SPRING10
10% off this coffee machine + $50 StoreCash (Credit). Available in Stainless Steel, Black Truffle and Sea Salt.
Also available at JB HI FI for the same price with AFTERHOURS Code.
Breville The Barista Express Impress $746.10 + Delivery ($0 C&C) @ The Good Guys
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I’d wait for 15 or 20% off. Btw Breville’ s Father’s Day promotion is end, so no more freebies.
Me too.
I'm planning to buy BES980BKS model.
I should have bought it at 15% off last time…
Same. Hopefully Christmas will bring some good deals
Same. I will buy 980 too.
How does the dose level indicator know it has the right amount of grounds by weight?
Measuring the height is probably inaccurate because the volume changes depending on grind settings.
I guess the workaround is to put exact amount of beans into the hopper (14g, 18g, 22g, etc) and use manual dose mode. Effectively using the build in grinder as a single does grinder, but it probably has high grind retention.
How does the dose level indicator know it has the right amount of grounds by weight?
It doesn't.
Pretty sure the system is measuring the bed height (ie. the volume of coffee in the basket), based on the distance travelled of the tamper. So it will produce a different dose for different beans (but I guess should provide a relatively consistent dose for the same beans, although probably requiring small adjustment as the beans age).
So, instead of using a specific dose and ratio like one would on a regular machine, this machine is seeking to achieve a consistent basket fill at whatever dose for that bean (without actually knowing the dose!). This is not a machine to use if you know about / care for ratios!!
That is a long way of saying, this machine is stupid. (Or more accurately, this machine is made for people who just want a simple appliance to make coffee, and is definitely not made for people who enjoy coffee as a hobby.)
(This is just my educated guess, but I could be wrong…to be honest, I haven't really looked into this machine beyond a cursory glance, because it obviously is not relevant to my interests…)
Sounds gimmicky, probably wants to compete with DeLonghi, they have some machines with that tamp lever.
Using a scale (and shot timer) is the way to go, for consistency and fine tuning.
I wouldn't say gimmicky, necessarily…but I think it is a machine for a specific audience: people who want decent enough coffee, as simply as possible, without a super-automatic or pod machine. Those who dont want coffee as a hobby, and dont want to faff around with puck prep. The kind of people who think it's ridiculous when you pull out a scale to make a coffee!
And for those kinds of users, it probably is great! Tbh, it's probably the coffee machine I would buy for my parents or in-laws, if they wanted a "proper" espresso machine.
For people like us, not so much! :)
Edit: Actually, it could be a feasible option for someone who is more serious about coffee and uses a better standalone grinder, while also providing a more simple option for a less-interested spouse or visitor (eg. parents/in-laws) to be able to make their own coffee using the in-built grinder. That is a viable use case for this machine, I imagine! :)
@caprimulgus: Thinking more about it, I think one can still grind into a dosing cup, weigh it, transfer grounds into portafilter, then use the lever to tamp it, just ignore the dose level indicator (or use a separate tamper).
This or barista pro? Thanks
I would pick this, even though it's an upgrade of 870
Reason?
My tamping skill is not stable every time.
If you don't care for the semi-auto tamping function, then go for Barista Pro. The heating element is one of the key differences, the Impress uses Thermo coil which takes slightly longer to heat up, but still very quick comparing to boilers. The Pro uses Thermo jet, it gets to the right temperature almost instantaneously.
The Pro also has a more powerful steam wand and finer grind settings, 30 steps vs 25 steps, not a huge difference though.
Yea, the Pro has better steam which is attractive.
Off the topic, Is 980 a good choice too?
It's a good choice if price is more reasonable, but not at $300-$500 premium over the Pro, unless you really want a touch screen interface. The auto-frothing wand is adequate for heating up milk but it cannot consistently produce good micro foam for latte art.
I have that machine because Costco had it for $950 before Mothers Day, otherwise was set on Pro. By the way, Costco is not eligible to redeem Breville promotions, probably they import their own which is why they can sell at that price.
@browser: Thanks for the advice. while I know you are talking about 890, not 980. I'm struggling with the 980 Oracle at the moment, it's expensive but not sure if I will make use of it in my 2 cups of coffee daily.
@sicaboy: Ah, yes, was talking about the Barista series. If you are considering the Oracle, perhaps the Dual Boiler (~$1,000) with a standalone grinder (such as Eureka Mignon, ~$600) is a better choice?
Defs Barista pro. Half the fun is getting a good consistent tamp by yourself with the right grind size and then pulling a perfect 25 second shot
cool