The Breville BES860XL is their way to take a stance on espresso and coffee making.
When you read that the Breville BES860XL is programmable, don’t panic. Happy baristas everywhere know that no computer skills are needed to operate this fine espresso maker. All you need is a love for a fine brew and a few minutes of free time to enjoy the process of creating it.
You won’t need too much time, though, thanks in part to the integrated grinder. Clean up doesn’t take much time, either, because the grinder is removable. This conical burr style unit lets you make your grounds fresh, a key factor in making a fine brew. The hopper holds up to eight ounces of beans at a time, so you’ll be able to make plenty for you and some special friends.
Using the grinding dial, you can dial in the texture you and they prefer. Set it manually or use a preset grind and relax knowing you’ll get exactly what you want each time. The grinder will stop automatically when it’s finished. And, the grinder is so well integrated it doesn’t merely ground the beans, but moves the output straight into your filter.
Those grounds won’t give you any trouble during the brewing process, either, thanks to the BES860XL’s filter options. The machine is packaged with both single-wall and dual-wall filters so you can have a lot of fun experimenting. It won’t take long before you settle on something you like best, and you can’t go wrong with this unit no matter which you choose.
You’ll be able to make an enormous amount, too, because Breville designed a huge 67-ounce water tank for this model. Luckily, it’s removable, making filling and clean up a breeze. The built-in water filtration system ensures that one of your key ingredients is always in optimal form, too.
Cleaning a 67-ounce water tank can sound like a big chore, but it doesn’t have to be. A mixture of vinegar and baking soda can keep it free of calcium build-up, or you can purchase any of dozens of specialty de-calcification products to make it even easier.
This Breville model also comes with an espresso tamper. With its magnetized locking system you can tamp your grounds while the device is still attached to the machine. Or, disconnect it and use it free hand on the counter, if you prefer.
Tamping is always a good idea. It makes your grounds uniform to keep your brew even throughout the entire liquid. To accomplish that, it’s key to have a tamper that fits your unit well. Since this one is designed especially for the BES860XL, you know it’s just right.
It’s also important to have a puck with just the right moisture content. Removing excess water helps produce the best brew. So, buyers will be glad to know the BES860XL has a dry puck feature to keep it at optimal level.
The Breville BES860XL has convenience features that make brewing that fine shot no hassle at all. One of those is the handy hideaway storage tray to hold small items that you always need ready to hand. Spoons and more fit just fine. Ease of use and a stellar espresso from an integrated machine. We like it!