Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker 9x9x12 Silver

’I have had this espresso machine for 2 years and I absolutely love it. I use it every single day and it still works like the first day I bought it. The espresso comes out rich, smooth, and full of flavor, and the machine heats up fast. It’s easy to clean, simple to use, and super reliable. After two years of daily use, I can honestly say this is the best coffee machine I’ve ever owned. If you love good coffee at home, this one is worth every penny Read more

I have been using this espresso maker for about a week and so far I am very pleased with its performance. I have been visiting the local espresso shops for the past couple years without a espresso budget in mind, i was just buying when I felt the urge. I didn't realize how much I was spending on espressos weekly. The machine has a beautiful stainless steel design looks much better in person. It pours out the espresso perfectly based on reviews and videos I have used to compare with other high end machines. The taste is consistent not watery or strong. I matched it up with the Breville smart grinder and that too does excellent work. The milk steamer is powerful and heats up the milk quickly. I usually put my milk in the metal milk container and stick it in the freezer for about 5-10 min prior to making the espresso this helps with the frothing. Very easy to clean. I will get back in time with an update after a few months of use. So far I saved $40 on espresso this includes making a few cups for co-workers. So far 5 stars and I recommend. 10/16/13 update OK I had an issue with espresso machine the other day. Here is what happened; I thought I blew a gasket or something. I was so irritated. I switch to a new bean Ethiopia from Starbucks and used the same grind as the previous bean. I ran the espresso machine and the coffee was coming in slow drips. I thought for a moment and decided to clean the portafilter. I ground some the same coffee and ran the espresso again. I hear a pop and water and coffee was squirting around the area. I stopped the machine and thought about the reviews I read about leaky espresso machines and blown gaskets and I thougt...That was mine and I will need to send this back or get a new gasket. I also read reviews about coffee being too fine and clogging the portafilter. So I tried it again. I gave the smart grinder a couple of clicks to the left and ran the espresso again and man the coffee came out fine. I was so relieved and glad that I took the time to read and learn about espresso makers before I purchased one. That experience has taught me a lot about espressos makers, grinders and beans. It has become apparent to me that some beans can grind finer than other brands of beans and some espresso machines cannot handle too fine of a grind. The bean well I think its because how they are grown, the locations and elevations. I see why some may have issues with espresso machines. I would say take the time to read or view some youtube videos on espresso machines. They are very insightful. UPDATE 2/08/14 my espresso machine is doing great and it's been five months.It still puts out great creama and has been doing great on a variety of beans as if it has gotten better every time i use it. No clogging and it is still performing well. At this price, which is cheaper than what i bought st, I highly recommend this product. you will not be disappointed. The machine is doing great and my coffee still taste great. Still a five star. UPDATE 10/2/15 It's been a 3.5 years since I purchased the Breville espresso maker. I stopped using the steam wand over a year ago because it added water to the milk, but this was a blessing because I purchased the Breville milk cafe frother and I am so glad I did. The frother does an excellent job frothing. No more holding the container under the steam wand waiting for the steam to do it's job. I now just have to press a button on the frother and it's in it's own but not only that, I can add ingredients to the frother while it's frothing and also add the espresso shot for a perfect stir. So now I can froth and pull my espresso shots without having to wait for one to be done before the other. No matter what espresso machine you have of this type you may want to look into an external frother so it'll save you time. The Breville milk cafe is highly rated. UPDATE 06/12/16 Ok I am blessed and happy to say that the expresso machine has been doing great in my opinion. It still perfoms and pulls shots like new. Has had no issues what so ever. This machine is great for the money. Breville makes some great products. I still make espressos for co-workers and they love it always ask when I will bring in espressos. I maintain it like recommended. Last comment 11/2021 This cafe roma is about 8 years old and still running like a champ. I may purchase another for my cabin up north. Read more

I bought the Breville ESP8XL in early 2012 after much review reading and procrastination. I've only used large professional/commercial style 2-4 group machines in my bakery and struggled with the thought of not quite as much steam head and big boiler mechanics in a small espresso maker. One particular review captured my attention because it outlined the parameters of using the Breville and I expect many others in this price class. I was so thankful for the review and thought I could expand on it a bit more and add my process for making espresso in the Breville. I'm extremely happy with the machine and almost a year later still am. In that time every couple of days I make two cups one right after the other. Cleaning it immediately after use, especially the steam wand & wand cover have kept me from any deep cleaning since I've owned it. Steps to a great espresso brew: 1. Check water amount in water well- fill as needed 2. Turn ON Breville 3. Grind your coffee, I use a little blade coffee grinder and drip sized grind espresso coffee which I spin around until it has some fines and a little bit coarser coffee. (mix the fines that fall under the blade with the above blade part.) Experiment until you can execute this every time to the right consistency. Note: too finely ground coffee will not allow the water through the group head (where you put the coffee) So if you ground the coffee to a powder by mistake - toss it out and try again. 4. Heat a some water in your electric kettle, microwave or stove/pot and pour into your espresso cups to pre-heat them. 5. Put your group head WITH OUT any coffee in it on the machine and run a little water through it. Keep it on the machine while you go to the next step. (this preheats it so the steam pressure and heat doesn't dissipate when you brew your espresso) 6. Steaming your milk or soy. I fill the pitcher that came with the machine about 1/3 full of milk. (leaving room for foam when it forms) Blow any water out of the steam wand into a clean towel-Watch out it's hot coming out. When it's sputtering without water squirting out put steam wand into your pitcher. Keep it well into the milk and keep a hand on the bottom of the pitcher to track temperature. When it begins to get warm you can move the steam wand near the surface and it will generate more foam. --My past experience was to foam cold milk first then heat lower in the pitcher, but this reverse system works better in a small pitcher. When milk is hot to touch and foamy turn steamer off, remove pitcher. Now blow the milk residue out of the wand with a towel over the end of it. Watch out it's hot coming out. If this is the last coffee your making pull the outer metal cylinder off, toss in sink and clean the wand thoroughly with a wet hot towel. Getting the cooked milk of now will save time later I guaranty. 7. Take your heated group handle off the machine and measure out your coffee from the grinder into it. Using a metal (my preference) or plastic tamper, press down firmly and twist. You might want to do this twice. 8. Stick into the machine, pour the hot water out of your cup and stick it under the group head, turn on the brewing switch. Rule of thumb on a professional machine is a 20 second pour. The pour should be slow to start and build more volume as it continues. Color should be dark and rich. On the Breville with it's special group cup I find a 30 second pour is good. When the stream of espresso turns a lighter color turn it off. Lighter color tends to be bitter (a over extracted coffee) If all you are getting is a faint drip... drip...drip out of the group your coffee is to fine. Try grinding again. You may have to work a little bit to find the perfect grind to pour time when you first get started with this machine. Moisture in the air, in your coffee etc. play into the grind size as well. Patience is good and a better Burr style grinder if you can afford it! 9.Mix up your steamed milk and foam, gentle pour it in your cup and sit down and enjoy! 10. Remember to Turn Off your machine and clean all the parts, group, up inside where the group sits, bottom tray, wand & cover thoroughly after using. Please note that with any espresso machine if your cup & group is hot before you brew you'll have a far better espresso making experience! This is not a heavy duty machine but very adequate for your daily cups. Making two cups in succession does not over tax the boiler. Hope this helps in your research of counter top espresso makers. Cheers! Read more