Mastering the Breville Barista Express for Espresso Brewing

[@MattWatsonAus]

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]

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]

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!

[@TheRealJP777]

I looked at the links in the description to the recommended accessories and, together, they're almost the same price as the entire Barista Express espresso machine! Those are insane prices. Afford that at all.

[@AlternativeBrewing]

I agree - that's why I always suggest starting with the basics and then gradually upgrading to what works best for you 👍

[@igotnoswap]

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]

NICE! Sounds like you've mastered it.

[@AussieMumVLOGS]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

😊 Thanks so much

[@TheAndrewd313]

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]

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____]

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

[@octavbarbu5554]

normcore is soooo sponsoring this clip

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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 👌

[@MrGoodoldave]

@@AlternativeBrewing Don't forget Crema, they sell great aftermarket tools for the Breville/Sage as well :)

[@jeffhardy3x]

I just got this machine. THANK YOU!!

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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]

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

[@Fiveminsforhealth]

I’ve only ever used double shot on my machine since purchasing a couple of months ago. I’ve never achieved a brewing time of 20 seconds. I’ve played around with course/fine.

[@AlternativeBrewing]

Have you adjusted the inner grind dial ?

[@Fiveminsforhealth]

@@AlternativeBrewing not yet, which way would you recommend to turn?

[@AlternativeBrewing]

I’d set it to 2 on the inner grind dial - then you’ll notice your grinding down around the 4,5,6 setting with plenty of adjustment finer

[@saribmahmood]

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]

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

[@BrandonCarle-q5i]

What kind of scale are you using? Thank you.

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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

[@BarnesyHK]

Do you start timing when you start the shot or when the coffee starts pouring?

[@AlternativeBrewing]

When you start the shot 👌

[@prestonarsenault9975]

Anyone know a solid recipe for Starbuck True North whole bean ? I have this exact machine.

[@alvinlbk95]

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]

When you press the button 👌

[@nesmanpro]

@@AlternativeBrewing wow, then 20 secs sounds too short for me, specially when my breville takes 8sec just for a preinfusion

[@andreas3120]

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]

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.

[@iagolopez953]

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???

[@saysoco]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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

[@saysoco]

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

[@alidaniels6173]

You are making me want to buy these espresso beans!

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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

[@ernicetrail3173]

Hey mate, did you start timing it from first drop or when you hit the button?

[@AlternativeBrewing]

From when I hit the button 👌

[@pluton247888]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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

[@DrDavelope]

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]

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

[@thinkclear5292]

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]

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.

[@hassannasirm]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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]

@@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]

@@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]

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]

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

[@craneholmes]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

Check this video out for recipe ideas 🫶 kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqmmZmWifa6Gb9U

[@jeremy-bahadirli]

Hey I saw on the video you labeled it a 20g basket, but as far as I can see, Normcore’s 54mm baskets are 18g. Was that a typo?

[@AlternativeBrewing]

It may have been when I made the video - yet Normcore have brought out a 20g Breville basket now - also - I could have been using a Pesado basket in this video (more likely) alternativebrewing.com.au/products/normcore-filter-basket alternativebrewing.com.au/products/pesado-breville-filter-baskets

[@sdrawkcabvag]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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 😂

[@godblessthelessfortunate3175]

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?

[@richmaurer992]

Which coffee brands come with a recipe

[@jinheu5119]

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]

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]

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

[@2D_Stranger]

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.

[@NadiaSimonenko-nx6tj]

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]

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 🫶

[@cobravictor]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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!

[@iggyman83]

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

[@mdel.e9234]

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]

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

[@joshuagraves3073]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

Yes 100% !

[@Phenom-rl5pr]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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

[@nostro1001]

I didn't search for this video it was in my feed. In fact I've searched nothing on this machine. Anyway... This video really confuses me. 🤔 I've just bought DF 54 grinder from you (backorder) & waiting for your stock (late Sept). I had assumed I'd be buying a new machine from you also to coincide with the new grinder. I'm now wondering am I really likely to see & taste a notable improvement on a machine up to around the 2k mark? Information overload has my head in a spin. So hard to decide when I can't visit any store to see some of the candidates in action. The waiting is killing me. 🤣🤣🤣

[@AlternativeBrewing]

Yes. Signifiant differences in texture and taste of an espresso made on a 2K machine vs say a Breville. Yet with a great grinder like the DF54 - you have a head start on good coffee 👌 so either machien could work well - better off with a 58mm machine over a 54mm machine imho

[@nostro1001]

@@AlternativeBrewing Yup agreed... Thanks for the reply. You will hear from me via email as per the past week or so. Cheers!

[@cedric5947]

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]

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]

@@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]

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

[@shiftyrussian]

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 KZbin 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]

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.

[@pocketzhs5788]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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

[@nicholasbrown4324]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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]

@@AlternativeBrewing thank you very much.

[@nicholasbrown4324]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

No - from the moment you press the button 👌

[@nicholasbrown4324]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

It would be because of the coffee was using requests this

[@elvissaraiva7323]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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

[@christosa3903]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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

[@Mandragara]

Now pull some filter roast shots!

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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

[@Mandragara]

@@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

[@samkalma8268]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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]

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]

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]

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

[@coolvi6015]

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

[@nzwade]

What if you don't have a recipe?

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqmmZmWifa6Gb9U

[@josephrodriguez1540]

***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?

[@rayf7953]

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]

😕 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.

[@gi1dor]

Just buy non branded versions of the same tools, it would be 3-5 times cheaper

[@unudinele2703]

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.

[@snakesonn]

your parents must be so proud

[@lllllukeify]

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!

[@24califrank]

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

[@jontpt]

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]

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]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

@@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]

@@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.

[@rocketman702]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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

[@jjjpetersen]

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

[@matthahn4992]

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

[@AlternativeBrewing]

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.