I got this one on sale for $189CAD and we use it atleast 2 times a day and have since before Christmas and it's going strong. I purchased based on a friend's recommendation that has been using his daily for over 2 years :)
That sleeve is a panarello piece. The nice thing about some of the lower end Breville machines is that you get a classic steam wand (for advance users) and the panarello for those just learning or who want more foam. The panarello helps give more foam because it pulls air in through a top air hole. Manual steaming with technique can be done without the sleeve. But one thing i should mention is that your steam technique is not correct. The jug should never have that super loud noise. When you start to Steam, Place the head of wand just below the surface and get a vortex going. You don’t need to move the jug. Once the vortex starts, raise the steam tip so that it just breaks the surface and you start hearing ripping or popping noises and keep this position until the milk gets quite warm...but not too hot to hold. Then submerse the wand deep and keep steaming until the jug is too hot to touch. This will give you amazing results. Also, before you pour, swirl the milk around the jug...it should kinda look like wet paint... before pouring into your mug.
This is why I love TH-cam! Thank you for the amazing tips and engagement. Since making this video, I've been using the vortex technique and the results have been amazing. I've also switched to a better tamper, a non-pressurized portafilter, and a Burr grinder. 100x better results!
Thanks for the info, i've been reading through this whole comment section for advice ever since I got my machine and this is a very detailed and useful explanation!
Yes the spout of the jug is your anchor point for the wand. There's tons of good tutorials on TH-cam on the proper technique. Learning this upped my latte game immensely
Fantastic video! I’m a fellow Canuck, and since I’ve decided to go back to school, I recently got a part time job at Starbucks to supplement my household income. What I’ve learned so far - and what you’ve clearly demonstrated in this video - is it’s really not too difficult to make a great cup of coffee at home. The tools we use at Starbucks are just large scale versions of what you could have on your kitchen countertop at home: blenders, espresso machines/milk steamers, coffee makers, etc. Don’t be intimidated, give yourself time, and have fun with it. Making coffee shouldn’t be stressful. After all, having a great cup of coffee is the best part of the day for many of us.
Amazing feedback Philip! There’s nothing wrong with a convenient cup of joe when your on the go, but there’s just something extra special about making it at home in the mornings as part of a daily routine. It gets me on track with a task to start the day and a reason to roll onto the next task without getting lazy, lol.
I’ve had my machine for over a year and can’t believe I didn’t look this up on TH-cam before now 🙄Thank you so much for this video. Finally I’m using it and it’s WONDERFUL!
We just got this machine second hand from a family member with no instructions so we are so grateful for your tutorial!! Love that you're a fellow Canuck too! God Bless!! ;)
Have had this model since it was fairly new on the market, back around 2005. Except for blowing out the rubber gasket once due to grinding my coffee too fine and clogging the portafilter, I haven't had a problem with it! While there are newer and fancier models on the market, this one works great, and is easy to use. Enjoyed your video, and have two tips below that users might appreciate. One is to keep a damp microfiber cloth next to the machine when using it. It's important to clean scalded milk from the steam wand immediately after using it, while blowing out steam to keep it from clogging. Also clean the underside of the hot water shower, to remove stray grounds, with a quick wipe. A couple times a year, run a 1:1 water and white vinegar solution through the machine to clean it out. Let it sit overnight with vinegar in the hot water boiler. Run lots of clean water through it to clean out the residue until the water is clear and odorless. The second tip is to use the provided stainless steel milk pitcher to brew into. I found that this fits perfectly under the brew handle with a slight tilt, and it won't vibrate out of place, so no brew is ever lost. I also keep this in place to catch drips while steaming my milk in a slightly larger stainless steel pitcher; I like my lattes with a lot of milk. And grinding your beans *right before* making the espresso is probably the single most important variable (besides beans that are properly stored, and recently/properly roasted).
I too blew the gasket filling it packed full with grounds. Scared the ever living shit out of me because it sounded like a gun shot in the kitchen when my back was turned. I switched after that to an unpressurized filter basket and it made a huge difference in my drip too
Loved your video on the Cafe Roma we picked up one at second hand shop and had no idea how to use it. We cleaned it, and now thanks to you and your video my sewing clients are happy. Hey everyone keep your eyes open for this mch if your looking to buy… its in like new condition and only paid 10 dollars
October 2022 Just bought this machine on sale at Canadian Tire. Your video is so full of practical tips I'm glad I read it right after making my first cup. I could visualise and understand all your warnings and tricks. Very useful 🙌 Thank you so much. Cheers ☕☕
Thank you so much for this video, I have the same machine and I’ve had it for about a year or two now and I’m still learning new things about it daily haha. I thought I would share a few tips as well! I would wait until until the machine is fully heated before inserting the portafilter, if you put it in too soon you’re soaking the espresso grinds against the wet filter of the top of the machine and it affects the coffee the same way a wet portafilter would. Removing the portafilter as soon as the shot is finished is also important so you don’t have grinds backing up into your machine and eventually breaking it. Also as a barista I want to say that I LOVE the way you steamed your milk, you actually did it perfectly!! Although, a personal recommendation that I learned with this machine is aerating it at the beginning of the steaming process instead of the end, that way the milk will come out more creamy rather than bubbly. Side note: idk if you know this, but I literally just learned 2 days ago that the cleaning tool can go around the milk tip and help you remove it so you can clean the milk from the inside as well! I had no idea about that and I’m so happy that I found out lol. Oh, also I love how you did the shot first and then the milk... most people make the mistake of doing the milk first because they think the shot will die, but with this machine it’s better to do milk second otherwise it will separate and affect the creaminess of your latte or cappuccino. You did a wonderful job 👏👏
You friend are amazing! Thanks for sharing these awesome tips with the community! Since making this video I have learned a lot. I switched from the pressurized filter basket to a non-pressurized which makes a huge difference once you dial in your grind size and tamping pressure. I’ve also changed my steaming method to more of the vortex method which places the tip just under the surface to spin the milk itself without holding or moving the frothing container. Aside from that, everything I do now is what I’ve done since making this video. And you got it with the tool! It’s a really versatile little piece of kit! Cheers from NB!
It seems there are a lot of people who gripe about this brand, but I have one of these units also, and it has served well. Although I "upgraded" to a model BES840XL, I still use the ESP8XL at work. It is good that you were able to move from a pressurised filter to a non-pressurised filter. It makes a better brew.
I agree. I switched to a nonpressurized a couple months back and after about a dozen brews and trying to dial in my amounts and tamping pressure, it’s a significant increase in flavour over the pressurized pod.
Andrew, may I ask what brand and exact size of aftermarket (or breville brand) non-pressurized 2 cup portafilter and size of tamper should I get for the Cafe roma? And where can I find both of these items?
51mm basket. I ordered mine from Amazon based off its reviews; however, the listing is no longer active as it was a long time ago. For tamper 51/52 will be fine. If you’re very unsure and happen to have a specialty shop near you, you can also take your entire handle or standalone pressurized basket into the shop for further recommendations.
This video is sooooooo well done and covers a lot of key points. The only modifications I would make is to tamp 30 pounds of pressure on a flat surface (edge of the counter is great). Also a full fat milk is the best for laying on dat crema
Thank you so much for your kind words. I certainly modified my technique since making this video, but the basic fundamentals remain the same. I hope you have a great day!
Thank-you! I was getting soupy pucks but they are much better now and taking the cover off the steamer was a big help too... I was getting SO much foam with it on.
Awesome to hear your progress! Since making this video I've switched to non-pressurized portafilters and added more tamping weight and the taste has improved so much
THANK YOU I bought this second hand from someone but it didn't come with instructions and I was freaked out about the noise that came from both options of steam and brew. Glad to see those loud noises are normal! I was nervous to try a cup of coffee but not anymore! PS any tips on how to clean the entire unit? Ie: steaming wand etc etc. Just run hot water through? Would you ever think running hot water through with white vinegar is necessary? Thank you so much for making this streamlined tutorial!
For cleaning the wand I usually just plunge it into hot water, then run some steam again at the end to expel anything it may have sucked up. Then wipe dry. My descaling, you can buy pucks for it, but my wife would run a vinegar cycle once a month from a tutorial she found online.
Thank you so much for tutorial! I just made my very first espresso on this very same machine (second hand gift from a friend). It turned out surprisingly good despite not having a tamper. the grounds were wet at the end but didn't fall out. Love the tip about holding the cup while streaming my milk because, yes, you get it just the right temperature! thanks again. I look forward to exploring the perfection of this "kitchen tech", as you called it .
I've been experimenting with too much water after the pull. Also taken my oat milk out too soon from the frother. Turn to the wand all the way, instead of half way like You recommended. After watching your video & going step by step with You, success. Man it taste great. I'm trying the blonde expresso. Thank you SO much.
Glad I could help my friend. My tutorial is by no means perfect and I too was still learning (also poured way too much while narrating), but it’s a good baseline to start from I think. Continue to learn and enjoy!
Thank you for this , my son bought me this machine years ago and I loved it then It got put away and I forgot how to use it so thanks for the refresh do you clean yours regularly? I noticed for mine sitting that there was quite a bit of scaling where the water reservoir is .. i’m thinking vinegar as this is what I do with my coffee machine?
This was a great video, very informative. We recently unpacked our (exact same) machine and have started using it at home. However, I'm still confused as to how much coffee to place for a a single shot/double shot/long shot and when to stop the water for each one. For making a cappuccino or latte I use the guides on how much milk to place, but can't seem to get the initial part right! Any tips?
My pull in this video was WAY too long. I got distracted with the narration. You’ll learn based on taste and texture of the drip as it filters through more than anything. I switched shortly after to a nonpressurized 51mm basket that I found much easier to dial in with practice compared to the stock pressurized one that tended to clog more than anything else.
I don't drink coffee and I don't have the slightest inkling of ever buying one of these but this was an informative and entertaining video. I'm sure one day this information will come in handy lol. Seriously though this was really neat to watch and I'll watch any video you put out. Also, you're looking real good my dude, I don't know what you're doing but it's working great. I'm glad you're putting stuff out again and can't wait to see what you do next. Keep up the killer work man.
Have I told you lately that you're my favorite Drew?! Haha. I attribute some of kt to the new camera and lens, but I have trimmed off close to 50lbs by cutting out pop, excess sugars, and excess carbs. Also kind of why I bought this espresso machine. Makes it easier to have a flavorful coffee within adding a ton of sugar :)
We’re thinking of purchasing one of these coffee makers. So I read a few comments and you said that you froth the milk first. What are non-pressurized filter baskets and what is a new temper? Also, what burr grinder do you recommend? Thank you.
The filter basket that comes included had a small gap between the inside of the basket and the extrusion holes that allows for appropriate pressure to be built up in your basket for a great beginner drip. A nonpressurized filter basket relies on the grind size and tamping pressure to build the pressure. It’s a steeper learning curve but once you nail it, it tastes a lot better. A tamper is the little mini plunger you use to press down your grinds into the basket. Lastly, my burr grinder is just a cheap Black and Decker for now, but I may invest in a better one in the future for a finer grind.
From Canada as well! Scored one of these the other day at a community Garage Sale... works like a charm! Love it, thanks for the video, didn't know how to make a latte, now I do! 😀
Thank you for this video! My husband purchased the larger machine for my birthday today and I am looking at it very much overwhelmed but I made coffee with you on your video and it came out great! Thank you!!
It sure does! I switched mine out for a 51mm non pressurized filter basket about a month after making this video. It took some practice, but produced a much better result :)
I got one of these as a birthday gift. Been reading the manual and watching your tutorial. It recommended that I just run water through it first.. but how much and for how long? And how much water do I need to have in the water tank per cup of coffee? Thank you
I ran about a half a tank through my machine before I brewed my first cup. As for the water tank, I have a health habit of filling the tank with fresh cold water before I make my coffee every morning and it easy makes two full cups including the water needed for steaming my milk. The last thing you want to do is run a high pressure machine dry by running out of water. Give the tank a top up before each brew and gauge your levels once you've finished your morning brews :D
Qwazyd0gg awesome thank you. I’ve been using it since yesterday.. I didn’t run a full tank of water through it before use. Maybe only 20 seconds...eeek. So just to clarify, if I use the 2 ounce pod i can brew 2 cups of expresso? :)
thank you so much. my keurig just died and now its time to upgrade to a real espresso machine. Nesspresso is a waste of $ with their pods system. I think breville roma or the delonghi stiloso are the way to go!. i learnt alot watching your video, pretty simple and nice tips on frothing. You are a genius!
You’re too kind! I hope this gives you a great start to your coffee learning journey. I switched out shortly after this video to nonpressurized baskets so I could hone my pulls I little tighter and more refined alongside investing in a coffee grinder and fresh grinding before every cup. Such a difference!
@qwazyd0gg i agree with you. I was looking at the Breville barista espresso machine it's pricey, but used ones are around $400 on the marketplace, but I think it's overkill for a newbie like me lol
@jeansandmyshirt the cafe Roma is a great place to start. Not going to lie though, as amazing as my morning coffee was, it began to grow tiring to make my wife a second cup after making 1 each for us already. The prep and cleanup kept continuously extending into the morning. Perfect machine for those looking for 1 to 2 premium drinks, but we ended up switching back to premium drip due to a semi work from home lifestyle and the convenience of having seconds or thirds ready in a pot
The longer you let your espresso sit the worse it will taste. An espresso shot goes stale within 20 seconds! Try steaming your milk first and adding the espresso on top! You wont get fo do a pretty design but your latte will turn out much better! :)
Just purchased mine today. Followed you and it came out perfect! I didn’t have the silk almond so put a shot of amoretto. Just a tablespoonful. It was really good and I am surprised I got such good results on the first try. ( with your help of course!) I would really like to know how to set up and clean up to help maintain my machine. Would like to learn a little bit about coffee beans. What to choose and how to grind them.
A lot of it is trial and error. For me I recently switched from the pressurized portafilter to a non-pressurized filter and started grinding my own beans. If you’re using the portafilter basket that came with the machine then grind size isn’t a huge issue since it’s the pressure created by the filter and there machine that will pull your drip. In a non-pressurized filter it’s tamping pressure and grind size that regulates your drip quality, time, and speed. For maintenance, we descale ours with vinegar rather than expensive descaling tablets, and I usually just wipe down the rest of the machine regularly. For the frother, I run a small cycle after each steam to eject and remove any milk that may have been sucked up into the machine with the reverse pressure of shutting it off. After that I just wipe down the metal bits with a hot damp rag.
Great video Qwazy! I've had this Espresso machine for about 3 years now and I don't go a day without using it. Any tips for frothing Almond milk? mine always tastes burnt and bitter, i got let the milk temp go over 130 Degrees.
Just picked mine up from value village today for 20 dollars. I will go home and give it a good cleaning and use it later.mine didn’t come with a tamper, any suggestions on what I can use instead?
Just purchased this machine during quarantine and this video is lifesaver! Thank you and hope you are safe! Also I’m a fellow Canadian and love that pc espresso!🤗
Grace how much was it at CT if you don’t mind me askin? I’m looking at it right now on amazing for $170 but wondering if I should look for a better deal! Thanks 🙏🏽
Hi! Would you recommend this cafe roma instead of a pod system? Haven’t owned either one but just have been using our Keurig at the office. But not really a fan of coffee without crema. So thinking of getting this or a nespresso. Wonder what your thoughts are on this. I practically drink coffee 2-3 times a day. And I can’t keep spending on the starbucks concentrate.. and instant coffee 🤦🏻♀️ . How is the PC coffee? Haven’t tried a PC coffee yet. So looking forward to getting a better crafted coffee. No matter what the coffee brand is
Honestly the PC coffee is fantastic for the price! I find myself going back to it time and time again. I've heard really good things about the Nespresso, but like any machine that does the work for you, you get what you get everytime. With something like the Cafe Roma, you have a little more control over your drip strength, choice of bean, and honestly pulling your own coffee is actually pretty fun and rewarding. Talk to some friends and family members and see if they have either machine that you can try before you buy, as most stores will not accept returns once you've put water through the machine.
Qwazyd0gg great POV. Thank you and for your recommendation about the PC coffee! I find they do sales quite often so will definitely hive them a try if I choose to get the cafe roma.. thanks again
Sadly it has been decommissioned :( I dropped the fill tank onto the ceramic floor and cracked it. I’ve been planning on replacing it for a couple months now, but for now it’s back to classic drip.
Love the tutorial, just got machine for Christmas. Followed your instructions. Grinds have a layer of water on top when I take them out. Can’t figure it out
If you have still water on the top it means the grounds are either too course or the handle is either too tight or too loose for appropriate pressure to push water through your grounds. I had the same issue later in my ownership due to grounds getting stuck within the inner layers of the dual walled filter basket. I ended up purchasing a single walled nonpressurized basket from Amazon and better dialing in my grounds and handle tightness for appropriate pressure for clean extractions.
Glad it helped! There is much more to learn as I did as well after further use. A nonpressurized portafilter basket takes some practice if you swap out the factory one but taste improves greatly :)
Just bough this and I'm almost all the time doing Americano cafés... Only thing I noticed is because Im waiting to have enough water the handle is all the time soupy. Am I doing it right? Or should I boil water on the side and not use the hot water from the machine? Thanks
Thanks for thé video. Î’m already have my spresso machine Breville Café Roma and i never use these. I have a problem to get my cofee hot. I don’t know if the problem is the machine because is old. How long i must to wait to start to make a coffee. Can you help me please?
When you turn it on, you need to first wait for the temperature light to turn off so the water can get to temp. Run a quick cycle into an empty cup to flush the lines of old cold water, then make your coffee
I own a Roma. It seems that the basket for the espresso gets blocked somehow. I didn't get any expresso from water passing through my double espresso.. The same thing happened last month. Switching to the single basket edworked. I've cleaned the double but no expresso today for me :(. Thoughts?
The factor double walled pressurized basket can get clogged easily between the layered walls, I know mine did. Sometimes soaking it helps but I ended up buying a cheap nonpressurized basket from Amazon. It requires a new learning curve with tamping pressure and ground volume, but produces a much better end result.
I love my PC coffee, lol! If you haven't yet, pick up a cheap Burr Grinder and use the PC whole bean. I got mine at Superstore for like $30 and it makes a huge difference in flavor as you're getting more of the beans natural oils when you grind yourself right before your brewing :) Enjoy!
Also, if you have a Marshal's or Winners near you, they've been selling Skinny brand sugar free syrups. I haven't been able to find any locally other than those two stores and Starbucks, but Starbucks only sells the overstock bottles so they're not always a guarantee.
Thanks for the video, fellow Canadian. Really enjoyed watching it. Best review I've seen!! I am trying to decide which Beville machine to buy. There are so many on the market.
Thanks Amanda! As far as the machine, I think anything introductory would be a great place to start to see if a future investment is something that would yield long term value for you. Cheers from NB :)
Thank you so much for all the tips! I am getting a Cafe Roma for my birthday as my first ever espresso machine, and this video helped me know how to use it.
@@beckystein830 unfortunately it’s been retired due to dropping the water reservoir onto the floor and cracking it beyond usability :( If it wasn’t for that;m, the machine would still be running
I use a Sony A6100 with a variety of Sigma Contemporary prime lenses, and a Diety Lav Pro into a Zoom H1 recorder to capture my audio :) Thank you for the kind compliments and for your comment.
If you want to take your coffee to the next level, I would definitely recommend buying whole coffee beans and a burr grinder. You can get a burr grinder for fairly low cost I would recommend the Capresso infinity. This grinder can be use for lower end espresso machines as well as with drip and French press.
Most grinders can't grind fine or consistent enough for espresso. Even though they have an "espresso" setting it grinds way to coarse and uneven. The cheapest grinder for espresso will run C$200 or so.
@@qwazyd0gg So right! We've had our Cafe Roma for about eight years, finally bought a Eureka Mignon (Silenzio) grinder and what a difference, we're tasting flavors we didn't know our coffee had in it. I made the switch to a single wall 51mm basket (IMS precision) also. Got a decent tamper of the correct size (51.3mm, as this basket is actually 51.8mm) and some really fresh locally roasted coffee and we're loving our mornings! I'd always read that the most important piece of equipment was not the espresso machine, but the grinder. No joke, they're right.
Excellent tutorial!!!! Thanks so much!! I just bought this today as I was not enjoying my pod coffees anymore so thought I would try an entry level machine and am so glad I did. This machine is perfect for my needs and as you said there are very few videos about this machine and yours is excellent. My first pull was not perfect but it was delicious and a huge improvement over my usual sad pod cup. Thanks again.
I’m honestly not sure tbh. I wouldn’t want to misinform you in any way with a guess or assumption, so I would say just reach out to their support team via their website or social media to get a for sure answer.
Thank you for the tutorial. I just purchased this machine about a week now. Still trying to get the steaming of the milk down.....have yet to even consider the art!
Your pressurized basket may be clogged. Try boiling it in a pot of water to loosen up the debris that may be inside. Same thing happened to mine and I ended up switching to a nonpressurized basket for $20ish on Amazon.
Omg I’ve had my machine two years and never really made a good cup. Gonna try these tips tmw!! And so true, haven’t seen any other tutorial with this machine. Thanks!!!
I am an espresso repairman (mostly Starbucks) and some of the info in this video is not correct, but I do like his suggestion of priming the shot with hot water before locking the portafilter in place.
This machine uses double-walled pressurized baskets in the portafilter, making it more forgiving to new baritas. Tamping is less critical than even distribution. I found that 14g of coffee (in the double-shot basket) is the sweet spot for my Roma for a 28g pull of espresso (1:2 ratio).
Great tip! I clogged my pressurized basket so decided to buy and learn how to use a nonpressurized basket. It's much less forgiving but once you get the hang of it found it had a richer taste.
How long do you pull this 1:2 ratio shot for ?.. I noticed my Cafe Roma dispenses espresso faster than a professional espresso machine. My double shot, 14g runs for about 20 seconds giving around 75-100gms of shot... thats too watery I felt.. dont know if I need to buy a Breville Barista Pro or try to fix this. .. Several other videos that I've watched say it has to dispense in 1:2 ratio for 25-30 seconds.. but my 1:2 clocks at 9 seconds... any feedback helps.
@arjunsrao I've got the same thing happening with mine. I've just started experimenting with starting with more coffee, tamping harder. I'm not sure what I have wrong but I can only guess it is channelling or not packed tight enough if the water it blitzing through so quickly...
Love this video! Thank you so much. How would you make a Americana coffee? Would you have to just add boiling water from the kettle? If so what ratio to the espresso?
HEY QWAZYD0GG! I've discovered (in the Canadian Market where I am too) Jordan's Skinny Syrups. Non sugar, artificial (alcohol sugar) sweetened, inexpensive relatively speaking and readily available and cheapest at Winners/HomeSense/Marshalls for just $6.99CDN tax free. I think the SRP is $9.99CDN. Try it! Multiple flavours from S'Mores to Salted Caramel. My wife's favourite is Irish Cream and I'm liking good old vanilla.
About 2 monthly after making this video I found those same syrups at my local winners and bought half a dozen different ones, lol. They’re AMAZING and a little goes a very long way for sure :) Thank you for letting me know, and others in the comments thread of this video as I don’t recall if I ever mentioned it myself, lol.
I’m new to making coffee at home! Can you make latte art with this machine? I can never find latte art creations with the less expensive espresso machines I’ve been looking at - but I’m sure they all do the “milky paint” texture for art. I don’t know any baristas to ask to figure this out!!
I just use a pod in Keurig slim & I have a Capresso milk frother that heats & froths. I make my version of a latte. It is quiet & fast. You convinced me too much fuss to buy this machine.
Hey, I just got my breville cafe roma and I was wondering if you could let me know how you descale the machine. Mine is used so I wanted to do it to be safe
@@qwazyd0gg ah okay, I wanted to ask because some people say citric acid gets a better clean, but I wasn't sure so I wanted to ask what you did. Thanks for the quick replies!
Great video! Thank you! I am actually considering to get rid of my Nespresso and switch to this. Saw a good deal on Facebook marketplace. It looks like a good beginner Espresso machine.
It’s a great starter machine for sure and it will help you grow and understand the methods of moving from instant serve to do it yourself latte in no time. Keep in mind, this video shows very baseline instructions from my first week or so with the machine, and I learned a lot more in the months to follow. It’s a very enjoyable experience and one I would recommend :)
Steaming the milk is a lot quieter if you hold the end of the steaming wand about 1cm under the top of the milk & it creates a better micro foam!! Only hold near the bottom of the pitcher if you want don’t want any foam!
The Mr coffee Cafe barista is a little less expensive and it has a separate tank for milk. It makes the coffee and froth with the push of one button, plus you can get a 24 oz mug under it.
@@qwazyd0gg I purchased one for my wife for Valentine's day 6 years ago. The latte button finally broke on it 2 days ago. She works from home and that machine was used twice before lunchtime everyday, some days 1 or 2 times after lunch daily. Never had a problem with milk. Researching for a new one is the reason I'm here and looks like I'll be getting another cafe barista. 😆
a great video, thank! although as a former barista I couldn't believe that Andrew pulled the long shots first and had them sitting for like 10 minutes while prepping the milk! arrgghh! pulling espresso shots should be the last duty while making a latte or cappuccino! the fresher the coffee the better the beverage will taste!
Turn the portafilter all the way until it stops so it's secure and doesn't leak. Get you a small glass carafe with shot measurements and for easy pouring. Water is going to heat to about 195 to 205 degrees. The taste will change whether you change the water or not. As long a it's not been in there for like more than 3 days. Then again that's a preference but also a waste of water if changing it for each cup.
Changing each cup would be a little aggressive, but I change it before every usage, which is normally 2 cups at a time. Thank you for your detailed additions to the video. This was a novice approach and you’ve added a lot of insight for others :) Thanks for being awesome 👏
Hi!! So I got this machine, used, a month ago. At first I had dry coffee grains at the end but now, the portafilter is full of water... I'm not sure what I could be doing wrong but it seems like water is leaking in the portafilter when the machine is releasing pression... Any ideas?
The double walled filter may be clogged. I had it happen to me and it was harder for the machine to pressurize the remaining water through the blockage. You can try boiling the filter in a pot of water to see if you can release the blockage, but after my second clogged pressurized filter I purchased a non-pressurized filter basket and it made a much better drip.
@@qwazyd0gg Hi! Thanks for your fast reply. I just made coffee again and really, the coffee comes out in 2-3 seconds with a good drip. I don't feel like it's clogged but I'm going to try. For the first week, I had no issue and all of a sudden it changed. I think I remember seeing the issue with both filters... I really feel like the machine is pushing too much water at the end...
I remember mine doing that, but for me it was clogged. Try tightening or loosening the handle slight as well to see if it’s a loss of pressure at the very end of the pull. I remember how easy it was to clean a nice dry puck of grounds vs a soupy wet one :(
I'm very glad to hear it helped! There are definately more advanced techniques out there to perfect from here, but I wanted to give a very baseline starting point for new users to get them started :)
@@qwazyd0gg Thanks for the quick reply, holy man. I’ve been told you gotta measure like specific grams and stuff but I’ll give this a go. Do you use the actual measuring spoon it comes with to eyeball with?
I use to fill the filter with a nice sized peak (as shown in the video) and tamp it down so there was just enough room in the basket after tamping for the water to have room to pressurize through. The nice thing is with a pressurized basket it takes a lot of the guess work out compared to say a nonpressurized where grind amount, how fine it is, and tamping pressure more so dictate your filter and flow. My machine has an unfortunate mishap with the water reservoir breaking, so I haven’t had my machine running for a while now :(
You made two mistakes: The first is that frothing the milk should come first because the extra steam that runs into the basket will act as a pre-infuser for the coffee enriching the pull. The second mistake is that for 60 grams of coffee grounds you should have only pulled two fluid ounces of liquid, which would be about 6 to 7 seconds and NOT 20 SECONDS! If you run coffee longer than for its intended volume, you make it bitter. So first you should run water through the steam wand and get the condensation out, and when it's hot then you steam the milk. Then wipe the wand properly with a rag. Then pull the coffee but only for 7 to 8 seconds for 60 grams worth of coffee grinds.
Thank you for the kind tips. I got a little carried away with the narration and video itself, and the coffee pull was WAY longer than intended. Since making this video and spending more time with the machine and great comments such as yours, I’ve switched to a grinder and nonpressurized basket, which has granted me richer pulls (Although nonpressurized took a lot more time to figure out), and I’ve gotten better at placing the wand just under the milks surface at an angle to let the stream froth and agitate the milk to a thicker consistency. Thank you for taking the time to give the viewing community constructive feedback so they too can learn from you :)
I am definitely not an expert on a machine I just recently got for my birthday so my apologies if the tone seems that way now that I read my comment over again. I am having trouble pulling a 20 to 35 seconds shot out of my Cafe Roma. I seem to reach the two fluid ounce level at approximately 10 seconds. I'm not saying the coffee tastes bad but no matter what I do I can't seem to get the standard 20 to 30 seconds for the same volume of coffee. Everyone says that it should take about 30 to 35 seconds to pull two fluid ounces. But I'm doing it in 10 no matter what I do. And I'm using Italian espresso coffee. I tried Starbucks but that was even a faster pull. I don't know what to do better. Go to a non pressurized basket?
Nonpressurized would certainly help. You’ll have to take a little more time to gauge your ground size, tamping pressure, and handle placement, but it will result in a lot more control once you hit your sweet spot No worries on the comment tone either as I certainly understood, and again super appreciated your feedback 😃
How do you make a 1 oz. Vs 2 oz? Is it just amount of espresso grinds u use? And just an fyi starbucks sells their syrups bottles for a reasonable price for the large bottles
There are two different inserts for your machine handle, one is a single shot and one is a double shot. I checked with my local Starbucks after getting this comment a couple times, unfortunately they only sell the syrups in the US stores and I am in Canada :(
@@qwazyd0gg hey I'm in Canada too! Alberta and I bought mine from my local starbucks I dont know if all of them carry the syrups but im pretty sure most do. So yeah I figured out the pods are for 1oz or 2 I always use 2oz and now I'm just trying to perfect my grind and figure out if theres any difference between a coffee bean and espresso bean. Also our machine is 15 pumps I'm not sure what that means but im gonna watch your video again.
Would you rather make your own latte at home or drive to the store for one everyday?
I'm tired of driving to Starbucks everyday and giving them my money it really adds up I'm so glad I bought this today !
Awesome idea Ri Ray! I hope you can take some starter pointers from this video and develop your craft from there :)
@@qwazyd0gg for sure great tips thanks!
Make one at home. I want to buy an espresso machine but don’t want to spend over $300. What do you recommend?
I got this one on sale for $189CAD and we use it atleast 2 times a day and have since before Christmas and it's going strong. I purchased based on a friend's recommendation that has been using his daily for over 2 years :)
That sleeve is a panarello piece. The nice thing about some of the lower end Breville machines is that you get a classic steam wand (for advance users) and the panarello for those just learning or who want more foam. The panarello helps give more foam because it pulls air in through a top air hole. Manual steaming with technique can be done without the sleeve. But one thing i should mention is that your steam technique is not correct. The jug should never have that super loud noise. When you start to Steam, Place the head of wand just below the surface and get a vortex going. You don’t need to move the jug. Once the vortex starts, raise the steam tip so that it just breaks the surface and you start hearing ripping or popping noises and keep this position until the milk gets quite warm...but not too hot to hold. Then submerse the wand deep and keep steaming until the jug is too hot to touch. This will give you amazing results. Also, before you pour, swirl the milk around the jug...it should kinda look like wet paint... before pouring into your mug.
This is why I love TH-cam! Thank you for the amazing tips and engagement. Since making this video, I've been using the vortex technique and the results have been amazing. I've also switched to a better tamper, a non-pressurized portafilter, and a Burr grinder. 100x better results!
Thanks for the info, i've been reading through this whole comment section for advice ever since I got my machine and this is a very detailed and useful explanation!
Yes the spout of the jug is your anchor point for the wand. There's tons of good tutorials on TH-cam on the proper technique. Learning this upped my latte game immensely
Fantastic video! I’m a fellow Canuck, and since I’ve decided to go back to school, I recently got a part time job at Starbucks to supplement my household income. What I’ve learned so far - and what you’ve clearly demonstrated in this video - is it’s really not too difficult to make a great cup of coffee at home. The tools we use at Starbucks are just large scale versions of what you could have on your kitchen countertop at home: blenders, espresso machines/milk steamers, coffee makers, etc. Don’t be intimidated, give yourself time, and have fun with it. Making coffee shouldn’t be stressful. After all, having a great cup of coffee is the best part of the day for many of us.
Amazing feedback Philip! There’s nothing wrong with a convenient cup of joe when your on the go, but there’s just something extra special about making it at home in the mornings as part of a daily routine. It gets me on track with a task to start the day and a reason to roll onto the next task without getting lazy, lol.
awesome! We didnt read the manual we went straight and followed your tutorial! 100% success rate! haha thanks
Amazing!!
I’ve had my machine for over a year and can’t believe I didn’t look this up on TH-cam before now 🙄Thank you so much for this video. Finally I’m using it and it’s WONDERFUL!
So glad I could help ❤️☕️
We just got this machine second hand from a family member with no instructions so we are so grateful for your tutorial!! Love that you're a fellow Canuck too! God Bless!! ;)
Cheers and happy holidays from the East Coast :)
Have had this model since it was fairly new on the market, back around 2005. Except for blowing out the rubber gasket once due to grinding my coffee too fine and clogging the portafilter, I haven't had a problem with it! While there are newer and fancier models on the market, this one works great, and is easy to use. Enjoyed your video, and have two tips below that users might appreciate.
One is to keep a damp microfiber cloth next to the machine when using it. It's important to clean scalded milk from the steam wand immediately after using it, while blowing out steam to keep it from clogging. Also clean the underside of the hot water shower, to remove stray grounds, with a quick wipe. A couple times a year, run a 1:1 water and white vinegar solution through the machine to clean it out. Let it sit overnight with vinegar in the hot water boiler. Run lots of clean water through it to clean out the residue until the water is clear and odorless.
The second tip is to use the provided stainless steel milk pitcher to brew into. I found that this fits perfectly under the brew handle with a slight tilt, and it won't vibrate out of place, so no brew is ever lost. I also keep this in place to catch drips while steaming my milk in a slightly larger stainless steel pitcher; I like my lattes with a lot of milk.
And grinding your beans *right before* making the espresso is probably the single most important variable (besides beans that are properly stored, and recently/properly roasted).
I too blew the gasket filling it packed full with grounds. Scared the ever living shit out of me because it sounded like a gun shot in the kitchen when my back was turned. I switched after that to an unpressurized filter basket and it made a huge difference in my drip too
@@qwazyd0gg what diameter did you use to find the unpressurized filter basket? I've been considering one too.
51mm
@@qwazyd0gg Great; thanks!
Loved your video on the Cafe Roma we picked up one at second hand shop and had no idea how to use it. We cleaned it, and now thanks to you and your video my sewing clients are happy. Hey everyone keep your eyes open for this mch if your looking to buy… its in like new condition and only paid 10 dollars
Aaww, what a great comment to wake up to! I hope you enjoy :)
October 2022
Just bought this machine on sale at Canadian Tire.
Your video is so full of practical tips I'm glad I read it right after making my first cup. I could visualise and understand all your warnings and tricks. Very useful 🙌
Thank you so much. Cheers ☕☕
So glad I could help you start off on the right foot!
Thank you so much for this video, I have the same machine and I’ve had it for about a year or two now and I’m still learning new things about it daily haha. I thought I would share a few tips as well!
I would wait until until the machine is fully heated before inserting the portafilter, if you put it in too soon you’re soaking the espresso grinds against the wet filter of the top of the machine and it affects the coffee the same way a wet portafilter would.
Removing the portafilter as soon as the shot is finished is also important so you don’t have grinds backing up into your machine and eventually breaking it.
Also as a barista I want to say that I LOVE the way you steamed your milk, you actually did it perfectly!! Although, a personal recommendation that I learned with this machine is aerating it at the beginning of the steaming process instead of the end, that way the milk will come out more creamy rather than bubbly.
Side note: idk if you know this, but I literally just learned 2 days ago that the cleaning tool can go around the milk tip and help you remove it so you can clean the milk from the inside as well! I had no idea about that and I’m so happy that I found out lol.
Oh, also I love how you did the shot first and then the milk... most people make the mistake of doing the milk first because they think the shot will die, but with this machine it’s better to do milk second otherwise it will separate and affect the creaminess of your latte or cappuccino. You did a wonderful job 👏👏
You friend are amazing! Thanks for sharing these awesome tips with the community!
Since making this video I have learned a lot. I switched from the pressurized filter basket to a non-pressurized which makes a huge difference once you dial in your grind size and tamping pressure. I’ve also changed my steaming method to more of the vortex method which places the tip just under the surface to spin the milk itself without holding or moving the frothing container. Aside from that, everything I do now is what I’ve done since making this video.
And you got it with the tool! It’s a really versatile little piece of kit! Cheers from NB!
It seems there are a lot of people who gripe about this brand, but I have one of these units also, and it has served well. Although I "upgraded" to a model BES840XL, I still use the ESP8XL at work.
It is good that you were able to move from a pressurised filter to a non-pressurised filter. It makes a better brew.
I agree. I switched to a nonpressurized a couple months back and after about a dozen brews and trying to dial in my amounts and tamping pressure, it’s a significant increase in flavour over the pressurized pod.
@@qwazyd0gg
Yes, there are so many different variables to "dial in" for a good brew, frustrating to some, challenging to others....
and an adventure for those eager to learn :)
Wow GAME CHANGER for me!
Thank you!
The biggest one for me was to not overturn the handle!
My coffe is much better now :)
Thanks
Glad I could help!
Andrew, may I ask what brand and exact size of aftermarket (or breville brand) non-pressurized 2 cup portafilter and size of tamper should I get for the Cafe roma? And where can I find both of these items?
51mm basket. I ordered mine from Amazon based off its reviews; however, the listing is no longer active as it was a long time ago. For tamper 51/52 will be fine. If you’re very unsure and happen to have a specialty shop near you, you can also take your entire handle or standalone pressurized basket into the shop for further recommendations.
This video is sooooooo well done and covers a lot of key points. The only modifications I would make is to tamp 30 pounds of pressure on a flat surface (edge of the counter is great). Also a full fat milk is the best for laying on dat crema
Thank you so much for your kind words. I certainly modified my technique since making this video, but the basic fundamentals remain the same. I hope you have a great day!
This was massively helpful. I have been using this thing for a long time but the taking the nozzle extender off is a huge tip!
Glad I could help!
Thank-you! I was getting soupy pucks but they are much better now and taking the cover off the steamer was a big help too... I was getting SO much foam with it on.
Awesome to hear your progress! Since making this video I've switched to non-pressurized portafilters and added more tamping weight and the taste has improved so much
THANK YOU
I bought this second hand from someone but it didn't come with instructions and I was freaked out about the noise that came from both options of steam and brew.
Glad to see those loud noises are normal!
I was nervous to try a cup of coffee but not anymore!
PS any tips on how to clean the entire unit?
Ie: steaming wand etc etc.
Just run hot water through? Would you ever think running hot water through with white vinegar is necessary?
Thank you so much for making this streamlined tutorial!
For cleaning the wand I usually just plunge it into hot water, then run some steam again at the end to expel anything it may have sucked up. Then wipe dry. My descaling, you can buy pucks for it, but my wife would run a vinegar cycle once a month from a tutorial she found online.
Thank you so much for tutorial! I just made my very first espresso on this very same machine (second hand gift from a friend). It turned out surprisingly good despite not having a tamper. the grounds were wet at the end but didn't fall out. Love the tip about holding the cup while streaming my milk because, yes, you get it just the right temperature! thanks again. I look forward to exploring the perfection of this "kitchen tech", as you called it .
So glad to hear you’re enjoying the journey ❤️
I've been experimenting with too much water after the pull. Also taken my oat milk out too soon from the frother. Turn to the wand all the way, instead of half way like You recommended. After watching your video & going step by step with You, success. Man it taste great. I'm trying the blonde expresso. Thank you SO much.
Glad I could help my friend. My tutorial is by no means perfect and I too was still learning (also poured way too much while narrating), but it’s a good baseline to start from I think. Continue to learn and enjoy!
Thank you for this , my son bought me this machine years ago and I loved it then It got put away and I forgot how to use it so thanks for the refresh do you clean yours regularly? I noticed for mine sitting that there was quite a bit of scaling where the water reservoir is .. i’m thinking vinegar as this is what I do with my coffee machine?
We used a vinegar cycle once a month and it was super easy and worked great!
thanks so much for this video .
You’re very welcome :)
I always buy my syrups from winners in Canada. Starbucks also sells syrups.
I actually got 10 bottles of Skinny Syrup from Winners/Marshals!
🥰
This was a great video, very informative. We recently unpacked our (exact same) machine and have started using it at home. However, I'm still confused as to how much coffee to place for a a single shot/double shot/long shot and when to stop the water for each one. For making a cappuccino or latte I use the guides on how much milk to place, but can't seem to get the initial part right! Any tips?
My pull in this video was WAY too long. I got distracted with the narration. You’ll learn based on taste and texture of the drip as it filters through more than anything. I switched shortly after to a nonpressurized 51mm basket that I found much easier to dial in with practice compared to the stock pressurized one that tended to clog more than anything else.
@@qwazyd0gg thanks! We’re trying ‘
I don't drink coffee and I don't have the slightest inkling of ever buying one of these but this was an informative and entertaining video. I'm sure one day this information will come in handy lol. Seriously though this was really neat to watch and I'll watch any video you put out. Also, you're looking real good my dude, I don't know what you're doing but it's working great. I'm glad you're putting stuff out again and can't wait to see what you do next. Keep up the killer work man.
Have I told you lately that you're my favorite Drew?! Haha.
I attribute some of kt to the new camera and lens, but I have trimmed off close to 50lbs by cutting out pop, excess sugars, and excess carbs. Also kind of why I bought this espresso machine. Makes it easier to have a flavorful coffee within adding a ton of sugar :)
We’re thinking of purchasing one of these coffee makers. So I read a few comments and you said that you froth the milk first. What are non-pressurized filter baskets and what is a new temper? Also, what burr grinder do you recommend? Thank you.
The filter basket that comes included had a small gap between the inside of the basket and the extrusion holes that allows for appropriate pressure to be built up in your basket for a great beginner drip. A nonpressurized filter basket relies on the grind size and tamping pressure to build the pressure. It’s a steeper learning curve but once you nail it, it tastes a lot better. A tamper is the little mini plunger you use to press down your grinds into the basket. Lastly, my burr grinder is just a cheap Black and Decker for now, but I may invest in a better one in the future for a finer grind.
Thank you so much picked this machine up at a thrift store and never quite figured it out been getting watery coffee. This is great tutorial thank you
Great thrift find!
From Canada as well! Scored one of these the other day at a community Garage Sale... works like a charm! Love it, thanks for the video, didn't know how to make a latte, now I do! 😀
Cheers from NB! Enjoy your new morning brew!
Cheers from NS! Thanks for the video, much appreciated!
Thank you for this video! My husband purchased the larger machine for my birthday today and I am looking at it very much overwhelmed but I made coffee with you on your video and it came out great! Thank you!!
Amazing to hear! I hope you continue to enjoy your morning cups :)
Hello, i have the same machine given by my sister, would you know if the portafilter has a 51mm size? Thank you so much. Hope to hear from you soon
It sure does! I switched mine out for a 51mm non pressurized filter basket about a month after making this video. It took some practice, but produced a much better result :)
@@qwazyd0gg thank you @QwazydOgg. Keep safe always and God bless you more. 💕
You’re too kind 💕
I got one of these as a birthday gift. Been reading the manual and watching your tutorial. It recommended that I just run water through it first.. but how much and for how long? And how much water do I need to have in the water tank per cup of coffee? Thank you
I ran about a half a tank through my machine before I brewed my first cup. As for the water tank, I have a health habit of filling the tank with fresh cold water before I make my coffee every morning and it easy makes two full cups including the water needed for steaming my milk. The last thing you want to do is run a high pressure machine dry by running out of water. Give the tank a top up before each brew and gauge your levels once you've finished your morning brews :D
Qwazyd0gg awesome thank you. I’ve been using it since yesterday.. I didn’t run a full tank of water through it before use. Maybe only 20 seconds...eeek. So just to clarify, if I use the 2 ounce pod i can brew 2 cups of expresso? :)
Thank you for making this video! I just got my cafe Roma today and am a total newbie to at home espresso. I feel much more informed now!
thank you so much. my keurig just died and now its time to upgrade to a real espresso machine. Nesspresso is a waste of $ with their pods system. I think breville roma or the delonghi stiloso are the way to go!. i learnt alot watching your video, pretty simple and nice tips on frothing. You are a genius!
You’re too kind! I hope this gives you a great start to your coffee learning journey. I switched out shortly after this video to nonpressurized baskets so I could hone my pulls I little tighter and more refined alongside investing in a coffee grinder and fresh grinding before every cup. Such a difference!
@qwazyd0gg i agree with you. I was looking at the Breville barista espresso machine it's pricey, but used ones are around $400 on the marketplace, but I think it's overkill for a newbie like me lol
@jeansandmyshirt the cafe Roma is a great place to start. Not going to lie though, as amazing as my morning coffee was, it began to grow tiring to make my wife a second cup after making 1 each for us already. The prep and cleanup kept continuously extending into the morning. Perfect machine for those looking for 1 to 2 premium drinks, but we ended up switching back to premium drip due to a semi work from home lifestyle and the convenience of having seconds or thirds ready in a pot
Just saw this machine at Best Buy and wanted an idea of its quality and ease of use before purchasing. Thanks for all the tips.
Anytime!
The longer you let your espresso sit the worse it will taste. An espresso shot goes stale within 20 seconds! Try steaming your milk first and adding the espresso on top! You wont get fo do a pretty design but your latte will turn out much better! :)
Great tip! Thank you 🙏
Just purchased mine today. Followed you and it came out perfect! I didn’t have the silk almond so put a shot of amoretto. Just a tablespoonful. It was really good and I am surprised I got such good results on the first try. ( with your help of course!) I would really like to know how to set up and clean up to help maintain my machine. Would like to learn a little bit about coffee beans. What to choose and how to grind them.
A lot of it is trial and error. For me I recently switched from the pressurized portafilter to a non-pressurized filter and started grinding my own beans. If you’re using the portafilter basket that came with the machine then grind size isn’t a huge issue since it’s the pressure created by the filter and there machine that will pull your drip. In a non-pressurized filter it’s tamping pressure and grind size that regulates your drip quality, time, and speed. For maintenance, we descale ours with vinegar rather than expensive descaling tablets, and I usually just wipe down the rest of the machine regularly. For the frother, I run a small cycle after each steam to eject and remove any milk that may have been sucked up into the machine with the reverse pressure of shutting it off. After that I just wipe down the metal bits with a hot damp rag.
@@qwazyd0gg thank you. very helpful. just got mine because I've drink an amassing coffee at some friends and i had no clue how to use it.
Great video Qwazy! I've had this Espresso machine for about 3 years now and I don't go a day without using it. Any tips for frothing Almond milk? mine always tastes burnt and bitter, i got let the milk temp go over 130 Degrees.
Haha I have the same issue. I'm experimenting right now but i'm gonna use the same rule of "when the bottom gets uncomfortably hot, take it off".
Just picked mine up from value village today for 20 dollars. I will go home and give it a good cleaning and use it later.mine didn’t come with a tamper, any suggestions on what I can use instead?
Anything 51mm and FLAT should be fine. Tampers are super affordable though and readily available from Walmart and other big box locations
Great video! Does water ever get caught between the black plastic in the cup and the metal?
It’s pressurized enough that I never notice it collecting anything after a pull
@@qwazyd0gg yeah weirdly when I’m done my coffee if I shake the handle I can hear/ feel water caught under the black plastic piece.
Just purchased this machine during quarantine and this video is lifesaver! Thank you and hope you are safe! Also I’m a fellow Canadian and love that pc espresso!🤗
Honestly it is some of the best espresso I've found for the price! I found some on mark down and now my cabinets are STOCKED, LOL. Cheers from NB :D
I just got one on sale at Canadian Tire, great video excited to try it
Grace how much was it at CT if you don’t mind me askin? I’m looking at it right now on amazing for $170 but wondering if I should look for a better deal! Thanks 🙏🏽
(Whoops $230, not 170)
Awesome! How do you like it so far?
Hi! Would you recommend this cafe roma instead of a pod system? Haven’t owned either one but just have been using our Keurig at the office. But not really a fan of coffee without crema. So thinking of getting this or a nespresso. Wonder what your thoughts are on this. I practically drink coffee 2-3 times a day. And I can’t keep spending on the starbucks concentrate.. and instant coffee 🤦🏻♀️ . How is the PC coffee? Haven’t tried a PC coffee yet. So looking forward to getting a better crafted coffee. No matter what the coffee brand is
Honestly the PC coffee is fantastic for the price! I find myself going back to it time and time again. I've heard really good things about the Nespresso, but like any machine that does the work for you, you get what you get everytime. With something like the Cafe Roma, you have a little more control over your drip strength, choice of bean, and honestly pulling your own coffee is actually pretty fun and rewarding. Talk to some friends and family members and see if they have either machine that you can try before you buy, as most stores will not accept returns once you've put water through the machine.
Qwazyd0gg great POV. Thank you and for your recommendation about the PC coffee! I find they do sales quite often so will definitely hive them a try if I choose to get the cafe roma.. thanks again
Hey mate ! Lovely tutorial helped me aot. How is the roma breville doing today ?
Sadly it has been decommissioned :(
I dropped the fill tank onto the ceramic floor and cracked it. I’ve been planning on replacing it for a couple months now, but for now it’s back to classic drip.
thank you purchased the machine and, as you said not much instructions, you did a great and up-to-the-point job.
Thanks Tony 🙏
I’m glad you found value in it
I just bought this machine today! This tutorial was super helpful! Thank-you from a fellow Canadian!
My pleasure!
Cheers from NB :)
You are playing with fire how full that one was. Props to you dude.
Lol yeah, got a little distracted while filming 😂
Thanks! I’ve been using the same machine for months and find your video the most useful. This seems to be a popular coffee maker in Canada!
I'm glad you found the video useful :)
Love the tutorial, just got machine for Christmas. Followed your instructions. Grinds have a layer of water on top when I take them out. Can’t figure it out
If you have still water on the top it means the grounds are either too course or the handle is either too tight or too loose for appropriate pressure to push water through your grounds. I had the same issue later in my ownership due to grounds getting stuck within the inner layers of the dual walled filter basket. I ended up purchasing a single walled nonpressurized basket from Amazon and better dialing in my grounds and handle tightness for appropriate pressure for clean extractions.
I just got this machine as a gift, and your intro was just great!
Glad it helped! There is much more to learn as I did as well after further use. A nonpressurized portafilter basket takes some practice if you swap out the factory one but taste improves greatly :)
Just bough this and I'm almost all the time doing Americano cafés... Only thing I noticed is because Im waiting to have enough water the handle is all the time soupy. Am I doing it right? Or should I boil water on the side and not use the hot water from the machine? Thanks
That usually means there’s a pressure issue either with your ground size, pressure, or handle tightness.
Thanks for thé video. Î’m already have my spresso machine Breville Café Roma and i never use these. I have a problem to get my cofee hot. I don’t know if the problem is the machine because is old. How long i must to wait to start to make a coffee. Can you help me please?
When you turn it on, you need to first wait for the temperature light to turn off so the water can get to temp. Run a quick cycle into an empty cup to flush the lines of old cold water, then make your coffee
Thanks for the video bud, exactly what I was looking for!
Glad I could help!
I own a Roma. It seems that the basket for the espresso gets blocked somehow. I didn't get any expresso from water passing through my double espresso.. The same thing happened last month. Switching to the single basket edworked. I've cleaned the double but no expresso today for me :(. Thoughts?
The factor double walled pressurized basket can get clogged easily between the layered walls, I know mine did. Sometimes soaking it helps but I ended up buying a cheap nonpressurized basket from Amazon. It requires a new learning curve with tamping pressure and ground volume, but produces a much better end result.
Thank you for this! Kept thinking the frother was not working on my machine! Turns out it is! So thank you!!!
Glad I could help Giselle!
Just bought one to go with our renovated kitchen coffee bar ... haven't tried it yet, so this is timely! Great tidbit re: the quality of the PC brand!
I love my PC coffee, lol! If you haven't yet, pick up a cheap Burr Grinder and use the PC whole bean. I got mine at Superstore for like $30 and it makes a huge difference in flavor as you're getting more of the beans natural oils when you grind yourself right before your brewing :)
Enjoy!
Also, if you have a Marshal's or Winners near you, they've been selling Skinny brand sugar free syrups. I haven't been able to find any locally other than those two stores and Starbucks, but Starbucks only sells the overstock bottles so they're not always a guarantee.
@@qwazyd0gg Also received a new grinder which has been great for regular coffee beans, so will try it out on espresso beans ... new adventures!
@@qwazyd0gg I do .. thanks!
Thanks for the video, fellow Canadian. Really enjoyed watching it. Best review I've seen!!
I am trying to decide which Beville machine to buy. There are so many on the market.
Thanks Amanda! As far as the machine, I think anything introductory would be a great place to start to see if a future investment is something that would yield long term value for you. Cheers from NB :)
Thank you so much for all the tips! I am getting a Cafe Roma for my birthday as my first ever espresso machine, and this video helped me know how to use it.
Super glad to hear it and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
@@qwazyd0gg thank you! Just curious, is your machine still working well?
@@beckystein830 unfortunately it’s been retired due to dropping the water reservoir onto the floor and cracking it beyond usability :(
If it wasn’t for that;m, the machine would still be running
Great video Andrew! Very informative and I like the enthusiasm.
What camera and microphone are you using, very crisp.
I use a Sony A6100 with a variety of Sigma Contemporary prime lenses, and a Diety Lav Pro into a Zoom H1 recorder to capture my audio :)
Thank you for the kind compliments and for your comment.
If you want to take your coffee to the next level, I would definitely recommend buying whole coffee beans and a burr grinder. You can get a burr grinder for fairly low cost I would recommend the Capresso infinity. This grinder can be use for lower end espresso machines as well as with drip and French press.
Most grinders can't grind fine or consistent enough for espresso. Even though they have an "espresso" setting it grinds way to coarse and uneven. The cheapest grinder for espresso will run C$200 or so.
I bought a cheap one and it does well enough; however, I'm sure a good quality burr grinder would make a huge difference
@@qwazyd0gg So right! We've had our Cafe Roma for about eight years, finally bought a Eureka Mignon (Silenzio) grinder and what a difference, we're tasting flavors we didn't know our coffee had in it. I made the switch to a single wall 51mm basket (IMS precision) also. Got a decent tamper of the correct size (51.3mm, as this basket is actually 51.8mm) and some really fresh locally roasted coffee and we're loving our mornings! I'd always read that the most important piece of equipment was not the espresso machine, but the grinder. No joke, they're right.
Amazing information!
Thanks for doing this video. I enjoyed it and also all the Canadian references, of which I could relate to!
I love leaving little Canuck Easter eggs when I can :)
Excellent tutorial!!!! Thanks so much!! I just bought this today as I was not enjoying my pod coffees anymore so thought I would try an entry level machine and am so glad I did. This machine is perfect for my needs and as you said there are very few videos about this machine and yours is excellent. My first pull was not perfect but it was delicious and a huge improvement over my usual sad pod cup. Thanks again.
My pleasure!!
Is Cafe Roma ESE pods compatible? On their website it saids “pods” so not sure if is. Thank you.
I’m honestly not sure tbh. I wouldn’t want to misinform you in any way with a guess or assumption, so I would say just reach out to their support team via their website or social media to get a for sure answer.
Thank you for the tutorial. I just purchased this machine about a week now. Still trying to get the steaming of the milk down.....have yet to even consider the art!
Place the wand about 1cm down into the milk at a slight angle. The milk should foam and stir itself :)
My Cafe Roma isn’t making the crema anymore. Tips for improving? I bought the espresso cleaning pods but things still aren’t flowing like your video.
Your pressurized basket may be clogged. Try boiling it in a pot of water to loosen up the debris that may be inside. Same thing happened to mine and I ended up switching to a nonpressurized basket for $20ish on Amazon.
Omg I’ve had my machine two years and never really made a good cup. Gonna try these tips tmw!! And so true, haven’t seen any other tutorial with this machine. Thanks!!!
You’re very welcome!
I'm making this at my friends house and have mo idea how to use their machine. Thanks so much for the tips!
You’re very welcome!
I am an espresso repairman (mostly Starbucks) and some of the info in this video is not correct, but I do like his suggestion of priming the shot with hot water before locking the portafilter in place.
This machine uses double-walled pressurized baskets in the portafilter, making it more forgiving to new baritas. Tamping is less critical than even distribution. I found that 14g of coffee (in the double-shot basket) is the sweet spot for my Roma for a 28g pull of espresso (1:2 ratio).
Great tip! I clogged my pressurized basket so decided to buy and learn how to use a nonpressurized basket. It's much less forgiving but once you get the hang of it found it had a richer taste.
How long do you pull this 1:2 ratio shot for ?.. I noticed my Cafe Roma dispenses espresso faster than a professional espresso machine. My double shot, 14g runs for about 20 seconds giving around 75-100gms of shot... thats too watery I felt.. dont know if I need to buy a Breville Barista Pro or try to fix this. .. Several other videos that I've watched say it has to dispense in 1:2 ratio for 25-30 seconds.. but my 1:2 clocks at 9 seconds... any feedback helps.
@arjunsrao I've got the same thing happening with mine. I've just started experimenting with starting with more coffee, tamping harder. I'm not sure what I have wrong but I can only guess it is channelling or not packed tight enough if the water it blitzing through so quickly...
How many cups can you make with 1 dose of ground cofee in the handle? Thank you!
Single shot
This is a solid, concise video dude. Thanks for this!
Thanks Sweethart!
Thank you for the video. I've had this machine for years and you actually taught me a few tricks.
Glad to hear it!
Thank you SO much, I had no idea how to use this machine but I want to lol
You’re very welcome! Love the username btw!
Love this video! Thank you so much. How would you make a Americana coffee? Would you have to just add boiling water from the kettle? If so what ratio to the espresso?
Oooppphhh I have no idea. There was a little book at explained different blends and types, but I only ever made lattes lol
Do u have any videos showing how to use the pod that comes wirh this Breville machine ?
HEY QWAZYD0GG! I've discovered (in the Canadian Market where I am too) Jordan's Skinny Syrups. Non sugar, artificial (alcohol sugar) sweetened, inexpensive relatively speaking and readily available and cheapest at Winners/HomeSense/Marshalls for just $6.99CDN tax free. I think the SRP is $9.99CDN. Try it! Multiple flavours from S'Mores to Salted Caramel. My wife's favourite is Irish Cream and I'm liking good old vanilla.
About 2 monthly after making this video I found those same syrups at my local winners and bought half a dozen different ones, lol. They’re AMAZING and a little goes a very long way for sure :)
Thank you for letting me know, and others in the comments thread of this video as I don’t recall if I ever mentioned it myself, lol.
I’m new to making coffee at home! Can you make latte art with this machine? I can never find latte art creations with the less expensive espresso machines I’ve been looking at - but I’m sure they all do the “milky paint” texture for art. I don’t know any baristas to ask to figure this out!!
Hahaha, I am no good at all at latte art either! But yes, you can froth milk to the consistency to make latte art with this machine.
I just use a pod in Keurig slim & I have a Capresso milk frother that heats & froths. I make my version of a latte. It is quiet & fast. You convinced me too much fuss to buy this machine.
Glad I saved you some hassle :)
Thank you. It was very informative & helpful. Jeanne
Great video, but make no mistake, the beans you use and if you grind them at home (versus buying them already ground) is the biggest taste difference.
Correct. I bought a grinder and ground my own at home for a long time after this video
Hey, I just got my breville cafe roma and I was wondering if you could let me know how you descale the machine. Mine is used so I wanted to do it to be safe
I use the vinegar method. Google should give you the proper measurement last or ratios :)
@@qwazyd0gg ah okay, I wanted to ask because some people say citric acid gets a better clean, but I wasn't sure so I wanted to ask what you did. Thanks for the quick replies!
Anytime!
Thanks for sharing. I purchased this and glad you made a video about it.
Glad i could help :)
Great video! Thank you! I am actually considering to get rid of my Nespresso and switch to this. Saw a good deal on Facebook marketplace. It looks like a good beginner Espresso machine.
It’s a great starter machine for sure and it will help you grow and understand the methods of moving from instant serve to do it yourself latte in no time. Keep in mind, this video shows very baseline instructions from my first week or so with the machine, and I learned a lot more in the months to follow. It’s a very enjoyable experience and one I would recommend :)
I bought mine on marketplace for $35. Very dirty but after cleaning I have a brand new machine. Happy happy
Steaming the milk is a lot quieter if you hold the end of the steaming wand about 1cm under the top of the milk & it creates a better micro foam!! Only hold near the bottom of the pitcher if you want don’t want any foam!
Agreed. I adopted the vortex method shortly after this video and it yields much better results
Thank you i just got one and you helped me a lot
You’re welcome :)
The Mr coffee Cafe barista is a little less expensive and it has a separate tank for milk. It makes the coffee and froth with the push of one button, plus you can get a 24 oz mug under it.
I considered one of those, but I saw some videos about the milk making a huge mess lol
@@qwazyd0gg I purchased one for my wife for Valentine's day 6 years ago. The latte button finally broke on it 2 days ago. She works from home and that machine was used twice before lunchtime everyday, some days 1 or 2 times after lunch daily. Never had a problem with milk. Researching for a new one is the reason I'm here and looks like I'll be getting another cafe barista. 😆
At least I was able to help you decide on your next machine, even if it wasn’t this one 😂
Could this be used for Tumeric latte? I want make that with machine?
I’m honestly not sure what that is lol
@@qwazyd0gg Tumeric herb/spice its really good. U gotta try it.
a great video, thank! although as a former barista I couldn't believe that Andrew pulled the long shots first and had them sitting for like 10 minutes while prepping the milk! arrgghh! pulling espresso shots should be the last duty while making a latte or cappuccino! the fresher the coffee the better the beverage will taste!
Haha, I agree it was a severely long pull. Got distracted by the narration :(
Thanks for this! My wife and I are ready for our first cup!
Let me know how it turns out!
Turn the portafilter all the way until it stops so it's secure and doesn't leak.
Get you a small glass carafe with shot measurements and for easy pouring.
Water is going to heat to about 195 to 205 degrees. The taste will change whether you change the water or not. As long a it's not been in there for like more than 3 days. Then again that's a preference but also a waste of water if changing it for each cup.
Changing each cup would be a little aggressive, but I change it before every usage, which is normally 2 cups at a time. Thank you for your detailed additions to the video. This was a novice approach and you’ve added a lot of insight for others :)
Thanks for being awesome 👏
I recieved this for Christmas and love it. It didn't have an instruction book with it, so this video is hugely helpful and useful. Thank you. :)
I’m so glad you find it so helpful :)
Hi!! So I got this machine, used, a month ago. At first I had dry coffee grains at the end but now, the portafilter is full of water... I'm not sure what I could be doing wrong but it seems like water is leaking in the portafilter when the machine is releasing pression... Any ideas?
The double walled filter may be clogged. I had it happen to me and it was harder for the machine to pressurize the remaining water through the blockage. You can try boiling the filter in a pot of water to see if you can release the blockage, but after my second clogged pressurized filter I purchased a non-pressurized filter basket and it made a much better drip.
@@qwazyd0gg Hi! Thanks for your fast reply. I just made coffee again and really, the coffee comes out in 2-3 seconds with a good drip. I don't feel like it's clogged but I'm going to try. For the first week, I had no issue and all of a sudden it changed. I think I remember seeing the issue with both filters... I really feel like the machine is pushing too much water at the end...
I remember mine doing that, but for me it was clogged. Try tightening or loosening the handle slight as well to see if it’s a loss of pressure at the very end of the pull. I remember how easy it was to clean a nice dry puck of grounds vs a soupy wet one :(
Thanks ! I did try loosening or tightening a couple of times since I have the problem for 2 weeks now. I'll try working on the filters ! Thanks!
I just bought this model and this video was extremely helpful as someone who doesn't know how to make a "fancy" coffee at home. Thank you so much!
I'm very glad to hear it helped! There are definately more advanced techniques out there to perfect from here, but I wanted to give a very baseline starting point for new users to get them started :)
How would you measure espresso grounds? I don’t have a scale to figure out the grounds for both a single and double cup.
I usually just comfortably fill the basket and test it by eye and taste.
@@qwazyd0gg Thanks for the quick reply, holy man.
I’ve been told you gotta measure like specific grams and stuff but I’ll give this a go. Do you use the actual measuring spoon it comes with to eyeball with?
I use to fill the filter with a nice sized peak (as shown in the video) and tamp it down so there was just enough room in the basket after tamping for the water to have room to pressurize through. The nice thing is with a pressurized basket it takes a lot of the guess work out compared to say a nonpressurized where grind amount, how fine it is, and tamping pressure more so dictate your filter and flow. My machine has an unfortunate mishap with the water reservoir breaking, so I haven’t had my machine running for a while now :(
@@qwazyd0gg I bought my Roma on sale and today finally got to try it out, and it was decent compared to my first attempt. Thanks for the help!
Anytime! Enjoy :)
Super clear! Excited to try out different things. Thank ya for this ✨
Anytime :)
Thank you!!! I hope to try making and using mine after I get the stuff today ❤️❤️
Amazing!
I just received mine today. I read a little of that and this but I ended up here in yt, haha.thank you!
You’re welcome! Enjoy your machine :)
Appreciate the walkthrough. Thank you.
That’s funny I use the same little Pyrex bowls! I like my mugs and don’t want to change them so I found those little bowls work perfectly!!😎😎
What a small world 😂! I hope you love your machine as much as we do
Thank you for making this video!! Super helpful and very much appreciated!
Glad you enjoyed it!
You made two mistakes: The first is that frothing the milk should come first because the extra steam that runs into the basket will act as a pre-infuser for the coffee enriching the pull. The second mistake is that for 60 grams of coffee grounds you should have only pulled two fluid ounces of liquid, which would be about 6 to 7 seconds and NOT 20 SECONDS! If you run coffee longer than for its intended volume, you make it bitter. So first you should run water through the steam wand and get the condensation out, and when it's hot then you steam the milk. Then wipe the wand properly with a rag. Then pull the coffee but only for 7 to 8 seconds for 60 grams worth of coffee grinds.
Thank you for the kind tips. I got a little carried away with the narration and video itself, and the coffee pull was WAY longer than intended. Since making this video and spending more time with the machine and great comments such as yours, I’ve switched to a grinder and nonpressurized basket, which has granted me richer pulls (Although nonpressurized took a lot more time to figure out), and I’ve gotten better at placing the wand just under the milks surface at an angle to let the stream froth and agitate the milk to a thicker consistency.
Thank you for taking the time to give the viewing community constructive feedback so they too can learn from you :)
I am definitely not an expert on a machine I just recently got for my birthday so my apologies if the tone seems that way now that I read my comment over again. I am having trouble pulling a 20 to 35 seconds shot out of my Cafe Roma. I seem to reach the two fluid ounce level at approximately 10 seconds. I'm not saying the coffee tastes bad but no matter what I do I can't seem to get the standard 20 to 30 seconds for the same volume of coffee. Everyone says that it should take about 30 to 35 seconds to pull two fluid ounces. But I'm doing it in 10 no matter what I do. And I'm using Italian espresso coffee. I tried Starbucks but that was even a faster pull. I don't know what to do better. Go to a non pressurized basket?
Nonpressurized would certainly help. You’ll have to take a little more time to gauge your ground size, tamping pressure, and handle placement, but it will result in a lot more control once you hit your sweet spot
No worries on the comment tone either as I certainly understood, and again super appreciated your feedback 😃
My dad got me this exact machine cause of your video 😊
I hope you enjoy it! ☕️
It's 3 am, and I don't even drink coffee... 😂 😂 Good video though, bro!
Thanks bro 😂😂
How do you make a 1 oz. Vs 2 oz? Is it just amount of espresso grinds u use? And just an fyi starbucks sells their syrups bottles for a reasonable price for the large bottles
There are two different inserts for your machine handle, one is a single shot and one is a double shot. I checked with my local Starbucks after getting this comment a couple times, unfortunately they only sell the syrups in the US stores and I am in Canada :(
@@qwazyd0gg hey I'm in Canada too! Alberta and I bought mine from my local starbucks I dont know if all of them carry the syrups but im pretty sure most do. So yeah I figured out the pods are for 1oz or 2 I always use 2oz and now I'm just trying to perfect my grind and figure out if theres any difference between a coffee bean and espresso bean. Also our machine is 15 pumps I'm not sure what that means but im gonna watch your video again.