Breville Duo Temp 800ESXL

Last updated: October 2, 2026

What the Duo Temp 800ESXL Is

The Breville Duo Temp Pro 800ESXL was Breville’s mid-range semi-automatic before the Infuser and Bambino Plus took over that slot. It sits above entry-level single-boiler machines like the Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma but below dual-boiler and heat-exchange machines. You get a stainless steel housing, a 15-bar Italian pump, low-pressure pre-infusion, and Breville’s dual-wall pressurized and single-wall non-pressurized filter baskets. It was discontinued in the US several years ago, so today you will find it only used or refurbished.

Think of it as a teaching machine. It has enough temperature control to pull a decent shot if you do your part, but it will not hide bad grinding or stale beans. That is both its appeal and its limitation. If you want push-button consistency, this is not it. If you want to learn proper dosing, tamping, and timing without spending $800+, a used Duo Temp can still make sense.

Core Features and How They Work

See also: Breville Bench Saver • Rocket Espresso Coffee Machine

The headline feature is the electronic PID temperature control. Breville calls this the “Duo Temp” system because it regulates both the brew water and the steam. In practice, it holds brew temperature around 200-204°F far better than a cheap thermostat boiler that swings 15-20 degrees. You still need to temperature surf a little if you steam then brew immediately, but shot-to-shot consistency is noticeably better than on Breville’s cheaper thermoblock models.

Pre-infusion is automatic and not adjustable. The pump starts at low pressure for about 7-8 seconds to wet the puck evenly, then ramps to full pressure. This helps reduce channeling, especially if your tamp is slightly uneven. You can see it working if you use the non-pressurized basket – the first drips appear later and more evenly across the bottom of the basket.

The portafilter is a standard Breville 54mm size with a reasonably heavy handle. You get four baskets: single and double pressurized, single and double non-pressurized. Beginners should start with the pressurized dual-wall baskets while they dial in their espresso grinder and technique, then switch to the single-wall baskets for more flavor. The steam wand is a single-hole manual wand, not auto-frothing. It will make good microfoam, but it is slower than the 4-hole wands on Heat Exchange machines.

The water tank is 61 oz and pulls out from the front, which is convenient under cabinets. The drip tray has a full indicator and the machine has an auto-purge after steaming – it dumps a little water to bring the boiler back down to brew temperature. That purge is loud and normal.

Pulling a Shot Day to Day

With fresh beans and a capable grinder, the Duo Temp pulls a solid, balanced shot. It does not have the pressure gauge or adjustable pre-infusion of the Infuser, so you judge everything by time, volume, and taste. A typical recipe is 18g in, 36g out in 27-32 seconds including pre-infusion. If your shot gushes in 15 seconds, your grind is too coarse. If it chokes and drips at 40 seconds, too fine.

Two things catch new owners off guard. First, the 54mm baskets are deep and narrow. Dosing 14g in the double basket leaves too much headspace and leads to watery, uneven extraction. Dose 17-19g in the double. Second, the machine is very sensitive to grind quality. A blade grinder or a cheap false-burr grinder will not work with the non-pressurized baskets. You need a true burr grinder that can step in small increments. A used Baratza Encore can work with the pressurized baskets, but for the single-wall baskets you want something like a Baratza Sette 30, Eureka Mignon, or 1Zpresso JX-Pro.

Steaming is adequate for one or two milk drinks. It takes about 30-40 seconds to steam 6 oz of milk to latte temperature. Recovery back to brew temperature is about 30 seconds after the auto-purge. If you make four lattes back to back for guests, you will be waiting between drinks. This is not a flaw unique to the Duo Temp; every single-boiler machine in this class behaves the same way.

Grinder and Accessory Pairing

Do not buy the Duo Temp without budgeting for a grinder upgrade if you do not already own one. Pre-ground supermarket coffee, even “espresso” labeled, is too coarse and too stale for the non-pressurized baskets. You will end up using the pressurized baskets permanently, which defeats much of the reason to buy this machine.

Beyond a grinder, the two worthwhile accessories are a proper tamper and a milk jug. The plastic tamper included is light and slightly undersized. A 54mm calibrated tamper gives you more consistent pressure. You will also want a small stainless jug if you drink milk drinks – the included jug is fine but holds heat poorly. When you shop for 54mm espresso tampers and accessories, make sure they are sized for Breville’s 54mm, not the standard 58mm commercial size.

How It Compares to Similar Brevilles

Since the 800ESXL is discontinued, most shoppers compare a used Duo Temp against a new Bambino, Infuser, or Bambino Plus. Here is where the trade-offs land:

If you find a Duo Temp for under $200 in good condition with all baskets and no leaks, it can be a better value than a new Bambino if you enjoy the learning process. At $280 and needing descaling or a new group seal, you are better off putting that money toward a new Breville espresso machine with a warranty. ThermoJet models heat up in seconds and have better parts support.

Reliability and Failure Modes

Used Duo Temps are 8-12 years old now, so condition matters more than the model name. Common issues to check before buying:

Solenoid and group valve clogging. If the previous owner did not backflush or descale, the three-way solenoid gets sluggish. Symptom: soupy puck that stays wet, water dribbles after the shot, or no water through the group at all. A thorough backflush with Cafiza and a descale sometimes fixes it; sometimes the valve needs replacement.

Steam wand ball joint leaking. Wiggle the wand. If it hisses at the base or drips when in the closed position, the o-ring inside the ball joint is worn. Cheap part, annoying fix if you have not done it before.

PID/thermostat failure. If the machine never reaches brew temperature, flashes lights continuously, or trips to steam temperature and stays there, the NTC sensor or controller board is failing. Boards for the 800ESXL are no longer stocked by Breville in many regions.

Group head seal. A hard, flattened gasket causes water to leak around the portafilter during brewing. Replace every 1-2 years anyway. A $10 part that makes a big difference.

Ask a seller for a video of a full shot, including steam. Look for steady pump pressure without loud rattling, no water under the machine, and steam that builds within 45 seconds. If you buy locally, bring beans and a grinder to test it.

Who Should and Should Not Buy It

Buy a Duo Temp 800ESXL if you want a low-cost entry to real espresso, you already own or plan to buy a capable burr grinder, and you are comfortable buying used and doing basic maintenance like gasket changes and descaling. It is a good fit for a single person or couple making 1-3 drinks a day who enjoy tinkering.

Skip it if you want speed and convenience, you make milk drinks for 3+ people at once, or you do not want to deal with used-market risk. In that case a new Bambino Plus with its 3-second heat-up and automatic milk texturing will be less frustrating, and you get a one-year warranty. The cheaper option is also fine if you mostly drink press pot or drip and just want an occasional latte – the pressurized baskets on even a basic Breville will make a drinkable latte without the fuss.

If you find one for $150-200 and it passes the checks above, it can pull shots that easily beat any pod machine and most $300 new thermoblock machines, provided you feed it good beans and a good grind. Over $250, the math stops working unless it includes a quality grinder.

Care and Maintenance

Backflush with water after each session and with Cafiza every 1-2 weeks if you use the non-pressurized baskets. Descale every 2-3 months with soft water, more often with hard water, but do not over-descale – the acid is harsh on older sensors. Wipe the steam wand immediately after every use and purge it for two seconds. Replace the water filter in the tank if you use it, or just use filtered water and leave the filter out. Keep the shower screen clean; a blind basket and a small brush prevent the fine holes from clogging and causing uneven extraction.

FAQ

Is the Breville Duo Temp 800ESXL still worth buying used?

Only at the right price and condition. Under $200 with all baskets and no leaks or temperature faults, it is a good learner machine. Over $280, or if it needs repairs, a new Bambino or Bambino Plus is a safer buy with faster heat-up and warranty support.

Do I need a special grinder for it?

For the pressurized baskets, any decent burr grinder works. For the non-pressurized baskets, you need an espresso-capable grinder that can make fine, consistent adjustments. Without that, you will be stuck on pressurized and will not get the flavor the machine is capable of.

What is the difference between the Duo Temp and the Infuser?

The Infuser adds a pressure gauge, adjustable pre-infusion, and a slightly better steam wand. Internally they are similar single-boiler PID machines. The gauge alone makes the Infuser easier to learn on because you can see when a shot is choking or channeling.

Why does water leak around the portafilter?

Usually a worn group head gasket, overfilling the basket, or not locking the portafilter in firmly enough. Replace the gasket if it is hard or cracked, dose 18g in the double basket rather than heaping it, and lock in until the handle points near 6 o’clock.