The Breville Dual Boiler has emerged as a significant player in the home espresso machine market, garnering attention for its robust features, consistent performance, and user-friendly design. This comprehensive review delves into the machine’s capabilities, exploring why it is a preferred choice for coffee enthusiasts aiming for professional-quality espresso at home.
- Allows for simultaneous brewing and steaming, improving efficiency.
- Digital PID control ensures consistent and adjustable temperature.
- Intuitive controls and clear display make it easy to use.
- Offers a high degree of control over the brewing process.
- Durable stainless steel build.
- Delivers high-quality shots with nuanced flavors.
- At around $1,500, it is a significant investment.
- While adequate, it is not as powerful as some commercial machines.
- The machine is bulky and requires ample countertop space.
- The plastic tamper feels out of place with the machine’s otherwise high-quality components.
Overview
The Breville Dual Boiler is a sophisticated espresso machine designed for the prosumer market—individuals who seek professional-grade equipment for home use. It boasts a dual boiler system that allows users to simultaneously brew espresso and steam milk, ensuring efficiency without compromising on quality. This machine is not just about convenience; it’s about delivering an unparalleled coffee experience.
Key Features
Dual Boilers
The cornerstone of the Breville Dual Boiler is its two stainless steel boilers. One is dedicated to brewing espresso, maintaining a precise temperature for consistent extraction, while the other is for steaming milk, providing robust steam power for creating microfoam. This setup eliminates the waiting time associated with single-boiler machines, allowing for simultaneous brewing and steaming.
Digital PID Temperature Control
The digital PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) control system is a standout feature. It ensures that the water temperature is kept consistent, adjustable in 1°F increments. This level of precision is crucial for achieving the perfect espresso shot, as it allows users to fine-tune the temperature based on the specific requirements of different coffee beans.
Pressure Gauge
The large, front-mounted pressure gauge is more than just an aesthetic addition. It provides real-time feedback during the extraction process, showing the pressure at which the espresso is being brewed. This helps in diagnosing and correcting potential issues, ensuring optimal extraction every time.
User Interface
The machine’s user interface is intuitive and straightforward. An LCD screen displays critical information, while a few clearly marked buttons allow easy access to the machine’s settings. This design makes it accessible for beginners while providing enough depth for more experienced users to explore.
Volumetric Control
This feature allows users to program the shot volume or duration. Whether you prefer a short, intense ristretto or a longer, milder espresso, the volumetric control ensures consistency in every cup. The shot clock displayed during extraction helps users monitor and perfect their technique.
Milk Steaming
The steam wand is designed for precision, producing microfoam suitable for latte art. While the steam power might not match that of commercial machines, it is more than adequate for home use. The wand’s design allows for easy control, making it possible to achieve professional-quality steamed milk.
Stainless Steel Construction
The robust stainless steel construction gives the machine a professional look and feel. It also ensures durability, making the Breville Dual Boiler a long-term investment.
Customizable Settings
The machine offers a high degree of customization, from pre-infusion pressure and duration to brew temperature and shot volume. This flexibility allows users to experiment and perfect their coffee-making skills, catering to both beginners and experienced baristas.
Performance
Espresso Quality
The Breville Dual Boiler consistently delivers high-quality espresso shots. The dual boiler system ensures stable temperatures, which is crucial for balanced extraction. This stability allows the machine to highlight the nuanced flavors of different coffee beans, producing a rich and complex espresso.
Steaming Performance
The steam wand, while not as powerful as those on commercial machines, is highly effective for home use. It takes a bit longer to steam milk compared to some commercial models, but it produces excellent microfoam. This capability is particularly beneficial for those who enjoy latte art or creamy milk-based drinks.
Ease of Use
Despite its advanced features, the Breville Dual Boiler is user-friendly. The clear display and straightforward controls make it easy for beginners to get started, while the customizable settings offer plenty of room for experimentation. The machine strikes a balance between accessibility and sophistication, catering to users at all skill levels.
Maintenance
Maintenance is a critical aspect of any espresso machine, and the Breville Dual Boiler is designed with this in mind. The machine provides alerts when it needs to be cleaned or descaled, and the processes are straightforward. Regular maintenance ensures the machine continues to perform at its best and prolongs its lifespan.
Detailed Experience
Initial Setup
Setting up the Breville Dual Boiler is straightforward. After unboxing, you need to rinse the removable water tank, portafilter, and filter baskets. The machine comes with a water filter that you install in the reservoir. Once filled with cold water and turned on, the machine prompts you to set the water hardness level. After a few minutes of heating up, it’s ready for use.
Espresso Preparation
Making espresso with the Breville Dual Boiler is both an art and a science. Start by grinding freshly roasted coffee beans and dosing the filter basket. For best results, using a coffee scale to measure the amount of coffee is recommended. Once dosed, use the included tamper (though investing in a higher-quality tamper is advisable) to evenly compact the grounds. Lock the portafilter into the group head and select either the single or double shot button. The machine begins with a pre-infusion phase, wetting the grounds under low pressure before ramping up to full pressure. The pressure gauge provides real-time feedback, helping to ensure the perfect extraction. A single shot typically takes around 20 seconds, while a double shot takes about 30 seconds.
Steaming Milk
For milk-based drinks, the steam wand allows you to froth milk to a creamy consistency ideal for lattes or cappuccinos. Although it takes slightly longer than some commercial machines, the results are impressive. The wand’s three-hole tip and 360-degree swivel make it easy to achieve the desired texture and temperature.
Daily Maintenance
After each use, it’s essential to clean the portafilter, filter baskets, and steam wand. Wiping the steam wand immediately after use prevents milk residue from hardening. The machine’s group head should be backflushed with water daily using a blind basket to maintain cleanliness. The Breville Dual Boiler will prompt you when more thorough cleaning or descaling is needed. Using Breville Espresso Cleaning Tablets for cleaning cycles and a quality descaler like Durgol will keep the machine in top condition.
Long-term Use and Reliability
The Breville Dual Boiler is built to last, with most of its internal components made from stainless steel. The machine’s robust construction ensures it can withstand regular use without significant wear and tear. Users report that with proper maintenance, the machine continues to perform exceptionally well over time.
The two-year warranty provided by Breville offers additional peace of mind. It covers manufacturer defects, and Breville’s customer service is known for being responsive and helpful in resolving issues. This support further enhances the machine’s appeal, ensuring that users can enjoy their investment without worrying about potential problems.
Final Thoughts
The Breville Dual Boiler stands out as an exceptional espresso machine for home use, offering a blend of professional-grade features and user-friendly design. Its dual boiler system, precise temperature control, and robust construction make it a valuable addition to any coffee enthusiast’s kitchen. While it requires a significant investment, the performance and versatility of this machine justify the cost.
Whether you are a novice looking to improve your coffee-making skills or an experienced barista seeking a reliable and customizable machine, the Breville Dual Boiler delivers on all fronts. It is not just an appliance but a tool for exploring and perfecting the art of espresso. Investing in the Breville Dual Boiler means committing to a journey of coffee discovery, where each cup brings you closer to mastering the craft.
Specifications of the Breville Dual Boiler
- Manufacturer: Breville
- Model Number: BES920BSXL / BES920XL
- Product Category: Manual espresso machine
- Housing Material: Stainless steel
- Color Options: Black Sesame, Brushed Stainless Steel
- Milk Frother: Manual steam wand
- User Interface: Monochromatic LCD with buttons
- Portafilter Size: 58 mm
- Tamping: Manual
- Removable Water Reservoir: Yes
- Water Reservoir Capacity: 84.5 fl oz / 2.5 liters
- Number of Boilers: 2 (one for espresso, one for steam)
- Pump Pressure: 15 bar
- Maximum Cup Height: 4.0 inches / 10.2 cm
- Grinder: Not included
- Specialty Drinks: Not automated, manual control
- Pre-Infusion: Adjustable
- Coffee Temperature: Adjustable from 190-205°F / 86-96°C
- Milk Foam Temperature: Adjustable
- 2-Cup Function: Yes
- Hot Water Function: Yes
- Milk Foam Only Option: Yes
- Water Filter: Included
- Power Consumption: 1700 W
- Weight: 30 lbs / 13.6 kg
- Dimensions: 20.1 x 17.4 x 17.4 inches / 51.1 x 44.2 x 44.2 cm
- Warranty: 2 years
- Included Accessories:
- Dosing tool
- Single and double wall filter baskets (1 and 2 cups)
- 16 oz stainless steel milk jug
- Cleaning kit
- Water filter holder
- Instruction manual
- Current Price on Amazon: $1,599.95
