Original price was: KWD89.900.KWD29.900Current price is: KWD29.900.
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- 6 months warranty provided by genuine warranty center
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Product Details
- Power: 1680W
- Capacity: 2 L
- Coffee bean capacity: 280g
- Bar pressure: 15
- Brushed stainless steel
- Grinder settings: 1-30 settings
- Can make two cups at a time
- LCD display with grinding and extracting progress animations.
- Faster heat up time
- Adjustable grind size and dose.
- Digital temperature control
- Micro foam milk texturing
- Included Accessories: 54mm Portafilter Single & Dual Wall (1 & 2 Cup) Filter Baskets Integrated Tamper The Razor™ Precision Dose Trimming Tool 480ml Stainless Steel Milk Jug Cleaning Kit Water Filter
Product Specifications
Information on Sage Barista Pro 1680W 2L Coffee Maker (SES878BSS)
| Article Number | 534651 |
| Model Number | SES878BSS |
| Brand | Brevill |
| Product Type | Coffee Maker |
| Pressure (Bar) | 15 |
| Auto Shut Off | Yes |
| Brew Strength Control | Yes |
| Capacity Litres / Kilograms | 2 Litre |
| Integrated Grinder | Yes |
| 360 Rotational Base | Yes |
| Variable Temperature | Yes |
| Water Level Indicator | Yes |
The Barista Pro
Barista-quality performance with a new intuitive interface that provides all the information you need to create third wave specialty coffee at home. The built-in grinder delivers the right amount of ground coffee on demand, for full flavour. With a 3 second heat up time and precise espresso extraction, you go from bean to cup, faster than ever before.
Intuitive Interface
LCD display with grinding and extracting progress animations. The screen provides you all the precise information you need to make coffee exactly the way you like it, every time.
Faster Heat up Time
Innovative ThermoJet heating system achieves the optimum extraction temperature in 3 seconds with instantaneous transition from espresso to steam. Ready to make your best coffee without the wait.
Integrated Conical Burr Grinder
With a single touch, the integrated conical burr grinder with dose control delivers the right amount of coffee on demand, for maximum flavour. Adjustable grind size and dose.
Microfoam Milk Texturing
The powerful steam wand performs at the level that allows you to hand texture micro-foam milk that enhances flavour and enables creation of latté art.
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| Color: | Black Truffle, Brushed Stainless Steel, Damson Blue |
|---|
If you enjoy controlling the coffee-making process, this is a great option. The machine offers a lot of versatility and precision.
However, I have a few concerns:
1.The tamper it seems defective and doesn’t feel as sturdy as it should. I would like to change it! how to do that?
2.The milk jug doesn’t have the Breville logo, which makes it feel like an unbranded or mismatched piece. It’s a bit odd, especially considering the brand’s reputation for quality.
Overall, despite these minor issues, the machine performs well, and I’m happy with it!
Tengo otras cafeteras profesionales de uno y dos grupos a las qué esta Barista express no le pide nada, sobre todo por el precio.
Para empezar hace una muy buena molienda, ajustable por supuesto, y la extracción es rápida y muy eficiente.
En espresso esta listo en 45 segundos desde la molienda. Es fácil de usar, limpiar y dar mantenimiento.
Yo la uso principalmente para espresso ya qué la parte del espumador debo decir que si es bastante lenta.
En conclusión la recomiendo ampliamente y si vas a hacer capuchino, te recomiendo un espumador aparte.
At a sale price of $550, the Barista Express represents a reasonable investment for those looking to elevate their coffee game. Compared to many other semi-automatic machines on the market, this Breville model provides an exceptional value.
Aesthetically, the Barista Express is a real winner. Its sleek, stainless steel design seamlessly fits into any kitchen, blending in beautifully with surrounding appliances. The compact footprint also makes it easy to find a home on the countertop without dominating the space.
But the true star of this machine is its functionality. As other reviewers have noted, the ability to grind beans directly into the portafilter and then pull espresso shots is remarkably convenient and fun to experiment with. The grind size adjustment allows you to fine-tune the extraction to your personal preferences, providing a level of customization that is rare at this price point.
Possibly the most impressive aspect of the Barista Express, however, is its durability. I have been using this machine 4-5 times per week for the past 12 months, and it has held up remarkably well. There have been no issues or malfunctions, instilling a strong sense of confidence that this was a worthwhile investment.
Overall, the Breville Barista Express is an excellent choice for espresso beginners looking to take their coffee game to the next level. With its appealing design, intuitive features, and proven reliability, this machine is well worth the $550 price tag. Highly recommended for those seeking a gateway into the world of home espresso making.
Cons: At first the grinder made a small clicking sound and got stuck. But then I realized it was because my coffee beans were too old and dry. After getting better beans the issue went away. For a true coffee snob, you might want to invest in a very high end grinder ($500 or more). In that case you’ll end up with two grinders one built in and one external. However, for the vast majority of people the built in grinder is good enough. Keep in mind having the grinder and espresso machine as one unit means there’s a little more risk of something breaking down the line, but it’s convenient and looks nice having everything in just one unit.
A few tips:
1. make sure to pack enough grinds in the portafilter to get a good shot.
2. A bunch of reviews complain about the steam auto clean making a big mess. This is super easy to resolve. Just put the wand in the stainless steel cup before lowering it for cleaning. Then it sprays into the cup not all over the place. Seems like a no brainer. Because of the force or the cleaning, there’s no way it could be clean without containing the wand in a cup.
The auto purge feature of the frother is a big plus.
It's a good chunk of money, but sooooo worth it!
Some of the things we like:
1. It is fast! Total time to brew a cup
Is about 30 seconds including the time for it to heat up. You can grind your beans, brew your coffee, froth your milk, dump out the grinds and clean the frother in under 2 minutes even if you’re still half asleep.
2. There is a ton of flexibility on the drinks it can make and how it makes them. Different sizes, strengths and how much froth it puts in your milk. It does take some time to try everything and figure out what you like best but once you do, it consistently makes the drink just how you like it.
3. We waited to buy this because we thought there would be a lot to clean. But cleaning is not an issue. Only takes a few seconds to do it. Just wipe down the frother and machine. Rinse out the porta filter and milk cup. We throw them in the dishwasher at some point during the day.
There really are no complaints about this machine. Yes it is a little pricey but it does onsale for 25% pretty regularly so just wait for the sale like we did you will not be disappointed.
Despite that frustration, I really like this machine. Pretty simple to use, makes a great latte even with a less-than-optimal extraction. Fits under my kitchen cabinets, though it has to be pulled out in front to refill the hopper or tank, but it’s fairly compact. Order a knock-box right away; you’ll need it. I like the Breville mini knock box. An old video on YouTube recommends an aftermarket dosing funnel but my machine came with one included. Noise level isn’t too bad; louder than a KitchenAid grinder but not as bad as others. Cleanup isn’t too bad, either.
I wanted something that I could froth the milk myself since I like white chocolate mocha and the powder mixes in the best with the steam wand.
It was also very important to me that I could set the temperature as I like my coffee really hot.
I wanted something that made customizable coffee but also looked good on my counter. This is it! I now make coffee every morning, it’s delicious, I absolutely will save money in the long run and I don’t have to leave my dogs to go to the coffee shop. IF YOU HAVE THIS IN YOUR CART BUY IT, you won’t regret it.
Pro Tip: DON’T buy cheap coffee with your nice new machine. I love Stumptown coffee from Portland so I got that and it’s delicious. Get nice coffee ! Enjoy
BEWARE: This machine is semi-automatic! It is easier to use than a manual machine. With that being said, there are still several manual stages that you have to know what you are doing.
PROs:
- Eliminates going to the coffee shop as it provides the same, or even better, level of quality.
- Color touch screen with saved configurations makes it super easy to use.
- Makes different types of real coffee and allows you to save customized configurations.
- Comes with self cleaning for the brewer, milk frothing and water descaling.Life saver!
- You will be notified when the tray is filled up or water level in the tank is low.
CONs:
- Expensive if you are not planning to use it that often.
- Hard to get technical support and customer service is not that responsive.
- The water could be hotter. Preheating your mug in advance might be a solution to this.
- The self cleaning of milk frothing is not well designed which makes a mess everytime.
- No way to update the firmware yourself.
Its a great machine overall. It has allowed my wife and me to save money by not having to go to Starbucks and other coffee shops!
- EDIT: 2022/03/01: Recently noticed a nasty smell coming from the steam wand arm after removing the steam wand tip. Turns out, if you don't remove the steam wand tip after each use, some milk remains between the connection point of the tip and the inside of the arm, which grows nasty stuff. I now remove and clean the steam wand tip and flush the wand after each use... :(
- Water tank grows things. I anticipated this, and am sure the manual must recommend frequent cleanings, but if you're waiting for the fancy digital touchscreen to remind you, you'll be sorely mistaken. I might have to throw out water more frequently and scrub it down (weekly?), but that's way too high maintenance for a parent with a toddler.
- The waste water/grounds container is made of plastic and shows wear and tear very fast (weeks) on a $1000 machine. Unfortunately, this is a high touch area as one is always sliding the milk frothing cup and mugs in and out.
- The auto-clean feature on the steam milk wand is annoying. Auto-cleaning by pouring milk and water to the water catch bin is a recipe for some nasty smelling stuff, unless you're constantly cleaning it. Or, you use something to catch the rinse water and pour it out. I'd rather just manually clean it myself, but I can't find a way to disable this feature.
Likes:
- Espresso and lattes are yummy.
I bought this machine because over the years I've purchased coffee makers, moka pots, etc., trying to up my coffee game but never quite getting the same result as those coffee house drinks. The closest I've come so far is the moka pot, but it's still not quite there yet. Granted, those coffee houses have espresso machines that cost thousands of dollars. Hey! I like coffee as much as anyone, but not THAT much. I refuse to pay that amount, even if I have the means. It's not how much you make. It's how much you keep. Right? Anyway, I chose the Breville Barista Express because 1) I love their products and they've been reliable for me over the years. And 2) this model has enough power and features at a reasonable price for someone who is no expert. I bought this model for $599.99 + tax on a Black Friday sale (not a huge one, but still) because it's the only amount I could stomach to pay for a machine like this. Plus it was my Christmas gift to me. I have to say that it's been totally worth it! I suspect even those who are anal about their coffee would love this machine as well.
My first cappuccino on this thing was not great. In fact, it was horrid! It may have had something to do with the fact that I dislike reading instructions and barely made it through the quick startup guide. When will I ever learn? But I have the patience of a five year old on Christmas morning. I couldn't wait to get to it. So, after that first disappointing cup I watched a few videos on YouTube. Fine. More than a few. And I finally thumbed through the manual. The videos were more helpful when it came to creating the best cup. All the tips were valuable. And gradually I saw improvement until I got to what seemed like a good cappuccino. So far so good. But still not quite there yet. So I followed another tip and got better coffee beans. Oh dear! Now comes more tweaking. Because when you change to another bean the entire process starts over. Until finally, the cup I wanted and craved. Wow! What a difference.
I'm improving with each cup and small tweak. The grind, the amount, the tamp pressure, the amount of milk (or almond milk or oat milk), the amount of sugar, cinnamon or no cinnamon, etc. I had no idea how much actually went into a good cup of coffee. But I'm appreciating it more and more. And I'm getting spoiled. So much so that my other coffee machines (standard, Keurig, moka pot) are all taking a back seat and getting less use. Like none, lately. The other thing I appreciate more is the local barista in those coffee houses. I may not frequent them as much in the future. But I don't think I'll ever complain about the price again. I will gladly tip the barista. And I will simply enjoy the fruits of their labor.
KEY POINTS: The learning curve is real. Have patience. The end result is worth the effort and the cost of this machine. The absolute best tip I can give you is to wait the full 15-20 minutes it takes for all the elements of your machine to heat up before making your cup. It makes a huge difference if the coffee beans and portafilter are warm, but especially the water. Duh! The other tips are to read the manual and watch video tips from Breville and legit baristas. It all helps. Education is always good.
This espresso machine is a great buy for both the novice and the more experienced barista. It will pay for itself in the long run.
Now I'll go make myself a cappuccino. Happy 2022! #PeaceOnEarth #ItsTheLittleThings #Enjoy
Personally, I feel a little scale is necessary to do the 1:2 ratio. For example, for a double shot I do 18 g in - 36 g out. For a single shot I do 14 g in - 28 g out. Currently, I am practicing on ground Bustelo espresso. I still have not found a fresh bean that I like.
It takes some time to play with all the settings. You probably will waste at least 2 bags of coffee. But once you do—-my goodness! What a delicious cup of espresso.
My all time favorite feature of the Barista Touch is the milk steamer. Specifically, the temperature sensor. Bye bye burnt milk!!
My only complaint about the machine is when the steam wand automatically purges, milk gets everywhere. It is a quick fix, but still would have preferred not such a splotchy purge.
I have not had the temperature issues other reviewers have had - this heats up in seconds and makes an amazing cup.
We vacillated between many brands and options but ultimately we narrowed our choice down to machines by Breville because they provided the most versatility and ease of use. We specifically chose the Breville Barista Express due to it's smaller design
I'm going to preface this review by saying an espresso machine is one of those things that you have to do the math on to decide if it's a worthy purchase for your home, between my partner and I we typically each have two lattes a day. If we were going to Starbucks that would be $3.65 each drink...if you add that up it's $14.60 a day *muffled scream into pillow* and that's before the tempting pastries and breakfast items. Needless to say, we were prime candidates for cutting out the daily Starbucks trip and just making our own drinks.
The espresso machine is something we spent weeks discussing and researching and we finally made the decision to go with the Breville machine.
FEATURES
This unit features a grinder, multiple portafilter cups, and a milk steamer/frother wand built into the machine. The grinder has adjustments for grinding your beans to a beautiful fine powder that helps with the pressurization process needed to make espressos rich and full of crema. The grinder is a burr type that is easy to clean and easy to understand, you simply select a grind amount between fine and course and go.
The espresso functions are simple, you have two options single shot or double shot, there's a button for each corresponding type. The unit heats up quickly and provides piping hot water within 30 seconds, enough time for you to pour your milk of choice in the stainless steel milk frothing pitcher. From this point you simply turn a dial on the side of the unit to the steam function inserter your steam wand and try to stimulate the milk into a gentle whirlpool motion, this process takes less than 2 minutes depending on how hot your like to steam your milk. This milk frothing process becomes second nature after the first couple of tries. I'm happy to share that almond milk frothed beautifully. The texture and microfoam with almond milk were both perfect and delicious tasting, traditional whole milk or 2% milk works fine as well.
EASE OF USE
My partner previously worked as a barista and knew general techniques, I on the other hand had no idea how to use the machine out of the box, the included manual is both detailed and straight to the point...even if you're a complete novice you'll still be making lattes and other popular drinks in no time.
最令人生畏的部分是牛奶起泡过程，但它始终如一、可预测，一旦你尝试一两次就非常简单。
味道
这台机器制作的意式浓缩咖啡可与我在星巴克喝到的媲美，事实上，当我们制作第一杯饮料时，我们很高兴看到它比我们以前在星巴克喝到的口味更加浓郁和干净。一旦你制作了自己的拿铁，就很难再喝其他任何东西了。
我们在购买机器的同时还在亚马逊上购买了无糖糖浆，只需不到 40 美元，我们就能得到各种不同的糖浆，让这些咖啡饮料更上一层楼。
清洁
清洁很简单，底部滴水盘像抽屉一样伸出来，只需将多余的水倒出，然后用肥皂和水清洗即可。蒸汽棒可以用超细纤维布和从机器中流出的水清洁。早上喝完饮料后，清理工作真的只需要不到 3 分钟。
最后的想法
我通常不喜欢在这样的电器上挥霍，我的伴侣真的很想要这个，并说服我这是一笔明智的购买。我很高兴他这么做了，因为它在我们家里非常有用，每天都在用，没有让我们失望。如果你经常喝拿铁、卡布奇诺或冰咖啡，这就是你必须购买的那些生活质量产品之一。除了水、牛奶和咖啡，Breville 提供了你需要的一切！
I have 5 years of barista experience and have worked with Nuova Simonelli and Rancilio machines and I love this machine. I've never had any issue with it at all. I was worried because my tap water is VERY hard. I was afraid that the insides would seize up after a while due to build up but nope. I'll also add that I'm kinda lazy. I don't descale it nearly as much as I should. I think I've only descaled it 5 times in the 3 years I've had it.
I think what a lot of people struggle with is getting the settings right. Even if you've worked with espresso machines before, each one is a bit different and each type of bean is different. It took a bit of experimenting before I got the grinding coarseness, grind amount, and tamping pressure right; but once I did, it's so easy. So be patient, try different things and see what works for you.
I love the power of the steam wand. You're actually able to get good microfoam. It takes longer than commercial machines but that shouldn't really be a surprise. It comes out hot, luscious, and creamy.
Is this the best home espresso machine ever? Probably not. But unless you're a huge coffee snob and have tons of money to throw around, it's unbeatable at this price range.
Some tips:
>Don't use the auto grind dispensing setting. Not because it's inaccurate but because it will get messy as the heap of grinds tumbles down and over the edges of your portafilter.
--> What I do is I set the auto dispense to a single shot with the amount only at about 1/3 of the way turned up. I auto dispense that base amount, take out the portafilter, gently tamp down the grinds a bit, then manual dispense grinds to my desired amount. This prevents a world of mess. What's the desired amount? That's up to what you're making and with what size filter you have on your portafilter. Single, double?
--> As a general rule of thumb, on my final, full pressure tamp, I make sure the grinds are about 5mm down from the top.
>How much grind you put in and how hard you tamped it will affect the pressure reached while infusing!!
--> if your machine is not getting to "espresso range" pressures then don't assume it's broken! You might just not have put enough grinds in or tamped to the appropriate level. Getting it right may take some time.
--> When you remove the portafilter after infusing, the "puck" of espresso grinds should come away in the portafilter and be easily disposed by tapping it (with a bit of force) on the edge of whatever grind receptacle you're using. If you get sludge when you remove, you did not put enough grinds in/tamp with enough pressure.
--> If you're still struggling to get a good infusion, play with the grind coarseness setting. It's different for different beans!
>RINSE after each use! Start up a single shot without a portafilter under for a few seconds then turn it off again. Having old grinds stuck on there is gross and affects the taste of your next espresso.
--> Rinse out the milk steaming wand after use! Have a wet tea towel ready before you steam milk! Once you're done steaming IMMEDIATELY wipe down the wand (watch your hand! It's hot!) Otherwise, the milk will cook onto the wand and form a hard crust. Rinse the inside by turning it on while pointed at the tray for several seconds.
>If you turn on the steam wand and it's not starting, don't panic. Be patient. Sometimes it takes a little bit longer to get going.
--> If it's really not turning on, turn it off, then check the hole. It may be blocked up with the aforementioned cooked and crusted milk. They provide you with a handy tool to clear it!
That's all for now. If I encounter any issues in the future, I will update this review to include details.
The grinder on this machine is by far the best coffee grinder on the market. Everything is extremely easy to use from start to finish. I love how the barista touch has its own water filter to boot. The frothing wand is also mind blowing. You can use regular milk, but milk or oat milk and you still get the same amazing frothing no matter what kind you use. You can also program you own recipes which once you start to use it you will understand how easy it is.
Don’t pay the extra money for the oracle! The Barista Touch is all you need!
The accessories you get with it are great as well, you get the porta-filter holder (duh), 4 baskets (single and double serve with single walls and the same in double-wall setup), precision dosage razor, frothing pitcher and the cleaning kit. Really don't need much more than this, so if you're looking for a serious espresso machine with all included, this one is it. And the 1,500+ reviews and average over 4.5 stars just proves that.
I debated going with this one or something cheaper. I recently used to have a DeLonghi EC155. That thing started at 4.0 stars or higher, but now I see it lower, I understand why. For a first try of "espresso" coffee, it was okay. I put it in quotation marks, because it was more like a really strong coffee, didn't quite come across as espresso. Maybe I did it wrong. But anyway, I am not reviewing that machine here.
With this machine, there is one thing you need to realize (and a video review of Breville, or rather "Sage" as this brand is known in Europe) is this - with this machine, you're not only getting into serious coffee, you're probably getting into a hobby as well, or a new activity. If you are looking for a simple serve machine that prepares a great coffee with one push of a button, look elsewhere, like the Nespresso machines.
But, if you are looking for something that is a little more involved, gives you the desired control, allows you to experiment and pulls you into the world of coffee, this is it. There is a reason why you pay $2-2.50 for just an espresso at a coffee shop. It takes work, it takes skill and it takes time. Once you start pulling your own great (or good for me, I'm not at the "great" level quite yet) coffee, the sense of accomplishment along with a great drink at home feels nice.
I think it retails at around $560 right now. I put it on my wish list in August 2017 I believe and kept watching the price. Then I noticed it dropped below $500 for like a day and half and I ended up getting this machine for $460. I still would probably purchase it for $560, but man, what a deal.
Don't forget that cheap/stale beans just won't do. I mean, if you got a car for a race track, you probably wouldn't pour in regular 87 gas, no, you'd go with the premium high-octane stuff. Similar with this - you got an awesome, professional-like machine, then feed it quality beans. I mean, you can try to go cheaper, but if you get very oily and stale beans, the coffee will taste burnt and you'll end up spending more time cleaning the thing.
Pros:
1) Sense of control - there is so much experimentation you can do. I've had this for 3 months and I'm still at the beginning. I now froth milk in a decent way but boy, there is a lot to learn.
2) All-in-one - you don't have to get an expensive grinder, fancy wooden tamper and a milk frother. I mean, you could, but why would you, if you have that high quality all built into this one?
3) The supplied equipment - kind of goes with point number 2, but you get a frothing pitcher as well, you get multiple baskets and you get everything you need to get rolling (besides the beans).
4) Quality - it is all stainless steel and what isn't (and is plastic) doesn't feel cheaply made. It seems sturdy and high quality. I've had it for 3 months now, so far so good, so ask me in a few months if I still think so.
5) The display/indicators - it tells you when it wants to be cleaned. I spoke to their customer reps and this was their exact email response:
"I have confirmed with our technicians, they advised me it will actually come on after 300 shots, and unplugging the unit should not reset the counter. " You also have a dedicated button for filter size, you can let it automatically grind the specific amount of coffee you want - this brings me to one of the cons, however.
Cons:
1) As mentioned pro #5, the grinding amount is a bit of a pain. When coffee is ground, it tends to expand. If you let the machine grind the automatic amount, it overfills the basket (because the coffee expands) and you get grounds falling over into the tray. This may not be a design flaw, because when you tap the filter onto the counter, the grinds settle and you do have the right amount, it's just a mess though - someone slightly OCD like myself finds that hard to deal with. I just use the manual grind, I hold it in, let it fill half way, tap it to let it settle, grind some more and tamp. Time consuming, yes, but it's more fun and cleaner.
2) If you live in an area with hard water (like I do), be prepared for water spots all over that beautiful stainless steel - again, not a manufacturer's flaw, but worth mentioning.
I keep trying to think of other cons, but can't. That's when you know it's a good unit, when you "try" to think of cons just for the review and can't come up with any legit ones.
Again, if you want a great coffee machine that will feed (or create) a coffee hobby and make you want to experiment, source local beans and just overall make your own fantastic coffee, go right ahead. I'd say it's worth the money.
If you're looking for a morning/quick convenience of pressing a button and that's it, look elsewhere, this isn't for you. I would also like to say that this machine is my after-work or weekend espresso/play around machine, for my quick morning coffee I have a small Mr. Coffee steam machine (and a Cuisinart grinder).
Let me know if this was helpful, I'm open to any questions!
1. I am a guy, who knew nothing about espresso machines before this. I am very mechanically inclined and don't usually read instructions. This was different - this machine is NOT self-explanatory and you NEED to read the instructions (which are well written, and even include a troubleshooting section). Don't get frustrated with this machine until/unless you have read (all) the instructions.
2. This is not a 'stand-alone' purchase ... this machine costs around $500 (give or take), you need to invest another $100 right from the start (preferably at the same time) to get the most out of it, enjoy it to the fullest, and not get unreasonably frustrated by making your own lattes and mochas.
3. The other things you REALLY should order at the same time (and all are available on Amazon) are:
a. ($29) 100-pack disposable 20oz. cups with lids and sleeves (sold by Yes!fresh). Trust me, you want to get these. It's only $0.29 per cup and are far more convenient that trying to clean out a million dirty coffee cups from your car/office each week. These are worth twice what they cost in the long run. And when your friends are over, you need not 'loan' them a nice coffee cup to go (which you may never see again) - just give them a paper cup to take with them.
b. ($5-15 for 25 oz. / $20-30 for 64 oz.) Torani syrups and sauces, AND the pump tops that go with them (always sold separately). IF you drink the same thing on a regular basis (like I do) such as a white chocolate peppermint mocha, buy the 64 oz. white chocolate sauce and not the smaller 25 oz. bottle.
c. ($14) Amazon Basics Cotton Washcloth - 24 pack - grey (the grey matches the espresso machine, but the color doesn't matter). Again, trust me, you want a nicely folded stack of these sitting next to the machine - you will use 1 each time you make espresso, and then it will be dirty and needs to be washed. At my house (3 people using the machine) we bought two 24-packs because we make so much coffee - two 24-packs is not too many for our house (I'm thinking about buying a third pack).
d. ($10 for pair of single shot size, $15 for pair of double shot size) Set of double-walled espresso shot glasses. Do NOT buy the rounded ones (ie: Cutehom espresso coffee cups) because they will not pour very well and drip all over the place (down the side) each time - very frustrating. Buy the JoyJolt Javaah Double Walled Espresso Glasses instead - you'll be glad you did in the long run. And, if you're planning to make mostly double-shot lattes/mochas, buy a set of Dragon Glassware 6 oz Espresso Cups (also double-walled) so that you don't have to keep fidgeting with the single shot cups to keep them in the right spot under the coffee dispenser. It's important to buy double-walled glasses for two reasons. First, it keeps the espresso hot while you're steaming your milk, second, it keeps you from burning your fingers when pouring the espresso into your coffee cup.
e. ($15) Breville BCB100 Barista-Style Coffee Knock Box. Again, TRUST me, you want this right next to your machine - the coffee grounds will start piling up quickly and you don't want your portafilter anywhere near a garbage can. This thing is a must.
4. Space requirements: This machine (and all that you want to go with it) will take some counter space - allow AT LEAST 34-inches of counter width to accommodate - slightly more is even better. You will from my picture, this is a 34-inch setup, and there is no room to spare.
5. Making espresso. After you read the instructions, here are some tips that they don't include to help avoid frustration:
a. When the beans are grinding, lightly knock on the top of the hopper lid (just like knocking on a door) so that the beans keep feeding down to the grinder (sometimes they get hung up - a light knock each time keeps this from happening). Do NOT overfill the portafilter (after tamping) or it will jam coffee grounds into the water outlet and could possibly damage the portafilter or locking guide. After the grounds are tamped down in the filter cup, the silver part of the tamper should be just hidden beneath the rim of the portafilter (the machine includes a tool you can use if you accidentally overfill the filter cup, but after a short while, you'll figure out how much to grind each time and the tool will not be necessary).
b. You ALWAYS want to watch the pressure gauge when making espresso. It NEEDS to be in the dark grey area of the pressure gauge (and ideally in/near the middle of the grey area) during the brew cycle, otherwise you are not making good espresso - rather, you are making either watered down espresso (not enough pressure) or not enough espresso which is too rich (too much pressure). There are two key things that affect pressure: the fineness at which the coffee is ground (which is adjustable) and the volume of grounds in the portafilter (also adjustable). Although there is a one or two shot size setting, I have found it best to do two, 1-shot grinds, tamping down the grounds in-between each single-shot grind. I have the grind (volume) setting on the 4th click setting, and I have the grind (fineness) setting on either 2 or 3 (play around and see what gives you the best results). IF the pressure is too low, then either your coffee is ground too coarsely, or your have not tamped it down tight enough, or the filter is not filled with enough coffee grounds, or a combination of any/all of these things. IF the pressure is too high, then either your coffee is ground too finely, or you have tamped down the grounds too hard (tightly), or a combination of the two.
c. IF using two, single-shot espresso glasses to collect a double-shot brew, keep an eye on them during the brew cycle and make sure they are centered under the espresso being dispensed (this can be avoided by using a double-shot size collection cup).
d. IF making a mocha or other syrup/sauce drink, pre-mix the espresso and syrup in the glass and stir thoroughly before adding the steamed milk.
e. Steaming milk is 1/2-art, and 1/2-science (seriously), and it does not come naturally. If you've never worked at a coffee shop and been trained to steam milk, do yourself a favor and watch a few good (short) YouTube videos on the proper way to steam milk. You will THANK yourself for taking 5-10 minutes on You Tube and learning the proper way to steam milk (and things to avoid). Understanding the steaming process will allow you to control the amount of foam on top and not make big mess.
f. Before you steam your milk, VENT the steam wand to remove the residual water from the boiler line (you don't want a few teaspoons of water in your milk). Vent the line, then turn the steam off ... wait 5 full seconds ... then insert the steam wand into the milk, then turn the steam back on. Hold the handle with your left hand, and place your right hand underneath the stainless steel milk steaming cup, when the cup is too hot for your right hand to touch (I mean really to hot to hold), keep the steam wand in and start counting along with the pump (which sounds like a metronome in the background ... dit ... dit ... dit ... dit ...). For a semi-hot latte/mocha keep the steam wand in the milk for 30 double-dits (don't start counting until after you can non longer touch the bottom with your right hand ... "and-one, and two, and three" and so on until you get to 30 (the equivalent of 60 single dits). For hot (but still drinkable) count to 40 double-dits, and for very-hot, 50 double-dits. Anything above 60 and you risk burning the milk (which will ruin the flavor and you will need to toss it out and start over). When finished, turn the steam off, and remove the steam wand from the milk about 3-5 seconds before it finishes blowing steam (to avoid having milk sucked back up into the steam line).
g. After you steam your milk, VENT the steam wand again to remove any milk that inadvertently got sucked up into the steam wand line and prevent any from making its way into the boiler. IF milk makes its way back into the boiler unit (because you failed to vent the line after use) you will DESTROY the boiler (permanently), in that, the milk cannot be cleaned out, will burn during the next use, and every cup of milk you steam in the future will have a burnt-milk smell/flavor - yuck! DO yourself a favor and vent the steam line religiously after each use - and make sure others who use your machine know that they can ruin it if they don't do so also! (there goes $500!)
h. The bottom tray is easy to remove, empty and clean (comes apart in 3 pieces). You should empty this every 2-4 days of use because it fills up despite you not pouring liquid into it - reason is, each time you finish using the steam wand or hot water dispenser, the machine auto-vents out the line from the boiler into the bottom tray (sneaky little devil) ... so even though you don't realize it, it's filling up a little with each use. (Fun fact - the hot water dispenser can be used for instant hot water to make tea!).
6. Cleaning up.
a. I unfold a clean washcloth each time I make espresso. When you tamp down the grounds, it will help avoid damaging/scratching your counter, and will catch the spill-over grounds (there will always be some spill-over).
b. When finished, use hot water (from your kitchen sink) to rinse the espresso cup(s), milk steaming cup, portafilter and filter insert (remove the filter cup from the portafilter each time you clean them), then use another clean washcloth to set them out to dry upon.
c. The washcloth used to make espresso: fold it in half, twice (into a square), and use the hot water dispenser (on the machine) to get one corner of the square wet with hot (boiling hot) water, then fold the square into a triangle so that the boiling water corner is exposed, then fold that triangle into another triangle around the steam wand and thoroughly clean the steam wand. It will take a little time and firm pressure - make sure the wand is clean so that you don't get nasty milk residue build up on your steam wand.
7. Keeping things stocked:
a. Milk. If your family uses milk for other things (cereal, baking, etc.) and up until now you have been a '1-gallon at a time' household, it's time to go up to a 2-gallon at a time household. Trust me - once you (and others in your house) discover the delicious lattes/mochas which are quick at hand, the milk will begin to disappear quickly (my house is now a 3-gallon at a time household with 3 people regularly using the machine).
b. Keep a spare box of to-go cups/lids on hand, when you open it, order another one - it is not cost prohibitive and you never want to be out of to-go cups in the morning.
c. Keep a spare bag of coffee beans on hand - also not cost prohibitive and if you run out of beans, well, there's no reason to ever run out of beans.
d. Keep a spare bottle of your favorite syrups/sauces. If you run out, all the fun is over.
8. Quirks and tips.
a. Keep a close eye (and refill often - like every morning) the water tank in the back (you need not pull it off each time, just take a 4-cup measuring cup and refill it when it gets 1/2-way down). Reason being, the machine is not smart like a Keurig - it has no sensor telling it when the water is out and it will run itself (to its peril) dry when the water runs out - this is not particularly good for the machine or the pumps.
b. Use top quality beans - I recommend buying 1 lb. bags of Starbucks Espresso Roast beans - whole, NEVER pre-ground. WHY would you spend $600 on a coffee bar setup and then use crap beans or pre-ground (aka: not fresh) coffee? When you use top quality Starbucks beans (I have no financial interest in Starbucks by the by - so if you prefer something else like Pete's or Dutch Bros., fine - but make sure you're buying whole bean bags of their Espresso Roast). 2-4 double-shot lattes/mochas per day will go through a 1 lb. bag of beans every 1-2 weeks.
c. Transitioning to decaf beans...? Nope, not easy, nor was the machine set up for an easy transition. To transition from regular espresso beans to decaf beans you must unlock the bean hopper and remove it - then pour the regular beans into a ziplock bag, then take your vacuum cleaner (I'm not joking) and vacuum out the remaining regular beans from the grinding gear mechanism, then replace the (empty) hopper - lock it in place, then fill it with decaf beans. We did this once at my house ... and will never do it again.
I hope you enjoyed my review and it helps you make awesome lattes and mochas!