Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL Review

As a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast, I have spent countless hours experimenting with different espresso machines, trying to find the perfect balance of quality, ease of use, and value. After a lot of research and reviews, I decided to take the plunge and invest in the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL, a high-end espresso machine that promises to elevate my home brewing experience to new heights.

Having used this machine extensively over the past few months, I’m ready to share my comprehensive review, detailing everything from the design and features to its performance and usability. If you're a serious coffee lover or aspiring home barista, this review will help you determine if the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is the right espresso machine for you.

What is the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL?

At its core, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is a premium espresso machine designed for serious coffee lovers. What sets it apart from other machines in its price range is its dual boiler system. This allows you to brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously—something that many lower-end espresso machines can’t handle. The result is a highly efficient and versatile machine that is perfect for making a wide variety of coffee drinks, from espresso shots to lattes and cappuccinos.

In addition to the dual boilers, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL features a PID temperature control system, which ensures consistent and precise temperature management for each shot. There’s also a touch screen display that makes it easy to adjust settings, and a high-quality steam wand for frothing milk with ease. As someone who enjoys both the technical side of coffee brewing and the art of making the perfect cup, I found the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL to be an excellent balance of performance and user-friendliness.

Design and Build Quality of the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL

The first thing that stood out to me when I unboxed the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL was its sleek, professional design. This machine is built with high-quality stainless steel, which not only gives it a premium look but also ensures durability. It’s a solid piece of equipment that feels substantial, yet it doesn’t feel overly bulky or cumbersome. The design strikes a great balance between functionality and aesthetics.

The Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is also well thought out in terms of its layout. All the key controls, including the portafilter holder, steam wand, and water tank, are positioned in a way that makes them easy to access during use. I never had trouble reaching or operating any of the components, and the ergonomics of the machine made the entire brewing process more comfortable.

Key Features of the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL

There’s no shortage of standout features in the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL, and each one plays a role in enhancing your coffee-making experience. Here are some of the key features that impressed me the most:

Dual Boiler System

The Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is equipped with a dual boiler system, which means you have one boiler dedicated to brewing espresso and another for steaming milk. This is a huge advantage because it allows you to brew espresso and steam milk at the same time, saving valuable time when preparing drinks like lattes or cappuccinos. The ability to do both at once also ensures that your espresso shot is fresh and piping hot, without having to wait for the steam boiler to heat up.

PID Temperature Control

Another standout feature is the PID temperature control system, which helps maintain the optimal brewing temperature. I noticed a significant difference in the consistency of my shots, thanks to the precise control the PID system offers. For those unfamiliar with PID, it’s a method of controlling the temperature of the water during brewing, and this level of accuracy makes it easier to extract the best flavors from your coffee beans. As someone who appreciates the subtleties of espresso, this feature alone is worth the price of admission.

Touch Screen Interface

The Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL has a user-friendly touch screen interface that allows you to easily adjust various settings like the brew temperature, shot time, and steam pressure. I found this feature particularly useful when I was experimenting with different brewing techniques. Whether I wanted to fine-tune the espresso extraction or adjust the steam power for my frothing needs, the touch screen made it easy to make quick adjustments without having to dive into a complicated menu system.

High-Quality Steam Wand

For anyone who loves making milk-based drinks, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL comes equipped with a high-performance steam wand. The wand itself is highly responsive and powerful, which allows you to create velvety, smooth microfoam with little effort. I was able to easily create the perfect texture for lattes and cappuccinos, and the steam wand’s precision made frothing milk a lot less stressful than with some of my previous machines.

Shot Timer and Pre-Infusion

The Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL also features a shot timer, which is a great tool for monitoring the extraction process. I could easily track how long my espresso shots were pulling, and this helped me dial in the perfect timing for each shot. The machine also includes a pre-infusion feature, which gently wets the coffee grounds before the full extraction begins. This ensures an even extraction and enhances the flavor of the espresso shot.

Performance: How Well Does the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL Perform?

When it comes to performance, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is nothing short of exceptional. As soon as I started brewing with it, I noticed an immediate improvement in the consistency and quality of my espresso shots. The dual boiler system truly makes a difference, allowing me to brew and steam simultaneously without any loss in quality.

The espresso shots produced by the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL were rich, smooth, and full of flavor. I could taste the depth and complexity of the coffee beans in each shot, and the consistency from shot to shot was impressive. The PID temperature control system ensured that the water temperature remained stable throughout the brewing process, and this made a noticeable difference in the taste of the espresso.

When it came to steaming milk, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL was equally impressive. The steam wand is powerful and easy to control, allowing me to create silky, smooth microfoam every time. Whether I was making a latte, cappuccino, or flat white, the texture of the milk was always perfect. The steam wand also made it easy to adjust the steam pressure, giving me more control over the final texture and temperature of the milk.

Usability and Ease of Use of the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL

Despite its professional-grade features, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is surprisingly easy to use. The intuitive touchscreen interface makes it simple to navigate through the machine’s settings and fine-tune the brewing process. I didn’t need to consult the user manual constantly, as the machine’s controls were straightforward and easy to grasp.

The included accessories, such as the portafilter and tamper, also helped make the process smoother. The machine is very responsive, and I found that it quickly adjusted to my inputs, whether I was tamping the coffee grounds or adjusting the steam pressure. Even though this is a higher-end espresso machine, I never felt overwhelmed by its features, and I felt confident making adjustments on the fly.

Cleaning and Maintenance of the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL

Maintaining the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is relatively simple. The machine has a number of features that help streamline the cleaning process, such as a removable drip tray and water tank. The steam wand is easy to wipe down, and the portafilter can be easily cleaned with a quick rinse.

The machine also has an automatic cleaning cycle, which is great for keeping the internals clean and free of coffee oils. I do recommend performing regular descaling if you live in an area with hard water, as mineral buildup can impact the performance of the machine. However, overall, I found that cleaning and maintaining the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL was a manageable task.

Product Review Conclusion: Is the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL Worth It?

After using the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL extensively for several months, I can confidently say that it’s one of the best espresso machines I’ve ever used. From its dual boiler system to the PID temperature control and high-quality steam wand, this machine is packed with features that make it a standout in the world of home espresso machines.

While it’s certainly an investment, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL offers incredible value for serious coffee enthusiasts who want to take their espresso-making skills to the next level. The consistency, control, and overall performance of the machine are exceptional, and it’s one of the few espresso machines that I feel truly meets the demands of a home barista.

If you’re passionate about espresso and want to replicate café-quality drinks at home, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is an excellent choice. It combines professional-grade features with ease of use, and its performance is consistently top-notch. For those who are willing to invest in a high-quality machine, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is absolutely worth considering.

FAQ

Q: What makes the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL different from other espresso machines?
A: The main distinguishing feature of the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is its dual boiler system, which allows you to brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously. This is ideal for making espresso-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos quickly and efficiently. Additionally, it has PID temperature control for precise brewing, a user-friendly touchscreen interface, and a powerful steam wand for perfect microfoam.

Q: Is the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL suitable for beginners?
A: While the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is a high-end, professional-grade espresso machine, it is relatively easy to use for beginners, thanks to its intuitive touchscreen controls and helpful features like automatic shot timers and pre-infusion settings. However, beginners may need some practice to fully understand all the advanced options and settings. If you’re new to espresso machines, you might need some time to get comfortable with the machine, but it’s certainly doable.

Q: How long does it take for the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL to heat up?
A: The Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL typically takes about 10-15 minutes to fully heat up. This includes the time for both the brewing and steaming boilers to reach their optimal temperatures. Once the machine is ready, it’s quick to brew and steam simultaneously, allowing you to make drinks efficiently.

Q: Can I adjust the temperature and other settings on the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL?
A: Yes, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL features adjustable settings for brew temperature, shot time, steam pressure, and more. These adjustments can be easily made through the machine’s touchscreen interface, allowing you to fine-tune the brewing process for your desired taste profile.

Q: Does the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL come with a grinder?
A: No, the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL does not include a grinder. However, it pairs well with a high-quality grinder, and Breville offers several models that are compatible with this espresso machine, such as the Breville Smart Grinder Pro. For the best results, it’s important to use freshly ground coffee beans.

Q: How do I clean the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL?
A: Cleaning the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is relatively simple. It has a removable drip tray and water tank that can be cleaned easily. The steam wand should be wiped down after each use, and the portafilter can be rinsed or cleaned with the provided tools. The machine also has a built-in cleaning cycle for the internals, which helps maintain its performance. Regular descaling is recommended if you live in an area with hard water.

Q: How does the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL handle milk frothing?
A: The Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL excels at milk frothing thanks to its powerful and responsive steam wand. It allows you to create silky, smooth microfoam for lattes, cappuccinos, and other milk-based drinks. The steam pressure is easily adjustable, giving you full control over the texture and temperature of the milk.

Q: Is the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL worth the price?
A: The Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is an investment, but for serious coffee enthusiasts and home baristas, it is absolutely worth the price. The dual boiler system, precise temperature control, and consistent performance make it a top-tier machine that delivers professional-level espresso drinks at home. If you’re dedicated to achieving café-quality espresso, this machine offers excellent value for its capabilities.

Q: Can I make multiple cups of espresso at once with the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL?
A: While the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is capable of brewing one shot of espresso at a time, its efficient brewing process and dual boiler system allow you to make consecutive shots quickly. The machine’s steam function can also be used simultaneously, making it easier to prepare multiple drinks in a short period of time.

Q: How noisy is the Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL during operation?
A: The Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL is relatively quiet compared to some other espresso machines, but like most high-end espresso machines, there will be some noise from the pumps and the steam wand during use. However, the noise is not overpowering and is comparable to other machines in this price range. It’s certainly quieter than some commercial-grade espresso machines.