Breville Cafe Roma Espresso/ Cappuccino Maker ESP8XL

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Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 19 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000E46ITO
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #102,021 in Kitchen & Dining (See Bestsellers in Kitchen & Dining)

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Product Description

Product Description

The Cafe Roma Espresso/Cappuccino machine by Breville is for the style conscious coffee lover. It is ideal for making a variety of coffee drinks from espresso and cappuccino, to lattes and machiattos. This espresso machine features a 15 bar Italian Thermoblock pump system, an advanced crema system with a froth enhancer, a removable 1.2 litre water tank, a removable drip tray with a water level indicator, a cup warming plate, 2 stainless steel espresso cups and a frothing jug.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Worst espresso machine I've ever used..., March 16, 2008

By	inframan (the lower depths) - See all my reviews

I've owned 4 machines over a period of 30 years, starting with an old(er)-fashion piston-pump Riviera, a now expensive classic (the kind with the big lever arm you pull down) that I had completely rebuilt twice until I retired it for a Briel Lido (cheap & plain but reliable).

I had high hopes for this unit. It looks elegant in style with a metal body & clean lines & seems to operate in a straightforward way. But in actual usage it verges on the nightmarish. A previous poster has already eloquently described 2 of the ESP8XL's biggest shortcomings: its spring-loaded filter holder & its redesigned foaming wand.

I always make multiple cups of espresso, be it for straight shots, cappucinos or lattes. Therefore I fill & use at least 2 filters every time I make espresso. I had even already purchased the extra filters from Breville before even trying the unit for the first time. Disappointment quickly turned to frustration then to anger when I discovered how difficult it was just to *fit* the filter full with grounds into the holder (force was more like it) so tight was the spring. After considerable struggling I managed to get it in & make a cup. But to remove the now-heated (& full of damp grounds) filter was a real nightmare. I wound up having to use a paring knife to pry the filter from the holder, holding it with a kitchen towel to keep from burning myself. What a mess!

I called customer support & explained my problem. The chap on the line, while friendly enough, never seemed to have used an espresso machine, to say nothing of this model, suggesting such things as taking hold of the (burning hot) filter rim at the 2 indentations (about 1/8") in the holder. When I pointed out that the image of the filter holder in the manual showed a latch release while mine had none, he said that Breville had discontinued that feature & replaced it with the spring, they just hadn't updated the manual. Great! What lunacy. What I wouldn't give for the ability to pop the filter using that latch. Sadists at work.

I received this unit as a gift several months ago so can not return it, but have solved the problem of the filter holder by prying off the spring. Now the filters go in & come out easily as they should.

I rarely use the Breville to make espresso, mostly just to foam milk for my wife who likes it in her coffee. I should add that the previous reviewer was also correct in his assessment of the foamer. It does need to be turned on initially to release stored up water in order to get well-pressured steam.

Next time back to a European espresso machine (preferably Italian-made)for me. No more falling for the blandishments of clever marketing.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This machine doesn't froth, March 12, 2007

By	Dr. Stephen M. Johnson (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been making cappachino's for over 30 years with machines in this price range. I couldn't froth the milk with this particular machine and sent it back. I might have just gotten a lemon. But, if not, I hope this saves you the same trouble. The Gaggia machines and the Villa Ware machines work for me.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for the faint of heart, November 17, 2009

By	CJ (Chicago) - See all my reviews

If you are looking for a simple to use foolproof espresso machine, choose another. It is a challenge to learn to use this machine to create a good espresso drink. It is possible though. In fact, I have been able to make some of the best I've ever had. I have worked as a barista for nearly 4 years and never got as good a result on the commercial models.

If you are up for the challenge, there is one important thing to keep in mind: the filters are very unforgiving. It is crucial that your coffee is ground perfectly for espresso or you will spend hours trying to unclog the filter (a tedious process involving a device that amounts to a pin being poked one by one into dozens of holes). I had all but given up on this machine when I decided to try a prepackaged already ground espresso. Normally I would discourage pre-ground coffee in general (due to loss in flavor) but this completely solved the clogging problem. The espresso shots were amazing. It was the promise of that incredible crema that drew me to this brand in the first place. Finally, I got to enjoy it. You will need to experiment with the proper tamping to get the desired results. Too light and your shot will be weak. Too firm and it will clog.

Foaming the milk is also a challenge. It seems you must overfill the included pitcher so that some of the milk spills out while you're foaming. If you do you will get the most velvety foam imaginable.

Is it worth it? Given the price I might have skipped it if I had known how challenging things would be. Now that I own it I am not sad since I am able to really impress my guests (and myself) with my barista skills by serving the best espresso drinks I (and hopefully they) have ever had.