I bought one of these on the strength of James’s review and - crucially - the timer facility. I typically brew 500ml to 30g of light roasted washed Sidamo and was initially a bit disappointed with a succession of very insipid brews, despite grinding on the finer side of medium-fine. I was using the Gold setting and the problem, I think, was this setting seems to be optimised for a full batch of fuller roasted coffee and the flow rate was just too high for a relatively small batch of lighter grind. I switched to My Brew and slowed the flow rate down to the medium setting. Later I also extended the bloom time to 45 secs and whacked the brew temperature up a couple of degrees. These tweaks have transformed the output beyond all comparison and I’m really pleased with the brews now. That controllability is the USP here, as James makes clear in the video. Cracking machine that allows you to think through and solve any problems.
I'm kinda relieved you admitted to using the autobrew feature because every time I grind my coffee the night before I feel the coffee community judging me haha
It's this weird feeling that somebody was passing your window seeing you grind those beans and thinking 'this stupid piece of shit betrayed us once again.'
The main thing is do whatever works for you. It’s your home. The coffee community cannot tell you what to do in your personal space. In a professional setting, however, you are open to criticism.
I sometimes keep my coffee on auto brew but instead of coffee it's black tea and instead of auto brew it's a mug of boiling water and instead of me it's a random guy in england
THIS is what I love about youtube! I'm learning things about making coffee I had no idea existed. I never really liked coffee when I was young but it's grown on me.
To answer your question, I am not a fan of the coffee carafe lid. I feel like old coffee gets stuck in the lid and I'm not convinced a simple rinse get's it all out. I agree, a removable water reservoir would be fantastic. I would have prefered an all stainless steel brew basket, but that's me being picky. Coming from a daily V60 or Aeropress user, I'm used to just rinsing or throwing the item in the dishwasher. With this machine, you really need to regularly use Urnex (or something similar) to deep clean it.
just got one of these for christmas, finding out that it made our coffee that much better I have since dove head first into the rabbit hole that is better tasting coffee. oh boy im in love
Could not be more British: Grey shirt, grey watch, grey hair, grey machine, grey walls, grey table.... but hey I have funky glasses ;) Enjoying the content tyvm.
FINALLY a thermos can that you can actually properly clean on the inside with adult sizes hands. I didn't know this was 2019 tech, but here we are. Very smart machine, with the option to go very simple. I totally agree on the ML notches and the mounted water reservoir. It seems like the perfect bridge between specialty folks and people that just want a good coffee. A bit expensive, but the 1,8L makes a great argument. I've been looking for a brewer that makes single cups and does family gatherings.
Sage/Breville should be very thankful to you. Your positive review as a universally acknowledged coffee expert is kind of a huge endorsement for this product.
Grinding the night before is much much more acceptable than buying pre-ground coffee haha. I have been eyeing this machine for a while now., maybe it's time to finally get one.
I have had it for several months and in terms of quality it is very good, the only difference is that I have a glass coffee pot. As for the cons, I feel the same as you. And one more little thing about this equipment and your channel ... I got this coffee brewer as a gift and it is thanks to you and your channel that the final decision was made to get this model.
You should just try it. I don't even have a fancy programmable coffee machine but if I know I am going to have to up at an unholy hour, I will pre-grind, fill my water tank, add my ground to the basket and in the morning I hit the 'on' button. Really can be a life saver.
Okay. I purchsed one of these about two weeks ago - partially based on seeing this video along with other research. I have been more than satisfied. I have yet to use it with the flat bottomed filter but have used most the other features. It is wonderful. Don't know what to say that wasn't said in the video or the other comments but I've enjoyed it. To spend this amount of money on any brewer, you have to really love and appreciate coffee and how it's brewed.
My mother got up before my father so he would have his coffee when he woke up! She sometimes would wake up even earlier and bake pastry to go with the coffee! It was the 50s!!! Unfortunately, I do not have a man in my life so I am only creative for myself.
Excellent review, I am a coffeeholic who has roasted my own coffee for 20 plus years and who's kids all think I am a certified nut of a perfectionist in the brewing process. I will also trade perfection for darn good and ready when I wake up. Finally a descent coffee pot that has an auto feature and will last more than a few months.
I've had one of these for the past year(ish) and it is easily the best automatic/drip coffee maker i've ever used. It makes coffee well enough that I don't use my Chemex or Aeropress as frequently, as I can get a good cup of coffee from just the machine. My only complaint is that - while the carafe is good and insulated - it could be a little more robust. I know it's not best practice, but sometimes I like to brew a larger batch and have a couple cups throughout the morning. I'd say that after 60-90 minutes, it's a bit too cold to add milk. Obviously it's still better than the alternative with the heating plate.. but I think it could be better.
Would love James to test A) grinding the night before and auto-brewing in the morning, vs B) brewing the night before and letting a thermal carafe hold the temp overnight.
Oh there's no question the brewed coffee would be worse. Its possible, maybe, if you had a flawless thermal carafe with a special lid that kept an air-tight seal, and filled it all the way to the very top, it would be comparable. But IME 8 hours is far too long for a thermal vessel, and if theres any air inside it will oxidize the oils on top far faster than just ground coffee. Even crappy pre-ground coffee is better fresh out of the brewer than great ground coffee that have been sitting for a long time. But if youve had the opposite experience Id be interested to hear it
Funny. I’ve been wanting this machine for a few years now. My favorite cup of coffee is a dark French roast through a paper filter. Someone I know asked me what I wanted for a coffee maker, told them that. They bought me a Gaggia Brera! Very nice and generous, but hated the coffee. This year, for Christmas, same person got me a Spinn… still, super generous, and a very fun contraption… but still don’t enjoy the coffee very much. I may sell both of them and finally pull the trigger on this, since “The” coffee expert uses this in his home.
James, I would love to hear what your ideal recipe and settings are for this machine especially with the cone filter. I would imagine you have a pretty regular daily setting that you have optimized (temp, flow rate, bloom time, grind size etc..). I think I will be getting this machine soon. Just need that James Hoffmann “ultimate brew” recipe! Love your videos and have been binge watching lately, thanks for what you do!
Physical switches, physical setting knobs...allows you to use smart home routines to determine when your coffee starts. Adding more "features" to your appliances sometimes prevents you from using more generalized, abstracted features brought to you by much more technically adept companies.
While I would love the automation for the early mornings, I just cannot give up the ritual of brewing with a v60: smelling the fresh grounds and bloom, playing with pouring techniques, focusing on getting a flat bed etc. I feel like you don't get 100% of the experience, which I treasure more than just having a quick cup of coffee.
Vlad Mihai Part of me agrees, but part of me also dislikes the 1 minute long hand-grinding I have to go through and having to lose 5-7 minutes or so which is solely focused on brewing coffee... All the while I’m still tired and in a rush to get to work since I’m always late anyway... But then again I’ve gotten so used to pour overs that regular filter coffee leaves me unsatisfied most of the time :/
Vlad Mihai I’m with you. I started drinking coffee again just for the ritual (and the home roasting). On weekends, I often brew my V60 pourover, put it in a thermos, and completely forget about it. As Tom Waits said, “the pursuit, you see, and never the arrest.”
I watched this when it was first published. Today, after the death of my last brewer, and a move to a new house (first morning in a new house needs a new coffee maker, right?) I used it for the first time. To be fair, it was delivered by DPD, on behalf of Amazon, at 08.55 today. I’m sad now that I waited all this time to upgrade as the coffee it brewed was fantastic! I did use the 900ml/6 cup line as that makes exactly enough coffee to fill my coffee mug twice. I’m now suitably caffeinated and re-watching this video. 😃
As a person who learned to make coffee in an office environment on Bunn machines, I agree with your rants about carafes always sucking, and never ever using the heating plate. I didn't drink coffee for like the first thirty years of my life because I had really only ever had the stuff that had been sitting on the hot plate. Carafes always have pouring issues, I swear doesn't matter the price point. Press pots are much better, but I can tell you that there are many physicists who fail to use them correctly and it's always ugly. Theorists especially struggle with it...
My new Breville Precision machine was just dropped off at my house 2.6.2024. I don't get the accessories until tomorrow. That will give me time to check out the machine and have it ready to use tomorrow. I never thought I would ever spend this much money for a coffee brewer. My wife thought I was crazy at first and said NO. I told her as much as I love and drink coffee, I deserved the best. She later gave the green light. She even came into the den as ask how much did she need to give me toward the purchase. I smiled and told her nothing. Chef Jerry Irmo South Carolina USA
Over time the carafe lid accumulates an incredible amount of gunk inside. The lid is impossible to clean as it can't be opened. I've ran it through the dishwasher, ran water cycles through it, etc. Breville doesn't carry this part and the replacement carafes are always out of stock. This is a major flaw. If you're considering this brewer, keep this in mind.
Outstanding review!! We have had one for 2 years (to replace an OXO, which was ok too and less $$). Hesitated to spend so much, but so happy we did!! Really agree with all the pluses and criticisms. We've run it like crazy at home all this year through the pandemic. Still fantastic. Can you share your preferred settings for "My Brew" function??
You got a thumbs up when you admitted you set your coffee the night before. :-) I don't need to do. I just don't get out of bed until my husband tel l s the coffee is ready. 😁 Thanks for your videos.
Being as close to a Neanderthal as possible (Australian) learning about coffee and it's related equipment is the secondary appeal to James' videos, the primary appeal is linguistic education and goal setting. Bloody hell does this bloke know how to talk beautifully
My comment comes later in the game... but we just bought this and after a bit of getting used to it, I’m very happy with it. I haven’t tried the flat filter yet and we normally preheat the carafe a bit (not sure it helps... but psychologically it does 😆) I forgot about your review so it was quite nice to come back and see it and be reminded why I thought of this to begin with!
I know I’m commenting on an older video, but, I wanted to thank you for this video. I’ve loved the controls and the therapeutic nature of producing my morning pour-over. However, my wife and I have received emergency custody of three foster children, ages ranging 11 months old through 8 years old. Have you ever tried producing a pour-over with an baby in one arm, an 8 year old trying to jump on your back and 3 year old wrapped around your lower leg?? It’s possible, but not recommend. 😂 I just ordered my Breville Precision Brewer…I like the idea of having this level of control! Thank you!
Autostart is so great. I don't think I'd get a machine without it. Without autostart I just end up quickly making a cup of tea or instant and not having caffeine.
I can understand the frustration at the simple points, like the markings being off. My coffee machine has a fantastic feature, the water reservoir doesn’t hold enough water to make the maximum option in the menu.
Keeping an eye on the clock on the machine throughout the video rose far more questions than it answered about what the chronological order of the raw footage must be.
The Breville Grind Control also has autostart, but also has an automated grinder that kicks in with the autostart function. If James had that, he wouldn't have to be so ashamed about his morning cuppa!
If the created an automatic drip coffee machine that would be kinda cool. Would be extremely niche as this product already a niche. Auto grind + makes the coffee every morning. Somehow it can reload it's own paper filters and dispose it in something too.
I know that I’m two years on from when this was posted, but I have to say that based on the review I bought this machine in Ontario, Canada. I have never tasted such a distinct difference in the flavour of my coffee with this brewer than I have with any other brewer I’ve owned. It’s like a whole new world! That being said, I take issue with the hard water descaler reminder. Where I live we have extremely hard water, so I have a water softener that softens all the water in my house. Despite this, the Breville is telling me to descale every three to four weeks. Is this normal? Others than that, and a couple of the minor things that James talks about, I do love this brewer.
Recently bought a coffee machine which also has an alarm type deal, but! it also freshly grinds in the morning. Probably not the most perfect coffee but it's great :)
I just got one, and it does what it does, and it does it good. But don't let the coffee stay in the carafe for a longer periode, it WON'T stay hot. Put the coffee into a good carafe. And yes, it is a bit pricy, but I think it's worth the money.
I have had a few brewers with thermo cafaffes und unless you brew a fairly large amount of coffee, the coffee is not warm enough for my taste, since the caraffe is not heated like the glass one is, you the statement to the thermo over the heated glass one, I find surprising.
Think the reason for the 300/600/900ml markings on the watertank line up with the measurements for cups in the manual, which is 150ml per cup (and 8.25g coffee).
I have the same pet peeve about the coffee never fully emptying out of the carafe...or, because the carafe is stainless steel and you use it at work, you can't see from across the room if there is any coffee left since you can't see thru it. Lol!
I've had the US Breville version for about a year but haven't used it that whole time, and have gone back to manual brewing for a couple reasons: mostly I brew a single cup (20,25, maybe 30g coffee) and also I found the breville brewer doesn't produce quite as high quality taste as manual pour over - it isn't preheated like my manual brews, it only pours straight down the center, and even when I try to help it along it just doesn't seem to "get there". Maybe it's just better at larger amounts or maybe if you're making a larger batch it just doesn't matter as much? I've tried using the adapter for V60 and Wave, it's slightly easier to manipulate that way, but it doesn't improve it much so I'm just not enamored by it, but I'll use it for parties. I might use the auto brew function if I start going into work earlier during the busy season. I got mine for a great deal (nearly half price), so I really wanted to love it, but I can only adjust the bloom volume via changing the bloom time (which I also do in order to lengthen brew time), and I wish there was an easier way to preheat the brew chamber because I have tried just running a fast brew with no coffee grounds and adding the hot water back into the tank, but then it overheats it and it pulses steam out.
I find your manner and presentation delightful. I'm almost convinced to buy this just because of the review, but 99% of the time I am making coffee just for one or two people, so not sure all the features are worth the expense. I look forward to hearing about a smaller "automatic pour over" machine if you've found one
After having watched this review and your technivorm, I'd be interested in seeing a video where you talk about flat bottomed vs. conical filter pour-over brewing, since I have a small commercial technivorm brewer.
I've been watching a lot of the back catalogue of your videos.... Theta re fantastic. I've learned a lot. If noone has mentioned this before. You should narrate documentaries or get into doing recordings for audible. I'd pay for that.
I've had the precision brewer for 2 years and really I like it. I think a follow up video could be interesting if you've had a chance to use the pour over add-on kit and played around with the brew settings to optimize that machine. I feel like this is the nerdiest a drip machine can get and I would really like someone to put it through its paces that way. On my part I tend use the my brew function to increase the brew temperature as I usually make coffee for 2 and it does not seem to be enough thermal mass for the coffee to maintain temperature through the combined mass of the cone, basket and carafe.
I've had the precision brewer for a few days and I am starting hate it deeply. I am planning on giving the pour over adapter kit a chance to improve things. There's a number of small annoyances with this appliance, that, individually are not a big deal, but when put together, make the experience terrible (for me) - The carafe cannot be emptied easily as James shows in this video. This is common to other thermal carafes I admit it, but makes cleaning harder. - The lid of the carafe is a over-complicated plastic thing and there will be a small accumulation of coffee residue inside it. You cannot clean it. - The inner upper part of the carafe, where the plastic top joins the metal is odd and will likely be home to residue. It can be cleaned, but it is odd. It is also sharp edged. All of this makes the cleanin experience of the carafe quite bad. I don't use the carafe and I brew into a thermal bottle that provides enough capacity for the amount of coffee that I usually make. It's just odd that it is better to brew in a third party component than it is into the supplied one. This kind of approach may help with the thermal mass issue. The experience with the conical bed suffers from the same kind of inconvenience. The cleaning requires disassembly of the two pieces (the conical insert and the flat bed), washing both of them (unless you want to live with coffee residue building up in the flat bed). It is just cumbersome. The water reservoir is not removable. And that would be fine, except that after brewing there's always some water left. This is because the bottom is flat and perfectly horizontal. Whenever I leave on holidays or go on a short break, I just don't like the idea of leaving that rest of stagnant water in the machine. Since the electric cord is quite short, I have to unplug the machine and take it over the sink to empty the water, or leave it knowing that there's some amount of water slowly drying out there. I will not detail the issues with the level markings in the water reservoir, but as other, I find them useless. The cleaning process is not great, I am not convinced by the way plastics are used in some parts of the product. All in all it's too much hassle because of some bad design decisions. It is a pity because the core of the brewer is actually pretty good.
I've just got one of these. Still experimenting with it, but I'm impressed with the coffee it makes. I would definitely recommend, and it simplifies my morning routine. One issue I have with it: the plastic handle/spout moulding goes round into the inside of the carafe. It doesn't form a proper seal on the inside edge, so coffee gets under it as you pour. It then dries and slowly drops out onto your coffee again as you use it. Quite unpleasant. I've ordered some food grade sealant to sort it, but it seems a pretty silly oversight.
Dude! That black IKEA french press makes over 1L of fantastic coffee in 3 seconds (or however long it takes you to pour the boiling water into an open container.) which can then be consumed immediately.
James I purchased the Precision Brewer based a good part on your review! I love it and should have parted with my $300 sooner. Would you recommend some coffee I should buy that is readily available in the US either direct from the roaster or from Amazon
John, I recently started enjoying Ariosa Coffee from Arbuckles’. You can order from Amazon, but Arbuckles’ has an excellent website. Quite a history, and great coffee.
Just came upon your channel. Well done. Love this review. As an owner of both a Technivorm and this Breville (in the U.S.), I feel kind of bad of having put my Technivorm, which I've owned for, maybe close to 10 years. It has been a rock solid machine, and still works great. I was given the Precision Brewer when I left my last job (there for 21 years). Things I loved about the Technivorm over the Precision is the ability to brew straight into an insulated travel mug, using its lid as a pedestal, and it pushing against the brewing button down low. Yes, the Precision Brewer also can do that, as long as you have the water filled below a certain level. It knows to open up the filter opening mechanically. Here's my biggest issue in how it does that: at the end of the brew cycle, you hear it beep, and then you hear it close the filter opening before all of the coffee has finished coming out, leaving 1-2 ounces of coffee still in the machine. You have to pull out the filter, and then pour the remaining coffee into the mug. Frustrating, especially since, on the manufacturer's end, that can be changed in its programming. So, What I did NOT like about the Technivorm: it was very sensitive to grind size, and could easily overflow. I had to grind, almost to French press grind, so that it didn't happen. I usually put in 72 grams of ground coffee. I don't miss that part of it. Haven't had that issue with the Precision Brewer. Granted, I have used the slower setting (Stronger). I've had this unit in use since July. I feel bad about the Technivorm sitting, but I think it will remain a backup to this unit for the foreseeable future. Looking forward to digging into your channel. Have a great New Year!
The menu has a setting for cone or basket filter according to Seattle Coffee Gear review. Having the option to update the software could be interesting, as long as the brewer isn't made silly and complicated to do the kinds of things that you might see in an app.
I've been using an espresso machine for my home coffee and a strangely complex but easy to use dutch combined grind and brew machine at work.. You are making me wonder if I do it the wrong way around... coffee ready when you wake... :)
It’s a great product but the light sensor in the water tank is too sensitive for morning sunlight. It assumes there isn’t water in the tank so doesn’t start in brighter light. Needs a workaround other than to move it to a dark corner of the kitchen. Regardless, makes great coffee.
This is going to sound like heresy, however, coffee taste best in the mouth in a certain range of temperatures. A microwave is a good place to adjust the temperature if it needs to be a little bit warmer. Even if you use the thermal carafe, the coffee may not go in your cup at the optimal temperature, also if you leave your coffee for a few minutes you can pop it in the microwave to get it to the perfect temperature.
My problem with these coffee machines is that they put the metal/stainless steel where it doesn’t belong-on the outside. The brew basket parts should be stainless so that you don’t get the plastic smell and taste, especially for what you pay for these things. I mean I grind enough coffee for the week so I’m not in your category of coffee brewer but I started drinking coffee by using a vintage drip coffee maker and when I switched, didn’t notice the difference right away. Worked at a convenience store and they had a Bunn machine and wondered why the coffee smelled like when I first started drinking it. No plastic.
Had this coffee maker precision brewer. The only caveat..small amount of water sits on the water chamber after completely brewing coffee, which can collect bacteria
I bought it and it makes great coffee, but for the small amounts that I brew (mostly 0.5l at a time), there is less cleaning up with manual dripper like V60 so Precision Brewer hasn't gotten a lot of use.
I call for a brewing temperatur review of the Precision Brewer. I own this machine and the brew temp is at most reaching 186F on the hottest setting. Has anyone of you had the issue - and if so how did you solve it ?
Personally I find brewers to be better when you make 4-6 cups (2-3 mugs), those 1-4 cup buttons are useless IMO. Also they tend to run a bit cooler than a kettle, so yeah I'd say different beasts, definitely not as nuanced as a Hario but I have about 1 min in the morning before the kids descend on me!
@@alanredversangel Yeah, I feel you. Since I have two kids, the whole manual grinding and pour-over thing is really hard to pull of in the morning. I often just use the french press or I make the pour-over in the evening when the kids are asleep and pour it into a thermos. Or I sometimes pour boiling water over coldbrew coffee. As long as I get some sort of coffee in the morning... 😄
@@ElBoyoElectronico it was a happy day when my youngest son got bitten a little by the coffee bug - now he loves doing the grinding and making the family a pot of coffee with our Ninja :) (I make a second cup for me in my aeropresse)
The camera panning in on James during his "confession" was hilarious.
6:28 no panning, zooming
@@dushk0 Thank you for correcting me!
I bought one of these on the strength of James’s review and - crucially - the timer facility. I typically brew 500ml to 30g of light roasted washed Sidamo and was initially a bit disappointed with a succession of very insipid brews, despite grinding on the finer side of medium-fine. I was using the Gold setting and the problem, I think, was this setting seems to be optimised for a full batch of fuller roasted coffee and the flow rate was just too high for a relatively small batch of lighter grind. I switched to My Brew and slowed the flow rate down to the medium setting. Later I also extended the bloom time to 45 secs and whacked the brew temperature up a couple of degrees. These tweaks have transformed the output beyond all comparison and I’m really pleased with the brews now. That controllability is the USP here, as James makes clear in the video. Cracking machine that allows you to think through and solve any problems.
Amazing point. Thank you
Should the grind be espresso level fine for this type of machine? Many thanks
@@990v6no, it should be ground as you would for filter coffee, commonly described as medium fine.
I'm kinda relieved you admitted to using the autobrew feature because every time I grind my coffee the night before I feel the coffee community judging me haha
It's this weird feeling that somebody was passing your window seeing you grind those beans and thinking 'this stupid piece of shit betrayed us once again.'
The same here. I'm afraid to admit to p.m. grinding for autobrew convenience in fear of friends berating me in group chat
Having the smell of fresh brewed coffee to wake you up in the morning is worth ten times the taste difference!
The main thing is do whatever works for you. It’s your home. The coffee community cannot tell you what to do in your personal space. In a professional setting, however, you are open to criticism.
I sometimes keep my coffee on auto brew but instead of coffee it's black tea and instead of auto brew it's a mug of boiling water and instead of me it's a random guy in england
James looks like a sage product 😂
He should design something similar and make it the same colors except for one pop color stripe design with the red and Call it the Hoffman.
yo, but he does though.
This is my favorite comment about the Hoff. 😂
I read this exactly when he said "I looks like a Save product". Perfect timing. 😆
This made me laugh far more than it should.
THIS is what I love about youtube! I'm learning things about making coffee I had no idea existed. I never really liked coffee when I was young but it's grown on me.
I THOUGHT I was a coffee snob. I’m just a guy who likes coffee, as it turns out.
He's a pro. Don't compare yourself with a pro.
The realest comment ever!
I don't know how I stumbled upon your channel (new aeropress just popped up in my feed) but your reviews are fantastic! Thanks for doing these.
A new video explaining how to use My Brew settings with different roasts would be great!
I've owned the Breville Precision Brewer for almost a year. I love it just as much today as I did the first day I owned it.
To answer your question, I am not a fan of the coffee carafe lid. I feel like old coffee gets stuck in the lid and I'm not convinced a simple rinse get's it all out. I agree, a removable water reservoir would be fantastic. I would have prefered an all stainless steel brew basket, but that's me being picky.
Coming from a daily V60 or Aeropress user, I'm used to just rinsing or throwing the item in the dishwasher. With this machine, you really need to regularly use Urnex (or something similar) to deep clean it.
just got one of these for christmas, finding out that it made our coffee that much better I have since dove head first into the rabbit hole that is better tasting coffee. oh boy im in love
Could not be more British: Grey shirt, grey watch, grey hair, grey machine, grey walls, grey table.... but hey I have funky glasses ;) Enjoying the content tyvm.
Almighty Ohm grey coffee maker.
Peek generally it's grEy in England and grAy in America (US, I'm not sure about Canada)
@@rachellamb2564 oh it's grey as well in Canada, we're definitely part of the Commonwealth.
Don't forget the self loathing, regarding pre ground coffee
I’ll bet he has a severe hangover as well
James: BRILLIANT! Just enough tech to be credible and useful, yet practical and honest in human terms. BRAVO!
Thank you. After watching your review, I bought one and it’s made life at home under COVID easier.
FINALLY a thermos can that you can actually properly clean on the inside with adult sizes hands. I didn't know this was 2019 tech, but here we are.
Very smart machine, with the option to go very simple. I totally agree on the ML notches and the mounted water reservoir. It seems like the perfect bridge between specialty folks and people that just want a good coffee. A bit expensive, but the 1,8L makes a great argument. I've been looking for a brewer that makes single cups and does family gatherings.
Sage/Breville should be very thankful to you. Your positive review as a universally acknowledged coffee expert is kind of a huge endorsement for this product.
Grinding the night before is much much more acceptable than buying pre-ground coffee haha. I have been eyeing this machine for a while now., maybe it's time to finally get one.
That whisper confession was amazing
That slow zoom-in for your preground confession 👌🏻
I have had it for several months and in terms of quality it is very good, the only difference is that I have a glass coffee pot. As for the cons, I feel the same as you. And one more little thing about this equipment and your channel ... I got this coffee brewer as a gift and it is thanks to you and your channel that the final decision was made to get this model.
Clear, consise, and something for my Christmas list
I copped because of this video. Unboxing now. Thank you
I cannot believe what I've just heard. Everyone knows that grinding coffee less than 10 seconds before you start brewing is sacrilegious!
Haha!
@@jameshoffmann Hence the shame.
I think you mean "more than 10 seconds..".
@@21bruce12 I think theyre joking mate
You should just try it. I don't even have a fancy programmable coffee machine but if I know I am going to have to up at an unholy hour, I will pre-grind, fill my water tank, add my ground to the basket and in the morning I hit the 'on' button. Really can be a life saver.
Okay. I purchsed one of these about two weeks ago - partially based on seeing this video along with other research. I have been more than satisfied. I have yet to use it with the flat bottomed filter but have used most the other features. It is wonderful. Don't know what to say that wasn't said in the video or the other comments but I've enjoyed it. To spend this amount of money on any brewer, you have to really love and appreciate coffee and how it's brewed.
Let's face it, who wouldn't want to have a freshly brewed cup of coffee ready to go when you wake up? That's the dream.
That's what Butlers are for.
My mother got up before my father so he would have his coffee when he woke up! She sometimes would wake up even earlier and bake pastry to go with the coffee! It was the 50s!!! Unfortunately, I do not have a man in my life so I am only creative for myself.
Excellent review, I am a coffeeholic who has roasted my own coffee for 20 plus years and who's kids all think I am a certified nut of a perfectionist in the brewing process. I will also trade perfection for darn good and ready when I wake up. Finally a descent coffee pot that has an auto feature and will last more than a few months.
It's massive! Would love a mini version.
Very nice looking brewer. I have been using the Breville (Sage) dosing burr grinder since 2012, wonderful machine. Great brand Australia 👍👍
I've had one of these for the past year(ish) and it is easily the best automatic/drip coffee maker i've ever used. It makes coffee well enough that I don't use my Chemex or Aeropress as frequently, as I can get a good cup of coffee from just the machine.
My only complaint is that - while the carafe is good and insulated - it could be a little more robust. I know it's not best practice, but sometimes I like to brew a larger batch and have a couple cups throughout the morning. I'd say that after 60-90 minutes, it's a bit too cold to add milk. Obviously it's still better than the alternative with the heating plate.. but I think it could be better.
make sure you remove the carafe from the machine after brewing. the mechanism to let is coffee lets in air.
Just love listening to your reviews… so candid and so down to earth. Thank you!
Dude even if i hated coffee ; i would still tune in here....your reviews and the tone of voice is just addictive!
I've watched one video from this guy and now I need to watch all of them. Damn you RUclips!
Would love James to test A) grinding the night before and auto-brewing in the morning, vs B) brewing the night before and letting a thermal carafe hold the temp overnight.
Oh there's no question the brewed coffee would be worse. Its possible, maybe, if you had a flawless thermal carafe with a special lid that kept an air-tight seal, and filled it all the way to the very top, it would be comparable. But IME 8 hours is far too long for a thermal vessel, and if theres any air inside it will oxidize the oils on top far faster than just ground coffee. Even crappy pre-ground coffee is better fresh out of the brewer than great ground coffee that have been sitting for a long time.
But if youve had the opposite experience Id be interested to hear it
Funny. I’ve been wanting this machine for a few years now. My favorite cup of coffee is a dark French roast through a paper filter. Someone I know asked me what I wanted for a coffee maker, told them that. They bought me a Gaggia Brera! Very nice and generous, but hated the coffee. This year, for Christmas, same person got me a Spinn… still, super generous, and a very fun contraption… but still don’t enjoy the coffee very much. I may sell both of them and finally pull the trigger on this, since “The” coffee expert uses this in his home.
James, I would love to hear what your ideal recipe and settings are for this machine especially with the cone filter. I would imagine you have a pretty regular daily setting that you have optimized (temp, flow rate, bloom time, grind size etc..). I think I will be getting this machine soon. Just need that James Hoffmann “ultimate brew” recipe!
Love your videos and have been binge watching lately, thanks for what you do!
Please, please! Also, US brewers are going metric. Death to the imperial system!
yes please!
Yes please!!
Yes please and thank you 🙋♂️🙏
yes please!
Physical switches, physical setting knobs...allows you to use smart home routines to determine when your coffee starts. Adding more "features" to your appliances sometimes prevents you from using more generalized, abstracted features brought to you by much more technically adept companies.
While I would love the automation for the early mornings, I just cannot give up the ritual of brewing with a v60: smelling the fresh grounds and bloom, playing with pouring techniques, focusing on getting a flat bed etc. I feel like you don't get 100% of the experience, which I treasure more than just having a quick cup of coffee.
Vlad Mihai Part of me agrees, but part of me also dislikes the 1 minute long hand-grinding I have to go through and having to lose 5-7 minutes or so which is solely focused on brewing coffee... All the while I’m still tired and in a rush to get to work since I’m always late anyway... But then again I’ve gotten so used to pour overs that regular filter coffee leaves me unsatisfied most of the time :/
Vlad Mihai I’m with you. I started drinking coffee again just for the ritual (and the home roasting). On weekends, I often brew my V60 pourover, put it in a thermos, and completely forget about it. As Tom Waits said, “the pursuit, you see, and never the arrest.”
I watched this when it was first published. Today, after the death of my last brewer, and a move to a new house (first morning in a new house needs a new coffee maker, right?) I used it for the first time. To be fair, it was delivered by DPD, on behalf of Amazon, at 08.55 today.
I’m sad now that I waited all this time to upgrade as the coffee it brewed was fantastic! I did use the 900ml/6 cup line as that makes exactly enough coffee to fill my coffee mug twice.
I’m now suitably caffeinated and re-watching this video. 😃
As a person who learned to make coffee in an office environment on Bunn machines, I agree with your rants about carafes always sucking, and never ever using the heating plate. I didn't drink coffee for like the first thirty years of my life because I had really only ever had the stuff that had been sitting on the hot plate. Carafes always have pouring issues, I swear doesn't matter the price point. Press pots are much better, but I can tell you that there are many physicists who fail to use them correctly and it's always ugly. Theorists especially struggle with it...
My new Breville Precision machine was just dropped off at my house 2.6.2024. I don't get the accessories until tomorrow. That will give me time to check out the machine and have it ready to use tomorrow. I never thought I would ever spend this much money for a coffee brewer. My wife thought I was crazy at first and said NO. I told her as much as I love and drink coffee, I deserved the best. She later gave the green light. She even came into the den as ask how much did she need to give me toward the purchase. I smiled and told her nothing. Chef Jerry Irmo South Carolina USA
The further north you go the water gets softer. The water in Edinburgh is great
Over time the carafe lid accumulates an incredible amount of gunk inside. The lid is impossible to clean as it can't be opened. I've ran it through the dishwasher, ran water cycles through it, etc. Breville doesn't carry this part and the replacement carafes are always out of stock. This is a major flaw. If you're considering this brewer, keep this in mind.
I've been looking for a milk frother and this video pointed me in the direction of the breville milk cafe. Thanks.
Outstanding review!! We have had one for 2 years (to replace an OXO, which was ok too and less $$). Hesitated to spend so much, but so happy we did!!
Really agree with all the pluses and criticisms. We've run it like crazy at home all this year through the pandemic. Still fantastic.
Can you share your preferred settings for "My Brew" function??
Ive had a Bonavita BV1800TH for 5 years and its never let me down. Same concept it appears. Cheers.
You got a thumbs up when you admitted you set your coffee the night before. :-)
I don't need to do. I just don't get out of bed until my husband tel l s the coffee is ready. 😁
Thanks for your videos.
Huh.. it’s okay to use a programmable coffee maker.. okay let me set my timer. Thanks for another great video James! Cheers!
Being as close to a Neanderthal as possible (Australian) learning about coffee and it's related equipment is the secondary appeal to James' videos, the primary appeal is linguistic education and goal setting. Bloody hell does this bloke know how to talk beautifully
My comment comes later in the game... but we just bought this and after a bit of getting used to it, I’m very happy with it. I haven’t tried the flat filter yet and we normally preheat the carafe a bit (not sure it helps... but psychologically it does 😆)
I forgot about your review so it was quite nice to come back and see it and be reminded why I thought of this to begin with!
James: Nothing about "fast" appeals to me
Also James, at any opportunity he gets: Brewing hotter is brewing faster, and we don't want to waste time!
Really enjoying my sage brewer, thank you for Reccomendation James!
I know I’m commenting on an older video, but, I wanted to thank you for this video. I’ve loved the controls and the therapeutic nature of producing my morning pour-over. However, my wife and I have received emergency custody of three foster children, ages ranging 11 months old through 8 years old. Have you ever tried producing a pour-over with an baby in one arm, an 8 year old trying to jump on your back and 3 year old wrapped around your lower leg?? It’s possible, but not recommend. 😂 I just ordered my Breville Precision Brewer…I like the idea of having this level of control! Thank you!
Autostart is so great. I don't think I'd get a machine without it. Without autostart I just end up quickly making a cup of tea or instant and not having caffeine.
If you're not already a coffee lover, this guy will make you one.
I can understand the frustration at the simple points, like the markings being off. My coffee machine has a fantastic feature, the water reservoir doesn’t hold enough water to make the maximum option in the menu.
Keeping an eye on the clock on the machine throughout the video rose far more questions than it answered about what the chronological order of the raw footage must be.
"Nothing about Fast really appeals to me, but it's a function that's available." Lol
I'm surprised Hoffman hasn't found something that doesn't fit properly or totally annoy's him, that's what makes his reviews fun.
The Breville Grind Control also has autostart, but also has an automated grinder that kicks in with the autostart function. If James had that, he wouldn't have to be so ashamed about his morning cuppa!
If the created an automatic drip coffee machine that would be kinda cool. Would be extremely niche as this product already a niche.
Auto grind + makes the coffee every morning.
Somehow it can reload it's own paper filters and dispose it in something too.
Technivorm Mochamaster is my brewer. Love it.
Mine too. They are built to last and I’ve been very happy. I bought the glass carafe. I like the taste better out of a glass carafe
Wish that Sage would make a mini version of this coffeemaker that would be the same size as the Melitta Single 5!
I know that I’m two years on from when this was posted, but I have to say that based on the review I bought this machine in Ontario, Canada. I have never tasted such a distinct difference in the flavour of my coffee with this brewer than I have with any other brewer I’ve owned. It’s like a whole new world! That being said, I take issue with the hard water descaler reminder. Where I live we have extremely hard water, so I have a water softener that softens all the water in my house. Despite this, the Breville is telling me to descale every three to four weeks. Is this normal? Others than that, and a couple of the minor things that James talks about, I do love this brewer.
You have such a pleasant voice to listen to
Recently bought a coffee machine which also has an alarm type deal, but! it also freshly grinds in the morning. Probably not the most perfect coffee but it's great :)
I just got one, and it does what it does, and it does it good.
But don't let the coffee stay in the carafe for a longer periode, it WON'T stay hot. Put the coffee into a good carafe.
And yes, it is a bit pricy, but I think it's worth the money.
I have had a few brewers with thermo cafaffes und unless you brew a fairly large amount of coffee, the coffee is not warm enough for my taste, since the caraffe is not heated like the glass one is, you the statement to the thermo over the heated glass one, I find surprising.
I've just bought one and so far love it.
Think the reason for the 300/600/900ml markings on the watertank line up with the measurements for cups in the manual, which is 150ml per cup (and 8.25g coffee).
I have the same pet peeve about the coffee never fully emptying out of the carafe...or, because the carafe is stainless steel and you use it at work, you can't see from across the room if there is any coffee left since you can't see thru it. Lol!
get you a man who loves you like james loves the thermal carafe
I've had the US Breville version for about a year but haven't used it that whole time, and have gone back to manual brewing for a couple reasons: mostly I brew a single cup (20,25, maybe 30g coffee) and also I found the breville brewer doesn't produce quite as high quality taste as manual pour over - it isn't preheated like my manual brews, it only pours straight down the center, and even when I try to help it along it just doesn't seem to "get there". Maybe it's just better at larger amounts or maybe if you're making a larger batch it just doesn't matter as much? I've tried using the adapter for V60 and Wave, it's slightly easier to manipulate that way, but it doesn't improve it much so I'm just not enamored by it, but I'll use it for parties. I might use the auto brew function if I start going into work earlier during the busy season. I got mine for a great deal (nearly half price), so I really wanted to love it, but I can only adjust the bloom volume via changing the bloom time (which I also do in order to lengthen brew time), and I wish there was an easier way to preheat the brew chamber because I have tried just running a fast brew with no coffee grounds and adding the hot water back into the tank, but then it overheats it and it pulses steam out.
I love your channel, I'm learning a lot from watching your videos.
So will Scott Rao design a 3D printed showerhead for this one that's optimized for a flat-bottomed basket?
Clayton Wright would be optimal! Haha
Se certainly would not recommend this to be used in a commercial environment
I find your manner and presentation delightful. I'm almost convinced to buy this just because of the review, but 99% of the time I am making coffee just for one or two people, so not sure all the features are worth the expense. I look forward to hearing about a smaller "automatic pour over" machine if you've found one
I am shocked 😮 about the auto start usage. BUT, we all have our guilty pleasures. 🤣
After having watched this review and your technivorm, I'd be interested in seeing a video where you talk about flat bottomed vs. conical filter pour-over brewing, since I have a small commercial technivorm brewer.
you also mentioned in the technivorm review that you brew it differently if it has a drip-stop mechanism. I'm also curious about that.
I've been watching a lot of the back catalogue of your videos.... Theta re fantastic. I've learned a lot.
If noone has mentioned this before. You should narrate documentaries or get into doing recordings for audible. I'd pay for that.
I've had the precision brewer for 2 years and really I like it. I think a follow up video could be interesting if you've had a chance to use the pour over add-on kit and played around with the brew settings to optimize that machine. I feel like this is the nerdiest a drip machine can get and I would really like someone to put it through its paces that way. On my part I tend use the my brew function to increase the brew temperature as I usually make coffee for 2 and it does not seem to be enough thermal mass for the coffee to maintain temperature through the combined mass of the cone, basket and carafe.
I've had the precision brewer for a few days and I am starting hate it deeply. I am planning on giving the pour over adapter kit a chance to improve things.
There's a number of small annoyances with this appliance, that, individually are not a big deal, but when put together, make the experience terrible (for me)
- The carafe cannot be emptied easily as James shows in this video. This is common to other thermal carafes I admit it, but makes cleaning harder.
- The lid of the carafe is a over-complicated plastic thing and there will be a small accumulation of coffee residue inside it. You cannot clean it.
- The inner upper part of the carafe, where the plastic top joins the metal is odd and will likely be home to residue. It can be cleaned, but it is odd. It is also sharp edged.
All of this makes the cleanin experience of the carafe quite bad. I don't use the carafe and I brew into a thermal bottle that provides enough capacity for the amount of coffee that I usually make. It's just odd that it is better to brew in a third party component than it is into the supplied one. This kind of approach may help with the thermal mass issue.
The experience with the conical bed suffers from the same kind of inconvenience. The cleaning requires disassembly of the two pieces (the conical insert and the flat bed), washing both of them (unless you want to live with coffee residue building up in the flat bed). It is just cumbersome.
The water reservoir is not removable. And that would be fine, except that after brewing there's always some water left. This is because the bottom is flat and perfectly horizontal. Whenever I leave on holidays or go on a short break, I just don't like the idea of leaving that rest of stagnant water in the machine. Since the electric cord is quite short, I have to unplug the machine and take it over the sink to empty the water, or leave it knowing that there's some amount of water slowly drying out there. I will not detail the issues with the level markings in the water reservoir, but as other, I find them useless.
The cleaning process is not great, I am not convinced by the way plastics are used in some parts of the product. All in all it's too much hassle because of some bad design decisions. It is a pity because the core of the brewer is actually pretty good.
@@nurunde what are you using now, a year later?
I've just got one of these. Still experimenting with it, but I'm impressed with the coffee it makes. I would definitely recommend, and it simplifies my morning routine.
One issue I have with it: the plastic handle/spout moulding goes round into the inside of the carafe. It doesn't form a proper seal on the inside edge, so coffee gets under it as you pour. It then dries and slowly drops out onto your coffee again as you use it. Quite unpleasant.
I've ordered some food grade sealant to sort it, but it seems a pretty silly oversight.
pointless machine, you can do hario v60
@@petervansan1054 That makes 1.8l of decent coffee for when I wake up?
I am sure you are aware but in the settings there is an option to change the filter type to cone or a basket.
Dude! That black IKEA french press makes over 1L of fantastic coffee in 3 seconds (or however long it takes you to pour the boiling water into an open container.) which can then be consumed immediately.
Nice! However the Behmor Brazen Plus has a stainless steel reservoir, this is why I chose that over this.
James I purchased the Precision Brewer based a good part on your review! I love it and should have parted with my $300 sooner. Would you recommend some coffee I should buy that is readily available in the US either direct from the roaster or from Amazon
John, I recently started enjoying Ariosa Coffee from Arbuckles’. You can order from Amazon, but Arbuckles’ has an excellent website. Quite a history, and great coffee.
I have just ordered one of these! Thanks for the review....
Just came upon your channel. Well done. Love this review. As an owner of both a Technivorm and this Breville (in the U.S.), I feel kind of bad of having put my Technivorm, which I've owned for, maybe close to 10 years. It has been a rock solid machine, and still works great. I was given the Precision Brewer when I left my last job (there for 21 years).
Things I loved about the Technivorm over the Precision is the ability to brew straight into an insulated travel mug, using its lid as a pedestal, and it pushing against the brewing button down low. Yes, the Precision Brewer also can do that, as long as you have the water filled below a certain level. It knows to open up the filter opening mechanically. Here's my biggest issue in how it does that: at the end of the brew cycle, you hear it beep, and then you hear it close the filter opening before all of the coffee has finished coming out, leaving 1-2 ounces of coffee still in the machine. You have to pull out the filter, and then pour the remaining coffee into the mug. Frustrating, especially since, on the manufacturer's end, that can be changed in its programming.
So, What I did NOT like about the Technivorm: it was very sensitive to grind size, and could easily overflow. I had to grind, almost to French press grind, so that it didn't happen. I usually put in 72 grams of ground coffee. I don't miss that part of it. Haven't had that issue with the Precision Brewer. Granted, I have used the slower setting (Stronger).
I've had this unit in use since July. I feel bad about the Technivorm sitting, but I think it will remain a backup to this unit for the foreseeable future.
Looking forward to digging into your channel. Have a great New Year!
The menu has a setting for cone or basket filter according to Seattle Coffee Gear review. Having the option to update the software could be interesting, as long as the brewer isn't made silly and complicated to do the kinds of things that you might see in an app.
I've been using an espresso machine for my home coffee and a strangely complex but easy to use dutch combined grind and brew machine at work.. You are making me wonder if I do it the wrong way around... coffee ready when you wake... :)
as soon as you said auto start I was sold
It’s a great product but the light sensor in the water tank is too sensitive for morning sunlight. It assumes there isn’t water in the tank so doesn’t start in brighter light. Needs a workaround other than to move it to a dark corner of the kitchen. Regardless, makes great coffee.
This is going to sound like heresy, however, coffee taste best in the mouth in a certain range of temperatures. A microwave is a good place to adjust the temperature if it needs to be a little bit warmer. Even if you use the thermal carafe, the coffee may not go in your cup at the optimal temperature, also if you leave your coffee for a few minutes you can pop it in the microwave to get it to the perfect temperature.
My problem with these coffee machines is that they put the metal/stainless steel where it doesn’t belong-on the outside. The brew basket parts should be stainless so that you don’t get the plastic smell and taste, especially for what you pay for these things. I mean I grind enough coffee for the week so I’m not in your category of coffee brewer but I started drinking coffee by using a vintage drip coffee maker and when I switched, didn’t notice the difference right away. Worked at a convenience store and they had a Bunn machine and wondered why the coffee smelled like when I first started drinking it. No plastic.
10:01 James if gave him coffee I made
I’ve used the us version of this brewer and enjoyed it.
Had this coffee maker precision brewer. The only caveat..small amount of water sits on the water chamber after completely brewing coffee, which can collect bacteria
Just ordered one to replace my BUNN MCU. Looking forward to smoother coffee.
I bought it and it makes great coffee, but for the small amounts that I brew (mostly 0.5l at a time), there is less cleaning up with manual dripper like V60 so Precision Brewer hasn't gotten a lot of use.
I call for a brewing temperatur review of the Precision Brewer. I own this machine and the brew temp is at most reaching 186F on the hottest setting. Has anyone of you had the issue - and if so how did you solve it ?
I have a Ninja Hot & Cold Brew Coffee Maker - CP301. Same principle!
Someone needs to incorporate a burr grinder on a timer..
I just bought this I am just at the stage of getting the coffee right for me.
I'm curios, while this is basically an authomated pour over method, how close is the taste to let's say V60?
Personally I find brewers to be better when you make 4-6 cups (2-3 mugs), those 1-4 cup buttons are useless IMO. Also they tend to run a bit cooler than a kettle, so yeah I'd say different beasts, definitely not as nuanced as a Hario but I have about 1 min in the morning before the kids descend on me!
@@alanredversangel Yeah, I feel you. Since I have two kids, the whole manual grinding and pour-over thing is really hard to pull of in the morning. I often just use the french press or I make the pour-over in the evening when the kids are asleep and pour it into a thermos. Or I sometimes pour boiling water over coldbrew coffee. As long as I get some sort of coffee in the morning... 😄
@@ElBoyoElectronico it was a happy day when my youngest son got bitten a little by the coffee bug - now he loves doing the grinding and making the family a pot of coffee with our Ninja :) (I make a second cup for me in my aeropresse)