This is an easy, step-by-step guide with photos that will show you exactly how to use the Breville Barista Express to make the perfect cappuccino or latte!
Breville Barista Express Tips & Tricks
The Breville Barista Express (see it on Amazon) is ranked all over the internet as the “Best Home Espresso Machine“. But if you’ve never used an espresso machine like this before, it can be a bit overwhelming at first. The machine is not self-explanatory.
But don’t worry, if you just got this espresso machine, or you are thinking about getting it, we are about to guide you step-by-step how to use the Breville Barista Express to make your very first cappuccino or latte.
Please read this post so your new machine doesn’t frustrate you!
Breville Barista Express Step #1 — Read The Manual
First things first, read the instructions for how to put together your new machine. The manual will also show you few things you need to do before you use it for the first time, like washing all the parts, installing the water filter, and flushing the machine.
After your new espresso machine is all set up and plugged in, move on to the next step:
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Breville Barista Express Step #2 — Check the Water Level
Every single time before you use your new espresso machine, before you even turn it on, do a quick check of the water level. Unlike a Keurig, the Breville Barista Express does not warn you when the water level is low or you’re out of water. So to avoid burning any parts, always do a quick check of the water level.
Breville Barista Express Step #3 — Preheat the Machine
After you turn it on, this espresso machine is ready very quickly. When you turn it on, it will make a bumping / knocking noise. This is normal. When all 6 buttons are lit up, the machine is ready to use. It takes less than 30 seconds.
However, it’s better if you can let the espresso machine warm up for 10-15 minutes before you actually use it, so all the parts are nice and hot.
If the parts are too cold, it can affect the flavor of your espresso. So if you have a coffee every morning, to get the best flavor, turn on the espresso machine as soon as you wake up, then go to the bathroom, start breakfast, etc, to give it a few minutes to warm up.
Also, keep your mug on top of the machine like mine — the top of the machine is a warming tray!
Breville Barista Express Step #4 — Add the Coffee Beans
After the machine is warmed up, add the coffee beans to the “hopper”. You don’t have to add a certain amount, just make sure you have “enough”. The amount pictured above will make about 3 double-shots of espresso.
What Kind Of Beans Are Best To Use In An Espresso Machine?
For the best espresso, use high quality whole beans that have been roasted recently. Try to find beans that have a “roasted on” date within a week.
The best flavor will come between 2-10 days after the beans have been roasted. However if you can’t find something that recent, coffee beans will stay fresh and keep much of their flavor until about 30 days after the roast
Always use whole beans, never pre-ground. Coffee beans lose their flavor and freshness much more quickly after you grind them.
Store your beans in a cool, dark place, preferably in an air-tight container like a ziplock bag.
Breville Barista Express Step #5 — Set the Grind Size and Amount
Here’s where things can start to get a little overwhelming. To make the perfect espresso, you need the correct combination of three components:
- Grind size
- Grind amount
- Tamping pressure
This is mostly achieved by trial and error, and it is something you will have to adjust every time you use a new type of coffee bean.
HOWEVER, it’s pretty easy to figure out, so don’t worry! Im going to help you!
Grind Size
Set the grind size to 5 — this is the number Breville recommends. You probably won’t need to change this number.
Grind Amount
This is something you will probably need to adjust the first few times. But I’ll show you a trick that will make sure you get the perfect grind amount every single time!
For now, set the grind amount right in the middle, at the 3 o’clock position, as pictured above.
Breville Barista Express Step #6 — Weigh the Portafilter!
See that thing on the green scale? That’s the portafilter. That’s where the freshly ground coffee is going to go. Make sure it’s completely dry before you put any coffee in it.
- For a single shot of espresso, you want 8-10 grams of ground coffee
- For a double shot of espresso, you want 15-18 grams of ground coffee
If you weigh the portafilter first, then “zero” it out, you can ensure you have the exact right amount of ground coffee every time.
Breville Barista Express Step #7 — Grind the Coffee
Once you’ve zero’d out the portafilter, place it in the “Grind Outlet”.
Press the filter size button to select what size espresso you want, Single or Double. In this example we will be making a double shot.
Give the portafilter a quick push in, then release, like you’re pushing an elevator button. This will start the grinding.
Weigh the amount of ground coffee you got. If you’re making a double shot and you got between 15-18 grams, you got the perfect amount! You don’t need to adjust the grind amount or add more coffee.
If you got more than 18 grams, take out a little coffee until you have 18 grams, and adjust the Grind Amount to give you less for next time.
If you got less than 15 grams, you can just add a little bit more. This time push in and HOLD the portafilter — don’t release. Hold it for a second or two until you get some more coffee, then release and weigh again.
Do this until you have between 15-18 grams, then adjust the Grind Amount to give you more for next time.
Breville Barista Express Step #8 — Tamp the Coffee
First, use your hands to push the loose coffee into the center of the portafilter so it doesn’t spill out when you tamp it.
Tamping Pressure
Tamping pressure is the only thing you really have to “trail and error” here. You definitely want more pressure than just pressing it down to get it even and flat, but you don’t need to Hulk out on it either.
If you don’t use enough tamping pressure, the pressure during the extraction process will be too low. And likewise, if you use too much tamping pressure, the pressure during the extraction process will be too high.
My recommendation is to press it down to get it all flat, make sure the coffee grounds are even and level, then give it a few extra pushes to tamp down, but don’t use too much force.
TAMPING TIP: If you twist the tamper at the end before you pull it out, it will help keep your grinds more level.
Clean all the loose grinds from the portafilter!
Be sure to wipe off all the excess grinds from the portafilter before you make your espresso! If there are any loose grinds around the portafilter, it will not “seal” correctly.
Breville Barista Express Step #9 — Run a cup of hot water
Before placing the portafilter into the espresso machine, press the 1-cup button to run a single cup of hot water into your coffee mug, then dump out the water.
This will stabilize the temperature of the machine and your mug. Remember if any of the parts are too cold it will affect the flavor of the espresso.
Breville Barista Express Step #10 — Extract the Espresso
It’s finally time to make the espresso! Insert the portafilter into the “Group Head”, where it says “Insert” then turn until the portafilter is in the “Lock” position.
If you are making a double shot, press the 2-cup button, then keep an eye on the red pressure needle.
It will take a few seconds, but if your needle gets in the grey “Espresso Range”, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You made the perfect cup of espresso!!! 🙂
If the needle went under the range, try increasing your tamping pressure next time.
If the needle went over the range, try decreasing your tamping pressure next time.
Even if you didn’t get the exact right pressure this time, the espresso is still going to be good, so don’t worry. It’s just going to be even better next time!
Steaming the Milk
If you’d like to make a latte or cappuccino with your newly extracted espresso, the next step is to steam and froth the milk.
Breville Barista Express Step #11 — Fill the milk jug
This espresso machine comes with this handy milk jug. See the “V” shape that the spout makes on the inside of the jug? Fill the jug just until the milk touches the bottom of the V.
Contrary to the espresso machine needing all the parts to be hot, you will get a richer, finer froth if both the milk and the jug are as cold as possible. To help with that, I store my jug in the freezer. You could also store it in the fridge, right next to the milk!
For the milk, it’s better to use a higher fat milk (like whole milk) instead of skim milk.
Breville Barista Express Step #12 — Purge the Steam Wand
Every time before you use the wand, you will need to “purge” it first. Position the wand over the drip tray, and turn the dial to “Steam”.
Nothing will happen at first, but after 10-15 seconds, water will start to drip out, then it will turn to steam. Let the steam run for a few seconds, then turn back to Standby.
Quickly put the wand into the milk, then turn back to steam. You need to do this within 8 seconds or you’ll have to purge the wand again. You don’t want that water dripping in your milk!
Breville Barista Express Step #13 — Steam & Froth the Milk
The two most important things to remember to perfectly steam and froth the milk is Tip Position and Temperature.
Tip Position
Place tip of the wand so it’s just under the surface of the milk, about 1/4th of an inch.
If the tip is too low, the espresso machine will make a high-pitched screeching sound.
If the tip is too high, you’ll make giant bubbles and potentially splash yourself with milk!
Tilt the jug a little so the milk swirls around the jug, like a whirlpool.
Temperature
Hold the handle with your right hand and place your left hand on the bottom of the jug. (I couldn’t do this in the picture because I was using one hand to hold the camera!)
When the bottom of the jug just starts to be too hot / uncomfortable to touch, the milk is ready. Turn the dial back to standby.
You can tap the jug on the counter a few times and swirl the milk to break up any larger bubbles.
Breville Barista Express Step #14 — Purge the Steam Wand AGAIN
This may be the most important step of all! As soon as you remove the milk, position the steam wand over the drip tray again and turn the dial back to steam again. Let steam come out of the pipe for a few seconds to clean out any milk that may have gotten up in the wand.
Be sure to do this every time you steam milk! If you don’t purge the steam wand, the milk will burn and sour and every cup of milk you make from then on will smell and taste like burnt milk! Yuck! Be sure everyone who uses the machine knows to purge the steam wand after steaming the milk!
Breville Barista Express Step #15 — Clean the Steam Wand
The final step is just a bit of cleaning.
- Use a wet washcloth to wipe the milk off the steam wand. Do this immediately as it will be much harder to remove if the milk dries on!
- Wipe off any excess water and coffee grinds.
- Empty the coffee grinds out of the portafilter, rinse, dry completely, then place the portafilter back under the “Group Head” (where it says “Insert” and “Lock”). This way the portafilter will preheat when you turn on the machine.
Easy Latte Art Hack!
Now you can start practicing your latte art! Or if you want to make it look super fancy with zero skill involved, just do a few stripes of chocolate syrup on top and swirl with a toothpick! Serve with biscotti and you’ll never get your friends to leave. You’ll be the swankiest coffee hangout in the neighborhood. 😉
Breville Barista Express — Buy it on Amazon!
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