An espresso machine works with water at above boiling temperature under high pressure. The water and steam are kept in check by various tubes, seals, gaskets, etc, that naturally deteriorate over time. Something is bound to break, and regular maintenance/repair is required, whether the machine is meant for the home or a commercial establishment.

In the long run, ease of repair and availability of parts are more important than inital built quality. If the machine can't be easily repaired, it is disposal and will become a pile of junk the moment any component breaks, which will happen sooner or later, probably sooner on a cheaply made home machine. I'm not saying manufacturers shouldn't improve build quality, but you've got to have realistic expectations.

Yinzer-in-JCNJ wrote:I've been using a Gaggia Classic daily since 2018 (the 'standard' model, purchased before they rolled out the 'pro' line). I have had no major issues with electronics, steam wand, boiler, or group head; though I have replaced the dispersion plate once and group gasket a few times....

BodieZoffa wrote:...
I did have a Gaggia for yrs with no serious issues and still have no clue why the BDB is still recommended....

Yesterday I was able to put the Gaggia we had at the office in working conditions. At this point I have a back up machine for when and if I have to send the Breville to service. I may decide to try to fix it by my self in the future.
However, to answer your question, about why the Breville is still recommended, based on my experience, performance wise is a fantastic machine. In fact I am sending the Rocket Appartamento back and I am happy that I have my Breville back from service, in working conditions.

Going back to the reason why I opened this discussion, it was to understand if by buying a different brand would have increased the time between repairs. Apparently not.
I also made a rough calculation. So far this machine has costed me about $1600 ($1200 initial cost + $400). At the rate we are using it, and assuming I will not have to send it for service for another couple of years, it would be about $0.10 per shot. I think it's OK.

You went from a dual boiler to a HX, the odds that won't feel like a step backwards is probably small. The BDB is a very competent machine, hard to do as well with something else at that price point. Sounds like you'd be happier with something like the new LM MIcra, but that costs a bit more.

BodieZoffa wrote: I did have a Gaggia for yrs with no serious issues and still have no clue why the BDB is still recommended. You would think by now the Breville 'engineering team' could create something to hold up for more than a few yrs without involved fixes and not look like a polished turd appliance in the process. Honestly wouldn't have one if it was half price. To each their own though...

I have old Gaggia Clasic - 2015 or older. I had to change pump and add custom PID. And it still works, but it is a single boiler with low temp stability. Now I bought BDB for $1000, because I needed dual boiler. Yes, I know it will fail. This is why I bought it with 4 years guarantee/insurance - repairs for free and in worst case I get money back (then I will buy Lelit Elisabeth ). So what's the problem - it won't last for years? Me neither.

ira wrote:....Sounds like you'd be happier with something like the new LM MIcra...

My apologies for resuscitating this thread but I think I missed this post.
May you please elaborate? La Marzocco si obviously one of the brands that I have been considering, lately.

All of breville''s appliances are made in china (please correct me if I'm wrong) and the brand doesn't produce anything themselves since they have no factory in Australia. These machines are using china made parts internally as well so it is no wonder life span is short and in constant need of repairs. You can do better but I certainly doubt you could do worse in the durability category.

dkny3939 wrote:In the long run, ease of repair and availability of parts are more important than inital built quality. If the machine can't be easily repaired, it is disposal and will become a pile of junk the moment any component breaks, which will happen sooner or later, probably sooner on a cheaply made home machine. I'm not saying manufacturers shouldn't improve build quality, but you've got to have realistic expectations.

This is absolutely spot on. You could make a machine cost 300% times more to make it 30-50% more reliable. Or make it using generic and easily available parts in the likely failure areas...which cost little and also using a design that makes repairs easy.

Part selection is actually a critical area. e.g. One manufacturer I did some stuff with wanted to replace an older tech, but expensive control board. I said it may be old, but how many actual genuine failures have there been..the answer almost 0 in 8+ years (both in the commercial and domestic machines, which use the same box). I said then don't mess with it, it's a pain to change, doesn't go wrong and you save a few euros in components costs...but it's not worth it. When it came to the temperature sensors, I was in full agreement to move to a newer far more reliable (but more expensive) type. This is because when a temperature sensor fails, it can potentially cause more damage, and is a pain to replace.

I own a BDB and have to say Breville part availability from 3rd part suppliers is hit and miss. When I was rebuilding a project BDB I emailed Breville directly for some parts and they came through. The parts I was after (steam boiler probes) couldn't be found anywhere at the time. Not only did they have stock and ship them the prices was relatively inexpensive. For anyone looking for BDB parts I would try contacting Breville directly.

In terms of reliability I usually don't recommend the BDB to anyone unless they are willing to do their own repairs. Shipping a machine back and forth is a giant PITA.

The machine has some killer features (slayer modding, temp stability, programmable pre-infusion etc) but at the price of build quality.