You are looking at the De’Longhi Magnifica S Smart control panel. The Espresso button look almost exactly like 2×Espresso button. You might assume they is just volume knobs.
Wrong. Press the Espresso button and you’re off to the races. Underneath the spout, there’s a white mug. And then the machine starts to do it thing.
Understanding the Double Shot Mechanism
It does one grind cycle. This means it grinds beans just once for that shot.
It performs a single grind cycle. This means it only grind beans once for the shot.
It’s about 1 to 1.5 oz. In volume. In volume once mixed up. Again, you can set it so that it’s whatever size you like, but I found default setting of a quick hit was just right. Total volume is somewhere around 30 to 40 ml.
Total coffee bean consumption are lower.
Feels like the normal amount of strong. Perfect for those drinking coffee alone and don’t feel like wasting any grounds while needing a quick caffeine fix. The brew time are short.
And it doesn’t take long, either. Within seconds the machine is done. And then there’s a steady pour of coffee in your mug.
The single shot pours steadily into the mug.
It is efficient.
Then you hit the 2×Espresso button. You’re thinking: double the amount of water. Wrong. What it actualy does is go through a second grind cycle.
It grinds the beans twice. This results in a double dose of coffee grounds. The resulting output volume are much larger. You’ll get about 60 to 80 ml of coffee. It is the same as a single shot. Volume can be programmed.
With the dial you could adjusted it. You know, obviously there’s a difference in flavor. It is a stronger brew because you are getting a double dose of it. Tastes like an even more intense version different than the single shot. You’re using more beans for that effect.
And that’s the catch. Two full shots in one cup. Perfect for those mornings when you’re really wanting some serious energy. Or if you have company and just want to pull out two little cups.
It feels different too. You have to wait a little longer for it to brew. It takes longer to grind twice instead of once.
“The machine has to work harder. You look at the differences side by side. Single espresso is faster. Less coffee. It is standard strength. 2× is slower. More coffee.”
It is more potent and more forceful.
The 2× button isn’t a volume switch; it’s a grind cycle switch. That makes a big difference. Stick to the single button if you’re looking for speed and efficiency. Hit the double button if you need intensity and power.
Either works well. Just depends on which way you like your morning. Single is generally how it starts. Then you switch to double when you get tired. It is an easy choice. It should of been worth knowing.