Espresso vs 2xEspresso on Delonghi machines, what's the actual difference?

[Thomas Martinez]

While poking around the Delonghi menu the other day, got curious how the Espresso and 2xEspresso differs. Seems like it's not as simple as hitting the button twice.
Single pulling Espresso do one full grind cycle, one dose, one shot of espresso, and takes a bit of time to brew. 2xEspresso does two complete grind cycles, two doses of ground coffee, two serving of espresso, and takes more time to brew the coffee.
Essentially, the 2xEspresso is simply grinding the coffee grounds again for the second shot of espresso; I assumed it would be a larger dose of espresso for each person using the machine. There are two shots due to the two grind cycles instead of double the dose of coffee.
Which leads to why 2xEspresso taste stronger, there is more coffee mass sitting in the basket and in contact with the water. I'd assume that the machine adjust the brew pressure accordingly to account for the extra coffee mass in the basket. While this was mentioned in the description of the 2xEspresso button, it wasn't specifically described.
Anyone here use a Delonghi who have noted the difference in appearance of the puck after a 2xEspresso versus two singles served back to back?

 

[Star]

yeah the 2x isn't just double water, it grinds twice and puts two doses into the same basket. After a few shot the puck is noticeably thicker. Sometimes you can even see the two doses of ground coffee when you pop the brew unit prior to it dumping the espresso.

 

[Happy Va]

Wait so instead of two separate shot being pulled through the same puck of ground coffee, it just pulls the same shot but with a larger dose of coffee ground? I was under the impression it was the same as the single but with doubled coffee grounds, am I missing something?

 

[Motionless Mantis]

The machine doesn't adjust the pressure for espresso on these machine. It's simply a thermoblock under the machine with a dosing pump at a certain flow rate. People just imagine that these are like a Linea series machines, they're not.

 

[Bewilder]

i just hit espresso twice lol

 

[Star]

Wait so instead of two separate shot being pulled through the same puck of ground coffee, it just pulls the same shot but with a larger dose of coffee ground? I was under the impression it was the same as the single but with doubled coffee grounds, am I missing something?

one puck of ground coffee, longer shot; grinds, adds dose of coffee, grinds again, adds second dose on top of first dose of ground coffee, tamp, and starts brewing cycle.

 

[My Little Racc]

Pulled them side by side last end of last week. The puck from the 2xEspresso is noticeably taller, it seems denser at the bottom. However, the puck from the two singles is two thinner pucks. Taste wise, the 2xEspresso was rounder in flavor, the two singles were more bitter on the second single, the group head was hotter from brewing the two singles back to back. Ymmv

 

[Happy Va]

one puck of ground coffee, longer shot; grinds, adds dose of coffee, grinds again, adds second dose on top of first dose of ground coffee, tamp, and starts brewing cycle.

ok that makes way more sense thanks.
so essentially a stacked dose of ground coffee, same size puck, one extraction cycle.

 

[Enchanting Elk]

does the grinder actually grind the same amount each pass or does it shorten the second one? curious as to what others have noticed about this.

 

[Caesar's Bubble Returns]

honestly the 2x on a delonghi still taste like dishwater to me, doesnt matter how its dosed

 

[Motionless Mantis]

Pulled them side by side last end of last week. The puck from the 2xEspresso is noticeably taller, it seems denser at the bottom. However, the puck from the two singles is two thinner pucks. Taste wise, the 2xEspresso was rounder in flavor, the two singles were more bitter on the…

Two singles will always taste worse on shot 2, carryover heat from brewed coffee, wet group head, it has nothing to do with Delonghi machines. Want similar flavor on both servings? 2x or wait 90 seconds between singles.

 

[Brainy Bison]

alot of people dont realise the size of the basket is the same for both espresso and 2xEspresso, it's just that one basket is stuffed with coffee grounds instead of half full.
That's why there is a longer contact time between water and ground coffee with 2xEspresso, it's been a while since I've made espresso this way so not sure why but I remember it having a longer contact time with the water.

 

[Enchanting Elk]

is the basket pressurized on the magnifica line? I thought there was a little spring on the bottom of the brew group that would make a difference in how the coffee and water interact with the basket.