As a passionate coffee enthusiast, I quickly learned that creating the perfect espresso shot involves a lot of small but crucial details. When I first got my Breville Barista Express, I was ecstatic to finally have such a versatile machine at my disposal. It was love at first sight—the stainless steel design, the built-in grinder, and the control it offered over the espresso-making process were all incredibly appealing. Uncover the premium brewing capabilities in our Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL review
However, as I dove deeper into the craft of home brewing, I realized there was one factor that I hadn’t yet experimented with: the brew temperature. Initially, I relied solely on the default temperature, unaware of just how much influence it had on the flavors extracted from my coffee beans. One day, after experiencing a string of sour-tasting espresso shots with my lighter roast beans, I knew it was time to take a closer look at the brew temperature. That decision made all the difference, and adjusting the brew temperature on my Barista Express became the key to unlocking more nuanced and complex flavors in my espresso. Explore the intuitive design and features in our Breville Barista Touch Impress review
If you're in the same boat, curious about how to adjust the brew temperature on your Breville/Sage Barista Express, you've come to the right place. In this guide, I'll walk you through the steps of fine-tuning your machine and discuss why this often-overlooked setting is crucial for elevating your espresso game. Whether you're trying to perfect a darker roast or compensate for altitude, adjusting the brew temperature can significantly improve your experience. Compare these two top models in our Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro review
Why Brew Temperature Is Important
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of adjusting the brew temperature, let’s first explore why it’s such an important variable. Find the right machine for you in our Breville Barista Pro vs Express review
The brew temperature plays a crucial role in flavor extraction. If the water is too hot, it will over-extract the coffee grounds, resulting in a bitter or burnt taste. Conversely, if the water is too cool, the result will be under-extraction, leading to sour, weak flavors. The ideal brew temperature for espresso typically ranges between 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C), but this can vary depending on the type of beans and their roast levels. Learn the differences between these high-end machines in our Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch review
From my experience, lighter roasts tend to shine at slightly higher temperatures, which help to bring out their bright, fruity, and floral notes. On the other hand, darker roasts often do better at lower temperatures, allowing their full-bodied, chocolatey flavors to shine without veering into bitterness. The Barista Express allows you to adjust the temperature within this range, providing an opportunity to fine-tune the brewing process for the optimal shot.
Understanding Your Breville/Sage Barista Express
The Barista Express is a versatile, semi-automatic espresso machine that gives you a great deal of control while being incredibly user-friendly. It’s equipped with a PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controller, which maintains the temperature stability throughout the brewing process. However, a lesser-known feature of this machine is the ability to manually adjust the brew temperature—a setting hidden from view but accessible with a few button combinations.
Unlike other high-end espresso machines that come with a visible temperature control dial, the Barista Express uses a different method for adjusting the temperature. Luckily, this guide will show you exactly how to access and use this feature.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing the Brew Temperature
Turn Off the Machine
To adjust the temperature settings, start by turning off your Barista Express. Make sure it’s completely powered down before you proceed. Press the power button to turn off the machine and wait until it is no longer operating.
Enter Programming Mode
To access the temperature adjustment feature, hold down the 'Program' button while simultaneously pressing the 'Power' button to turn the machine back on. Continue holding the 'Program' button until the lights on the control panel begin to flash, indicating that you've entered programming mode.
Select the Desired Temperature
Now that you're in programming mode, you can use the 'Single Shot', 'Double Shot', and 'Filter Size' buttons to change the brew temperature. Each button corresponds to a different adjustment:
- Single Shot Button: Lowers the temperature by 2°F (1°C).
- Double Shot Button: Increases the temperature by 2°F (1°C).
- Filter Size Button: Resets the temperature to the default 200°F (93°C).
The LED lights above the buttons help you determine the current temperature setting:
- Both '1 Cup' and '2 Cup' lights on: Default temperature of 200°F (93°C).
- '1 Cup' light only: Lower temperature of 198°F (92°C).
- '2 Cup' light only: Higher temperature of 202°F (94°C).
Adjust the Temperature
Based on your preference and the beans you’re using, press the 'Single Shot' or 'Double Shot' button to adjust the temperature. Each press changes the temperature by 2°F (1°C). For lighter roasts, I recommend increasing the temperature slightly to bring out more vibrant flavors. If you’re brewing a darker roast, you may want to decrease the temperature to reduce bitterness.
Save the Settings
Once you’ve reached the desired temperature, press the 'Program' button again to save your new settings and exit programming mode. The machine will briefly power off and restart, applying the updated temperature setting.
Test Your Espresso
After adjusting the temperature, it’s time to test your espresso. Pull a shot and take note of the extraction time and overall flavor. Depending on how the shot tastes, you may need to make further tweaks to the temperature or other factors, such as grind size or tamping pressure. Don’t be afraid to experiment—finding the perfect setting for your specific beans often takes a few trials.
Troubleshooting and Additional Tips
Although changing the brew temperature on the Barista Express is a straightforward process, you may encounter a few issues along the way. Here are some common troubleshooting tips:
- Temperature Changes Aren’t Working: Make sure you’re in programming mode by verifying that the lights are flashing before making any adjustments. If you're not in the correct mode, the machine won’t register your temperature changes.
- Flavor Is Still Off: If adjusting the temperature doesn't improve the flavor, it’s likely that other factors are affecting the shot. Consider experimenting with grind size, dose, or tamping pressure.
- Frequent Adjustments Needed: If you regularly switch between different bean varieties, be prepared to adjust the temperature frequently. Lighter roasts often benefit from a higher temperature, whereas darker roasts usually taste better with a lower setting.
Conclusion
Final Thoughts
Learning how to change the brew temperature on your Breville/Sage Barista Express can be a game-changer for your espresso experience. By fine-tuning the temperature to match the specific characteristics of your beans, you can dramatically improve the flavor complexity and balance of your coffee.
Once I began experimenting with different temperatures, I noticed a marked improvement in the depth and richness of my espresso shots. If you’re still using the default settings, take some time to explore this hidden feature—you might be surprised by just how much of a difference it makes. Remember, mastering espresso is a journey of small adjustments, and tweaking the temperature is one of the simplest yet most effective steps you can take to elevate your coffee game.
Happy brewing!

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if I need to change the brew temperature?
A: If your espresso shots taste overly bitter or sour, adjusting the temperature could help. Bitter flavors are usually a sign that the water is too hot, while sour flavors indicate that it may be too cool.
Q: How often should I adjust the brew temperature?
A: It depends on how often you change the type of beans you’re using. Lighter roasts benefit from higher temperatures, while darker roasts do better with slightly cooler water. Adjust the temperature whenever you notice an imbalance in flavor.
Q: Can I damage my Barista Express by adjusting the temperature?
A: No, the Barista Express is designed to allow users to adjust the temperature safely. The temperature adjustments are within a safe range for the machine, so you won’t damage it by making these changes.
Q: What is the default temperature of the Breville/Sage Barista Express?
A: The default temperature for the Barista Express is 200°F (93°C). This temperature works well for many roasts, but it can be adjusted to better suit your specific beans.
Q: Do I need any special tools to change the temperature?
A: No special tools are needed. All adjustments can be made using the buttons on the front of the machine by following the steps outlined in this guide.