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BES878 - Breville "the Barista Pro" Owners Thread

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  • Hi Everyone,

    I have been using my Barista Pro for a few weeks now - Best purchase thanks to lockdown!

    The machine dial in process seemed pretty easy for me, though by most YouTube videos and forums the dial in process was for a double shot.

    I’m using quite a strong coffee bean, Mongrol Joes Coffee.

    I have not at all been able to dial in the single shot. Im constantly pouring a double shot and wasting the second shot! Every time I try to switch the machine to single dose, it’s completely over extracted and bitter/watered down, the Puck is super wet.

    Beans: Mongrol Joes
    Grind: 15/20 seconds - Double Shot which pours for around 31 seconds

    Ideally I was under the impression I wouldn’t need to change any settings when moving between a single and double shot.

    Has anyone had any issues with this, or any feedback that may help? Sending myself mad over this and the double shot with Mongrol Joes is way too strong!!

    Comment


    • 1MAC
      1MAC commented
      Editing a comment
      Hi Ally - if it's bitter, then it's over extracted, therefore grind coarser. The timing is a guide, but you are dialling for flavour. What's your dose and yield?

  • Hi 1MAC -

    Using the machine on the Double Shot Basket it’s at:

    Grind Size: 15
    Dose: 19 Seconds (36grams)
    Extraction: 34 seconds, including a 9 second pre-infusion.

    When I initially dialled in the machine I used the weighing method - 18grams of beans in the hopper, and noted the total grind time until empty. Then noted the time for a 36 gram pour.

    I was under the impression that you just hit the Grind Timer to drop to a single shot (in my case in drops to a 10 Second Dose)

    Would I just ignore all of this and dial in the machine starting from scratch on a single filter basket?
    Attached Files

    Comment


    • level3ninja
      level3ninja commented
      Editing a comment
      Yes pretty much

    • StevieD
      StevieD commented
      Editing a comment
      Hi AllyC, I have the same issue with the single shot, keen to hear what settings you end up with.
      My double shot setup: top burr 4, grind size 10, time 14 sec.

  • Had the Barista Pro for a couple months now. Things I've learned:

    1. A WDT tool makes all the difference. With a bottomless portafilter it eliminates channeling. Cost $7 to make with 0.4mm acupuncture needles and a cork.
    2. For me personally a 1:2.5 brew ratio produces the smoothest espresso with a medium roast.
    3. I was so focused on the time, until I realised it's best to dial in by taste. Once you're in the time ballpark for your brew ratio, forget about the time and taste it. Eg. If it's sour, grind finer. Bitter, grind coarser. Taste again and adjust.
    4. If you're stuck between grind settings adjust the dose in your portafilter by plus or minus 0.5g. +0.5g will make the shot pour slower. -0.5g will make the shot pour faster.

    Comment


  • Hey team,
    I've had my BES878 for a couple weeks, and never been 100% happy with the shots I'm pouring, hence posting here.

    I've followed this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-bV4j-Z-sU - and so far I'm on Top Burr of 1, Grind Setting of 1, and I'm still only getting a 20-25 second pour yielding around 40-45g. (Standard machine pour settings....)

    I'm using 18g of espresso, and my tamping is (I think) pretty consistent and really firm, but I'm still waiting on the tamp tool from Amazon for 100% consistency shot to shot.

    Either way it seems like my shots are pouring waaay too fast, despite the finest grind setting and a really firm tamp.

    I'm still not getting really slow creamy pours, nothing like the crema that guy gets in the video. I haven't tried anything with custom shot length or shot temperature yet.

    I guess I'm wondering if anyone has any advice?

    Thanks heaps in advance.

    Israel.

    Comment


    • Sounds like it could be old beans. Where are you getting your beans from and when were they roasted?

      If the beans are good quality and fresh keep grinding finer if you can until you get a good pour.


      Java "Gotta have good beans!" phile
      Toys! I must have new toys!!!

      Comment


      • israelpsmith
        israelpsmith commented
        Editing a comment
        Thanks Javaphile .. I was literally coming back on here to post exactly that.

        My naive thinking: I didn't want to waste my good beans to dial-in my machine (!) so I was using supermarket-bought cheap shite. I foolishly didn't realise how much of a difference fresh beans could make!

        After I wrote the above post, I took a break, then decided to switch to my fresh-roasted beans.

        I instantly had to go back to Top Burr 3 and Grind 10 because it was chronically over-extracting, and now I'm easily getting nice, slow, long pours with loads of crema.

        WOW.

        Now to wait until the Amazon kit arrives so I can dial it in further... !

        Thanks again Javaphile (and everyone else on here...)

        😃❤️🙏

    • Glad to hear you got it sorted.


      Java "GIGO" phnile
      Toys! I must have new toys!!!

      Comment


      • Hi guys,

        Long time lurker, first time poster. One of my Nespresso Vertuo machines died the other day, it's still under warranty but I've become a little disillusioned about it, you might say, and would sooner kick things up to the next level. Anything that helps take the edge off, you know how it is - I like a good coffee to get me going in the morning and have also taken to the odd decaf in the evening (keeps me from overeating).

        So I went to JB's website, sorted coffee machines by popularity, and the Barista Pro shot up to the top of the list. I like the price, too, I'm happy to drop a grand on this. I feel like this a good choice for me, but can't help but notice the Barista Pro isn't talked about as much around here.

        Incidentally, in the event I were to have a problem, the pessimistic side of me is considering just buying two machines separately. I mean, if I were to pick up the Breville Bambino Plus and the Smart Grinder Pro, wouldn't that effectively be the same thing as getting one of these? The price amounts to the same and the thought occurs there might be less that could go wrong with the two distinct devices (not to mention, if something goes wrong with the Barista Pro, you lose the ability to use any of it).

        Or am I just being stupid? Wouldn't be the first time and it won't be the last.

        Any and all thoughts greatly appreciated.

        Comment


        • Hi, has anyone had any issues with the steam/hot water knob on the right hand side of their BES878? The knob on ours has been quite stiff to turn the steam on/off, or to turn to/from the hot water dispensing position for that matter. Has been like this since new (3 months old now), and while it works, it just doesn't feel right. To me, it feels like a rubber o-ring washer or seal isn't sitting quite right so when you turn the knob, there is more resistance than there should be. Just in the last few days, it has also started being much harder to turn the knob far enough for the steam to turn on at all.

          I have already contacted Breville Support about it but they claim it's normal and how every machine feels, but I'm still doubtful. So I'm thinking it would be good to know what 'normal' feels like to other users.

          If I'm right, I guess I will have to take the machine in to be checked, but that will mean losing the use of it for who know how long! How will I cope?? lol

          Pity they don't have courtesy machines like the courtesy cars your panel beater might lend out while your car id being repaired!

          So, keen to know what others think/have experienced!

          TIA

          Comment


          • Ali
            Ali commented
            Editing a comment
            I have felt the same about mine (bought in December 2021). I'm used to it now, but agree it sometimes feels like an effort to get to the point where the steam kicks in.

          • garryk
            garryk commented
            Editing a comment
            Thanks, good to know i'm not alone. I spoke to someone else who has a Breville, and they have experienced the same. I think it's getting worse on my machine. The first coffee I make, it's stiff but usable. Then when I go to clean the steam wand, it feels significantly harder, and sometimes doesn't trigger the steam to be produced, even with extreme force turning the knob. Subsequent coffees made immediately following the first are similarly much more difficult, to the point where turning the knob jerks 2-3 times to get it to the point of working. I'm concerned it's just going to keep getting worse until it finally fails (which will be when it's just out of warranty of course!). I don't believe this is normal, it's certainly not a good user experience. Gonna lodge a case with Breville.

        • Originally posted by garryk View Post
          Hi, has anyone had any issues with the steam/hot water knob on the right hand side of their BES878? The knob on ours has been quite stiff to turn the steam on/off, or to turn to/from the hot water dispensing position for that matter. Has been like this since new (3 months old now), and while it works, it just doesn't feel right. To me, it feels like a rubber o-ring washer or seal isn't sitting quite right so when you turn the knob, there is more resistance than there should be. Just in the last few days, it has also started being much harder to turn the knob far enough for the steam to turn on at all.

          I have already contacted Breville Support about it but they claim it's normal and how every machine feels, but I'm still doubtful. So I'm thinking it would be good to know what 'normal' feels like to other users.

          If I'm right, I guess I will have to take the machine in to be checked, but that will mean losing the use of it for who know how long! How will I cope?? lol

          Pity they don't have courtesy machines like the courtesy cars your panel beater might lend out while your car id being repaired!

          So, keen to know what others think/have experienced!

          TIA
          Update on this issue. I finally had the opportunity to send our machine back under warranty.
          Came back after having the steam wand assembly including knob totally replaced!
          Now, it's working as it should! Nice easy motion, don't have to twist it so hard to make the steam start after it has been used just once!
          Happy with the support! Recommend if you are suffering the same stiffness/reluctance to switch steam on,. that you get it fixed under warranty asap before it deteriorates to be a problem you have to pay for fixing!!

          Comment


          • All of a sudden my grinder required me to double my settings to get same amount of grounds. I cleaned once and going to try again, but not sure what would cause this. Thoughts?

            Comment

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