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Breville The Oracle BES980 Questions & Answers
BES980BSS (Brushed Stainless Steel), BES980BKS (Black Sesame)299 questions from our users
Sean W.asked
I just descaled my machine and now it won’t get over 72degrees
1 answer
sometimes a airlock, try unscrewing the descaling screws again to bleed the air/steam/water through and try again.
Gang M.asked
Why the temperature of the Breville 980 coffee machine does not work properly?
Maria Gasked
The grind/tamper function appears to not work. This morning it dispensed a third of the coffee in to the portafilter and tampered unevenly. It has since stopped dispensing and grinding any coffee, goes straight to tamper. Any suggestions? The machine is in regular use and it was purchased a little over a year ago.
1 answer
Hi Maria, might be time to get your cleaning tools out and make sure the shoot is all clean etc and no blockages as the machine thinks the basket is full.
The tamper disc just pulls straight down and you can use the long brush to make sure the shoot etc is clean, and the disc just clicks back on, held my magnet. You can also use the magnet on the end of the cleaning brush to get the tamping disc out.
Carolyn E.asked
Hi, I've had my oracle for over a year now with light usage. I had it sitting for over 2 months with no use and the first time i did use it again worked fine then the next time, the porta filter wont lock into the grind outlet... ( i've cleaned out the burr thinking something might be stuck from there... still wont lock in). When i insert the porta filter it wont turn to lock in. Is there a quick fix?
1 answer
Carolyn, the same problem just occurred for me too a couple of days ago. We have had our machine for 8 months. The portafilter didn't lock into the grinding unit. We had an old grinder in the garage. We have used that to grind our coffee for the moment, and the portafilter fits fine into grouphead and makes a decent coffee. Unfortunately I dont know what the solution to fix the grinder is. I have tried to call Breville Customer Service for a couple of days and the voicemail message they have provided is that they are all in a meeting. I called today (Saturday) and the new message is that it is not office hours. SO unfortunately it looks like we will have to wait till after the easter weekend, to get someone on the phone from Breville to talk this through.
David W.asked
Grinder not working on my 10 month old oracle. The process starts when I turn the portafilter but then it stops without the grinder ever going into motion. I’ve completely disassembled the grinder (as much as I’m allowed to without actually getting under the hood of the car). Sometimes (like 1 out of 100) it will work for no apparent reason, but then immediately fails again. Any ideas??
2 answers
If you have cleaned it all out etc, and still no go. Its a warranty claim, they have a 2 yr warranty.
Thanks for the reply. It’s on its way to service...
Deniseasked
My oracle is 3 years old and has been awesome. Today the machine has stopped tamping. The grind function performs for what seems like a long time but does not move into the tamp function. I have manually tamped the grind to make a coffee. Just want to know if this is a major problem and given the age of the machine if it’s worth getting repaired
1 answer
Sounds like the tamping part of the grinder has failed. From memory its all one one unit. I would seek/push breville for a repair of the unit, at a bare min to cover the parts required, with you paying the labour. But for a $2000+ coffee machine it should last longer than 3 years. The grinder part is about $250-300, labour $100-200 at a guess.
davidasked
I put 21.5-21.6 ground coffee, start flowing after 7s, is it alright?
or I have to put exactly 22g, start after 8-9s?
here is a lockdown, otherwise I would buy a measuring cup!
No answers
Sue Casked
Where do I find the serial number of my machine? Having a grinder problem and it may have to go in for repair.
davidasked
should I use a measure cup to check whether I get enough amount coffee, actually I want to make sure my grind set is correct.
1 answer
Yes you can use a number of different cookware items for example that have measuring on the side to confirm the output. I have a lovely glass that goes up to 100ml. Works wonders for working out single and double shot volumes. You can also weigh the grouphead before and after grind/tamping to work out the weight of the coffee being added to the basket, as you can adjust this if required as well.
davidasked
can I use brita filtered water on coffee machine instead of itself filter? thanks.
1 answer
You can use already filtered water, but its also best to have the filter in the machine installed too, as the top of the water container is open, and you don't want things getting in there, to enter the machine and jam the internal workings up.
So use both, the filter in the machine and filtered water. The machine filter you can replace way less often this way.
Marilyn Pasked
We have had our machine for 23 months and it has been working really well up until the last week or so. The water is set to 93C but is only heating to about 82C.
1 answer
Sounds like one of the boilers has failed and its not getting to temperature. Log a warranty request ASAP before its out of its 2 year warranty to get it fully serviced and repaired.
wanted-66asked
The top filling lid has become stuck and won't click open, any ideas on how to open it?
Just out of warranty which is ridiculous for a machine that costs so much.
2 answers
Its a clicker thing to release the lid as you know, so might be jammed or gummed up with stuff. Not really sure, the best way to open it when stuck. You can try forcing it, but you risk breaking it. Looking at mine, it would appear to have enough slop to just pop out if forced. The catch is in the middle of the lid at the front, so basically around the dimple you press. Give opening it a go at your own risk, a wide flat knife or something like a metal spatula would work to get in and flick it up.. Otherwise if you break it, you want to get a water inlet assembly part to fix it. Part BES980/02.32 ~$80
Thanks will try, see how I go
striperseekerasked
Having major issues with tamping function on my 980. Less than two months old. Breville sent me a new fan but no help. Leaves the puck loose and with embedded ridges from the fan pressing down. Unbelievable for this price range. Now they want it shipped back (at my expense - well over $60) for warranty check. Anyone have better luck with theirs? Doesn't matter the grind setting or the bean selection. I have pictures but no way to post them.
1 answer
If its under warranty if Breville should be covering all costs relating to the repair, including shipping costs https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees/repair-replace-refund#returning-the-product
Have them arrange a courier to come and pick up the machine if you don't have a service near by.
Nicole R.asked
Hi we just purchased a breville the oracle BES980 machine and going through the set up however we seem to be stuck at the heating part. We have set the water hardness and then the instructions say that a pumping/vibrating sound will be heard and the machine will flash HEATING and will take approx. 5mins to reach operating temp of 93 degrees however our machine isn’t making that sound nor is it heating. The display screen says 73 degrees and the power button is flashing. It’s been like that for 20mins now?!
2 answers
Try releasing the bleeding screws a bit. You might have an airlock and that helps to move things along, otherwise it's back to the shop for a replacement one as it's DOA
Thank you I will try that and see otherwise yes back to the shop it goes in the morning.
Craig Hasked
My Oracle is a bit over two years old. For some unknown reason it will no longer create froth for cappuccinos. I called Breville and they had me descale the machine but that didn’t help. Now Breville is telling me to ship the machine back to them to repair and because it’s out of warranty they want to charge me $500. That’s absurd. A stand-alone frother costs a lot less than that. I’ve tried researching online but not finding anything. Any recommendations?
2 answers
The air pump used to make steam has most likely died, common fault, or the wand is gummed up with stuff blocking the holes.
Have you pulled the end of the wand and cleaned it all? If so, then try soaking the bottom half of the steam wand in some hot water with a bit of vinegar added overnight (a tall glass works well for this), and then turn the steam wand on, while in the water give the steam wand a good go. Then remove the glass, and try the steam wand again. Pull it apart again and give it a clean.
If you're lucky it'll fix it, otherwise don't let Breville push you around. Your consumer rights would say they should repair it for free if its just over 2 years old.
Yes I did all of that
Suppose I can repeat it to see if that helps any
Kenasked
The temperature is usually ready for use when digital display says 93 degrees C.
Machine now only reaches 72 degC.
Tried reset, but no success. When I dial temperature, It only gets to 72 degC and goes no further?
Can I fix it?
1 answer
I have same problem right now. ust after i descaled about 1 hr ago. Did you get a solution?
Colin N Jacquie W.asked
The Breville registered repairer south of the river in Perth has the worst customer service I have ever experienced and I am not certain if they really find something wrong with my machine every year when they service it or if they just do so to make money! My machine is well out of warranty, can you suggest any other service centre south of the river that is honest and reliable or is it too risky to go anywhere other than the Breville recommended repairer?
No answers
Robasked
Getting a LOUD intermittent buzzing when operating Breville The Oracle BES980XL. During buzzing, the hot water dispenser pours out when doing an espresso. It will sometimes buzz loudly even with the power off. Is this a control board problem, or a solenoid/valve problem?
2 answers
Yes this is a solenoid/valve problem. Your 3 way valve has failed and needs replacing ($80). Also when this happens it is normally time to replace the water pump too (about $40) as its not far behind failing.
Thanks a bunch...... there are 3 seperate water solenoid valves inside, any idea which one is the culprit?
AKAGasked
We have the One Touch 990. The Allen screw for the shower screen has broken in two, half of it stuck in the upper assembly (group head?). I see replacement screws available but removing the broken one looks difficult. The break is flush with the screw hole so there’s nothing that one can grab with pliers. The screw itself is only 3 or 4 mm in diameter so trying to reverse it out with a screw extractor will probably damage the threads of the hole, making it impossible to use a replacement screw (maybe it could be retapped, maybe not). And I don’t see the group head available as a replacement part. Any ideas?
No answers
Murph87asked
Hi, i have my machine set to 93 degrees but it now it wont stop heating, it continues to heat to over 99 degrees and then either trips out and turns off or brings up a fault. Any ideas on what the problem is?
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