I have been using it for about a week. I have wanted it for about 2 years, since I saw it at a William Sonoma and tried a sample and loved how it operated. I have a Saeco super automatic machine that I have used every day for over 10 years. It is slowly breaking (display stopped working, water tank occasionally leaks, can't run the decalcifying program anymore). So, I didn't need this machine now. But, I was going to need it. The Saeco is a workhorse and I never expected to last as long as it has. I thought the coffee tasted fine from the Saeco. But, I realized it tasted like crap once I got this machine.
Very easy to set up. There are a few things to know about operating it that requires reading the manual. But, day to day operation is pretty simple. It takes way longer to get ready than my Saeco. But, you can easily program it to turn on at a designated time. The main display is more old school than it needs to be. In this day and age, they can use something more than an old school lcd display. For some of the functions, if you don't know what it supposed to be displaying, you won't understand it. Probably used it for the aesthetic.
I really like the manual part of this machine. It is still essentially an automatic machine. But, you have an espresso basket to put in one port for the grinds to be dispensed into and tamped. Then, you move it to the other port and it makes the coffee. If you make a triple cappuccino, like I do, it is a bit more work than pressing the espresso button 3 times, like I did on my old machine. With this, I have to move the basket from one port to the other, then bang out the grounds in the included barista ground disposal thing, rinse it off and start the cycle again and do that 3 times. You also have to move the cup for the coffee off the machine when you remove the espresso basket or you risk knocking it over. That takes slightly more time than a fully automatic machine but it is more the attention it requires. If you want to multitask while the machine does all of the work, this machine is not for you. One nice feature that saves time is that you can froth the milk while the espresso is being made and you can do that hands free. So, compared to my Saeco, the active time making a beverage is about the same, since the Saeco required my attention in frothing the milk.
I think this machine provides the perfect amount of manual interaction in an automatic machine - and the interaction that I want. I would love to get a shiny La Pavoni and a professional grinder, learn the perfect amount of pressure to tamp and have that for the weekend and a fully automatic machine for the work week. But, I don't have the money or the counter space for that. This machine gives me close to both experiences. I get to use an espresso basket (which makes it feel more like an authentic coffee making experience) but still not have to worry about tamping it perfectly and watching the coffee come out and stopping it when it makes the right amount. Yet, you can still experiment with the time for the water flow to control the strength of the coffee. You can control the water temp, the tamping pressure, the grind and a bunch of other options. Or, you never have to fool with those settings.
Did I mention it makes amazing coffee? It does. It tastes incredible and the froth is perfect every time. I haven't even used espresso beans in it yet. I have been using some light roast that a local roaster made and was given to me as a gift mixed with some Philz dark roast that I had left over.
Only comment/complaint is that you only have one portafilter size. It only dispenses a fixed amount of grounds. So, the button for a double espresso isn't really a double, compared to the single. At a coffee shop, they would use a different size filter for a single and a double and a different amount of coffee in each. So, if you want a full strength double, you really have to make 2 singles. You will have something different if you just let water flow through the same grounds for an extra 10 seconds. Small price to pay, though. Other comment/critique is that the milk can be tough to clean off the bottom part of the frother and you really should do it each time.you use the frother. Didn't have that issue with the Saeco that used a plastic frother tip.
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Brand: Breville
Special Features: Jug
Operation Mode: Manual
Material: Stainless Steel
Style: Modern
Human Interface Input: Touchscreen
Filter Type: Reusable
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From the manufacturer
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Integrated Conical Burr Grinder
With 45 grind settings, the precision grinder automatically grinds, doses & tamps 22g of coffee
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Dual Boiler Heating System
Delivers simultaneous extraction & steam with a heated group head and PID temperature control
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Full-bodied Coffee With Rich & Complex Flavors
Low pressure pre-infusion followed by a high pressure 9 bar extraction for an opulent espresso
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Hands-free Milk Texturing
Silky microfoam with up to one million micro bubbles per ml, ready for latte art
1 Auto Grind, Dose & Tamp 2 PID Temperature Control 3 9 Bar Extraction Pressure 4 Auto MilQ
Oracle
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| | Barista-Style | |
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| | Auto MilQ | |
| | Built-In Grinder | |
3 Second Heat Up | | |
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3 Second Heat Up | | |
Assisted Tamping |
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This Item  Breville Oracle Espresso Machine BES980XL, Brushed Stainless Steel |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $2,199.95 | $2,799.95 | $894.99 | $299.95 | $599.99 | $1,499.95 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 23 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 23 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 23 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 23 | Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 25 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 23 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Blending power | ||||||
| Flavor | ||||||
| Easy to clean | ||||||
| Easy to use | ||||||
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | CASABREWS | Amazon.com |
| capacity | 84 ounces | 84 ounces | 2 liters | 47 fluid ounces | 91 fluid ounces | 67.6 fluid ounces |
| material | Stainless Steel | Brushed Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Brushed Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| input interface | touch screen | touch screen | buttons | buttons | buttons | touch screen |
| voltage | 120 volts | 120 volts | 120 volts | 120 volts | 120 volts | — |
| wattage | 1800 watts | 1800 watts | 1600 watts | 1560 watts | 1500 watts | 1750 watts |
| model name | BES980XL | the Oracle® Touch | the Barista Express® Impress | the Bambino® Brushed Stainless Steel | 5700Pro | the Barista Touch Impress |
| weight | 34.5 pounds | 33.4 pounds | 14.3 pounds | 10.9 pounds | 21.5 pounds | 22 pounds |
Reviews with images
The Oracle is about the joy of brewing espresso
Why on earth is there so many reviews about the cost of the Oracle?Lets get this out of the way right away. The oracle case more than most espresso makers, you can pick up a super-matic for less that will do one button brewing. you can also buy a very nice grinder and a outstanding high end espresso brewer.. if you are concerned that a bentley tend to need a overhaul each year and that service cost more than life time service on a kia.. then you got the wrong coffeemaker.That out of the way, driving a Oracle is going to cost you money, the beans from Albertson's is a absolute waste of money, I mean its not they are bad at all. but they are NOT that good, and once you are driving a oracle, why not enjoy the flavor it can deliver.So.. Maschine then. if you are reading this, you already know the "WHY".I found myself pondering the Oracle vs the Oracle touch. in the end, i picked the older Oracle to get a little more direct and textured control.. I have not regretted this choice.The grinder is reasonably consistent, I have not had reason to suspect it being inconsistent. I do feel you need to run maybe 2-3 sec after changing grind size when dialing in a bean. so I put the PortaFilter into the grinder and turn it on, then after a couple sec's of grinding, stop by pushing the handle to the right again.. empty and then do a full grind and tamp.BTW> I have left the tamp at default force.. and tweak how fast it runs by the grind size only really.Move the PortaFilter to the Brew Head. make sure to turn it a little extra so its really locked in. push brew and watch your espresso shot brew.. its just so darn beautiful.The thing about the Oracle, I play with beans when nobody is around, and the Oracle will play along all the way.Then early in the morning, just pop in the filter, and do a one button brew. ahhh. you get that fully manual brewer with single button ease when you want it.On and it looks damn good doing what it do. its not looking like a "Im a crazed espresso hobby fanatic", but just like I picked up a really nice espresso maker that suits my lifestyle. and honestly thats really the buying reasoning, its an expensive one of a kind espresso maker, thats in serial production, so its going to be far more reliable than most hand build high end brewers.But what about the barista,?Basically the Barista is just about a Oracle, without the auto-tamp, and the auto-steam.. and actually i think the barista touch now have the auto-steam. I picked the oracle mostly for the dual boiler, auto-tamp convenience (and lack of mess when friends are over) and for the auto-steam.. I wanted a totally step back and enjoy brewer, that I can go nitty-gritty with when in the mood.Ultimately, Not a single regret.
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Jasmine
☕🍵 Elevate Your Morning Routine & Coffee Game with the Breville Oracle Espresso Machine ☕🍵
Reviewed in Canada on March 24, 2024Color: SilverVerified Purchase
Usuario Comprobado
Excelente cafetera semi automática. Grandiosos cappuccinos con filtro naked!
Reviewed in Mexico on January 20, 2020Color: SilverVerified Purchase
Usuario Comprobado
Reviewed in Mexico on January 20, 2020
Tiene doble caldera, con lo que puedes espumar la leche y extraer el café al mismo tiempo, aparte de poder agregar agua caliente a un americano, o simplemente para Té.
Tiene dos opciones para agregar agua a su tanque, una es por detrás, pero en este modelo tambien por arriba en la parte frontal, entonces no necesitas estar moviendo la maquina para cargar agua, muy cómodo.
Trae uno de los accesorios por lo que la queria adquirir, la posibilidad de utilizar un filtro naked o bottomless, con el que puedes hacer café con una crema densa y aromática, que dejan al café distinto y a mi criterio más sabroso.
El filtro naked se compra aparte, pero es en este modelo que puedes utilizarlo, porque la mayoría de las cafeteras Breville traen un portafiltro de 54mm, y en este modelo es de 58mm que permite utilizar y conseguir filtros profesionales como el Naked.
Al encenderla por primera vez, creí que la maquina venia fallada, porque necesitas encenderla y dejar que llegue a los 200 grados. Pero la encendía y apagaba varias veces sin llegar a pasar los 165. La deje durante 24hs pensando en regresarla y cuando la volví a prender encendió y llego a los 200. Luego de este detalle no volvió a presentar ningún problema hasta ahora. Y todo funciona a la perfección.
Trae un jarro de acero quirúrgico muy practico para espumar la leche para cappuccinos.
La recomiendo aunque es una cafetera algo elevada en precio, pero vale la pena para tenerla esperando no necesitar cambiarla o comprar otra durante muchos años.
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BC Chris
2 years later: Fantastic machine, but not perfect.
Reviewed in Canada on July 16, 2017Color: SilverVerified Purchase
BC Chris
Reviewed in Canada on July 16, 2017
As it can run fully automatic, it is very quick to dial in the perfect shot. Adjust grind to get a nice extraction, then adjust water volume to preference. Automatic milk steaming is very consistent and convenient. Automatic americano function is also great. Pulled dozens of shots in the first few days getting it set up then making espressos for my friends, family, and I.
Then, on day 3, it faulted. I turned the steam temperature knob and the main LCD flickered out. Then it came back, flashing randomly (see video attached). All functions still work, but without the main LCD the menu system cannot be accessed. After unplugging the unit for a few hours everything was back to normal. A couple of days later, the the bottom line disappeared from the main LCD again.
I have NOT contacted Breville (yet); Amazon is sending me a replacement, no questions asked, and I'll ship the defective one back when the replacement arrives. I will not pass judgement on a single defective unit - yes it is so expensive that anything but top quality is disappointing to say the least - but I'll give it another chance. Will update with a more damning review if the replacement is anything less than perfect.
**update 1. Have been using the replacement machine to pull 2-4 shots per day for the last 9 months with no issues. This thing is nothing short of brilliant.
**update 2. As reviewer “Doug” notes, at the 2 year mark my machine also started leaking. Small puddles appeared in the morning. I also am finding I can’t even pull 2 shots and steam a pitcher of milk without it stopping to reheat. Last year I could pull shot after shot for guests and it never skipped a beat. Good thing I purchased the extended warranty. They’re sending a cheque for replacement cost, which should cover repairs and then some. For 2 years this thing has brought me joy. Really disappointing turn of events...
**update 3 - I contacted Breville Canada and they provided me a free shipping label to ship the machine to their shop in Vancouver for repairs. It was returned to me in 2 weeks working perfectly. All free of charge. My only complaint was that the service technicians did not communicate what was found and what was fixed - Just got a machine in a box that works like new. I called Breville and they confirmed that the seals were replaced. Hopefully it will perform consistently for more than 2 years this time. I wonder how much the bill for new seals will be once I’m out of the warranty period...
Beyond the issues I’ve encountered it really is great. When I think about it the failure rate isn’t terrible; I use it at least twice a day to grind and pull at least 3 shots per day, 365 days/year! It leaked after 2 years and was repaired for free. Not sure I could reasonably expect better of a machine this complex...
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Amazon Customer
Recommended--great foam and easy to operate
Reviewed in Canada on April 17, 2018Color: SilverVerified Purchase
Brandon Kennedy
This machine makes great tasting coffee, but is poorly made for how expensive it is.
Reviewed in Canada on April 10, 2022Color: SilverVerified Purchase
