Advice reg Breville BES870 Barista Express

[jefo13]

Must be your machine.

I use a variety of beans and find once I get the grind size right and set the grind amount dial correctly I don't grind too much regardless of whether one cup or two cup is selected, as long as I use the corresponding basket. No need to change grind amount dial between cup sizes.

I hear you but so many have the same complaints here. But based on the fact that I am still within 30 days I should try my luck and return it

[Horace01]

Must be your machine.

I use a variety of beans and find once I get the grind size right and set the grind amount dial correctly I don't grind too much regardless of whether one cup or two cup is selected, as long as I use the corresponding basket. No need to change grind amount dial between cup sizes.

[jefo13]

Thank you all for making me feel like I'm not alone.
I just spent an hour with Breville trying to figure out why the double-shot overdoses so much at the minimum setting. They basically acted like I didn't know what I was doing. They did confirm the minimum grinding on double should last 15 sec and it's about 5 seconds too long. Like someone said earlier, what is the use in dialing it up? Is there a 5 shot portafilter we are not aware of?

I came from 4 years with the 860 and upgraded without knowing about this issue. I like the machine but it is just annoying having to compensate by running the grinder on single cup setting with the dial at 6 o'clock.... I know that if someone other than me or my wife tries to use the machine they are going to hit the double button and grind the entire hopper! Not to mention you pay over $600 for a machine that has to have a workaround...

So thank you for posting your experiences, yet truly sorry this is a defect in design not manufacturing because a replacement will do nothing.

[Jmarch]

Hey everyone. Another newbie. I've been trolling here for awhile getting lots of useful information from this thread among others. I recieved my BES870XL today and began to brew right away. Currently on a grind setting of 4, using a dose at 1 o'clock on the dial. I'm getting fair results, however the beans I'm using are a couple of weeks old as I wasn't expecting the machine as it was a surprise gift. With these settings extractions are starting around 10-11 seconds and running to 29 total. Looking forward to getting some new beans through the machine in the next couple of days. I'm also considering buying a scale to ensure I'm getting proper dosing. I'll post results as I get them. Thanks again for all the advice ahead of time.

[2481byron]

Hi, you seem to have a great knowledge of the machine...I wondered if you have used anything other than the Breville cleaning tablets to clean the machine? we have a eco liquid descaler from a previous machine and wondered if we could use that whilst waiting for the arrival of more tablets!?

[Caelum]

Hi All,

Been reading threads/the forum generally for the last couple of weeks, and just bought tonight a BES870.

First cup made as of now, over extracted slightly, so will increase the size of my grind a bit and the grind amount was a bit low and had to top it up manually. That said however microfoam on my not-totally-fresh milk was dead easy. Took a bit to get the height figured out, but after that no problems at all.

Next cup i'll increase the grind size a bit, and see how the grind amount goes, adjust from there.

Cheers all for the insight on this machine.

Cae.

[Damhooligan]

Another bes870 owner here, and new member

I don't use the machine regularly as my better half uses it more.

I don't have enough experience with the machine yet, but it tend not to look at the dosage settings as they are not very accurate.
I just start grinding move the portafilter around a bit for better distribution and stop manually when i reach the right amount.
This seems to be working for me :-)

[ElShauno]

Hi all

I upgraded to a Macap M4D grinder and the difference in cup is remarkable.

Breville has a great machine paired with a built in grinder that is not producing the best coffee the machine is capable of.

If you plan on eventually upgrading, I can recommend starting with getting a good grinder. Your coffee will improve even on the BES870 which is invaluable, particularly for those of us who home roast and want to do tasting notes.

Read more about my experience here:

http://coffeesnobs.com.au/grinders/3...-macap-2.html#

I'll keep updating with my experiences, but so far I am quite surprised (and obviously delighted) by the outcome.

Cheers
Shaun

[sam678]

I weigh my beans and grind to empty for each shot. 18gms of beans doesn't always give you 18 gms of ground coffee. So, I also now weigh coffee in the portafilter. The first pour each morning is not as good as the next.

There may be a number of factors at play. Firstly, getting everything up to temperature and then, there are always leftover grounds in the grinder that may be added to the first coffee of the day.

[lappa]

Breville only ship the 870 with both single and double wall filters to the USA - BES870XL. You can buy them in Aust if you want to used pre-ground coffee. I bought a set as I like to sample various coffees that friends buy for their Mocha Pots (they don't grind).

Do do you only weigh and grind the beans for each shot?

[sam678]

I'm using the double shot single wall filter. My 870 did not come with double wall filters. Has Breville stopped shipping double-walled filters?

I went through 500gm of beans the first night and did grind the full range of settings. 6 to 7 works best for my machine at 18gms with a total time of about 30secs.

I'm happy with the results. Espresso is well balanced and lattes are smooth and sweet.

I've been through one cleaning cycle. I do flush the group head and portafilter often.

[lappa]

I'm new here so go easy.

Just had a few questions about the Breville 870 to improve my technique.

I will say that I'm very happy with the results from the 870. I drink lattes but taste after each pour. One shot for the latte, and one shot for quality control and improving my technique.

I'm using the double filter and weighing my beans at 18gm. I've adjust the grind between 6 and 7 with freshly roasted beans consumed within 1 to 2 weeks. I've been through different beans and the grind settings have remained within a tight range of 6 to 8.

I've purchased an eazytamp to eliminate variation in tamping pressure. Currently using 10kg spring.

So, my question is about the pre-infusion time and pour time. Does the 25-35 second time recommended by Breville include the pre-infusion time? Did see the question being asked of Breville, but not the official answer. I will say that my pours are about 30 secs total with the pressure gauge at 12 o'clock with good results on the palate. I may have answered my own question based on the results I'm getting. Just wanted confirmation I'm on target.

I have also noted a wide variation in grind settings, with some owners grinding at much finer settings than mine. Is this a result of variation in the grinder or beans, or a bit of both.

Lastly, is anyone back flushing their 870 and if so, how often. I have only had one cleaning cycle since purchase just after Xmas.

How often should I be descaling? I'm flushing often but only 1-2 double shots / day during the week and 3-4 on the weekends.

Thanks in advance,

Sam

Breville told me that the total time eg. 25 to 30 secs they recommend includes the pre infusion time.

Are you using the single wall or double wall filters? The single wall require a fine grind and the double wall a coarse grind. Breville said if you use the double wall with a fine grind suited for espresso, you will block the filters.

I'm surprised with your grind of 6 to 8 - I need a grind of 3 for 17 to 18gm in a double cup filter to get the delivery time of 25 to 30 secs and a pressure gauge reading at 12 o'clock These settings seem to work for two different beans I have tried. I haven't had to back flush yet and I bought mine at Christmas.

[sam678]

I'm new here so go easy.

Just had a few questions about the Breville 870 to improve my technique.

I will say that I'm very happy with the results from the 870. I drink lattes but taste after each pour. One shot for the latte, and one shot for quality control and improving my technique.

I'm using the double filter and weighing my beans at 18gm. I've adjust the grind between 6 and 7 with freshly roasted beans consumed within 1 to 2 weeks. I've been through different beans and the grind settings have remained within a tight range of 6 to 8.

I've purchased an eazytamp to eliminate variation in tamping pressure. Currently using 10kg spring.

So, my question is about the pre-infusion time and pour time. Does the 25-35 second time recommended by Breville include the pre-infusion time? Did see the question being asked of Breville, but not the official answer. I will say that my pours are about 30 secs total with the pressure gauge at 12 o'clock with good results on the palate. I may have answered my own question based on the results I'm getting. Just wanted confirmation I'm on target.

I have also noted a wide variation in grind settings, with some owners grinding at much finer settings than mine. Is this a result of variation in the grinder or beans, or a bit of both.

Lastly, is anyone back flushing their 870 and if so, how often. I have only had one cleaning cycle since purchase just after Xmas.

How often should I be descaling? I'm flushing often but only 1-2 double shots / day during the week and 3-4 on the weekends.

Thanks in advance,

Sam

[ElShauno]

Yelta said in a previous post that you need to experiment and learn re each machine.

I've done just that and got the timed doser to deliver within 0.2 gram for over 10 shots as of this post for the bean I am currently using. Based on a highest of 17.51 and a lowest of 17.32 we are talking an accuracy of approx. 1% - not bad for an oft maligned doser. Even the high cost Baratza Forte which weighs delivery, states an accuracy of 0.2g is acceptable.

Sure, different bean, maybe more experimentation to "dial in the dose", but that's half the fun.

cheers

That's great to hear - I plan on using the built in grinder for decaf or 'guest' varieties of beans once I upgrade to a standalone grinder. A nice way of having two decent grinders without the footprint!

[lappa]

I have the same machine. The timed doser is pointless. Instead i weigh what beans i need and then put them into the hopper and grind only those. I can get away with 16gms for a double using fresh beans, although as some have said the 17-18g mark is optimal. Love the machine - always get a decent espresso - but will soon be upgrading my grinder. Plan to run the bes870 into the ground and then upgrade to an Italian hx machine. As someone else previously said, you've got to learn the machine's pros and cons and develop ways to work with what you've got. Good luck, it's all part of the journey.

Yelta said in a previous post that you need to experiment and learn re each machine.

I've done just that and got the timed doser to deliver within 0.2 gram for over 10 shots as of this post for the bean I am currently using. Based on a highest of 17.51 and a lowest of 17.32 we are talking an accuracy of approx. 1% - not bad for an oft maligned doser. Even the high cost Baratza Forte which weighs delivery, states an accuracy of 0.2g is acceptable.

Sure, different bean, maybe more experimentation to "dial in the dose", but that's half the fun.

cheers