Reddit reviews Breville BCG820BSSXL The Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel

What a steal! I got mine for $250 and considered it a good deal.

1. Nice start with the descaling.
   
   
2. Now I'm going to tell you to spend money. I just outfitted a Silvia myself so everything linked should be available and compatible.
   
   

• You need a good grinder. I bought the Breville smart grinder pro because I couldn't afford anything nicer. It works well, but there is a large gap between grind settings (~6-7ml difference when brewing for 30s) and the grinds do come out a little clumped.
  
  
• Clean your machine. I bought a blind basked and Cafiza cleaning tablets which work well.
  
  
• a bottomless protafilter has helped me get my technique down.
  
  
• Get good fresh coffee to practice. You can't dial in with an old bag of supermarket coffee. Go to a coffee shop you like and get a shot and buy some beans. Then go home and dial in until your shot tastes like the one at the shop.
  
  
• Steaming milk with Mrs. Silvia takes some practice. Buy and extra gallon and practice. You will get the hang of it after a few tries.
  
  

3. what /u/tricross mentioned
   
   links to the things mentioned
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G40VNO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAAJRH1/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZZ24BH2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OXGXW8O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY2EB10/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you need to use your own coffee, first you need to have a premium burr grinder, so that you will have the ability to produce nice creamy shots. To refill your Nespresso capsules, the grind size of the coffee is a super important factor to produce satisfactory results. The biggest change for third party refillable capsules is to maintain the pressure during the brewing. I will recommend you looking into those two products. Both of them will produce an exceptionally good shot if you control the coffee weight and the coffee grind size. Also, i provide you with a link for a good entry level grinder and capsule filling station. Hope that helps.

My-Cap oPack - 4 Capsules and 200 Non-Adhesive Foils for Nespresso OriginalLine Brewers (NOT for VertuoLine Brewers), Reusable, Refillable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B8M941Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Wmn4Cb48E6BAF

Capsul'in MYCNCCB100 100 Piece Fillable Espresso Tea and Coffee Compatible Pod, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D36PQ9I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Hon4Cb0MC0Y29

My-Cap Capsule Filler for Nespresso® OriginalLine Capsules (NOT for VertuoLine Capsules) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074JJF313/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rpn4CbFDCR492

Breville BCG820BSSXL The Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OXGXW8O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4pn4Cb1Z0PZ8T

You need to have room in your budget for a grinder. That being said, that would put the Astra out of your preferred budget. But it does seem like an excellent machine for the price point (no experience here).

If you're wanting to do primarily milk drinks, and concerned about ease, the Brevillle Double Boiler is <$1,000 now. But that leaves no room for a decent grinder - the Breville Smart Grinder Pro is about all that would fit into your budget. A nice upgrade on grinder to a Baratza Sette 270 will set you back another $200.

If you need to save money, consider the Breville Infuser rather than the DB.

Lots of folk will encourage you to look at more commercial duty machines that have simpler maintenance, and in the long run they're correct. But if you only have what you have, that's a pretty good bang for your buck. The machine will probably not be as long-lasting as one of the E61 HX machines, but there's not many out there in your budget. There are a few, like the Lelit Mara but that one doesn't have a very long history like some of the more commonly-recommended machines (that are also more pricey).

Pair a Breville Infuser with a Breville Smart Grinder Pro. I've been using the Infuser for 3+ years myself and it's satisfied my needs entirely (for making both espresso and milk-based beverages). While I have no experience with the Smart Grinder Pro, I've heard good things about it, and its at a solid price point.

If you're looking at a Baratza grinder I'd recommend at minimum a Preciso because the burr set is far superior to that of the Encore (more consistent grinding), and its micro-adjustment ring allows for fine-tuning of the grind for better espresso. That being said, the Preciso is being replaced by the new Sette models in late summer, so you might be able to find a discounted Preciso soon-ish.

Everyone who uses Amazon also needs to use camelcamelcamel. It shows prices for products going back several years, so you know if you're actually getting a deal or not.

Example: https://ca.camelcamelcamel.com/Breville-BREBCG820BSSXL-Smart-Grinder-Pro/product/B00OXGXW8O?locale=CA

I have the Smart Grinder Pro as a separate unit, I love it, grinds so perfectly

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OXGXW8O/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Bro if you can spend 1500CAN rancilio isnt worth it.. its great build but alot of wait between each action..

here is a few options i gathered for you.. browsed alot to get best rates and sale prices for you.. all prices in CAD

Espresso

• Breville Barista Express $600 (comes with buildin Grinder)
  
  
• Breville Dual Boiler espresso 1300$
  
  
• La Pavoni Europiccola $1060
  
  i have selected afew grinders for you, u can adjust your budget accordingly and what suits you..
  
  Grinders:
  
  
• Breville SmartPro $240
  
  
• Gaggia MDF $400
  
  
• ROK GRINDER $400
  
  
• Barazta Preciso $400
  
  
• Barazta Sette $530
  
  P.S if you can spend upto 2500CAD than u can get really awesome setup.. Rocket Appartamento $1900 with Baratza Sette 270 $530

I've had this one for a few years and love it.

https://www.amazon.com/Breville-BCG820BSSXL-Grinder-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B00OXGXW8O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505330923&sr=8-1&keywords=breville+grinder

I really can't think of a single machine for both. I'm not sure of your budget, but a more affordable semi-automatic setup would be the new KitchenAid pour-over machine, Breville Barista Express, and Smart Grinder Pro. You can get all three for around $800 (with 20% BBB coupons for example) and have great espresso and coffee using your own freshly-ground beans.

I know you said $180, but I'd suggest streching to $220 and getting the Smartgrinder Pro. It's not a world beater but should be solid with the Classic. Just be careful with ultra-light roasts, it jams up on occasion.

http://www.amazon.com/Breville-BCG820BSSXL-Grinder-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B00OXGXW8O/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1458603381&sr=1-2-spell&keywords=smartgrinder

IMHO, if you are willing to get a gaggia classic and want to learn the "nuances of espresso" you must be willing to pay more than $180 for a grinder (unless you get a thrift store, garage sale, craigslist steal).

I got the Breville Infuser and Smart Grinder Pro from Amazon a couple of weeks ago. I love them. By no means am I an expert, but I enjoy the shots I pull just as much as from coffee shops using La Marzoccos. Yes the beans, barista, and placebo all play into that, but it still pulls a great shot and is pretty affordable. You could even go cheaper and get the Duo Temp Pro which could functionally be the same as the Infuser and is $100 cheaper so you could spend it on cups, knockbox, distributor but the infuser would still put you under budget. I went with the infuser because you can adjust the temperature and you can pull manually or preset volume, which allows you to eliminate that variable for a consistent shot and you can see how your tamp/grind are as the program pulls 60mL (2oz) no matter what and so you can gauge what you need to do to dial that volume in for the proper extraction time. Downside is that if you want a naked portafilter then you gotta DIY or buy one from Aus for like $150, but I don’t think it’s a huge deal and if you do then maybe that’s where your extra budget could go. The pressure gauge is also nice although it won’t really tell you what you don’t already know from extraction time.

I can’t say this is the best machine for the price (although Seattle Coffee Gear did so take that as you will) but I can highly recommend it. I would get it over the Barista Express as the extra $50 for a dedicated grinder is totally worth it as it is more versatile and I’ve heard it’s a better grinder than the built in one. I also recommend it over the Gaggia. Although it does not have the modabilitiy of the Classic, it has most of the features that people mod the Gaggia for already, plus it uses a traditional steam arm instead of a panarello like the Gaggia, and has stainless steel lined thermocoil instead of aluminum thermoblock.

Overall would definitely recommend going separate grinder and machine no matter what.

Kitchen is amazing. Though I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you asked about the coffee. That grinder is probably going to under-perform for what is required of a bottomless portafilter. It likely doesn't go fine enough and even if it does, it doesn't have enough fine options to tune your grind to exactly where you need it. Espresso is largely trial and error until you can get it right and if your grinder has 1-2 options for fine grinding, that's not great. You have one of the best grinders you can get for that tier, but I'm not sure it will cut it for espresso. You're going to need to go over $200 in most cases for a true espresso grinder. This guy is probably the best bang for your buck and will last forever. Any more expensive and you won't notice the differences with the machine that you have. Rancillo makes some killers one but they push $400. I would encourage you to try out your grinder with your new portafilter, but instincts tell me you aren't going to be able to replicate what you can get at a coffee shop. It will either be too inconsistent of a grind or won't go fine enough. I could be wrong though. /r/coffee is full of (usually) nice people if you are interested.

The Breville smart grinder pro is the deal of the day on amazon canada for 180$ CAD, which is equivalent to 141$ USD. Is this as good a deal as it seems?

Also, do we know anything about the durability of the smart grinder pro? Thanks!

Do you know which is the main difference between the Breville Smart Grinder and the Breville Smart Pro

The Bay or Best Buy has Breville. May have to buy online. We got ours at HomeOutfitters, which is The Bay. I wouldn't bother with other brands.

Try to find this model, but at a better price.

https://www.amazon.ca/Breville-BREBCG820BSSXL-Smart-Grinder-Pro/dp/B00OXGXW8O?source=googleshopping&locale=en-CA&tag=googcana-20&ref=pd_sl_8rzkd708me_e

I saw another user bought this, which seems nice and not out of my price range. Do you have a rec?

I bought the Infuser espresso machine and the breville grinder http://www.amazon.com/Breville-BCG820BSSXL-Grinder-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B00OXGXW8O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457080106&sr=8-1&keywords=breville+grinder

Total of about 600 or so after a coupon I used at Seattle Coffee Gear (local here)


Have had it for about a month now, and no complaints. I had a delonghi EC155 for a year and the grinder + infuser feels like an actual espresso setup. I figure I'll end up spending a good 1-1.5k after I outgrow this setup in a few years but it's a nice stepping stone.

Check the smart grinder pro. Breville doesn't get a lot of love on this sub, primarily due to reliability concerns. I can't speak to that specifically, I've only had mine for 6 months. But it's one of the few grinders (so I've read) that works reasonably well across a wide range of grind sizes.

It's definitely more consistent at the finer settings, but I use mine for espresso, v60, and auto drip. I used to use it for FP, but I don't use my FP much anymore. Since I got my feld2 I mostly use it for espresso and large autodrip quantities.

A lot of people will suggest a separate grinder for coffee vs espresso to keep each dialed in without going back and forth. I haven't found that to be necessary with this grinder, it's stepped so you can return to each setting. For espresso, the step size is adequate, but certainly could benefit from a finer resolution. One tip if you go down this route is you set the upper bur to 10 (default is 6). This will give you more range on the coarse end and still allow espresso grinds.

Here is a thread a posted a while back that shows some grind comparisons between SGP and feld2.

Overall I'm happy with the SGP as my first real grinder. If and when it fails (or i succumb to upgradeitis), I may look at baratza (vario) or others.

Right at the $200 mark I really love my Breville Smart Grinder Pro.

Breville BCG820BSSXL The Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OXGXW8O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3cWpDb66AW76E

Metal basket in my drip machine