Breville

Breville The Oracle Touch BES990

Answers and step-by-step fixes from the official Breville manual.

What does the display say?

• Empty Me!: Drip tray needs emptying. The drip tray has a pop up indicator that shows when it is full.
• Water tank empty: Machine says the tank is empty. This can show even when the tank has water if it is not pushed in and locked correctly.
• Operation Error: Major fault message. A major fault has occurred and the machine cannot run.
• Clean Cycle pop-up: Time for a cleaning cycle. A message appears on screen when the shower screen and group head need back-flushing.
• Descale Cycle pop-up: Time to descale. A message appears when mineral build up means the machine needs descaling.

Common problems

The grinder runs but no coffee comes out

1. Is the bean hopper empty? Fill the hopper with fresh coffee beans.
2. Is the grinder or hopper blocked? Remove the hopper and check the hopper and burrs for a blockage, then replace parts and try again.
3. Is the grinder making a loud clicking noise? This can mean a foreign item is stuck, or moisture is clogging the grinder. Clean the burrs and grind outlet.
4. Is the portafilter overfilling? Check that the tamping fan was put back after cleaning and is mounted correctly on the drive shaft.

Coffee leaks around the portafilter or it pops out while brewing

1. Is the portafilter locked in correctly? Rotate the portafilter to the right until the handle is past the centre and securely locked.
2. Are there coffee grounds on the filter basket rim? Wipe excess coffee off the rim after grinding so the seal in the group head is proper.
3. Is the filter basket or portafilter wet? Dry the filter basket and portafilter thoroughly before filling, tamping and inserting them.

No steam, hot water, or water won't flow

1. Has the machine reached operating temperature? Give the machine time to heat up before use.
2. Is the water tank empty or not locked in? Fill the tank, then push it in fully and lock the latch closed.
3. Is the steam wand blocked? A blocked steam wand will stop steam or reduce milk texturing. Clean the wand.
4. Is the machine on but not responding at all? Turn the machine off, wait 60 minutes, then turn it back on.

Coffee tastes wrong, flows too fast or too slow, or isn't hot enough

1. Does espresso only drip out, flowing too slowly? The coffee is ground too finely. Make the grind slightly coarser.
2. Does espresso flow out too quickly? The coffee is ground too coarsely, or the beans are stale. Make the grind slightly finer.
3. Is there no crema on the espresso? Use freshly roasted beans and drink them within the recommended window after roasting.
4. Is the coffee not hot enough? Rinse cups under the hot water outlet and place them on the cup warming tray before brewing.

Step-by-step guides

Descale the machine

1. If you just used the machine, turn it off and let it cool for at least 1 hour first
2. Make sure the drip tray is empty and inserted
3. Go to Settings and select Descale Cycle
4. Follow the instructions on the touch screen

Clean the steam wand

1. Add 1 packet of steam wand cleaning powder into an empty milk jug
2. Add 1 cup (8oz/240ml) of hot water into the jug
3. Remove the steam tip and place it with the steam wand into the jug
4. Leave to soak
5. Clean and rinse the tip, screw it back on, then activate steam for 10 seconds
6. Allow to soak again
7. Activate steam several times to purge the wand, then rinse thoroughly
8. Wipe the steam wand dry with a clean cloth
9. Discard the solution and rinse the jug thoroughly

Clean the conical burrs

1. Unlock and remove the bean hopper
2. Run the grinder until it is empty of beans
3. Clean the lower burr with the burr brush
4. Remove the tamping fan with the tamp removal magnet
5. Clean the upper burr with the burr brush
6. Clean the grind outlet with the grind outlet brush
7. Replace the tamping fan by hand
8. Push the upper burr firmly back into position
9. Replace and lock the hopper back into place