Breville BES900XL Semi Automatic Espresso Machine

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 16 x 14.2 x 16 inches


• Shipping Weight: 35 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)


• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.


• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.


• ASIN: B005I722YC


• Item model number: BES900XL
  

By : Breville
Price : $1,199.95
You Save : $300.04 (20%)

Product Description

Commercial features and performance, in a domestic foot print. Espresso perfection requires precision temperature and pressure control, consistently, every time. At the heart of this machine is its dual stainless steel boiler heating system with electronic PID temperature control. The brew boiler, for the espresso shot, is adjustable (190 - 205 degrees F) for different bean roasts and origins, while a separate steam boiler offers instant and powerful steam on demand. So you can extract your shot at the right temperature, delivering optimal flavor, while simultaneously steaming your milk to cafe quality with the 3-hole tipped, 360-degree swivel steam wand. What's more, there is a Heat Exchanger (HX) and another element in the group head, ensuring the entire system maintains a consistent temperature.
The Dual Boiler also features an Over Pressure Valve (OPV) which limits the 15 Bar Italian pump throughout the extraction, preventing bitter flavors in the shot. It also offers a true low pressure pre-infusion, which gradually increases the pressure to gently expand the grinds for an even extraction.
But there's much more to this machine for the coffee geek. A temperature display in either Fahrenheit or Celsius; a preset/manual-override/programmable shot volume; and programmable pre-infusion duration and pre-infusion power. At the same time we’ve kept it simple with user-friendly features. An optional Auto Start setting preheats the machine at a programmed time; a top-fill 84 fl. oz (2.5L) water tank ensures easy access; and the dedicated hot water outlet makes it faster to pre-heat cups or prepare an Americano. There is also a shot clock and pressure gauge to help you improve your barista skills over time. All you'll need are some freshly ground beans and a bit of practice to rival the best cafe.

 

Breville BES900XL Semi Automatic Espresso Machine

 

Product Features

• Dual stainless steel boilers ; dual italian pumps. over-pressure (opv) limits extraction pressure.


• Electronic pad temperature control for precise water temperature, plus actively heated group head and heat exchanger to maintain thermal stability


• Backlit lcd displays brew temperature; assists with programming shot temperature and volume, pre-infusion duration and power, and auto start time


• Drop down swivel foot lowers a wheel that lifts the machine upwards for convenient access to the water tank (both rear and top-fill)


• Includes 58mm stainless steel portafilter, single and dual wall filters, tamper, 25 oz frothing jug, cleaning tablets, 1 year supply of water filters

Customer Reviews

I don't even know where to start. I just got this "Lamborghini" of espresso machines, about 2 hours ago and after about 6 tries I pulled a perfect shot.
When I say perfect, I mean double-shot-single-wall-filter-14gr-30-lbs-of-tamper-pressure-200F-9-bars-30-second-extraction-2oz-full-of-crema PERFECT.
I have been using a BES820XL for quite some time and I was very happy with the quality and all my friends always said that my espresso was the best they've ever tried. True, my espresso has always been consistent and close to the coffee I drank throughout Italy.
UNTIL NOW.
I can't believe the difference this machine made. I mean the same coffee (same amount of coffee ; same tamper pressure ; 30 second extraction) tastes like it's not from the same beans. It tastes like dark chocolate with a very long finish and a delicious aftertaste. The same coffee pulled through BES820XL lacked the finish and wasn't as full-bodied.
The machine is a lot bigger than my BES820XL (I will try to upload a photo later) but it's pure sexinness. I don't even mind that my espresso cups don't fit on top of it when it's under the cupboards (my cabinets are hung a little low).
Besides the obvious difference in the looks between the two machines, this machine is a technological marvel. The PID controls alone are worth it. The PID controls let you keep the temperature pegged at 200F with just over a 1 degree variation. Instant steam means I never have to wait again or hear that pumping noise.
I love the wheels underneath. It makes it so easy to maneuver the machine on the counter. And I also love the fact that you can fill it up right through the top lid.
The ONLY disappointment is the weight of the included tamper. I mean it's great that you can store it right on the machine but for my big hands it's a bit small and too light. I will have to get another tamper (this machine usees a 58mm tamper as opposed to the 51mm on the BES820XL). I've been used to using a nice heavy tamper with a rosewood handle, so I'll probably look for the same one in 58mm.
In conclusion, I LOVE the BDB (Breville Dual Boiler).
I've only had it for 2 hours, so time will tell if it will continue to deliver the results. I will keep updating the review, so stay tuned.
UPDATE
I've uploaded 2 photos. On one of them you can see the difference in size between BES820XL (same size as BES830XL) and the new BES900XL.
UPDATE
Didn't even read the instructions until now, but it says to soak the water filter for 5 minutes before inserting. I didn't do it (hopefully it won't be an issue). And I just ordered the Smart Grinder Breville BCG800XL Smart Grinder will my wife kill me? We'll find out tonight. :)
UPDATE
This machine is MASSIVE. I don't know where to put it in my small kitchen... It's intruding into the cooking space. I might have to put it somewhere outside of the kitchen. I may have to get a bigger apartment to accommodate this espresso machine. I think in the new apartment I will have a separate coffee ; wine room with just my coffee stuff and wine refrigerators, how cool would that be?
UPDATE
I keep on pulling perfect shots at 9 bars and get 2 oz in 30 seconds. I am using Lavazza "perfetto espresso" ground coffee, which seems to be the perfect grind size. The Smart Grinder should come in within a few days, but I don't see how it can get any better. The espresso I pulled (see the pictures I posted) is as perfect as I've ever had anywhere, even in coffee shops in Italy from freshly roasted and ground coffee.
UPDATE
Ran out of Lavazza "Il Perfetto Espresso" which was a perfect grind size. Opened a gold can of Lavazza and found the grind size to be too small - I tried pulling shots even with very little tamper pressure and the shots were coming out too slowly about 40 seconds. The Smart Grinder is coming in tomorrow so I am excited. I already bought the Lavazza and Illy whole beans. Will update my review tomorrow.
UPDATE 11/23/2011
Received Breville's Smart Grinder (Breville BCG800XL Smart Grinder) today and started grinding my own coffee. I bought a 2.2 lb bag of Lavazza beans (Lavazza Super Crema Espresso Whole Bean Coffee, 2.2-Pound Bag) from Amazon, which was delivered super fast by the way.
I played with different settings on the grinder until I got to my double-shot-30-seconds-9-bars perfect shot. The coarsness setting is all the way to the right (the finest setting) and the amount setting is all the way to the left (when the amount setting is in the middle I got too many grinds which is an unnecessary waste of coffee).
The result left me speechless. I got so much crema that my eyes literally popped out of my head like in a cartoon. The taste and aroma were superb. I am finally "there". It doesn't get any better than this. You can have a $10,000 espresso machine and the best shot you'll make would be equal to my shot, because there is no room left for improvement.
BES900XL ; BCG800XL are a match made in heaven.
UPDATE 11/25/2011
I keep pulling perfect shots. I haven't had a single shot end up in the sink. I haven't even experimented with the pre-infusion or different temperature (I have it at 200F).
UPDATE 11/27/2011
I just thought I'd say that this machine is not for someone who doesn't understand how the correctly pulled espresso shot is supposed to taste like. This machine is not "set it and forget it" type of machine. It's not a Nespresso or Keurig. To pull a perfect shot you absolutely HAVE TO make sure all the variables are correct and you have to know what you are doing, which means you HAVE TO do additional research on the following: 1. grind size 2. dosing 3. tamper pressure 4. temperature 5. extraction pressure 6. timing of the shot 7. type of bean, etc. If you are not sure what even one part of this means, please do your research BEFORE buying this machine! This machine does its magic only if you do the CORRECT PREP first I guarantee that if you pull a 10-second shot or a 50-second shot, you WILL BE disappointed even with your favorite coffee beans!
I also guarantee that if you do all the prep correctly you will be amazed at the quality of your espresso shots
I would really hate to see someone write a bad review of this machine because of their own mistakes in grind size, dosing and other variables.
UPDATE 12/9/2011
I keep pulling perfect shots every single day. I did change the settings on the grinder to the finest (all the way to the right) and the amount is two ticks from the left between weaker and 0. If the amount is set to 0 it results in too much wasted coffee.
All in all, I am still extremely happy with BDB and the Smart Grinder.
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask me in the comments below.
UPDATE 1/28/2012
Here is a quick update. I have not had a "sink shot" for 2 months straight. Every single shot I pull is absolutely perfect.
I went on a vacation to PR and stopped by a coffee shop, which had a La Marzocco Strada with 2 group heads. La Marzocco Strada is an incredible espresso machine with a hefty price tag and I just couldn't imagine how you can screw up a shot, yet the barista managed to screwed it up! I don't know whether it was his tamper pressure, grind size or something else but it was absolutely disgusting Even though I didn't even finish the coffee, it actually made me feel pretty good to be able to pull better shots than La Marzocco Strada! The moral of the story is, prep prep prep
UPDATE 3/10/2012
I have been using this machine for almost 4 months. I have pulled probably close to 200 double shots.
The consistency of the machine is incredible. I haven't changed any settings in months and it still pulls perfect shots every time.
I haven't mentioned this before, but it is very important that your espresso cups are warm.
Here is a tip: the quickest way to warm up your espresso cups is to put a little bit of water in them and stick them in a microwave for 30 seconds while you are grinding the coffee.

My heart was set on a Rocket. I decided to try the Breville even though it didn't have the E61 group head nor the proven track record of quality. The group head is controlled by an element rather than the Rocket's mechanical E61 approach. I shy away from Breville because their products aren't great quality, but this machine is very well thought out:
Pros:
the drip tray tells you when it's time to empty so you don't accidentally overflow it; the tamp stores nicely with a magnetic insert; the choice between manual and the automatic volume buttons make pulling the shot easy; the PID temperature control on the group head lets me choose brew temp almost on the fly; the pressure gauge helps me adjust my grind and tamp; the lever action steam wand is much easier to use than a round knob; there is a wheel that drops down beneath the drip tray to make it easy to maneuver the machine on the counter; the water tank will overflow into the drip tray if you overfill; you can pour water from the boiler with the left knob (no lever, though not needed) for Americanos; you can program the machine to turn on at a specified time in the morning; you can pop up the lid in the front if you want to fill the water tank from the front rather than always needing to turn the machine to access the tank; the steel casing is easy to clean (though it shows finger prints); it is stable enough that the machine doesn't turn when you twist the portafilter in; the dual boiler for the steam wand makes milk frothing easy and quick; overall spacing and placement of controls works well; heats up fast, I can pull as many shots as I want with this machine, it can easily handle your dinner guests.
Cons:
It's not as pretty as the Rockets and some other machines; Brushed steel housing shows finger prints; 57mm [58mm: correction by Greg in comments] portafilter (no naked filter available yet); tamp is plastic and metal (though it works fine); Breville's poor quality history [Greg in the comments said he's been happy with Breville quality]; requires service every 4-5 years because you can't back flush [can't descale: correction by Greg in comments] it yourself (though, it's dual boiler rather than heat exchange so you have the option to use distilled water so you can cut down on mineral deposits); Noisy vibration pump (though, rotaries are a huge price increase); Did I mention it's Breville?
Grinder Requirements:
The machine requires a good grinder to get the most out of it. I have a step-less Mazzer Mini (apprx $500). Because of grinder quality I am able to dial in my shots to the exact extraction time. If you used a lower quality grinder you might have a hard time getting grind just right. The only reason I mention these grinders and their prices is to reinforce the fact that espresso machines are limited by grind quality. Uneven grinds are no problem with drip coffee but it will cause variations in espresso quality.
Summary:
I've decided to keep this machine rather than getting the Rocket. It saved me $1000 and I don't expect to keep it longer than 5 years. In addition, the automatic and manual shot buttons are convenient. With a Rocket you only have manual. Another con on the Rocket is that it you need to use a power cord timer if you want to start it at a certain time in the morning so it has a chance to heat up. The built in Breville timer takes care of that for you.
This Breville vs the Rancilio Silvia:
Would I personally recommend spending an extra $500 to get this machine rather than a Rancilio Silvia? Yes. This machine is larger than the Silvia, but it has a built in PID and pressure gauge. To get a PID installed on a Silvia will cost a minimum of $250 and you still won't have the pressure gauge or any of the automation features. The extra $500 in this case is worth every penny (provided the Breville PID works, of course).
=== Update 1/5/12 ===
According to Seattle Coffee Gear, Breville will be offering a bottomless portafilter for this machine in early 2012. Keep watch!
=== Update 3/20/12 ===
1) Purchased naked portafilter from Breville. Great learning tool. And it's messy when you mess up your shot preparation. Of course, that reinforces the learning experience.
2) Took a 2hr espresso class with Cole McBride at Visions Espresso in Seattle today. Learned I've been sloppy about dosing my shots and that it actually matters. Now I weigh my shots to help me correct grinder adjustment and consistency. I also learned to avoid some bad habits. If you live in an area where you can take a class I think it's definitely worth it. If you're in and around Seattle call Cole at Visions to get his class schedule.

 

Breville BES900XL Semi Automatic Espresso Machine

 

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