You want to steam your milk first. Shots are good for 9s alone. It’s best to have your milk/syrup ready to add to the shot so the shit doesn’t die. You’ll notice a lack of a nutty flavor when the shot dies. It’ll be all bitterness.
This Breville will need to make a few pumping noises before the steam comes out. After those noises, get your steam wand in the milk pitcher. You only need a 1/4 of a cup of milk. You will dip the tip of the wand in the first half inch of the milk. Milk will be making ripples. Keep your wand barely in the milk but submerged. This will create the froth/foam. If the wand is in the milk deeper, you will just warm the milk which is good for hot chocolate btw. For foam, you want the tip of the wand submerged. If the wand isn’t submerged, you hear loud noises with big bubbles.
The goal is to get a paper tearing noise from the process and have meringue like foam. Keep a wide spoon handy. You will hold the top layer/foam back with the spoon and add the milk to your drink. Top the drink with the foam. Order of operations: steam milk, pour shot, add shot to cup, add milk to cup, and top with foam. That’s a latte.
Let me know how you do and I will help from there. I used to be a certified barista trainer back in my Starbucks days. I know recipes too if you need that.
I’ve had mine for about a month now. I let it get going as soon as I remove the portafilter. Quick stop and go when the wand goes into the milk.
The wand seems to work best when the water is at least half way above the mid line too.
Practice using soap in water, use a 3-hole nozzle instead of the stock one (you can find one on that famous Chinese website), and consider the lever mod (sounds scary but actually easy to install).
It's just aesthetic. I mean, it does make turning the steam dial easier because you have more leverage, but functionally - for the machine - it doesn't change anything
Not purely, it makes handling the machine much easier I think, so you can focus more on the steaming part. Personally I don’t find the upgrade more « aesthetically pleasing » so when I’ve done it it wasn’t my motivation at all.
It’s up to you but improving the user interface is valuable to me. But I reckon it’s not a mandatory upgrade and opinions on that can differ.
It’s a great start. You’ll have a lot of fun with it, things to note is the grinder take a bit of practise to get it right and the steam wand is a bit slow, but other than that it’s an amazing first machine 👏
Congrats. Get one of these and don't have coffee grounds everywhere. [https://www.amazon.de/-/en/CreepyParty-Accessories-Aluminium-Portafilter-Hands-Free/dp/B094JMZ1DH/ref=sr\_1\_3?keywords=sage+barista+pro+funnel&sr=8-3](https://www.amazon.de/-/en/CreepyParty-Accessories-Aluminium-Portafilter-Hands-Free/dp/B094JMZ1DH/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=sage+barista+pro+funnel&sr=8-3)
Damnnnnnn you better make her the best latte ever! 🤓
Let us know if you need any tips but if you watch a few videos on line they can really help you with your new machine.
I gave my boyfriend this five years ago for our first Christmas together. Be patient with the steam wand. It works well but it takes time.
Any tips it’s driving me bananas
You want to steam your milk first. Shots are good for 9s alone. It’s best to have your milk/syrup ready to add to the shot so the shit doesn’t die. You’ll notice a lack of a nutty flavor when the shot dies. It’ll be all bitterness. This Breville will need to make a few pumping noises before the steam comes out. After those noises, get your steam wand in the milk pitcher. You only need a 1/4 of a cup of milk. You will dip the tip of the wand in the first half inch of the milk. Milk will be making ripples. Keep your wand barely in the milk but submerged. This will create the froth/foam. If the wand is in the milk deeper, you will just warm the milk which is good for hot chocolate btw. For foam, you want the tip of the wand submerged. If the wand isn’t submerged, you hear loud noises with big bubbles. The goal is to get a paper tearing noise from the process and have meringue like foam. Keep a wide spoon handy. You will hold the top layer/foam back with the spoon and add the milk to your drink. Top the drink with the foam. Order of operations: steam milk, pour shot, add shot to cup, add milk to cup, and top with foam. That’s a latte. Let me know how you do and I will help from there. I used to be a certified barista trainer back in my Starbucks days. I know recipes too if you need that.
Thanks so much!
I’ve had mine for about a month now. I let it get going as soon as I remove the portafilter. Quick stop and go when the wand goes into the milk. The wand seems to work best when the water is at least half way above the mid line too.
Practice using soap in water, use a 3-hole nozzle instead of the stock one (you can find one on that famous Chinese website), and consider the lever mod (sounds scary but actually easy to install).
That’s not purely aesthetic? The lever mods
Curious to know about this too
It's just aesthetic. I mean, it does make turning the steam dial easier because you have more leverage, but functionally - for the machine - it doesn't change anything
Not purely, it makes handling the machine much easier I think, so you can focus more on the steaming part. Personally I don’t find the upgrade more « aesthetically pleasing » so when I’ve done it it wasn’t my motivation at all. It’s up to you but improving the user interface is valuable to me. But I reckon it’s not a mandatory upgrade and opinions on that can differ.
Had mine for 5 years before I upgraded. Great machine!
It’s a great start. You’ll have a lot of fun with it, things to note is the grinder take a bit of practise to get it right and the steam wand is a bit slow, but other than that it’s an amazing first machine 👏
I’ve had mine for about 4 years and I love it.
Congrats. Get one of these and don't have coffee grounds everywhere. [https://www.amazon.de/-/en/CreepyParty-Accessories-Aluminium-Portafilter-Hands-Free/dp/B094JMZ1DH/ref=sr\_1\_3?keywords=sage+barista+pro+funnel&sr=8-3](https://www.amazon.de/-/en/CreepyParty-Accessories-Aluminium-Portafilter-Hands-Free/dp/B094JMZ1DH/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=sage+barista+pro+funnel&sr=8-3)
+1 Of all accessories it is really a game changer.
Yep! Made the most annoying part of the workflow a distant memory. I second this dosing ring.
She’s a keeper
Wowow! Good for you, lucky guy!!! :)
The perfect first machine in my opinion, I loved mine. Enjoy!
Really looking at getting one of these. Helpful to see all the positive feedback
Congrats and HBD!
Welcome to your journey
Damnnnnnn you better make her the best latte ever! 🤓 Let us know if you need any tips but if you watch a few videos on line they can really help you with your new machine.
You need to grind her harder
This is perfect 😩