The Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine is a good option for beginners who want to learn how to make espresso at home. Check out this post for more options.
While the Breville Barista Express is beginner-friendly, it’s important to note that making espresso at home still requires some learning and practice to achieve excellent results. Beginners will need to learn about coffee beans, grind settings, tamping, and other factors that affect the quality of espresso. However, this machine provides a solid platform to start your espresso-making journey and grow your skills over time.
Pros of the Barista Express Espresso Machine
- Built-in Grinder: The Barista Express comes with a conical burr grinder, which is a crucial component for making good espresso. Having a built-in grinder eliminates the need to purchase a separate grinder, making it more convenient for beginners.
- User-Friendly Controls: The machine features user-friendly controls and a clear LCD screen that guides you through the brewing process. This simplifies the espresso-making process and reduces the learning curve.
- Adjustable Settings: The Barista Express allows you to customize various settings such as grind size, grind amount, and espresso shot volume. This flexibility is helpful for beginners who want to experiment and fine-tune their coffee.
- Manual and Automatic Modes: It offers both manual and automatic modes, so beginners can start with the automatic settings and gradually transition to manual control as they gain more experience.
- Steam Wand: The steam wand is a valuable feature for frothing milk for espresso-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
- Durable Build: Breville produces durable and reliable kitchen appliances, which is essential for long-term use, especially for beginners who may not want to replace their machine shortly after purchase.
And the Cons…
While the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine is generally well-regarded, it does have some drawbacks and limitations that you should consider before making a purchase. Here are some of the cons associated with this machine:
- Price: The Breville Barista Express is not a budget-friendly espresso machine. It falls into the mid to high-end price range, which might not be suitable for everyone’s budget.
- Size and Weight: This machine is relatively large and heavy compared to some other home espresso machines. It may take up a significant amount of counter space, and its weight can make it less portable if you want to move it around.
- Learning Curve: It may take some time for beginners to master the art of making great espresso and steaming milk.
- Noisy Grinder: The built-in grinder, while convenient, can be noisy. This could be a concern if you live in a shared space or have noise-sensitive family members or neighbors.
- Limited Steam Wand Reach: Frothing milk in larger pitchers or containers is challenging due to the steam wand’s limited reach.
- Maintenance: Like any espresso machine, the Barista Express requires regular cleaning and maintenance. Failing to do so can lead to performance issues, and some users may find this maintenance process a bit cumbersome.
- Plastic Components: There are plastic parts that may not be as robust as metal components found in more expensive machines. Over time, these plastic parts could wear down.
- Water Tank Size: The water tank on the Barista Express is not the largest. If you plan to make multiple espresso shots or drinks in a row, you may need to refill it frequently.
- No Dual Boiler: The Barista Express uses a single boiler system for both brewing espresso and steaming milk. You can’t simultaneously brew espresso and steam milk, which can slow down the process if you’re making multiple drinks.
Overall, the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine offers a good balance of features and quality for its price point, but it’s essential to weigh the drawbacks against its benefits to determine if it’s the right fit for you. If you purchased this espresso machine, let me know what you think in the comments.
