Breville Die Cast 800ESXL Espresso Machine

All espresso machines should be built this well and with this level of attention to detail. I know other "legendary" espresso machine companies really perform on the inside, but sometimes lack form and function on the outside. Not that the Breville 800ESXL IS lacking on the inside, but I know cast brass boilers are better for maintaining optimum temp, but only if you are pulling shot after shot at a coffee shop. I have seen entry level machines starting over $400 with a brass boiler BUT the machine body still has a lot of plastic and cheap stamped metal. The stainless steel boiler in the 800ESXL is MORE than efficient for home use and performs as well as other machines when only pulling a few shots at a time before being shut down. It also cools faster which is beneficial for a home unit sitting on a counter for the rest of the day, brass takes hours to cool. The frothing wand is commercial grade and with practice can produce a barista style microfom without the frothing attachment but with the included attachment it is virtually hands free. The 2 different water filling locations is a huge advantage as some machines can only be filled from the top. The cleverly hidden storage draw and easy cleaning of the drip tray (with full level indicator) is another testament to the High attention to detail on this machine. A powerful 15BAR pump and fast enough steam and a bonus hot water dispenser are just right for home use (which is what this machine is designed for), makes this machine a great deal for the home user. If you are reading this and are new to home espresso making, consider that an espresso machine is only as good as the quality of the bean grinder. Your machine budget should include at least $50-$100 for a good quality burr grinder, or you may as well be brewing with $400 paper weight.