Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine, Stainless Steel on Food52

You can opt for semi-automatic operation, using the built-in shot clock to time your extraction. Or you can pre-program the single and double shot buttons to a volume of your choosing, making extraction as simple as pushing a button. The Duo Temp is a semi-auto espresso machine, which means you can’t pre-program shot volumes. Instead, you need to start the shot and pay attention so you can stop it when it’s done. As long as you have a 30 second or longer attention span, you’ll be A-OK. These functions eliminate training as an entry-barrier, and help add consistency to a shot pulling workflow for any home espresso user.

Listen, the espresso tamper that comes with the Barista Express is far from perfect. Earlier in this Breville Barista Express review I alluded to the quality of the 54 millimeter portafilter. The portafilter feels sturdy and well-made, and fits nicely in my hand. In other words, this looks like something that a pro barista would practice on before going to work and slinging shots for the masses. The Thermocoil heating system with PID temperature control delivers water at exactly 200°F for perfectly balanced flavours.

It’s a testament to Breville’s reputation and expertise that Nespresso trusts them as a partner (9). Dip your feet into the barista lifestyle with this affordable option from breville espresso maker Mr. Coffee. Another simple but gracious touch is that there’s a little numbered wheel atop the filter that you can set to the month so you know when it’s time to change.

So, if you end up with a lemon, the manufacturer will take care of any repairs or send you a new machine. I have to say that Breville hit a home run by adding a professional-style steam wand to the Barista Express. To top it all off, the manufacturer includes a stainless steel milk pitcher as part of the package.

It comes with drink pods, similar to a Keurig, and a milk frother, so all you have to do is put in the pod and hit a button for delicious drinks. This Nespresso machine provides smooth hot or cold milk froth for your coffee recipes in a few seconds with one touch. Not much compares breville espresso maker to a freshly brewed cup of coffee or, to be much more specific, a freshly brewed shot of espresso paired with steamed milk in the morning. For many of us, lattes and cappuccinos are reserved exclusively for coffee shops, but when the craving strikes that doesn’t have to be the case.

The good news is that there’s a button to switch between a single and a double, but you’ll still have to account for single-walled and double-walled baskets. This isn’t numerical, so you’ll have to dial it in on your own and keep it there, or remember which little notch in the scale fills the basket. Breville’s in a bit of a bind here, as basing it on weight would mean incorporating a couple of scales into the machine.

breville espresso maker

Because this guide is for beginners, we placed a premium on approachability and speed. I was less interested in whether I could pull an amazing, distinctive shot and more concerned with consistent extraction and intuitive ease of use. I tested all of the espresso machines with an understanding that whatever hiccups I encountered could be real sources of frustration for someone who is less experienced.

There’s loads of brushed stainless steel, fancy knobs and buttons, and an impressive-looking pressure gauge on the front. Full bodied coffee with rich and complex flavors is created using the ideal dose of 18g of freshly ground beans delivered by a professional style 54mm stainless steel portafilter. ✔️ Capsule machines use pods filled with pre-measured coffee to make espresso or other coffee drinks. If you foresee wanting to make this upgrade in your future, I’d advise buying a Breville espresso machine without a grinder to save money in the short term. But this advice only applies to those planning on getting very nerdy about espresso.