Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Advice reg Breville BES870 Barista Express

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • ConfusedBrevilleUser
    replied
    Grind Amount Too Large:

    The O.P. was referring to a grind amount that was way too large; I have the same problem. We have 3 machines: two at work, one at home. Two of the machines have an effective Grind Amount knob. On the 3rd machine, the lowest setting (11 o'clock with Single Cup selected) produces about 90% of the volume of a double shot. The other machines at the same settings, same grind size, same beans, produce a small volume for a single basket at 11 o'clock, with a great single dialed in closer to 12 o'clock.

    All "Grind Amount" settings on the bad machine are way too large. The obvious variable is that this machine continues grinding nearly twice as long as the good machines, all else equal.

    My first assumption was that the potentiometer behind the Grind Amount knob was shot. I've replaced the entire left PCB assembly (1875724: Loc 13.1 in https://spares.bigwarehouse.com.au/i...909a7c6bd0.pdf) based on that assumption. It made no difference at all, with the machine still grinding too long and producing precisely the same volume as before.

    Is anyone aware if there's a fine adjustment pot on the main PCB, or any other in-line adjustment with the Grind Amount pot? Alternatively, like there's user programming for the water-run of each cup size, is there a comparable method to set min/max grind durations?
    Last edited by ConfusedBrevilleUser; 25 October 2018, 07:00 PM.

    Leave a comment:


  • Erimus
    replied
    ^^^


    It's very hard to measure volume by sight. If you want this degree of accuracy you'll be better off weighing your shot. I don't bother with the automatic settings I weigh my beans and operate the machine manually and stop when the shot starts to blond. As ever let your taste buds be the judge.

    Leave a comment:


  • GreedyBean
    replied
    Hi all.
    i really wanted to post my experience and setting with my week old barista express. (Don’t know how to start a new thread)
    I have success (with fresh beans) on grind at 5, and dose at 3’oclock. This gives me 10g single and 18grams double.
    I tamp with good force and get perfect extraction range. I was however getting 17sec pours. Changing grind and dose would over or under extract.
    Then j found this link. And i have perfect shots now!
    after I found this link, my whole experience changed for the better!

    “ It is important to know that the 1 CUP and 2 CUP buttons are going to be programmed for volume only. They are not set for a ’30 second’ shot or a ’20 second’ shot. “


    Set Up


    Leave a comment:


  • Erimus
    replied
    Between 17/18 grams is the optimum amount for this size of basket. I use 17 grams at the moment. 20 grams is to much, you'll be over filling the basket. Best thing is to experiment as all of these machines vary slightly. When the weight is correct the level will be too.

    Leave a comment:


  • dbun
    replied
    I'm not sure on the basket sizes for the Barista Express, but I'm wondering if 20g is too much coffee?

    I believe the Breville tampers are designed so that you can use them as a guide to get the right level - is the level correct?

    Leave a comment:


  • Javaphile
    replied
    Ignore the number on the grinder and adjust it until you get the proper pour/taste. The numbers on one grinder have no relation to the numbers on another.


    Java "Adjust to taste" phile

    Leave a comment:


  • kaiskidoodle
    replied
    Hi everyone! We just bought the Barista Express machine yesterday after trying it out at an airbnb accommodation a few weeks ago. Weve been having trouble woth the setting and was wondering if any of you could identify what we are doing wrong?

    Were using 6 day old roasted coffee beans which have a rich, dark flavor. At first, we used 5 on the grinder setting, used 20g of coffee, tamped using a normal amount of strength and found that the drip turned out too syrupy and was way beyond the espresso range. So we increased the grind to “8”. Same thing happened. We increased and increased and now we are on “11.” The coffee starts pouring at 8-10 seconds and there is good looking crema, however on the gauge, it still stays on the second line AFTER the espresso range mark.

    What are we doing wrong? Should we use a higher grind number so it becomes a bit coarser? Were a bit confused as when we were trying out the machine at the airbnb we stayed in, we were just on grinder setting “5” and our pressure range stayed in the middle of the espresso range gauge. HELLLLP.

    Leave a comment:


  • Erimus
    replied
    Originally posted by ajsfeir View Post
    Hi there,

    I seem to be having the opposite problem with my BES870. I have owned my machine for a little over a year now and everything has been going well until recently. I am noticing that when using fresh beans from my local cafe, which has an on-site roaster, are being overextacted and my dosing is way off. When I get these beans, I am noticing that I have to set the grind dial to a 10 to get the perfect extraction. However, when using the dosing nob, I have to put this at full blast and even then I am only getting about half of the grinds I am suppose to be getting in my portafilter. So, I am having to pull 2 grinds at full max dose to just fill my portafilter.

    I have completely cleaned and removed the outer and innner burs and the grind fan as well. This still has not solved my dosing problem. Do you think it could be my burrs going dull? If so, why is my machine choking when using anything less than a 5-6 grind setting. Could it be the grind fan/impeller? I visually inspected it and it does not seem worn. My only other hypothesis is that something is getting clogged somewhere or maybe oil residue, but I have completely cleaned everything. I have yet to find another BES870 user with this exact problem. I even called breville and they have never heard of anything like this. Any suggestions?
    I take it you are on the two cup setting?
    It seems to me like it could be a fault on the 1 cup/2 cup switch, with the 2 cup showing but, only giving you 1 cups worth. I don't know how to test that switch, perhaps someone electrically minded on here may help.

    Leave a comment:


  • ajsfeir
    replied
    Overextraction/Dose Problem

    Originally posted by RustyTheCorrosion View Post
    Hello Everyone,

    I just recently bought a BES870 Barista Express since I wanted to start making coffee at home. I read the reviews and found that it's pretty good machine for its price range. I dont have much experience in coffee making. The only experience I have is an accredited barista school certificate and they pretty much taught me that I have to balance between the grinder setting, tamper and the amount of grinded coffee bean to get the best brew within 30 sec - 30ml.

    Since this is a different machine from school, I read the manual and it said that i should start the grinder at 5 and the amount dispensed is at 3 o'clock. It said that for one shot, it should be between 10g - 12g, have at least 15-20kg of pressure when tamped and the shot time should go between 25-35 sec and should start at like 5-7 sec.

    I used the default setting and to no luck, It was still under extracted so I tried changing the grind setting to make it finer, but I still yielded the same result. I changed it to the most finest/coarse setting and its still doing nothing, its still under extracted. Is it the coffee bean? I've noticed that when tampered, its still powdery. What can I do? What's wrong? When I went to the coffee school, when I tamped it, it felt so compact.

    I also have a problem with the dosing, why does it give out so much at the lowest setting? When I do the double shot, its literally overflowing. Whats wrong? I'll try to take a picture aand update you guys as soon as I can.

    Anyways, any help woud be nice guys.

    Hi there,

    I seem to be having the opposite problem with my BES870. I have owned my machine for a little over a year now and everything has been going well until recently. I am noticing that when using fresh beans from my local cafe, which has an on-site roaster, are being overextacted and my dosing is way off. When I get these beans, I am noticing that I have to set the grind dial to a 10 to get the perfect extraction. However, when using the dosing nob, I have to put this at full blast and even then I am only getting about half of the grinds I am suppose to be getting in my portafilter. So, I am having to pull 2 grinds at full max dose to just fill my portafilter.

    I have completely cleaned and removed the outer and innner burs and the grind fan as well. This still has not solved my dosing problem. Do you think it could be my burrs going dull? If so, why is my machine choking when using anything less than a 5-6 grind setting. Could it be the grind fan/impeller? I visually inspected it and it does not seem worn. My only other hypothesis is that something is getting clogged somewhere or maybe oil residue, but I have completely cleaned everything. I have yet to find another BES870 user with this exact problem. I even called breville and they have never heard of anything like this. Any suggestions?

    Leave a comment:


  • QawiemJ
    replied
    Hey guys! I seems to have a problem with the pump pressure being too high. I'm judging that based on the super fast water flow during pre-infusion and brewing *without the portafilter inserted*. I saw in some online videos of the BES870 and the water flow is clearly so much more different than what my machine does. Mine is super fast, and in the video, water just drips during pre-infusion. Anybody has this experience?

    I've cleaned the machine and stuff. Maintain it really well I feel. I am hoping the fix is as easy as going into the machine and turning some screws or something cause there is no breville support here where I live. I desperately need help!

    Leave a comment:


  • ElShauno
    replied
    Originally posted by Zinzan View Post
    I think your gauge may be defective. The middle of the extraction zone is the sweet spot for my pours, just above the mid-mark is ideal, but the upper-range of the extraction zone doesn't work, as the flow is reduced to a trickle.
    Glad to hear, but to a certain extent that is my point: for people not to focus on the gauge but the pour - you know what you're looking for and are achieving a good pour.

    You can see the variation between owners' experiences in what is otherwise for my money the best value machine before you buy a 'dream machine'. I'm not the only one who pushed it to the top.

    I've since bought an Expobar Office Control which has no gauge and I consistently make great coffees, as well as easily diagnose what is wrong with the not-so-good ones.

    The fewer variables - particularly unreliable ones - we keep out of the coffee making process, the more repeatable good results will become.

    Leave a comment:


  • Zinzan
    replied
    Originally posted by ElShauno View Post
    The trick to this machine is to push the pressure gauge all the way. The 'extraction zone' will always, in my experience, lead to underextraction.
    I think your gauge may be defective. The middle of the extraction zone is the sweet spot for my pours, just above the mid-mark is ideal, but the upper-range of the extraction zone doesn't work, as the flow is reduced to a trickle.

    Leave a comment:


  • ElShauno
    replied
    The trick to this machine is to push the pressure gauge all the way. The 'extraction zone' will always, in my experience, lead to underextraction. Stop watching the gauge and start watching the pour: too fast means tighten the grind, too slow/dripping means loosen the grind. Unfortunately you will find limits with the built in grinder. Only freshly roasted coffee works well. Store bought from supermarket will always under extract, sadly. Good luck - oh, and use scales where you can go keep all your measurements and extractions consistent

    Leave a comment:


  • wizbang04
    replied
    Hi all,

    New to the forum and manual coffee machines and need some advice.

    I have a BES870 and am not sure if my machine is faulty. In the guide it says a good extraction is between 25-35 seconds. I have had quite a few extractions that are smack bang in the pressure range but the process from button press to when the machine stops is probably 10-15 seconds. This is for a single shot. Not sure if there is an issue with my machine or not. This is all on factory settings.

    Any advice? If there is no portafilter in and I press the single shot button, should that measure 30ml of water? Its almost like it doesnt run enough water through the whole process.

    Look forward to some advice. Cheers

    Leave a comment:


  • garyburtier
    replied
    Hey everyone,
    Just after some help if you all could. Recently bought this machine and after experimenting and getting a good shot to come out, after steaming milk all I can taste is the milk! Not sure if its the beans or not(they are fresh) or if there is a technique of pouring the milk in. Full cream milk is being used.

    Leave a comment:

Working...
X