Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine Review – Everything You Need To Know

Are you a coffee enthusiast or an in-home barista looking for a coffee maker that offers partial automation and manual functionality at the same time? If so, you might want to check out the Breville barista express espresso machine. The machine is semi-automatic and offers partial manual functionality to ensure you smoothen your barista skills and bring home the real taste and aroma of espresso.

Better yet, this espresso machine comes with a classic design that makes it fit in your kitchen. Unlike many espresso makers from other companies, this one comes with an in-built grinder – most manufacturers sell their coffee machines and the grinder separately. The grinder being in-built helps save on space compared to when it is external.

Last update on 2023-05-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Well, don’t be overwhelmed yet. There’s more to find out concerning this coffee machine from Breville. Scroll down to grasp the in-depth details.

What Makes The Breville Barista Express Espresso Maker Stand Out?

As a true coffee lover, you are looking for a coffee brewer that will deliver coffee filled with the flavor you love dearly. More so, the coffee machine you desire is probably the one that satisfies your needs in all perspectives; from design, functionality to additional merits that gives the machine uniqueness.

Last update on 2023-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What features and functionalities make Breville barista express espresso maker stand out amid the cut-throat competition with other espresso machines? It’s time to find out and see whether you’ve met your perfect match in coffee brewing.

Performance of the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine

Naturally, many consumers conduct a background check on a machine’s functionality to confirm that they are purchasing a solid device that will last. And therefore, before deciding on whether you’ll buy the Bes 870xl Breville barista express espresso machine, you would want to dig deeper into how it will serve you.

You might be a surprise to discover that this is the machine you’ve been looking for all along. Let’s look at features that make this coffee machine stand out.

According to functionality, the following are the critical areas broken down to help you decide on whether the Breville Barista Express espresso machine is for you.

#1. Design And Features – Build Quality

Here’s a look at how Breville Bes870xl Barista Express Espresso Machine comes in packed with quality that enriches each drop of espresso with flavor.

The machine features a stainless steel boiler fixed with heaters on the inside. Stainless steel is dust and waterproof. Also, it comes with a cup warmer at the top that warms your mug to ensure it doesn’t cool the espresso.

The coffee maker has a drip tray made from plastic which cannot be affected by rust. The drip tray holds all the spills during the brewing process. Additionally, it comes with a powerful steam wand which is essential in milk frothing. So, if you are a big fan of cappuccino or latte, the Breville barista express espresso machine has got your back.

This brewer machine comes with an in-built grinder that uniformly crushes the beans for a sufficient coffee ground, which translates to enriching the coffee with ultimate flavor. As said earlier, this feature sets it apart from other brewers.

Furthermore, it features a 67-ounce removable water reservoir which is fairly large to eliminate frequent refilling. You are, therefore, able to make several cups of espresso before the tank runs out of water.

Also, the Breville barista express espresso machine comes with an in-built pressure gauge, a removable bean hopper, and an automatic turn-off system that switches off the machine after 3 hours of not being used – which helps to save energy. The device also comes with single and double espresso functioning.

Special features

Moreover, it comes with accessories, including a portafilter (54mm and made of stainless steel), a razor dose trimming tool, water filter and filter holder, cleaning discs and tablets, milk pitcher, and Allen key. It has an integrated tamper that is magnetically controlled or slid into its storage space.

This machine’s first unique feature is the PID function, an adjustable digital temperature controller that heats the water to the exact temperature required to make your espresso. With the temperatures adjustable, you can optimally extract the espresso.

The second unique feature is the grind size dial. This feature grants you control to obtain the grind size you desire. With this authority, you can control the flavor of every drop of coffee entering the cup. You are, therefore, sure to obtain excellent taste and flavor that enlighten your morning every day.

The machine has an indicator for the water level and will warn you whenever the water tank needs refilling. Thus it is an efficient brewer to have as your coffee maker. It also has a “clean me” indicator that indicates when cleaning is necessary.

#2. User-friendliness

When user-friendliness is brought to the table for analysis, user interaction with the machine becomes the center of discussion. The coffee brewer from Breville has a friendly control panel to provide the ultimate experience to the user – which is you.

For instance, it’s easier to use the bean hopper when using the brewer because it works by just turning a knob to lock the coffee beans or release them into the machine’s jar. Similarly, the device has an in-built, automatic coffee beans grinder that can be operated using a simple rotating wheel to select the grounded coffee texture.

Nevertheless, in the first moments of your journey with the machine, mastering the controls fast enough may be a problem. But with persistence and dedication, knowing the ins and outs of operating the device becomes a piece of cake.

If the heat becomes unbearable, here is something to motivate you; learning the controls will guarantee quality shots each day. Just think of the best taste and flavor of espresso you’ve ever tasted. If you figure out how to use Breville Barista express Bes 860xl 2- cups espresso machine, you will have that daily at the comfort of your home.

#3. Grinding and Tamping

It’s now a song to mention that Breville Barista Express Espresso Coffee Machine has an in-built grinder. The conical grinder is quick and efficient in crushing the beans. It uniformly grinds them for the most refined texture to produce a highly flavored espresso. Since the end product matters most to you, the Barista express can serve you right – especially when considering that the burr grinder is automated.

Furthermore, as long as grinding is concerned, the machine features a grind size dial used to vary the ground coffee texture. The dial provides up to 16 textures; thus, you can enjoy shots of espresso with different intensities. Whether weak or bitter due to the ground coffee texture, the choice will be yours with this machine.

Now that you’ve obtained freshly ground coffee in the portafilter, tamping is the next activity. This process is essential in creating the necessary pressure in the portafilter to ensure you extract the best espresso ever.

The tamper comes fixed in the machine plus, it is removable and is controlled by a magnet. Immediately you are done using it; it snaps back to its position in the machine. Provided that not many espresso machines come with a tamper at the same time and that you must buy it separately, this machine is fully packed with all features you need to fill your cup with coffee rich in flavor.

#4. Milk frothing

Do you like latte or cappuccino beverages and are looking for a machine to make just that. If that’s you, then the Breville Barista Express Espresso Coffee Machine is just what you need. It comes with all the features to help you get creamy milk enriched with a velvety taste and with the foam you love at the top.

This process involves simultaneous heating the milk and subjecting it to steam. The brewer comes with a stainless steel wand essential in the process of frothing. Steel is used since it’s rust-resistant, considering that the wand comes in contact with the elements used in frothing. Want to froth milk using the coffee maker from Breville? Here you go;

Fill the milk pitcher with the appropriate amount of milk. Then, switch the knob on the machine’s right to steam mode and direct the steam wand towards the hole in the drip tray. The pump will get activated, and in a few minutes, steam will be projected through the wand and directed to the drip tray. After the water gets discharged, switch off the steam and then turn it on before the built-up pressure gets discharged

Next, slide the steam wand into the milk pitcher while pointing downwards. The wand should partially get immersed into the milk for ultimate results. The milk will get frothed into micro-foam. After the process, clean the wand with a wet piece of cloth to get rid of the residual milk and then place it back to its right position.

#5. Brewing Capability

You probably want a machine that has power in brewing. In that, it gives you freshly brewed coffee in the right amount every morning. Then, you should take a look at the mighty Bes 870xl Breville barista express espresso machine.

The machine is fully equipped with features that guarantee freshness every day. The device is non-compatible with already-ground coffee, to begin with. It’s only fit for whole coffee beans. This ensures that every drop gets brewed from freshly ground coffee beans; hence you’ll always get a simple but extremely delicious espresso. On top of that, it is a 2 – cup espresso machine, thus perfect for personal use. It is also fit for office use where the staff can make the coffee for themselves.

What’s more, the machine can brew 13 coffee cups without refilling, courtesy of the relatively huge water tank that can hold 67 ounces of water. With freshness and minimum refilling, the machine becomes effective and efficient for use.

What more do you want from a coffee maker other than quality coffee shots and appropriate brewing quantity? Well, considering that people vary in taste and preferences, you exactly know what you need or expect from your coffee machine. But if you want quality and quantity, both combined, Breville Barista Express Espresso Coffee Machine is your ideal fit.

#6. Supervision of the Pressure Gauge

They say that pressure is the core element in coffee makers that enables all the espresso machines to carry out the brewing process. The pressure is essential in pushing water through the ground coffee to obtain as much quality as possible.

The Breville Barista espresso machine is fixed with an in-built pressure gauge that allows users to visibly monitor the amount of pressure the coffee is subjected to in the whole brewing process. With the authority to control the pressure, you’ve got the power to determine the taste of your espresso.

Here is how you can control the pressure for a refined taste of espresso;

At the beginning of obtaining a single or double espresso shot for 7 seconds, the gauge should stay at the pre-infusion stage. For the next 10 – 14 seconds, the gauge should be closer to the espresso range, and then the shot gets pulled out. Generally, the whole process should take 30 to 35 seconds for each shot.

When done right, this process will present the gift of highly flavored espresso. However, the coffee’s final definite taste not only depends on pressure; instead, it relies on a combination of certain things: perfect grind size, the dose, and the pressure used during the coffee-making process.

#7. Price – is it worth your money

Is Breville Barista Express Espresso Coffee Machine worth your money?

If the machine’s quality is in question, it’s clear that it comes while packed with value. It has got so many incredible features to deliver quality espresso and general efficiency. The machine ensures quality and fresh coffee every morning since it is only compatible with coffee beans; hence your espresso is obtained from freshly ground coffee beans.

For user-friendliness, the user interface is easy to use, and the control panel is easily accessible. The control panel consists of knobs, buttons, and a gauge. This guarantees that your experience with the machine will be worth it.

For durability, the bodywork of the espresso maker is purely stainless steel. It is known worldwide that despite steel being prone to damage, it is highly resistant to corrosion hence your machine can last for a very long time. Also, as far as durability is concerned, the drip tray is made of plastic. It goes without doubt that this is majorly an advantage since plastic is not affected by rust.

Who Is This Espresso Machine For?

Breville Barista Express Espresso Coffee Machine is for you if you are looking for a personal coffee maker. You can use this at home or office to brew coffee for a few people. If you are looking for a brewer that can make multiple cups of coffee at a go, you should opt for a giant machine.

The machine being semi-automatic, it’s suitable for those who want control of the brewing process. For instance, you can monitor the extraction pump and the coffee bean grinding speed. If you are looking for a fully automated espresso maker, this machine is not for you.

Maintenance of the Breville Barista Express Espresso Coffee Machine

1. Regular decalcification

Hard water usually results in a mineral build-up in the machine, which can spoil your espresso’s flavor if not dealt with. Therefore, regular decalcification is necessary. With the coffee maker from Breville, the decalcification process is recommended at least once a month.

2. Cleaning

For any coffee maker to perform optimally, consistent cleaning is necessary. This machine comes with a “clean me” feature that indicates when it requires cleaning services. 

The procedure of doing this is found in the manual or the user guide.

3. Water filter maintenance

When using carbon filters in the water tank, 60-day regular replacements are necessary. Carbon filters are recommendable since they’ll reduce the frequency of the decalcification process.

4. Drip tray maintenance

The drip tray is rinsed with warm and soapy water every time it’s emptied to eliminate coffee sediments and enhance general cleanliness.

Benefits of the Breville Barista Express Espresso Coffee Machine

The machine comes with an in-built grinder, so you won’t spend on the espresso machine and buy a grinder separately.

The machine comes with a one-year limited warranty; thus, your device gets protected from foreseeable loss or damages

The machine is semi-automatic; hence those who love the combination of automation and manual operation will maximally benefit.

Milk frothing functionality enables you to make espresso drinks like Latte and Cappuccino.

With keenness and dedication, the user interface is easier to understand

Is the Barista Express Espresso Maker Worth it?

Despite the initial cost being relatively high, this machine delivers real quality espresso. And since quality is what matters, this machine is worth it. It will perfectly serve its purpose.