The Breville 800ESXL espresso maker ain't all looks and no brains. It sports a number of innovative features that remove the hassle of making espresso, so you can just enjoy the results. Those results won't disappoint your taste buds, either.
The unit is on the heavy side at 31 lbs (19 kg). That doesn't guarantee good coffee but it does help stabilize the machine and prevent tipping over. No muss, no waste, no time spent cleaning up spills. The stainless steel exterior extends that theme of durability and easy clean up.
The interior parts are equally high quality. They feature a chrome-plated brass filter, which provides even thermal conductivity, and therefore excellent temperature control. Some reviewers give less than stellar marks due to the thermoblock heating component. But even the most expensive units use it, so it can hardly be considered a cheap substitute. It's doubtful whether anyone could tell the difference in a blind taste test.
There is one area where the machine is less than ideal. Because of its dual-wall design (which has advantages for pressure and temperature control), the Breville Die Cast 800ESXL espresso maker produces grounds that are sludgy. Most espresso lovers with experience of several machines will be used to a drier, more compact puck that simply flops out of the machine during cleanup. In this reviewer's opinion, the defect is minor.
The unit more than makes up for any less-than-ideal qualities by added convenience overall. It also, not coincidentally, produces a truly fine cup of espresso.
It offers a well designed steam wand set on a ball. That makes it easy to turn in any direction. That's a big help when you've got different sized cups to fill. The wand also provides straight hot water for making hot cocoa, tea... any hot drink!
The maker does a superb job of keeping water at precisely the right temperature throughout the machine for a stellar shot. Cheaper espresso makers have hot and cold spots, producing inconsistent and inferior results. As the water and/or coffee passes through the machine it is affected slightly by these differences.
It's true that the thermoblock is not quite as consistent in terms of pressure and temperature as a commercial-quality brass boiler. But in actual tests the difference was virtually undetectable and the lower price makes it a toss up.
There's a large heating tray, which simply adds to the quality. Keeping your espresso cup warm is just one more element among many for producing the best possible final result.
The removable water tank is large enough for 50 shots before needing to be refilled. That's a nice feature, especially for large parties. But then the Breville 800ESXL Die Cast is just full of nice features.
The Breville 800ESXL espresso maker offers convenience and high-quality in a medium-priced machine. No one could be disappointed about that. - 16004
The unit is on the heavy side at 31 lbs (19 kg). That doesn't guarantee good coffee but it does help stabilize the machine and prevent tipping over. No muss, no waste, no time spent cleaning up spills. The stainless steel exterior extends that theme of durability and easy clean up.
The interior parts are equally high quality. They feature a chrome-plated brass filter, which provides even thermal conductivity, and therefore excellent temperature control. Some reviewers give less than stellar marks due to the thermoblock heating component. But even the most expensive units use it, so it can hardly be considered a cheap substitute. It's doubtful whether anyone could tell the difference in a blind taste test.
There is one area where the machine is less than ideal. Because of its dual-wall design (which has advantages for pressure and temperature control), the Breville Die Cast 800ESXL espresso maker produces grounds that are sludgy. Most espresso lovers with experience of several machines will be used to a drier, more compact puck that simply flops out of the machine during cleanup. In this reviewer's opinion, the defect is minor.
The unit more than makes up for any less-than-ideal qualities by added convenience overall. It also, not coincidentally, produces a truly fine cup of espresso.
It offers a well designed steam wand set on a ball. That makes it easy to turn in any direction. That's a big help when you've got different sized cups to fill. The wand also provides straight hot water for making hot cocoa, tea... any hot drink!
The maker does a superb job of keeping water at precisely the right temperature throughout the machine for a stellar shot. Cheaper espresso makers have hot and cold spots, producing inconsistent and inferior results. As the water and/or coffee passes through the machine it is affected slightly by these differences.
It's true that the thermoblock is not quite as consistent in terms of pressure and temperature as a commercial-quality brass boiler. But in actual tests the difference was virtually undetectable and the lower price makes it a toss up.
There's a large heating tray, which simply adds to the quality. Keeping your espresso cup warm is just one more element among many for producing the best possible final result.
The removable water tank is large enough for 50 shots before needing to be refilled. That's a nice feature, especially for large parties. But then the Breville 800ESXL Die Cast is just full of nice features.
The Breville 800ESXL espresso maker offers convenience and high-quality in a medium-priced machine. No one could be disappointed about that. - 16004
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Looking to buy an espresso machine? Check out why the Bialetti Moka Express and Breville Die Cast 800ESXL espresso makers are excellent choices!
