Breville Barista Express (BES 870) vs Sunbeam Torino?

[burghite]

Hi,
I am new to this forum so hope my query is okay. Would like to purchase a gift for my daughter and I like to look of the Breville Barista Express BES 870 as well as the Sunbeam Torino.
Any suggestions about which is the better machine would be really appreciated

[readeral]

Hi burghite,

Welcome along. There are a number of threads discussing the range of appliance machines out there at the moment. You'll probably find all you need by doing a search for those model numbers using the search box up the top right of the page.

In particular there is a thread that suggests the Torino is not really worth it's cost. In that price range, the Breville Double Boiler has proven itself, and is available as a package with a grinder like the Torino.

These two machines you have chosen are thermocoil machines, which is fine, but ultimately will function mostly the same as each other. In the case of the Torino, higher price won't necessarily make better coffee. The Barista express has the built in grinder which can be a blessing and a curse. Two machines built into one means that when/if one fails, you lose the whole lot to the repair shop.

I'm sure others with experience will be along soon to give some suggestions. All the best with finding a gift!

Al

[burghite]

Thanks for that information Al.....I will follow your suggestions about the 'search box'
Yes, I wondered if the high price for the Torino was really worth it....and I had the same thought about the 2 machines in one being an issue if 1 conks it. I will look at the Breville Double Boiler that you mentioned.
Thanks for making me feel welcome!

[burghite]

Am I wrong in thinking that the Breville Double Boiler BES920 looks the same as the Breville Barista Express minus the built in grinder?

[readeral]

Same body style, significantly different machines on the inside. It's a bit hard to tell when the 'Tech Specs' on the Breville website don't allow for a direct comparison, but reading the blurb about each machine will give you some 'buzz words' to do a google search of (thermocoil, brew boiler, etc.)

[readeral]

Actually the Barista Express product page the Barista Express really doesn't tell you very much at all. But it's a thermocoil. That'a the biggest difference in these machines - thermocoil vs boiler. Otherwise, it's just features on top that are neither pros nor cons depending on the person.

[TC]

Welcome burghite,

If you have real espresso machine money to spend (and it appears that you do), my advice is that you should steer away from an appliance which will end life at the tip and instead purchase a real espresso machine.

[readeral]

It's tricky when purchasing machines as a gift. There's a case to be made for buying an appliance in that circumstance, but if you care about longevity of the machine, and know that it'll get used, I'd take Talk Coffee's advice.

[burghite]

Quite a significant difference in price....So, my research says ' Water temperature stability is the most important factor in determining the quality of your espresso' and Double Boiler allows you to make coffee and steam milk at same time without affecting the temperature of the coffee (hope this is right) - read about Thermocoil and it's a little bit confusing, but I think I get the jist of it. And I am thinking a Double Boiler is better than Thermocoil?

[burghite]

Yes....this is to be a wedding gift for my daughter and I really would love to get it right and as you said, not buy something that will end up at the tip. So what is classified as a 'real' espresso machine.....please excuse my ignorance

[readeral]

Quite a significant difference in price....So, my research says ' Water temperature stability is the most important factor in determining the quality of your espresso' and Double Boiler allows you to make coffee and steam milk at same time without affecting the temperature of the coffee (hope this is right) - read about Thermocoil and it's a little bit confusing, but I think I get the jist of it. And I am thinking a Double Boiler is better than Thermocoil?

Breville double boiler is better than thermocoil, yes. But... boiler in general is better than thermocoil. And this is where you start pushing out of the appliance range into the traditional machine makers, who offer single boiler, heat exchanger and double boiler options. You're not necessarily looking at a massive price hike either.

For example if you're keen to get your purchase in the $1000 range, you're better to start investigating in the single boiler range (for example, a Le Lit single boiler Single boiler | Product Categories | Talk Coffee)

A single boiler by a espresso machine manufacturer will be a much better purchase than a double by an appliance manufacturer.

If you can push to the $2000 range, like you appear to with a Torino, you get the options of the heat exchanger, which will offer that brew and steam at the same time functions: to $2500 | Product Categories | Talk Coffee

[readeral]

It's really difficult to become aware of these sorts of options, as department stores don't sell machines by Italian manufacturers because they can't get the margins they want, and don't have the 3 year product life cycle that brings customers back. Yet, that's where we go when we think of buying something for the kitchen. It's not like you'd normally find yourself walking into an Espresso machine retailer.

The best place to find a range of 'real' espresso machines is by visiting the Site Sponsor links at the bottom of this page, and flipping through the machines they have available.

Typically and appliance will have a plastic or plastic coated aluminium body, a thermocoil or thermoblock heating element (or in the rare case like the Breville double boiler, a boiler) and often it's buttons and removable things (like drip trays and portafilters) are relatively cheaply made.

A 'real' machine will be made of stainless steel, will often have less bells and whistles electronically because they've been engineered for good thermal stability without the need for electronics, and are much simpler machines, built with proven pumps and pressurestats that are easily maintained.

[TC]

Yes....this is to be a wedding gift for my daughter and I really would love to get it right and as you said, not buy something that will end up at the tip. So what is classified as a 'real' espresso machine.....please excuse my ignorance

Buying Guide- Espresso machines | Talk Coffee might help get you started...

We have sold lots of "upgrades" to the recipients of appliance coffee machine wedding gifts

[burghite]

Lots to think about.....thank goodness I time.
Thanks for your helpful advice