Breville bes870xl barista stainless steel espresso coffee machine with grinder

5 out of 5 stars

by Sep 23, 2016

Top favorable review

The best machine for the money

I am loving this machine. We use it 3-4 times per day and it is pretty easy to learn. Definitely different beans require perfecting the technique all over again. The fresher the beans the more I have trouble getting the grind just right I think because there is more oil in the beans. But it comes with dual wall baskets for the less masterful barista. I love the grinder and I love that all of the features of the machine, grind, amount, temperature, shot pull time, etc are all adjustable so you can make the machine make your ideal cup just the way you like it. This machine will pay for itself in a year or less as a result of decreasing visits to the coffee house. It makes espresso on par with my favorite local coffee shop, and waaaayy better than Starbucks. I have had no trouble with the machine and I've already made hundreds of shots with it.Read full review

Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New

3 out of 5 stars

by e_maxonMar 08, 2016

Top critical review

Several design flaws make this a no-go used or refurb (sans long warranty) unless you're handy.

I feel for the people who paid $600 for this machine. The design of the water inlet seal is inexcusably poor-- as it ages, the rubber shrinks and puckers, leaving a scalloped surface around the nose of the tank, which does not seal well at all. Failure to use a garter spring type seal in this critical spot is just plain dumb, or planned obsolescence. The water inlet seal is on indefinite back-order from the only USA supplier, Breville will NOT sell parts to an end user, and wants $250 flat-rate for service. The o-ring seals for steam connections also fail, but are readily available Silicone #007 size available all over the place. If you are willing to modify the machine to use an external water supply, replace some leaky o-rings, it's an excellent performer. Other thoughts: The grind amount setting is never accurate because unless the bean hopper is full, beans fail to find their way into the sides of the grinder without manual stirring. Not a big deal... The grinder can be operated momentarily by pushing in to turn on, in again to turn off. After fixing the seals, adding an external tank, I have no trouble pulling excellent shots in the mid-high range on the pressure gauge, (a VERY helpful touch to get your grind/tamp settings right.) Bottom line: I LOVE it as a ~$240 DIY project, (Includes the price of a huge Brita tank, plumbing fittings, tubing + replacement O-rings,) would be ANGRY if I paid $300-$600 for it.Read full review

Verified purchase: Yes

I've used a lot of coffee machines - this is really at the top of my list. Super easy to use, super fast, consistent, easy to class up.

Great engineering and finish. Makes the very best coffee ever. Love the convenience of the built in grinder. I use "fine grind", "max quantity", hard compacting of grinds in filter, brew 2- cups and hit twice for the taste and quantity for my large coffee cup. Pressure gauge is in the range or 10:00 - 12:00. Instead of adding additional hot water, I add an extra "single" drip - that's a total of 5 cups ( 2,2,1 buttons) for my single large coffee. Use the same loaded filter for all the drips. Then I heat and foam Almond non-sweetened milk , add a very small amount of organic Honey from a local farm. Wow!! Greatest cup of coffee - ever. Also - water is RO water that is frozen and defrosted prior to adding to machine- that lowers the impurities from TDS 22ppm from my RO water maker to TDS 12ppm! Thats twist as pure. Freezing water expels impurities from the ice crystals. Beans are Trader Joe's French Roast Dark Roast Strong and Rich 26 oz package. I've also ordered organic Columbian green beans and will roast in my home roaster to see difference in flavor.Read full review

Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned

Good unit for the price

I'm new to the espresso making so this is coming from a newbie. I think the machine coming with burr grinder is a great combo. I've used it now for probably 15-20 times or so and getting a hang of it. I think it's very simple and easy to use machine. Comes with everything you need to start making your own espresso, other than the beans, lol. I only tried Illy beans thus far, I'm more of a Americano guy and for that purpose this machine is perfect. My wife prefers latte/cappucino and that I think I still need to perfect, as the results for not been great. Part of the problem could be that she only wants decaf so that might have something to do with it as well. Steaming milk seems like a breeze, no issue with the process but I think getting the milk to the higher/better temperature is something to be desired here, but it could be my own inexperience with it, maybe I need some sort of thermometer. Speaking of temps, I like my coffee hot, so even using the hot water dispenser that's part of the machine still does not feel very hot to me. I tried to increase the temps using the Program function but so far I think I still would want it a bit hotter. Overall great purchase but I assume more expensive units could dial in the temps better. For my own use this is fine however.Read full review

Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New

Breville 870xl Espresso Machine Review

All the features you would want in an espresso machine. Convenient integrated burr grinder that is adjustable for grind size and volume. Need a cup of hot water?...no problem. The machine can automatically dispense that exact volume as well. Easy to clean and maintain. The owners manual is well written and thoroughly covers all aspects of operations and the many features that are user selectable. You can spend a lot more and not get much better until you approach the mega dollar Italian models.

Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New