The Caffeinated Gear Team
When we first unpacked the Breville Precision Brewer, we wondered if this seemingly ordinary-looking coffee maker could justify its premium price tag.
After extensive testing in our coffee lab, we can confidently say that this machine isn’t just another drip coffee maker – it’s a revelation in home brewing.
For those seeking a quick verdict from our team of certified baristas and coffee experts:
Whether you’re brewing your morning cuppa or diving deep into specialty coffee, this machine delivers outstanding results.
Our testing showed it’s equally brilliant for casual coffee drinkers who want consistently great coffee without fuss, and serious enthusiasts seeking professional-grade batch brewing capabilities.
While it’s not entirely perfect – we’ve got a few minor improvements on our wish list – these small quirks don’t detract from what is otherwise a stellar 95% perfect machine.
But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s why this brewer stands out from the crowd:
Professional Endorsement
During our rounds of specialty coffee events (which we highly recommend visiting), we’ve noticed something interesting: many artisan roasters choose the Breville Precision Brewer for their demonstrations.
This speaks volumes. Coffee roasters invest significant time and money in these events to showcase their beans. They simply wouldn’t risk their reputation by using subpar equipment. Each roaster using the Precision Brewer instead of pricier commercial alternatives reinforces our confidence in this machine.
Expert Recognition
While we’ve extensively tested this brewer in our lab, it’s worth noting that James Hoffmann, one of the most respected voices in coffee, has given it a glowing review. His 12-minute praise of the machine, with barely a criticism worth mentioning, confirms our findings.
For those wanting our quick verdict: it’s brilliant – buy it with confidence.
For the detail-oriented coffee lovers, continue reading for our comprehensive analysis. And if you’re particularly concerned about potential drawbacks, here’s our main critique: the water tank isn’t removable.
While this isn’t a deal-breaker, it’s worth noting. The machine also makes a brief noise at the end of brewing, but as we’ll show with our decibel measurements below, it’s actually quite modest.
Before diving deeper, let’s clarify an important point: Breville offers two variants – thermal and glass. The thermal version features a stainless steel insulated carafe without a hot plate, while the glass version includes a glass carafe with a hot plate.
Our strong recommendation is the thermal version. From our extensive testing, we’ve found that hot plates often compromise coffee quality. The thermal carafe maintains temperature beautifully without affecting taste – a significant advantage over traditional hot plate systems.
If you’re considering the glass version, rest assured that our insights apply to both models, as they’re identical apart from the carafe material and heating method.
We’ve put the Precision Brewer (Thermal version) through its paces for over two years now. Our team has used it extensively for both casual brewing and detailed testing sessions.
For those new to the term “batch brewing”, it simply means brewing multiple cups simultaneously with a drip machine, as opposed to single-cup pour-over methods.
We’ve recommended this brewer to countless coffee enthusiasts, from casual drinkers to serious connoisseurs. The feedback has been consistently positive across all user types.
In our discussions with coffee professionals, we’ve found universal praise for this machine among those who’ve used it.
The Precision Brewer offers remarkable customisation through “my brew” and “pour over” modes:
Temperature Control: Precise adjustment from 176°F to 208°F in 1°F increments. Bloom Time: Customisable from 0 to 5 minutes (with detailed incremental control). Flow Rate: Six distinct speed settings.
This level of control has earned the machine its sterling reputation among specialty coffee enthusiasts. When you’re working with premium beans, this kind of precision makes all the difference.
It’s similar to espresso brewing – you wouldn’t use a basic machine for exceptional beans. The right brewing parameters are crucial for bringing out the best in high-quality coffee.
The PID-controlled temperature system is just the beginning. The ability to fine-tune bloom time, volume, and flow rate brings pour-over level precision to automated brewing. This explains why many roasters choose this machine over more expensive commercial alternatives – it offers unparalleled control at its price point.
But here’s the brilliant part – you don’t need to be a coffee expert to appreciate this machine. Let us explain why:
The simplicity of one-touch brewing combined with precision control makes this machine truly special. Let’s explore each pre-set and what it brings to your morning coffee ritual.
Gold Brew
For those seeking consistently excellent coffee without the fuss, the Gold brew setting is brilliant. Simply add 1-1.2 litres (34-40 oz) of water, ensure you’re using a cone-shaped paper filter with the cone brewer selected, and press the gold button.
This setting automatically configures brewing temperature, bloom volume, bloom time and flow rate to match SCA (Speciality Coffee Association) standards. It’s your shortcut to near-perfect coffee with minimal effort.
Fast Brew
While the Gold brew setting already delivers coffee quickly compared to many other machines, the Fast brew option pushes speed to the maximum. It’s worth noting that this setting simply increases the water flow rate into the filter basket.
Keep in mind that your grind size affects drip-through time significantly. If your coffee isn’t brewing faster despite using this setting, try a slightly coarser grind. However, we’ve found this can lead to under-extraction, particularly with lighter roasts. For dark roasts, the results are more forgiving. Still, we believe the minimal time saved versus Gold brew rarely justifies the compromise in taste.
Strong Brew
Adjusting coffee strength is typically best achieved by modifying your coffee-to-water ratio. We recommend starting with 55-60 grams (1.9-2.1 oz) per litre (33.8 fl oz) of water, increasing to 65-70g for a more robust cup. However, if you want stronger extraction without changing your ratios, the Strong brew button provides an alternative approach.
Our testing shows this can sometimes lead to over-extraction and bitterness. For better results, we suggest sticking with the My Brew settings and simply increasing your coffee ratio instead.
Over Ice
This specialised setting crafts a concentrated brew perfect for iced coffee, handling up to 20 oz per batch. Remember, you can fine-tune the strength by adjusting your coffee grounds quantity for your ideal iced coffee experience.
Cold Brew
The Precision Brewer offers customisable cold brew with steeping times up to 24 hours. While the 20 oz maximum volume might seem limiting, it’s ideal for personal consumption. For larger batches, we recommend dedicated cold brewers like the Takeya 3 Quart cold brewer or the more compact Takeya 1 Quart cold brewer.
Pour Over
The optional adapter kit (£35) transforms your Precision Brewer into a pour-over specialist compatible with Hario V60 or Kalita Wave filters. This kit includes a dripper base and an easily swappable showerhead secured by a simple plastic collar.
Interestingly, the European Sage version offers more control over bloom volume through dedicated settings, while the Breville version requires a semi-automated approach. Many users work around this by setting bloom time to zero, manually stopping at their desired bloom volume, allowing it to rest, then restarting. Some even remove the dripper for manual agitation.
While programmable start times are standard on most coffee machines, the Precision Brewer’s implementation stands out. The dedicated button makes programming remarkably straightforward, avoiding complicated menu navigation.
Our experience shows this feature is exceptionally reliable, provided your power supply remains stable. This reliability, combined with its ease of use, makes it particularly valuable in small business settings.
Drawing from our commercial experience, we’ve found this brewer ideal for office environments. Its 60 oz capacity delivers 6 x 10 oz cups (or 10 x 6 oz cups) within minutes, even without using Fast brew. For smaller teams or staggered break times, one unit usually suffices. Larger offices might benefit from multiple units, offering a cost-effective alternative to commercial machines.
The Precision Brewer excels at single servings too. For perfect portions, simply fill your cup with water first, then transfer it to the tank. For volumes under 20 oz, the machine automatically adjusts its brewing parameters.
We recommend using cone-shaped filters for single cups – remember to update your filter settings if you normally use the basket filter. You can use any preset (Fast, Gold, Strong) or customise via My Brew settings.
Despite occasional online criticism, our extensive testing reveals the thermal carafe performs admirably. The key to optimal performance lies in pre-heating when brewing smaller volumes. Without pre-heating, the cold steel can act as a heat sink, particularly noticeable with half-pots or less.
Pre-heating requires only tap-hot water – no need for boiling. While this isn’t possible with auto-start brewing, full pots maintain excellent temperature regardless. The carafe’s wide-mouth design makes cleaning effortless, and its robust stainless steel construction promises durability.
While we’re thoroughly impressed with the Precision Brewer, complete transparency demands we address a few shortcomings. None are deal-breakers, but they’re worth considering in your decision-making process.
Water Tank Not Removeable
This ranks as our primary criticism. The fixed water tank seems at odds with Breville’s usually impeccable user-centric design philosophy. It creates minor inconveniences – residual water can’t be completely emptied, and filling requires extra steps compared to removable tanks.
No Clock Battery
Power interruptions reset the clock to 12:00 and clear auto-start settings. While many users keep their machine constantly plugged in, even brief power cuts can disrupt your morning coffee routine. We believe a rechargeable internal battery would have been a worthwhile addition.
Slightly Loud?
Our decibel testing reveals normal operation produces 45-50 dB, comparable to a refrigerator or quiet conversation. The end of blooming and brewing cycles peaks at 67-69 dB – similar to a dishwasher or shower.
Some users report higher noise levels, possibly due to surface vibration. A silicone or rubber mat can help dampen any excess noise.
No Bloom Volume on Breville Version
While the European Sage version includes bloom volume control, its absence in the Breville model limits pour-over customisation. Though workable through manual intervention, we’d prefer built-in control for both versions.
After extensive testing, we believe the Precision Brewer offers exceptional value despite its minor flaws. While not absolutely perfect, it comes remarkably close, with its strengths far outweighing any shortcomings.
We pride ourselves on thorough, hands-on testing and real-world experience in our reviews. If you have any questions we haven’t addressed, please share them in the comments. Your feedback helps us ensure our reviews remain comprehensive and genuinely useful for other coffee enthusiasts.
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