GUIDE TO ESPRESSO MACHINES

Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker

Manufacturer : HWI/Breville USA
In Stock : 7

List Price:	$299.99
Price:	$199.00
You Save:	$100.99 (34%)

Features

Stainless-steel espresso machine with 15-bar Thermoblock pump
Dual-wall filter system for excellent crema; froth enhancer; cup-warming plate
Large, easy-fill 1-2/7-quart water tank; external water window indicates when tank is low
Removable drip tray and grid; stainless-steel espresso cup set and frothing jug included
Measures 9 by 9 by 12 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Product Description

Reproduce the exquisite taste of your favorite coffee shop drinks with this outstanding stainless steel espresso maker. It includes a 15-bar Italian Thermoblock pump that forces water through the coffee to create perfect espresso shots. The froth enhancer helps makes delicious froth to top off your drink. One year limited warranty. Model #ESP8XL.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating of 4.00 out of 102 reviews

Rating :
Bar espresso at home - Leonardo Ferrante, Apr 22, 2008

The best espresso maker in it's price range. I even bought one as a Christmas present for my son.

Rating :
Worst espresso machine I've ever used... - inframan, Mar 16, 2008

I've owned 4 machines over a period of 30 years, starting with an old(er)-fashion piston-pump Riviera, a now expensive classic (the kind with the big lever arm you pull down) that I had completely rebuilt twice until I retired it for a Briel Lido (cheap & plain but reliable).

I had high hopes for this unit. It looks elegant in style with a metal body & clean lines & seems to operate in a straightforward way. But in actual usage it verges on the nightmarish. A previous poster has already eloquently described 2 of the ESP8XL's biggest shortcomings: its spring-loaded filter holder & its redesigned foaming wand.

I always make multiple cups of espresso, be it for straight shots, cappucinos or lattes. Therefore I fill & use at least 2 filters every time I make espresso. I had even already purchased the extra filters from Breville before even trying the unit for the first time. Disappointment quickly turned to frustration then to anger when I discovered how difficult it was just to *fit* the filter full with grounds into the holder (force was more like it) so tight was the spring. After considerable struggling I managed to get it in & make a cup. But to remove the now-heated (& full of damp grounds) filter was a real nightmare. I wound up having to use a paring knife to pry the filter from the holder, holding it with a kitchen towel to keep from burning myself. What a mess!

I called customer support & explained my problem. The chap on the line, while friendly enough, never seemed to have used an espresso machine, to say nothing of this model, suggesting such things as taking hold of the (burning hot) filter rim at the 2 indentations (about 1/8") in the holder. When I pointed out that the image of the filter holder in the manual showed a latch release while mine had none, he said that Breville had discontinued that feature & replaced it with the spring, they just hadn't updated the manual. Great! What lunacy. What I wouldn't give for the ability to pop the filter using that latch. Sadists at work.

I received this unit as a gift several months ago so can not return it, but have solved the problem of the filter holder by prying off the spring. Now the filters go in & come out easily as they should.

I rarely use the Breville to make espresso, mostly just to foam milk for my wife who likes it in her coffee. I should add that the previous reviewer was also correct in his assessment of the foamer. It does need to be turned on initially to release stored up water in order to get well-pressured steam.

Next time back to a European espresso machine (preferably Italian-made)for me. No more falling for the blandishments of clever marketing.

Rating :
Works as well as it looks - Bookphile, Mar 01, 2008

My husband and I have owned one of these machines for just over a year now and I really like it. It's simple to use and fairly easy to clean and it makes great cappuccinos and lattes. It comes with three filters, one for a single espresso, one for two, and one for the espresso pods (which I've never used). I like this feature as it makes it easier to measure out the correct amount of grounds. The steaming wand and rubber attachment are both nice and steam milk really well and create a very nice foam. My only concern is that the wand is difficult to clean--not that this problem is specific to this machine, mind--and that could lead to bacteria being left behind which could potentially cause illness. I like to steam a pitcher of water once I'm done with the milk to help guard against this and it has the added benefit of ensuring that the wand remains unclogged.

Rating :
New and improved? - Anthony M. Keller, Feb 27, 2008

I have made my own cappuccino for over ten years. I have always purchased cheap machines that lasted about two years, but I decided to step up to a 'better' machine. I used the reviews here on Amazon to help make my decision. Even though I used cheap machines I can honestly say that I can foam the milk at least as well as a Starbuck's barrista without using the typical foaming attachment.

So, what do I like about the machine? It makes really good espresso. I have no problems with the coffee holder plugging up as I saw in other posts. I like the water holder. I found that if I turn on the machine, by the time I fill the coffee holder the machine is hot enough to make me a bowl of cappuccino. Sometimes I have to let the steam wand pass water before using, but it doesn't take long to build up steam. I also like the little pick tool for cleaning milk from the steam wand that also has a smaller tool for the coffee holder (which I haven't had to use yet.)

So, what makes this a less than stellar review? Breville decided to improve two parts: the coffee holder and the steam wand. In my opinion neither of these items were improved, but Breville made sure you know they think it was by including a large brochure on the improvements in the instruction manual.

The coffee holder does not have a mechanism that slides over small cup. The cup is now held in place by a spring mechanism. When you bang the holder on the side of the coffee ground can the cup falls into the can. Have you ever tried to pick up the hot cup out of a can full of grounds? Also, the large (2 scoop) cup does not hold two scoops of coffee (not even their cheap plastic scoop). I make a large cappuccino each time and invariably the coffee spills over the side of the little cup. After only two months of use the plating on the inside of the coffee cup holder is flaking off - must have gone into my coffee at some time. I thought it was coffee stains at first until the spots wouldn't clean up - I took a closer look and saw that the plating was gone and whatever is under the plating is corroding.

The new steam wand does not come with one of those silly plastic/rubber things to foam the milk. That's the only good thing about it. The steam hole is just a little too large to really make a fine foam. All I get is really large bubbles. You would think the wand would stick over the side just a little so you could remove the milk cup. But if you put enough milk in it for a nice large cup of cappuccino or latte it will spill over the side as you tilt the milk cup to remove it from underneath the wand. Due to being on a diet I'm restricted to 1/2 cup of milk at a time now, but if I used a full cup like I used to do I would be spilling milk everytime I used it. As it is I still manage to spill some foam over the side.

I often wonder if the designers of some of these things ever actually use them. Once this machine dies I will definitely seek out a different brand.

Rating :
Great Machine - When You Get It Working - Jon Cronin, Feb 18, 2008

Third ones a charm! Instead of returning this machine again and again when it didn't work I decided to call the customer service. They answered late on a holiday and the nice man helped me through the main issue. When they are shipped they sometimes don't test them so no water has run through the lines. He said to have patience and switch back and forth between steam and espresso for a minute at a time up till seven times until the water comes out! Worked like a charm and now I am enjoying my hot delicious creama espresso!

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