The Breville Barista Express BES870XL is a great espresso machine for anyone who wants to make barista-quality espresso at home without spending a fortune. It comes with everything you need to get started, including a built-in grinder and milk frother, and it’s easy to use, even for beginners.
In my Breville Barista Express BES870XL review, we’ll look at what this machine offers (based on my experience with our Breville) and how it can help you make the perfect espresso. I’ll also give you tips on getting the most out of your machine and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the Breville Barista Express BES870XL.
What is the Breville Barista Express espresso machine?
In a nutshell, the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine is a semi-automatic espresso machine designed for home use. The machine includes a built-in grinder to freshly grind your beans before brewing. It also has a milk frother to make cappuccinos and lattes. The machine has a 9-bar pump and a thermal block heating system. The machine comes with a one-year warranty.
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel, BES870XL, Large
Features
| Part Number | BES870XL |
| Model | BES870XL |
| Warranty | 1 Year Limited Product Warranty |
| Color | Brushed Stainless Steel |
| Size | Large |
| Language | English |
| Number Of Pages | 0 |
Features of the Breville Barista BES870XL Express espresso machine
Making a great cup of espresso at home doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment. In fact, with the Breville Barista Express BES870XL, you can get professional results without breaking the bank. This espresso machine comes loaded with features that make it easy to get a great cup of espresso, even if you’re a beginner.
One of the most notable features of the Breville Barista Express BES870XL is the built-in burr grinder. This means you can grind your beans right before brewing for the freshest possible cup of espresso. The Breville Barista Express BES870XL also has an automatic steam wand that makes it easy to froth your milk for a foamy latte or cappuccino.
Making great espresso at home can be simple and inexpensive. The Breville Barista Express BES870XL makes it easy to get professional results without the fuss.
Here are other features that make the Breville Barista Express BES870XL worth highlighting:
- The machine comes with a tamper to pack the grounds tightly for a rich espresso shot.
- It comes with an 18-22g precision puck to unlock professional performance at home.
- The frothing aid tip generates over 1,000,000 microfoam bubbles.
- It has a 9-bar extraction that creates enough pressure for perfect espresso extraction.
- The machine has a large water tank, so you can make multiple espresso drinks without having to refill it constantly.
- The machine has a cleaning brush and tablets, so you can keep it clean and in good working condition.
- The Breville Barista Express BES870XL has a 1-year warranty so you can be confident in its quality and performance.
However, the best feature of the Breville Barista Express BES870XL is the price. For under $600, this espresso machine delivers professional results, making it an excellent value for anyone looking to upgrade their coffee brewing setup.
Pros and cons shared by the customers who bought Breville Barista
Pros
- Quality of espresso and versatility: Its burr grinders efficiently grind coffee beans, allowing for a brewing process. It offers filters catering to beginners and experienced users, ensuring ease of use and room for experimentation. Customers have also praised the machine’s ability to produce high-quality coffees, such as cappuccinos and lattes, using coffee beans.
- Thermocoil heating system: One notable improvement in this machine compared to its predecessor, the 860 XL, is the thermocoil heating system. This system ensures water temperature regulation, enhancing the coffee extraction process with a pre-brew function.
- Value for money: Considered one of the top semi-automatic espresso machines in terms of value for money, it can generate enough pressure to steam milk and brew coffee effectively. This versatility makes it suitable for users ranging from novices to espresso enthusiasts.
Cons
- Learning curve and complexity: While the machine performs well overall, some users have mentioned a learning curve when initially using it. However, mastering its features becomes more manageable with some practice and familiarity.
- Maintenance needs: It requires diligent maintenance. It’s important to note that regular maintenance is crucial for the BES870XL’s performance. Neglecting routine cleaning can result in issues like a grinder; fortunately, replacement parts are readily available.
- Size and kitchen fit: When it comes to size and fit, the kitchen Barista is quite tall, which could be a concern for kitchens. Prospective buyers should double-check the dimensions to ensure it fits nicely in their kitchen space.
- Noise: This isn’t an issue for me, but some customers mentioned that the grinder sound is too loud, which I’m afraid I disagree with.
Installation and basic setup of the Breville espresso machine
The Breville BES870XL Barista Express is one of the best-selling espresso machines on the market for home use, and it’s perfect for both beginners and experienced baristas. In this section, I will explain how to install and set up your new machine so that you can start making fantastic espresso at home.
First, let’s take a look at what’s included in the box:
- The Breville BES870XL Barista Express espresso machine
- A tamper
- A stainless steel portafilter with two filters (single and double)
- A coffee scoop
- A water filter and holder
- A cleaning kit
Now that you know what’s included, let’s get started!
- Start by finding a good spot for your machine. It should be close to an outlet and on a stable surface.
- Remove all of the packaging from your machine. Be careful to keep all small parts.
- Place the drip tray on the machine.
- Fill the water tank with filtered water.
- Insert the water filter into the water tank.
- Place the water tank on the machine.
- Plug in your machine and turn it on.
- Place a cup under the espresso outlet.
- Lift the lever on the side of the machine and insert a coffee puck into the portafilter.
- Tamp the coffee puck down with the tamper.
- Close the lever and wait for the espresso to flow into your cup.
- Once the desired amount of espresso has been dispensed, remove the cup and enjoy!
How to clean the Breville BES870X espresso machine
Cleaning is an important part of owning and using the Breville BES870XL Espresso machine. There are several things that need to be done on a regular basis in order to keep the machine running smoothly and prevent any buildup of dirt or grime. Below is a list of cleaning tasks that should be performed regularly:
- Cleaning the drip tray and grinder: The drip tray and grinder should be cleaned at least once a week. Some recommend daily cleaning, but I think it’s too extreme for home use. To clean the drip tray, remove it from the machine and empty any collected water. The grinder can be cleaned by running a few cycles of fresh beans through it.
- Descaling the machine: Descaling is a process that should be done every few months or as needed (the machine will remind you) in order to remove any built-up calcium deposits from the internals of the machine. This is an important step in keeping the machine running efficiently and preventing damage to the heating elements.
- Cleaning the group head: The group head, or espresso filter, should be cleaned after every use. This is a simple process of rinsing it out with some warm water.
- Cleaning the steam wand: The steam wand should also be cleaned after every use. If you skip it once, I promise you, you will regret not cleaning it sooner. It will take way more effort and time to clean it later. You can do this by simply running water through it and then wiping it down with a clean cloth.
- Deep Cleaning: In addition to the cleaning tasks mentioned above, it is also a good idea to do a deep cleaning of the machine every month. This involves disassembling the various parts of the machine and cleaning them with a mild soap and water solution.
These simple cleaning schedules will help prolong the life of your Breville BES870XL espresso machine and keep it running like new.