Using Your Breville Espresso Machine for Regular Coffee

Quick answer

• Yes, your Breville espresso machine can make regular coffee, but it’s not its primary design.
• You’ll likely be making Americanos, which are espresso diluted with hot water.
• For a more traditional drip-style coffee, consider a separate drip brewer.
• Experiment with espresso-based drinks to find what you enjoy most.
• Keep an eye on your coffee-to-water ratio for best results.
• Cleaning is key, no matter what you brew.

Who this is for

• Breville espresso machine owners who want more than just straight espresso.
• Coffee drinkers who enjoy a milder, larger cup than a traditional espresso shot.
• Home baristas looking to expand their drink repertoire without buying new gear.

If you’re looking to expand your home barista skills, a Breville espresso machine is an excellent choice for crafting a variety of coffee drinks.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

Your machine is an espresso maker, plain and simple. It uses high pressure to force hot water through finely ground coffee. This is different from drip coffee, which relies on gravity. Filters are usually metal baskets for espresso, not paper ones for drip.

Water quality and temperature

Good water makes good coffee. Use filtered water if your tap water is hard or tastes off. Most espresso machines heat water to optimal brewing temps automatically. You’re usually in the 195-205°F range, which is spot on.

Grind size and coffee freshness

This is crucial for espresso. You need a fine, consistent grind. Too coarse, and your shot will be weak and sour. Too fine, and it’ll choke the machine or be bitter. Freshly roasted beans, ground right before brewing, are always best. For espresso, think powder-like, but not too powdery.

Coffee-to-water ratio

For espresso, it’s usually around 1:2 (coffee grounds to liquid espresso). To make an Americano, you add hot water. A common starting point is 1 part espresso to 2-3 parts hot water. You can adjust this to your taste.

Cleanliness/descale status

A clean machine is a happy machine. Old coffee oils can make your brew taste stale or bitter. Descale regularly, especially if you have hard water. Check your Breville manual for specific cleaning and descaling instructions. It’s usually pretty straightforward.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

Here’s how to make a great Americano, the closest thing to regular coffee from your Breville:

1. Gather your gear: You’ll need your Breville espresso machine, fresh coffee beans, a grinder, a scale, a portafilter, your favorite mug, and a way to heat water (your machine can do this).

• What “good” looks like: Everything is clean and ready to go.
• Common mistake: Using old, stale beans. Avoid this by buying smaller bags and checking roast dates.

For precise dosing and consistent results, a good coffee scale is an invaluable tool in your brewing arsenal.

2. Heat your mug: Run some hot water from the machine into your mug. This keeps your drink hot longer.

• What “good” looks like: A warm mug.
• Common mistake: Skipping this step and ending up with lukewarm coffee.

3. Grind your beans: Grind enough beans for a double shot (around 18-20 grams is a good starting point). Aim for a fine, consistent grind.

• What “good” looks like: A fluffy mound of evenly sized grounds.
• Common mistake: Grinding too coarse or too fine. If unsure, check your grinder’s settings for espresso.

4. Dose and tamp: Put the grounds into your portafilter. Distribute them evenly, then tamp firmly and level.

• What “good” looks like: A smooth, even puck of coffee with no gaps.
• Common mistake: Uneven tamping, leading to channeling (water finding pathways). Tamp straight down.

5. Lock in the portafilter: Secure the portafilter into the group head.

• What “good” looks like: It locks in easily without excessive force.
• Common mistake: Not locking it in tightly enough, which can cause leaks.

6. Start the shot: Place your mug under the portafilter and start the espresso extraction. Aim for about 25-30 seconds for a double shot, yielding around 36-40 grams of liquid espresso.

• What “good” looks like: A steady, syrupy stream that turns to a honey-like flow.
• Common mistake: Shot pulling too fast (under-extracted, sour) or too slow (over-extracted, bitter). Adjust grind size.

7. Stop the shot: Stop the extraction once you reach your target yield or time.

• What “good” looks like: A controlled stop, not a rushed one.
• Common mistake: Letting it run too long, creating a watery, bitter mess.

8. Heat water for dilution: Use the hot water dispenser on your Breville to fill another part of your mug with hot water. Start with about 4-6 oz.

• What “good” looks like: Hot water added to your espresso.
• Common mistake: Adding too much or too little water, making it too strong or too weak.

9. Stir and taste: Stir your Americano gently and take a sip.

• What “good” looks like: A balanced flavor that suits your preference.
• Common mistake: Not tasting and adjusting. Your first try might not be perfect.

10. Adjust and repeat: If it’s too strong, add more hot water. If it’s too weak, try a slightly finer grind or more coffee next time.

• What “good” looks like: A satisfying cup of coffee.
• Common mistake: Giving up after one try. Dialing in takes a few attempts.

11. Clean up: Discard the used coffee puck, rinse your portafilter, and wipe down the group head.

• What “good” looks like: A clean workspace.
• Common mistake: Leaving grounds in the portafilter or group head. This impacts future brews.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Using stale or pre-ground coffee	Flat, lifeless flavor, lack of crema	Buy fresh, whole beans and grind just before brewing.
Incorrect grind size	Sour/weak (too coarse) or bitter/burnt (too fine)	Dial in your grinder for espresso consistency.
Inconsistent tamping	Channeling, uneven extraction, weak coffee	Tamp firmly and level with consistent pressure.
Not preheating the mug	Coffee cools too quickly	Run hot water into your mug before brewing.
Using tap water with high mineral content	Scale buildup, off-flavors, machine damage	Use filtered or bottled water.
Skipping regular cleaning	Bitter, stale, oily coffee; machine issues	Follow your Breville’s cleaning and descaling schedule.
Over-extracting the espresso shot	Bitter, burnt, acrid taste	Stop the shot at the right time (around 25-30 seconds for a double).
Under-extracting the espresso shot	Sour, weak, thin taste	Ensure your grind is fine enough and tamp is firm.
Too much or too little hot water in Americano	Too weak or too strong	Start with a 1:2 espresso to water ratio and adjust to taste.
Not flushing the group head	Old coffee oils affect new brew	Run hot water through the group head before and after brewing.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your espresso shot pulls in under 20 seconds and tastes sour, then your grind is too coarse.
• If your espresso shot takes over 35 seconds to pull and tastes bitter, then your grind is too fine.
• If your Americano tastes weak, then add less hot water or use more coffee grounds next time.
• If your Americano tastes too strong, then add more hot water or use fewer coffee grounds next time.
• If your coffee has a burnt taste, then check your extraction time and water temperature.
• If your coffee tastes flat, then ensure you’re using fresh beans and grinding them right before brewing.
• If you see spurts or uneven flow during extraction, then your tamping is likely inconsistent.
• If your machine is making strange noises or the brew is slow, then it’s probably time to descale.
• If your espresso crema is thin or non-existent, then your beans might be too old or your grind is off.
• If you want a larger cup without the intensity of espresso, then an Americano is your best bet from this machine.
• If you crave a drip-style coffee flavor, then consider a separate drip coffee maker for that specific profile.

FAQ

Can I just put ground coffee in the portafilter and press a button for regular coffee?

No, your Breville espresso machine is designed for pressurized extraction. You need to grind coffee finely and tamp it properly for espresso. For a larger cup, you’ll make an Americano.

What’s the difference between an Americano and drip coffee?

An Americano starts with espresso, which is concentrated and brewed under pressure. Drip coffee is brewed by gravity, usually with a coarser grind and a different flavor profile. An Americano will generally be more intense than drip.

How much coffee should I use for an Americano?

Start with a standard double espresso dose, usually around 18-20 grams of coffee grounds. Then add 4-6 ounces of hot water. Adjust based on your preference.

Is an Americano healthy?

It’s essentially espresso and hot water, so it’s low in calories and fat, especially if you don’t add sugar or milk. It still contains caffeine, of course.

Why does my Americano taste bitter?

This usually means the espresso shot was over-extracted. Try stopping the shot a little sooner, or slightly adjust your grind size to be a touch coarser.

Why does my Americano taste sour?

This often means the espresso shot was under-extracted. Try grinding your beans a bit finer, tamping more firmly, or letting the shot run a few seconds longer.

Can I use my Breville to make a “long black”?

Yes, a long black is similar to an Americano but the hot water is added after the espresso. Some people prefer this as it preserves the crema better. It’s just a matter of pouring order.

Does using my espresso machine for Americanos wear it out faster?

Not significantly, as long as you’re cleaning it properly after each use. The process is still within the machine’s operational parameters.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Detailed troubleshooting for specific Breville models (check your manual).
• Advanced latte art techniques.
• The science of coffee extraction and flavor chemistry.
• Comparisons of different espresso machine brands.
• Specific recommendations for coffee beans or grinders.