Decent Espresso 2024 recap: Skins, Calibration, D-Flow & more

AI Summary:

This video is a talk focused on recent software updates and user interface improvements for the Decent. John divides the presentation into two parts and begins with a demonstration of new features, updates, and innovations in the user interface, aimed at making espresso preparation more accessible, precise, and user-friendly.

1. Transition from Insight to Streamline Skin

The presentation opens with a discussion about the evolution from the original Insight skin to the newer Streamline skin. The Insight skin was developed before the espresso machine itself was fully realized, with the primary goal of presenting data neutrally—without making assumptions about how coffee should be made. John refrained from embedding interpretations, acknowledging the lack of knowledge at the time. However, as understanding of espresso improved, it became clear that a more intuitive and intelligent interface was necessary. Enter the Streamline skin, developed collaboratively by John and Pulak, a user interface expert based in Delhi. Over a year and a half, they created a simplified but comprehensive interface designed to help users craft high-quality espresso more easily. Pulak's work began as a passion project, which he contributed freely, and it has since become an essential part of the software.

2. Flow Calibration Tool

One major innovation presented is a new graphical flow calibrator. Calibration is a known pain point in espresso preparation, particularly aligning the water flow through the coffee puck. The graphical tool allows users to press a calibration button and adjust settings so that two lines—representing the machine's model (blue line) and the actual flow data (brown line)—overlap. This alignment helps the machine self-correct and more accurately reflect real-world behavior. John notes that calibration can now happen per profile—each type of espresso, like Allongé or Adaptive, can have its own flow settings. This eliminates the need for specialized gear and simplifies the calibration process across the board.

3. Addressing Model Inaccuracy

The video also addresses limitations in Ray's original physics model, particularly at higher flow rates. While the model works well for traditional espresso flow rates, it becomes less accurate for newer styles like Allongé or Filter3. This shortcoming has been addressed in the new DSx2 skin and the calibration tools.

4. DSx2 Skin and Despresso App

John encourages users who like the DSx skin to upgrade to DSx2, a cleaner, rewritten version influenced by user feedback and open collaboration. He also introduces an external mobile app called Despresso, created by Marcus in Germany. It runs on iOS and Android, offering an entirely different recipe approach that integrates grind, dose, and workflow, rather than focusing solely on profile steps.

5. Profile Philosophy & D-Flow Interface

Finally, the talk covers new profile management concepts. John advocates for giving each coffee profile its own user interface based on its brewing philosophy, rather than a generic editing system. Damian, another developer, responded by creating D-Flow, a system inspired by the Londinium profile. It simplifies adjustments into user-friendly sliders that control temperature, pre-infusion, hold, and extraction phases—without requiring programming knowledge. Additionally, the community has contributed further, creating systems like A-Flow, which mimic Adaptive profiles but with intuitive controls.

Conclusion

All these updates—including skins, calibration tools, and user-friendly interfaces—are available for free and compatible with all DE1 machines dating back to version 1.0. The overall message is one of innovation, user collaboration, and improved accessibility in specialty coffee brewing.

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