Kitchen appliances by Breville are designed to inspire people to make perfect beverages and foods in their own homes. Here in this Breville Precision Brewer review, we’ll explain how it makes the drip brewing a pleasure with perfection, every time. The BDC450’s PID temp control, Thermocoil heating, variable water pump rate, precision, and customizability of the Precision Brewer remain unrivaled.
This coffee machine is perfect for unleashing your inner barista by crafting coffee specialties without sacrificing the automatic dripper experience. Enough talk, let’s dive in!
Breville Precision Brewer Review: Key Features
Breville’s Distinct PID Technology
Making a good cup of coffee depends on a few things such as extraction time and brew water temperature. Hence, the BDC450 features a PID temperature control like their espresso machines to accurately control the brewing temperature, allowing you to brew 3rd wave specialty coffee automatically at home. The brewer maintains water temperature between 176°F to 208°F, covering all the ideal brewing bases. For heating up the water, Breville uses a Thermocoil heating system for a rapid brew time. No Breville BDC450bss review will be complete without mentioning this impressive feature.
Automated Presets And Customization
Precision brewer comes with 6 unique and balanced coffee brewing presets. The modes are Gold, Fast, Strong, Ice Over, Cold Brew, and My Brew. The My Brew mode allows you to tune the bloom time, flow rate, and brewing temp according to your taste. You can also perform a pour-over with a drip adapter.
3 Different Pump Modes
Choose from 3 flow rates to optimize your hot coffee brewing time – Fast, Gold, and Strong.
Each option will adjust the water and coffee contact time. As a result, it alters the extraction rate and the taste. The Fast and Strong options are pretty obvious. The fast mode gives a fast flow rate. Strong brew allows the coffee and the water more contact time to increase extraction.
Gold mode sets up the Breville BDC450 Precision Brewer in line with the SCA Gold Cup Standards. This mode sets the coffee maker’s flow rate, water temp, and bloom time to produce a delicious taste, not too strong yet not too weak either a cup of coffee.
The My Brew Setting
Allows you to customize parameters to create a perfect floral, fruity, earthy, or so one to match your taste bud. The My Brew setting has got specialty coffee fans going! It can accurately control the water temperature. You can also set your own custom bloom time and bloom volume. And finally, you can control the water flow rate. There aren’t too many drip coffee machines around that offer such a level of programmability. We say, Bravo Breville!!
Dual Filter Baskets
You can brew any volume of coffee just the way you like it with its Flat Bottom and Cone Filter baskets which are both included. In fact, the Precision Brewer comes with 3 filter baskets. The 3rd one is a gold-toned mesh filter along with the aforementioned filters. The cone filter adapter sits on the larger flat bottom basket inside the brew basket. It’s perfect for brewing up to 1.2 liters of coffee. On the other hand, the bigger flat-bottomed filter is ideal for 1.8 liters of coffee. If you like more body to your brews like a French press use a mesh filter.
The Automatic ‘Steep And Release’ Technology
When small cup volumes are being brewed without the carafe, Breville’s patented Steep and Release valve holds the water in contact with the coffee automatically.
Pour Over Adapter Compatible
The Precision Brewer is also designed to suit your favorite pour-over drippers such as Kalita Wave and Hario V60.
Cold Coffee Brewer
The Cold Brew setting is suitable to be used at night. Set it up before going to bed and let it steep overnight. The Breville Precision will release the coffee right after your selected amount of time.
- Brew third-wave coffee at home with ease
- Get the perfect cup of coffee every time
- The thermal carafe keeps coffee warm for hours
- Precise digital temperature control ensures the perfect brew
- The patented Steep & Release valve delivers rich flavor and aroma
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Different filter basket options
- Breville’s PID temperature control
- 6 brewing modes and 3 different flow rates
- Beautiful ultra-modern design and slim shape
- Most programmable drip brewer on the market
- 60 oz. water tank can make as much as 12 cups of coffee
- Stainless steel body with thermal/glass carafe and LCD screen
- Satisfied the Specialty Coffee Association’s (SCA) Golden Cup requirements
Cons
- Expensive drip machine
- The water tank is non-removable
- Its showerhead has a narrow coverage area
How To Use
Mandatory Initial Setup
The BDC450bss requires some setups before going for the first brew. Hence, we’ve added these setups to clear up any headache right here in our Breville Precision review.
Before First Use
- Unpack all the parts and accessories
- Safely discard all of the packaging material and labels
- Keep the power cord unplugged from the power outlet
- Wipe the stainless steel exterior housing with a damp soft fabric
- Wash the lid, carafe, brew basket, cone filter insert, and mesh basket filter. Use a soft cloth and warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly
- Do not use any cloths, pads, and/or abrasive cleaners that can scratch the surface
Setting Up The Water Hardness Level
- After turning on the machine the first time, you will see the text ‘Hard’ on the LCD. It’s basically asking you to measure the water hardness level
- So, press the SELECT dial once. Fill up the water tank with your water
- Now, dip the given water hardness test strip into the water tank. Keep it in for 1 second and then remove it
- After 1 minute, the strip will indicate the water hardness level
- Rotate the SELECT dial and press to set according to the number of dots on the strip
Flushing Before The First Use
- Keep the coffee basket and the carafe (with lid) empty as well as inserted them into the machine
- Fill up the tank with cold fresh water up to the MAX mark
- Now plug into the power outlet and press the START|CANCEL button to start the machine
- Rotate the SELECT dial to the FAST mode. Again press the START|CANCEL button
- The machine will dispense all the water from the reservoir, through its system, and finally into the empty carafe
- After the flushing, empty out the carafe and the basket
Non-Mandatory Setup
- Set the time on the LCD
- You can adjust the machine’s sound volume and also can be turned off
- Adjust the timer to automatically program a STANDBY mode. To enter the standby mode manually, just press and hold the START|CANCEL button for 3 seconds
- To switch between °F and °C, press the SELECT and AUTO START buttons together. Now rotate the SELECT dial to switch between °F and °C. Press SELECT again to set
- Press and hold the AUTO START button for 5 seconds – it will enable the CHILD LOCK option. Repeat this to unlock
Breville’s Recommended Coffee-To-Water Ratio
- Breville has recommended 1 scoop of coffee grounds per 5 oz. (150 ml) cup of water (a scoop is given with the machine). Please note that 1 level of Breville scoop = 0.3 oz. of coffee
- Also, Breville’s “SCA-grade golden cup” amount is 7-8 cups of coffee which follows 7 or 8 scoops of ground with 35 oz. to 40 oz. of water
- Adjust this amount according to your taste. The maximum capacity for pre-ground coffee is 12 scoops. Exceeding this may cause an overflow of coffee inside the basket
How To Brew
Default Brewing
- Keep the brew basket clean along with the drip stop seal of the basket. Keep them free of coffee particles
- Select the correct basket and filter for your coffee. For 2 to 8 cups, use the Cone filter basket with a paper filter. Use a mesh filter basket or flat-bottom basket with a large paper filter for bigger batch brewing
- The LCD will require selecting the basket setting – “Basket” or “Cone”. To alter the type, just rotate and press the SELECT dial once reached the Settings option. Rotate the SELECT dial for basket types. Press the SELECT dial to select
- Fill the water tank with fresh cold water up to the MAX mark
- Use freshly roasted burr ground (medium to coarse) whole beans for brewing. Never use espresso ground
- Use exactly the amount of ground that you’re making. For a 60oz carafe, it’s around 3.5 oz. (99 g) of coffee. It’s equal to 12 levels of Breville measuring scoops. Refer to the Coffee-To-Water Ratio section
- Insert the correct filter paper and basket into the brew basket. Pour your coffee ground. Install the brew basket back into the machine
- Lock the carafe lid and place it under the drip stop outlet
- Rotate the SELECT dial to the desired mode (Fast, Gold, Strong, Over Ice, My Brew, and Cold Brew). Now press the START|CANCEL button. The machine will start brewing
- The machine will beep 3 times once done
Auto Brewing
- Allows you to automatically begin brewing at a preset time
- Select filter basket type and select your brewing mode
- Fill the water tank with cold fresh water
- Insert the brew basket and paper filter. Then pour coffee
- Insert the cup/travel mug/carafe with the locked lid into the machine
- Press the AUTO START button that will prompt you to set the start timer
- Rotate the SELECT dial to adjust and press it to set the time
- Pressing the START|CANCEL will cancel the program
Cleaning And Maintenance
Always turn off the coffee machine and remove the plug from the outlet before cleaning.
Cleaning The Exterior
- The exterior and the LCD screen can be cleaned with a damp soft cloth
- Avoid applying cleaner on the LCD surface
- Polish with a dry softer cloth
Cleaning The Carafe
- After each use, empty out the carafe
- Do not let the coffee remains to stand overnight to prevent staining
- Rinse the carafe and the lid under running warm water
- For deeper clean cycles, regularly wash the carafe in warm, soapy water. Use a soft-bristled brush
- Rinse and dry the carafe thoroughly
Descaling
Regular descaling is recommended. The LCD will show “DESCALE” (flashing), whenever is needed. It takes around 15 minutes to complete the cycle.
- Empty out the tank and the carafe
- Make a descale solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions
- Pour the solution into the empty tank
- Lock the basket and the carafe into their positions (keep the lid locked)
- Press and hold the SELECT button for 3 seconds to begin descaling
- LCD with display “dSL” for 1 second and then countdown the cycle
- When finished, the LCD screen will show the main menu
- To completely remove residual water from the system, repeat 1-6 steps with fresh cold water twice
- Discard the water and rinse thoroughly
If you want to use vinegar as your cleaning agent; you can also do that. Use 4 cups of vinegar and 8 cups of water (1:2 vinegar-to-water ratio) to make the descaling solution.
Who Should Buy It…
The Breville Precision Brewer is perfect for coffee aficionados who like to customize their drip coffee to preserve quality and taste. The 6 presets offer the customers a range of variety.
Its 12 (1.8 L) cup carafe is perfect for a big social gathering or a family of multiple drinkers. This machine also has a small footprint- an ideal choice for limited space. Yet its modern aesthetic won’t make any sacrifice on your kitchen’s overall vanity.
If you’re someone who loves to geek out, the brewing modification parameters are perfect for you. And not only that, you can use a travel mug and pour-over cups too for your coffee!
Who Shouldn’t Buy It…
The Breville Precision Brewer isn’t for you if you have a limited budget. There are other top SCA-certified home brewers available and are also on the cheaper side.
Also, if you and your family enjoy milky coffees then investing in this drip-coffee machine is not needed at all. And finally, if you enjoy drip coffee but with simplicity, then obviously this machine is not for you.
Differences Between The Thermal And Glass Carafe Versions
The Breville Precision Brewer has 2 models available on the market. One is with a thermal carafe (BDC450) and another one is with a glass carafe (BDC400).
Many Breville Precision Brewer thermal reviews out there don’t mention or differentiate the 2 versions. So, we’ve gone and added the chart above for you! The key difference between the 2 models is that the BDC400 comes with a glass carafe and a hot plate. It gets activated automatically when brewing more than 4 cups. You have to turn on the “keep warm” setting though.
With the glass carafe, when the coffee is brewed, it sits on the warming plate. It keeps the liquid inside the carafe hot. A lot of people prefer this way. It is believed that it keeps the coffee at a more consistent temperature.
Others believe that it can turn their brew “slightly burnt” tasted, or make it stale or old. Please note that there wasn’t any big fuss on this from the BDC400 users.
For a thermal carafe, the layers of steel and glass insulate the coffee. So the coffee stays hot in the carafe without a heating plate. Thermal carafe lovers say it keeps the coffee smoother, more consistent tasting, down to the last drop. It also allows them to keep the carafe on the table or out on a patio. We can confirm that the coffee stays hot for a couple of hours easily.
Other than these distinctions the 2 models have no other functional differences to mention about.
Conclusion
The Breville Precision Brewer is definitely your top-of-the-line drip coffee maker. It doesn’t cut corners Quantity or quality – It doesn’t cut corners. It brews quickly and with incredible consistency, but at the same time offers controls and castrations over your brewing. With the Precision Brewer, you can brew cold brews as well, automatically and without a mess. We can safely conclude in our Breville Precision Brewer Coffee Maker review that it’s just an impressive overkill of a drip machine.
Happy Brewing!
