Breville Infuser Espresso Machine Review 

Top-of-the-Line Coffee Machine within the Budget

For a great coffee machine, you should look for consistency and control over the temperature in order to produce great-tasting coffee. With the Breville Infuser Espresso Machine, you can take advantage of these without sacrificing financially. Featuring pre-infusion, low-pressure, and PID temperature controller all built-in, you know that you will be getting a full-flavored and aromatic espresso in every sip. Let’s not forget to mention though, a faster turnaround time which means that your coffee is done almost instantly.

Overview

Being a trusted company in the coffee making industry, Breville makes some of the best coffee machines in the market today. Their Breville BES840XL Infuser Espresso Machine is a semi-automatic espresso machine that infuses the coffee grounds for a balanced flavor. It allows you to take control over the grinding of the coffee, choosing shot count and has enough power behind to allow you to create simple and complex latte arts. Word of warning though, perfecting latte arts is possible by practising consistently and getting some training.

The Breville Infuser Espresso Machine is a mid-range espresso machine that punches well above its weight. Due to its pre-infusion feature, the coffee grounds are gently expanded for an even extraction. All coffees we have made have had excellent and balanced flavors. This is because the infuser starts its operation at steady and low pressure and then it gradually raises to a higher pressure for better extraction. At 1700-watt power rating, expect a faster preheating time and high-pressure steam than most coffee machines out there. What does that mean? Well, it means faster and better coffee in your cup.

Key Specifications

• Pre-infusion technology expands coffee grounds for even extraction
• 15-bar Italian pump for best coffee extraction
• Thermocoil heating system to accurately control water pressure
• 30-second preheating time
• Sleep mode after 1 hour of inactivity
• Made of brushed stainless steel
• 1.8-liter water tank capacity
• 31.2 x 25.7 x 33.4 cm dimensions
• 22.95 pounds of weight
• 1650-watt power rating

Design

The Breville Infuser Espresso Machine’s exterior is made of pristine stainless steel and to be honest with you, not only it looks amazing, but it also looks very solid and sturdy. It is quite a bulky machine as a whole, measuring 12.3 x 10.1 x 13.1 inch (31.2 x 25.7 x 33.4 cm) and weighs 22.95 pounds (10.4 Kg). You might need to make some adjustments to your kitchen countertop or at least a rearrangement in order to fit this machine. There is no way around it, it is large. If stainless steel is not your thing, it also comes in 2 color options, Black Sesame and Cranberry Red.

The control panel is placed at the very front of the machine. It has several buttons, light indicators, and a pressure gauge. The 4 buttons are dedicated to power, program, 1 cup and 2 cups settings, while the light indicators are for the “Clean Me” and “Hot Water Steam” alerts. On the right side of the machine is where the Steam/Hot Water dial is. One thing we really liked about this Breville infuser Espresso Machine is its tamper station. It is a nice feature that the tamper is magnetically attached to the machine which makes it easy to store. Next to it, there is the 54-mm portafilter which is inserted to the machine’s brew head. The layout works really well and with a designated water spout for hot water, you can have other choices other than coffee such as hot chocolate, tea, and other herbal drinks. This is down to your creativity and adventurous nature.

Furthermore, the water tank on the back has a whopping 61-ounce water capacity. That should be more than enough for most people. Filling up the tank up to the max level can accommodate a lot of use without the need to refill it that often at all.

Because the unit is relatively large we were able to keep on top of the machine a warming tray where we kept all the cups before we use them. This is a nice touch as you always want the cup to have that warm feeling to the touch, especially in the morning.

At the bottom, there is a removable drip tray that has separate parts for wet and dry spills. We were surprised that behind the drip tray there is also a small storage tray, where we could put all the needed accessories and tools of the machine. One of those accessories is the frothier jug. Frothing milk is made easy with the steam wand’s 360-degree swivel action. This is great as you are not limited to a specific jug size and you have the option to use any jug size for frothing milk.

One thing that we felt a little disappointed with is the fact that the machine can only fit up to 4-inch cups. For anyone who likes to drink coffee not from a cup but from a tall or tallish mug, well, it might prove to be a challenge, as we discovered.

Features

Thermocoil Heating System

The Breville Infuser Espresso Machine has a built-in thermocoil heating system that comes with a stainless steel water coil. What this does is to minimize the water temperature fluctuation inside the coffee machine. This, paired with the help coming from the PID temperature controller ensures a stable and accurate temperature throughout the extraction process. What this means in layman’s terms is that you get a consistent temperature of coffee every single time.

Low-Pressure Pre-Infusion Technology

 

By applying low water pressure gradually, the machine gives time for the coffee grounds to expand before the actual infusion takes place. This process is called pre-infusion. It helps the machine in extracting the optimal flavor of the coffee. This is helped by the fact the machine has a short preheating time, around 30 seconds of heating and brewing which is amazing, which translate in not only a quick operation but also less time waiting for your coffee to be ready.  We really enjoyed this as it meant nobody in the team had to wait. There were times we would gather around for a chat and it was great to know that nobody had to wait for their coffee or drink as the Breville Infuser Espresso Machine is so fast.

Espresso Pressure Gauge

Having the pressure gauge placed at the center of the machine gives you real-time feedback of the coffee-making process and also helps in keeping an eye over the extraction process. When the red needle sits at the low-pressure end means that the pressure is insufficient and that the coffee machine needs to pressure in order to expand the grinds. This will result in the coffee running too fast and you will lack any crema and flavor. On the other hand, if the needle is at the high-pressure end means you have too much pressure, the grind it too fine and you will get a slow trickle of coffee, which will be a bit bitter in flavor, darker and with uneven crema on top. The size of the ground coffee affects its taste dramatically, so we highly recommend experimenting, sort of trial and error in order to find the perfect coffee blend that suits your palate. You might want to know that the perfect amount for a single shot of espresso is 7 grams and 14 grams for a double shot. Not that it matters that much as we all have different tastes, but worth mentioning it.

Operation

For first-time users, it is advisable to refer to the machine’s manual to learn the proper way to operate the Breville Infuser Espresso Machine. There you will find clear and specific instructions for the initial setup, general operation, and periodic maintenance. We also tried the Breville’s tutorial videos and we have to admit, they really help a lot in understanding everything a bit better. We found this really helpful as more often than not we jumped over the manual and go straight to playing with the machine. Having some videos to show us how exactly things are done put everyone at ease as there was no need to “free-style it”.

How to Make a Coffee

1. Fill up the bean hopper with coffee beans, then set the grind size by turning the dial. Also, using the timer setting, set the time for grinding the coffee beans, then push start the button.
2. Once done, take the portafilter out and tamp the coffee grounds using the tamper that is magnetically attached to the machine.
3. Insert the portafilter into the machine and lock it by turning the handle to the right.
4. Grab a mug or cup and place it under the portafilter, then press either the one cup or two cup button.
5. Get the milk container and fill it up with milk, then rotate the steam dial to the steam wand icon to start steaming the milk which usually takes 1 to 2 minutes. Then combine the coffee and milk.

Maintenance

Cleaning up a coffee/ espresso machine is usually the hardest part to stay on top of but it is essential if you want to keep it ticking nicely and producing quality coffee. The Breville Infuser Espresso Machine makes it easy by providing light indicators to alert you that it is time for cleaning the machine. How cool is that? Breville placed those light indicators somewhere where you could not miss it, in the control panel, right in front and easily seen. You no longer need to work out or keep track of how many times you have used it and when it is due for a deep clean. It is as simple as waiting for the lights to come on and just follow the simple steps below for cleaning the coffee machine.

Ways to Clean the Machine

6. Fill the water reservoir with water up to the MAX level, then empty the drip tray.
7. Insert the one cup filter basket into the portafilter, along with the rubber stopper and one cleaning tablet, and attach it to the machine.
8. Place a large container under the brew head, then press and hold the power button, one cup button, and two cup button all at the same time for 10 seconds.
9. Wait for 5 minutes to completely clean the machine. The machine creates an alert sound and stops running when the cleaning cycle is done.
10. Empty, wash and rinse the portafilter, container, and drip tray, then put it all back on the machine and it is ready for making coffee again.

Descaling using hot water and vinegar is fine, but the Breville Infuser Espresso Machine comes with its own descaling solution. The difference here is that unlike the cleaning instructions of the machine, descaling is a longer process. But that doesn’t mean it is any harder. Simply follow the instructions for descaling that Breville provides, it really is that simple. Knowing that your coffee machine is properly clean, is essential if you want to keep the taste and consistency of the coffee as limescale buildups can seriously affect those.

Steps for Descaling

• Start by removing the water and water filter into the water tank.
• Fill the water tank with 1 liter of water and 1 sachet of descaler, then mix it using a spoon.
• Insert the water tank back to the machine, place a large container under the brew head, and put the steam wand inside.
• Press the power button and two cup button at once to start the descaling process.
• The power light begins to blink which means that the machine is heating up and when it stops, push the one cup button to release the descaling solution through the brew head.
• Rotate the steam dial to the hot water icon to allow the descaling solution to run through the hot water spout for 10 to 15 seconds.
• Then rotate to steam wand icon for the solution to flow through the steam wand for about 20 to 30 seconds, then place the dial back to its standby mode.
• Repeat steps 4 and 5 until all descaling solution from the water tank has been used up.
• Remove, empty, and rinse the water container, water tank, and drip tray.
• Reinsert the water filter into the water tank, fill it up with water up to the MAX line, and place it back on the machine. Turn off the machine by pressing the power button.

Conclusion

Looking for a powerful, efficient yet affordable espresso machine in the market is quite a challenge. There are many options to choose from and they all come with great features, but more often than not they also have rather high price tags. This is where the Breville Infuser Espresso Machine stands out from the rest. It not only has an attractive price, but it is also a well-built machine and you get a lot of the power and control over your espresso. Texturizing your milk for a rich and delicious coffee is a joy and the process made really easy.

This cheaper semi-automatic machine is designed for beginners. With features such as pre-infusion low-pressure technology, you don’t need barista skills to produce the perfect blend of coffee. Just follow the steps for the general operation of the machine to get the optimal coffee extraction. And of course, a lot of patience and a little bit of creativity.

If you are looking for an integrated grinder within your espresso machine, that is something this machine can’t provide, maybe check out the De’Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine. You could, however, buy a grinder to come along with this coffee maker as the price for the coffee machine itself is quite attractive and would leave you plenty of room for it. How about that?

Wondering whether this is the right coffee machine for you? Why not check out our section of grinding coffee machines? If the process seems too complicated and you want something a little simpler and easier to operate, you should certainly consider Nespresso one-button coffee machines. Happy coffee making!

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