Breville the Duo Temp Pro Espresso Machine Review

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What's in the box 

When unboxing the Breville the Duo Temp Pro Espresso Machine, you'll find a range of included accessories in the comprehensive package. This ensures that you have everything you need to kickstart your espresso journey. Let's take a closer look at what you can expect from this well-equipped package:

• Filter baskets: With four filter baskets included, you have the freedom to experiment and tailor your brewing process. You'll find standard single and double shot single wall filter baskets, allowing you to play around with grind size, dose, and tamping to achieve that precise espresso shot. For those using pre-ground coffee brands, the single and double advanced dual wall filter baskets come to the rescue, maintaining consistent extraction and crema, regardless of your grind, dose, or tamp pressure.
• High quality 54mm portafilter
• Stainless steel milk jug: Here's a delightful surprise - Breville provides you with a stainless steel milk jug, which is not commonly offered by many coffee maker companies. This bonus coffee gear ensures you can effortlessly froth milk for your lattes and cappuccinos, saving you the trouble of purchasing it separately.
• Integrated tamper

• Razor dose trimming tool: This tool enables you to trim off excess coffee, ensuring consistent dosing and extraction levels for a balanced and flavorful espresso. It's a handy tool that guarantees your brews are consistently on point.

• Water filter holder and Water filter
• Allen Key or Key Hex 2mm tool
• Cleaning kit: The kit includes a cleaning tool, silicon cleaning disk, cleaning tablets, and descaling powder. Regular cleaning ensures that your machine stays in top shape and delivers consistently delicious coffee. Later in this article, I will delve into the specifics of cleaning this little coffee machine.
• Instruction booklet: This booklet serves as your go-to guide, providing clear instructions on how to get started with your machine. In the event that you misplace the physical booklet, you have the option to easily download a digital copy online.

Features That Impressed Us

I must say, when I first laid eyes on the Duo Temp Pro, I liked its compact and sleek design. As someone with a kitchen already filled with various appliances, the last thing I want is to add another bulky gadget. That's why I adore the Duo Temp Pro's small footprint and its thoughtful features that prioritise saving space and minimising storage requirements.

The hidden storage tray is located neatly behind the drip tray. It's the perfect spot to store accessories like trimming tools and an allen key. This ensures that no parts go missing and everything remains easily accessible when needed. Additionally, the magnetic mechanism that securely attaches the tamper to the top left side of the machine is simply genius. It truly transforms the Duo Temp Pro into a complete and efficient piece of machinery. Despite its compact size, it can accommodate various types of coffee mugs, from small to extra-tall cup height. This versatility is a welcome feature, allowing me to enjoy my espresso in different-sized cups without any hassle.

Now, let's delve into the standout selling points and features of the Duo Temp Pro. This little yet powerful machine incorporates PID temperature control, guaranteeing increased temperature stability for your brewing needs. I have to mention that you won't be able to adjust the temperature manually, but you can rest assured that the machine provides consistent and optimal brewing conditions without requiring any manual tweaks.

Another impressive feature is the auto purge function, which takes care of adjusting the water temperature effortlessly. After you're done frothing, it efficiently releases steam and adds water to the boiler, swiftly bringing it back to the ideal brew temperature. Unlike traditional espresso machines that keep a constant volume of heated water, the Duo Temp Pro excels in speed, saving you time and energy expenses.

Speaking of the heating system, the Duo Temp Pro utilises a stainless steel thermocoil. You may be interested to know that most espresso machines available today employ various heating systems such as dual boiler, thermojet, thermocoil, or thermoblock. While the dual boiler system allows for simultaneous milk steaming and espresso extraction, making it a popular choice, it does come with additional costs. On the other hand, the thermocoil heating system, like the one employed in the Duo Temp Pro, may not heat up as quickly as the thermoJet system, but it offers excellent consistency and durability, especially when compared to the older thermoblock technology. In my personal experience, I haven't encountered any issues with the heat-up time of the Duo Temp Pro.

Furthermore, the Duo Temp Pro embraces the pre-infusion brewing feature, as seen in other remarkable Breville espresso machines. By gradually increasing the water pressure, this process gently expands the grinds, ensuring an even extraction and resulting in a delightful and flavoursome espresso. Its main objective is to fully saturate the coffee puck prior to brewing, unlocking enhanced flavours and captivating aromas.

Lastly, I would like to highlight two more fantastic features of the Duo Temp Pro. The first is the Auto Shutdown function, which intuitively turns off the machine after a period of inactivity. This not only promotes energy efficiency but also grants you peace of mind. The second feature is the water reservoir with a convenient handle. This smart addition allows for effortless lift-up and put-down when refilling water, adding to the overall user-friendly design of the machine.

What Needs Improvement

While the Duo Temp Pro is a great little machine, I have to admit that it's not without its drawbacks. Firstly, when I first heard the name "Duo Temp," I assumed that this BES810BSS model would have a double boiler system. However, it turned out to be a single boiler machine. This means that I can't steam milk and pull a shot at the same time. If you're looking to multitask and speed up your morning routine, you'll need a machine with a double boiler. Personally, I don't mind the single boiler setup, but it's something to consider.

Secondly, the included tamper gets the job done, but I'm not a fan of its lightweight plastic construction. If you're serious about becoming a home barista and want more control, I would recommend upgrading to a sturdier stainless steel tamper. It provides better pressure generation and precision, resulting in a more satisfying espresso experience.

Now, let's talk about the cup warming tray. The top of the machine is designed to act as a cup warming section, sitting directly above the heating system. However, it's important to note that it's a passive style cup warmer. It won't automatically heat up your cups. To ensure your cups are warm, you'll need to preheat them by rinsing with hot water before placing them in the tray.

Lastly, it's worth mentioning that the Duo Temp Pro lacks a 3-way solenoid valve. As a result, I've noticed that the coffee pucks can be slightly soupy. The absence of this valve allows more moisture to be retained, affecting the consistency of the puck. It's not a major issue, but it's something to be aware of if you prefer drier coffee pucks.

Comparisons with Other Machines

When it comes to shopping for a coffee machine, it's only natural that we take our time and compare different models to find the one that best suits our needs. I can assure you that you're not alone in this process. In fact, I encourage you to explore and consider various options before making a decision. In our research, we found that the Breville Duo Temp Pro often gets compared to several of its siblings within the Breville family, which are known for being among the best coffee machines in the Australian market. Let me share with you a rundown of some of the models I have looked into for you.

Breville the Duo-Temp Pro vs Bambino

I found that both machines are priced similarly but have slight differences in features. The Duo-Temp Pro is compact, but I was surprised to learn that the Breville Bambino is even lighter and smaller, making it perfect for those with limited kitchen counter space. However, due to its smaller size, the Bambino has a reduced water capacity of 1.4L compared to the Duo-Temp Pro's 1.8L.

Both machines are single boiler models, meaning you can't steam milk and pull espresso shots simultaneously. However, the Bambino stands out with its thermoJet heating system, which boasts an incredibly fast 3-second heat-up time. It also features a quick button control for single or double shots, allowing for immediate use without waiting in the morning. That being said, the Duo-Temp Pro still has a respectable heat-up time of about 15-20 seconds and offers additional features like the auto-purge function for quick transitions between brewing and steaming milk.

Comparing the two models, I would say that if you need a super compact model for quick and convenient coffee in your morning routine, the Bambino is the best choice. However, if you prefer a machine with more advanced features, the Duo-Temp Pro would be the better option.

Breville the Duo-Temp Pro vs Infuser

When I first glanced at the Breville Duo-Temp Pro and the Breville Infuser, I was initially confused as they looked very similar in size and appearance. However, upon closer inspection, I discovered that the Infuser is a more advanced machine. It offers all the features that the Duo-Temp Pro provides, including the low pressure pre-infusion. But here's where the Infuser takes it to the next level: it comes with adjustable PID temperature control, a built-in pressure gauge for even more precise extraction, and the ability to customise your shot with flexible shot control. These added features result in a more balanced and refined espresso, tailored to your taste preferences.

Of course, these extra features do come at a higher cost. The price of the Infuser is actually quite steep, making it a machine for those who are willing to invest more in their coffee experience. However, if you're in the market for a decent coffee machine at an entry-level price point, the Duo-Temp Pro is a solid choice that offers good performance without breaking the bank.

Breville the Duo-Temp Pro vs Barista Express 

The Breville Barista Express is a true work of art, equipped with all the features of the Duo-Temp Pro and the added functionalities of the Infuser. What sets it apart is the built-in coffee grinder with 16 grind settings, allowing you to have complete control over the coffee beans' consistency. Additionally, the Barista Express has the largest water capacity among the Breville siblings I mentioned, with a generous 2L capacity.

Due to its extensive functionality and versatility, the Barista Express is quite bulky and heavy, which means you'll need to be prepared to sacrifice some space on your kitchen countertop. However, one major advantage is that you won't need a separate coffee grinder, saving you the hassle of managing multiple appliances and simplifying your coffee-making routine.

If you have a strong passion for becoming a home barista and you are willing to invest in a coffee machine with all the bells and whistles, the Barista Express is the perfect solution. However, if you are seeking a more budget-friendly option without compromising on performance, the Duo-Temp Pro remains a reliable choice that delivers satisfying results.

How to Use 

Using the Breville Duo Temp Pro is very straightforward, and you have a handbook that provides all the guidelines on how to function and operate this coffee machine. But let me give you a brief rundown of how to use it.

First, it's important to ensure that the water tank is filled and a water filter is properly installed. Check that the water level is between 250ml and 1.8L. Press the power button, you'll notice the button surrounds flashing, indicating that it's in the heating process. Once it reaches the optimal temperature, all the buttons on the control panel will light up, letting you know it's ready for use.

While the machine is heating up, you can prepare and grind your favourite espresso beans. Remember, the Duo Temp Pro doesn't have a built-in grinder, so you'll need a separate coffee grinder. If you haven't chosen one yet, we have a selection of the best coffee grinders in Australia that you can consider.

At this point, the machine should be ready to operate. Now, move the dial to the steam symbol, making sure that the steam indicator light is illuminated, not the hot water indicator light. After a brief heating period to generate the necessary steam pressure, you can start steaming the milk. Once you've finished steaming, switch the dial back to the centre position for standby mode. The machine will automatically perform a quick auto-purge, preparing itself for the espresso brewing process.

Let's move on to preparing the portafilter. Choose your preferred filter basket and dose it with ground coffee. Tamp the grounds firmly, using around 8-11g for a single cup or 16-19g for a double cup. Apply approximately 15-20 kgs of pressure while tamping to ensure an even extraction.

Once your portafilter is ready, attach it to the brew head and turn the dial to the coffee symbol. This will initiate the pre-infusion process, where water is gradually introduced to the coffee grounds, enhancing the flavour extraction. After a few seconds, the machine will automatically start dispensing your espresso. Keep an eye on the extraction time, aiming for a balanced shot duration of around 25-30 seconds. Over 35 seconds may be considered over-extracted and taste bitter, while under 20 seconds will be under-extracted and taste sour or underdeveloped.

Once you've finished brewing your espresso, just turn the dial back to the centre position. Finally, it's time to put your barista talent to work and pour the steamed milk into the espresso, creating latte art or simply enjoying a velvety milk-based coffee.

With its user-friendly dial controls and step-by-step process,you can now enjoy the aroma and richness of a perfectly brewed coffee right in the comfort of your own home with the Breville Duo Temp Pro.

How to Clean

When it comes to cleaning the Breville Duo Temp Pro espresso coffee machine, I can assure you that it's an essential task for maintaining its longevity and optimal performance. Luckily, Breville provides a comprehensive cleaning kit that includes a cleaning tool, cleaning tablets, and descaling powder to assist you in this process.

After each use, it's important that you perform daily cleaning routines. This involves flushing the group head, cleaning the steam wand, and ensuring the portafilter and basket are clean. You'll also find that the drip tray has a generous capacity, so you won't have to worry about emptying it too frequently. Keep an eye out for the "empty me" sign that pops up when it's time to empty the tray. Remember, you can safely wash the drip tray base and cover in the dishwasher, but other parts like the water tank, portafilter, coffee filter baskets, and jug will require hand washing or wiping with a damp cloth.

To prevent mineral buildup and maintain the machine's performance, I recommend changing the water filter in the water tank every 2 months. You can easily set a reminder on the handle oblong filter to ensure you don't forget. Replacement water filters are available for purchase here.

Furthermore, the machine features a maintenance indicator that notifies you when it's time for a deep cleaning. This process involves running a cleaning cycle with the provided cleaning tablets and descaling the machine using the descaling powder. The frequency of deep cleaning depends on how often you use the coffee machine, typically occurring every 2 to 3 months.

I understand that these cleaning tasks may incur additional costs and require some time and effort. However, they are necessary to keep your Breville Duo Temp Pro in top condition. Proper maintenance ensures that you consistently enjoy the perfect espresso and prolongs the life of your machine.

Final thoughts

If you're someone who has a genuine passion for coffee and is willing to invest a bit more in a machine that offers advanced features and customization options, then by all means, go ahead and explore the higher-end options available in the market. There are espresso makers out there with manual temperature controls and more precise settings to satisfy even the most discerning coffee enthusiasts.

However, if you're looking for a reliable and efficient espresso machine that delivers consistent and perfect shots every time without the need for extensive customization, then let me tell you, the Breville Duo Temp Pro is a fantastic choice. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of its higher-priced counterparts, it still provides excellent value for your money.

When it comes to operating the Duo Temp Pro, it couldn't be easier. With its simple dial control, you'll have no trouble brewing your favourite espresso. It's user-friendly and doesn't require any complicated programming or adjustment of settings. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced coffee lover, this machine is a breeze to use.

Now, I should mention that the Duo Temp Pro does have several limitations. One of them is the inability to manually adjust the temperature for your coffee or milk foam. While this may not be a big concern for most people, it's something to keep in mind if you enjoy experimenting with different temperature settings for your brew.