Philips Barista Brew PSA3228/01
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Milk frothing method | Steam wand | |
|---|---|---|
Water tank capacity | 2,3 l | |
Type of tamper | Separate tamper | |
Number of cups per brew | 2 | |
Cup warmer | ||
Standby mode | ||
Removable water tank |
According to our semi-automatic espresso machine expert
5 stars
7
4 stars
22
3 stars
3
2 stars
0
1 star
0
We were able to test this machine for a few weeks. Finally a warm cappuccino! Fully automatic machines always give lukewarm cappuccino/latte macchiato to my taste. That is a thing of the past with this semi-automatic machine!
Taking the machine out of the box is a bit of a job because of the weight. However, it is well packed and all accessories are protected and taped. This prevents everything from falling out everywhere when you take the machine out of the box.
The first impression is that it is a sturdy machine. Both in technical terms and size. Read the manual for this!
Operation: The machine is quite easy to operate for the first time if you have the manual with you. Making espresso/coffee is done quite quickly. The longest you spend searching for the right grind size that gives the best taste. We discovered that this makes even more difference than we ever thought! The first brew was bitter-sour and undrinkable. When we had the right grind size after three times, the coffee suddenly tasted very good and there was little left of the bitter-sour. That's such a big difference! My advice is: take your time with this. Tasting and adjusting three to four times is quite normal. It will certainly pay off in the taste!
Milk foam: When frothing the milk, you can put the manual aside, the instructions in the manual will not give you good results. It is best to use a search engine for the best instructions. Or, in short; the frother should make a 'slurping' sound just under the milk. If you put it 2 - 3 cm under the milk as the manual says, little happens to the milk. Except that it becomes piping hot!
Personally, I find the latter to be a plus. I hate lukewarm coffee or cappuccino. Because you have control over the frothing yourself, you can let the milk get a bit warmer than from the fully automatic machine. My experience is that after one frothing cycle, the milk is already a lot hotter than a fully automatic machine produces. Delicious!
All the accessories supplied are very useful for beginners. The supplied milk jug is a good way to practice. There are also sieves for the more professional coffee maker/barista.
The machine is quite easy to clean. Please note: this has to be done manually compared to a fully automatic machine. For us this is not a problem, the warm cappuccino is worth it!
Conclusion: Our conclusion is that this is a great machine if you like to get more out of your coffee than simply pressing a button on a fully automatic machine. Because you can froth a large amount of milk quite easily, this can also be used for slightly larger groups. If you are more concerned with convenience than taste, then a fully automatic machine is a better fit. We are happy with this machine!
Price: The price is steep, but in line with other semi-automatic machines. I think this machine can last a long time, if used correctly. You could then spread the price over a longer period of use. However, a decent fully automatic machine easily surpasses this price level. If you are already in the market for a machine like this, I would not hesitate any longer! Your hot cappuccino awaits!
RicOmega
10 February 2025
Automatically translated from Dutch
I was able to test this espresso machine for a few weeks. The Philips Barista Brew semi-automatic espresso machine (PSA3228/01) is an excellent choice for coffee lovers who want to enjoy barista-worthy espressos, cappuccinos and latte macchiatos at home. After a few weeks of use, I can say that this machine offers the perfect balance between ease of use and flexibility. The machine was delivered in very good packaging and all parts were well and professionally packed. This immediately gave me a feeling of excellent quality and that was confirmed during testing.
Ease of use The operation is simple and intuitive. With clear buttons and lights, making an espresso is easy, even if you are not an experienced barista. The removable water tank and easy cleaning options make maintenance effortless. Do take the time to study the manual carefully, it could have been structured a bit more practically. The Dutch manual started somewhere in the middle of the booklet while the pictures are at the front and back. Difficult to browse like that!
Design and build quality The appliance has a sleek, modern design with a robust look. The combination of stainless steel and high-quality plastic not only provides a premium look, but also durability. The compact size fits effortlessly on a standard countertop without taking up too much space. It is certainly an eye-catcher in the kitchen.
Performance and taste experience The 15-bar pump pressure delivers powerful, aromatic espressos with a beautiful crema layer. The temperature control is impressively consistent, which contributes to optimal flavor extraction. With the steam pipe, creamy milk foam can be made for delicious cappuccinos or latte macchiatos. Keep the milk jug tilted for optimal results.
Flexibility This appliance offers the possibility to fully personalize your cup of coffee. The amount of coffee and water and temperature can all be set manually to prepare your cup of coffee. This flexibility is very nice, but it does take a while before you have made the perfect cup of espresso. But I also think this is the charm of this device, because you have to go through a learning curve for the best results.
Leon
13 February 2025
Automatically translated from Dutch
I was able to test the Barista Brew for a month! My boyfriend and I like to drink coffee at home and used a percolator on the stove to make coffee. That works fine for one person, but for two you have to wait a bit longer and with guests it is not possible. That is why we used a coffee filter machine for guests. A lot of coffee at once, but not that tasty in our opinion - especially not if you like to drink a cappuccino.
I had been curious about an espresso machine for a while, because I hoped that we would have coffee that was just as tasty as the percolator, but a lot less time-consuming and also easier to make multiple cups at the same time. That is why I really enjoyed trying it out.
First of all, the machine looks beautiful. People who visited immediately comment on it when they see it, so you immediately come across as a professional barista haha. The machine also requires a bit of a barista mindset from you. For someone who has never used an espresso machine before, it took some searching. 4 filter baskets, 2 large and 2 smaller. Okay, I could have realized sooner that they are for double and single espresso, but for the non-pressurized versus pressurized I had to do some research again (we now use the pressurized). The same goes for setting the bean grind. You can choose a setting between 1 (fine) and 15 (coarse) depending on your beans and the type of coffee you want to make. You can even put 2 types of beans in the top basket to switch between. You can adjust the bean grind and amount of coffee yourself and the needle on the machine shows you whether you are doing well for optimal water pressure. That was a fun puzzle!
I now make a fairly neat cup of cappuccino (with double espresso) if I say so myself. After a few weeks, I still find frothing milk a challenge. Previously, I threw some oat milk into an electric frother - but this is the real official way of frothing milk with a jug. The first time I turned it on, the milk sloshed all over the kitchen, but I'm getting better and better at whipping it in a controlled manner. There's an indicator on the milk jug that shows when your milk has reached the right temperature, which is very handy. I gave the noise level 4 instead of 5 stars because the steam for whipping can make a loud noise - but I wouldn't know if that could be different, plus I'm probably not doing it right yet. The user-friendliness also 4 because it does take some investment to understand how everything works. My boyfriend drinks americanos - he also finds them very tasty and he also has fun adjusting the different settings. And we haven't even gotten to the expert level yet, where you can also set things like the hardness of your water or the amount of water in your coffee. Still a lot to discover.
All in all, we are very happy with the machine - we enjoy learning more and more about making an optimally delicious cup of coffee and are far from done playing. It takes some searching if you, like me, have never had an espresso machine before, but with a little patience you will get there! I think this is a great thing for anyone who is a real coffee lover, knows about making coffee or, like me, enjoys learning more about it.
Rosan
12 February 2025
Automatically translated from Dutch
Product number | 959361 | |
|---|---|---|
Manufacturer code | PSA3228/01 | |
Brand | Philips | |
Processing of your defect | Via Coolblue | |
Old product returned for free |
Type of coffee machine | Piston machine | |
|---|---|---|
Type of coffee/filling | Coffee beans | |
Bean grinder included | ||
Bean grinder type | Built-in bean grinder | |
Water tank capacity | 2,3 l | |
Removable water tank | ||
Removable drip tray | ||
Thermometer |
Number of cups per brew | 2 | |
|---|---|---|
Adjustable water temperature | ||
Suitable for frothing milk | ||
Milk frothing method | Steam wand |
Hot water function | ||
|---|---|---|
Display | ||
Touchscreen | ||
Auto shut-off | ||
Cleaning indication | ||
Standby mode | ||
Cup warmer | ||
Storage compartment | ||
Non-slip feet |
Included by default | Tamper | |
|---|---|---|
Type of tamper | Separate tamper |
Spout height | 9,5 cm | |
|---|---|---|
Filter holder diameter | 5,8 cm | |
Filter holder material | Stainless steel | |
Height | 43,9 cm | |
Width | 32 cm | |
Depth | 33,4 cm | |
Weight | 8,6 kg | |
Color | Silver | |
Material | Metal, Plastic | |
Metal type | Stainless steel | |
Finish | Matte and glossy | |
Material interior | Stainless steel |
Coffee heating system | Boiler | |
|---|---|---|
Power | 0,5 - 1350 W | |
Pump pressure | 15 bar | |
Pressure gauge |
Coolblue takes care of everything, from taking out an insurance to repairs
For almost all accidents
More coverage in case of damage than your standard warranty
No deductible
First, add your semi-automatic espresso machine to your shopping cart. On the next page, choose the Protection Plan below. You always have a 30-day return window and pay no deductible in case of damage.
2-year Protection Plan
7,99
one-time3-year Protection Plan
31,99
one-time
