Inside Bengle: meet the engineers behind Decent’s new espresso machine
Here's a comprehensive overview of Decent Espresso's Bengle machine, its design philosophy, technical details, and comparisons to their existing DE1 model.
Key People Mentioned:
- Ray: The inventor of the Decent Espresso machine. He is described as the driving force behind the hardware and firmware.
- John: the project manager and CTO of Decent Espresso. He narrates and provides context to Ray's technical explanations.
- Ben: lead mechanical engineer and designer of Bengle, which is named after him (“Ben's angles”).
Design Philosophy of Decent Espresso (DE1 and Bengle):
- User Empowerment: The core philosophy is to provide users with a tool to make coffee their way, rather than dictating a specific method. They aim to create a “lab” where users can experiment and control various parameters.
- First Principles Physics: Ray emphasizes a physics-based approach, focusing on measuring and controlling the variables that directly impact the coffee extraction process (e.g., temperature within the coffee puck).
- Consistency: Even if perfect control is not achievable, the goal is to ensure consistent behavior, allowing users to learn and compensate for any remaining variations.
- Community Driven: They heavily rely on user feedback from their community to identify areas for improvement and guide design decisions.
Bengle: Improvements and New Features Over the DE1:
- Aesthetics and Design:
- Ben's Design: features a new, more kitchen-friendly aesthetic designed by Ben, with a focus on angles and a sculptural appearance.
- Improved Look: make the machine look more at home in a kitchen environment.
- Noise Reduction:
- Quieter Pump: A significant focus was placed on reducing pump noise, a common complaint about the DE1. Bengle boasts a much quieter operation.
- Integrated Scale:
- Built-in Scale: A built-in scale is integrated into the machine, hardwired for higher frequency measurements. This allows for real-time monitoring of output (coffee in the cup).
- High-Frequency Measurement: The scale operates at a much higher frequency (potentially up to 1800 Hz, though not fully utilized) compared to other built-in scales, enabling the detection of channeling and sprays during extraction.
- Spill-Proof Design: The design allows for water spillage without affecting measurements.
- Manifold Redesign:
- New Manifold: The manifold (the central hub for sensors and valves) has been completely redesigned for improved performance and responsiveness.
- Sensor Integration: The manifold houses pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and valves for flow control.
- Simplified Wiring: A PCB (printed circuit board) on the manifold consolidates sensor data and reduces the number of cables running to the main PCB.
- Safety Valve: Includes a pressure relief valve.
- Group Head Improvements:
- Stainless Steel: The group head is now made of stainless steel, eliminating brass parts.
- Even Heating: A large disc heater ensures even temperature distribution across the group head surface, minimizing hot and cold spots.
- Temperature Probes: Three temperature probes within the group head provide precise temperature monitoring.
- Connectivity:
- USB-C: The machine uses USB-C for data communication between the tablet and the machine, offering a wired alternative to Bluetooth.7.
- Water Tank:
- Front Access: The water tank can be refilled from the front, eliminating the need to reach around the back of the machine.
- Stainless Steel Tank: The tank is made of stainless steel with an enamel coating (similar to pots and pans), ensuring food safety and durability.
- Sealed Lid: A PTFE (Teflon) lid seals the tank to prevent bugs and contaminants from entering.
- Cup Warmer:
- Thermostatically Controlled: The cup warmer on top has a thermostat, allowing users to adjust the desired cup temperature.
- Fabric for Even Heating: Using a piece of fabric on the cup warmer helps to evenly heat a stack of cups.
- Leveling Feet:
- Adjustable Feet: The machine has adjustable feet for leveling on uneven surfaces.
- Lighting:
- Customizable Lights: The machine features customizable LED lighting, allowing users to match the lighting to their kitchen or simply use white light.
- Steam Wand:
- Improved Insulation: The steam wand now has a PTFE tube running all the way through, including the ball joint, to keep the wand cooler, prevent heat loss and keep you from burning yourself.
- PPS Material: The steam wand uses PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), a food-safe and durable material with a polished finish.
- Increased Range of Motion: The ball joint has an extended range of motion (25 degrees compared to 15 on the DE1).
- Scale Placement:
- Sloped Group Head: The group head is slightly sloped, which improves visibility but prevents users from placing a cup directly on top for photos.
- Pump Control:
- Advanced Pump Control: a new pump control system with finer control over flow and pressure.
- Pulse Width Modulation: employs pulse width modulation to precisely control the current in the pump coil.
- High Update Rate: The system has a high update rate to minimize pulsations and pressure waves.
- Energy RecoveRay: The system recovers energy from the pump and uses it to boost the voltage for subsequent cycles, ensuring consistent performance even with vaRaying input voltage.
- Electronics and Upgradeability:
- Modular Design: The electronics are designed with a modular approach, using self-contained boards that communicate digitally via a six-pin connector.
- Easy Upgrades: This modularity allows for easy replacement and upgrades of individual boards in the future.
- Open Platform: They plan to provide information to allow users to create their own modifications and extensions.
- Accessories:
- Shot Mirror: The shot mirror is back as a standalone piece made of metal, with an easily replaceable mirror surface.
- Milk Temperature Probe: A front port allows for connecting a digital temperature probe to measure milk temperature during steaming and auto-stop at the desired point.
Power and Pricing:
- Two Versions: Bengle will be available in two versions: a high-power version (15-16 amp, 240V) and a lower-power version (10 amp for the UK, 7 amp 120V for the US). The lower-power version will have less powerful steam.
- Price: The price is $6,000 USD (and equivalent in other currencies).
- Mounting: The machine can be hard-mounted to a cart or wooden top using screws in the legs.
DE1 Continued Support and Upgrade Path:
- Firmware Updates: While major firmware changes are unlikely for the DE1 due to complexity concerns, some improvements from Bengle may be backported.
- Upgrade Program: Decent Espresso will offer an aggressive upgrade program, allowing users to trade in their DE1 machines for a Bengle, making refurbished DE1s available at a lower price point.
- Backward Compatibility: Some of the new features from Bengle, such as the steam wand tip and manifold, will be made available as upgrades for the DE1. They are also working on a water level sensor that is backward compatible with the DE1.
- Same Software: The app used on the DE1 and Bengle will remain the same.
Key Takeaways:
- Bengle is a significant evolution of the Decent Espresso machine, incorporating numerous improvements based on user feedback and engineering advancements.
- The focus remains on user empowerment, consistency, and open-source principles.
- Decent Espresso is committed to supporting the DE1 and providing upgrade options for existing users.
- The modular design of Bengle ensures long-term upgradeability and customization.
Related video: How Bengle is different: Decent's next leap in espresso
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Updated 2025/04/16