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Breville BES830XL: Die-Cast Programmable Espresso Machine

Just bought it for the wife for Christmas. She's a coffee drinker who much prefers to drink espresso. I was not a coffee drinker before I met my wife 13 years ago and now really only drink it because she's made a pot and it's somewhat comforting. I'm giving it up for 2013 and it's part of the reason why I bought this machine. I don't like espresso and she won't be making pots of regular coffee anymore. I hope!

The reason for the post is I have no experience with these things. Is there anything I should know:

1. I'm reading about Burr grinders...do I need to get one? We have a $10 3 year old grinder that we used for coffee so we could buy beans and grind ourselves in the morning. Even I could tell a taste difference between freshly ground coffee and the grinds in the bag.

2. Are there any accessories I should consider?

3. Is there a special coffee I should buy so that she has a fabulous cup of espresso on Christmas morning?

4. Anything else I should know?

This machine is kind of middle of the road. It amazed me when looking into this that there are espresso makers from about $150 all the way up beyond $3000! Coffee people are crazy.

.. Coffee people are crazy...
............................................................................
That coming from a Browns fan

1. Conical burr grinders are King. They give a MUCH more consistent grind without generating all of the friction/heat that a bladed grinder will, thus eliminating the chance you will impart bitterness while grinding. I have, and highly recommend, the Jura Capresso Infinity burr grinder. For the price, you CANNOT get a better grinder, and I'm not sure how much better you can get even spending three times as much.

for 2 thru 4 - I don't really know.

Quote:

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Is there a special coffee I should buy so that she has a fabulous cup of espresso on Christmas morning?

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Hawaiian Gold Kona Blue Mountain might be nice.

I may have recommended a different brand (you know, since I work KitchenAid and all...LOL!), but Purp. Perfectly explained why you need a burr grinder.

Other than that, I cannot answer your other questions, I'm not a coffee drinker myself either.

I'm not into esspresso, but that machine looks awesome! That's a great present on appearance alone.

Does KitchenAid make a burr grinder?

I think I'll go down to the farmers market and pick up a bag of 100% Kona.

Good advice everyone so far! Mahalo!

Link

We do. The link will show a picture and some specs. I can't swear to it, but I would think you might find some other online retailers who sell it cheaper, but I honestly don't know. It's not in wide distribution, heck, it's not even available to me through my employee purchase program!

Since I haven't used this myself, though I do own one, I can't personally attest to its awesomeness. Well, it's been used in my home, but the people who use it aren't coffee junkies. They were grinding cheap coffee. But the reviews on Amazon look like its very well received.

It looks awesome but it would definitely blow the budget to smithereens. I guess I didn't have this completely thought out. Kind of like every Browns short yardage situation.

Gotta see if I can find one of these either used or on the cheapy.

Well there is a woot-off today and one of these always pops up there.

what's that? I feel like I'm walking face first into a Bob Hope joke.

Woot

Usually they offer only one item per day for sale. Could be new, could be a refurb whatever it may be the shipping on said item is only $5. They now have multiple sites and when you see the flashing strobe light icons, they are having what they refer to as a woot-off. One item after another is offered for sale until it sells out or it's time expires. They have some pretty good deals if you need the item they are selling.

Oh and a Bob Hope joke:

I bought a horse with four other guys... I don't know which of it belongs to me... but I think it's the part you don't put the two dollars on.

Cool! thanks.

I'll take a look for the next few days...if you notice one let me know.

I think I'm just going to get the 560 and move forward.

Thanks again!

Edit: Done, bought off amazon, free shipping which is big for Hawaii.

I don't think that you will be disappointed at all.... just don't be like me and try to put the top hopper in upside down and almost break it
If it isn't going on easily, you have it inverted, hehe!

Edit: just looked at it and refreshed my memory, it wasn't the hopper, but the piece that goes in below it (perhaps the upper cone?). Either way, it's a solid & reliable unit, just don't be a Chris when assembling it

Have always been a fan of Jamaican Blue Mountain !

Jc

If you want to try some exotic coffee maybe buy some beans from this site. http://shop.lacolombe.com/

It is the site of that guy from that tv show Dangerous Grounds where he goes to remote areas to find the best coffee beans. He is rather orgasmically spastic about coffee beans, so it is most likely good stuff.

What?!! No 'Kopi Luwak'?

(for those that don't know.... it's that hideous, and insanely expensive ($100/lb) coffee where the beans are hand-picked from bat guano).