Our Breville the Infuser Review. If you love your coffee, almost to the point of obsession, you’ll want to read this review Breville is a popular brand for coffee makers. They have this model, the Breville Infuster as well as the Brevill Barista Express, which we will talk about a little later in the article. The Breville BES840XL is a coffee machine that gives you total control and it’s ease of use makes it a great choice for beginners.
This semi-automatic espresso machine comes with some great features like temperature and pressure controls that let you fine-tune your brew. Plus, it features a thermocoil heating system for better temperature management.
Now, Breville claims the Infuser serves up the “perfect espresso,” but does it delver on this lofty promise? For the most part, yes it does. There are some great features with this machine and a few things we thought the manufacturer could have done differently.
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Get It Here:
Breville Infuser Espresso Machine,61 ounces available on Walmart and Amazon
Breville Barista Express Machine, 67 oz. available on Walmart and Amazon
A Little About Breville
From Breville Group Limited’s, which was formerly known as Housewares International, began as an importer of housewares in 1957. Eventually, acquiring the United States Metro Marketing in 1997. Today they are recognized as a leader in kitchen appliances that enable the average home cook to create food and drink to rival any high priced restaurant.
Breville Infuser Unwrapped: The BES840XL
A sleek brushed stainless steel exterior is the first thing you’ll notice when you open the box of the Breville BES840XL Infuser Espresso Machine. It’s a top seller from the Breville line of products which isn’t much of a surprise when you consider the top features it offers.
This machine isn’t just automatic; it’s also programmable. It’s got a built-in water dispenser, switchable dual wall, and single wall filters, and it introduces some cool improvements over its predecessors, like the pre-infusion function.
Think of it as a cousin to the Breville BES870XL – the Barista Express. Both are semi-automatic and have digital temperature control and pre-infusion for a perfectly balanced espresso flavor. Both even come with excellent milk frothers for latte artistic flair.
But there is a difference between them: the BES870XL has a conical burr grinder onboard, making it a bit bulkier. So, if counter space is a concern or you’re already set with your grinder, the Infuser is the better choice. Also, you get that dialed-in control with Breville Infuser which might make this just about perfect for you.
Brewing Brilliance
One standout feature of the Infuser is its PID temperature control. What that means is that it closely monitors the temperature and continually adjusts it to keep it at the perfect temperature. What does that mean for your coffee? Consistency. Your brew temperature is always perfect.
Another great feature is the thermocoil heating system. Most other brewers have a thermoblock with multiple metal pieces, but the Infuser has a sleek single tube. It’s more efficient and less prone to issues. Both methods will heat the water fast, but the thermocoil is the more efficient method.
Another unique feature is the pre-infusion function. It gently increases water pressure, allowing the coffee to swell slowly. The result is a slightly slower brew, but a more even extraction, which leads to a tastier espresso every single time. The pre-infusion method guarantees a consistent results each time you brew.
As a semi-automatic machine, the Infuser strikes a good balance between manual and automatic. It’s got auto settings for pressure and temperature, but you can be in control and override those settings. There’s even a gauge to keep tabs on water pressure. Plus, you get volumetric control, not always a given in semi-automatics. So, single or double shot? Sure, but you can also tinker and pour more.
Craftsmanship & Durability
The Breville Infuser is a solid machine, weighing in at 17 pounds. It comes in three colors – stainless steel, cranberry red, and black sesame so it fits into most types of kitchen decor. It has a 1 year warranty.
Every part of this machine screams thoughtful design. The 61 fl oz. top-fill water tank at the back comes with a replaceable water filter, which cleans your water for improved flavor. The 54mm stainless steel portafilter with commercial-style spouts and dual wall/single wall filters makes for versatile brewing.
The front of the machine has large, backlit buttons for power, programming, and shot volumes, making it user-friendly. The pressure gauge is there too, for easy monitoring. Plus, there’s a dedicated hot water outlet for Americanos or non-coffee drinks.
On the top, the machine comes with a cup warmer. Below that is a well designed drip tray with separate sections for wet and dry mess. It even signals when it’s time to empty. And it’s simple to take out and clean up. In a nutshell, it’s a sturdy, well-thought-out machine.
Mastering Milk Frothing
The Infuser’s steam wand is your latte art sensei. High-pressure steam whips up a splendid microfoam – perfect every time.
The auto purge feature is a game changer. It cools the hot water as soon as you switch from steaming milk to brewing espresso. That’s important so your coffee doesn’t turn bitter or over-extracted. One thing to keep in mind is that he Infuser’s single boiler means you can’t steam milk and brew espresso at the same time. For most people, that won’t be an issue.
User-Friendly
You’ll be happy to know that there isn’t a huge learning curve with the Breville Infuser. It’s a user friendly machine even if it’s your first one.
If you’re just starting out and want a hassle-free experience, the automatic settings for temperature, pressure, and volume will be perfect for you. No tweaks required. But when you’re ready to take things up a notch, a few button presses are all it takes to adjust the settings. The options aren’t unlimited, but the volumetric control is pretty flexible.
The PID temperature control is beginner-friendly but might feel slightly narrow as you gain experience and want to experiment more. So it’s perfect for beginners, but might have some shortcomings for the more experienced.
The Infuser doesn’t come with a built in grinder. If you already have a grinder, or are content with pre-ground coffee, that won’t matter to you. Or you can invest in a conical burr grinder to level up your coffee game, including espresso.
Keeping It Clean
Cleaning an espresso machine can be a pain at times. It can be hard to clean up all the little nooks and crannies where debris seems to love to hide.
But the Breville Infuser is easier to clean them some. It reminds you when it’s time to clean up, so no more guesswork. The package even comes with cleaning tablets and an Allen key to make it possible to clean those hidden areas. The tablets means you don’t have to use stinky vinegar to clean your machine anymore.
The one thing to be aware of is that the Breville’s cleaning instructions aren’t that intuitive, but you can figure it out after a couple of uses. And even though it can be a pain in the neck at first, it is an important step to keep your machine in perfect running order.
Bonus Features & Accessories
The right accessories can be a big help when brewing the perfect cup of coffee. The Breville Infuser doesn’t skimp in this department. One helpful accessory is the razor dose trimming tool. It can really make it easy to get just the right amount of coffe. No fuss – just easy adjustments to your coffee puck.
The water filter and filter holder are also great to have features. Water quality is a big deal for coffee, and having this filter ensures a great cup every time. Hot water can magnify bad flavors, so a quality filter makes a big difference in the quality of your coffee.
The stainless steel milk jug allows for hassle-free milk steaming. It’s the right size and easy to clean, plus, since it’s stainless, it won’t add any bad tastes to your milk.
Cons
- The cup warmer isn’t up to the task. If you are willing to wait for an extended period of time, fine, but it takes too long in our opinion.
- Another con, for us, is the drip track doesn’t work well and it’s pretty small. We had to empty it after just a few cups. And, it almost always leaded into the area behind the tray which is a headache to clean.
Breville Infuser vs Barista Express – Which One Wins?
If you’re read this far, you already know quite a bit about the Breville Infuser. Now, just to give you all the information you need, I’ll give you some info on the Breville Barista Express.
One of the top differences, and one that will be popular among users, is that the Barista Express has an integrated coffee bean grinder. The grinder mill has stainless steel conical burrs so it offers precise grinding and the perfect amount right into the filter basket. You can choose from 16 adjustments that range from find to coarse and work well with virtually every type of bean. The filter is programmable so you can just enough for either one or two shots.
Another difference is that the Barista Express is larger. It stands 3 inches taller than the Infuser at 16″ and if you were hoping to slide it under your cupboards, it may not fit. Also, the Barista Experss is almost 6 lbs. heavier than the Infuster. The Express weight 23 lbs. the Infuser weighs 17lbs.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Breville a Top Brand?
Yes, Breville makes a full line of very quality kitchen appliances. They have a history of creating very popular espresso machines.
Does the Breville Infuser Make Good Coffee?
The Breville Infuser is a quality machine that will make a very good cup of coffee, but you need to learn how to use the machine first. There will be a slight learning curve especially if this is your first expresso machine.
Does the Breville Infuser Have a Grinder?
No, the Breville Infuser doesn’t have a built in grinder. You can either use a grinder or use pre-ground coffee. LLLLLLINNNNKKKKS TO GRINDERS*******************************Baratza Sette 270Wi this one????
Does Breville Infuser Have a PID?
Yes it does. The electronic PID controllers makes it easy to control the temperature by changing it in 2 degree increments for the perfect brew
How Often Do I Need To Descale my Breville Infuser?
No need to worry about waiting to long to clean The Infuser since it will tell you when it needs to be cleaned via an indicator light on the front panel that turns on when it’s time to descale.
Who Won’t Love The Infuser
The Infuser might not be everyone’s first choice. If you don’t have a grinder or want to have it all in one unit, you might want to explore other options. It’s not fully automatic, so you’ll have some coffee work to do.
Breville the Infuser Review – The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a new, or first time, espresso machine, there are features you’ll want to consider. For one thing, especially if this is your first one, it needs to be user-friendly, easy to clean, and built to last. And the BES840XL by Breville checks all those boxes.
The pre-infusion function guarantees a well-balanced shot, while the auto purge feature takes the headache out of switching from milk steaming to brewing espresso. It prevents those burnt or over-extracted flavors from creeping in.
If you’re more interested in a one-button coffee experience or if you’re not into grinding your own beans, the Infuser might not be the best fit. But for those who want a mix of automatic convenience and the freedom to fine-tune, the BES840XL serves up a great deal.