I purposely waited to write this because I wanted to be able to give a fully informed review. So many review I see on 鶹 are from people who 'just got the thing' and haven't had enough time for something to go wrong.
I bought this particular model because a family member has had the same one for years and is really happy with it.
I've been using this machine a couple times a day now for about 8 months, and I have to say I'm very happy with it. It's solidly built, easy to use, easy to clean and doesn't take up a lot of space. Best of all, it makes great coffee and the steamer works very well (make sure to remove the outer metal cuff/hose from the steamer nozzle and clean it all thoroughly after each use).
My only complaint is that it's not easy to see the water level because the interior of the slot where the water tank sits is dark grey. All they would have had to do to make the water level more visible would be to paint a strip of white at the back of the slot so that when light shines through it has something to bounce off of. I tested that out by slipping a strip of white paper into the back of it, and with that white background it's really easy to see the water level. Such a small thing, but that only makes it doubly annoying that they didn't do it.
Other than that, I truly have no other complaint about this machine. I am extremely happy with my purchase and would recommend it to anyone else wanting a good, quality machine without spending an arm and a leg. It is the kind of machine that I feel will last a long time and hold up well to repeated daily use. I've had 8 months now to confirm that.
Update: I felt the need to address a comment I saw in another review about this thing having 'a dorky steaming wand', along with comments about the intelligence level of people who 'can't use a normal steaming wand'. The steaming wand on this unit is a totally normal steaming wand. I think the reviewer just didn't realize that it has a removable long outer stainless steel cuff for optional use. I hope they clue in soon, because that cuff needs to be removed and cleaned after every use to prevent a crusty buildup of burnt milk on the inside of it.
Now, on to why that stainless steel tube/cuff thingamajig (Breville's term for it is 'texture enhancer') is so useful: It enables the user to force the steam into the bottom of the milk jug, thereby making it a lot easier to fully heat the milk. I like my steamed milk piping hot, and this texture enhancer makes it a lot easier/quicker to reach higher temps. The other thing I've noticed about using it (and likely the reason for the name of the item), is that the texture of the milk foam it creates is so much nicer. The bubbles are tinier, the foam is smoother and creamier. Just divine.
| Brand | Breville |
|---|---|
| Model Number | BREESP8XL |
| Colour | Brushed Stainless |
| Product Dimensions | 30.48 x 30.48 x 38.1 cm; 5.9 kg |
| Capacity | 40.58 Fluid Ounces |
| Power/Wattage | 1000 watts |
| Voltage | 110 Volts |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Auto shut-off | Yes |
| Special Features | Milk Frother |
| Item Weight | 5.9 kg |
