First home espresso machine

[Ascanio1]

Thank you.

For a number of reasons, we already accepted to brew a lower quality coffee. There are quite a few reasons (in another thread), but suffice it to say that this device would only brew milk based drinks, and no coffees and the only reason for preferring a Breville/Sage to a fully auto B2C is the possibility to grind for a separate filter/pour over coffee.

Given this information, we are considering:

i. Barista Express Impress
ii. Barista Pro
iii. barista Touch

Can you, or anyone else, help us decide which is more appropriate for our needs?

[yilmaz]

Assuming you pair both with a decent grinder (and therefore not use the grinder built into the pro), as well as assuming you drink milk based drinks - then the difference is very little.

[Ascanio1]

Thank you, Yilmaz, I appreciate the recommendation. May I ask what is the practical improvement between the Barista Pro and the double boiler? Please consider that I would only do one drink at a time.

[yilmaz]

I have had the BaristaPro not the touch. I believe the touch has the auto steam wand (which I haven't used) and a better touch screen (with colour). The problem with both is the machine heats the beans in the hopper / grinder is questionable - otherwise not a poor choice if you get it on heavy discount. The benefit is the joy of upgraditis - better to slowly improve equipment in small step changes than going for a brilliant step up all in one go.

As others have said I would move to the Breville Dual Boiler (which I currently use - 3 years) - there is a newish second hand one for sale on this forum (Tanyae) which looks like a very reasonable price.

[Ascanio1]

Yes, thank you. I appreciate that information but can you tell me what practical differences there are between the Barista Pro and the Barista Touch?

[lol321]

Breville Dual Boiler Coffee Machine = ~$900 during special or second hand ~$500

DF64 Coffee Grinder V4 ($345 Price for next 100 units) SSP Lab Sweet Cast Burrs / 220-240V = USD $580+$80postage to Aus. (1,045.96 AUD)

You can keep this set for a long time and try a range of different coffee brewing methods.

[Ascanio1]

My journey, brevile barista touch. Ticked all the boxes your looking for, good coffee. Upgraded to niche grinder. Even Better coffee, slightly less convenience. now breville dual boiler, even better coffee. Slightly less convenience. this over a 2.5 year period. Note that law of diminishing returns apply. As you get more into it, you make less mistakes and coffee gets better. Eventually the wife and I only go to cafe’s on occasion cause we both prefer coffee at home.

Ciao Rami, I was wondering if you can comment on the differences between the Barista Pro and the Barista Touch. Ciao, Tommaso

[RobbyG]

I started out with a Sunbeam cafe Series (full-size Group Head) and a Breville Smart Grinder Pro. My Son still has this gear 8 years later and it hasn't missed a beat.

[Rami]

My journey,

brevile barista touch. Ticked all the boxes your looking for, good coffee.

Upgraded to niche grinder. Even Better coffee, slightly less convenience.

now breville dual boiler, even better coffee. Slightly less convenience.

this over a 2.5 year period. Note that law of diminishing returns apply. As you get more into it, you make less mistakes and coffee gets better. Eventually the wife and I only go to cafe’s on occasion cause we both prefer coffee at home.

[McTom]

Thank you for your thoughts on Breville. That’s great to know.

[McTom]

Thank you, I’ll check it out

[McTom]

Wow, thanks for the explanation on freshness!

Sounds like a grinder needs to come first.

[McTom]

Thank you so much for your response.

I’m excited by the idea of a stepladder if taste.

It sounds like getting a grinder is going to be an important first step.

[Budgiesmuggler]

The breville machines are great. They’re simple, somewhat automated, and heat up quickly. As others have said also need a good grinder

[McTom]

Thank you for your suggestions.

I wasn’t aware there was such a difference in grinding immediately before brewing.

We ask the market stall to grind our beans for us as a convenience. No reason we couldn’t do it at home i suppose.