BREVILLE BES830XL

[thejavaman]

Does anyone know anything about THIS ESPRESSO MACHINE?  A buddy of mine at work got one for free when his wife forced him to fly to LA to watch a taping of the Ellen Show (yeah, I know  ).  I guess a few select audience members were given this machine as a parting gift.  Anyway, he's offering to sell it to me for $100.00 & I'm seriously considering it - if for nothing else than to use as a back machine for my Gaggia Carezza (which ain't getting any younger, BTW).  Thoughts?  Opinions?  Recommendations?  I know it comes with both a pressurized and non-pressurized portafilter baskets, so no need to address that....

Thanks in advance for your insight.

[Tex]

Keep the Carezza and forget the BES830XL. IMO, any thermoblock is a total POS as an espresso boiler.

Use the $100 to upgrade your Gaggia, said amount more than covering the addition of a Classic OPV and Silvia steam wand, with a bit leftover to go towards a PID kit from Auber.

[thejavaman]

I hear ya, but for $100, it's almost worth it - thermoblock or not...


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[mp]

I'm with Tex on this one.

 

[smico21]

Friend of mine is on his third, and 2 times pump just died.  Granted, he was using their silly original portafilter basket with double bottom and tiny hole, and coffee would probably get stack, but that basket was provided by the Breville.
Breville started making regular baskets, and I ordered it for him recently.  I can call him to check it out if you are still interested.
Cheers,
Miroslav

[thejavaman]

This one comes with both pressurized & non-pressurized filter baskets.  I obviously know this isn't a great machine, but I can't seem to get past the $100 part....


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[smico21]

Well if it is working, this is not bad price.  I paid $30 just for the baskets.

[thejavaman]

Brand new in the box. I might test drive it first.


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