User manual BREVILLE BES860XL

[. . . ] Getting to know your machine The quality of freshly ground beans used in espresso is one of the four most important factors in the preparation of a great espresso. This attribute is often referred to as one of the `four hands' in espresso preparation. While the degree and the selection of roast is a personal preference, correctly roasted and rested coffee beans produce espresso with much more taste, flavor and body than beans that are pre-ground. Pre-ground beans deteriorate rapidly and over time produces thin flat espresso that has a light and small amount of crema. [. . . ] When brewing into a larger mug, always use the double shot filter and only extract 2oz. If you require a larger serving, add the hot water first and then extract the espresso. Rinse with hot water from the group head by holding down the double shot button on the front, right hand side of the machine. When setting the grind size it should be fine but not too fine or powdery. The grind will effect the rate at which the water flows through the ground espresso in the filter and therefore the taste of the espresso. If the grind is too fine (looks like powder and feels like flour when rubbed between fingers), the water will not flow through the ground espresso even when under pressure. The resulting espresso will be over extracted, too dark and bitter, with a mottled and uneven crema on top. If the grind is too coarse the water will flow through the ground espresso too quickly. This will result in an under-extracted espresso lacking in flavor and without the thick crema on the top. When grinding for a Single Wall Filter using a finer espresso grind, you will need to increase the grind amount to ensure the filter is correctly filled. To increase the grind amount, turn the GRIND AMOUNT dial beyond the DUAL WALL setting to obtain the correct amount of ground espresso. Place the portafilter into the grinding cradle Press the FILTER SIZE button according to the filter size (single shot or double shot) you select. NOTE: You may need to try Step 4 and 5 a few times, slightly adjusting the GRIND SIZE and GRIND AMOUNT dials each time until you reach your desired combination. NOTE: To stop the Auto Grinding midway through a grinding cycle, push the portafilter in once, or press the FILTER SIZE button. For Manual Grinding - push and hold the portafilter in until the desired amount of ground espresso has been delivered. For Auto Start and Stop Grinding - push the portafilter in once to activate the grinding switch, then allow the portafilter to be filled with fresh ground espresso. Once the grind function has been completed, remove the portafilter from the grinding cradle. Use one hand to grip the tamper and the other hand to hold the portafilter handle c. Apply even pressure down on the tamper and press firmly in order to level and pack the espresso grounds d. Lift the tamper from the portafilter, and clean any excess grinds from the rim of the portafilter to ensure a correct fit into the group head. Push the portafilter upward firmly, applying even pressure to tamp the espresso d. Release the portafilter from the tamper, and clean any excess ground espresso from the rim of the portafilter to ensure a correct fit into the group head. [. . . ] CLEANING / UNBLOCKING THE FILTERS, PORTAFILTER AND GROUP HEAD Periodically run water through the machine with the portafilter in place, but without any ground espresso in the filter, to rinse out any residual coffee particles. Should the fine holes in the filters become blocked follow the following steps: 1 Place the filter into the portafilter. Run water through the machine with the filter and portafilter, without any ground espresso, in place. 2 The fine pin on the cleaning tool can be used to clear any grinds in the filter holes. [. . . ]