The Breville Barista Express BES870XL is pretty popular among home baristas, and there are good reasons for it. If you're trying to decide if it's worth the price, here's what we found about its performance and features:

Built-in Grinder

The built-in grinder is a big plus for the Breville Barista Express. It's super convenient to have it right there in the machine, saving you both counter space and hassle.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Grind Consistency and Adjustment: The grinder has various settings, but finding the perfect one might take some experimenting. Our research shows that changing the grind settings can noticeably impact the quality of your espresso shots. You might have to tweak things a bit depending on the type and freshness of the beans you’re using.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Regular upkeep is key to keeping both the grinder and the machine in top shape. The manufacturer includes a brush tool for cleaning, and it’s a good idea to run a cycle with cleaning tablets now and then.

• Cleaning Tips: According to our research, running a small amount of rice through the grinder can help get rid of stubborn residues. Keeping it clean will help maintain the grind quality.

Manual Dosing and Bean Management

While the machine can automatically dose the coffee, some people find they get better results by weighing the beans themselves. It can lead to more consistent dosing and grind quality.

Storing beans in an airtight container and only putting what you need in the hopper can also help keep your coffee fresh.

User Experience and Learning Curve

The Breville Barista Express is designed to be user-friendly, but there’s definitely a bit of a learning curve. According to our research, most people suggest going through the manual and watching some tutorial videos to get the hang of it.

Once you do, it’s pretty manageable and worth the effort.

Final Thoughts

So, is the Breville Barista Express BES870XL worth it? If you're serious about your home espresso, probably yes.

It offers convenience and quality with its built-in grinder, though it does require regular maintenance and a bit of patience. If you enjoy the process of making espresso and don't mind tinkering a bit, this machine could be a great fit for your kitchen.

The Breville Barista Express BES870XL is pretty great when it comes to espresso quality. From what we found, its 54mm portafilter, combined with the built-in grinder, churns out rich and flavorful espresso shots.

Sure, the 58mm portafilter is a bit smaller than the commercial 58mm, but it still gets the job done consistently for most folks at home. Just a heads up, this might be worth considering if you plan on getting extra accessories like filters or tamps.

The stainless steel conical burr grinder allows you to tweak the grind size to your liking, making sure each shot is well-balanced. Plus, the digital temperature control (PID) keeps the water at the perfect temperature for extracting all those great coffee flavors.

According to our research, people find it easy to use and love the customization options. Things like the steam wand for frothing milk and the adjustable settings for grind size and dose give you a lot of flexibility to make different coffee drinks.

And if you're into latte art, the steam wand can create that nice microfoam you need.

We also found that the machine's design helps with its performance and longevity. The stainless steel build not only looks sleek but also ensures that it's built to last.

So, in short, the Breville Barista Express BES870XL is well-regarded for its espresso quality. Whether you're just starting out or already know your way around a portafilter, this machine lets you make some really good coffee at home.

The Breville Barista Express BES870XL is designed to make high-quality espresso, but it does require some maintenance to keep things running smoothly.

From our research, people tend to find it pretty easy to use once you get used to the cleaning routines. Here's a breakdown of what you'll need to do and how easy it is to use:

Daily and Periodic Maintenance

• Cleaning: After each use, the machine has a self-cleaning feature that flushes water through its components. This helps maintain espresso quality but also means you'll need to empty the drip tray pretty often, usually after every 15-20 uses.

• Steam Wand: The steam wand can get blocked if you don't clean it right after using it, especially with whole milk. The machine includes a cleaning kit with a special needle to help you out with this.

• Descaling: Regular descaling is important to prevent mineral buildup from affecting the taste and efficiency of your espresso. Using the right water filter can also minimize how often you need to descale.

Ease of Use

Despite the maintenance, many find the Breville Barista Express easy to use and love the quality of the espresso it makes. Here's why:

• User-Friendly Interface: It has an easy-to-use control panel where you can choose your settings for grinding, brewing, and steaming.

• Built-in Grinder: The built-in conical burr grinder ensures you get freshly ground coffee for each brew, which really boosts the flavor.

• Customization: You can tweak the grind size and amount, as well as the extraction time. It might feel a bit complex at first, but with some practice, it gets simpler.

Key Takeaways

• Performance: From our research, folks are very happy with the performance. The espresso quality is often compared to what you'd get at a coffee shop.

• Learning Curve: There's a bit of a learning curve, but many find it worth the effort. Over time, the cleaning and maintenance routines become second nature.

• Considerations: If you want something with less upkeep, this might not be the best choice. But if you're serious about making great espresso at home and don't mind a bit of regular maintenance, the Breville Barista Express could be a fantastic option.

So, in short, the Breville Barista Express BES870XL does require some upkeep, but it pays off with excellent espresso quality and ease of use once you get the hang of it.