Breville Duo Temp Pro Review (2023) – How Good Is It?

A quality espresso machine that fits your budget and can brew both quality shots of espresso as well as steamed milk with ease – that’s Breville Duo Temp Pro. It provides excellent features and great performance while remaining affordable.

In this Breville Duo Temp Pro review, I’ll examine how good is the Pro really and what makes it different from other available choices. I will discuss why this unit stands above the rest, details on its brewing performance, steaming power, and more.

Keep reading to find out more about this little machine from the Australian brand.

Breville Dup Temp Pro Overview

You wouldn’t expect too much from an espresso machine under $500, right? Well, Breville Duo Temp Pro exceeds those expectations. Pair it with a high-quality conical burr grinder and you’ve got yourself a superb home espresso setup.

If you are in the market for an affordable mid-range semi-auto machine that has all the power and tools to make consistently great espresso, Duo Temp Pro is it.

This little machine boasts a powerful 1600W thermo coil heating system. This means quick and consistent heating of the water. It also has a pre-infusion function for better extraction, which I’ll be discussing later in this review.

One of my favourite features of Duo Temp Pro is the PID temperature control. Its main job is to maintain the temperature with precision. But there is a small issue with this controller that I will also reveal in this review. Nothing serious though.

If you like to fix yourself with a latte or even an occasional Americano, the Breville Duo Temp Pro is equipped with a steam wand that is able to produce steam and hot water for your drinks.

All in all, I already reviewed this machine before and today, in the rest of this Breville Duo Temp Pro review, I will share my personal observations and thoughts to help you find out whether it is a good fit for you (or not).

Build Quality & Design

The build quality of the Breville Duo Temp Pro is good, albeit not the sturdiest machine out there. In my opinion, this is true for all Breville espresso machines out there.

The stainless steel material gives it a sophisticated appearance, but it also means that it is easy to maintain and clean. The plastic parts may not be as durable as the rest of the machine, but they still hold up well and are not easily prone to breaking.

What I love about the design of the Breville Duo Temp Pro is that it is straightforward to use. The intuitive design ensures that even if you are a first-time user, you can get an espresso without scratching your head too much.

The power and program buttons are clearly labelled, and the brew/steam knob is also easy to operate. The machine comes with a manual, but I doubt that you will barely need it, as the machine is that straightforward to use.

Main Features

Compared to Barista Express, for example, Breville Duo Temp Pro is not the most feature-rich espresso machine out there. But, that might be its best feature. It’s a straightforward unit that focuses mostly on brewing you great espresso every time.

And here is a review of all features it uses to do so.

PID Controller

This internal feature of Duo Temp Pro provides precise temperature control, ensuring that the espresso is brewed at the optimal temperature.

The PID Controller reacts to changes in temperature within milliseconds, making adjustments to maintain a consistent water temperature. This results in a more flavorful and evenly extracted espresso shot every time.

As I mentioned earlier in my Breville Duo Temp Pro review, there is something that you should know about its PID controller.

While many machines have PID Controllers, what sets the Duo Temp Pro apart is the fact that you cannot adjust its settings. It’s hidden inside the machine and there is no manual override option like Barista Pro has.

This may seem counterintuitive, as many espresso enthusiasts enjoy fine-tuning their brewing parameters. However, Breville has already implemented the optimal settings for the machine, taking the guesswork out of achieving the perfect shot.

Breville has invested time and resources into ensuring that its machines are of the highest quality, and this feature is just one example of that dedication.

Thermocoil Heating

First off, the single boiler design of the Breville Duo Temp Pro saves on space and makes it more affordable than machines with dual boilers. However, don’t let the single boiler fool you – it is more than capable of producing cafe-quality espresso.

The Duo Temp Pro uses Thermocoil technology to make sure that the water is heated to the perfect temperature every time, with minimal fluctuations. This means that the quality of your espresso shot is always guaranteed, no matter the time of day.

Moreover, the stainless steel water path of the Duo Temp Pro is precisely designed to provide the smoothest brews. The water flows seamlessly through the machine, providing a consistent stream of hot water to the coffee grounds.

All in all, although it is a single-boiler espresso machine, it is one of the best examples of this technology in action. It is shoulder-to-shoulder with units like Rancilio Silvia.

Water Tank

The water tank of the Breville Duo Temp Pro is located at the back of the machine and is easily removable for refilling or cleaning. The tank is made of high-quality, durable plastic, and has clear markings indicating the maximum level of water.

With a 61 fl. oz tank, it is not the largest water tank found on espresso machines, but it can handle multiple shots and steam wand use without the need for constant refilling.

What’s great about it is that the tank has a built-in filtration system. This feature makes sure that the water used for each shot is of the highest quality.

Pre-infusion

For those who may not be familiar with pre-infusion, it is essentially the process of wetting the espresso grounds with hot water before pressurized brewing. The purpose of this is to allow the grounds to soak up the water and expand, which results in a more even extraction and therefore a smoother, more balanced taste.

It’s not surprising to find this feature in Duo Temp Pro. All other Breville’s such as Bambino Plus and even advanced units like Oracle Touch have it.

The pre-infusion function allows you to set the duration of the pre-infusion, which can range from 1 to 10 seconds. This level of control allows you to experiment and find the sweet spot for each type of coffee or roast that you use.

What I like about Duo Temp Pro is that it also has a low-pressure pre-infusion mode, which slowly builds up the pressure over a longer period to ensure that the grounds are fully saturated and extracted. This is particularly useful when working with lighter roasts, which can be more delicate and require a gentler touch.

Auto-purge

One of the standout features of Breville Duo Temp Pro in this review is its auto-purge function. It is an innovative feature that helps to ensure the temperature of the water used in brewing the coffee is consistent.

The auto-purge function helps to cool down the machine after steaming milk or brewing coffee, ensuring a consistent temperature for the next cup of coffee. The auto-purge system works by automatically adjusting the temperature of the machine after steaming milk or brewing coffee.

During the steaming process, the temperature can rise to a level that is too high for brewing coffee. The auto-purge system helps to cool down the machine to the optimal temperature within a matter of seconds, making it ready to brew the next cup of coffee.

Steam Wand

One of the standout features of the Breville Duo Temp Pro in this review is its swivel steam wand, which can easily be adjusted to the ideal position for texturing milk. This excellent feature is great if you like different types of espresso drinks mixed with milk.

Keep in mind that Duo Temp Pro doesn’t feature automatic milk steaming. It’s a fully manual action, which means practising your frothing skills before you can achieve that perfect microform for your lattes.

What I love about the steam wand is how it is easy to use, even for someone who is not particularly skilled when it comes to making coffee. The wand has a simple and intuitive design, making it easy to achieve the perfect texture and temperature over time.

Portafilter

The Breville’s 54mm size is larger than many other portafilters on the market, which means it has a greater surface area for the water to interact with the coffee grounds. This allows for a more even extraction and a richer, more flavorful shot of espresso.

But that’s not the only positive thing about Due Temp Pro’s portafilter. The portafilter comes with four filter baskets – two for single shots and two for double shots – so you can tailor the amount of coffee you brew to your taste.

And because the baskets are deeper than standard portafilters, you can use a variety of tamping pressures without worrying about creating channelling or uneven extraction.

Of course, all of these features mean nothing if the portafilter is difficult to use, but the Breville’s is anything but. It’s easy to insert and remove from the machine, and the handle is comfortable to hold and provides a good grip.

Tamper

This Breville Duo Temp Pro review wouldn’t be complete if I don’t spend a few words on the tamper. I personally have a love-and-hate relationship with this feature.

The tamper has a magnetic attachment. It easily clicks into place thanks to its strong magnet. This makes it effortless to remove and clean, without worrying about losing it.

The tamper’s head is crafted from high-quality stainless steel, making it both durable and long-lasting. But most of it is made from plastic which doesn’t give it that feel and the weight you get with professional tampers.

I certainly appreciate the added feature, but I would recommend investing in a high-quality tamper eventually for the best tamping and espresso experience.

Accessories

One of my favourite accessories that you get with Breville Duo Temp is definitely a stainless steel milk jug. But it is not the only accessory that the Australian manufacturer threw in the box. Here is the whole list:

• Razor Dose Trimming Tool
• 1cup & 2cup Single & Dual Wall Filter Baskets
• Stainless Steel Milk Jug
• Allen Key
• Water Filter Holder and Water Filter

Brewing Performance

When it comes to brewing coffee, I am a bit of a perfectionist. I want to make sure that every cup is rich, fragrant, and full of flavour. So, when I first heard about the Breville Duo Temp Pro espresso machine, I was both excited and a little apprehensive.

First and foremost, as you have had a chance to learn from this Breville Duo Temp Pro review, due to its advanced PID controller, high-quality Thermocoil heating and auto-purge system, it is capable of delivering great-tasting espresso shots.

Secondly, the machine is easy to use. Despite being a semi-automatic machine, it doesn’t require a lot of time or skill to get the hang of it. This is great news for anyone who is new to making espresso, as there is no complicated setup or calibration required.

One of the things that I love most about the Duo Temp Pro is its ability to make cafe-quality drinks. The machine is adept at producing rich, robust espresso shots and milk froth that is creamy and velvety.

Whether you are making a latte, cappuccino, or even a flat white, the Duo Temp Pro always delivers a consistently high-quality brew and milk froth.

One potential drawback of this machine is that it doesn’t come with a built-in grinder. However, this is a minor inconvenience as you can easily purchase a separate grinder or be satisfied with using a pre-ground coffee, which is not my recommendation through.

Milk Frothing & Steaming

It’s no secret, the Breville Duo Temp Pro espresso machine is a great choice for anyone looking to achieve the perfect milk frothing performance.

As mentioned earlier in the review, the Duo Temp Pro boasts a single-hole steam wand that creates the perfect texture for steamed milk. The wand might require some practice to get that perfect microform, but ultimately, it does a great job.

This feature can also act as a hot water dispenser, which can be used to preheat your milk pitcher and cups, and even make diluted espresso drinks.

What truly sets the Duo Temp Pro apart when it comes to milk frothing, though, is its temperature control technology. The machine is able to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the entire steaming process, which means that your milk will be frothed at the perfect temperature every time.

However, the small issue with this system is the single boiler setup. This means that you can’t steam milk and brew espresso at the same time. Plus, you will have to wait for a minute for the Duo Temp Pro to switch and generates enough pressure for steaming.

That said, there is a big chance that your espresso might “fall” while you are waiting for the machine to get ready for steaming and milk frothing. If you want to avoid this problem, I recommend investing in a dual-boiler espresso machine.

Cleaning & Maintainance

As a former barista, I know firsthand the importance of cleaning the espresso machine to ensure optimal performance and a delicious shot every time.

And the fact that Beville Duo Temp Pro is a semi-automatic machine doesn’t make your job any easier. Luckily, cleaning this unit is not rocket science. You can follow these simple tips to make sure it stays in tip-top condition for years.

First, it’s important to clean the portafilter and basket after each use. Rinse them with hot water and use a brush to remove any leftover coffee grounds.

Periodically, run a cleaning cycle and backflush the machine. I recommend using cleaning tablets and a 54mm cleaning disc for this job. Simply follow Breville’s manual to backflush your Duo Temp Pro.

It’s also important to clean the steam wand after each use to prevent the buildup of milk residue. Simply wipe the wand with a clean cloth and purge any remaining milk by turning on the steam for a few seconds.

For a deeper clean, I recommend descaling the machine every three months or as needed. You can use a descaling solution specifically designed for espresso machines, or a mix of water and vinegar.

In addition to regular cleaning and maintenance, it’s important to use high-quality coffee beans and filtered water to prevent any buildup of minerals or debris in the machine. This will improve the taste and quality of your espresso and also extend the life of your Breville Duo Temp Pro.

Who Is Breville Duo Temp Pro For?

This Breville Duo Temp Pro is ideal for people who are already (or want to become) familiar with the manual brewing process. Since it is a semi-auto, it offers a range of features that allow you to have complete control over the brewing process, from tamping to the pre-infusion stage to the extraction and steaming stages.

The Duo Temp Pro is also perfect for anyone who wants to master latte art, as it comes with a powerful steam wand that can create velvety milk foam for latte art.

Overall, if you’re looking to improve your brewing skills and perhaps have already invested in a high-quality grinder, the Breville Duo Temp Pro is the right machine for you. It’s also relatively compact so it will fit small kitchens too!

Who Is Breville Duo Temp Pro Not For?

As mentioned in the review, if you are someone who values a double-boiler espresso machine with the ability to steam milk and brew coffee simultaneously, then the Breville Duo Temp Pro might not be the right fit for you.

This machine only has a single heating system, so you won’t be able to achieve that perfect multi-tasking espresso experience you’re looking for. I recommend Breville Dual Boiler instead.

Furthermore, if you’re in search of a machine with a built-in grinder, you’re out of luck with the Duo Temp Pro. There’s no denying that grinding your own beans adds an extra element of freshness and flavour to your coffee, but this machine simply doesn’t offer that capability.

So, if you’re in the market for an espresso machine with a grinder, you should check out the Barista Express instead. It’s a tad more expensive, but worth it if you don’t want to waste time finding a separate grinder for your Duo Temp Pro.

Breville Duo Temp Pro Review – Final Verdict

In conclusion, the Breville Duo Temp Pro can make great espressos at an affordable price. It has a compact design that fits in any kitchen counter space.

Most importantly, the intuitive user interface makes brewing coffee a breeze while giving you extra legroom for experimenting. The steam wand gives you the ability to froth milk and customize drink quality for cappuccinos and lattes.

With the Breville Duo Temp Pro, you’ll have all the necessary ingredients to make high-quality espresso beverages in the comfort of your own home. This machine is not only reliable but also user-friendly – perfect for those who are starting out or want to bring their barista skills to the next level!

Breville Duo Temp Pro Review – FAQs

Can I use pre-ground coffee with the Duo Temp Pro?

Yes, the machine comes with both single and dual wall filter baskets, allowing you to use either freshly ground beans or pre-ground coffee.

Is the Breville Duo Temp Pro noisy?

While the machine does make some noise during the extraction process, it is not overly loud and should not disturb others in your household.

Can I make milk-based drinks with the Duo Temp Pro?

Yes, the machine features a powerful steam wand that allows you to create frothy milk for cappuccinos and lattes.

PS. Credits to Breville’s product page for images.