Life with the BES870XL Breville Barista Express

Learn all about the BES870XL Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine.

This is not your average espresso machine!

Find out why this device will change everything you knew about caffeine and help you fall in love with coffee again.

Life with the BES870XL Breville Barista Express

The BES870XL Breville Barista Express is one of the most popular coffee machines on the market.

Last year during the pandemic, with restaurants and the local coffee shop shut down, we decided to invest in making good quality coffee at home. I did a lot of research on determining which espresso machine to purchase.

Once I decided on a Breville espresso machine, it boiled down to which appliance to buy.

I initially wanted to buy the Breville Barista Touch in black, but Derrick opted for the express.

One of the reasons I decided to buy the barista express over the touch was that many reviews suggested having the pressure gauge with the express vs. not having it with other Breville machines. 

Breville Barista Expresso Machine

Breville is a company that specializes in kitchen appliances.

The BES870XL Breville Barista Express is an excellent espresso maker, and it would be worth your time to learn how to use it effectively.

I will say it took some time to learn how to use this machine. Now that we’ve had this best machine for over a year, there are still things we’re learning. 

What is the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine

Breville Barista Express is a popular espresso machine as well as a best seller among coffee drinkers because it automatically grinds beans before brewing, and the semi-automatic design makes producing lattes easier than ever.

The Breville Barista Express can create a variety of coffees and espressos. 

The Barista Express allows you to grind the beans right before extraction for full flavor, and precise temperature control (PID) ensures optimal espresso extraction.

You can also be hands-on like a barista with a steam wand giving milk texturing to deliver authentic café style results in no time at all.

I also see how this machine got its name because it makes you feel like a professional barista after you get the techniques down.

This is the perfect machine for espresso lovers.

Specs for the Breville Barista Express machine

Shared from Amazon 

• The Breville Barista Express delivers third-wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part of the Barista Series that offers all in one espresso machines with an integrated grinder to go from beans to espresso in under one minute
• DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on-demand to deliver the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean
• OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low-pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
• PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction
• MANUAL MICROFOAM MILK TEXTURING: The powerful steam wand performance allows you to hand texture microfoam milk that enhances flavor and enables the creation of latte art
• ESPRESSO MACHINE WITH GRIND SIZE DIAL: Simple and intuitive, giving you control over the grind size no matter what type of bean you’re grinding
• ESPRESSO MAKER WITH BUILT-IN COFFEE GRINDER: Innovative grinding cradle allows any at home barista to grind directly into the espresso portafilter for the perfect espresso

What makes Breville Barista Express so unique?

Why do they call themselves “the original inventor of quality” in North America?

Breville’s philosophy is simple: building quality into the design of their products, so they last a lifetime.

Breville has been designing kitchen products for over 30 years that simplify cooking.

Breville’s product line includes coffee makers like the Barista Express, which offers Brevilles signature manual milk texturing with a seamless one-touch control for espresso in less than a minute at home or on the go!

The Breville Barista Express also features precision temperature controls (PID), pre-infusion, custom grind settings, and 17 bar Italian pump pressure rated from 19 to 25 bars).

The result? Consistent flavor without compromising other Breville Barista Express Breville’s signature features.

Why choose a Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine for your espresso machine?

The Breville Barista Express is ranked all over the internet as the “Best Home Espresso Machine in semi-automatic espresso machines.

This Breville espresso machine has a powerful 15 bar Italian pump and precise dual voltage that lets it make any coffee, from iced mochas to authentic cappuccinos, with the touch of a button.

With its integrated conical burr grinder, this Breville espresso maker will supply your home or office with freshly ground beans in seconds.

The Breville Espresso Machine’s patented Quick Heat Boiler system brews at 203 degrees Fahrenheit which extracts more flavor and aroma than lower-quality machines made by competitors.

And if those weren’t enough reasons to buy one yet, Breville also offers their line of gourmet blend coffees as well as an innovative range of Breville Barista accessories to go with it.

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine is a versatile machine as you can make espresso and steam milk for lattes or cappuccinos with Breville’s patented swiveling jet frother.

How to use a Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine

The Breville Barista Express has been designed to create silky textured milk froth for smooth cappuccinos and rich espressos every time you use this product.

It also features an adjustable dual spout that lets you select between one shot or two shots of coffee without any mess at all.

Once you get the hang of using this semi-automatic espresso machine, you will feel like a barista pro showing off your barista skills by making cups of coffee for your friends + family.

You can make a latte, macchiato, and more with the Breville Barista Express by combining water and milk to create your personalized drink each time you use this Breville coffee machine.

It sounds pretty simple, but there are certain tips and tricks you need to know before using your machine. Stay tuned for our detailed post.

Fill up the removable water tank (also known as the water reservoir) of the Breville coffee maker.

It is important not to over-tighten the portafilter on the Breville Barista Express as too much force will cause it to push down into the filter basket, which won’t allow enough space for the shot of espresso to be extracted properly.

Once tightened, ensure there is a small gap between where it meets the portafilter handle before applying pressure.

Pros and Cons of buying a BES870XL Breville Barista Express 

The Breville BES870XL has lots of pros, including easy clean-up and a no-drip tray to prevent any water from spilling down your countertop when not in use.

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine has a good warranty and customer service, and it is reliable for the most part.

The Breville Barista Express makes it easy to steam milk manually using the steam wand made in the stainless steel milk jug.

The Breville BES870XL espresso machine includes many features such as a large drink capacity, dual pressure gauge, a dedicated hot water spout, and an automatic frothing arm. 

Another pro to buying a semi-automatic espresso machine is that it has a grinder built-in! You don’t need to buy an additional coffee grinder to use this machine. 

Cons: It can be a bit pricey. The Breville Barista Express BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine can be complicated when cleaning because all the surfaces on which coffee grinds can get stuck.

It also makes noise when grinding beans which might disrupt people who may be sleeping.

Some Breville Barista Express reviews mention that the Breville BES870XL espresso machine is easy to clean up and has a powerful steam nozzle for milk froth and a removable drip tray that helps prevent this any water from spilling down your countertop when you’re not using it.

The Breville Barista Express espresso machine is an excellent option for those who love their coffee.

But these disadvantages don’t outweigh all the positive benefits of having your espresso machine!

It can be expensive, but it’s worth the investment if you’re looking for something that will last and brew quality drinks every time.

Frequently asked questions about the BES870XL Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine

How much does Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine cost?

The Breville BES870XL starts at $699.99. However, you can find deals on the Breville Barista Express machine from time to time.

No matter the price, once I researched different espresso machines, I knew this was the machine I wanted to get! 

What are the dimensions of the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine?

This espresso maker measures 12.5 x 12.6 x 13.1 inches and weighs about 23 pounds with its cord attached.

Its sleek design will fit nicely on your countertop or kitchen table!

Are there different colors or designs for the Barista Express Machine?

Yes, you can get the Barista Express Espresso machine in red, silver, or black.

We initially purchased the black Barista Express but sent it back to swap out for the silver. We also noticed (and we read reviews on this) the black version of the barista scratched up easily. 

Is Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine dishwasher safe?

Well, you cannot put the whole machine in the dishwasher, but the Breville espresso machine parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher without worry as they won’t drip or leak.

What is the number to Breville customer service?

Breville’s customer service number is 1 (866) 273-8455; if you have any questions about this machine.

Do I need to buy anything else other than Breville Barista Express to accompany this appliance?

Yes, there are essentials we highly recommend getting at the same time as your espresso purchase.

• Breville cleaning tablets
• Coffee bean canister to store coffee beans ( you want to use an airtight container stored away from heat or light, so they stay fresh longer. You do not want to store your beans in the bean hopper)
• Food scale (to weigh your beans for great tasting espresso)
• appropriate coffee mugs
• a coffee distributor 
• espresso spoons 
• coffee scoop
• razor dose trimming tool (comes with the espresso machine)
• Of course, the whole bean variety of coffee of your choice. Currently, we’re using Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend, but we also love Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso and Tchibo whole beans. 
• knock box for used coffee grounds
• I recently purchase these designs to use for latte art

Where can you buy a Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine?

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine is available online on Amazon.

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine can also be found in specialty stores like Williams Sonoma or Sur La Table .

You can also find these semi-automatic machines at Best Buy in-person, online, and at Bed Bath and Beyond. 

Is there a Breville Barista Express sale?

You will see the Breville Barista Express go on sale from time to time. When I scored my espresso machine, I was able to find it on sale at Bed Bath and Beyond, and used a 20% off coupon to save even more money, which was a great value.

With Black Friday and the holidays right around the corner, you may see sales on the Breville Barista Express, so stay tuned.

We’ll share them as we see them on our Instagram page. 

Important tips for using your new Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine

Tip one: Preheat the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine by running a few rounds of hot water through the machine to warm up all components and exit valves.

When I’m making coffee in the morning, I like to turn on the machine right when I wake up, so the machine is warmed up and ready!

Pro-tip: Put the coffee mug you plan to use on top of the espresso machine so the bottom can get warm. 

Tip two: Pre-grind your coffee beans to ensure consistency when brewing espresso shots.

Breville recommends using medium grind for this model. However, you may experiment with different grinder settings until you find the perfect one that suits your taste preference.

This is where having a scale is essential to have when you buy your machine. You will want to measure out your beans for accuracy.

For dark, oiler roasts, you will want 16 grams. For a lighter roast, use 18 grams. I like to use right around 17 grams. (This will also depend on the type of beans you use.)

Tip three: Fill a stainless steel portafilter basket with 18 grams of ground coffee (medium coarseness).

This will produce about 16 ounces of espresso or two large cups worth. Packed too tightly?

Use fewer grounds; if not enough grounds are used, use more! Learning how to use your Breville is like a science.

You cannot wing the number of beans; having the exact amount is crucial. The type of coffee you use and the portafilter baskets (we currently use the dual-wall basket) are vital for accurate extraction. 

Tip four: Tamp down gently but firmly on each side with 25 pounds pressure before locking the portafilter in place.

Tip five: For Breville Barista Express models, set the grind size by turning the knob on the front of the grinder to a “coarse” position for a slightly more coarse grind or turn it up one notch from there (medium setting) if you want just enough texture to be visible in your grounds.

Pro-tip: You will have to play around with the grind size, the grind amount, as well as the internal burn grinder to find out what works best with your type of coffee. 

Our Breville Barista Express review

As I mentioned above, we love our Breville Barista Espresso machine. It’s been one of the best things we purchased during the pandemic. While it took some time to learn how to use it, we didn’t give up.

That’s my first recommendation after purchasing your espresso machine.

There is a learning curve, so learn how to use it. I went on YouTube and started watching videos on different tips and techniques on using this Breville espresso machine. 

This is one of my favorite and most helpful YouTuber’s that has a Barista Express machine.

Our current coffee settings for our espresso machine: Our grind size is set on a 9. The grind amount knob is set on 4. And the internal burn is set at a 5 (or 6). Check out our IG page to see some of our daily coffee stories. 

Reasons we love the Breville Barista Express:

• This machine was a game changer to great-tasting quality coffee. 
• This espresso machine helps you get the most out of your coffee beans. 
• User-friendly once you learn how to use it. 
• It is a pretty simple + straightforward machine. 
• It has a clean design. 
• We’re saving money since we can make our own espressos, lattes, iced coffee, etc at home. 

We hope this blog post has helped you make sense of the many features and functions that come with a Breville Barista Express, the best espresso machine on the market (in my opinion. LOL)

I don’t know how I went this long without making high-quality at home.

Grinding fresh beans and learning how to extract the right single shot or double shot has been a challenge, but I’ve loved the learning process.

Stay tuned for our next blog post in this series about the tips and tricks we’ve learned with our Breville Barista Express coming soon.