Breville Oracle Owners Thread BES980XL

[cdhjrf]

I'll be taking my replacement machine back on Monday and attempting to get a refund. I cleaned it today with the steam wand cleaner (which it shouldn't need as it is only a week old) and it still fails to froth the milk. I did notice this machine does 4 air purges after doing the milk to clean itself. My old machine only done 3.
I also bumped the steam temp up to max (140) and didn't make a difference.

anyone suggest a suitable replacement machine around the 3k budget? I do love the easy to use nature of the Oracle

If you can confirm the air pump is working, you will need turn the steam boiler temp back down. Reason being it will give it less time to inject air into the milk while heating it to fast, consequently giving you less foam.
It's a shame your having these issues. I've had mine for more than 12 months, use it almost every day and except for a firmware update hasn't missed a beat!

[bowser]

If you can confirm the air pump is working, you will need turn the steam boiler temp back down. Reason being it will give it less time to inject air into the milk while heating it to fast, consequently giving you less foam.
It's a shame your having these issues. I've had mine for more than 12 months, use it almost every day and except for a firmware update hasn't missed a beat!

I get big bubbles for less than a second on auto then is the same as manual. Yeah I was happy with my last machine. If I get the option I will be getting a refund and getting a different brand machine.

[misspiccolo]

I get big bubbles for less than a second on auto then is the same as manual. Yeah I was happy with my last machine. If I get the option I will be getting a refund and getting a different brand machine.

Oh that's a pity. I just got my Oracle on Saturday and have been loving it so far. Haven't had any problems with the steamer, but you never know

[retrosega]

I'm thinking of changing over to the Oracle. I have a plumbed in Expobar Minore III at the moment. The water filter hose sprung a leak and flooded the whole work kitchen and waiting room area. I want to change over to a machine that just has a tank! Is this a move I'll regret??

[misspiccolo]

I'm thinking of changing over to the Oracle. I have a plumbed in Expobar Minore III at the moment. The water filter hose sprung a leak and flooded the whole work kitchen and waiting room area. I want to change over to a machine that just has a tank! Is this a move I'll regret??

I can't tell you as the Oracle and Expobar have completely different build qualities (ie Oracle is more of a consumer appliance, but has more automatic features)

[sprezzatura]

Just finished servicing my friend's Oracle. It's fun and easy to use.

Here are some thoughts from a tech POV:

1) Grind and auto tamp work well. I was surprised. Good grind cutters.

2) Easy to program volumes; brew temp; pre-infusion (all the shots I pulled were 100% @ 60% pump pressure and very nice).

3) Steam worked very well: auto and manual.

Cons:

1) it's really expensive for what it is. But - it does have a good grinder built in.

2) I did a descale and the sensors went haywire for 24 hours. Annoying. Part and parcel for super-high tech in a little package. This cleared up and the machine resumed normal operations.

Summary: I liked it! I shouldn't as I'm a traditional machine enthusiast and tech. I wouldn't buy one unless I could get it serviced quick and nearby (nightmare 6 week turn-around stories; yes, where I used to work as a tech too. Not enough techs and too many warranty jobs of which 80% were user incurred errors).

[trentski]

I'm thinking of changing over to the Oracle. I have a plumbed in Expobar Minore III at the moment. The water filter hose sprung a leak and flooded the whole work kitchen and waiting room area. I want to change over to a machine that just has a tank! Is this a move I'll regret??

That would be a fair step backwards. You can get the minore with a tank, talk to a sponsor and see what options you have

[retrosega]

A step backwards from a traditionalist point of view? Would I really notice the $1600 difference in the espresso I make?
I'm just kind of put off by expensive service and repair bills and generally what looks like 12 month warranties.

[noidle22]

Oracle has a 24 month warranty.

It's no more expensive to service than a Dual Boiler unless some of the more complex components go wrong which really aren't that expensive when you compare it to the cost of the machine as a whole.
It has a lot to do with how much money the service agent decides they feel like charging. Machine is worth a lot of money? Good, that means we can charge a lot for the repair. That's not how I work but sadly it's the story with a lot of service centres.

[ayz]

Has anyone with this machine managed to find a way to stop the machine from turning off after 20mins? Defeats the purpose of having a coffee machine really if it turns itself off.

[cdhjrf]

Breville Oracle Owners Thread BES980XL

Has anyone with this machine managed to find a way to stop the machine from turning off after 20mins? Defeats the purpose of having a coffee machine really if it turns itself off.

Answer to your question, no.

They used to stay on for hours, but part of a firmware update (and energy efficiency standards I believe) on later machines maximum time on is 20 minutes.
In the beginning I found it a bit annoying but really haven't found it a problem as the heat up is fast and even faster if the machine is still warm from previous use. I guess the up side is it should help the machine last longer and probably use a little less power.

[misspiccolo]

Has anyone with this machine managed to find a way to stop the machine from turning off after 20mins? Defeats the purpose of having a coffee machine really if it turns itself off.

I don't think there is a way to change the 20 mins auto shut off time. I have it go on 6:10am and if I get to the machine before 6:30, I flick the steam lever to keep it going. However, on weekends when I wake up at 7 (after the auto shut off), I turn the machine on and it's at about 53 degrees, so doesn't take it long to get up to 93 degrees.

I wish the machine had the ability to set different times during the week as well as 20, 30 60 min shut offs, but I think someone said earlier it's to meet power consumption/saving guidelines

[tiddler2]

I don't think there is a way to change the 20 mins auto shut off time. I have it go on 6:10am and if I get to the machine before 6:30, I flick the steam lever to keep it going. However, on weekends when I wake up at 7 (after the auto shut off), I turn the machine on and it's at about 53 degrees, so doesn't take it long to get up to 93 degrees.

I wish the machine had the ability to set different times during the week as well as 20, 30 60 min shut offs, but I think someone said earlier it's to meet power consumption/saving guidelines

The 'one watt standby' initiative seems to have stalled, Google it and you'll see that nothing has happened for an awfully long time.

Are other manufacturers rushing to implement it? No.

Therefore, you might be forgiven in assuming that it is a convenient way of prolonging the life of an appliance.

[ayz]

I wish the machine had the ability to set different times during the week as well as 20, 30 60 min shut offs, but I think someone said earlier it's to meet power consumption/saving guidelines

It just seems strange they implement this in a machine. Slow cookers and other espresso machines etc can be run all day. 20 minutes is just a very short time. At the very least I would have thought an hour before shut off to allow everything to warm up properly.

[Kerr1st]

Quick Update (2.5 year owner)

Hi Snobbs, been following this thread, awesome stuff!

In 2.5 years the Oracle has brewed at least 4+ Long Blacks (for my Ozzies) or Cafe Americanos (for my Frenchies) or Damn Good Coffee (for Americans) a day. That is 3,650+ cups of amazing coffee! The auto frother is a bit of a pain but great advice in this thread if that is your cup. (I have made 200+ cappuccinos,mochas =Milk drinks, still going strong)

Why post today?
1)Recently, the first cup =no water for the first 11-15 seconds. (never descaled, too Lazy!)
2)Noticed a little water on the counter, a little in the tool storage wasn't sure if it was a leak or ?

Called the 866-765-2445 Oracle Support...They:


1)Recommend a "purge" cycle before every cup (issue 1 solved)


2)A FREE Full Service... They are going to do a complete refurbish for FREE. Check the boiler, upgrade the software, check the seals...

Check the first post of this thread, I am out of warranty.... for over 6 months... I continue to be blown away by the Oracle and Breville.

I am not a paid Breville anything just a guy that loves great coffee, doesn't want to dedicate my life to it, and appreciates great service... if you are that guy (or gal) Get an Oracle, now! just do it! it will not cost it will save you money*

*3650 cups of coffee at Starbucks (or your local brew house) X $4 =$14,600 + 200 cappuccinos X 6 =$1,200 ==NO BRAINER

Thanks Snobbs for directing me to the Oracle in the first place, been a fantastic experience.