Breville BES920 Dual Boiler - Owners thread

[UCC]

Hi Andracula,
I can't answer your specific question of this this as problem needing a service, but I have a similar issue that i can work around.

Try holding down the 2 cup button (or 1 cup it does not matter) so that it goes to a manual pour bypassing the pre-infustion. That should engage the pump properly. Then within a few seconds press the button and see if it responds as normal, with the normal pre-infusion.

That works for me. I just make sure i'm ready to extract the shot. Hold the portafilter in one hand. Hold down the 2 cup button for 3 sec and let it go. Wait for the bulk of the water to dip away from the screen. Quickly insert the portafilter and hit the 2 cup button straight away.
I have been doing that for some months now and works fine. But I'm out of warranty so i dont have a choice. See if that works. If you are prepared to live without it for an undisclosed period of time it might be worth getting looked at... with a bit of luck you might get a new one.

[greencardigan]

I have sent my machine back to Breville with a few issues one of which was the pump sometimes not running during pre infusion. It's been with them a few weeks now so if they mention it I'll pass on the info.

I've also asked them to fix a solenoid which has been making a loud buzzing noise. And also my group handle has been locking in right around against the bump stop.

[ayepeacee]

Yep , mines at around the same age and it's been in for a leaking steam wand , the solenoid buzzing , screen fading and now it's doing the 10 second delay before pre infusion . I'll pick up a replacement with my warranty sell it and be looking to upgrade away from the Breville .

[Andracula]

RE: Is this normal or indicating a problem for servicing?

Thanks UCC, green cardigan and ayepeacee. It is starting to sound like a common issue unfortunately. Ive also heard that "buzzing" on occasion too. Im just going to have to get friendly again with my AeroPress while the unit is off for servicing.

[JasonLeon]

Hi guys,

This is my first time posting here, and forgive me if this issue has been address already, but I did a quick search and nothing came up for my issue.

First, I am, like most or all of you, a proud owner of a BES920 dual boiler here in SA. When I first got the machine, it worked beautifully. Consistent, reliable coffee extraction everytime.

Being a strickler for details, I programmed the machine to: water temp: 95degC, steam temp: 140degC, and extraction via flow (not seconds), which I measured out to be approximately 60mL for dual shots (I never use the single shot).

The first few months, again as said, the machine worked beautifully. Consistent 2x30mL shots around 25-30s, around 8-9bar pressure.

However, the last week or so, something weird started happening. During extraction, the pressure stayed below 3-4 bar, and extraction happened consistently between 17-20s (with and without grind beans, I'll explain further on). Obviously, I thought at first this is an issue with my technique and/or the beans. So, I have troubleshoot everything except the machine itself. I have adjusted the grinder to its finest setting with the same dosage, tamping harder, etc, and no matter how fine the grind or how hard the tamp, the extraction stayed the same: <3-4 bar, 17-20s.

Suspecting an issue with the basket (as I used a bigger, double shot basket), I switched back to the original that came with the machine. No luck, and same thing still happened.

Thinking I may be imagining the coffee flow as too fast, I decided to check the bar pressure gauge. I used the blind rubber seal that came with the machine, and the bar pressure is still capable of jumping up to 9+ bar. So, no issue there. With this check I think we can say that the rubber seals are ok, which means that the water is not extracting through the side or something.

I sincerely doubt it was the grinder, as i have another grinder that I used with my old machine (which I had gotten rid of). I use beans from the same batch on both grinders, and both have been set to its finest setting. Same issue happening: <3-4bar pressure, 17-20s extraction.

Finally, I thought it was an issue with the beans itself. So, I went out and got another batch of beans. No luck, and same issue again: <3-4bar pressure, 17-20s extraction.

I can finally, maybe erroneously, conclude that the fault is with the machine itself. Note: I have yet to descale the machine since getting it, as there were no indication that it needed descaling. I have changed the water filter regularly as suggested by the instruction.

Does anybody can any ideas what may be going on with the machine? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Edit: the machine is only ~3months old
Edit 2: before these issues happened, I measured out my volume for extraction, and, depending on whether I had grind or an empty basket, the volume always came out 30mL, and the extraction time changed accordingly. I haven't tested extensively yet, but I don't think there's much change in extraction time with and without an empty basket. Please note I have also tried resetting and reprogramming the settings again, to no avail.

[justinvai]

Hi all.

Can someone please share with me how I get into the advanced menu on this machine.

The manual states.... when off, hold the 1 cup button then push the power button on... but... nothing. I am however able to reset the machine.

Looking forward to your thoughts and guidance.

[rusty888]

Hi all.

Can someone please share with me how I get into the advanced menu on this machine.

The manual states.... when off, hold the 1 cup button then push the power button on... but... nothing. I am however able to reset the machine.

Looking forward to your thoughts and guidance.

That's how I get into mine. You have to hold the one cup button whilst you press the power button

[justinvai]

Thanks for your reply.
I guess my machine has a bug 😕

[Andracula]

The thing that worries me is the audible bubbly-gurgle at the start and that the pressure gauge shows no pressure during the pre-infusion phase (up to 10sec). At about 10-11sec the gauge needle shoots up from 0 to 9-ish. When observing without the group handle in place, there is actually water coming through the shower head during the pre-infusion phase – but it seems not under pressure if the gauge is anything to go by (in normal use). I do have shot videos of what happens if anyone wants to compare with their own experience.

[benj2008]

A few days ago I was seriously considering the "Dynamic Duo"... that is until I read about these things going wrong...I am very gun shy when I read about these issues especially if they happen out of warranty.

[soviet]

Hmm tempted to join the BES920 owners club as Harvey Norman have these for $699 after $100 cash back. Nice price.

Breville BES920 Dual Boiler Coffee Machine - Coffee Machines - Coffee & Beverage - Kitchen Appliances | Harvey Norman Australia

[soviet]

My 6910 is still working but corroding fast but still making great shots. The Breville will be a good replacement when the time comes.
So yes, I am now the owner of a BES920. Price was too good to ignore for me.

[Robbo1111]

Hmm tempted to join the BES920 owners club as Harvey Norman have these for $699 after $100 cash back. Nice price.

Breville BES920 Dual Boiler Coffee Machine - Coffee Machines - Coffee & Beverage - Kitchen Appliances | Harvey Norman Australia

The Breville promotions website doesn't appear to have the cash back offer for the stand alone BES920, just the "dynamic duo", I'd double check with Hardley Normal that the offer will be redeemed by Breville

[clubbi4]

I've made a claim, so only time will tell. I did read in the T&C's that it was for any BES920 though.

[rusty888]

I've made a claim, so only time will tell. I did read in the T&C's that it was for any BES920 though.

I wouldn't worry too much. I had a staff claim from a retailer as I purchased through a friend. Apparently breville just pay regardless