Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma – Sexy, Fast, and Really Functional

December 9, 2008 | By admin | In Espresso Makers  |

Let’s call this espresso maker the Breville Cafe Roma. ESP8XL just sounds too much like a racing car . But, then, maybe that’s appropriate. This espresso maker is sexy, fast, and really functional.

The proprietary Breville dual-wall system makes a superb crema. As with any espresso maker, you want the best results, it’s necessary to keep the internals clean. But the ESP8XL makes that simple enough. A wipe, a rinse, and you’re ready for another month of superb shots. The removable drip tray extends that theme by making cleaning up spills a no-brainer.

The outside is equally stunning, in looks and function. The Breville ESP8XL has a very professional appearance, thanks to the polished stainless steel and black, composite plastic. Fortunately, that’s coupled with well-made parts that fit together nicely. No water, steam, or coffee leakage here, thank you very much.

Some espresso aficionados will be less than thrilled with the thermoblock heating system, arguing that it won’t provide the very highest level of temperature control. Perhaps, but at this price you can hardly complain, especially since the final results show virtually no difference. The Breville ESP8XL has a 15-bar pump which provides superb pressure, one of the key requirements for the best possible shot.

The frothing wand could be a little longer, and it takes a few seconds to produce steam. But it can be removed, which gives the barista more control. All in all, definitely useful for its purpose. Lattes are a breeze thanks to the functional design.

The cup warming plate is always appreciated. There’s nothing more annoying than putting effort into making a fine cappuccino, only to have the result come out mediocre because of a cup that cooled the brew too quickly.

The large water tank is another welcome feature. The 1.2 liter capacity means you won’t have to spend time refilling every few minutes for those larger gatherings. The external water window makes it easy to see when you will need to, another thoughtful touch.

The sturdy construction means you’ll have years of service from this mid-priced unit. Even those inclined to make espresso every day will not find it necessary to replace this well-built machine every couple of years. Thanks to its medium-level weight, the Breville ESP8XL provides a solid platform. Some lighter machines can be tricky when you insert the porta-filter, water tank, and so on. Spills are more likely then. Not with the Breville Cafe Roma.

Those who want maximum convenience will be grateful also for the two-serving filter, which makes it simplicity itself to produce a great double shot. The ESP8XL extends that theme, making it simple to produce different styles of espresso without great effort. Want a soy latte? Done. Prefer yours ultra-dark? Easy, and no extended waiting as with some other machines.

As an additional nice touch, the Breville ESP8XL comes with a stainless-steel espresso cup set and a frothing jug, so you’re all set to go from the moment you open the box. Don’t forget your favorite grind, of course.