Breville BES840XL Infuser Espresso Machine

Third Wave Coffee Culture

Third wave coffee culture emphasizes the perfect combination of coffee quality and artisanal craftsmanship, aiming to enjoy cafe-level coffee experience at home. Within this cultural context, the Breville Infuser, with its advanced features such as PID temperature control and low-pressure pre-infusion, ensures that each cup of coffee reaches the best flavor extraction, meeting the market demand for high-quality home coffee machines.

The Breville BES840XL Infuser is a semi-automatic espresso machine designed for home use. With a 15 bar Italian pump and 1600 watts of power, it is capable of brewing cafe-quality espresso drinks. Key features include pre-infusion, PID temperature control, and a pressure gauge to help optimize extraction.

Overview

The Breville Infuser™ BES840XL is a semi-automatic espresso machine featuring an elegant brushed stainless steel exterior and robust construction. Its 61oz removable water tank and a storage tray for included accessories like baskets, tamper, and cleaning tools enhance user convenience. The machine is equipped with a 54mm commercial-style portafilter, an integrated tamper, and the innovative The Razor™ precision dose trimming tool, ensuring precise and consistent coffee extraction every time.

Key Selling Points

• 15 Bar Italian Pump: Delivers professional cafe-quality extraction pressure.
• 1600W Thermocoil Heating System: Rapid heating with precise water temperature control.
• Stainless Steel Construction: Durable and high-quality build.
• Pressure Gauge: Monitors extraction pressure in real-time to optimize the extraction process.
• Pre-infusion Function: Gently soaks the coffee grounds, releasing more flavors.
• PID Digital Temperature Control: Precisely controls water temperature for consistent coffee taste.
• Volumetric Control: Preset 1-cup and 2-cup volumes, with manual override options.
• 61oz Removable Water Tank: Easy to clean and refill.
• Steam Wand: Creates fine microfoam milk for latte art.
• Hot Water Outlet: For making Americano or preheating cups.
• The Razor™ Precision Dose Trimming Tool: Precisely controls the amount of coffee grounds for even extraction.
• Dry Puck Feature: Removes excess water after extraction for easy disposal of coffee pucks.

Brand and Innovation

Breville is not only known for its high-quality kitchen appliances but also highly regarded by consumers for its relentless pursuit of technological innovation. Breville’s espresso machines bring continuous innovation, such as the introduction of PID temperature control, unique pre-infusion features, and user-friendly interfaces, offering home users a coffee experience comparable to that of professional coffee shops.

Design

The Breville Infuser™ features an attractive brushed stainless steel exterior that complements most kitchen decors. It has a compact footprint, measuring 11.5 x 13.7 inches. The controls are simple and intuitive, with dedicated buttons for single and double shots. The pressure gauge is front and center for easy monitoring of the extraction process.

While primarily constructed of metal, the Infuser™ does contain some plastic components in its interior and water routing system. The drip tray, portafilter, and baskets are made of sturdy stainless steel. The overall build quality is good but not as robust as commercial machines.

The Breville Infuser™ heats up in less than a minute, quickly reaching the ideal operating temperature for user convenience. Additionally, the machine features an auto-shutoff function that automatically powers down if not used for a specific period, ensuring safety and saving energy.

Operation

Operating the Infuser is relatively straightforward. The pressure gauge and pre-infusion help produce balanced extraction and rich crema. Volumetric control allows customizing shot volumes. The steam wand makes microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos. The hot water spout heats cups.

Selecting Coffee Beans and Grind Size

A superior coffee experience starts with the right choice of coffee beans. For the Breville Infuser, it is recommended to choose freshly roasted single-origin beans and adjust the grind size according to the type of coffee desired (espresso or lighter Americano). The freshness of the beans directly affects the flavor and aroma of the coffee, while the proper grind size ensures that water flows evenly through the coffee grounds, achieving ideal extraction.

Performance

When used with a good grinder and fresh beans, the Infuser can produce cafe-quality espresso with excellent crema and bold, nuanced flavor. The steaming performance produces creamy, sweet milk, though it can be somewhat slow compared to pro machines. Overall it performs very well for a home model under $500.

The model utilizes digital PID temperature control technology to precisely manage the water temperature, avoiding fluctuations during extraction and ensuring that each cup of coffee achieves the ideal taste and aroma. PID control not only improves the consistency of the coffee but also allows users to adjust the temperature according to different coffee beans and personal preferences.

15 Bar Italian Pump

The Infuser™ is equipped with a 15 bar Italian pump, a standard feature in many high-quality espresso machines. This pump provides the necessary pressure to extract espresso, forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans. The high pressure ensures optimal extraction of coffee oils, flavors, and aromas, resulting in a rich and flavorful espresso shot with a thick layer of crema.

Thermocoil Heating System

The Infuser™ features a 1600W thermocoil heating system. This system rapidly heats the water to the ideal brewing temperature and maintains it consistently throughout the extraction process. Consistent temperature is crucial for optimal espresso extraction, as it ensures that the coffee grounds are evenly saturated and that the flavors are extracted consistently.

PID Temperature Control

The Infuser™ incorporates PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) temperature control, a digital technology that precisely regulates water temperature. PID control minimizes temperature fluctuations during the brewing process, ensuring consistent and optimal extraction for every shot. This results in a more balanced and flavorful espresso.

Pre-infusion Function

The Infuser™ includes a pre-infusion function, which involves a brief period of low-pressure water flow before the full 15 bar pressure is applied. This pre-infusion gently soaks the coffee grounds, allowing them to expand and release gases before the main extraction. This process helps to ensure a more even extraction, reducing the risk of channeling and resulting in a smoother, more balanced espresso.

Pressure Gauge

The Infuser™ features a pressure gauge that allows users to monitor the extraction pressure in real-time. This visual feedback helps users understand whether the espresso is being under-extracted (low pressure) or over-extracted (high pressure). By adjusting the grind size, dose, and tamp, users can achieve the ideal extraction pressure, indicated by the needle in the middle of the gauge, for a perfectly balanced espresso.

The Razor™ Precision Dose Trimming Tool

The Infuser™ comes with a unique accessory called The Razor™ precision dose trimming tool. This tool is designed to level the coffee grounds in the portafilter basket after tamping, ensuring a consistent and precise dose for every shot. This consistency in dosing is crucial for achieving a balanced extraction and a flavorful espresso.

Volumetric Control

The Infuser™ offers volumetric control, allowing users to program and save their preferred shot volumes for single and double espressos. This feature ensures consistency in the amount of espresso dispensed, making it easier for users to achieve their desired coffee strength and volume. Users can also manually override the programmed volumes for more control over the extraction process.

61oz Removable Water Tank

The Infuser™ is equipped with a 61oz removable water tank, which is a generous capacity for a home espresso machine. This large tank reduces the frequency of refills, making it convenient for users who brew multiple espressos throughout the day. The removable design also simplifies cleaning and refilling.

Steam Wand

The Infuser™ includes a steam wand that is used to froth milk for lattes, cappuccinos, and other milk-based espresso drinks. The steam wand is powerful enough to create microfoam, which is the finely textured milk with tiny bubbles that is essential for latte art. The wand is also adjustable, allowing users to control the steam pressure and direction for optimal milk frothing.

Hot Water Outlet

The Infuser™ has a dedicated hot water outlet that delivers instant hot water on demand. This feature is convenient for making Americanos (espresso diluted with hot water) or for preheating cups before brewing espresso. Preheating cups helps to maintain the temperature of the espresso, ensuring a better tasting and more enjoyable coffee experience.

Stainless Steel Milk Jug

The Infuser™ comes with a stainless steel milk jug, which is used for frothing milk. Stainless steel offers excellent heat conductivity and retention, which helps to better control the temperature and texture of the milk, resulting in finer and denser milk foam. The jug is ergonomically designed for easy grip and pouring, making it convenient for users to create latte art.

Extra-Tall Cup Clearance

The Infuser™ offers extra-tall cup clearance, allowing users to use taller cups or travel mugs to directly receive espresso. This design takes into account the needs of users in different scenarios, whether for daily use or takeaway, and enhances the convenience of use.

Commercial-Style Portafilter

The Infuser™ is equipped with a 54mm commercial-style portafilter, the same type used in professional cafes. This portafilter can hold more coffee grounds, contributing to a more even extraction of the coffee, enhancing its taste and flavor. In addition, the commercial-style portafilter is more durable and can withstand frequent use, extending the life of the machine.

Integrated Tamper

The Infuser™ is equipped with an integrated and removable 54mm tamper, allowing users to tamp the coffee grounds before extraction easily. The tamper features a magnetic design that can be easily attached to the portafilter for convenient access. This design not only saves space but also reduces the number of steps users need to take in the coffee-making process, enhancing the convenience of use.

Reliability

The Infuser has proven fairly durable with regular maintenance. Following Breville’s cleaning and descaling instructions is important for longevity. Key weak points include potential leaks and pump issues after prolonged use. But many owners report years of consistent use with proper care and filtered water.

Accessories and Additional Features

The Breville Infuser comes equipped with a range of accessories to enhance the brewing experience. These include single and dual-wall filter baskets to suit different types of coffee grounds, a professional-quality tamper for proper coffee compression, and the Razor™ dose trimming tool for precise coffee dosing. Each accessory is designed to optimize the extraction process, ensuring that every espresso shot is perfect.

Noise

A common complaint with the Infuser is noise during operation. The vibration pump and internal thermojet heating create noticeable hums and whirs during brewing and steaming. The lack of insulation results in increased noise levels. Some owners compare it to a small blender. While not unusable, it may be distracting early in the morning.

Cleaning

The Infuser requires regular cleaning and maintenance for optimal performance. Breville provides clear instructions for backflushing and descaling. The manual purge function helps clean the steaming system. Users advise sticking to filtered water and descaling monthly.

The drip tray can splash during purging and may need frequent emptying. Some report the rubber portafilter gasket can become messy. Overall the Infuser isn’t too difficult to clean relative to other home espresso machines, as long as maintenance procedures are followed.

Additionally, the Breville Infuser features an auto-purge function that automatically purges the heating system after steaming, which helps reduce lime buildup and extend the lifespan of the machine. Regularly performing the cleaning and descaling guidelines provided by Breville can maximize the machine’s performance and ensure the taste of the coffee.

Use Cases

The Breville Infuser is ideal for espresso enthusiasts who want to make high-quality espresso drinks at home. It has the power and features to produce espresso shop quality results. The semi-automatic operation allows controlling shot volumes. It can make anything from straight espresso shots to cappuccinos and lattes with latte art. The Infuser is also compact enough for small kitchens.

User Feedback

The majority of positive reviews praise the Infuser for producing rich, flavorful espresso with excellent crema that rivals coffee shops. Many owners say it makes the best home espresso they’ve tasted when used properly. Fans say the pressure gauge and pre-infusion help optimize extraction. The steaming performance gets more mixed feedback - while the steam wand can produce high quality microfoam, some feel it is underpowered and too slow compared to professional machines.

Critical reviews largely focus on reliability and durability. A common complaint is water leaking from multiple areas over time. Some report pump issues and problems descaling after a year or two of use. This suggests the Infuser may not have the longevity of pricier commercial machines with its mostly plastic internals. Many advise using filtered water and following descaling procedures precisely to maximize lifespan.

Noise is another downside, with the vibration pump and steaming producing a fair amount of noise. The small water tank capacity and tricky portafilter cleaning are other annoyances owners point out. However, most agree the espresso quality outweighs these flaws given the reasonable price.

Satisfied owners say with fresh beans and dialing in the right grind, the Infuser delivers cafe-caliber drinks. They feel it is an excellent home model for under $500 compared to more expensive machines. Overall, feedback indicates the Breville Infuser performs exceptionally well for semi-automatic espresso when maintenance guidelines are followed.

Pros

• Excellent espresso quality for the price
• Cafe-quality drinks with practice
• Precise pressure and temperature control
• Feature-packed for a home model
• Compact footprint

Cons

• Slow frothing speed
• Small water tank
• Reports of leaks over time
• Noise

Value

At around $400-500, the Breville Infuser provides excellent performance, features, and value for a home espresso machine. It can produce drinks comparable to professional equipment at a fraction of the cost. For beginners as well as experienced baristas, it is one of the best values in its class.

Conclusion

With some practice using fresh beans and the right grind, the Breville Infuser is capable of making espresso drinks on par with coffee shops. For an under $500 home model, it offers excellent performance and features. With proper maintenance, it can provide consistently great espresso for years. It is a worthwhile investment for espresso enthusiasts.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 13.7 x 11.5 x 13.2 inches
• Weight: 23 lbs
• Power: 1600W
• Voltage: 110-120V
• Pump Pressure: 15 bar
• Water Tank Capacity: 61 oz (removable)
• Portafilter Size: 54mm
• Brew Temperature Control: PID (digital)
• Preheat Time: Less than 1 minute
• Extra Hot Water Dispenser Capacity: 5 oz
• Filter Baskets Included: 1 cup single wall, 2 cup single wall, 1 cup dual wall, 2 cup dual wall
• Maximum Shot Volume: 2 oz
• Housing: Brushed stainless steel
• Warranty: 1 year limited

What’s Included

• Single wall filter baskets (1 cup & 2 cup)
• Dual wall filter baskets (1 cup & 2 cup)
• 54mm tamper
• 54mm portafilter
• Cleaning disc, tablets, tools
• Removable drip tray
• Removable water tank
• Storage tray
• Manual

Breville BES840XL Infuser™ Espresso Machine User Manual

Getting Started

1. Unboxing and Setup:

   • Carefully unpack your Breville Infuser™ and remove all packaging materials.
   • Wash the water tank, portafilter, filter baskets, and milk jug with warm soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
   • Wipe the machine’s exterior with a soft, damp cloth.

2. Conditioning the Water Filter (Important):

   • Soak the water filter in cold water for 5 minutes.
   • Rinse the filter under cold running water.
   • Insert the filter into the filter holder and set the dial two months ahead.
   • Place the filter holder back into the water tank.

3. First Use:

   • Fill the water tank with cold tap water.
   • Plug in the machine and press the POWER button.
   • The machine will make a pumping sound as it heats up. Once the lights on the control panel illuminate, it’s ready.
   • Before brewing your first espresso, it’s recommended to flush the machine by running water through the group head and hot water outlet until the tank is empty.

Brewing Espresso

1. Grinding and Dosing:

   • For optimal flavor, use freshly roasted coffee beans.
   • Grind enough coffee to fill the filter basket (use the double shot basket for a double espresso).
   • Tap the portafilter to distribute the coffee evenly and tamp it firmly using the integrated tamper.

2. Trimming the Dose:

   • Use the Razor™ tool to level the coffee in the basket for a consistent extraction.

3. Purging the Group Head:

   • Before inserting the portafilter, press the 1 CUP or 2 CUP button to run a short flow of water through the group head. This removes any coffee residue and stabilizes the temperature.

4. Inserting the Portafilter:

   • Align the portafilter handle with the INSERT position and rotate it towards the center until you feel resistance.

5. Extracting Espresso:

   • Place your pre-warmed cup under the portafilter spouts.
   • Press the 1 CUP or 2 CUP button to start the extraction.
   • The espresso should flow after 8-12 seconds and have the consistency of dripping honey.
   • Use the pressure gauge to monitor the extraction process.

Milk Texturing

1. Preparing the Steam Wand:

   • Turn the STEAM/HOT WATER dial to the steam position.
   • Wait for the STEAM/HOT WATER light to stop flashing, indicating the steam wand is ready.

2. Texturing the Milk:

   • Fill the milk jug just below the V mark.
   • Purge the steam wand by briefly turning the dial to the steam position and then back to STANDBY.
   • Insert the steam wand tip into the milk and turn the dial back to STEAM.
   • Lower the jug to create a whirlpool effect and introduce air into the milk.
   • Continue steaming until the milk reaches the desired temperature (60-65°C).
   • Turn the dial to STANDBY and wipe the wand with a damp cloth.

Cleaning and Maintenance

1. Daily Cleaning:

   • Empty and clean the drip tray.
   • Wipe the steam wand with a damp cloth after each use.
   • Backflush the machine after your last brew of the day.

2. Monthly Cleaning:

   • Run a cleaning cycle using the cleaning disc and tablets.
   • Descale the machine if the DESCALE/CLEAN light illuminates.

3. Water Filter Replacement:

   • Replace the water filter every two months.

Troubleshooting

• No Espresso Extraction: Check if the machine is on, the water tank is full, and the grind size and dose are correct.
• Coffee Runs Out Too Quickly/Slowly: Adjust the grind size accordingly.
• Coffee Is Too Cold: Preheat your cups and ensure the milk is heated enough.
• No Crema: Tamp the coffee more firmly, use a finer grind, or use fresher beans.
• Machine Is Not Working: The safety thermal cut-out may have activated. Turn off the machine and let it cool down for 30-60 minutes.

Tips

• Use freshly roasted beans for the best flavor.
• Experiment with different grind sizes and doses to find your preference.
• Preheat your cups for optimal espresso temperature.
• Clean and descale your machine regularly for consistent performance.

Customer Support

For further assistance or troubleshooting, please contact Breville Customer Support.