Like other espresso coffee machine problems, the first step is to identify the symptom, the source of the issue and come up with possible troubleshooting steps. This guide will explain the most common Breville espresso machine problems and give you possible solutions to get your machine working correctly.
How to use a Breville espresso machine
The Breville espresso machine models are slightly different, but the concept is the same. Below is an easy guide to starting your Breville espresso machine.
How to clean a Breville espresso machine
You have to do a regular cycle clean and deep clean on your Breville espresso machine to avoid having stale and bland coffee and maintain the espresso machine in its best condition. The “Clean/Descale” light will come on to indicate that a cleaning cycle is due.
Every day cleaning
Clean the espresso machine at the end of the day to reduce the build-up of coffee grounds and prevent mold growth on wet surfaces. Here are the steps:
Weekly clean
Deep clean
Follow the steps below on how to run a deep cleaning cycle in your Breville coffee maker.
Clean the steam wand, grinder, and filters.
Grinder: Empty the grinder and run the grinder under cold water to remove all the ground coffee. Use a soft brush to remove the coffee bean residue in the area where the grinder fits. Wipe off any coffee dust with a damp, lint-free cloth. Scrub the chute and crevices, then reconnect the grinder to the espresso machine. Steam wand: Use a damp cloth to wipe down the exterior. Turn the wand tip to the drip tray and run steam for about 10 seconds. If there is no steam coming out, use the cleaning tool to unblock the wand. If the blockage is still there, soak the wand in hot water, pry out the jam with the cleaning tool, and turn the dial to steam again. Repeat this process until it is clear. Filter basket and portafilter: Rinse the filter basket and portafilter under hot water and use the cleaning tool to unblock the filter. If there is still blockage, soak them in hot water for about 20 minutes, rinse and dry.
How to unclog a Breville espresso machine
The espresso machine works efficiently with regular care and maintenance because it is prone to clogging. When your machine has blocked, it prevents water from flowing from the group head, through the steam wand, and into the hot water spout. Flushing out your machine with water after every use and while the unit is hot will prevent the dirt from hardening in the system, making it harder to unclog it. Here is how to properly unclog your Breville espresso machine.
Clean the steam sleeve.
Run a steam cycle.
Fill a cup with cold water and insert the steam wand in the frother.Turn the steam knob to “Steam” and let the water froth for a couple of seconds. Then, insert the cleaning tool inside the steam nozzle and scrub off any dried milk if it does not steam.
Clean the brew unit and permanents filter.
Disconnect the waste unit from the machine and hold the brew unit handle.Press and hold the release button and pull out the brew unit.Clean brew unit with warm water and a sponge.Wipe the permanent filter in the funnel with a damp cloth to remove coffee residue.Allow all the parts to air dry, then return the funnel and brew unit into the espresso machine.
How do I reset my Breville espresso machine?
Resetting your Breville espresso machine will return all the saved settings to the default settings. To reset your Breville coffee machine, press and hold the program button until the espresso machine beeps three times, then release the button. The espresso shot volumes and temperature settings will return to default. You can also reset it by setting the machine on standby, unplug it from the power outlet and then plug it back in after a few minutes.
How to descale a Breville espresso machine
Descaling the espresso machine is different from the cleaning cycle because descaling involves using a descaling tablet to remove limescale deposits from the espresso machine. Breville recommends descaling the espresso machine every 60 to 90 days, depending on the area’s water hardness.
Water hardness 6 = 60days (2 months)Water hardness 4 = 90days (3 months)
Here is a detailed guide on how to descale your Breville espresso machine:
Why is my Breville espresso machine not working?
If your Breville espresso machine is running, but no coffee is coming out of the group head, there could be a blockage, or the grind setting could be wrong. Here is how to fix both problems.
Blockage in the group head
To fix the issue, backflush the machine periodically to avoid blocking the solenoid valve and causing it to malfunction. In a home setting, you should backflush your espresso machine without chemicals once a week and after 200 shots with chemicals, depending on what comes first. In a commercial environment, you should backflush at the end of every business day. Backflushing is cleaning the brew group, shower screen, and three-way valve; follow the steps below to backflush your Breville espresso machine properly.
Grind setting problems
When the machine is not dispensing any coffee, the grind setting could be too fine or too much coffee in the basket. To solve this, you need to adjust the grind size and amount.
Grind size.
Grind amount
Breville espresso machine not pumping water
To fix an espresso machine that’s not pumping water, you need to follow the flow of water first to identify the source of the blockage. Here is how to troubleshoot your espresso machine to get its water pump working again.
When the Breville espresso machine refuses to pump water, it means the machine is vapor-locked. Vapor locking happens when you prime the machine immediately after it becomes hot. The hot air in the boiler creates pressure on the pump, therefore, blocking the water passage. To fix the issue, you need to prime the espresso machine flowing the steps below to force the water pump to draw water from the wank into the boiler system.Fill the water tank with filtered water.Place a cup under the brew and steam wand.Turn on the power button and open the steam wand knob.Let t sit for two minutes and then press the brew button and allow it to run for two minutes.Turn off the brew button, allow the steam wand to stay open for two minutes, and turn off the machine.After several minutes, run a cycle to test if the espresso machine is pumping water.Check the incoming water to the machine. Make sure the line is not blocked or has kinks. Check the line coming from the espresso machine and into the filter, and if it has a kink, you can gently straighten it or replace it.Check the valves in the machine. The Breville espresso machine has a solenoid valve that controls water flowing through the brew head. The valve opens when you engage the group head. Push the brew button, and if you hear a click, it means the valve is engaging correctly. If there is no click, the solenoid valve is stuck closed and needs replacing.Dirt and debris from the water supply can clog the system in the coffee machine and prevent water from reaching the group head. The Breville espresso machine has many water lines with gigleurs, small metering jets inside the pipes that control the water flow rate. Dirt and debris will build up over time and clog these gigleurs and block water flow.Check the filter for blockage and needs replacing. If you grind your coffee too finely, the filter will block easily and restrict water flow.If you have not descaled your espresso machine for a while, limescale may be clogging the water pump. Descale your espresso machine to clear out the limescale deposits that might be jamming the water pump.
Breville espresso maker is not building pressure.
When preparing espresso, you need a significant amount of pressure and temperature to get more flavor. The ideal pressure for espresso should land the pressure gauge needle within the solid gray area. Low pressure means the water passes through the ground coffee in the portafilter too quickly, causing the coffee extraction process to be quick, resulting in weak or sour-tasting espresso. Here is how to troubleshoot the issue.
First, you need to test if the pump in the espresso machine is working correctly. Insert the pressurized basket into the portafilter without the beans and press the 1-cup button to run the machine. Check the pressure gauge when the espresso machine is running and ensure it is on nine bars without the coffee beans. If the pressure is lower, the pump may not be getting enough water, or it could be faulty and needs replacing. If the pressure is above nine bars, you need to change the variables when making your espresso to increase the pressure.
How to increase pressure on a Breville espresso machine
Change the grinder to a more refined setting. When the ground size is too coarse, the water goes through the grounds too fast and doesn’t build enough pressure to produce a good shot. We recommend setting the grind size to five; however, you may need to adjust the grind size from time to time.Increase the amount of coffee. For a single shot of espresso, you should pour 8-10grams of ground coffee and 15-18 grams for a double shot of espresso.Increase the pressure when tamping. Tamping will make loose coffee grounds into a tightly compressed and evenly dispersed puck inside the portafilter. To tamp correctly, grind the coffee bean finely and level the coffee grounds in the portafilter with your finger or Breville tamper. Tamp the ground coffee twice, apply light pressure the first time to form a puck shape, and use more force and press the ground coffee heavily the second time to remove any remaining air gaps between the grinds. Twist the tamper before pulling it out to keep your coffee grinds more level.
Keep in mind that if you don’t use enough tamping pressure, the pressure during the extraction process will be too low. And if you use too much tamping pressure, the pressure during the extraction process will be too high.
Breville espresso machine not heating up.
When your espresso machine I running but stops heating, there is usually a problem with the switch, control board, thermal fuse, or thermostat. Here is how to troubleshoot it.
Check the power switch.
The power switch can wear out with time or from a power surge, and it will not turn on your espresso machine. Unplug the espresso machine and replace the switch.
Blown fuses
Fuses are for safety, the trip when the heating element in the espresso machine becomes overheats. If the espresso machine is not heating, but the thermostat is working, the thermal fuse could be the issue and requires replacing.
Defective control board
A faulty control board is likely the issue if the espresso machine does not turn on and heat up. Click the buttons on the espresso machine and if it does not respond, replace the control board making sure to reconnect the wires correctly.
Faulty thermostat
The thermostat in your Breville espresso machine measures and directs the heat of a specific temperature through the elements. When it exceeds this temperature, the thermostat signals the espresso machine to shut off. Check if the thermostat is in the on position, and if the dial has stuck in the off position, you need to replace it.
How to reduce pressure on a Breville espresso machine
If the pressure gauge needle lands on the lower side of the solid gray area, which is under nine, it means the espresso machine is working harder to pass through the coffee grinds and creating more pressure. It causes the coffee extraction process to take too long and produce acidic and bitter-tasting coffee. To reduce the pressure:
Adjust the grind size to a coarser setting.Apply less pressure with tamping your grind.Reduce the amount of coffee.
How to clean a Breville espresso machine grinder
Regularly cleaning the grinder and burrs allows for consistent grinding results. Follow the instructions below on how to clean it and clear any blockages.
How to make a latte with a Breville espresso machine
A latte is a single espresso shot with textured milk and about 10mm of foam. We will teach you how to make a good latte with your Breville machine.
Things you need
Coffee espresso beansMilkA latte cup of 200-220 mlAdditional toppings like syrup
Directions
How to steam milk with a Breville espresso machine
Follow the steps below to steam your milk correctly with your Breville espresso.
How do you change a Breville water filter?
The water filter in your espresso machine reduces limescale build-up inside the machine. You should replace the filter for your Breville espresso machine every two to three months, depending on how hard the water supply in your area is. Check this too: Sowtech Espresso Machine How to & Troubleshooting Guide
Conclusion
The Breville espresso machine is among the most durable ones in the market, but it will occasionally develop issues. However, most problems are simple and easy to fix once you identify the source of the problem. We hope this article will help you learn how to use the machine and essential troubleshooting tips.
