Mastering the Breville Barista Express for Espresso Brewing

Рет қаралды 76,260

Күн бұрын

Our ultimate guide for dialling in the perfect espresso recipe using the Breville Barista Express! If you're a coffee lover, you know that nothing beats a well-crafted shot of espresso. And with the Barista Express, you can now enjoy the same quality espresso that you get at your favourite cafe right from the comfort of your own home.
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00:00 Introduction
00:42 Upgraded Default Tools
02:54 Espresso Recipes
05:47 Starting on a Grind Size
07:27 First Shot
10:02 Second Shot
11:06 Third Shot
12:25 Programming
But, as with any espresso machine, getting the right recipe can be a little tricky. With the Barista Express, you need to make sure that you're using the right amount of coffee, tamping it correctly, and extracting it for the right amount of time. And that's exactly what we'll be showing you in this video.
We'll start by going over the basic components of the Barista Express and how they work together to make delicious espresso. Then, we'll walk you through the steps of dialling in your grind, which is essential to getting the right flavour profile for your espresso. You'll learn how to adjust the grind size and dose to get the perfect shot, and how to use the built-in grinder to get consistent results every time.
Next, we'll cover tamping, which is the process of compacting the coffee grounds in the portafilter. Tamping ensures that the water flows through the grounds evenly and extracts all the flavour and aroma that you're looking for. We'll show you how to tamp correctly and how to avoid common mistakes that can ruin your shot.
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Пікірлер: 108

@MattWatsonAus 9 ай бұрын

Hi. Could you provide links to the preferred tools you show in this video? I have a Breville Barista Express, so could you please link to the items specific to that. Many thanks

@AlternativeBrewing 9 ай бұрын

Hey! sure - you can find all our Breville Espresso tools here: alternativebrewing.com.au/collections/breville-coffee-machines There's some great bundles too - where you can get a whole kit for it - from Normcore

@Objektiv_J Жыл бұрын

Gotta say I think the revelation for me is to use a recipe. Without a good amount of experience, it's really challenging as an amateur to dial in a coffee. Thanks for the tips!

@TheAndrewd313 Жыл бұрын

Great vid! Have had my barista express for 3 years now and seeing vids like this helps cure my upgrade fever for a few hours😅 A couple things that really helped me dial in the espresso was adjusting inner burr from 6 to 2 giving me more headroom on the grinder to go finer. So now I’m typically using 7 or 8 on the outer wheel instead of 3,2, or FINE. I also realized that the grind amount dial can be in between the steps allowing you to go from say 19 to 19.5g instead of 19 to 20g. Overall I’ve found the grind amount dial to be really consistent and been pulling the best shots as of late. I am using WDT which I think is crucial for this grinder, and also using a distributor, but will have to try the puck screen too!

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

Unreal! Yes, I'm slowly coming around to the machine. Super convenient, and I've discovered more consistency with the Dosing too. Usually not off by any more than 0.4g. I had thought about adding that part regarding the adjustment to the Grinder's inner dial in the video - it is a great tip 👌 and gives you plenty of adjustment room then. I'll have to do a follow-up video. The PUCK screens are amazing as they just keep everything so clean. There's really nothing more to them though. Some will say the draw some heat from the brewing water - though in using the BBE, this might actually be a benefit.

@__Nathan____ Жыл бұрын

I had forgotten about this inner adjustment. Thanks for the reminder! I've not run out of settings but with some beans i'm down on 2 and thought there may have been something going wrong with the way it was grinding. This makes complete sense. Thanks

@iggyman83 7 ай бұрын

I just got back into manual espresso. In 2014 i had a barista express and went on a journey over several years. Last year had and sold a Lelit Elizabeth V3. I left a controlling relationship this year and just last week bought a sesame black BE and just ordered a whole lot of aftermarket tools for 54mm, based on what i enjoyed with my 58mm machine. Will eventually get a Varia VS3 grinder but i am reminded just how much i have always loved the BE. In fact i found other than some increase in body when i went to an Expobar Office that taste wise, with a good grinder, the BE was incredible. Cabt wait for my afternarket baskets and tamper to arrive. The BE is a brilliant machine

@AussieMumVLOGS Жыл бұрын

I thought I was gona be bored. But I was surprisingly entertained. Great personality and I learnt a lot

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

😊 Thanks so much

@igotnoswap Жыл бұрын

I have the Breville infuser (same brewing mechanics) and I bypass all the programming gimmicks by brewing every shot in Manual mode. To do this, hold the 2cup button down and this will begin a pre infusion at lower pressure. I continue to hold down the button until the first drops occur (~about a 10 second preinfusion) Then release the button to ramp to full pressure. Press the 2 cup button again to finish the shot at the desired output.

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

NICE! Sounds like you've mastered it.

@jeffhardy3x Жыл бұрын

I just got this machine. THANK YOU!!

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

You're welcome!! If there's anything I can help with, let me know - I've been playing around with it a lot lately and really love the convenience and it's so clean 👌

@jeffhardy3x Жыл бұрын

@@AlternativeBrewing what do you have your inner burr set to?

@alidaniels6173 4 күн бұрын

You are making me want to buy these espresso beans!

@AlternativeBrewing 4 күн бұрын

😂 ok - do it 👉 alternativebrewing.com.au/collections/coffee

@iagolopez953 Ай бұрын

Hello Josh, does the Breville Dosing funnel that is included with the machine fits the normcore basic bottomless 54mm portafilter??? Thank you If not, is the 3-in-1 portafilter compatible with the Sage/Breville Dosing funnel included in the Barista Pro???

@godblessthelessfortunate3175 11 ай бұрын

If I don't have a nearby coffee roaster, can I buy fresh roasted beans from Starbucks? Not the beans already bagged on the shelf, but the same beans they use to brew. If so, how old are those beans i,e. from roast date?

@thinkclear5292 11 ай бұрын

Thanks for the explanation! Can you help maybe? The grinder does exactly 18g for a double shot. I am using freahly roasted beans. I already did change the grinder internally to finer (5). On the left the grinder wheel is set between 1 and 2. I do extract 36g of espresso for a double shot, but in 24s. And I see the pressure gage is already above the "normal espresso range". Of course I can grind now even finer to get few seconds more extraction time. But is the even higher pressure than "bad"?

@AlternativeBrewing 11 ай бұрын

no not particularly - I would take that with a grain of salt. How does it taste? ... 18/36/24 is a great brew ratio for a standard espresso 👌 it it taste good don't change a thing - ... although - if you're already on 1-2 on the exterior wheel - than I'd be inclined to adjust the interior setting so I had some available exterior grind settings to go finer again.

@DrDavelope 8 ай бұрын

Great video! I’ll be buying one of your v60s . I already have the Barista Express and wondering what number grind size would i use to make a pour over?

@AlternativeBrewing 8 ай бұрын

Oooh - great question - I'll have to explore this and get back to you. No doubt it's somewhere around the 10+ grind setting.

@andreas3120 Жыл бұрын

I‘ve added a puck screen to my setup. Super clean shower screen, super dry and dense pucks. But I wonder if I should pre heat the puck screen, and how to easy remove it and how to clean it if I want to pull a second shot right afterward?

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

all great questions. Considering it's not PID controlled as a machines - it's more times than not, probably working in your favour for pulling some heat out of the brew water prior to extraction. Rinsing quickly under the brew head is all I do after each shot - and I've not had any issues removing it - though if you do I've seen some way where you place a cloth over the portafilter and tap on the top lightly, and this break the seal oky.

@octavbarbu5554 4 ай бұрын

normcore is soooo sponsoring this clip

@AlternativeBrewing 4 ай бұрын

haha 😂 yeah I can see why you would say that. I wish though ! Normcore however do have IMHO the best range of gear for Breville machines. You'd think there would be a lot more considering how popular the machines are. Pesado and Pullman are the other two that are building a range around 54mm sizes - so keep an eye out for them too 👌

@NadiaSimonenko-nx6tj 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for such a helpful video! I just purchased the same machine, and watching the tons of videos😅 Yours is one of the best. My only problem at the moment that it gives such a small amount of coffee..what could be the reason? My outher wheel is set on 8 and inner on 3..I just want more coffee😭😭😭

@AlternativeBrewing 3 ай бұрын

you're getting less coffee ground out in to the basket or less coffee brewed out exactly? I'm not too sure which you're referring too 🫶

@2D_Stranger 9 ай бұрын

I find it weird when I program the single shot, then program the double shot. It would reset the single shot, then when I program the single shot again it would reset the double shot. It's driving me crazy, especially since it wasn't this way until I programmed the temperature with the program + power on from 93 to 95. When it was in default temperature, the program for both the single and double shot never reset and would give me a consistent amount of water for purging and yield.

@saribmahmood 4 ай бұрын

Quick question. When you achieved 44g yield (same as aim) but in 22s instead of 19, did you just let those 2s go or did you adjust something further? because idk what you would adjust at that point to get 19s for 44g yield.

@AlternativeBrewing 4 ай бұрын

A very small adjust in the grind setting will achieve this - or a 0.5g dose adjustment will too 👌 otherwise sometimes it comes down to if the portafilter is hot or cold - and whatever you do - try to keep it as consistent as possible

@alvinlbk95 7 ай бұрын

When do you start timing the brew time? Is it the moment you press the button or is it the moment when the first drip of coffee comes out?

@AlternativeBrewing 7 ай бұрын

When you press the button 👌

@Phenom-rl5pr Жыл бұрын

Great video. Where can I buy those marshmallow brownie beans from? I live in Miami, Fl USA. Seem fabulous 👌🏽

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

They were! Sadly, no longer available and were just a seasonal thing sorry! :(

@cobravictor Жыл бұрын

Great video like all your videos!!! It would be great if you did a similar video with the Breville Dual Boiler!!!!

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

Great suggestion! I've got a Breville Barista Express Impress I could get my hands on ... but the Dual Boiler, or the Oracle would be mad fun to play with!

@sdrawkcabvag Жыл бұрын

I always hit the program button before I hit the 2 button. Essentially makes it manual

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

Nice 👌 I've actually really enjoyed the programming of the Button, it's reasonably accurate within 4-5g ... usually going a little bit over. .. but for a medium roast black coffee, I love the fact it stops automatically. I've been using a Manual machine for way too long, so it's nice to have a contrast 😂

@pluton247888 10 ай бұрын

Hi, is there a link to where we could get the naked portafilter?

@AlternativeBrewing 10 ай бұрын

sure 👌 alternativebrewing.com.au/collections/breville-portafilters

@jinheu5119 Ай бұрын

Got a question I got the same exact machine as you when I’m doing a double shot only about an ounce of water comes out. What am I doing wrong

@AlternativeBrewing Ай бұрын

sounds like the grind is too fine and is not letting the water pass through. Grind a little coarser, using hte same amount of ground coffee as you are now - and it should begin to drip through. Grind coarser again - say 1-2 notches at a time if you need it to run faster 🫶

@jinheu5119 Ай бұрын

@@AlternativeBrewing pressure is low when I do double shot and only about a single shot comes out

@josephrodriguez1540 Жыл бұрын

***NEED HELP****WHAT IS THE RANGE OF OF THIS PRESSURE GAUGE? SOMEONE HAS TOLD ME THAT EACH BOLT MARK ON THE PRESSURE GUAGE REPRESENT 2 BARS?

@saysoco Жыл бұрын

great video @AlternativeBrewing. please sell the tool set you use in this video; i wanna buy it for sure!

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

you mean this one 😀 alternativebrewing.com.au/products/normcore-coffee-tools-bundle - there's a drop down for the 54mm version !

@saysoco Жыл бұрын

@@AlternativeBrewing yes that one! any discount for your KZfaq subscribers🙏🏾? also: what scales do you use/recommend?

@cedric5947 Жыл бұрын

I don't know if I'm doing anything wrong, but all the time, my second coffee is like ten seconds faster with the same receipe. I'm using the WDT, distributor, puck screen, spring loaded tamper, I think that my puck prep is on point... I thought about the grinder eating up but I seem to be the only one having this issue... (and yes I let the machine heat up 10 to 15 minutes and I purge before each shot)... I'm kinda lost... I'm on the edge of buying a new grinder but if that's not my issue I will spend a lot of money for nothing...

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

Yeah that is bizarre. I would have suggested 100% that it is the water temperature although if you're flushing this should decrease the chance of this issue. ... Tyr just adding an extra 1g extra of ground coffee to the second shot, and see how it runs. It should slow it down some for sure - but if it doesn;t - I'd suggest it's the grinder that's the issue

@cedric5947 Жыл бұрын

@@AlternativeBrewing So I tried with a Baratza Encore that I stopped using because I read everywhere that it was worse than the integrated BBE grinder... The second shot was actually a bit longer (about 4 seconds) but looking at the puck I noticed potentially some channeling in the first shot so it seems normal. Not only this but without precisely dialing it, the taste was just more balanced and.. well better. Anyway the conclusion I believe is that my grinder has an issue. At least it's not the brewer apparently. So I ordered a 1Zpresso JX-Pro S which would have improved things a lot anyway. Thanks for your answer. I'm answering my findings so if someone has the same they can have a follow up.

@jdinge48 Ай бұрын

@@cedric5947 Got the same issue .... Figuring out what to do to have consistent pulls

@user-cy9bw5wb8t 7 ай бұрын

What kind of scale are you using? Thank you.

@AlternativeBrewing 7 ай бұрын

This is the Acaia Lunar. But I recommend the Varia AKU Scale - they're the ones Im using now 👌 alternativebrewing.com.au/products/varia-aku-scale

@mdel.e9234 11 ай бұрын

what is best for espresso ratio, by grams or volume, if google it said 60ml for 2shots and 30ml for 1shot, if you weight by grams of ratio 1:2 its not the same

@AlternativeBrewing 11 ай бұрын

correct. Weighing in Grams will always be the most accurate way 👌

@nicholasbrown4324 2 ай бұрын

hello, do you measure the time when first drop of coffee starts?

@AlternativeBrewing 2 ай бұрын

No - from the moment you press the button 👌

@nicholasbrown4324 2 ай бұрын

@@AlternativeBrewing in every video everybody says between 25-30 seconds but you said 19 seconds, why? Please let me know

@AlternativeBrewing 2 ай бұрын

It would be because of the coffee was using requests this

@pocketzhs5788 Жыл бұрын

What kind of cups are those? Size and where to buy?

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

KRUVE Galsses 👌 alternativebrewing.com.au/collections/kruve

@joshuagraves3073 9 ай бұрын

Are you timing your shot from the time you press the button?

@AlternativeBrewing 9 ай бұрын

Yes 100% !

@hassannasirm Жыл бұрын

What grind setup will you use for Toby's estate on Breville Barista Express?

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

I would use a position 1 on the interior Grind setting (in the Hopper) and around a 12-14 on the regular exterior grind setting 👌

@hassannasirm Жыл бұрын

@@AlternativeBrewing thank you. I am planning to try Toby's. Right now, I am using double roaster's flight path wiht a grind setting of 3 inside and 8 outside. Getting a decent shot in 20-25 seconds. But pressure doesn't reach the midpoint. any tips?

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

@@hassannasirm Pressure would be my least concern when brewing the Espresso 🫶 As long as you're managing your Grind, Dose, Yield and Time... and it tastes good - the pressure - so long as it's a healthy pressure - and not something suggesting the machine is on the way out... is nothing to be worried about. Though I'd imagine if you ground finer, you'd increase the pressure the machine achieves.

@hassannasirm Жыл бұрын

Thank you. I am dialing in by putting the machine in programming mode. Is this the right way? Or shall I do it on the factory settings?

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

@@hassannasirm The Prgram mode is great for precision! This is what I would do for perfecting every shot 👌

@craneholmes 9 ай бұрын

When buying freshly roasted bags from the store - how do we know the recipe? Do certain companies come with recipes?

@AlternativeBrewing 9 ай бұрын

Check this video out for recipe ideas 🫶 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pt5zaJWdra-3aac.html

@shiftyrussian 4 ай бұрын

Bro, love your video... I wanted to/in the process of trying to buy the tools in the video... But it's extremely frustrating. There's no direct links to most of the products, the store on KZfaq is showing me products not in your video, and it's very daunting (i.e. your site has tonnes of different naked portafilters, which one should i choose, etc.). Please just add to your description direct links to what we see. You'll get more ref income, and users will have a cleaner experience.

@AlternativeBrewing 4 ай бұрын

Fixed under the video - sorry about that! 🫶 and added a Link to Normcore Wares alternativebrewing.com.au/collections/normcore They have the 53.5 / 54mm Breville Attachments as variants in the products drop down selection.

@elvissaraiva7323 Жыл бұрын

Unbelievable 😮😮😮 could you give me the list of this kit please?

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

alternativebrewing.com.au/products/normcore-coffee-tools-bundle :: there's a drop down menu for the Breville (Sage) 54mm kit 🫶

@Mandragara Жыл бұрын

Now pull some filter roast shots!

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

I might have to try this! You mean like, 20g in, and pull 260g out? Have you tried this?

@Mandragara Жыл бұрын

@@AlternativeBrewing Well if you want it to taste OK, just pull 60-90 seconds worth of shot from the machine and top up with 80C water till you get the right volume. Is it good? Well its different and not terrible! Like a hybrid long black

@nicholasbrown4324 2 ай бұрын

Hello again, in every video everybody says between 25-30 seconds but you said 19 seconds, why? Please let me know

@AlternativeBrewing 2 ай бұрын

I was experimenting with it here - plus if you are using less coffee - then there'll be less time to brew it too. 25-30 seconds is good for using 18g basket and brewing a 36-40g espresso out.

@nicholasbrown4324 2 ай бұрын

@@AlternativeBrewing thank you very much.

@snakesonn3590 Ай бұрын

your parents must be so proud

@christosa3903 Ай бұрын

"im not trying to sell you third party tools" goes on to talk about it for the first three minutes.

@AlternativeBrewing 27 күн бұрын

😂 im not too syre what you're talking about - but I get what you're saying 🫶

@rayf7953 Жыл бұрын

You're enthusiasm is cool, but by using after-market tools that cost more than half of what the machine does, youve basically made this video redundant to most home users.

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

😕 Yeah - you are right to some degree. I should make a separate video just using the tools that come with the Machine - and ultimately a set of scales. That's really all you need, a set of scales to follow a recipe. Having all these tools is not a cheap investment. Though I feel for the $600+ investment in the machine, the consumer has already made the significant investment not to chase cheap highs with a Pod machine and instant coffee. It is through my discussions, I hear many people though, with these machines - a little dissatisfied with the results, with hoping the machine would have made better coffee.

@coolvi6015 7 ай бұрын

I won't be able to taste the coffee, but still hoped for heads on the coin flip. Weird...

@samkalma8268 4 ай бұрын

Why use a distributor after 'wdt'ing? Only gonna make it worse isnt it?

@AlternativeBrewing 4 ай бұрын

possibly yes - compacting the top layers. Distributing is slowly becoming less useful if WDTing alone. Yet - doing at least one of them is still worth it 🙌

@annwartnick7878 Ай бұрын

Why did he skipped over what he turned the grinder dial two in the last clip where he got the best pull ? He said how great that that shot of coffee was, but he didn’t tell us what he said it to the first one was four and then he went to five and then the third time he literally just skipped over what he set it to

@annwartnick7878 Ай бұрын

Why do some people say to set the grinder on the outside to eight and the one on the inside to three other people said just set the outside one to 5. you said you liked four on the outside. I have no idea what to do now because everyone’s telling me something different. I watched like five videos.

@AlternativeBrewing Ай бұрын

Set the inside to 2 or 1 honestly, and the outside really depends on the coffee you’re using. With the inside set that low - around a 7-15 is the outside setting you’re after

@unudinele2703 10 ай бұрын

what did you schedule? you scheduled the damn thing that the second time it didn't work and you didn't do the same thing for the espresso as the first time.

@nzwade 9 ай бұрын

What if you don't have a recipe?

@AlternativeBrewing 9 ай бұрын

So - your recipe begins with how big your filter basket is - this is generally speaking -- 16g - 18g or 20g. From here - I'd suggest a brew ratio of 1:2 - so you'll be brewing either 32g, 26, or 40g out - and you'll be aiming for a 1.5g/sec flow rate to brew around 24-30 seconds. There's your recipe in a nutshell 🫶 You can also check this video out where I explain it all: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pt5zaJWdra-3aac.html

@lllllukeify 4 ай бұрын

poor tradesmen blame their tools brother...... a good carpenter will get the job done with a platoon of trained beavers, or a brand new blade on his circular saw... make it work with what youve got!

@jontpt Жыл бұрын

I'm sorry, but "mastering a machine" by someone who doesn't appear to have ever used it before? That's some serious clickbait! 😂

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

WDYM? I would propose going off of appearances is quite assumptious. I use one every day 👌 THere's more to come - unfinished lessons I have learnt

@jontpt Жыл бұрын

@@AlternativeBrewing Check 5:22, where you state that you have no idea what's going on with the machine...😅

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

@@jontpt Fair point 😂 I see where you're coming from. Not click-bait though, You under-estimate my skills as a Barista to make good coffee no matter the machine or method🥷 Making good coffee, on a machine Id never used was the principle objective - this was a success 👌

@jontpt Жыл бұрын

@@AlternativeBrewing Well, I guess that's one way of looking at it, although definitely a hilarious way. I'm good with cars, but I wouldn't say I'm an expert on every possible type. But hey, it's your video, so who am I to judge? Oh, the one who's doing the judging, that's right, haha.

@24califrank 7 ай бұрын

Man get to the point . Make the dammmm coffee already. Ugh

@rocketman702 5 ай бұрын

Oh ffs...................Just brew the coffee already!!

@AlternativeBrewing 5 ай бұрын

hahaha im getting to it! People want to know how to get the best out of machines - and also their investment.

@jjjpetersen 4 ай бұрын

The guys a pro. I want to know what tools make espressos better.

@matthahn4992 Жыл бұрын

I would avoid Breville at all costs based on their customer service alone.

@AlternativeBrewing Жыл бұрын

That's fair enough. I would suggest getting extended warranties on these styles of machines - and always deal with a Retailer versus buying direct as well - you'll usually have better options for return / replacement.