Great set of tools that allows you to "play" at trying to get a better brew out of you Breville. Be aware of the following:1) using the dosing ring does not allow the portafilter to be inserted into the grinding cradle. I found an acceptable solution (for me) is to place the portafilter/dosing ring combination on the draining tray beneath grinder, then activate the grinding cycle by pushing the button behind the cradle manually. If you then lift the portafilter quickly to just below to cradle you will get no spillage of the ground coffee. Maybe a little finicky for most people but I found it acceptable.2) the bottomless portafilter is a little more "sensitive" than the Breville porafilter. Generally it requires slightly more coffee at a finer grind to achieve an ... MoreGreat set of tools that allows you to "play" at trying to get a better brew out of you Breville. Be aware of the following:1) using the dosing ring does not allow the portafilter to be inserted into the grinding cradle. I found an acceptable solution (for me) is to place the portafilter/dosing ring combination on the draining tray beneath grinder, then activate the grinding cycle by pushing the button behind the cradle manually. If you then lift the portafilter quickly to just below to cradle you will get no spillage of the ground coffee. Maybe a little finicky for most people but I found it acceptable.2) the bottomless portafilter is a little more "sensitive" than the Breville porafilter. Generally it requires slightly more coffee at a finer grind to achieve an acceptable extraction, but the tipping point between over and under extraction is very very fine. To me, trying to achieve that correct extraction consistently is fun, again this may not be for everyone.All components appear to made in China but are solid, well made and "weighty".Is this kit essential? - Probably notIs it very useful (aiding your coffee making experience)? - YesIs it great fun? - Oh yes, most definitely

A couple of teething problems at start but now love this machine

I purchased this machine primarily from reviews online and from friends who have had Breville coffee machines. We replaced a Saeco Magic which we had for 15years, which we loved for its simplicity, ease and function. So these were very important factors for us in deciding on our next machine. I was leaning towards another Italian brand but after reading so many reviews and watching youtube videos on Barista Express (the model our friends also owned), we settled on the Barista Pro, expecting it to be similar, just an updated model with a couple of new features. After having the unit now for a couple months, we can say we are very happy with the decision although there was certainly some teething issues in the beginning which almost had me wanting to return it. ... MoreI purchased this machine primarily from reviews online and from friends who have had Breville coffee machines. We replaced a Saeco Magic which we had for 15years, which we loved for its simplicity, ease and function. So these were very important factors for us in deciding on our next machine. I was leaning towards another Italian brand but after reading so many reviews and watching youtube videos on Barista Express (the model our friends also owned), we settled on the Barista Pro, expecting it to be similar, just an updated model with a couple of new features. After having the unit now for a couple months, we can say we are very happy with the decision although there was certainly some teething issues in the beginning which almost had me wanting to return it. Dialling in the coffee, was straight forward and after a few attempts, we got this to a taste level that suited our preferences. Frothing the milk proved to be far more trickier than I had expected. We are soy milk drinkers, specifically BonSoy, which is used in cafes everywhere. However i found it incredibly difficult to froth this milk without overheating /burning it with this unit. I watched youtube videos, called the Breville customer care line , which I must say gave me the most ridiculous answer. They said that 'non'dairy" milks are difficult to froth using this machine, to make sure the milk is very cold and even suggested to keep the frothing jug in the fridge as well, so that the milk didn't get to temperature before it could froth. Even with this advise it didn't work. The advice just didn't seem right, as baristas everywhere use this milk in more powerful machines. As i said, I did consider sending it back but persisted a few more days. After watching an excellent video by Kat Esclamado (on frothing non dairy milk using the Breville express) and using my non-Breville supplied frothing jug (perhaps its the metal it is made of?) I was able to produce perfect micro foam and achieve perfect milk temperature. Perhaps it was also getting used to a new machine / brand and the machine itself settling in, that made the difference. So I can say we are now friends with our Barista Pro and very happy with the quality and coffee it produces. A few things to note: the machine has an auto switch off function, which means to turns off after 20min, this actually doesn't heat the elements or the top of the unit where you keep cups, so the first coffee of the day requires you running hot water through the unit and in the cups to warm them up before extracting the coffee. Overall, it's an easy unit to use with all the functionality most people will ever need in a home coffee machine. I enjoy having the grinder as part of the unit as it saves space on our counter top. You get all the accessories you need and more. Its features stand strong against the similarly priced Italian brands.

Biggest Waste of Money I've ever come across

I have never written reviews at all in my life, but when a product has screwed me over this much, I feel like I must explain my frustrations. I have been with Breville for many, many years (10+ years). I have been through 3 of their espresso machines so far but this one has got to be the worst one. It hasn't worked properly since the date of my purchase. It would force me to clean and decalcify every 1-2 weeks, which never occurred on any of the other machines. After some use and being forced to clean and decalcify constantly, which would cost quite a bit with the often “maintenance” that this machine was asking for, I contacted support because it was clogged and wasn't pushing water through any means at all. It wouldn't properly pull shots, it wouldn't normally ... MoreI have never written reviews at all in my life, but when a product has screwed me over this much, I feel like I must explain my frustrations. I have been with Breville for many, many years (10+ years). I have been through 3 of their espresso machines so far but this one has got to be the worst one. It hasn't worked properly since the date of my purchase. It would force me to clean and decalcify every 1-2 weeks, which never occurred on any of the other machines. After some use and being forced to clean and decalcify constantly, which would cost quite a bit with the often “maintenance” that this machine was asking for, I contacted support because it was clogged and wasn't pushing water through any means at all. It wouldn't properly pull shots, it wouldn't normally shoot water out, and it wouldn't even give out any steam either. I shipped this Espresso Machine to Breville’s support because I had a warranty on it, but now I am feeling like they shipped me back a different machine. The one they sent back has many more scratches and residue that was not on my original machine, and a completely different feeling entirely. I know I really can’t prove that this exact machine isn’t mine, but I am more than certain it isn’t. Throughout the whole warranty, there were no inboxes, emails, or paperwork describing their job or what they did, they simply received my machine, and sent me back “the same one.” Even the machine they sent back, it’s still not working at all. It is simply not pushing any espresso through the handle, and I have tested with different beans, different grind sizes, different features, everything. Very-very disappointed with their ability to try to solve this issue, including their incompetence to document any information through the repair process. I would have given it 0 stars if it was possible. This company needs to be better, and people need to know that if this issue happens to them as well, you would be more than disappointed too!

Excellent coffe machine for the home barrista.

When my old coffee machine was beyond repair I went a little 'up market' and bought the Breville Pro. This is a great machine for the home and is ready to go within second of turning it on as it heats up very quickly. With the Breville Pro you can adjust the size of the coffee grind with the built in grinder, allowing you more control over your coffee. You can also increase or decrease the temperature of the water as well as customise the shots you are making, all of these features are easy to use through the menus. The steaming wand is excellent with 4 holes instead of the usual 1, allowing you to make the best lattes or cappuccinos at home.The Breville Pro tells you when to fill the water tank but it also tells you when the coffee machine need a 'flush cleaning' ... MoreWhen my old coffee machine was beyond repair I went a little 'up market' and bought the Breville Pro. This is a great machine for the home and is ready to go within second of turning it on as it heats up very quickly. With the Breville Pro you can adjust the size of the coffee grind with the built in grinder, allowing you more control over your coffee. You can also increase or decrease the temperature of the water as well as customise the shots you are making, all of these features are easy to use through the menus. The steaming wand is excellent with 4 holes instead of the usual 1, allowing you to make the best lattes or cappuccinos at home.The Breville Pro tells you when to fill the water tank but it also tells you when the coffee machine need a 'flush cleaning' and when to descale. this takes the guesswork out of this process.Getting the right espresso took a bit of practice but it has been worth the effort. The Breville web site has some excellent videos which I have watched and which have helped get the perfect brew.If I have one criticism it is that the steam wand turns off after about 20-30 seconds but it is also very quick to heat back up.

Good at-home espresso

The Breville BaristaPRO is good for the espresso connoisseur who wants the hands on experience of being a barista at home. This machine is not for one who wants a latte by the push of a button or without any effort. The grind settings are a challenge to perfect. After a few weeks of intermittent use, I am still experimenting with the settings, and I expect to always need to make adjustments. The flavor and consistency of the espresso likely varies on the beans of choice, and are on par with the professional grade equipment in coffee shops. If you have been a barista with a fully manual machine - this will feel small and lightweight. I insert/remove the portafilter with my right hand and hold the machine with my left, otherwise I push it all over the counter. The ... MoreThe Breville BaristaPRO is good for the espresso connoisseur who wants the hands on experience of being a barista at home. This machine is not for one who wants a latte by the push of a button or without any effort. The grind settings are a challenge to perfect. After a few weeks of intermittent use, I am still experimenting with the settings, and I expect to always need to make adjustments. The flavor and consistency of the espresso likely varies on the beans of choice, and are on par with the professional grade equipment in coffee shops. If you have been a barista with a fully manual machine - this will feel small and lightweight. I insert/remove the portafilter with my right hand and hold the machine with my left, otherwise I push it all over the counter. The knob for the steam setting is interesting, and the steam is not instant. And of course the machine does not get as hot. Cleaning is a little different than what I learned at work.Overall, a good buy. If between the Pro and non-Pro versions, I would try the non-Pro. I purchased this one only because of a promotion that sadly :( wasn't even recognized. The hassle of returning such a large item is the reason I will keep this one and not return for the non-Pro. My family and friends LOVE that I have this and can make them drinks anytime. I no longer am a barista by trade, but this machine takes me back and is fun to have.Hint: know where you are putting this thing before you bring it home. Find a cardboard box or something of similar dimensions and get a feel for the size on your counter.

Great beginner machine

Tldr More of a beginner machine and will best suit individuals who are learning or just getting into the home espresso game. More advanced users will still get probably the best bang for buck in the price range but may be frustrated by some of the more user-friendly design features aimed at more novice buyers. Pro's Machine has an elegant, aesthetically pleasing and sleek design. The features are intuitive and with a little bit of practice, you can pull surprisingly good shots. The grinder that comes with it feels good with almost identical quality grinding when compared to a Breville Smart Grinder pro. The water reservoir is big enough, comes with a water filter (which is awesome) and a carry handle if you need to transport it for refilling. Con's If you're a bit ... MoreTldr More of a beginner machine and will best suit individuals who are learning or just getting into the home espresso game. More advanced users will still get probably the best bang for buck in the price range but may be frustrated by some of the more user-friendly design features aimed at more novice buyers. Pro's Machine has an elegant, aesthetically pleasing and sleek design. The features are intuitive and with a little bit of practice, you can pull surprisingly good shots. The grinder that comes with it feels good with almost identical quality grinding when compared to a Breville Smart Grinder pro. The water reservoir is big enough, comes with a water filter (which is awesome) and a carry handle if you need to transport it for refilling. Con's If you're a bit more advanced with your coffee techniques, you might find some issues with upgrading certain parts. While the machine does operate at a 9-bar pressure, the group head and 54mm portafilter make it hard to find 3rd party accessories for under $100-150 per part. The grinder and portafilter holder are a neat match, but to dose correctly requires a bit of tinkering and the grinder gets messy. It is near impossible to remove the portafilter after a full dose has been ground without making a decent mess all over your machine. The steaming is great for new coffee people as it's slow, forgiving and gives you some time to adjust your wand to get the right effect and angle. More advanced users will find the steam time and pressure slow and weak. The tamper is horrendous. It is lightweight, cheap and the head is coarse and frequently disturbs the top of your puck as you remove the tamper from the portafilter. Upgrade immediately. Pro tip Machine has a tough time extracting lighter roasts. True medium/light roasts require a very fine grind which often causes the machine to choke your shot. If you still want to use a lighter roasted coffee, preheat your portafilter head with boiling water, grind finer than you would for a medium/dark roast, and aim for a 30-34 second drop time. Ensure the machine has the water temperature set to its highest setting too.

Great introduction to making espresso

We remodeled our kitchen and in the process made loads of countertop space. So my trusty aeropress that kept me caffeinated during lockdowns got relegated to the cupboard.Opened it up, put some Starbucks beans through the grinder and made the worst cup of espresso ever.Dialed it in, made the necessary adjustments to the grinder burrs, found better beans and I’m doing better.If you get this thinking you’ll save money not going to the coffee shop, it probably won’t happen. But it is a fun hobby. Kind of like golf where the goal is consistency with your swing (or in this case, with pulling your shot).I love that it holds a load of water, it heats up almost instantly and that the grinder is pretty good, but I hate that the tamper isn’t brilliant, that without a ... MoreWe remodeled our kitchen and in the process made loads of countertop space. So my trusty aeropress that kept me caffeinated during lockdowns got relegated to the cupboard.Opened it up, put some Starbucks beans through the grinder and made the worst cup of espresso ever.Dialed it in, made the necessary adjustments to the grinder burrs, found better beans and I’m doing better.If you get this thinking you’ll save money not going to the coffee shop, it probably won’t happen. But it is a fun hobby. Kind of like golf where the goal is consistency with your swing (or in this case, with pulling your shot).I love that it holds a load of water, it heats up almost instantly and that the grinder is pretty good, but I hate that the tamper isn’t brilliant, that without a dosing funnel or cup, it is way too easy to spill grinds and that the grinding time isn’t dosing by weight, but by how long it takes to grind.So to be accurate and not lose grinds everywhere, you need a scale, you also need a dosing funnel or cup, if your machine isn’t next to the bin, a knock box, a better tamper.That all said, I love it.

Outstanding expresso

We have had a Rancilio Silva expresso maker for years and I stuck with it despite multiple breaks in parts and the finickyness needed to make the coffee great — because I never found an alternative that could match its result. I also have a natural tendency to avoid preset times and processes. I knew I’d be facing a purchase soon after a series of repairs. My daughter with a fully automatic Jura was trying to convince me to go that way but to be honest, I didn’t feel that its coffee was as good as mine. I was considering a semiautomatic Italian machine. What convinced me on the Breville were reviews from coffee specialists, particularly an article that rated several semiautomatics against the Jura, one of which was the Breville pro, which came out best. Then the ... MoreWe have had a Rancilio Silva expresso maker for years and I stuck with it despite multiple breaks in parts and the finickyness needed to make the coffee great — because I never found an alternative that could match its result. I also have a natural tendency to avoid preset times and processes. I knew I’d be facing a purchase soon after a series of repairs. My daughter with a fully automatic Jura was trying to convince me to go that way but to be honest, I didn’t feel that its coffee was as good as mine. I was considering a semiautomatic Italian machine. What convinced me on the Breville were reviews from coffee specialists, particularly an article that rated several semiautomatics against the Jura, one of which was the Breville pro, which came out best. Then the Rancilio boiler quit and I called Enough! I didn’t want to wait forever, and I bought the Breville because I had other good Breville products and I could get it delivered in one day. OMG, have I ever been surprised. I have a great grinder and didn’t need one, but the grinding function is perfect and convenient. The machine is easy and fast to use, and I can produce a latte in minutes after turning it on. But the best thing is the expresso. It is perfect even on the default setting - intense, great crema, could match anything in the best coffee shops. Can’t believe it, but it way surpasses the Rancilio., and it keeps repeating its great results. I’ve never written a review this great on anything, but the Breville Pro is worth the time to broadcast.

Perfect Suitability

If your situation is like mine, you'll love this machine!! My experience started at a neighborhood coffee shop, which, for $6.50, makes terrific double cappuccinos. But I thought, how hard could it be for me to make something just as good at home? I took some time to learn a few basic principles about grind size, dosing, and milk frothing, with hopes that with enough practice I could make an equivalent drink with a relatively inexpensive, entry-level machine. But while it turned out that by using it I was able to make pretty good cappuccinos, they were still nowhere near as good as those from my coffee shop. It was not until I stepped up to this Barista Pro BES878 that I was able to prepare cappuccinos every bit as well-balanced and smooth as those from the shop. I ... MoreIf your situation is like mine, you'll love this machine!! My experience started at a neighborhood coffee shop, which, for $6.50, makes terrific double cappuccinos. But I thought, how hard could it be for me to make something just as good at home? I took some time to learn a few basic principles about grind size, dosing, and milk frothing, with hopes that with enough practice I could make an equivalent drink with a relatively inexpensive, entry-level machine. But while it turned out that by using it I was able to make pretty good cappuccinos, they were still nowhere near as good as those from my coffee shop. It was not until I stepped up to this Barista Pro BES878 that I was able to prepare cappuccinos every bit as well-balanced and smooth as those from the shop. I chose the BES878 over the Barista Express BES870 because it offers a digital display to make it easier to visualize the components of the drink preparation, and it also provides what I consider to be a better-designed steam wand, at least for a beginner. The end result for me has been the ability to create smooth, nicely-textured cappuccinos that bring out the flavors of the coffee just as well as those prepared at the shop! Some other pros: The BES878 does not take up too much counter space; it is easy to disassemble and clean; and it has very convenient grinder dose settings. I found only a few cons: Like most machines with this design, this Barista Pro should be cleaned after each use, which takes me a good ten minutes to do properly; the provided tamper and leveler are nice, but I find it easier to get consistent results with a pressure tamper and adjustable leveler. (I also like to use an inexpensive scale for weighing the doses and extractions.) While you do not need to be an expert to get the most out of this machine, it is helpful to know a few basic principles about coffee preparation to get the most value from it. In summary, I am delighted that I was able to get the results I wanted without paying more for a machine with additional capabilities that I do not need. I highly recommend this product!

Read this if you’re a beginner!

This was my first real coffee and espresso machine ever. I knew absolutely nothing about coffee. Before I got this, I thought coffee was supposed to taste horrible and that you needed to mask the taste with artificial creamers and sugars and syrups. Yeah not anymore. I know now more than ever that starbucks could never ever compare to what I could make at home. Both in price and in quality. This is now my favorite hobby. But about the machine: it’s not meant to be easy. When I first got it and tried dialing it in, I wasted a whole bag of specialty coffee. It’s not meant to be plug and play, and at this price point you won’t get anything that’s plug and play that would compare to something more manual (but not fully manual). The grinder is good, it’s not the best and ... MoreThis was my first real coffee and espresso machine ever. I knew absolutely nothing about coffee. Before I got this, I thought coffee was supposed to taste horrible and that you needed to mask the taste with artificial creamers and sugars and syrups. Yeah not anymore. I know now more than ever that starbucks could never ever compare to what I could make at home. Both in price and in quality. This is now my favorite hobby. But about the machine: it’s not meant to be easy. When I first got it and tried dialing it in, I wasted a whole bag of specialty coffee. It’s not meant to be plug and play, and at this price point you won’t get anything that’s plug and play that would compare to something more manual (but not fully manual). The grinder is good, it’s not the best and has some retention. It also leaves clumps, but nothing a little WDT can’t fix. The machine itself is amazing. 3sec heat up time, hot water almost instantly. The espresso it can brew can rival local coffee shops, but you’re kind of left to fill in the gap. The steaming power is amazing, not café level but it works phenomenally. Overall, this machine is amazing. I’d say this is for you if you want a challenge and are accepting of the ‘wasted’ money that comes along with it. Otherwise, I would go into the direction of the Breville Barista Express. Wait until the express is on sale though, i’ve seen it go for way cheaper than msrp before.