The Breville Infuser: Is it Worth the Money?
If you’re new to home brewing, you might be wondering whether it’s worth splurging on a high-quality espresso machine. Maybe you aren’t sure where to start. Or maybe you’re intimidated by complicated setups.
In this article, we’ll explore one espresso machine that’s a strong contender for newbies and expert baristas alike – the Breville Infuser.
Let’s dive in.
What’s the Breville Infuser?
The Breville Infuser is a semi-automatic espresso machine released in 2014. It’s one of the most affordable machines in Breville’s lineup. However, it’s great for brewing barista-level cups despite the lower price.
You should consider buying the Breville Infuser if you’re a beginner looking to create quality coffee at home.
The Breville Infuser – Quick Specifications
| Voltage | 110-120 Volts |
| Power | 1650 Watts |
| Materials | Brushed stainless steel |
| Brewing System | 15 bar Italian pump, PID temperature control, thermocoil system |
The Breville Infuser Features
As someone who takes home-brewing seriously, I can become very particular about the features and inclusions of my machine. After all, the espresso machine has a significant impact on the quality of your coffee.
Luckily, the Breville Infuser has all the features you may need as a beginner, which include:
Volumetric Control
One thing that makes the Breville Infuser a robust machine is its volumetric control. It lets you select whether you want one or two shots, which is perfect for newbies.
Additionally, if you want to manually control the water, you can also change the volume at the touch of a button.
Pre-Infusion
Not all coffee machines have a pre-infusion feature, so it’s great that the Breville Infuser has it!
Pre-infusion is the process of saturating coffee grounds with water before applying pressure. It allows the grounds to bloom and absorb water, resulting in a more even extraction.
High-Pressure Extraction
Experts will tell you that the best pressure for brewing coffee is 9 bars. This is the pressure that’ll give you the best flavor and crema.
If the pressure is below this, your coffee will lack flavor. Meanwhile, if it’s too high, your coffee will become too thick and bitter.
The Breville Infuser has a pressure gauge that tells you whether you’re outside the ideal extraction zone. However, you may need to experiment to achieve the sweet spot of 9 bars.
Temperature Control
Another important factor in coffee brewing is temperature. The Breville Infuser has default temperature settings. On top of this, it has an advanced temperature mode that allows you to adjust the water temperature.
This feature is a selling point of the Infuser because different types of beans require varying temperatures. You can lower the temperature for dark roasts and increase the temperature for lighter roasts!
Microfoam Capabilities
If you want to make latte art, the Breville Infuser is an ideal choice.
To make latte art, you’ll need a milk frother that’s strong enough to create microfoam. Microfoam is a fine milk with tiny, uniform bubbles. Without this, you won’t be able to produce the right texture for latte art.
Fortunately, the Breville Infuser has high-pressure steam and faster heating for microfoaming.
Complete Accessories
The Breville Infuser also comes with a wide array of accessories.
It has a razor trimming tool and a magnetic tamper for evenly distributing grounds. Additionally, it includes single and dual-walled folder baskets for specific types of coffee.
Another nice touch is the dry puck feature. The machine can remove excess water from spent coffee grounds for easier disposal.
Maintenance Indicators
Last but not least, a useful feature of the Breville Infuser is its maintenance indicators.
The machine will let you know whether you need to clean its drip trays. Plus, it has a built-in timer for when you have to replace the water filter.
Because of this, the Breville Infuser is perfectly suitable for beginners.
- The Breville Infuser delivers optimal flavor in every cup creating third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula, ensuring the right dose of beans, optimal water pressure, precise temperature control and microfoam milk for latte art
- VOLUMETRIC AND SHOT CONTROL: Control the volume of each pour at the touch of a button and choose 1 shot, 2 shot or manually control over how much espresso ends up in your cup for the perfect dose every time
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Maximize flavor potential with low pressure pre-infusion, digital PID temperature control, adjustable in 2°F increments complete with pressure gauge that guides you to the right extraction every time
The Breville Infuser Pros and Cons
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of the Breville Infuser.
Pros
- Compact Design: The Breville Infuser doesn’t take up much space. It’s only 12.3 x 10.6 x 13.1 inches, which can easily fit your countertop.
- Durability: The Infuser has been around since 2014. Many users say their unit has been working well for years!
- User-Friendly: The Breville Infuser’s interface is intuitive. You only need to press a few buttons to control the machine.
- Semi-Automatic: Being semi-automatic means you can brew coffee at the touch of a button. Yet, you have manual control options if you wish.
- Consistent Extraction: The best part about the Breville Infuser is its ability to make consistent coffee. It has top-notch coffee extraction features for the perfect cup!
Cons
- Pre-Set Pressure: Some users complain that the Breville Infuser is pre-set at a higher-than-normal pressure. The only solution is to use the pre-infusion mode and work on your puck preparation.
- Small Water Tank: The Breville Infuser’s tank can only hold up to 1.8 liters or 7 cups of water. You’ll need to refill it occasionally.
- Broken Parts: Some users say their coffee machine had a faulty pressure gauge. That said, they praised Breville’s customer service for quickly resolving the issue.
Keep in mind that the flavor of your coffee can be influenced by many factors.
The grind size, tamping pressure, and beans will all affect the final cup. Because of this, you should expect to practice and experiment when you buy the Breville Infuser.
If you prefer a simpler setup, check out our list of 7 best espresso makers for under $200!
How to Use the Breville Infuser – Tips to Get Started
Using your Breville Infuser may seem overwhelming at first. Don’t worry. With enough practice, you’ll be making delicious coffee in no time.
Below are some of my tips for getting started.
- Condition the Water Filter: First, soak the water filter for five minutes before inserting it into the holder. Replace the water every day and always check the water level.
- Wait to Power Up: When you switch the machine on, it takes a few minutes to reach operating temperature. You can use the machine once the flashing on the power button stops.
- Flush the Machine: Condition the machine by flushing water without coffee grinds. Run hot water through the machine until you empty the tank.
- Choose the Right Filter: Single wall baskets are best for fresh-ground coffee. On the other hand, dual wall baskets are better for pre-ground coffee.
- Preheat the Portafilter: A cold portafilter can affect the taste of your coffee. Always preheat the portafilter and filter basket with hot water from the outlet.
- Auto Purge: After making an espresso, the machine will purge water into the drip tray. This ensures the machine’s temperature stays optimal.
- Clean the Machine: It’s important to clean your machine to extend its life. The Infuser will tell you whether you need to descale the machine.
How Much Is the Breville Infuser?
The Infuser is one of the cheapest espresso machines from Breville. You can usually buy it for around $600 on Amazon.
The Breville Infuser comes with a one-year limited product warranty. Breville’s customer service is also great and quickly addresses any issues!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does the Breville Infuser Have a Grinder?
No, the Breville Infuser has no built-in grinder, which may be an advantage or disadvantage.
Some people prefer having a built-in grinder for convenience. Meanwhile, others avoid built-in grinders for better control and affordability.
What’s the Difference Between the Breville Infuser and Barista Express?
The main difference between the Breville Infuser and the Barista Express is the built-in grinder. The Infuser has no grinder. Other than that, you can use the same accessories for both the Infuser and Barista Express.
Can I Make Lattes With the Breville Infuser?
Yes. One of the Breville Infuser’s best features is its ability to create microfoam. Its steam wand produces a silky smooth froth perfect for latte art.
How Often Should You Clean the Breville Infuser?
Ideally, you should clean the Breville Infuser and empty the drip tray after every use.
On top of this, you should descale the unit once every two to three months. Doing so will prevent minerals from building up.
Breville provides descaling powder and cleaning tools in every box.
The Final Scoop – Is the Breville Infuser Worth It?
The Breville Infuser is one of the best espresso machines for beginners who want to produce barista-quality coffee at home. It’s compact and easy to use.
Different types of coffee require varying temperatures and pressures. The Breville Infuser’s advantage is that it allows you to precisely control brewing settings.
Price-wise, the Infuser is on the lower end for Breville machines. Though still a bit pricey in general, it’s well worth it if you’re looking to step up your home brewing game.
Bear in mind that there’s a bit of a learning curve. You’ll have to study the manual carefully to learn all the machine’s functions.
Overall, the Breville Infuser is a complete package for those who want to recreate barista-level coffee at home.
