Hi Tom, great video as always! Really appreciate the detail and honesty. However I think your affiliate Amazon link for Germany is a copy of the USA one, so it isn't working as intended.
Really nice and informing video! Just bought it a few days ago and I’m really happy with the shots it makes. I was thinking of upgrading to a bottomless portafilter, but I’ve heard that some of them fit a little to loose in the “packing grinding area” which results in spilling a small amount every time you grind. Can you recommend of a solid one or few that fits tightly and doesn’t have this problem ? I would love a link or some :) Thanks you so much!
Have owned my Barista Espresso for seven years now. That means it has made just under 10,000 shots. Still works perfectly. There is but one life and rather leave life with money for some-one else to spend I have ordered the Impress. Your chat helped to confirm my decision to move to an easier machine to operate. My lady is looking forward to all the tamping implements gone and no more grounds on the counter. Thank you for a lovely presentation.
There is a Breville/Sage "Dosing Funnel" which can be used with a bottomless portafilter. It just attaches on top of it. You can put the portafilter into the machine with that, have the grinder do its thing, then pull it out, use a distribution tool or whatever you like. Then you can put the grounds-filled filter back into the machine without the funnel to do the tamping part.
Thank you so much for the beautiful video. One of the things you mentioned is how the grind degree can affect the bitterness or sweetness of the coffee, would you mind explain this in a separate video please. Thank you again 😊
Excellent vid! I like many home barista types, started my serious espresso journey with a Breville machine, but was always frustrated by the high pressure that couldn't be adjusted via an OPV. I believe this finally doesn't have that issue and is far more consistent as a result.
If only I could get top quality espresso machines delivered free to my door regularly. I’m jealous and you make it hard for me to decide what my upgrade from my starter machine should be. I want them all 😊
@@dimab8753 Finding the right settings was quite hard for me but that was because of my own reason. But my friends (who are way more experienced than me) say that the max force that the hand press can apply to the coffee wasn't enough. Other than this, it's perfect.
My main concern with buying a 3 in 1 machine like this is if something breaks. You're stuck with a big block on the counter and you end up with an extra grinder or milk frother. Getting it repaired can be a pain.
I suppose, but quality control these days is pretty good. I wouldn't buy a product assuming it's going to break anytime soon. Of course you need to do preventative maintenance, like regular descaling.
Agree on no water tank sensor. Also the power button is next to shot buttons, the previous model had power away on the other side. For more flexibility with tamp, simply get the lower model. I was sold on the tamp dosing automation for my parents and lack of grinds mess. Simple and clean.
Your videos have been super helpful especially the comparison videos! I’m finally ready to get my first machine and can’t wait for some homemade deliciousness!
I wasn’t sure which model to choose the most common model or this one. But eventually I think this one won. Let’s see how my experience is in 2 weeks when it arrives. Thanks for your great review.
I have had a Barista Express for about 7 years now. I was totally unable to get a really good, rich espresso out of it. I've been making espresso for 25 years now and do know how to do it. I switched to an Ascaso Dream, which was much more difficult to use but also made much better coffee. I got frustrated with the lack of parts for it and switched to the Gaggia Classic Pro that is now my go to machine. Not a bunch of whistles and bells and doesn't do everything automatically, but the coffee is amazing. The Breville is extremely easy to use and convenient to use but in my humble opinion not worth the mediocre coffee.
In my opinion Sage Barista Pro is the best choice, for me. I've been using it for two years and I don't want do change anything. Sure, I can tamp myself. And I have a little knowledge (more than little) about making a coffee. The ability to program the machine gives my wife a chance to make good coffee too, without getting too deep into the coffee brewing technique. Sure, the botomless portafilter is necessary.
The Pro is also nice, and has a better steam wand. But I really like the inclusion of the manometer on the Barista Express models. Thanks for the feedback. Cheers!
Excellent review of the Breville Barista Express Impress! It certainly looks like a great future upgrade when my current machine gives up the ghost. Thanks for your time putting this together.
G'day Tom, I'm in Brisbane, Australia, and three months ago, I purchased a Breville Express Impress coffee machine in stainless steel. After buying it, I watched a few RUclips videos. I've tried various coffee beans, including Merlo, and now I've ordered some Botero coffee beans; I also like some Aldi coffee beans at a third of the price. I've watched several of your videos and chosen the suitable machine for my experience and pocket. I've also watched Mr Hoon and Coffee Kev; they're pretty good. My Normcore Bottomless Portafilter and basket arrived today, and the Timemore Blackmirror plus coffee scales arrived last week; I'm happy with them both. My Botero taster pack arrives tomorrow with five varieties of 250-gram bags of freshly roasted coffee beans. Also coming is my Pesado 18-gram Filter Basket, made for the Australian firm Pesado by IMS. My coffee puck was well ground and tamped by the Impress and didn't channel when I used the Normcore portafilter. You must be patient to keep doing these videos; thank you for your helpful advice. I had an SMEG before and much prefer the Breville. My SMEG was three and a half years old, and I gave that and a Sunbeam coffee grinder to my Nephew when I got my Breville. Happy coffee drinking! I like my wine, beer and coffee and enjoy a few RUclips videos! Cheers 🍻 George
G'day mate! Thanks so much for posting your story George! I am happy to hear you're satisfied with your Impress. It's quite a nice machine - my wife's favorite of the many I own. Sounds like you're on your way to some tasty coffee drinking - have fun with it! Best wishes, Tom
Lovely review, new sub! Just as a PSA to other breville users, pls don't adjust your inner burr settings as your machine may not need it. Only adjust it finer if, at size 1 left dial, and using fresh beans you're still not getting a good smooth extraction with 11 oclock gauge position, only then will i consider changing the inner burr by 1-2 numbers max! sometimes the burr at 6 is very good and grinds fine and going 2 numbers finer immediately my make the burrs actually touch one another and damage the cutting surface, I've see it happen. This is such a great machine by breville and I think it will take off as their bestseller
Now if it just had the auto steam function it would be the perfect machine for my wife. The touch version has it, at twice the price though. She made coffee on the Bambino Plus, once, and it was too "involved" for her. She went right back to the Nespresso machine (and electric whisk), lol. She likes the quality of coffee (lattes) that she gets from the BBP but not the work it takes to get it. Anyway, great video, as always.
Haha, I can totally understand that. Using these machines requires a fair amount of interaction. I have a work friend who loves espresso, has an E61 machine, but still uses his superautomatic most of the time, because you just have to press a button. 😅 So, I can understand that. I myself, get a kick out of using these machines. Cheers!
Excellent review! That tamper function is pretty cool! Something minor i'd have liked to have seen addressed that all Breville machines have that seem like a UX flaw, is the steam dial. If you are facing the machine, the steam dial articulation is wonky, due to the direction it's facing on the side of the machine. There are aftermarket paddle levers that you can pickup to address this, but from an ergonomic standpoint, it seems like a more elegant solution. Otherwise, this seems like a great all-in-one machine! Tamping is its own monster, and this seems to neatly solve that problem for potential new users. I also liked how you demonstrated the ability to polish after tamping. No one wants a messy puck! lol
While I agree that extending the leverage of that switch would make it more enjoyable to use, I don’t see it as a design flaw. Extending it would also change the packaging design, making it bigger, and probably more expensive to ship. But yes, the integrated tamper is a sweet mechanical design, is robust, and the polishing is quite clever. Cheers!
❤a big thack you for your help in me.I have a job to read and spell words and I thack you for your Video clips how to clean my machine thank you so much from Buckinghamshire in the UK.
Quick question, what is the difference between the Breville Barista Express and the Breville Express Impress? The price difference is huge 😮 after watching all the pros and cons between the Express and Delonghi la specialista Arte I do believe the Breville is better. I didn't realize how important that that 3 way solenoid and more grinding options actually mattered but it's too bad the Delonghi doesn't offer that considering the price. Edit: Ah, I see you answered my question in more detail :) I see. I think I will stick to the Express, if I find myself really missing out on those extra grind options and all that I think I'll be more than good with the 15 grind settings. I have a Cappuccino every morning with the Aeropress so going from that to the express I'm sure it will be more than enough for me :)
I get a fair bit of channeling out of mine, I use fresh beans. Shot is within weight/time brackets. I think the puck is in contact with the shower screen as well.
I've had the infuser for about 5 years. Suddenly my cappucino looks great but tastes like water. Rather than send it to Breville I'm considering this one or the Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine. I can't make a decision.
No, it doesn't look like there's a problem it tastes like it. I think it's the steam spout putting too much milk in the water. I put my hand under the steam and it's not that hot. I started using a separate foamer and it tastes better now but not exactly as good as it used to taste. I think the espresso is kind of cold. Must be a heating element. @@TomsCoffeeCorner
Great video thank you, I am still deciding between this model or the less expensive Breville Barista Express.. Either is a definite upgrade from my... dare I say it.. Nespresso machine.
😅 Haha, I still have a Nespresso machine. It works flawlessly for when you just need a quick little coffee. But yes, the Impress will make a much different drink for you. Cheers! PS - I like the Impress quite a bit over the BBE, due to the clever tamper. It's very pleasant to use.
My express impress auto tamp seems to not be working correctly. It arrived today. My tamp does not seem to tamp even (it’s at an angle and higher on one side than the other.) It also does not spin at all as advertised (stays static as it goes down, no twist.) I’d LOVE to see a video in what the tamp is supposed to look like with the magnetic cover removed.
Hi Alex, I did show the tamper with the cover removed. Mine is level. If yours is not, you might want to exchange for a different one. Anyway, the twist does not come from the tamper itself...I cannot explain it mechanically, but the PF twists itself in the holder once the tamper bottoms out. Good luck!
Hey Tom! When are we gonna see a review of the Stone espresso machine? An Espresso Machine brand owned by Rocket, that can Steam and brew at the same time without being a HX or a Dual boiler, with only a 10 minut heat up time. at an extremely competive price. While also being very small and with an elegant design. Sounds like it deserves a review from one of the best coffee RUclipsrs
Excited to get my machine in brushed stainless steel. However as a senior I am finding it a little confusing, with trying to get the right grind. Have not had a good cup yet. Will keep on trying 😊
I watched it several times, got good beans roasted 2 weeks ago! Cannot figure out how to get the bean grinder out to dial to 3, started at 16 now at 12…. Will figure it out eventually. Love your videos very good
The coffee machine lasts for about two years if you are a moderate coffee drinker, my family are coffee drinkers so machine was constantly used with satisfactory results, actually made great espresso with the right coffee beans! But the machines compressor gives out. So it’s disappointing when you spend $1000 +, with a one year warranty but the coffee maker breaks down after 18 months of use, and repairing it is out of the question! This is my experience! Good luck if you decide to purchase this brand.
I think that's an unfair assessment. This machine, along with all other espresso machines that I know of, use an Ulka pump. So if the pump loses compression prematurely, then it's an issue with the pump and not with Breville. I have machines that have lasted years with this Ulka pump, but sometimes one just has bad luck. Either way, it's a $20 part, if you're feeling capable of replacing it. It's not a difficult thing to do, since the pump is not too far into the machine internals. Cheers!
I definitely am not inclined to do what seems to be a tedious fix, so that's why I consulted a electric technician who told me that a minimum consultation is $200 just to asses the problem plus the fix which could be ???. I should have spent little more for a better espresso machine with less electronic components. I guess you learn from your experiences. I am going with an Italian brand, more reliable, known to last longer, Breville does not have any repair references which is unbelievable. 1st and last Breville for me. thank you for your suggestion.@@TomsCoffeeCorner
@@TomsCoffeeCornerhello ☕️, I had Breville barista that worked for 2 years just as fine without any changement and I sold it before a year now … But I did zero modifications to it, it’s the first time I hear about the pump, do you have any video about it please? And for how long it can extend the life span of the machine? Thank you so much
@TomsCoffeeCorner if you do anything to it. The warranty is voided and they may even reject to service it. No one really repairs these Brevilles. These do not last. They're not supposed to. Ive had two. First lost its auto stop function. $150 to repair. I just used a timer and did it manually.
That's true, but it would make for a long boring watch, I think. Getting acquainted with an espresso machine as a newbie definitely takes time and patience.
There are two lights, one, one being the water temperature sign and the other is a sheet of paper and the symptom (I) that is a sheet and has a sign (I) regularly when the device turns on the red blink of red.
Is anyone having a problem with the tamp dose light indicator not registering at all? When you tamp down it is meant to go smile face etc. Mine does nothing?
review the New Sunbeam origins espresso, cos I bought one. It has DUAL boilers, easy to use and looks great, and cheap cos I bought it on special, cheaper than Gaggia Pro furthermore it comes with a grinder built-in. Also it can be customized.
Do someone understands filter button on Sage? You can choose berween small and big cup, but it has nothing to do with choosing between big or small filter, but between single or dual wall filter. But knowing which is which is very weird. Anyone lost about that?
Hi, your videos are excellent, thanks for doing this. My wife and I really want this machine. However, we are on our second one in a week. We tested the pressure on both machines using a single wall filter with the cleaning tool inserted on top of it and ran just water through the filter. From other videos, including one by Breville, the pressue gauge should move to the upper limit on the pressure gauge. But, on both machines we've purchased, the pressure barely gets to the halway point. We have tried other tests with coffee, various burr and grind settings and when extracting a shot of coffee the pressure barely makes it into the black part of the pressure gauge. Are we just unlucky and have run into two straight faulty machines or are we missing something?
I just bought a delonghi la specialista opera today, and it stopped working last night. The lights started flashing and then it shut down. So disappointing. I’m not sure if I want to get a breville or just stick to my smeg.
Fantastic video, I have been having a good look for a few days now to find the perfect one within budget and have just bought after watching this video. What beans do you recommend for a newbie to using real beans at home and making the jump from instant
In regards to using a WDT tool, sage has made an aftermarket dosing funnel but you can't use the standard portafilter when you use it, but it does enable you to remove the portafilter and WDT before tamping
@@TomsCoffeeCorner I think any compatible BOTTOMLESS portafilter will do. The issue with the Breville dosing funnel is that the spouted portafilter, with the funnel attached, hits the drip tray and won’t fit in the forks under the grinder. I have seen one or two other RUclipsrs use the Breville funnel, with a bottomless portafilter, to allow them to remove the portafilter in order to WDT, then remove the funnel, put the portafilter back into the grinder position to allow the use of the integrated tamper. Lifestyle Lab, in particular, just released a video specifically addressing this issue, in the last two weeks, with a nice demo on the procedure.
@@coreycannon4511 I have a funnel from Capfei, which I tried, but it doesn't quite fit in the cradle. I guess I'd have to buy the Breville one. Nevertheless, I find that using such a workaround to allow for WDT really kind of defeats the purpose of the convenience innate to the auto dose and tamp.
Hi Tom, I have been watching a lot of your videos… I’m looking for a expresso machine but it wouldn’t be for a home service, I would use it for a tiny coffee shop. What’s your opinion about my idea? My top option is the barista express impress… thank you so much for all the knowledge that you share!! 🇲🇽
Hi Tom, could you advise me a filter holder (with bottom) for my Barista express impress ?Because I would like to always have the single filter ready so I don't always have to remove and then put the double filter back when I have to make a single shot .I'm still not that expert to use the bottomless ones and the sage original is too expansive.
Another great review thank you. If price is not a factor, would you recommend this over the Breville Barista Express? The only thing that’s stopping me from getting the Impress is I like the manual/old way of making coffee, but then you don’t have to use the built in tamper anyway!
Uhh, I didn’t prime the pump like you did. I didn’t even know anything about that spigot that water came out of. Did I mess my machine up? I’ve made like 20 espressos with it and they all hit mid-espresso zone on the gauge.
Nice video Tom! I really like how everything is integrated and organized in this machine, no clutter (tools) on the counter! My current setup ecp3420 has so many loose parts (separate tampers, scoops, coffee bean containers, hand grinder, cups for purging, etc. and I tend to make a mess everywhere every time I use it. Looks like this machine would really help declutter my counter.
Good question. For me it would be the steam wand, because I make a ton of milk drinks. But if you lean towards espresso, I'd say the heated brew group. Cheers!
Congratulations very interesting, in the video you explain that there is the possibility of regulating the temperature from 91 to 95, can you explain how to do it? Thank you
Hi there! I think I did mention in the video how to do it. If not, here's an excerpt from the manual: Adjusting Water Temperature Different beans may require different water temperatures to extract their optimum flavour. The temperature can be adjusted +/- 2°C in 1°C increments from the default setting: 1. Turn the machine to OFF. 2. Press and hold filter, 1 CUP and 2 CUP then press and hold the POWER button. 3. The machine will beep once and display the current temperature. 4. Press one of the below buttons within 5 seconds: • Increase 1°C - 2 CUP • Increase 2°C - POWER • Decrease 1°C - MANUAL DOSE • Decrease 2°C - DOSE The machine will beep twice to confirm the change and return to standby mode. 5. Return to default temperature - press 1 CUP button.
Maybe there's some manufacturing tolerance on the burrs. Just open up the grind some more, if nothing was coming out. Try the inner collar at 5 instead.
That's a good question. I always have to adjust them to grind fine enough. I think most manufacturers err on the side of being to coarse, but yes it is kind of annoying.
I just purchased this impress a couple weeks ago and am struggling with pulling a consistent shot. This morning I decided to measure the water that comes out without the portafilter in and my numbers are all over the place. I just did five doubles in a row and the first one was 101 and then then 105 then 128, 119, 102. Can you tell me if this is normal or if you think something is wrong with my machine?
Hallo Tom, i have the same machine. We have problems with the pressure and crema, whatever we try it doesnt work well. We get like 0 crema. Our coffee is from a good brander. What can we do? Inner burr is on 5, we tried grind size 6 we tried 21- no difference!! And also with steaming the milk it seems to clog really fast like with 2 cups?
Hi, good time, unfortunately I still couldn't give the Sage876 espresso maker that I recently got the program and what the best grade of the mill is for this device Thank you for the guidance you see
The new tamp feature and measuring seems really great but the time on the wand is what kills me with my current barista express. Is that the same with all machines in this price range?
New subscriber. Thank you for your very thorough reviews and I esp. liked hearing from your wife on this one! Now I need to find one of these bad boys on a Black Friday sale so I can convince my husband that I'm saving him $. :) I wonder if you would put up a quick video if you happen to find any of the Breville machines on a Black Friday sale?
Sure, I will keep my eyes open for deals. So far, Breville has been very quiet. Well anyway, you will save lots of money if you use this machine and stop going to coffee shops (if you do go to coffee shops). At $5 per cappuccino, this machine can amortize itself in about ($800/($5-0.50)) = 177 drinks, or about 6 months if one person has a cappuccino per day.
Hi Tom, do you never stir your shots before tasting them? I was just wondering how much more sweetness you could taste with the first sip of you do stir upfront... Thanks for your very good content! Keep up the good work. :)
I'm contemplating getting either this or De'Longhi ECP3420. I just feel that with a 3 in 1 machine there is a chance something might break and you'd get stuck with what you have. When with 3420 you can make incremental updates and it still leaves you with an option to use either pre-ground coffee like the one lavazza sells or illy, or use coffee beans. (Yes, I'll have to get a grinder for the beans, but would it justify the price and the risk for Express Impress).
It does auto pre-infuse, but you can infuse longer if you want, and then also a long press will allow you to stop when you want, rather than use the volumetric dose.
Hi Tom, I really enjoyed your videos and making my choice even closer for an espresso machine! Can you share the best beans for Cuppuchino and Latte with a little choclate test at the end of the taste?
Well, just try to find some beans from a local roaster, and aim for a 30/70 ratio of robusta to arabica beans. I have had good results doing such. Cheers!
Good question, I haven't tried that. But grinding a single dose will take longer since there's less force from the other beans, so I am not sure if it'll work consistently.
Thanks for watching, comments welcome!
Check prices here: geni.us/BrevilleEspressoMach (Breville/Sage affiliate link)
Hi Tom, great video as always! Really appreciate the detail and honesty.
However I think your affiliate Amazon link for Germany is a copy of the USA one, so it isn't working as intended.
@@KillianMeehan Hi Killian, oh you're right! Thanks for the info, I changed it. Cheers! Tom
where did you get those mugs?
Really nice and informing video!
Just bought it a few days ago and I’m really happy with the shots it makes.
I was thinking of upgrading to a bottomless portafilter, but I’ve heard that some of them fit a little to loose in the “packing grinding area” which results in spilling a small amount every time you grind.
Can you recommend of a solid one or few that fits tightly and doesn’t have this problem ? I would love a link or some :)
Thanks you so much!
They don't seem to sell the white version anymore 😞 not on Amazon at least.
Have owned my Barista Espresso for seven years now. That means it has made just under 10,000 shots. Still works perfectly. There is but one life and rather leave life with money for some-one else to spend I have ordered the Impress. Your chat helped to confirm my decision to move to an easier machine to operate. My lady is looking forward to all the tamping implements gone and no more grounds on the counter. Thank you for a lovely presentation.
Thanks for that feedback! This is still my wife's favorite machine, also because it doesn't make a mess on the counter.
There is a Breville/Sage "Dosing Funnel" which can be used with a bottomless portafilter. It just attaches on top of it. You can put the portafilter into the machine with that, have the grinder do its thing, then pull it out, use a distribution tool or whatever you like. Then you can put the grounds-filled filter back into the machine without the funnel to do the tamping part.
Thank you so much for the beautiful video. One of the things you mentioned is how the grind degree can affect the bitterness or sweetness of the coffee, would you mind explain this in a separate video please. Thank you again 😊
Excellent vid! I like many home barista types, started my serious espresso journey with a Breville machine, but was always frustrated by the high pressure that couldn't be adjusted via an OPV. I believe this finally doesn't have that issue and is far more consistent as a result.
I think this will be my next machine after my Dedica has had enough of my abuse.
I’ve had my ec680 since 2014, it won’t quit 🏆
If only I could get top quality espresso machines delivered free to my door regularly. I’m jealous and you make it hard for me to decide what my upgrade from my starter machine should be. I want them all 😊
RIP delonghi dedica 😢
it's amazing to have espresso with botomless and no need much effort to have good results 😮
Saw your video on this and ordered it 3 seconds ago with a good discount. Thanks a lot! This will be my first espresso machine :)
How is it, do you like it?
@@dimab8753 Finding the right settings was quite hard for me but that was because of my own reason. But my friends (who are way more experienced than me) say that the max force that the hand press can apply to the coffee wasn't enough. Other than this, it's perfect.
My main concern with buying a 3 in 1 machine like this is if something breaks. You're stuck with a big block on the counter and you end up with an extra grinder or milk frother. Getting it repaired can be a pain.
I suppose, but quality control these days is pretty good. I wouldn't buy a product assuming it's going to break anytime soon. Of course you need to do preventative maintenance, like regular descaling.
I’ve had a Breville Express for 10 years and apart from changing the gasket a couple of times it has worked to perfection!
@@kernowboy137 Awesome - thanks for the feedback!
I have an oracle and it overheated after 7 months. Been in the repair shop for 3 weeks and still waiting. Under warranty yes but 7 months is pathetic.
This is my dream espresso/cappuccino machine. What a superb review you did of this machine. Thank you so much!
Thank you too, I appreciate the feedback!
@@TomsCoffeeCorner My pleasure!
Agree on no water tank sensor. Also the power button is next to shot buttons, the previous model had power away on the other side. For more flexibility with tamp, simply get the lower model. I was sold on the tamp dosing automation for my parents and lack of grinds mess. Simple and clean.
Your videos have been super helpful especially the comparison videos! I’m finally ready to get my first machine and can’t wait for some homemade deliciousness!
I wasn’t sure which model to choose the most common model or this one. But eventually I think this one won. Let’s see how my experience is in 2 weeks when it arrives. Thanks for your great review.
I have had a Barista Express for about 7 years now. I was totally unable to get a really good, rich espresso out of it. I've been making espresso for 25 years now and do know how to do it. I switched to an Ascaso Dream, which was much more difficult to use but also made much better coffee. I got frustrated with the lack of parts for it and switched to the Gaggia Classic Pro that is now my go to machine. Not a bunch of whistles and bells and doesn't do everything automatically, but the coffee is amazing. The Breville is extremely easy to use and convenient to use but in my humble opinion not worth the mediocre coffee.
Thanks for sharing your journey. I find this machine quite benefits from a long pre-infusion, which you can do by holding the button in.
In my opinion Sage Barista Pro is the best choice, for me. I've been using it for two years and I don't want do change anything. Sure, I can tamp myself. And I have a little knowledge (more than little) about making a coffee. The ability to program the machine gives my wife a chance to make good coffee too, without getting too deep into the coffee brewing technique. Sure, the botomless portafilter is necessary.
The Pro is also nice, and has a better steam wand. But I really like the inclusion of the manometer on the Barista Express models. Thanks for the feedback. Cheers!
@@TomsCoffeeCorner9😅
@@TomsCoffeeCorner
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Great video and informative. I just ordered this machine. Can't wait to make my expresso drinks! Thanks Tom!
Have you received it yet? 😊 I’m thinking of purchasing it today!
such an amazing coffee maker 😍love it 👍
Excellent review of the Breville Barista Express Impress! It certainly looks like a great future upgrade when my current machine gives up the ghost. Thanks for your time putting this together.
Many thanks! It's still on our counter, so it's a winner in the W.A.F department. :)
Well... Just got in black truffle 😅, your video really helped me to make the decision. Thx Tom, keep it up
G'day Tom, I'm in Brisbane, Australia, and three months ago, I purchased a Breville Express Impress coffee machine in stainless steel. After buying it, I watched a few RUclips videos. I've tried various coffee beans, including Merlo, and now I've ordered some Botero coffee beans; I also like some Aldi coffee beans at a third of the price.
I've watched several of your videos and chosen the suitable machine for my experience and pocket. I've also watched Mr Hoon and Coffee Kev; they're pretty good.
My Normcore Bottomless Portafilter and basket arrived today, and the Timemore Blackmirror plus coffee scales arrived last week; I'm happy with them both.
My Botero taster pack arrives tomorrow with five varieties of 250-gram bags of freshly roasted coffee beans. Also coming is my Pesado 18-gram Filter Basket, made for the Australian firm Pesado by IMS.
My coffee puck was well ground and tamped by the Impress and didn't channel when I used the Normcore portafilter.
You must be patient to keep doing these videos; thank you for your helpful advice.
I had an SMEG before and much prefer the Breville. My SMEG was three and a half years old, and I gave that and a Sunbeam coffee grinder to my Nephew when I got my Breville. Happy coffee drinking! I like my wine, beer and coffee and enjoy a few RUclips videos!
Cheers 🍻 George
G'day mate! Thanks so much for posting your story George! I am happy to hear you're satisfied with your Impress. It's quite a nice machine - my wife's favorite of the many I own. Sounds like you're on your way to some tasty coffee drinking - have fun with it! Best wishes, Tom
Lovely review, new sub! Just as a PSA to other breville users, pls don't adjust your inner burr settings as your machine may not need it. Only adjust it finer if, at size 1 left dial, and using fresh beans you're still not getting a good smooth extraction with 11 oclock gauge position, only then will i consider changing the inner burr by 1-2 numbers max! sometimes the burr at 6 is very good and grinds fine and going 2 numbers finer immediately my make the burrs actually touch one another and damage the cutting surface, I've see it happen.
This is such a great machine by breville and I think it will take off as their bestseller
That was great! Lets disassemble it!
Now if it just had the auto steam function it would be the perfect machine for my wife. The touch version has it, at twice the price though. She made coffee on the Bambino Plus, once, and it was too "involved" for her. She went right back to the Nespresso machine (and electric whisk), lol. She likes the quality of coffee (lattes) that she gets from the BBP but not the work it takes to get it.
Anyway, great video, as always.
Haha, I can totally understand that. Using these machines requires a fair amount of interaction. I have a work friend who loves espresso, has an E61 machine, but still uses his superautomatic most of the time, because you just have to press a button. 😅 So, I can understand that. I myself, get a kick out of using these machines. Cheers!
that's my wife !!
what a beautiful machine. I need to own one.
I've got one of these in black and it's awesome. Can't kill it with a stick 😅
Great video! Thanks for sharing with us. As I watched it, I am just now waiting for DHL to deliver my Barista Express Impress 🥳
The real cool function is not the adaptive dosing with the integrated tamper, but that is plays music during extraction (7:27) !!😁
Excellent review! That tamper function is pretty cool! Something minor i'd have liked to have seen addressed that all Breville machines have that seem like a UX flaw, is the steam dial. If you are facing the machine, the steam dial articulation is wonky, due to the direction it's facing on the side of the machine. There are aftermarket paddle levers that you can pickup to address this, but from an ergonomic standpoint, it seems like a more elegant solution. Otherwise, this seems like a great all-in-one machine! Tamping is its own monster, and this seems to neatly solve that problem for potential new users. I also liked how you demonstrated the ability to polish after tamping. No one wants a messy puck! lol
While I agree that extending the leverage of that switch would make it more enjoyable to use, I don’t see it as a design flaw. Extending it would also change the packaging design, making it bigger, and probably more expensive to ship.
But yes, the integrated tamper is a sweet mechanical design, is robust, and the polishing is quite clever. Cheers!
❤a big thack you for your help in me.I have a job to read and spell words and I thack you for your Video clips how to clean my machine thank you so much from Buckinghamshire in the UK.
This is a lot more work than my Folgers Crystals.
😅 Yes, that's true. But it's also fun.
Muy bueno el vídeo. Eres excelente explicando Toms
De nada! Thanks for watching!
Quick question, what is the difference between the Breville Barista Express and the Breville Express Impress? The price difference is huge 😮 after watching all the pros and cons between the Express and Delonghi la specialista Arte I do believe the Breville is better. I didn't realize how important that that 3 way solenoid and more grinding options actually mattered but it's too bad the Delonghi doesn't offer that considering the price.
Edit: Ah, I see you answered my question in more detail :) I see. I think I will stick to the Express, if I find myself really missing out on those extra grind options and all that I think I'll be more than good with the 15 grind settings. I have a Cappuccino every morning with the Aeropress so going from that to the express I'm sure it will be more than enough for me :)
Thank you for guiding your cooperation
Great review. Happy coffee drinking and happy espresso drinking ☕️👌
Thank you! You too!
Your second latte looked great.
you are such a sympathic guy man!
Thanks, dude! 🍀
Great review Tom! That is one sweet machine. The white is gorgeous.
It sure is! Even better in person. 👍🏻
Ditto.
I am very pleased to meet you. I am from Thailand which has the most beautiful land in Asia
Me love yu velly long time 💕👍
omg you convinced me. they are onsale btw on amazon
Oh, good to know. Cheers!
I get a fair bit of channeling out of mine, I use fresh beans. Shot is within weight/time brackets. I think the puck is in contact with the shower screen as well.
Well, I find that some beans channel a fair amount, others do not, despite not using WDT. It has to do with bean type and freshness in my experience.
I've had the infuser for about 5 years. Suddenly my cappucino looks great but tastes like water. Rather than send it to Breville I'm considering this one or the Breville Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine. I can't make a decision.
Do you have a video of its behavior?
No, it doesn't look like there's a problem it tastes like it. I think it's the steam spout putting too much milk in the water. I put my hand under the steam and it's not that hot. I started using a separate foamer and it tastes better now but not exactly as good as it used to taste. I think the espresso is kind of cold. Must be a heating element.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner
Thank you so much for your response!@@TomsCoffeeCorner
Great video thank you, I am still deciding between this model or the less expensive Breville Barista Express.. Either is a definite upgrade from my... dare I say it.. Nespresso machine.
😅 Haha, I still have a Nespresso machine. It works flawlessly for when you just need a quick little coffee. But yes, the Impress will make a much different drink for you. Cheers!
PS - I like the Impress quite a bit over the BBE, due to the clever tamper. It's very pleasant to use.
Good explanations. Thank you.
My express impress auto tamp seems to not be working correctly. It arrived today. My tamp does not seem to tamp even (it’s at an angle and higher on one side than the other.) It also does not spin at all as advertised (stays static as it goes down, no twist.) I’d LOVE to see a video in what the tamp is supposed to look like with the magnetic cover removed.
Hi Alex, I did show the tamper with the cover removed. Mine is level. If yours is not, you might want to exchange for a different one.
Anyway, the twist does not come from the tamper itself...I cannot explain it mechanically, but the PF twists itself in the holder once the tamper bottoms out. Good luck!
@@TomsCoffeeCorner thank you for the quick reply! I will continue experimenting a bit more and if problem persists I will contact Breville support.
Hey Tom!
When are we gonna see a review of the Stone espresso machine?
An Espresso Machine brand owned by Rocket, that can Steam and brew at the same time without being a HX or a Dual
boiler, with only a 10 minut heat up time.
at an extremely competive price.
While also being very small and with an elegant design.
Sounds like it deserves a review from one of the best coffee RUclipsrs
Hi Jacob, thanks for the suggestion! We will have to see if I can get my hands on one, at some point. Have a good day! Tom
Excited to get my machine in brushed stainless steel. However as a senior I am finding it a little confusing, with trying to get the right grind. Have not had a good cup yet. Will keep on trying 😊
This might help: ruclips.net/video/LZJN3SvjOW0/видео.html
I watched it several times, got good beans roasted 2 weeks ago! Cannot figure out how to get the bean grinder out to dial to 3, started at 16 now at 12…. Will figure it out eventually. Love your videos very good
Fun, informative vid. Thanks
You betcha!
Great review thanks. You can keep the machine 😉😉
The coffee machine lasts for about two years if you are a moderate coffee drinker, my family are coffee drinkers so machine was constantly used with satisfactory results, actually made great espresso with the right coffee beans! But the machines compressor gives out. So it’s disappointing when you spend $1000 +, with a one year warranty but the coffee maker breaks down after 18 months of use, and repairing it is out of the question! This is my experience! Good luck if you decide to purchase this brand.
I think that's an unfair assessment. This machine, along with all other espresso machines that I know of, use an Ulka pump. So if the pump loses compression prematurely, then it's an issue with the pump and not with Breville. I have machines that have lasted years with this Ulka pump, but sometimes one just has bad luck. Either way, it's a $20 part, if you're feeling capable of replacing it. It's not a difficult thing to do, since the pump is not too far into the machine internals. Cheers!
I definitely am not inclined to do what seems to be a tedious fix, so that's why I consulted a electric technician who told me that a minimum consultation is $200 just to asses the problem plus the fix which could be ???. I should have spent little more for a better espresso machine with less electronic components. I guess you learn from your experiences. I am going with an Italian brand, more reliable, known to last longer, Breville does not have any repair references which is unbelievable. 1st and last Breville for me. thank you for your suggestion.@@TomsCoffeeCorner
@@TomsCoffeeCornerhello ☕️, I had Breville barista that worked for 2 years just as fine without any changement and I sold it before a year now … But I did zero modifications to it, it’s the first time I hear about the pump, do you have any video about it please? And for how long it can extend the life span of the machine? Thank you so much
@TomsCoffeeCorner if you do anything to it. The warranty is voided and they may even reject to service it. No one really repairs these Brevilles. These do not last. They're not supposed to. Ive had two. First lost its auto stop function. $150 to repair. I just used a timer and did it manually.
@@trex1448 if you are doing anything yourself it would be when its out of warranty, so voiding the warranty is irrelevant
Wish they would let a newbie thats never used one of this try it out and give a review.
That's true, but it would make for a long boring watch, I think. Getting acquainted with an espresso machine as a newbie definitely takes time and patience.
I'll try to buy one of this!!
Great review tx.
Does the machine have a 3 way selanoid valve? If not, is that a problem?
There are two lights, one, one being the water temperature sign and the other is a sheet of paper and the symptom (I) that is a sheet and has a sign (I) regularly when the device turns on the red blink of red.
I am sorry but I still don't understand. Do you mean setting up the water temperature? I have never seen any led blink red. Cheers!
Good review thanks
Is anyone having a problem with the tamp dose light indicator not registering at all?
When you tamp down it is meant to go smile face etc. Mine does nothing?
Very good video. Thank you
review the New Sunbeam origins espresso, cos I bought one. It has DUAL boilers, easy to use and looks great, and cheap cos I bought it on special, cheaper than Gaggia Pro furthermore it comes with a grinder built-in. Also it can be customized.
I have a Breville Oracle Touch .
Yay❤❤❤ Another fantastic reveiew!!!
Thanks for watching and commenting. 😊
Do someone understands filter button on Sage? You can choose berween small and big cup, but it has nothing to do with choosing between big or small filter, but between single or dual wall filter. But knowing which is which is very weird. Anyone lost about that?
Is that a special edition? When I check them out on their website it is always shown with a white splash cover instead of a black one.
I think the painted versions should be coming in fall. Cheers!
So why did you manually shut it down 2nd shot ? It won't stop by it self ?
The Touch Impress is also good too - with Thermaljet, auto froth and milk type selection. Brevilles’s reliability is holding me back though.
Hi, your videos are excellent, thanks for doing this. My wife and I really want this machine. However, we are on our second one in a week. We tested the pressure on both machines using a single wall filter with the cleaning tool inserted on top of it and ran just water through the filter. From other videos, including one by Breville, the pressue gauge should move to the upper limit on the pressure gauge. But, on both machines we've purchased, the pressure barely gets to the halway point. We have tried other tests with coffee, various burr and grind settings and when extracting a shot of coffee the pressure barely makes it into the black part of the pressure gauge. Are we just unlucky and have run into two straight faulty machines or are we missing something?
I just bought a delonghi la specialista opera today, and it stopped working last night.
The lights started flashing and then it shut down. So disappointing. I’m not sure if I want to get a breville or just stick to my smeg.
Fantastic video, I have been having a good look for a few days now to find the perfect one within budget and have just bought after watching this video. What beans do you recommend for a newbie to using real beans at home and making the jump from instant
It depends where you live. I'd suggest getting beans from a local roaster, to guarantee they're fresh. Cheers!
In regards to using a WDT tool, sage has made an aftermarket dosing funnel but you can't use the standard portafilter when you use it, but it does enable you to remove the portafilter and WDT before tamping
Which portafilter can you use the funnel with?
@@TomsCoffeeCorner as far as I am aware any sage/Breville compatible portafilter will work as it is a twist lock on funnel
@@TomsCoffeeCorner I think any compatible BOTTOMLESS portafilter will do. The issue with the Breville dosing funnel is that the spouted portafilter, with the funnel attached, hits the drip tray and won’t fit in the forks under the grinder. I have seen one or two other RUclipsrs use the Breville funnel, with a bottomless portafilter, to allow them to remove the portafilter in order to WDT, then remove the funnel, put the portafilter back into the grinder position to allow the use of the integrated tamper. Lifestyle Lab, in particular, just released a video specifically addressing this issue, in the last two weeks, with a nice demo on the procedure.
@@coreycannon4511 I have a funnel from Capfei, which I tried, but it doesn't quite fit in the cradle. I guess I'd have to buy the Breville one. Nevertheless, I find that using such a workaround to allow for WDT really kind of defeats the purpose of the convenience innate to the auto dose and tamp.
Hi Tom, I have been watching a lot of your videos… I’m looking for a expresso machine but it wouldn’t be for a home service, I would use it for a tiny coffee shop. What’s your opinion about my idea? My top option is the barista express impress… thank you so much for all the knowledge that you share!! 🇲🇽
Thanks!
Thanks so much for your support!
Hi Tom, could you advise me a filter holder (with bottom) for my Barista express impress ?Because I would like to always have the single filter ready so I don't always have to remove and then put the double filter back when I have to make a single shot .I'm still not that expert to use the bottomless ones and the sage original is too expansive.
Another great review thank you. If price is not a factor, would you recommend this over the Breville Barista Express? The only thing that’s stopping me from getting the Impress is I like the manual/old way of making coffee, but then you don’t have to use the built in tamper anyway!
The tamper is a nice feature to have; it streamlines the workflow. But either way, they’re both good machines. Cheers!
Uhh, I didn’t prime the pump like you did. I didn’t even know anything about that spigot that water came out of. Did I mess my machine up? I’ve made like 20 espressos with it and they all hit mid-espresso zone on the gauge.
No, you're fine. If your espresso is flowing, then the machine is primed. Cheers!
Nice video Tom! I really like how everything is integrated and organized in this machine, no clutter (tools) on the counter! My current setup ecp3420 has so many loose parts (separate tampers, scoops, coffee bean containers, hand grinder, cups for purging, etc. and I tend to make a mess everywhere every time I use it. Looks like this machine would really help declutter my counter.
Yes, the ergonomics and cleanliness is very good on this machine. It has a high W.A.F. factor. :) Cheers!
Question? What is more important 1) heated brew group, or 2) the steamer upgrade with the touch impress?
Good question. For me it would be the steam wand, because I make a ton of milk drinks. But if you lean towards espresso, I'd say the heated brew group. Cheers!
Congratulations very interesting, in the video you explain that there is the possibility of regulating the temperature from 91 to 95, can you explain how to do it? Thank you
Hi there! I think I did mention in the video how to do it. If not, here's an excerpt from the manual:
Adjusting Water Temperature
Different beans may require different water
temperatures to extract their optimum flavour.
The temperature can be adjusted +/- 2°C in 1°C
increments from the default setting:
1. Turn the machine to OFF.
2. Press and hold filter, 1 CUP and 2 CUP then
press and hold the POWER button.
3. The machine will beep once and display the
current temperature.
4. Press one of the below buttons within
5 seconds:
• Increase 1°C - 2 CUP
• Increase 2°C - POWER
• Decrease 1°C - MANUAL DOSE
• Decrease 2°C - DOSE
The machine will beep twice to confirm the
change and return to standby mode.
5. Return to default temperature - press 1 CUP
button.
Set my inner grinder to 3 like you and tried 8 on the dial and no water came through, what am I doing wrong 😢
Maybe there's some manufacturing tolerance on the burrs. Just open up the grind some more, if nothing was coming out. Try the inner collar at 5 instead.
I love your videos, but the link is broken. I would like to use your affiliate link. Thank you so much for your thorough demonstration!
@@rnguyen2516 hi there, thanks so much! Which link do you mean? For which country? Thanks!
@@TomsCoffeeCornerit is the affiliate Amazon link in your description. I’m watching from the US. Thank you so much!
What beans did you use for this test?
I just don’t find the purpose of that grinder. Not as to why it exist but why does it have such course settings. What’s the use? The finer the better
That's a good question. I always have to adjust them to grind fine enough. I think most manufacturers err on the side of being to coarse, but yes it is kind of annoying.
I wish it was Sage in the U.S., it looks and sounds way better than Breville
I just purchased this impress a couple weeks ago and am struggling with pulling a consistent shot. This morning I decided to measure the water that comes out without the portafilter in and my numbers are all over the place. I just did five doubles in a row and the first one was 101 and then then 105 then 128, 119, 102. Can you tell me if this is normal or if you think something is wrong with my machine?
Hallo Tom, i have the same machine. We have problems with the pressure and crema, whatever we try it doesnt work well. We get like 0 crema. Our coffee is from a good brander. What can we do? Inner burr is on 5, we tried grind size 6 we tried 21- no difference!! And also with steaming the milk it seems to clog really fast like with 2 cups?
This machine has not been updated with the baratza burrs, like the Barista Touch Impress, right?
I'm pretty sure that is correct.
Hi can you tell me do you use espresso coffe or others
I USE PRE GROUND COFFE ANDTHE PRESSURE GUAGE NEVER , NEVER GOEW ABOVE 25 TO 30%. WHAT CAN I DO FOR THAT PROBLEM
Use whole coffee beans, and grind finely. Try using freshly roasted, too.
Hi, good time, unfortunately I still couldn't give the Sage876 espresso maker that I recently got the program and what the best grade of the mill is for this device
Thank you for the guidance you see
The new tamp feature and measuring seems really great but the time on the wand is what kills me with my current barista express. Is that the same with all machines in this price range?
The Barista Pro is faster. Anyway, the 2nd and 3rd time you steam, the wait gets shorter. Maybe 10-15 seconds. Cheers!
New subscriber. Thank you for your very thorough reviews and I esp. liked hearing from your wife on this one! Now I need to find one of these bad boys on a Black Friday sale so I can convince my husband that I'm saving him $. :) I wonder if you would put up a quick video if you happen to find any of the Breville machines on a Black Friday sale?
Sure, I will keep my eyes open for deals. So far, Breville has been very quiet. Well anyway, you will save lots of money if you use this machine and stop going to coffee shops (if you do go to coffee shops). At $5 per cappuccino, this machine can amortize itself in about ($800/($5-0.50)) = 177 drinks, or about 6 months if one person has a cappuccino per day.
Great video. After you set the inner grind to 3, what do you use as the outer grind for a single shot?
It depends on your bean, roast, and dosage. I am usually somewhere in the middle of the dial with fresh beans.
Does open up the grind mean finer or corser grind? And by how much?
Coarsen, and just a little at a time. Cheers!
Hi Tom,
do you never stir your shots before tasting them? I was just wondering how much more sweetness you could taste with the first sip of you do stir upfront...
Thanks for your very good content! Keep up the good work. :)
I do stir them sometimes, but generally not on camera. I kind of like the texture of the crema, so I don't stir all the time. Cheers!
I'm contemplating getting either this or De'Longhi ECP3420. I just feel that with a 3 in 1 machine there is a chance something might break and you'd get stuck with what you have. When with 3420 you can make incremental updates and it still leaves you with an option to use either pre-ground coffee like the one lavazza sells or illy, or use coffee beans. (Yes, I'll have to get a grinder for the beans, but would it justify the price and the risk for Express Impress).
Well, the ECP3420 is the best economical machine in my opinion. Pair it with a Eureka Mignon, and you will get nice results. Cheers!
Hey Tom, great vid. Noticed you pressed and held shot button for 8 seconds. How come? Doesn’t it auto pre infuse?
It does auto pre-infuse, but you can infuse longer if you want, and then also a long press will allow you to stop when you want, rather than use the volumetric dose.
Hi Tom, I really enjoyed your videos and making my choice even closer for an espresso machine! Can you share the best beans for Cuppuchino and Latte with a little choclate test at the end of the taste?
Well, just try to find some beans from a local roaster, and aim for a 30/70 ratio of robusta to arabica beans. I have had good results doing such. Cheers!
How can I get Dinzler Coffer beans in the US?
Just order from their website. They ship worldwide as I understand.
Does that steam beats sounds normal???
It’s normal, yes.
Great video! I just purchased this machine a couple of weeks ago. Would you bother using a puck screen with this?
I wouldn't bother, to be honest.
What happens if you put exactly 18grams in the grinder and then tamp? Will it remember that?
Good question, I haven't tried that. But grinding a single dose will take longer since there's less force from the other beans, so I am not sure if it'll work consistently.