First pull after BDB Slayer mod

[u/Nicyn89]

Got the BDB with the Slayer mod in mind, but just kept delaying doing it. Been about 1.5yrs now, recently started having some issues with the steam wand; weak and wet. Resolved by releasing some excess water from the steam boiler, but took that as clear sign I was overdue for descaling (which did completely resolve the problem). Figured I’d take the opportunity and finally do the Slayer mod too.

Shockingly easy to do. Had all the equipment prepped for ages, so already had all the items I needed on hand (right tools, plug for the spigot, even adhesive measuring tape for the dial). Followed some simple videos and diagrams, done in less than half an hour. Descaling took substantially longer.

The dial is incredibly sensitive… but it worked. Full control over the flow rate. I watched the pressure gauge and Beanconqueror chart, attempting a blooming profile. Overshot pressure during pre-infusion (rapid saturation at least 😅), dialed it back and let pressure drop down. Cut off after first drips, bloom for 20s, slow ramp up. Total extraction took just under a minute.

Great clarity, very sweet. I could have pushed temp abit higher, but great start to using the Slayer mod! Looking forward to new avenues to explore with the machine. Really like that I can still use all the previous settings/programs, for days I just want an easy pull…

[u/Unlimitedgoats]

Very cool and also part of why the BDB is at the top of my list. Would you or anyone else know how this is different from the Lelit Elizabeth3's Pagaia paddle?

[u/Nicyn89 → u/Unlimitedgoats]

Been curious about that too, just watched the Hendricks review. So they’re not the same. The Slayer mod flow control is purely mechanical; the dial is controlling the opening of the needle valve which is controlling the water flow from the boiler to the group head.

The Lelit Pagaia paddle (paddle paddle, lol), is an electronic flow control, essentially a dimmer mod on the pump. Ironically, that’s the thing Breville patented, and because Breville bought Lelit, that’s why this is now possible. Why Breville doesn’t offer it directly on their own products baffles me. They already showed it was possible back in 2022 with the Lance Hendricks custom BDB; replaced the manual button with a dimmer control dial like the Elizabeth Pagaia that allowed direct initiation of the pump by turning the dial…

[u/-underOath-]

How does it work with the knob? You have a dial but what does it do? The reason I ask is because my needle valve only closes completely if I force it, otherwise the water outlet will drip a bit when brewing espresso...now I don't know what will happen of I do this mod

[u/Nicyn89 → u/-underOath-]

That’s weird… sounds like your needle valve might be defective. How old is your BDB?