Breville BES860XL Barista Express Espresso Machine with Grinder

Here's my review for the the Breville Barista Express with built in burr grinder...LOVE this thing! Well, that's the 3 word review...but seriously, I've been using this machine for over a month now and here is the run down...It makes fabulous, and most importantly, consistent espresso every time I use it. Takes 45 seconds to warm up and then bam, you're all set for extracting cups of lavish espresso.The espresso shots, when properly extracted, come out with a proper, tri level finish, with the darkest portion on the bottom, follwed with a more mild middle "browner" layer, and then the caramel colored crema top layer. Awesome, thick and rich crema is achieved when using a bean such as Lavazza's Super Crema...The key, I feel, to a proper tasting espresso, and any coffee beverage is to obtain freshly roasted, and even importantly, freshly ground beans. The built in grinder works splendidly for this purpose and can make the grinds very find; Don't think you can buy a $100 grinder and get your grinds fine enough...it will likely be far too coarse, and hence, you'd have to pony up the cash for a good conical burr grind, which will likely set you back probably between $200.00 - $400.00 -- this, to me, is what makes this machine so appealing. The grinder doesn't feel cheap either, never had a jam, or any problem for that matter...just try not to use super oily beans.The design and build are pleasing for the price...the machine itself is heavy; this is not a flimsy, crap plastic coffee maker...it might not 100% constructed from steel (at least on the outside), and I did notice some plastic pieces here and there, but overall, this unit comes across as well built...I've had a few of my friends comment that "this is fanciest espresso maker I've ever seen" -- don't know about that, but I cannot fault the build quality.The overall process of making espresso isn't very complicated and hopefully, the undue fear of some overly complicated, long to learn training process, doesn't stop anyone from trying or using such a machine. The whole procees is actually quite simple once you've had a few attempts at it.Begin by using a single wall filter -- yes, there's double wall too, which make it a bit easier starting out, but you might as well learn to do it properly from the get go.Get your grinds to the proper fineness -- you don't want them too coarse -- I like the 11 - 12 setting. The key is not having the grinds too coarse, as then you cannot build the proper pressure for extraction and your coffee will be underextracted, i.e watery and nasty...yuk! Oh, and do make sure to read the manual for adjusting the grinder to a finer setting, as it should only be done when the grinder is already in operation, so as to not damage the grinding mechanism.Next, the grid amount -- this is controlled by a simple round dial -- Once you insert the Portafilter into the grind slot, you have two options here -- as you can do the one push press, so that the machine dispenses one load of ground coffee of the amount you've specified via the dial, or you can push/stop as you go...My advise (after trial & error) is to find the amount that is perfect for your desired extraction level, and use the one push and done method, rather than the start stop -- yes, this will take a bit of trial and error, but in the long term, will allow you to eliminate variations between one cup to the next.The only thing is, the ground coffee might build up a bit high on the one time push and leave method, and so spill over and result in wasted coffee. To counteract this, I usualy press the coffee down with my finger just to slightly compact it as it's being ground out; there's just enought space between the top of the portafilter and the where the grinds are dispensed, so you can stick your finger in there and push it slightly down -- this then allows you get all the ground coffe in the portafilter with little spill.Then the tamping -- for those that aren't familiar with the term, "tamping", this simply means pressing the coffee down wit the provided tamper (its a small steel pusher to press the coffee down) -- try not to tamp overly hard, but with about 20lbs of force -- try also not to tamp more than once as it can leave layers in the coffee that interfere with proper extraction. You want to ideally have a very small amount of room left on the top of the portafilter -- about 1/8th of an inch, (depending on your desired level of extraction, maybe a bit more or less)That's it basically -- once you've got those first few steps nailed down, the extraction itself is a push of button.Now frothing milk is a whole separte beast, which I won't go into detail here -- I will say that the unit comes with a ball bearing attached frothing wand, and it works very nicely if you know the proper technique for frothing milk...Again, after a bit of trial & error, I can achieve properly foamed milk in about 1-2 minutes of use. Nice, thick foam that doesn't disolve after a minute.Cleaning the machine is rather easy, although you do have to do it quite often -- we make about 2 - 3 cups of espresso daily, and you have to relace the water for the tank in about every two days. The bottom tray that collects water also needs to be emptied every couple of days when making about 2 - 3 cups per day. Cleaning cycle needs to be run once a month or so, depending on how many daily cups you're running.It comes with two cleaning tablets, and only 1 charcoal filter (which noted to last 2 - 3 months) -- you will need to buy more for future use.So there you have it -- a fine machine that does a beautiful job performing the task it was designed to do. Yes, this is an expensive machine, but when you factor in that it's a proper espresso maker, with solid build quality, and and has a built in burr grinder, the price is actually justifiable, and when cross shopping other quality espresso makers, quite fair & reasonable.I had just became fed up & sick of always drinking crappy, watered down coffee, that tasted like ass -- and I refused to pay $5 bucks for a shot of espresso or a proper cappuccino...I was always a bit scared/wary of the complications that went into brewing/making your own espresso -- however, after taking the plunge, I can now make myself coffee beverages that rival, equal, or even surpass those drinks made by your local Starbacks or Coffee Bean, and no, I am not exaggerating! They're that good!So get one and start your coffee renaissance today!

I purchased this espresso machine three years ago. It's clean and easy to use, the grinder is terrific, it makes great coffee. and does a great job steaming milk. However, the standby switch failed after three years of daily use, first no pressure at the brew head, shortly thereafter no steam either. Customer service was no help at all, all they had to offer was to send the machine to a U.S. service facility, $261 for repair. Breville says they offer neither parts nor repair instruction nor advice. As I live in Costa Rica, this was no solution at all. I found a third party supplier of parts, but the particular part I need was listed as "obsolete" and "unavailable." Bottom line: terrific design, lousy quality, lousy support.

I'm revising this review after another month, adding another star. The key to being happy with this machine is filling the portofilter to within an 1/8th of an inch from the top. Pressure is up, crema is nice, and the coffee is delicious. If the feeder on the grinder wasn't so feeble and it offered hot water as well as steam, I'd give it the full five No hot water is a missing feature on an espresso machine in this price range.... Now here's the original, more detailed review.As others have said, this machine is attractive. What really counts, though, is how well it makes coffee and how durable it is. I haven't had it long enough to address durability but having used it a couple of weeks now, I feel comfortable reviewing the coffee quality and general performance. I'm going to be especially critical given the $600 price tag, considering there are machines in the same family for as little as $50. So, feature best to worst:* Pressure is strong, provided by a pump, not steam (this is good). Pressure is this unit's most solid feature.* The reservoir is fine; I don't find myself adding water to it constantly and it is easy to remove, fill and replace when I do. I suspect the BES860XL could be plumbed to a tap by someone handy enough.* The catch tray is better than other models I've used in this price range, a bit bigger and easily cleaned with a nice and accurate indicator of when it is getting full.* The dry puck feature... this will not work unless you have the right amount of coffee in the portofilter. If you get a slurry instead of a puck, you need to add more coffee next time.* There are four portofilters provided, single and double shots, and single and double wall. (Double wall filters are 'idiot-proof' versions, although they don't use that term in the manual.) They are adequate and seem to be standard size although I haven't compared.* Tamper works fine. It is conveniently located but kind of hard to put back, like reaching under the dash of a car, you can't see and just have to feel around until it goes click. Also, the top is narrow to fit in it's magnetic slot. Given that you're supposed to put 20 lbs of pressure on it, it should have a wider, rounded top to distribute the pressure better across your palm instead of digging into it.* The pressure gauge is more helpful than I initially thought. While I wouldn't rely too heavily on it, it does give a good indication of whether or not your preparations were adequate as backed up by the quality of results.* The grinder is fine, but the feeder is barely adequate. It hasn't jammed, but "dries up" nearly every time its used and I have to push the beans down with my hand.* The group is solid and adequate but is for dual shots/demitasse only, a nothing is provided for a single but you can unscrew the split-channel thingy to get a single stream.* The steamer is inadequate: steam can be on or off, and that's it. There is no way to control the rate and it will not produce hot water for americanos. Steam and only steam and only at a preset pressure. There is a frothing attachment (read "tube") which is difficult to attach and clean. The steamer is the BES680XL's weakest feature, something that is standard for even the cheapest units, and not easy to supplement with another gadget.All in all, it's a fine, solid, attractive machine. I'm not sure I would by this for myself again, but I would feel comfortable recommending it to a friend that wants to make great tasting coffee, have optional push-button convenience, and needs an integrated grinder.