If you appreciate a good cup of coffee or are just entering the world of espresso making, the Breville Cafe Roma should be given serious consideration. This espresso machine is perfect for both newbies and experienced baristas, as it is simple in design and highly efficient.
We wanted to make it easier for coffee aficionados like you to decide if this equipment is the correct choice for you, so we tested it out.
Therefore, continue reading in order to receive an extensive purchaser’s manual full of advantages and disadvantages created with your ease in mind.
Go to this link to discover the top Breville espresso machines!
Things to Consider Before Buying an Espresso Machine
Before you commit to buying an espresso or coffee machine, you need to determine your desired features. Do you think it is better to buy an integrated grinder or purchase one on its own? Semi-automatic, fully automatic, or manual? Basic or luxurious?
These are some of the major characteristics to bear in mind when purchasing a new (or second-hand) espresso machine.
Durability
Your espresso machine must have a high working capacity. The perfect espresso machine should be able to be used continuously throughout the day without any problems. A poorly-made espresso machine won’t be able to run for a long time. If you brew coffee often, you should get a maker that can hold a lot of coffee grounds and water.
Grinding Capacity
It is essential to bear in mind that espresso machines can use either manual or automatic grinders. It is indispensable to identify what kind of grinder is paired with the espresso machine you are intending to buy. Using an automatic grinder is more convenient, but whether or not to invest in one is ultimately up to the individual’s preference.
If you don’t make a large amount of coffee, the size of your grinder will not be very important. If you make coffee on a regular basis or if you are making it for guests, it would be wise to acquire a grinder with large capacity.
Water Storage
The average espresso machine has enough water capacity to brew up to 8 espressos. Most people won’t need to increase their capacity beyond what they already have; if you think you require more, though, you should consider opening a coffee shop!
Expensive espresso makers are designed to be connected to a water source like a fridge. However, the majority of espresso machines made for use in the home will not possess this capability.
Ease of Cleaning
Maintaining an espresso machine requires a bit of effort, particularly when it proves challenging to take apart and put back together. Coffee grounds get everywhere. It is much more advantageous to have a device that helps in the tidying up procedure because of its clever construction. Remember to thoroughly clean and dry all of the tools, containers, cups and any other items which come into contact with wetness after each and every usage.
Product Overview
The Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma is the perfect espresso machine to have in one’s home. This machine contains all the items you need to make drinks that resemble those made by a professional barista. This machine is so simple to operate that even novices will find it effortless to brew a delicious cup of coffee.
Breville’s Cafe Roma has 15 bars of pressure, which will give you the best crema, like you’d get from a barista. In addition, the effortless foam and bubbling make it possible to produce a high-quality cup of delectable cappuccino every time.
If you want to buy a cost effective espresso machine that is simple to use, the Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma is the ideal choice for you.
This Breville ESP8XL espresso maker is really straightforward to operate, with a dual-action selector dial that can be rotated to the left to turn on the steam wand or shifted to the right to extract espresso. This machine includes three stainless steel filters that can be adjusted to produce a single shot, two shots, or a pod. The top of this machine features a warming tray to heat up users’ cups so that the flavor of the coffee is not affected; however, there is no setting on the device to preprogram when it will brew.
This product is equipped with a filter which enables people to utilize either pre-ground coffee or single-serve pods. The top metal part is equipped with a warming tray which keeps cups warm, and it has a steam wand for frothing milk.
This espresso maker has a 1.2 liter tank that can be removed in order to make cleaning and refilling simpler. It also has a maximum level mark so that proprietors do not overfill it past the limit. The water tray can also be taken out, to create room for bigger sized mugs and cups.
Things We Like
- It’s made with stainless steel giving it a beautiful finish and adding to the aesthetics of your kitchen.
- The machine produces a quality aroma and taste that rivals the professionals.
- Espresso machines can be expensive; the Cafe Roma is a quality and affordable machine.
- The machine is easy to operate. There are not any complicated settings. All you have to do is brew and drink.
- This machine requires little to no maintenance, and it’s effortless to clean.
- Can brew from ground coffee or pods
- Has a steaming wand for frothing
- The top metallic plate keeps cups warm
Room for Improvement
- There are no indicators to inform whether or not the drip tray is filled.
- The steam slowly gets hot, increasing the time it takes to brew a beverage.
- The height of the cup is small. The machine cannot accommodate taller cups.
- No programming function
Features & Benefits
We really like several features of the Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma and that’s why we think it is one of the top espresso machines on the market. The usefulness of some of these features is evident as they make the task of making coffee easier.
Heating System: Thermoblock
The most important feature of an espresso machine is its capacity to produce coffee. The wonderful smell of coffee that makes it so easy to start your day before heading off to work is something everybody desires. We are all familiar with the feeling of uncertainty one experiences when making a cup of coffee or a shot of espresso, not sure if it has been crafted precisely at the right temperature.
The flavor and smell of the coffee can be severely damaged if you don’t know how hot it is. Making a great cup of coffee requires exactness. The thermoblock heating system of the Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma provides the ideal temperature.
Your coffee will be brewed using a 15-bar pressure pump, so it can be extracted at the ideal temperature. The Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma has the capability to generate a great deal of pressure, which in turn results in a creamy crema. Once the coffee-making process is complete, one can savor a cup of java that is as good as any from a professional barista.
Dual-Wall Filter System
You should never settle for a tasteless crema as it can completely sabotage the quality of your drink. When attempting to attain a good quality crema, the presentation could be affected adversely, leading to a lack of a creamy result and the presence of undesirable, flavorless bubbles instead.
This is when the double-wall filtering system proves to be useful. This system guarantees that you always get the perfect cup of coffee. This system facilitates consistency when making crema. Moreover, this filter makes for consistent extraction as well.
Steam Wand/Froth Enhancer
This provides a great extra bonus that gives a blissful, velvety foam layer on the top of your cappuccino. The steam wand itself, however, doesn’t do anything special. Thus, you must master the art of finding the ideal angle and proper insertion depth to make the ideal foam for your milk.
No one finds a frothless liquid appetizing, and similarly, nobody is excited by boiled milk that has been boiled too hot. You can be certain that the steam wand in the Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma is of excellent quality and produces extremely good milk froth.
Cafe Roma Alternatives
BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker
The Breville BES870XL is an espresso machine that has been made to professional standards, boasting a grinder that can be adjusted to your preferred grind size, crushed on demand. This coffee machine has a generous water tank of up to 1.9 liters, allowing it to make a sizeable amount of coffee. This machine includes a steam wand which can be used to finesse microfoam milk and also comes with digital temperature control for maximum espresso extraction as the water is provided to the right temperature at the right time. This decision is not suitable for novice users due to its intricate functioning.
This coffee machine is designed for those who prefer a more manual operation with its analog gauge and button controls, and its small size will easily fit on most countertops. This coffee maker has an eye-catching stainless steel build and a pressure meter which gives users the ability to monitor how much tension is present throughout the entire brewing process. You can decide if you want one or two shots, and the drip tray is big enough to fit two regular mugs on it.
This coffee machine is suitable for experienced baristas to hone their abilities. It features a sizable water reservoir, an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and a built-in, adjustable grinder that provides different volume and coarseness levels.
Pros:
- Built-in grinder with amount and texture settings
- Large-capacity water tank
- Compact, space-saving design
Cons:
- Not ideal for amateur users
BNV250BLK Vertuso Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker
This brand-new Breville BNV250BLK coffee machine enables users to conveniently craft up to four distinct cup sizes with the simple press of a button. This machine comes with a 1.18-liter tank that can produce approximately five cups of standard coffee. With each purchase, you get 12 capsules of both coffee and espresso. This coffee machine is straightforward to operate, and it has a classic-contemporary look that would make it a great addition to any kitchen. Some people may not enjoy that the titles of the pods do not give away anything about the strength of the coffee.
This appliance functions by altering the brewing variables to get optimal results and it takes a mere 15 seconds to warm-up, meaning you don’t have to wait long before you start producing coffee. This coffee maker comes with an Aeroccino milk frother, providing users with the ability to make different kinds of drinks by frothing the milk.
This coffee machine is fairly user-friendly with a swift 15-second warm-up period and a big 1.18 liter water tank. This machine is capable of making four distinct cup sizes and includes an apparatus for frothing.
Pros:
- Quick heat-up time of only 15 seconds
- The relatively large 1.18-liter water reservoir
- Includes a set of 12 capsules upon purchase
Cons:
- The naming system of the pods does not give any idea about the brew strength
BES810BSS Duo Temp Pro Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker
This amazing espresso machine from Breville, the BES810BSS, gives users the capability to conveniently produce excellent coffee in the comfort of their homes. The machine applies low-force pre-soaking for an even out extraction, which in the end produces a flavorful and well-balanced cup of coffee. The machine has the capability of digitally regulating the temperature to guarantee that the water temperature is stable for a superior extraction. In addition, this device is equipped with an automatic flushing system that lets the heating system cool after steaming so the following espresso can be prepared at the ideal heat. Despite this, users have expressed dissatisfaction with the amount of leakage it produces.
This espresso machine has indicators which will let you know when it needs to be serviced, such as lighting up when the cleaning or drip tray needs to be attended to. This product comes with a handy group of add-ons such as a razor dose clipper, a stainless steel milk pitcher, an Allen key, a water filter, as well as a water filter holder. Finally, it can be used as a source of heated water if needed.
It has indicators that turn on when it needs to be serviced and also has an automatic cleaning setting which gives the steaming system a cool-down after it has been used.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Automatic purge function that cools down the heating system
- Has maintenance indicators that light up whenever cleaning is due
Cons:
- Tends to leak a lot