Breville BES870BSXL the Barista Express, Espresso Machine, Black Sesame

Despite some of the negative comments in this review, keep in mind that (1) I am giving this machine 5 stars, and I love it now that I have spent a few weeks getting to know it (intimately) - I love it so much that if a burglar broke into my house and stole it, I'd order a replacement the next day - Since then, I haven't visited a Starbucks. All of this is to say that you must read this review in order to avoid being frustrated by your machine and to get the most out of it. While sipping my coffee, I decided to read. a caring friend: 1. br>br> Before this, I was a guy who had no knowledge of espresso machines. I'm a mechanical person who doesn't read instructions very often. This was an unusual situation. This is not a self-contained machine. You MUST read the instructions (which are well written and even include a troubleshooting section) because they are self-explanatory. Do not become frustrated with this machine unless and until you have read (all) of the instructions. 2. br>br>1. br>br>br>br>br>br This isn't a purchase that can be made on its own. This machine costs around $500 (give or take), but you should invest an additional $100 right away (preferably at the same time) to get the most out of it, enjoy it to the fullest, and avoid becoming overly frustrated by making your own lattes and mochas. 3. br>br>4. br>br>5. br>br>6. The following items (all of which are available on Amazon) should be ordered at the same time:
a. (29 dollars) 100- 20 oz. disposables are included in the package. Yes! sells cups, lids, and sleeves. fresh). You must have these, believe me. It only costs one dollar. They cost 29 cents per cup and are far more convenient than trying to clean out a million dirty coffee cups from your car or office every week. In the long run, these are worth twice as much as they cost. When your friends come over, you don't have to 'lend' them a nice coffee cup to take with them (which you might never see again) - Simply provide them with a paper cup to carry with them.
b. ($5- 15 for a quarter-pound of 25-ounce beer / $20- For a 64-ounce serving, add 30 cents. ) Torani syrups and sauces, as well as the accompanying pump tops (always sold separately). If you drink the same thing every day (like I do), such as a white chocolate peppermint mocha, get the 64-ounce version. not the smaller 25 oz. of white chocolate sauce bottle.
c. Amazon Basics Cotton Washcloth ($14) - 24 pack - grey (the color doesn't matter; it matches the espresso machine). Again, believe me when I say that you want a neatly folded stack of these next to the machine. You'll use 1 every time you make espresso, and it'll get dirty and need to be washed after that. We bought two 24-hour machines for my house (3 people using the machine). We make a lot of coffee, so we need a lot of packs. two 24- For our household, three packs is not excessive (I'm considering purchasing a third).
d. ($10 for a pair of single-shot glasses, $15 for a pair of double-shot glasses) Espresso shot glasses with a thicker wall. Don't buy the ones that are rounded (ie: Cutehom espresso coffee cups) because they don't pour well and drip all over the place (down the side) every time you use them - It's extremely annoying. Instead, go for the JoyJolt Javaah Double Walled Espresso Glasses - In the end, you'll be grateful you did. If you're going to make a lot of double-decker sandwiches, you'll want to keep that in mind. Buy a set of Dragon Glassware 6 oz Espresso Cups (also double-duty) to make shot lattes and mochas. So you don't have to fidget with the single shot cups to keep them in the right spot under the coffee dispenser, they're walled. It is critical to purchase double-sided tape. There are two reasons why you should wear a pair of glasses with a thicker frame. It serves two purposes: first, it keeps the espresso hot while you steam your milk, and second, it prevents you from burning your fingers when pouring espresso into your coffee cup.
e. Breville BCB100 Barista-style Coffee Machine ($15) Knock Box in the Style of Coffee Again, believe me when I say that you want this right next to your machine - The coffee grounds will quickly accumulate, and you don't want to put your portafilter near a trash can. This is a must-have item. br>br>4. Space requirements are as follows: This machine (along with everything you'll need to use it) will take up some counter space - AT LEAST 34 PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENT to accommodate - inches of counter width - It's even better if you can add a little bit more. This is a 34-inch television, as you can see in my photo. There isn't any room to spare in this setup. 5. br>br> Espresso is being made. Following the instructions, here are some helpful hints that they don't mention to help you avoid frustration:
a. When the beans are grinding, lightly knock on the top of the hopper lid (as if it were a door) to ensure that the beans continue to feed down to the grinder (they can get hung up if you don't knock). This can be avoided by knocking lightly each time). After the grounds have been tamped down in the filter cup, the silver part of the tamper should be just hidden beneath the rim of the portafilter (the machine includes a tool you can use if you accidentally overfill the filter cup, but after a short while, you'll figure out how much to grind each time and the tool will become obsolete).
b. When making espresso, you should ALWAYS keep an eye on the pressure gauge. During the brew cycle, it MUST be in the dark grey area of the pressure gauge (ideally in/near the middle of the grey area), or you will not get good espresso - Instead, you're making either watered-down espresso (insufficient pressure) or too much espresso (excessive pressure). Pressure is influenced by two primary factors: The fineness of the coffee grind (which can be adjusted) and the volume of grounds in the portafilter (which can also be adjusted). Despite the fact that there is a one or two shot size option, I have found that doing two, 1-second shots is the best way to go. tamping down the grounds in-between shot grinds in the middle of each single a shot grinder I have the grind (volume) setting on the fourth click, and the grind (fineness) setting on either 2 or 3 (tinker around and see what works best for you). If the pressure is too low, it could be because your coffee is ground too coarsely, you haven't tamped it down tightly enough, the filter isn't filled with enough coffee grounds, or a combination of these factors. If the pressure is too high, it means your coffee was ground too finely, or you tamped the grounds down too hard (tightly), or a combination of the two.
c. If you're going to use two, make sure they're the same size. a pair of shot espresso glasses to collect a double-shot espresso Keep an eye on them during the brew cycle to ensure that they are centered beneath the espresso being dispensed (this can be avoided by using a double-shot brewer). collection cup (shot size).
d. If you're going to make a mocha or another drink with syrup or sauce, start by preheating the oven. In a glass, combine the espresso and syrup and stir well before adding the steamed milk.
e. Milk that has been steamed is half the price of regular milk. art, as well as 1/2- It's science (seriously), and it's not something that comes naturally to me. If you've never worked in a coffee shop or been taught how to steam milk, do yourself a favor and watch a few good (short) YouTube videos. You'll be grateful you took 5-minutes out of your day to do this. Spend ten minutes on YouTube learning how to steam milk properly (along with what not to do). Understanding how to steam allows you to control the amount of foam on top while avoiding a big mess.
f. VENT the steam wand to remove any remaining water from the boiler line before steaming your milk (you don't want a few teaspoons of water in your milk). The steam should be turned off after the line has been vented. Wait for a total of 5 seconds. After that, insert the steam wand into the milk and restart the steam. Keep the steam wand in and start counting along with the pump (which sounds like a metronome in the background) when the cup is too hot for your right hand to touch (I mean really too hot to hold). When the cup is too hot for your right hand to touch (I mean really too hot to hold), keep the steam wand in and start counting along with the pump (which sounds like a metronome in the background). dit . dit . dit . dit . For a semi-professional, Keep the steam wand in the milk for 30 seconds when making a hot latte or mocha. dits (wait until you can no longer touch the bottom with your right hand before beginning to count). "And one, two, three," and so on until you reach 30 (60 single dits). Count to 40 double-digits for a hot (but still drinkable) beverage. likewise, and likewise, and likewise, and likewise, and likewise, and likewise, 50 double-decker bus dits. If the temperature rises above 60 degrees, you risk burning the milk (which will ruin the flavor and force you to start over). When you're done, turn off the steam and take the steam wand out of the milk. To avoid milk being sucked back up into the steam line, wait 5 seconds after it stops blowing steam.
g. After steaming your milk, VENT the steam wand once more to remove any milk that may have been sucked into the steam wand line by accident and prevent it from entering the boiler. If milk gets back into the boiler unit (due to a failure to properly vent the line after use), you will PERMANENTLY DESTROY the boiler, as the milk will not be able to be cleaned out, will burn during the next use, and every cup of milk you steam in the future will have a burnt-on flavor. odor/taste of milk - yuck! DO YOURSELF A FAVOR and make a habit of regularly venting the steam line after each use - Also, make sure that anyone else who uses your machine understands that if they don't follow these guidelines, they risk ruining it! (That's $500 down the drain!) )
h. The bottom tray (which comes apart in three pieces) is simple to remove, empty, and clean. This should be emptied every two weeks. 4 days of use due to the fact that it fills up despite the fact that you don't pour liquid into it - The reason for this is that once you've finished using the steam wand or hot water dispenser, the machine will automatically shut down. (Sneaky little devil) vents the line from the boiler to the bottom tray. So, even if you aren't aware of it, it is gradually filling up with each use. (Fun fact: if you're looking for a unique way to express yourself Tea can be made with instant hot water from the hot water dispenser. 6. br>br>br>br>br>br>br>br>br> Cleaning up the mess.
a. Every time I make espresso, I lay out a clean washcloth. Tamp down the grounds to avoid scratching or damaging your counter, as well as catching any spills. over the grounds (some spillage is unavoidable) over).
b. When you're done, rinse the espresso cup(s), milk steaming cup, portafilter, and filter insert with hot water from your kitchen sink (remove the filter cup from the portafilter each time you clean it), then lay them out to dry on another clean washcloth.
c. To make espresso, you'll need a washcloth that looks like this: Fold it in half twice (into a square), then use the hot water dispenser (on the machine) to wet one corner of the square with hot (boiling hot) water, then fold the square into a triangle so that the boiling water corner is exposed, then fold that triangle into another triangle around the steam wand and thoroughly clean it. It will take some time and firm pressure - To avoid nasty milk residue buildup on your steam wand, make sure the wand is clean. br>br>7. Keeping supplies on hand:
a. Milk. If your family uses milk for other purposes (cereal, baking, etc. ) and you have been a '1-' for a long time, It's time to upgrade to a 2-gallon system if you're a 'gallon at a time' household. household that uses a gallon at a time Please believe me when I say that The milk will begin to disappear quickly once you (and others in your house) discover the delicious lattes/mochas that are readily available (my house is now a 3-person household). a gallon at a time in a household with three people who use the machine on a regular basis).
b. Keep an extra box of to-dos on hand. Keep a supply of cups and lids on hand, and when one is empty, place an order for another - It isn't prohibitively expensive, and you don't want to be caught off guard. In the morning, go for a cup of coffee.
c. Keep a bag of coffee beans on hand in case you need it - It's also not prohibitively expensive, and if you run out of beans, well, there's no reason to run out of beans in the first place.
d. Keep a bottle of your favorite syrups or sauces on hand as a backup. If you run out of money, the game is over. 8. br>br>br>br>br>br>br>br>br> There are a few oddities and hints that I'd like to share with you
a. Keep an eye on it (and refill it frequently if necessary). like every morning) the water tank in the back (you don't have to pull it off every time; just take a 4-minute break every now and then) Fill a 1/2-cup measuring cup with water when it gets low. down to the ground). The reason for this is that the machine isn't as intelligent as a Keurig - It doesn't have a sensor that tells it when the water is running low, so it will run dry (at its peril) if the water runs out. This isn't good for the pump or the machine.
b. Use high-quality beans if you want to achieve the best results. 1 pound is what I recommend. Starbucks Espresso Roast Beans - 2 pound bags NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER ground. WHY would you invest $600 in a coffee bar setup only to use subpar beans or pre-ground coffee? ground (also known as: coffee that isn't freshly brewed? When you use high-quality Starbucks beans (by the way, I have no financial stake in Starbucks - If you'd rather go to Pete's or Dutch Bros. , that's fine. , fine - but make sure you're getting their Espresso Roast in whole bean bags). 4 double- A 1 lb. bag of shot lattes/mochas will last for a week. 1 pound bag of beans 2 weeks.
c. I'm making the switch to decaf coffee. No, it wasn't easy, and the machine wasn't set up for a smooth transition. To switch from regular to decaf espresso beans, you must first unlock and remove the bean hopper. then pour the regular beans into a ziplock bag, then vacuum out the remaining regular beans from the grinding gear mechanism with your vacuum cleaner (I'm not kidding), then replace the (empty) hopper - Fill it with decaf beans after you've locked it in place. This was something we did at my house once. I've never done anything like this before, and I'm not going to start now. br>br>I hope you enjoyed my review and that it will assist you in making delicious lattes and mochas!.

Shay Delgado

| Jul 29, 2021

Greetings, Breville! In March of this year, we bought this machine. We enjoy the drinks it produces, but the burr grinder has broken down. It appears that the gears have been stripped. I've called the customer service number several times and left a message because waiting on hold for more than half an hour with no response is ridiculous. I would have given it a 4 if it had been in working order. 5 stars, but now that it needs to be repaired and Breville appears to be ignoring customer service claims, I'll give it 1 star out of courtesy.

Jayce Warner

| Jan 29, 2021

I'm still using it on a daily basis, and it's still working great! It's been nearly four years since we've seen each other! (When you have a good cup of coffee, time flies:) )br>br>Updated on August 6th- After nearly two years, it's still going strong! Original Review and Recommendations: br>br> br>br>This is something I really enjoy. It's been almost a year since I've used it multiple times per day. It makes fantastic espresso every day, and as long as I keep it clean, it performs admirably. This machine is also less difficult to maintain and clean than other, less expensive espresso machines I've tried. br>br>A tip for anyone interested in making real espresso at home is to look for a local roastery in your area. Like many others, I used to buy bulk beans online, but the difference was amazing once I tried local whole beans and discovered a blend I liked. If you truly want to enjoy your espresso, you must choose the right bean. br>br>Here are some pointers on how to use this machine:br>1. The grind amount knob did not go low enough, according to a few people. To counteract this, I set the cup size to "Single" and turned the knob to the right to increase the grind amount. This ensures that I always have the right amount of ground coffee. br>2. If the pressure gauge on the machine keeps going over or under, clean it. When the clean me light comes on, don't forget to clean the grouphead with the desolvable tablets!
3. Cleaning tablets can be found on Amazon for a reasonable price. On Amazon, I chose Urnex Cafiza Espresso Machine Cleaning Tablets, and they're fantastic!
4. You don't need to order a separate tamper because the one that comes with it is perfect. br>5. The frothing cup that comes with the kit is small, but it does the job for me. A larger one may be required by some.
6. Don't overlook the importance of a burr grinder. It's like trying to hammer a nail with an inflatable hammer if you don't have one. br>br>Here are a few of my favorite features (Pros):
1) The grinder. Many people prefer to use a separate burr grinder, but this one works just fine and is simple to clean. Many people complained that leaving the beans in the hopper heated them up too much, but I keep mine in a special container outside the hopper and grind them with the included scoop. br>2) The frother is absolutely fantastic. Much better than the machines that are available for a lower price. br>3) The Clean Me Light feature is fantastic. br>4) The stainless steel is beautiful. It reminds me to keep up with the maintenance and helps extend the life of the item. (It isn't 100% stainless on the outside though, a tiny bit of plastic, see cons. ) )br>5) The gauge for measuring pressure. When it comes to making good espresso, this tool is absolutely essential. I would not recommend purchasing any machine that does not come with one. It is extremely beneficial in terms of learning and mastering the material. br>6) The tamper that comes with it is excellent. br>7) It produces perfect coffee pucks that can be thrown away. br>8) A great addition is the hot water dispenser! 9) Is a one-stop shop for all of your needs? one, which means I won't have to purchase a grinder separately! br>10) It simply makes excellent coffee. br>11) There is a great manual with a lot of useful information included. br>12) Cleans the insides of the grouphead using an automated cleaning cycle. Awesome! 14) A lovely copper dosing tool is included. br>15) Tools for cleaning the filters are included. br>br>Some things that irritate me (Cons)
1)The machine's top is made of plastic. br>2) The machine's bottom sides are plastic; br>3) The water tank, which is also thick plastic, must be refilled frequently. br>4) The bottom water catcher (sorry) must be emptied on a regular basis, but it isn't a big deal. br>5) The coffee grind separator doesn't appear to help much, but it does keep it out of the water below for a while, which keeps it from stinking! br>6) Expensive, but for the amount of coffee I bought from the shop, it was a very worthwhile investment. br>7) I can't seem to find cheap water tank filters, so I use filtered water instead of tap water. br>8) On the "double" setting, the lowest grind setting is too much. This was supposed to be caught by Quality Control! This isn't a deal-breaker, though. For a workaround, see the section above. br>br>*I'll probably add more as I come up with them! This machine is also great for making sweet frappucinos and iced drinks. br>br> br>I use Hershey's Caramel Syrup to make caramel-flavored drinks (Edit: I've recently started making my own caramel syrup! It's a piece of cake! )br>I use Torani Vanilla Syrup for vanilla-flavored drinks, which I get cheaply from a bulk wholesale store in my town.

For my sweet drink of choice I blend the two, add a double shot of espresso, 2% milk, and top with whipped cream and caramel syrup and car br>br>In the morning, nothing beats a good espresso. br>br>I've added a lot of pictures. br>br>Creative+ paraphrase: If your machine died on you, please leave a comment on this review with any information you think may be helpful, such as the level of maintenance you performed while your machine was working, the brand of water filters and cleaning tablets you used, and so on. br>br>Perhaps we can figure out a common cause of this defect!.

Tanner Hamilton

| Feb 11, 2021