How to Use Breville Espresso Machine

How to Use Breville Espresso Machine – Getting Started

Breville is a renowned and established name in the coffee industry, as well as one of the most popular brands among home coffee lovers. Breville coffee makers are available in a variety of styles and models, with options for novice, intermediate, and experienced coffee lovers.

Breville is known for its espresso machines, and one of its models, the Barista Express, is touted as the best home espresso machine.

Since most Breville espresso machines have similar features and functions, most of the tips in this article will apply to them. If you’re a proud new owner of a Breville espresso maker and you’d like to know how to use it, you’re in the right place.

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to operate a Breville espresso maker. Again since the Breville Barista Express is best-in-class, we’ll base our discussion on it.

The Setup Process

First and foremost, follow the instructions for assembling the machine. The manual will show how to clean all the parts, install the water filter, and flush the machine.
Next, ensure you do a quick check of the water level every time you use your new espresso machine, even before turning it on.

How to Use Breville Espresso Machine

Once you switch it on, the espresso machine is ready for use. It will produce a bumping/knocking noise when you switch it on, which is very typical.
However, it is recommended to let the espresso machine warm-up for 10-15 minutes before using it so that all the components are nice and warm.
Next, add the coffee beans to the ‘hopper’ after the machine has warmed up. You don’t have to add a specific number; just ensure that you have ‘enough.’

To brew the perfect espresso, you’ll need the right amount of grind and the right size of the grind. This is primarily achieved by trial and error, and you’ll have to tweak it every time you use a different kind of coffee bean.
Set the grind size to five; this is the number recommended by Breville. It’s unlikely that you’ll need to adjust this number.
Now to the grind amount; you might need to adjust it a couple of times. Keep it at the “3 o’clock” position, as illustrated in the diagram below.

Next, weigh the portafilter. By scaling the portafilter first and then “zeroing” it out, you can confirm you have the precise amount of ground coffee each time.
Then push the portafilter in quickly and release it, like it’s an elevator switch. This will commence the grinding process.

Next, weigh the amount of ground coffee you get. If you’re brewing a double shot and the weight is between 15 and 18 grams, that’s the perfect amount. There’s no need to change the grind amount or add more coffee.
If you have more than 18 grams of coffee, deduct a small amount till you have 18 grams, then modify the ‘Grind Amount’ to give you less next time.

How to Use Breville Espresso MachineHow to Use Breville Espresso Machine

Tamping pressure is the only thing you’ll have to figure out on a “trial and error” basis. To make it even, you’ll need more pressure than merely pressing it down. Rotating the tamper at the end prior to pulling it out will help keep your grinds more level.
Before you prepare your espresso, make sure to wipe out all of the extra grinds from the portafilter. The portafilter won’t ‘seal’ well if there are any loose grinds.

Prior to sliding the portafilter inside the espresso maker, press the ‘1-cup’ switch to fill a mug with hot water and then empty the water.
Finally, it’s time to draw your shot. Position the portafilter where it reads ‘Insert,’ then turn it until it’s in the ‘Lock’ position, as illustrated in the image below.

How to Use Breville Espresso Machine

The next phase is to steam and froth the milk if you want to prepare a latte or cappuccino using your freshly extracted espresso. To do this, pour milk into the milk jug until it reaches the bottom part of the jug’s ‘V’ shape.
Every time you want to use the pressure wand, you must first “purge” it. To do this, turn the dial to “Steam” and place the wand over the drip tray.

Next, froth and steam the milk inside the jug.
Finally, sit down and enjoy your café latte.

How to Use Breville Espresso Machine

Note: For the best results, use high quality beans on your Breville espresso machine. Ensure the coffee beans you use have been roasted recently; typically, less than 10 days. Also use whole beans on Breville expresso makers. Pre-ground beans are not as flavorful.

Final Thought

This review barely scratches the surface with regard to using a Breville espresso maker. Once you’ve mastered the simple instructions in this review, you can dig further into the manual and play around with all the fantastic features your espresso maker has to offer.