Breville Infuser (BES840) Owners thread

[ruckmauler]

Well I finally pulled the trigger on the BES840 ($349 at JB HiFi Sydney City Westfield - it is $399 in their catalog but someone had mis-priced the box and JB were happy to go with it). I only had time to unpack it and run a few test shots, but I was very happy with it (I'm moving up from Bialetti stove top after all ). I have had a Breville smart grinder for a number of years so it's nice to finally start grinding fine!

[roterkaiser]

I have to say that this machine is great. I bought one for work (sick of spending $4 a day on a coffee) in July and it performs beautifully. Not quite up to the standard of my home machine - the Rancilio S26 (with plumbing , but the milk textures beautifully and the crema works a dream. At my old work we had an automatic machine (Nespresso) which didn't do half the job of this little beauty. For the price paid ($420 at Bing-Lee), I am very happy The real trick is making sure the beans are fresh and finely ground (i.e. not 'espresso grind' from a shop, but done in a proper grinder). I have a rancilio MD40 grinder and grind the beans fresh to take into work with me. I made the mistake of buying 'espresso grind' beans from our local roastery (which does a delicious roast), but there was absolutely no crema whatsoever

[AntC1946]

I have owned an Infuser for a couple of years now. After much experimentation (all with the non-pressurised filter baskets) I now pull a single 30ml dose of espresso through the double filter after grinding 18-20 gr of beans into it (now roasted on a Behmor). I try to get the pressure needle just on the right hand end of the solid line finding this produces a nice looking and tasty flow. This is then turned into a small Latte or drank as an espresso.

Initially I was using a Sunbeam 0480 grinder which had to be shimmed to work with the Infuser. Now I use a Rosco hand grinder which results in an improved "all round" flavour.

I was interested to note from above comments that it looks like the Infuser is being phased out. I wonder how Myers will deal with my extended machine replacement warranty when it packs up! On that, we have had no trouble with the Infuser despite it being used twice a day to produce 4 coffees per day. The timer for the single shot failed a few times - it didn't switch off. After turning the machine 'off' then 'on' (I worked in IT so I know all about this) each time the fault "went away" and has been gone for a few months now.

All up we found the machine worked better than expected and we have a regular set of visitors who enjoy the output too.

[science-teacher]

Let me know hey

[ruckmauler]

Thanks lilviss - I might give Breville a call tomorrow and see what's brewing.....

[science-teacher]

Target have them for $379
Price match

[science-teacher]

I asked harvey norman today and they arent stocking it wither
But continuing to stock the dual temp pro (the model down)

She called breville and they said they were sending anything else in the near future

And the best840 is still up as current on brevilles website

I like mine though it leaks into the storage tray next to the drip tray
Im still having trouble with the single espresso shot too
But it tastes good

[ruckmauler]

Hi there - I have always liked the look of the BES840 and have seen them selling at JB HiFi for $399 - but when enquiring about them at David Jones (price match to use up a gift card) I was told that they're not getting any more in (end of life) and have no stock online or at their Sydney City store. So now I am wondering whether to scoop one up at JB, go for something from another manufacturer or wait to see what Breville will be brining out to replace it.

[W80]

Hello
Everyone
I was wondering if anyone is using or knows where to buyba naked portafilter for the bes840
Thanks

As far as I'm aware, there are no naked portafilters available for this model, although to be honest, I haven't looked at accessories for at least the last few months

[W80]

Thanks a tonne for the response @javaphile
I am using a burr grinder
I have been allowing the machine to warm up and running a water shot through it to warm it up
I am using the single walled filter as per your guys advice
Since i have swtiched to the double i have been getting about 15 second shots but would prefer to be able to use the single one aswell :/
I think i have got tamping the coffee down pat as per the instructions and the extraction pressure
Definately using fresh beans

Should i do manual shots guys?
I'm considering trying to swap the machine out for this one
Sunbeam PU6910 Espresso Machine & Grinder at The Good Guys
$50 extra approximately

Thanks guys
@brevillista @rawill

Lilviss... how is the shot running? Is it sending the gauge to the 12 o'clock position?
Is the shot fine, just not running long enough?
Personally, I'm more concerned about volume in the cup rather than shot time.
If everything is running fine except the shot time, then it's possible to recalibrate the 1 and 2 cup pour time by

1. Press Program button
2. Press 1 or 2 cup to start extraction
3. Press the same button to end extraction
The machine will then beep to confirm new settings

Also... if you're not using a set of scales, start using them. Depending on the bean I'll use between 18-20g coffee in a single wall double basket shot.
The scales really add a level of consistency

[science-teacher]

Hello
Everyone
I was wondering if anyone is using or knows where to buyba naked portafilter for the bes840
Thanks

[science-teacher]

Thanks a tonne for the response @javaphile
I am using a burr grinder
I have been allowing the machine to warm up and running a water shot through it to warm it up
I am using the single walled filter as per your guys advice
Since i have swtiched to the double i have been getting about 15 second shots but would prefer to be able to use the single one aswell :/
I think i have got tamping the coffee down pat as per the instructions and the extraction pressure
Definately using fresh beans

Should i do manual shots guys?
I'm considering trying to swap the machine out for this one
Sunbeam PU6910 Espresso Machine & Grinder at The Good Guys
$50 extra approximately

Thanks guys
@brevillista @rawill

[Erimus]

Can you explain this some more for me.
I am missing something.

I get it up to point 2!

Point 3 has me puzzled, if I had enough coffee in the cup why would I press the single shot button again?

It's because he's doing a manual shot. Point 3 is to stop the flow as/when it starts to blonde

[rawill]

1. Put the portafilter on the grouphead ready to go with coffee in it.
2. Hold the single shot button down until the first drops of coffee appear in the cup, then release the button
3. When you have enough coffee in the cup, press the single shot button again

Can you explain this some more for me.
I am missing something.

I get it up to point 2!

Point 3 has me puzzled, if I had enough coffee in the cup why would I press the single shot button again?

[Melbroaster]

1. Put the portafilter on the grouphead ready to go with coffee in it.
2. Hold the single shot button down until the first drops of coffee appear in the cup, then release the button
3. When you have enough coffee in the cup, press the single shot button again