The Breville Duo Temp Pro is a popular semi-automatic espresso machine that allows you to brew cafe-quality espresso drinks at home. One of the most common questions asked about this machine is whether it comes with a built-in grinder or if you need to purchase one separately.
Short Answer
No, the Breville Duo Temp Pro does not come with a built-in grinder. It is an espresso machine only, so you will need to buy a separate burr grinder if you want to grind fresh coffee beans to use with it. The Duo Temp Pro has a 54mm portafilter that is compatible with many popular stand-alone grinders.
Why Freshly Ground Coffee is Best
To make the best tasting espresso shots, it is highly recommended to grind your coffee beans right before brewing. Freshly ground coffee preserves the aromatic oils and volatiles that give espresso its delicious flavor. Pre-ground coffee starts to go stale immediately after grinding and loses much of its essence within 30 minutes. Here are some of the benefits of grinding beans fresh:
- Maximizes flavor – Fresh grinding unleashes the full potential of your coffee’s taste.
- Better aroma – Grinding just before brewing gives you incredibly fragrant espresso.
- Ideal texture – Fresh grinding creates the perfect grounds texture for pulling great espresso shots.
- Consistent extraction – Freshness leads to full, even extraction from the grounds when brewing.
With a quality burr grinder, you can achieve the optimal grind size tailored specifically for espresso. Blade grinders tend to produce inconsistent grinds, while burr grinders give you uniform particles for the best flavor.
Grinder Options for the Breville Duo Temp Pro
Here are some excellent burr coffee grinder options to pair with the Breville Duo Temp Pro:
Entry-Level Models
| Grinder | Key Features |
| Baratza Encore | – Conical burrs – 40 grind settings – Grounds bin holds 8oz |
| Capresso Infinity | – Steel conical burrs – 16 grind settings – 8.8oz bean hopper |
| Cuisinart DBM-8 | – Steel flat burrs – 18 grind settings – 8oz bean capacity |
These entry-level burr grinders offer very good grind consistency at an affordable price point. They provide a major step up from blade grinders in terms of grind quality. The Baratza Encore is excellent value with its wide range of grind settings.
Mid-Range Models
| Grinder | Key Features |
| Rancilio Rocky | – Commercial grade burrs – 55 grind settings – 0.65lbs hopper capacity |
| Breville Smart Grinder Pro | – Stainless steel conical burrs – 60 grind settings – 1lb bean hopper |
| Baratza Sette 270 | – Ceramic flat burrs – 270 grind settings – 10oz hopper |
These mid-range models are a great intermediate option before stepping up to a high-end grinder. They provide excellent grind quality with precise grind size adjustment. The Rancilio Rocky is built like a tank for years of use. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro has appealing extras like a digital display. The Baratza Sette 270 stands out with its high number of grind settings.
High-End Models
| Grinder | Key Features |
| Eureka Mignon Specialita | – 55mm flat ceramic burrs – 270 grind settings – 0.5lbs hopper capacity |
| Mazzer Mini | – 58mm flat burrs – 250 grind settings – 1.1lbs hopper capacity |
| Macap M4 | – 63mm flat burrs – 12 grind settings – 1.1lbs hopper capacity |
These high-end grinders offer commercial cafe-grade quality and performance. They produce exceptionally accurate and consistent grinds. The Eureka Mignon Specialita is very compact yet grinds like a champ. The Mazzer Mini has incredible durability with its all-metal construction. The Macap M4 gives you ultra-fine grind size control. Any of these models will take the Duo Temp Pro to the next level.
Key Grinder Features for Espresso
When selecting a grinder for the Breville Duo Temp Pro, keep these key features in mind:
- Burrs – Look for steel or ceramic burrs. Avoid blade grinders.
- Grind settings – Models with at least 30+ settings allow more room for adjustment.
- Doser vs. doserless – Doserless grinders are easier to use and less messy.
- Grounds bin – A larger bin means less frequent emptying.
- Hopper size – Larger is better for convenience, but not essential.
- Grind speed – Faster grind speeds improve workflow.
Prioritize quality conical or flat burrs first and foremost. Extremely fine grind adjustment is also ideal for dialing in precise espresso grinds. From there, choose features that suit your budget and needs.
Our Recommendation
If we had to pick one grinder to pair with the Breville Duo Temp Pro, we would choose the **Baratza Sette 270**. This grinder offers exceptional grind quality and precision right in the ideal price sweet spot. With 270 grind settings, you can truly optimize each roast of coffee and each coffee blend.
The Sette 270 has straight-thru grounds flow to maximize flavor and prevent heating. Its grind-by-weight feature lets you customize each dose on the fly. For espresso, the Sette 270 is hard to beat without spending far more money. This grinder will make your Breville espresso machine shine.
Using Your Grinder with the Duo Temp Pro
Here are some tips for using your grinder with the Breville Duo Temp Pro for awesome results:
– Set your grinder close to the espresso machine for a smooth workflow.
– Start with the default espresso grind setting and adjust from there.
– Grind into the provided grounds bin, a portafilter, or directly into the portafilter with a hands-free holder.
– Grind the amount you need just before pulling each shot.
– Purge a small amount before grinding for your shot to season the burrs.
– Keep the machine clean by using a brush and the included grinder cleaning tools.
– Adjust the grind periodically to account for coffee age, roast changes, etc.
– Be sure to set the grind back to a coarse setting if switching from espresso to brewed coffee.
Conclusion
To get the most out of the excellent Breville Duo Temp Pro espresso machine, you need a quality burr grinder. Investing in a good grinder really takes your home espresso to the next level. Models like the Baratza Sette 270 give you an amazing combination of grind quality, flexibility, and value. With fresh grounds and some dialing in, you’ll be pulling delicious espresso shots worthy of a cafe. Happy brewing!