Why do Americans love the Breville Barista Express so much? I can tell you from experience that it helped me turn my small town kitchen into a European café.
FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
The Barista Express by Breville
Highlight: In just under a minute, the built in grinder quickly turns beans into espresso.
Helpful review: This espresso machine is a game changer, seriously something that I can’t get over having in my house! I’ve been using it multiple times a day for almost a year now, and every single day, the espresso it delivers is just the best of the best. It’s pretty easy to clean, straightforward with the instructions, and as long as I maintain it, it works beautifully.
Compared to other, cheaper machines, this one is so much easier to maintain and requires less cleaning. A little pro tip though! If you’re planning to get into the coffee game and you want to make real espresso at home, find a local roastery. I used to buy beans in bulk online, but local whole beans from a nearby roastery made a world of difference. The taste is just second to none. The beans you choose are super important if you want to enjoy your espresso!
A FEW MORE TIPS IF YOU’RE GETTING READY TO USE IT:
– Some folks in the reviews have said the grind amount knob doesn’t go low enough. I just set the cup size to single and that seemed to do the trick. It increases the grind amount by turning the knob to the right. This way, I get the perfect amount of ground coffee every time.
– If your machine is fluctuating on the pressure gauge, try cleaning the grinder before freaking out. Also, make sure to use those dissolvable tablets to clean the grouphead when the ‘clean me"’ light comes on!
– You can get affordable cleaning tablets online. I use cleaning tablets specifically for my machine, and they work like a charm!
– No need to get a separate tamper; the included one is just perfect.
– The included frothing cup is on the smaller side, but it works for me. Depending on what you’re planning to make, you might need a bigger one, though.
– Don’t underestimate the need for a burr grinder, seriously. Trying to make good espresso without one is like trying to hammer a nail with your pinky finger. You’re going to lose your mind.
MORE ABOUT WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT:
– For starters, the grinder. I know some people prefer a separate burr grinder, but this one works just fine and is easy to clean. I store my beans in a special container outside the hopper and use the included scoop to pour in the beans when grinding.
– The frother is fantastic—much better than those on cheaper machines.
– The ‘clean me’ light is a lifesaver. It always reminds me to keep up with maintenance, which prolongs the machine’s life.
– The stainless steel design is sleek and beautiful. Yeah, some parts are plastic but for the most part it’s seamless.
– The pressure gauge is invaluable for making great-tasting espresso. I wouldn't buy a machine without one.
– The included tamper is perfect.
– It creates perfect coffee pucks to easily dump in the trash.
– The hot water dispenser is so nice
– It's an all-in-one machine, so no need to buy a separate grinder.
– It just makes really good coffee. Did I mention I had some before I wrote this???
– The manual is full of useful information.
– It has an automated cleaning cycle for the insides of the grouphead, which is awesome!
– Includes a beautiful copper dosing tool.
– Comes with tools to clean out the filters.
A FEW THINGS I DON’T LIKE ABOUT IT:
– The top of the machine is plastic and so are the bottom sides.
– The water tank needs frequent refilling and is also made of thick plastic.
– The bottom water catcher needs to be emptied often, but it’s not too bad.
– The coffee grind separator doesn't seem to help much. But it does keep grounds out of the water below, which helps with the smell.
– It’s pricey, but for me, it was worth the investment given how much coffee I was buying from cafes.
– Finding affordable filters for the water tank can be a challenge. I just use filtered water instead of tap water.
– The lowest grind amount on the “double” setting is too much if you ask me. Quality control should have caught this! But it’s not a dealbreaker—see my workaround above.
ALL IN ALL:
I just love this thing. This machine is so great for making sweet frappes and iced drinks, too. For flavored drinks, I just pick my favorite syrup... and I even learned how to make my own syrup at home! It was a lot easier than I expected it to be. I just used different types of syrup. Throw in the espresso, two percent milk, and the syrup, and then you can add in the whipped cream and more syrup. It’s awesome to be able to make this home. Really can’t recommend it enough! — Camille Bryant
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