Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker
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Our Price: $324.97 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $199.00 (click here) Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker
Customer Review: Almost 3 Years And A Happy Espresso Drinker
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this machine in December 2006 as my son was spending quite a bit of money at Starbucks on specialty coffee drinks. I would absolutely purchase this unit again. I am very pleased with the service it has given me. I did had to experiment to find what the best technique/procedure was for my taste (grind, coffee type, amount of steamed milk) but I am at the point where I think I make the best espresso compared to any coffee shop. I use this machine every day and on weekends 2-3 times a day. I but coffee beans and purchased a Cusinart burr grinder at Costco as I prefer a fresh grind (It was on sale - it is ok but not one I would buy again - it occasionally clogs with finer, oilier grinds). The Breville also makes very good decaf espresso - in my experience this is dependant on the quality of the beans. I have descaled this machine every 6=7 months as preventative maintenance but have never had a problem with clogging/low pressure. I would rate this machine 5 stars but milk steaming is a learned technique - the steam pressure ramps up and it not at immediate full pressure. Also, steaming works best for me when the tip of the steam wand is about 1/4 inch into the milk you are steaming to get a great froth and not a sea foamy mess. I found that I can take almost any bean coffee and make a better espresso than any coffee shop. I look forward to my first cup every day. I have gotten my moneys worth out of this machine.Customer Review: Good espresso and bad foam
Summary: 3 Stars
I agree with some of what was written by others but not all of it. Maybe it's luck of the draw, but I have made a few hundred shots of espresso with this machine and not had the filters clog up on me which others have complained about. Also if you let it heat up sufficiently, and run a little water through the unit before making your shots, you can get a good quality shot of espresso that is about 200 degrees and with a very good crema. You need to have your grind and tamping correct, but if you do you will be rewarded with a good shot. The other positives about this machine are the price (it's about as cheap as you can get and still have a pump instead of steam pressure) and the aesthetics. The bad news is that try as I might, I can't get decent foam out of this machine. I can get enough for a latte, but not really for a cappuccino. I drink mostly straight espresso or americanos so that isn't too much of an issue for me but for people that like cappucinos this may be frustrating. The filter basket is also difficult to deal with which makes it hard to make a lot of shots at once without a lot of fiddling with really hot pieces in between each batch.
Overall, if you want a machine primarily for espresso and don't want to break the bank this might be for you. I paid $100 for a used machine that was in new condition, and for me it was worth the price.
Customer Review: Exellent Value for the price
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought a cheap Krups machine and returned it twice... the first time the pump was broken and the second one's thermostat didn't work properly. I paid a few more bucks for this Breville machine and it feels like it is a couple hundred bucks more.
First of all, you have to ignore some early reviews because Breville has updated the unit. There were some folks who's filters got stuck in the filter holder. The design has been updated to make this impossible. I have not had any problem with the grinds getting stuck in the filter. After I finish using the maker I always run water through the machine without grinds to clean it. But the grinds that are small enough to go through the filter top go through the filter bottom too so I don't see a problem.
The bottom line is, this machine makes an excellent espresso with the excellent crema at the right price. It was a nice touch that it came with espresso cups and a steam pitcher. I recommend it highly.
There are a few caveats: Despite what people say the cup warmer heats very slow and is not too useful. I also did not have much luck with the steamer. It seemed a bit underpowered. On the other hand, I don't normally use it for the drinks I make so I haven't practiced using it.
If you just want a good cup of Espresso during poor economic times, buy this machine.
Customer Review: A Solid Machine, Great Shots and a Good Value
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm no expert on espresso but I do not drink coffee, latte's or Cappuccino, just espresso. I get great shots with adequate crema (I'm still experimenting with the grind). I like to pull about three ounces out of a double dose and ocassionally will treat myself to a dollop of whipped cream from my iSi charger.
The Cafe Roma is solid and heavy ... almost as though it were machined out of a solid stainless ingot. Features are minimalist but all I need. As with any thermoblock machine, it is important to let the tank water reach room temperature before use ... cold water in will not achieve the proper temperature for a great shot.
My only complaint, picky picky, is the water left on top of the puck on extraction of the portafilter. I just turn the portafilter over in the sink and let it drain a bit before knocking the puck out. If this machine were stolen from my kitchen, I would buy another one without hesitation. It replaced an old Krups Espresso Nova which leaks from the group due to a damaged teflon gasket. The expresso is at least an order of magnitute superior to the Krups (which I have relegated to my office until I can buy another Cafe Roma).
UPDATE: My favorite beans, ground at 6 in a Gaggia MDF produce a gorgeous, thick, multi-hued crema that tastes as good as it looks. What's not to like?
Customer Review: Wonderful Machine
Summary: 5 Stars
I rarely write reviews but when researching a product I count on them heavily, especially consumer opinions. One thing that upsets me, and wastes people time, is a reviewer who lets his displeasure over a particular aspect of a product color his whole review. One of the reviews here stated that this machine leaked which it may have and does not necessarily mean that every one of these units will leak. If it does take it back and get another one. Then he goes on to complain about how dreadful the machine handles pods. Guess what folks the machine does not work with pods nor is it suppose to. I have had one of these machines for a year now and it does not leak, and I did my research before I purchased it. No where in the manufactures documentation does it claim or even mention pods. The fact is that if a particular machine uses pods they advertise it heavily as a selling point. In addition machines that use pods require a specific filter to use pods. Don't let a 2 Star verdict on this machine scare you away. This is a wonderful entry level machine that makes great Lattes, Cappuccinos, and Espressos and at price that won't make you pass out. This is an all metal housing, not one of those plastic type Mr. Coffee machines. Read the other reviews here and I believe you will get an accurate picture of just how good this unit is.