been following the prices on this machine for a while, this is the cheapest I've seen it yet, it just came back into stock as well, DJs online were sold out for ages. DJs always has free shipping for all purchases over 100. don't forget to go through the qantas mall as well if you're collecting frequent flyer points.
What's the normal price?
Is it better than the other machine he mentioned in his original post?
"Also saw in the store, the Breville BES900 Dual Boiler coffee machine for $500 (RRP $1500)."
I doubt you could get BES900 now. that is an old model with some serious issues. Current one is 920. If you can get 920 for $500 then you should buy as many as you could. :-)
The dual boiler, even the original 900, is an excellent buy at 500. The reason it was upgraded to the 920 was primarily to add a descale port so you don't have to get it serviced to descale it. There are plenty of happy 900 owners.
Functionality wise, It's a better machine than the barista express as it has two boilers, one for the coffee and one for the steam wand. The barista express only has one boiler shared between the two functions, meaning the steam wand can't be used at the same time as making an espresso shot. The steamer on the express will also be wetter than with the dual boiler as its primary purpose is for espresso shots, not frothing milk. The dual boiler also has better temperature and pressure control than the barista express, resulting in more consistent coffee.
Keep in mind though the barista express has a built in grinder and retails much cheaper, so remains a great option.
The express doesn't have a boiler, it has a PID controlled thermo block if i'm not mistaken
I picked up the 900 from DJs for $500. It was a Rev B, so some of the problems with the initial model were addressed, but I opted for the extended warranty just in case. 5 years use out of a $500 dual boiler machine is a pretty good deal imo
Excellent deal! I got the 920 with smart grinder for under a grand, which I'm still happy with, but honestly would have preferred this deal. So well done!
A few places have been selling around the $650 mark.
I got one from TGG ebay shop for $520 at Christmas time with the 20% off ebay discount.
Yup. The discount isn't a huge margin for my bargain basket yet.
I have owned the previous model BES860 since late 2009 and it is a terrific machine. It has only required a service once to replace the flowmeter. I have been singing the praises of the Breville Barista Express since 2009. I have defended it on online forums. The grinder is great and only requires an occasional clean, the easy way is to run uncooked rice through the grinder, after emptying it as much as possible first. If my machine was ever to die, I would consider upgrading to the dual boiler machine. Freshly ground fresh coffee beans are required for a really good espresso. The BES900 only had one problem that I was aware of, and that was that it needed to be taken for service when descaling was required. The current dual boiler machine can be descaled at home by the user. The descaling procedure with the machine is such a pain, that it is probably still worthwhile to have it serviced when the descaling is due. You can use the old stovetop mocha pot while the machine is being serviced. I agree with ddhytz about buying the model 920 if you see it for a good price.
I've had this machine for 6 months and love it.
The Barista Express does not have a boiler, it has a thermo coil, but it does have a very good grinder. The major critic of thermo block machines changed his mind, and now praises them. The coffeecup kid and founder of coffeegeeks was once critical of thermo block machines. Almost all critics of the thermo block repeat his criticisms, often unknowingly. The Italians like thermo block machines as there is a theory that water heated by a thermo block is fresher and has more life than water that has been stewing in a boiler. The Barista Express is a very good thermo coil machine, and a great buy for $599 or less. Some very expensive Jura machines have a thermo block.
For those interested in this deal, have you tried further squeezing your savings by buying through Cashrewards (7% cashback) + using a DJ registered AMEX for the purchase ($40 credit to your Amex account when you spend over $200). That's potentially another $81.93 discount.
If you have 3 Amex Card in your household, you can buy 3x $200 gift card+$0.50 hairtie for a discount of $120 total. Bringing the price down to $480. Obviously your purchase will be a bit delayed as you need to wait to the gift cards to be delivered first.
expired, bugger, missed the deal by a few days as it was still $599 Sunday 12th July!
Cheers, thatz my post :-)
pretty good video review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS7v4wsYEsY