Landing here simply means you have already made up your mind to buy the masterpiece that is the marvelous Breville BES870XL Barista Express! It’s one of the greatest products from Breville so far. We’ve tried to provide as much detail as possible for a person to make a wise decision as to whether to buy it or not. Let’s go ahead.
Shopping for an all-in-one espresso brewing system can be somewhat of a daunting task. The price factor, a major one can even switch a coffee drinker to tea. Another factor is usage, which is even worse -some systems are so computerized that you need to work for NASA to be able to use them.
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine Review
Fortunately, Breville has recognized the need for a reliable, yet simple all in one espresso brewing system. The machine we are talking about here offers top quality espresso beverages without the science of other models. With the Barista Express, you can enjoy the art of beverage making, just like a real barista!
Features and Specifications
- Dimensions: 13.2 x 12.5 x 15.8 inches
- Weight: 23 pounds
- Large capacity 67 fluid ounce water reservoir
- Spacious 8-ounce coffee bean hopper
- Built-in removable stainless steel conical burr grinder
- Full range of grind settings
- Italian made 15 bar pressure pump
- Sleek and durable metal construction
- Versatile brew options, including water volume and temperature settings
- Energy efficient design
- Hot water feature
- Dry-puck design
- Easy to remove drip tray
- Fully rotatable milk steaming wand
- Push button and dial controls
- 1 year limited manufacturer’s warranty
The Breville Barista Express is a perfect balance of simplicity and versatility. The fully manual nature of the machine eliminates all of the complicated computer features of other models. Gone are the complex interfaces and programming hassles of higher-end machines. Another upgraded model by Breville is 920xl by the same brand. If you have a little more money, you can check it out too!
However, the Barista Express offers a surprising range of versatility despite its simple design. Choose the grind setting for your beans, as well as the temperature and volume of your espresso shots. This is the machine that offers customizable beverages with total simplicity and ease.
Built-In Removable Conical Burr Grinder
Most all in one brewing systems take a hit for their built-in grinders. This Breville espresso machine, however, is a pleasant exception to this rule. The built-in conical burr grinder in this unit is removable, allowing for proper cleaning. This means that you can use any coffee beans whatsoever, including those that are oil-rich.
Normally, dark roast beans need to be avoided to prevent burr grinders from getting ‘gunked up’ with coffee oil residue. No such restrictions are needed here since you can remove the grinder and clean off any oil and grime. Thus, the Barista Express has a significant advantage over many of its higher-end counterparts.
Components
- The high capacity 67-ounce water reservoir will enable you to make numerous espresso beverages on one fill. This is particularly handy for cappuccinos or lattes which require a lot of water for milk frothing.
- A built-in burr grinder ensures freshly ground coffee with each beverage. Furthermore, the full range of grind settings guarantees you will find the perfect consistency for your espresso.
- The spacious 8-ounce bean hopper allows you to make many beverages between bean refills.
- An energy-efficient design makes this model safe and environmentally friendly. After 1 hour of inactivity, the unit will go into standby mode. After 3 hours it will automatically shut off altogether.
- The Barista Express has a sleek and durable construction. The lightweight plastic body is within a shell of stainless steel that adds both durability and elegance.
- Push-button and dial controls make it easy to program the Barista Express. Additionally, these controls are built to last the lifetime of the machine.
- Versatile brew options allow you to find the perfect settings for your espresso beverage. Choose the grind setting for your beans, as well as the temperature and volume of your water.
- An Italian-made 15 bar pressure pump will provide silky-smooth espresso shots each time. The beverages made with these shots will be worthy of any coffee shop!
- Easy to remove items, such as the drip tray, grounds bin, and coffee grinder, enable for quick and convenient cleaning.
- The innovative dry-puck design means that used coffee grounds are drained of virtually all water. This means you can throw the used pucks into any trash without causing a mess.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Due to the manual nature of the Breville Barista Express, there is a relatively little cleaning and maintenance required. A cleaning kit is included with the machine making it easy to perform all of the basic cleaning functions. Simply lift out the easy to remove the drip tray to rinse away any spills or residue. The used grounds drawer only needs to be emptied periodically and can be quick-rinsed to restore a shiny, new appearance. An automated warning light will advise you when to clean these items, so you don’t have to keep track.
Any spills or splashes on the housing are easily cleanable with a damp cloth. Just give the machine a quick wipe to return it to its normal luster and shine. An auto purge will give the interior of the system a thorough rinsing, removing any residue or build-up.
The one component that needs the most cleaning is the milk wand. Any milk residue not cleaned immediately will bake onto the wand because of the wand’s hot temperature. This will create a crusty residue that will become increasingly hard to remove over time. Therefore, always clean the wand with a damp cloth after every use. Additionally, blow some steam through the wand after each use. This ensures, that no milk remains in the wand that could sour and adversely affect future beverages.
All in One Brewing
When it comes to convenience, there is nothing better than an all in one brewing system. Even though the Barista Express is largely manual in nature, it is still an all in one system and that makes it comparable to super-automatics. This is because it contains every component needed for creating coffee shop quality espresso beverages.
The built-in grinder ensures fresh ground coffee each time. A large water reservoir ensures you can make numerous beverages without running dry. The 15-bar pressure pump will provide smooth, rich espresso shots for your drink.
Finally, the milk steam wand enables you to create that creamy, light foam for any latte or cappuccino. Thus, from the grinder to frother, the Barista Express has everything you need to make your favorite espresso drink. So put on an apron and start demonstrating your barista skills!
The Coffee
Good coffee is the sum of several variables. First and foremost, you have to start with quality coffee beans. These beans then need to be freshly ground to the perfect consistency. Next, you need fresh, piping hot water to brew the best espresso shot.
Finally, you need world-class milk foam for lattes, macchiatos, or cappuccinos. The Breville BES870XL Barista Express provides all of these variables with its top-quality components. A built-in conical burr grinder will provide the most evenly ground coffee possible. And with a full range of grind settings, you are sure to find the perfect consistency for your shots.
Additionally, the Barista Express keeps water at a constant 200°F. This allows you to create coffee shop quality shots every single time. Further customizable settings, such as volume and temperature control, allow you to adjust every aspect of your beverage. This means that you don’t have to settle for standardized beverage features.
A rotatable milk steam wand provides the finishing touch with world-class milk foam for any espresso or coffee beverage. Therefore, as long as you put quality beans into the bean hopper, you are guaranteed the best espresso beverage from this all in one machine. All in all, it’s even a professional espresso machine for a small coffee shop at the corner of the street.
Pros
- All in one brewing means all elements needed for making a coffee beverage are conveniently contained in one machine
- The boiler maintains water temperature at a piping hot 200°F
- All the tools are included for the proper cleaning and maintenance of the machine
- Versatile brew options, including temperature and water volume control, provide perfectly customized beverages
- The large capacity water reservoir provides enough shots and steamed milk for numerous beverages
- Unlike other models, the grinder in the Barista Express is removable, allowing for cleaning and maintenance
Cons
- This unit is less programmable than many all in one brew systems
- The steel burr grinder is not as high quality as the ceramic burr grinders in other models
- This machine can create more splash and mess than other machines
- Lacks auto cleaning programs
- Earn up to $200 cashback with a Beanz coffee subscription...
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty...
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr...
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually...
The Verdict
The Breville BES870XL Barista Express is the perfect machine for anyone who enjoys getting their hands dirty. Unlike most automated brewing systems, the Barista Express is fully manual. This allows you to have the full barista experience whenever you make your favorite coffee beverage.
Despite its manual nature, the Barista Express still offers a great range of versatility. Temperature, volume, and grind control enable you to customize each beverage you make. All in all, it is a wonderful balance of versatility and simplicity. An excellent choice for anyone who wants to bring out their inner barista!
