FRENZY24
Taking advantage of the coupon posted here, the famous the Barista Express is at its lowest compared to some previous deals. Not an all time low but very good price
Breville Barista Express (Salted Liquorice) $528 + Delivery ($0 C&C) @ The Good Guys
840
ronitdias on 11/11/2024 - 10:28 thegoodguys.com.au (2916 clicks)
Last edited 11/11/2024 - 22:44 by 2 other users
Last edited 11/11/2024 - 22:44 by 2 other users
This is part of Click Frenzy deals for 2024
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No but just pulled mine apart to tighten the group head screws. Not too hard a job
I've already opened it up and replaced the solenoids, but the 3-way is not operating properly so now it's down to the triac.
Put a meter on it. If the triacs bad replace it. They definitely do go if there are leaks.
Assume you have left some descaler sit inside for half a day (at least).
Start from the pump and blow through each tube to make sure they are all flowing.
@tunzafun001: yeah, it started as no pressure.
Descaled multiple times and have checked all of the tubes, no build up.
The water comes out of the group head when I run hot water & steam.
@impoze: And you opened up and cleaned / descaled the steam / water dial on the side?
It's just a ceramic tap washer (like a flick mixer).
Prime suspect
@tunzafun001: yeah, the hot water and steam dial was working fine before. Just had no pressure as I noticed water coming out of 2-way valve so thought it wasn't closing properly.
@impoze: The selector on the side just opens/ closes channels. I recon you have a lump in the line that feeds the selector.
It it was me, I'd disconnect it and Clean it. Then activate the pump with the selector off to be blast out anything in the lines from the boiler to that dial (but be super careful as it will all be live, and water will shoot out big time). Also remember, the pump starts for a few seconds the moment you power it up.
@impoze: Hey just a quick one. If you are getting steam/water out of group head when selecting steam/water after replacing the 3 way solenoid its most likely just installed in wrong direction, I have done this myself a few years ago ( I service / repair consumer coffee machines as a hobby).
Check this thread for further information
https://www.home-barista.com/repairs/assistance-needed-brevi….
@mintyman: thanks so much, that was the issue!
I'm still not getting pressure though, I'm now wondering if it's been gauge all along..
I had to replace my pressure guage. But now other things are failing its over 5 years old. Time to think replacement
@impoze: Slight movement , its only 35 to replace but a bit fiddly , i ended up not putting both nuts back on . It worked for 6 month's then caput again.
It was defn gunked up, I soaked in cleaner but a new ones cheap
Better off sending it to landfill JV?
Is it a common issue with this model?
@bAps: Why would we be sharing 'bargains' that have 'known issues' that require being dismantled to work properly?
I think it's a fair question.
@nzcoops: Then there'd never be espresso machine deals posted. All of them, including expensive commercial ones, will eventually need repair as they all have weak points and quirks. They're temperamental appliances.
I have had this model for 5 years without any repairs at all, but its day will come.
@BradH13: I hear you, and appreciate your comment.
I'm not sure "will eventually need repair" is an overly useful comment, I think that might apply to everything ever made in history.
The question is getting at if something is a "common issue", as in, something that happens earlier than a reasonable consumer would expect and/or with a frequency higher than a reasonable consumer would expect.
And, we're not talking about replacing a $3 optional external clip, we're talking about an expensive essential component buried inside the machine.
@nzcoops: Everything will need repair sooner or later.
These machines will last 10+ years easy…but will likely need a tinker along the way. BUT at least they are accessible…unlike the Sunbeams which are a lot more "fun" to access…to the point no one bothers..and they go to landfill instead of a simple $1 or less fix.
@tunzafun001: That was me.
Replaced it with the Gaggia Classic Pro.
Two screws and you have access to everything.
@jaimex2: Yeah, I'm tempted to try a Gaggia. Waiting for one to cross my path.
Do like the convenience of a thermoblock…so haven't actively looked for a Gaggia….yet…
@tunzafun001: Agree. I've had mine for 10 years and only changed an O-ring. Pulled at least 3 espressos a day, every day.
@jaimex2: Not exactly straight to landfill… It's just they havent put any thought into future repairs / maintenance when they make them.
So it takes time to get them apart, and the labour makes it cost prohibitive.
But if you want to have a tinker yourself, I just saw you can now get generic brass 4 way junctions (where sunbeams fail a lot - plastic ) off eBay etc.
Great machine at a great price. Mine is going 4 years strong
+1. Have had mine for 7 years and still going strong. Have only needed to replace the gasket ($10) which took around 10 mins.
Highly recommend puck screens with this machine
I’ve just started using them on mine and it’s improved the coffee significantly
Yes. The BES only has a single point water outlet (BDB etc has multi outlet).
Must use a puck screen for single shots at least.
Agree it improves consistency and also reduces cleaning.
Handy hint, ultrasonic cleaners work well on the puck screens. Although the screens are relatively cheap and I am prone to accidently throwing them out.Oh wow, hadn’t even thought of that aha… I have an ultrasonic cleaner, I’ll give it a go
Cheers!
I just let the puck screen dry, then give it a brush.
Detergent clean every 2 months. Been perfect.
Any rec on the puck screen?
These are the ones I’m using
Full disclosure: I got these through Amazon Vine so I didn’t actually pay for them. But in my experience with using them, they’re durable, easy to clean and produce great coffee.
Have not noticed any improvements in the shots.
However, definitely improved cleaning, almost clean water in the drip tray after using a screen.
The vacuum at the end of a shot inevitably pulls loose coffee grounds back into the system, a puck screen almost completely stopped it.
Anyone's machine turns on like a jet engine taking off?
I hope OP finds some answers but this sent me hahahahaha
Can you pull a shot and froth the milk at the same time?
No
Not in this machine, you'll need to get the Breville Dual Boiler machine for that.
Seems like a lot of people recommend going up to the Breville Barista Pro. Anyone have thoughts on the differences?
I had the Barista Express for a year and loved it. (Upgraded to a Breville Dual Boiler) Only complaint is that it took a long time switching from pulling a shot to transitioning to steam (ab 30 secs to heat-up and switchover). This wait is addressed with the the Barista Pro's "ThermoJet" technology with quicker switchover times - I have used the Barista Pro at friends.
You will however pay a premium for it. The Barista Express is perfect for a newbie entering intot the coffee world and will still produce a great cup of coffee. I suggest you buy a new tamper and use a scale to start though.
Thanks for your input!
The barista pro that I currently have is definitely quicker, but not that much quicker (I find I have to run a bit of steam through initially).
My view might be coloured though, by having a dual boiler machine in the past.With Breville, it is always worthwhile to keep an eye on the Breville outlet store on eBay. They often have refurbs at a steep discount, and there are often eBay deals. eBay Jack doesn’t visit the Breville store.
So I recently got the barista pro as a black truffle refurb (looked brand new in box to me) for $750 less 15% for a total of $637. If I had eBay plus it would have been 17%. It’s RRP is $1399 although Amazon currently have it for $879.
I didn’t post the eBay deal as there was only the one barista pro.
Key Differences
Heating Speed: The Barista Pro heats up much faster thanks to its ThermoJet system.
Display: The Barista Pro has a digital display, making it easier to navigate and use.
Grind Settings: The Barista Pro offers more grind settings for finer control over your coffee.Also no pressure gauge on this Pro which you may miss the pressure gauge to hit the sweet spot of 9 bars, if that matters to you.
The gauge on the BBE is mostly aesthetic. It shows espresso range with some markers without actual pressure reading. Regardless what the gauge reads, one still needs to time the shot.
The other variants in the Barista line up have shot timers, that's why they don't need a gauge.
@browser: The gauge is excellent.
Each notch is 2 bar.
Ie. The grey optimum area is 8 bar to 12 bar.
I have a dimmer, and use the gauge religiously, and differs between beans.
Currently bean I give it 3 seconds (pre Infusion) at 2 bar, then turn it up to 8 bar for about 4 seconds, then drop it back to 6 bar 5 seconds, then 4 bar until the tiger striping ends.
*This bean gets a bit too 'tobacco' at 9 bar, much better for my taste buds at 8 bar. Most would never know the difference in flavor profile in each bean.
A flow profiling dial should be on the machine by default. That step takes it beyond the quality a cafe gives out.
Thanks jv, might splurge the extra $$ and get the pro.
There is this really good website that reviews coffee machines, and they compare relevant competing products. This Barista Pro review compares with Barista Express.
https://www.coffeeness.de/en/breville-barista-pro-review/
A display is not a pro, it's a neg.
Dials and gauges make more sense.
Ie. Grind amount (turn a dial from 3 to 4)
vs
… Settings-> setup -> grind -> volume -> 4 (enter).Pressure gauge is essential. No gauge
.don't buy it.A shot timer is probably more essential that a pressure gauge.
It is because you can't and don't directly adjust the pressure output, you make adjustments by varying grind settings to achieve extraction within a set time.
As for more grind settings, it doesn't. But it appears to have more. The BES has less 'click between each setting' options.
They both have the same top and bottom burr.
So you can simply leave it between 'clicks' (might trigger some OCD), or adjust the top (10 options) and bottom (something like 15). So it has 150 options.
As for the thermojet..yeah it's faster. But you can't grind and make a puck that fast anyway.
What you have is marketing.
maybe you can't make it that fast. :)
I have the pro, only because at the time it was cheaper than the express.
Pro heats quicker 3 seconds vs 30-45 seconds, but as the Pro uses a printed thermojet the express should last longer and require less maintenance.
Pro has a stepless grinder (although 90% of users don't realise and go by the numbers anyway)
Express has a pressure gauge
Might be wrong but I recall the Pro supports more custom options, but can't recall what they are.Water quality and maintenance will have more impact on the pro, due to the thermojet.
One question and I am getting upsold
With reason probably. And then of course next up there is the Barista Touch, or for manual aficionados the dual boiler
Breville seem to work hard at covering every price point and making the upsell something difficult to say no to. Also, an Australian Company kicking deLonghi about.
Does this offer work with 15% cashback via shop back?
Would also like to know. Would buy if it does.
The people who have this? Is the grinder on this one any good? Or you use a different grinder if you don't mind me asking?
I use the built in grinder but the weight of the grinded coffee is a hit and miss kinda thing. Can be a gram or two more or less than the recommended 17 to 18 grams for the double shot basket. I use a scale to weigh my coffee.
The grinder is great though, just the amount of coffee grinders is not consistent.
It's good enough. A $300+ grinder would make better coffee, but if you are going to do that you should probably get a different machine also.
New / current machines have better burrs than the old one. They are now excellent.
Honestly unless you are sitting there measuring your grind/dose and constantly wasting coffee trying to get the perfect shot as your beans age and with new beans, this grinder will suit 99% of users.
Mine's the older model I think (has the old burrs before they started using Baratza's) and it wasnt too bad but ive had to use the inner burr adjustment more than i expected (even with freshly roasted beans i.e. between a week to two weeks' old).
Ended up getting a Eureka Mignon Manuale after 10 months of using the BBE's built in and its been night and day difference in puck prep and taste to a lesser extent (the built in grinder had a habit of not grinding fine enough or clumping while the Manuale was good after doing some initial adjustments).
Does this still have over pressure issue like original release? pushes passed 9 bar, needs dimmer mod etc.
Depends on how it comes out the factory. But in general, they are much better.
If dual boiler isn't an issue how does this compare to the BES920?
(Or what would be the equivalent to this without a grinder?)
I literally bought this in store yesterday after waiting for ages… Any chance they will price match/refund the difference? Or do I buy again and return the other for a refund?
Reach out to the retailer and ask. If all wlse fails, return for refund and purchase on sale.
Looks like 15 percent cashback via Shopback today, I don't think it stacks with the code but would offer a better deal?
shopback rep said in the original coupon deal he's checking on it
does this come with the thermal milk jug ?
No
This or the "DeLonghi Magnifica Fully Automatic Coffee" for $439
As someone who services / repairs consumer coffee machines as a hobby I wouldn't recommend the DeLonghi's. not very fun to work on internally whereas Breville's are great and easy to maintain.
Now that’s interesting because my dad has some premium whatever great machine and when he gets it serviced he goes to a place that always has Breville machines in, and the guy says they’re always shit
That said, I’ve had no complaints with my BE
I find the DeLonghi autos very intuitive to work on.
But, they are an auto, and as such are just pressurised basket coffee. So will never be able to produce the full flavor profile of a manual.
But for convenience they are great and better than instant.
I bought it two years ago. That's a great machine. Happy with it so far
We have the express impress with the semi auto dosing and tamping and it has been fantastic. Probably the same machine as the express, but way less mess and we get the perfect puck each time.
A bit more though, at $739 atm https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/breville-the-barista-express-…
Any recommendation for a coffee machine without the milk steamer? I want a slimmer version
The Breville Bambino has a steamer but it's a pretty small form factor already.
What grind settings do you all use?
I know it depends a lot on the beans but just asking in general where you guys sit atFor St Ali medium roast Mine is internal 4, external 4 using puck screen, little to no tamping and the coffee smells burnt really.
18g gives 40 sec yield in 25-30 secs since first drip excluding pre infusion timePressure is always 2 clicks to the left of 90°
I am so frustrated thinking to get a automated grinder and machine :(
Tried with aldi medium roast too and same stuff. Don't know what I'm doing wrong
The built in grinder sucks I always found it hard to get consistent results
If you want to remove tamping from the equation then get a cheap 54mm spring loaded tamper so you don't have to worry about it
I would keep the barista express because it's a good machine but don't expect much from a built in grinder
Consider getting a cheap standalone grinder like a baratza encore or something similar
It takes time and quite a bit of experimenting to get it right. Remember the 25-30 seconds thing is just a guideline to get to a reasonable flow rate of coffee. After that you can dial in based on your preference. For me I usually would include pre-infusion in the time and aim for 25-35secs and once you're around that region then it's about dialling to taste really. With the barista express grinder it's hard to dial in more than that because each click will change the timing drastically if all other variables are kept equal. So either play with the dose amount (16-20g) or get a better grinder
They now come with Baratza Burrs.
Brought this machine June 2022 and have been super happy with it. Had one issue after 11 months with the actuator failing, however was prompty repaired via Breville's warranty and support in Melbourne. Always clean and descale when prompted. Favourite beans are Thunderchild from Airjo. Great deal!
has anyone replaced the solenoid triac on one of these?