The aroma of freshly brewed espresso, the satisfying hum of a grinder, the ritual of tamping – for many coffee enthusiasts, these are essential parts of the morning routine. If you’re looking to elevate your home coffee game and venture beyond pre-ground beans and automatic machines, the Breville Barista Express might be on your radar. But is it truly worth the investment? This comprehensive review dives into every aspect of this popular espresso machine to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Understanding the Breville Barista Express
The Breville Barista Express (BES870XL) is a semi-automatic espresso machine designed for home use. It aims to bridge the gap between entry-level machines and professional barista equipment, offering a balance of convenience and control. It features an integrated burr grinder, a PID temperature control system, and a manual milk frother, allowing users to grind fresh beans, extract espresso, and create latte art all in one machine.
This machine stands out due to its integrated nature. Having the grinder built-in means less counter space clutter and a more streamlined workflow. But that’s just the beginning of what makes this machine tick.
Key Features and Benefits
The Breville Barista Express is packed with features designed to enhance the espresso-making experience. Let’s break down some of the most important ones.
Integrated Burr Grinder
One of the biggest selling points is the built-in conical burr grinder. Burr grinders are preferred over blade grinders because they produce a more consistent grind, which is crucial for proper espresso extraction. The Barista Express allows you to adjust the grind size to fine-tune your shots based on the beans you’re using.
The hopper holds around half a pound of coffee beans, which is a decent capacity for home use. The grinding process is relatively quick and efficient, dispensing directly into the portafilter.
PID Temperature Control
Temperature stability is paramount for good espresso. The Barista Express utilizes a PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) temperature control system, which helps maintain a consistent water temperature throughout the extraction process. This leads to more consistent and flavorful espresso shots. Maintaining the optimal temperature prevents under-extraction (sour taste) and over-extraction (bitter taste).
Manual Milk Frothing
The steam wand on the Barista Express is a manual one, meaning you have complete control over the frothing process. This allows you to create microfoam for latte art and other milk-based drinks. While it requires some practice, mastering the manual wand gives you more flexibility than automatic frothers.
Pre-Infusion Function
The pre-infusion function gently wets the coffee grounds before applying full pressure. This allows the grounds to expand evenly, resulting in a more even extraction and richer flavor. Pre-infusion helps to avoid channeling, where water finds the path of least resistance through the coffee puck, leading to uneven extraction.
Volumetric Control
The Barista Express offers both manual and volumetric control over the espresso extraction. You can choose to manually control the shot length or program the machine to dispense a specific volume of espresso. This is useful for creating consistent drinks every time.
Other Notable Features
- Hot water dispenser: Useful for making Americanos or tea.
- Cup warming tray: Helps keep your espresso cups warm, preserving the temperature of your drink.
- Removable water tank: Easy to refill and clean.
- Cleaning tools: Includes tools for cleaning and maintaining the machine.
Performance and Espresso Quality
The ultimate test of any espresso machine is the quality of the espresso it produces. The Breville Barista Express, when used correctly, can deliver excellent results.
With fresh, high-quality beans and proper technique, you can consistently pull shots with rich crema, balanced flavor, and a pleasant aroma. The integrated grinder allows you to experiment with different grind sizes to find the sweet spot for each type of bean.
The milk frothing performance is also commendable. With practice, you can create velvety microfoam perfect for latte art. The steam wand has sufficient power to quickly heat and froth milk.
However, achieving consistently good results requires a learning curve. Dialing in the grind size, tamping pressure, and extraction time takes time and experimentation.
Ease of Use and Learning Curve
While the Barista Express is designed for home use, it’s not as simple as pressing a button. It requires some knowledge of espresso-making techniques and a willingness to learn.
The machine’s controls are relatively straightforward, but understanding how each setting affects the final product takes time. The manual milk frothing also requires practice to master.
That said, the machine is relatively forgiving and allows for experimentation. It’s a great option for those who want to learn the art of espresso making without investing in a professional-grade machine.
Build Quality and Design
The Breville Barista Express boasts a sleek and modern design. The stainless steel construction feels solid and durable. The machine is well-built and should last for several years with proper care and maintenance.
The compact footprint of the machine is another advantage, especially for those with limited counter space. The integrated grinder eliminates the need for a separate grinder, further saving space.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential for keeping your Barista Express in top condition and ensuring optimal performance. The machine comes with cleaning tools and instructions for descaling, backflushing, and cleaning the grinder.
The drip tray and water tank are removable for easy cleaning. It’s important to clean these components regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria and mineral deposits.
Descaling the machine every few months is also crucial for removing mineral buildup from the internal components.
Pros and Cons: A Quick Overview
Before making a final decision, let’s summarize the key pros and cons of the Breville Barista Express.
Pros
- Integrated burr grinder: Provides fresh, consistent grinds.
- PID temperature control: Ensures stable temperature for optimal extraction.
- Manual milk frothing: Allows for creating latte art and other milk-based drinks.
- Pre-infusion function: Enhances flavor extraction.
- Volumetric control: Allows for consistent shot volumes.
- Relatively compact footprint: Saves counter space.
- Durable construction: Built to last.
Cons
- Learning curve: Requires some knowledge of espresso-making techniques.
- Can be noisy: The grinder can be quite loud.
- Requires regular cleaning and maintenance: To ensure optimal performance.
- Price: A significant investment compared to entry-level machines.
Alternatives to the Breville Barista Express
If the Barista Express doesn’t quite meet your needs or budget, there are other espresso machines to consider.
- Gaggia Classic Pro: A popular option for those who want a more traditional espresso experience. It requires a separate grinder but offers excellent espresso quality and customization options.
- Rancilio Silvia: Another well-regarded option that’s known for its durability and performance. Like the Gaggia Classic Pro, it requires a separate grinder.
- Breville Bambino Plus: A more compact and affordable option from Breville. It features an automatic milk frother but doesn’t have an integrated grinder.
- De’Longhi Dedica: A slim and stylish espresso machine that’s easy to use. It’s a good option for beginners but may not offer the same level of control as the Barista Express.
The Verdict: Is the Breville Barista Express Worth It?
So, is the Breville Barista Express worth the investment? The answer depends on your individual needs and preferences.
If you’re serious about making espresso at home and are willing to invest the time and effort to learn the necessary skills, the Barista Express is an excellent choice. The integrated grinder, PID temperature control, and manual milk frother allow you to create cafe-quality drinks in your own kitchen.
However, if you’re looking for a completely hands-off espresso experience or are on a tight budget, there may be better options available.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to your individual priorities. Consider your budget, your level of interest in espresso making, and the features that are most important to you. If the Breville Barista Express aligns with your needs and desires, it’s a worthwhile investment that will provide years of enjoyment. It’s a great entry point into the world of home espresso, providing a good balance of features, performance, and ease of use.
Is the Breville Barista Express truly worth the investment for home espresso enthusiasts?
The Breville Barista Express offers a compelling blend of convenience and control for those seeking to elevate their home coffee experience. Its integrated grinder streamlines the process, allowing for freshly ground beans directly into the portafilter, which significantly enhances the flavor and aroma of your espresso. While the initial investment is higher compared to simpler espresso machines, the ability to fine-tune grind size, dosage, and tamping pressure provides a level of customization typically found in more expensive, professional-grade setups.
Ultimately, the worth hinges on your commitment to learning and mastering the art of espresso. The machine’s manual operation requires practice and patience to consistently produce high-quality shots. If you’re willing to invest the time in understanding the nuances of espresso extraction, the Breville Barista Express can deliver café-quality results at a fraction of the cost of daily visits to a coffee shop, making it a worthwhile investment for dedicated home baristas.
What are the key features that differentiate the Breville Barista Express from other home espresso machines?
The Breville Barista Express boasts several features that set it apart. The built-in conical burr grinder is a major advantage, allowing for precise grind adjustments to achieve optimal espresso extraction. Furthermore, the integrated PID temperature control ensures stable water temperature throughout the brewing process, a crucial factor for consistent espresso quality.
Beyond the grinder and temperature control, the Barista Express offers pre-infusion functionality, gently soaking the coffee grounds before full pressure is applied, leading to a more balanced and flavorful extraction. Its manual operation, including the ability to tamp the grounds yourself, provides a tactile and engaging experience, giving you greater control over the final result, unlike fully automatic machines.
How easy is the Breville Barista Express to use for beginners with little to no espresso-making experience?
The Breville Barista Express, while capable of producing excellent espresso, has a steeper learning curve than fully automatic machines. Beginners should expect a period of experimentation and adjustment to dial in the correct grind size, dosage, and tamping pressure for their specific coffee beans. Fortunately, the machine comes with a detailed instruction manual and numerous online resources are available to guide users through the initial setup and troubleshooting process.
Despite the learning curve, the Barista Express offers a rewarding experience for those willing to invest the time to learn. The manual aspects of the machine, such as tamping and controlling the extraction time, provide valuable feedback, allowing beginners to gradually understand the factors that influence espresso quality. With practice and patience, even novices can master the Barista Express and consistently produce delicious espresso.
What is the maintenance like for the Breville Barista Express, and what are the ongoing costs?
Maintaining the Breville Barista Express is relatively straightforward but essential for its longevity and optimal performance. Regular cleaning of the portafilter, drip tray, and steam wand is crucial to prevent the buildup of coffee oils and milk residue. Descaling the machine every few months, depending on water hardness, is also necessary to prevent mineral deposits from affecting its functionality.
Beyond regular cleaning and descaling, the ongoing costs associated with the Barista Express are primarily related to coffee beans and water filters. Investing in high-quality, freshly roasted beans is essential for maximizing the machine’s potential. Replacing the water filter regularly, as recommended by Breville, helps to ensure the purity of the water used for brewing and prolongs the machine’s lifespan.
What are the potential drawbacks or limitations of the Breville Barista Express?
While the Breville Barista Express offers many advantages, it’s important to acknowledge its potential drawbacks. The built-in grinder, while convenient, may not be as precise or consistent as a standalone, high-end grinder. This can be a limiting factor for experienced baristas seeking the ultimate level of control over grind particle size distribution.
Another limitation is its steam wand, which, while functional, might not be as powerful or consistent as those found on professional-grade machines. This can affect the ability to create latte art or froth milk with a microfoam texture. Furthermore, the machine’s smaller water reservoir and drip tray may require more frequent refills and emptying, especially during periods of heavy use.
How does the espresso quality from the Breville Barista Express compare to that of a professional café?
The Breville Barista Express is capable of producing espresso of comparable quality to that found in many cafes. With proper technique and freshly roasted beans, the machine can deliver rich, flavorful shots with excellent crema. The integrated grinder and PID temperature control contribute to a consistent and repeatable brewing process.
However, achieving café-quality results requires dedication and practice. The Barista Express is a semi-automatic machine, meaning the user is responsible for controlling key variables such as grind size, dosage, and tamping pressure. While the machine provides the tools, the barista’s skill and understanding of espresso extraction ultimately determine the final product.
Is the Breville Barista Express a good choice for making milk-based espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos?
The Breville Barista Express is well-suited for making milk-based espresso drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos. Its steam wand, while not as powerful as those found on commercial machines, is capable of producing sufficient steam pressure for frothing milk to a satisfactory consistency. With practice, users can achieve the desired microfoam texture for creating latte art.
The machine’s ability to quickly switch between brewing espresso and steaming milk is also a significant advantage. This allows for a seamless workflow when preparing multiple milk-based drinks. Furthermore, the integrated grinder ensures that the espresso is freshly ground for each beverage, enhancing the overall flavor and aroma.