Best deal in awhile. Looks to be matching the JB HIFI deal ,but could only find black in my area, not keen on black as they seem to chip.
CamelCamelCamel.
Slightly off topic, but maybe try changing the beans?
Tried 5-6 various beans over the past couple of years with little change. Beans that used to be good no longer taste the same
That's strange. I can't think of any reasons why it would be different if the machine is in working order. Temperature & extraction time all correct?
Descale and flush with proper solutions.
Honestly, if all fails, I would sell the machine and buy another one when it's on sale.
@itstuan: Me either, tried recalibrating with new beans. Temps and time are all OK, it's been cleaned, descaled numerous times. Might get it serviced somewhere and if that fails, buy a new one.
@ozb88: Ok good luck. I'm just thinking the cost of service (which might or might not fix the problems) vs buying new machine. Do a search on Google "coffee machine service" and find a local shop to you. Give them a call and ask for their advice. It could be just an easy fix or expensive repair.
Could it possibly be something like COVID / Long COVID? Lots of people have a permanently altered sense of smell and taste from it, such that a lot are complaining that many things smell and taste worse or different now (often blaming it on companies and manufacturers, like candles, when nothing has in fact changed on that side).
@JessC: I did think this could have been a possibility as I did lose some taste for a short time, however purchasing coffees at cafe's still taste as good as I remember pre-pandemic, so I think it's the machine at fault.
Could it be your water supply?
Have you cleaned out the plastic bit in the portafilter? A lot of people don't think it's removeable but it is, and underneath is feral..
https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/rxdqi7/psa_for_bb…
Okay, wow. I need to check - didn't even know about this.
Ah thanks for sharing. Never knew this.
Wow, that's amazing, thank you. Time to find out the horror underneath a 6+ yo daily used one.
Update: fully caked on both the plastic and steel. Now clean and looking forward to the arvo coffee!
How was the coffee? :)
@Zackeroo: Hard to tell, maybe a little less bitter aftertaste? Didn't have issues with the taste before tbh. Was probably built up to an extent that not much was getting in or out of there lol.
@josaya: Ah fair enough, was really hoping this was the long needed answer to this great mystery HAHA
I'm so confused, what is the plastic bit in the protafilter? When I remove the basket it's just metal underneath.
I have dual boiler with all stock parts.
COVID ruined your taste specifically for coffee from your machine.
I've got the same machine and found using the dual wall filter makes the espresso better, but yeah in general, its hard to get the settings right with this machine.
Odd one, but you'd be surprised how easily missed.
Have you changed the milk? Are you using plant based milk (soy, oat, almond, etc)?
I can help you out with a service if in SA.
If not, you will need to drop the shower screen (single screw under group head)..this will be filthy. Then retune the grinder (maybe move it a click or so). Then descale. Actual filter baskets are all clean with detergent as well?
As long as there are no leaks (still gets to high on the pressure gauge), then should be back to normal.
I'd be curious to know your stats.
Coffee in: water out, pull time.
I have a BES870 and have a major problem is pushing 15bar all the time. Could try OPV mod and Grinder mod to help.
Also have you tried disassembling the burr grinder and giving them a really good clean? mine were quite gunked up.
Please list Price Delivery and Store in the title OP
Am I missing something? This model goes on sale for $500-$550 every other week
Prob black one on sale only
Would recommend considering bambino plus + grinder
Ah of course - although surely no one would spend $100 more on an express just to get it in SS
OP said black "seems to chip". If this is true, that's enough reason to pay extra.
@l o l: As an owner of the black version, I can confirm it will chip when scratched with a sharp edge.
Plenty of stores would price match on the different finish anyway. I got a black one from GG but they offered either on a price match.
Is this machine going to be simple or easy for me to service myself?
Keen to know as well
Surely the black stainless steel option wouldn't chip?
It's fine if you look after the machine, I don't understand how people can chip the machine, it's not like the machine doubles up as the knock box.
I was considering getting this machine a while back, but then started leaning towards the Pro, and now I'm even eyeing off the touch, touch impress, and oracle. And now I'm super confused about which I should go for.
I personally don't like the "touch" feature coffee machine. Makes me feel like I'm getting coffee from those vending machine. That leaves the Pro & Oracle. Which one can your wallet stretch?
I was looking for a deal on the Pro, but Costco had the Touch for similar price, so got one in Black Truffle. After using it for awhile I really like the touch interface and no steam knob on the side. The black finish matches very well with a black grinder I acquired later.
I have the touch, brother has a pro and mate has a bambino plus.
Think all 3 are pretty similar in features, depends if U want built in grinder or not
Impress seems gimmicky and doesn't do a great job at puck prep
Oracle and dual boiler main benefit is 58mm pf and dual boiler, more stable temp and can brew/steam at the same time, but longer heat up
I would recommend bambino plus + grinder or pro if Ur happy with built-in grinder.
From what I hear, older stock (pro/touch/oracle) may have the older grinder with pentagonal burr which isn't as good as the newer hexagonal ones similar to etzinger
Had to get this machine replaced 3 times after it broke down within a few weeks or months before I gave up and just went with a bambino plus and separate grinder, both which have lasted nearly 2 years. Could have just been bad luck but thankfully it was via Amazon and returns were easy. Apparently older models of the express were more rock solid.
Honestly if you have the cash go Breville Dual Boiler + a good grinder.
I have the Oracle. I got it because I suck at tampering and the milk frother is also excellent. Worth the extra if you couldn't be bothered doing those two things manually
I'd greatly prefer a built in grinder. I already have too many appliances lol.
The oracle is a bit of a stretch for my budget. I'd be paying it off for a while. Just not sure if it's worth it.
I've just started a well paying job, so in the long run money should be fine. I just don't know if the benefits are worth the cost increase.
The Impress is not for people who like to fine tune or dial in their coffee.
If you don't care about weighing precise amount of grounds and puck prep, then go for it.
I'm kinda on the fence about that. I use a fancy machine to make decent coffees at work, but I don't mess with any settings. At home I might be willing to try some different settings occasionally, but I'm likely to settle on something good and try not to change it.
I have the impress, it's very hard to get consistent quality from it unfortunately but it's not too bad if you aren't one to time extraction times.
Does anyone know if these models come with the multi-cleaning tool - I bought one a few years ago so trying to find out if I chucked it by accident. I'm looking to twist the head off the steam wand with the tool to do a deep clean.
Mine came with the plastic wrench/pin tool on the bottom right:
https://www.breville.com/us/en/parts-accessories/parts/sp000…
I thought this was just to unblock the hole in the steam wand if needed.. is there another purpose I wasn’t aware of? :o
The hole in the middle is a wrench for the tip of the milk wand.
Hmm should I get this one or the one with a milk jug for $999
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09VG598FH?th=1&psc=1
Nah mate, you can get that milk jug for $26!
https://www.amazon.com.au/Breville-Control-Temperature-Silve…
Bought the exact same model in 2016 for $543.20
Absolutely crazy that a. They sell the same model, and b. It’s more expensive than I paid for 7 years ago.
Btw great machine still going strong
Well…
a) It's an espresso machine, it doesn't get yearly updates like computers. Also they often make internal improves without giving it a new name.
b) $543 in 2016 is more or less equivalent to $634 in today's money, so it is actually cheaper now. (Source: RBA Inflation Calculator)
True, they did update the machine with a whole new model and yet continue to sell the old one with the same components. Lots of reviews say the express is still the superior machine, plus it looks better imo
Anyways I think it’s pretty neat if you look up BES870 on ozbargain this machine has been popular since its release around 2014 and around the same price ever since.
The same machine is currently on sale at Costco for $559.99 (Both Black and SS model) so will be a better deal considering Costco's warranty term.
https://www.costco.com.au/Kitchen-Laundry-Appliances/Small-A…
SS no stock
No stock online, may be in store, you can call the store to ask, just tell them the item number, they can also tell you which stores have them and quantity on hand.
so will be a better deal considering Costco's warranty term.
What "Costco's warranty term." you are referring to?
There's no special warranty terms. They used to be quite relaxed on returns, which falls under members satisfaction, but they are a lot more stringent now due to abuses.
Warranty is different, when things stop working, they fall under manufacturers warranty terms, there's no special Costco warranty. A supervisor may exercise his/her discretion to issue a refund based on a number of factors. But they are not oblige to refund or organise repair of out of warranty products.
Not sure where/how "Costco lifetime warranty" came from.
This is a great machine, but I spent the first year constantly tinkering with the grind. I eventually just resorted to using the dual wall basket. I have finally (after 3 yrs of owning) bought a separate eureka mignon grinder and the coffee produced is now honestly 10x better.
I bought one of these moving from a nespresso pod machine. Bought the scales and the special tapper expecting that I would get into tuning it etc and trying heaps of different beans. In the end I found the ~$17 aldi beans fine and never touched the scales and the weighted tapper thing didn't seem to do anything. Anyway, seems I am a lazy coffee maker but easily worth the extra effort using this machine than pod machine and cheap beans are a huge bonus ($50 beans tasted the same). So FYI for anyone considering this.
Any advise between this and Delonghi la specialista arte?
Hands down Breville.
I don't know why Delonghi bothered to make a machine like that, probably hoping people would buy it just because they have other Delonghi applicances.
The Delonghi is made of noticeably more plastic all over, the portafilter handle is plasticky and lightweight, you will feel it's cheaply made every time you use it. It uses 51mm baskets, smaller surface area means water has to pass through a thicker puck.
The integrated grinder has very limited adjustability, the hopper is non-removeable, making it hard to swap beans or to clean. In fact, to clean the burrs you will have to dismantle the machine.
Then there's the reliability and support considerations. Breville machines have been around for much longer, there's a strong support community and availability of parts. There are also more accessories for Breville.
Slightly off topic - Bought one of these 3.5 years ago, was a great little machine at the time however the coffee hasn't been tasting as good as it used to, it's been cleaned numerous times and settings adjusted. Anybody know who can service these machines?