
We are sorry to hear about this. The good news is that the boiler refilled and there were no leaks created from damage by the shipping company. The bad news is that sometimes the water leftover from manufacturer testing dries up in the grouphead. Inside the top nut of the grouphead is a gicleur or orofice. This means there is a small pin hole.
With the machine cold and unplugged from the electrical outlet, please remove the top nut with a crescent or adjustable wrench. Once removed, then remove the stainless steel filter screen. You will need to place white vinegar or a descaler solution into the top about half way. Have it sit about 20 minutes and lift up the lever. The hole should clear and let the solution through.
If this does not work, please contact us.
A Thanks for your response. I tried the vinegar and it didn't work. The Grouphead still seems to be blocked. Is there anything else I can try? If not, do you have an approved service person who can fix this in place? It's just such a hassle to box it and ship it again, and creates the risk of damage in shipping. When it arrived here it was in perfect shape by the way. All of the packaging was solid and undamaged and the contents looked pristine.Answered by the adminWe are sorry to hear this. We will call you to get more information.
A All fixed thanks with a multiple application of vinegar and a gentle probe with a bamboo kebab stick! Machine is running well. Thanks a lot for the support.
I called about this machine a few weeks ago, are you all going to do a full review video? There's very little info about this machine out there. Likely deciding between this and an ECM Casa V.
If possible, would like to know (1) shot recovery time and (2) espresso to steam time
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Q I called about this machine a few weeks ago, are you all going to do a full review video? There's...... Read more answer nowAsked by on August 5, 2019 4:55 pmAnswered by the admin Sorry, there is no video planned for the Domobar espresso machine as it the current color is a limited production run. When we carry the non-limited production run next year, we will most likely do the video. This espresso machine does sport a heavier grouphead over the Casa V espresso machine. Coupled with the larger boiler, the temperature stability should be better for making espresso. The downside of the heavier grouphead and larger boiler is a longer initial warm up time of 20+ minutes. For espresso only, this is a very good machine. However, to get to steam mode, it may take about 60 seconds and a small amount of water to be removed from through the steam wand as soon as the steam switch is depressed. This is to make some air space in the boiler, just like the Casa V espresso machine needs as well. The promo will expire before the end of summer.Answered by the admin Back to back espresso can be made due to the heavy E61 grouphead and larger boiler.
Is the brew pressure adjustable?
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Answered by the admin
The maximum pressure can be adjusted through the overpressure valve or OPV. The other way is the resistance created by the coffee puck - this entails the grind fineness, the amount of ground espresso coffee in the basket, and the tamp pressure - all of which create resistance for the pump to covercome when pumping water.
Can this VBM machine be used with ESE pods?
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Answered by the admin
Yes, there is a special pod portafilter for single dose E.S.E. pods.
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