Making great espresso is like a dance: part science, part art, and sometimes just a bit of chaos. Even with the super popular Breville Barista Express and Pro machines, there are a few tricks that no one really talks about—tips that can take your shots from meh to magical.
When I first got into coffee, I tried everything to nail that perfect extraction. But no matter what I did, my shots were watery disasters. I started blaming everything: the bottomless portafilter, the machine, the universe. Turns out, the problem was me (ouch). Over time, I picked up these tips and tricks that I’m sharing with you. Some are not mainstream, but trust me, they’ll change your coffee game.
Step 1: The Beans Matter, Big Time
Want great coffee? Start with great beans. Skip the supermarket stuff and head to a local coffee roaster for freshly roasted beans. Not only will your coffee taste a million times better, but you’ll also support a local business. Fresh beans = richer flavor, better extraction, and way more “Wow, I made this?” moments.
Step 2: Get the Right Basket
The Breville Barista machines come with multiple baskets, and choosing the wrong one is like trying to drive with flat tires. Use the double non-pressurized basket for optimal control. Unlike the pressurized version, this basket doesn’t cheat by creating artificial pressure. It makes you work for it—but the payoff? Sweet, flavorful espresso that’ll make you want to dance in your kitchen.
Step 3: Adjust the Inner Grinder Setting
Here’s a secret: your Breville has two grinder settings. The inner one is set to 6 out of the box, but that’s too coarse. Adjust it to 4 for a finer grind that hits the sweet spot. Don’t know how? Check out this video for a step-by-step guide.
Step 4: Always Dose the Exact Amount
Consistency is the name of the game, and it starts with dosing your coffee perfectly. Aim for 18.5 grams every single time. Breville’s grinder is time-based, so it’s not always accurate. Grab a coffee scale and:
- Single Dosing: Measure out exactly 18.5 grams of coffee beans and grind them directly into your portafilter. This method is ideal if you enjoy trying multiple types of coffee since you don’t need to fill the entire hopper. Additionally, it prevents exposing your beans to air, which can age them faster. For optimal freshness, we recommend storing your beans in a Barista Brew Airtight Coffee Canister.
- Weighing with the Portafilter: Place your empty portafilter on the coffee scale and zero it. Grind your coffee directly into the portafilter and weigh it until you reach exactly 18.5 grams. This method ensures a consistent dose without requiring single dosing.
Step 5: Must-Have Tools and How to Use Them
While there are many tools available for coffee lovers to improve and elevate their espresso game, here are the essentials:
- Breville Bottomless Portafilter: A bottomless portafilter helps you diagnose your shots by visually showing the extraction process.
- Dual-Spring Calibrated Auto-Levelling Tamper V4: This tamper ensures consistent tamping pressure every time, making it easier to achieve even extraction.
- Magnetic Espresso WDT Needle Distributor Leveler: Use this tool to break up clumps and evenly distribute coffee grounds in your portafilter before tamping.
- Espresso Barista Puck Screen: A puck screen ensures an even water distribution during extraction, improving shot consistency and reducing mess by keeping your group head cleaner.
If you have these tools, using them in the correct sequence is critical for the best results:
- Use the WDT Needle Distributor to break up clumps and evenly distribute the coffee in your portafilter.
- Tamp the coffee with the V4 Calibrated Tamper to ensure consistent pressure and a level puck. This tamper uses a larger 53.35mm base compared to the stock tamper which is only 52.5mm, which covers a larger area.
- Place the Puck Screen on top of the tamped coffee puck to promote even water distribution during extraction.
- Insert the portafilter into your machine tightly, ensuring a secure fit.
Using these tools in this order ensures a consistent and high-quality extraction every time, bringing you one step closer to barista-level espresso at home.
Step 6: Timing and Inspecting the Extraction
While the coffee is extracting, timing it is crucial. If you use one of our smart coffee scales, you can take advantage of the built-in automatic timer that starts with the extraction. Otherwise, you can use your phone to time it. Be sure to include the pre-infusion time, which we recommend at 5 seconds. The total extraction should take 28-34 seconds.
Breville machines use a taller 54mm basket compared to the 58mm wide and short commercial baskets. Because of this, the water travels through a longer bed of coffee, so aim for the 28-34 second range.
While extracting, visually inspect the process using the bottomless portafilter. Look for any channeling, as it indicates uneven distribution or tamping:
- If the coffee extraction is watery, sprays, or finishes under 28 seconds, grind finer. If you are close to 28 seconds, make micro adjustments and try again—small changes can make a big difference.
- If no coffee comes out or the extraction takes over 34 seconds, grind coarser and adjust in small increments.
It’s important to use the same coffee blend throughout the dialing-in process, as different blends will require different settings. Be prepared to pull several shots to get it right—don’t get discouraged. Learning this process is a rite of passage for every barista, and over time, it will become second nature.
Bonus Tip: Keep a Coffee Journal
Different coffee blends mean different settings. Save yourself some headaches and note down what works. Future you will be forever grateful.
The Bottom Line
Espresso isn’t just a drink; it’s an experience. With a little patience, you’ll be pulling shots that rival your favorite cafe. So grab those beans, dial in your Breville, and enjoy the journey. Cheers to better coffee—and fewer watery disasters!
