Breville BES980XL Oracle Espresso Machine
Owning the Breville BES980XL Oracle
The Breville Oracle BES980XL breaks new ground as a bridge between manual and automatic espresso machines. This dual boiler espresso machine features a built-in grinder and tamping system, programmable shot volumes, automatic rinsing and descaling options, milk frothing controls, PID temperature control, adjustable grind settings, and more. With the Oracle you get nothing less than an all-in-one home espresso solution that combines innovative features with modern technology. One of the key advantages to the Oracle is the built-in grinder. The grinder can be adjusted between 40 different fineness settings with a locking mechanism that allows you to grind directly into your portafilter. Based on your preferences you can adjust the total dosage of coffee ground to customize your shots. The Oracle’s grinder is also equipped with an adjustable automatic tamping system that will tamp and level off your coffee for you to keep extraction. The bean hopper on the Oracle holds up to 8 oz of whole bean coffee. The hopper can be completely removed and features a bean stopper, allowing you to take it off even when there are still beans inside.
The Oracle brews and steams using two separate boilers to ensure temperature stability and steam pressure. This also means that you’ll be able to brew and steam simultaneously. As an automatic machine, the Oracle has dedicated brew buttons for both single and double shots as well as Americanos and hot water. The buttons for all three drinks can be programmed to dispense at a volume of your choosing allowing you to recreate custom drinks with just a push. Located on the front of the machine, the main LCD displays the temperature of the boiler as monitored by the Oracle’s PID controller and is accurate within 2 degrees. Using the PID, temperature can be programmed between 190°-205°F. When you begin brewing the PID transitions into a shot timer that counts up from when the brew button is engaged. The steam wand on the Oracle is truly amazing. Fitted with a powerful 4-hole tip and a temperature probe, you can program the machine to automatically texture your milk on a gradient between a latte and a cappuccino allowing you to make the drinks you want with just a flip of a switch. Alternatively, the Oracle also allows for completely manual frothing so you can hone your barista skills in the comfort of your kitchen. Located beneath the drip tray the Oracle features a drop down swivel foot that can lowered to lift the machine off of your counter making it easy to slide and rotate. Depending on your setup, excess cord can be stored in the back of the machine to keep you counter free of clutter. The Breville Oracle comes packaged with the following accessories: -Mini Knock Box -58mm Stainless Steel Portafilter -10oz Stainless Steel Double Walled Travel Mug (lid included) -16oz Stainless Steel Frothing Pitcher -Replacement Steam Tip and Gasket -Cleaning Kit -Water Hardness Test Strip -Water Filter Holder and Water Filters.
Dimensions: 16.25″ D x 15″ W x 18″ H
Weight: 35lbs
Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | HFC-2023060079 |
| Boiler Configuration | Dual Boiler |
| Number of Boilers | 2 |
| Boiler Features | Rapid Steam,Brew & Steam Simultaneously |
| Brew Boiler Heater Location | Internal |
| Brew Boiler Material | Stainless Steel |
| Brew Boiler Type | Thermoblock |
| Brew Unit Material | Plastic |
| Brew Group Size (mm) | 58 mm |
| Brew Group Type | Other |
| Recommended Application | Home / Residential |
| Display Type | LCD (Monochromatic) |
| Controls and Additional Features | Adjustable Coffee Strength,Adjustable Coffee Dosage,Brew Temperature Display,Clock / Timer,Cup Volume Control,”Decalcification Needed” Indicator,Easy to Rotate,Pre-Infusion,Programmable Brewing,Temperature Control |
| Pressure Gauges | Brew Circuit |
| Type of Controls | Push Button |
| Cup Warmer Material | Aluminum |
| Cup Warmer | Actively Heated |
| Drip Tray Cover Material | Stainless Steel |
| Drip Tray Material | Aluminum |
| Portafilter Baskets Included | Single |
| Number of Grinders | 1 |
| Dispensing Method | Doser |
| Bean Hopper Capacity (Oz) | 8 |
| Grinding Method | Burr |
| Programmable Grinding | Double |
| Bean Hopper Material | Plastic |
| Housing Color | Stainless Steel |
| Housing Material | Stainless Steel, Plastic |
| Recommended Water Filter | Breville Water Filters |
| Depth (Inches) | 16.25 |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Height (Inches) | 18 |
| Weight (Lbs) | 35 |
| Width (Inches) | 15 |
| Filter Diameter (mm) | 58 |
| Portafilter Handle Material | Plastic |
| Portafilter Material | Stainless Steel |
| Number of Portafilters Included | 1 |
| Ground, E.S.E., Pod and Capsule Compatibility | Ground Coffee |
| Portafilter Type | Commercial Style |
| Pump Type | Vibration |
| Number of Grinder Settings | 40 |
| Warranty Service Provider | HARFAN COFFEE |
| Warranty Service Provider Phone Number | +62-838-9755-1917 |
| Manufacturers Warranty Period | 2-Year Limited Warranty |
| Volt | 110V-120V (US) |
| Watts | 1800 |
| Capsule or Pod Compatibility | Not Compatible with Capsules |
| Steam Boiler Heater Location | Internal |
| Steam Boiler Material | Stainless Steel |
| Steam Boiler Type | Heat Exchanger |
| Steam Wand Features | No-Burn |
| Steam Tip Hole Count | 4 |
| Steam Wand Material | Stainless Steel |
| Steam Wand Movement Type | Fixed |
| Steam Wand | Commercial |
| Water Reservoir Access Location | Rear |
| Water Reservoir Capacity | 84 |
| Water Reservoir Features | Removable,Visible Level Indicator |
| Water Reservoir Material | Plastic |
| Water Source | Built-In Reservoir |
Friederich Vog –
OK. This is the greatest home coffee machine ever. It is basically a hybrid manual-automatic with many very simple but useful feature. The least of these are things like the dial that lifts it on its wheels for easy moving, the tool tray, and the on/off timers.
But the best features are the ones that make great coffee drinks. Once prograRead more about review stating usermmed the espresso cup buttons are pulling shots that are about 40% crema for me. Some of the best shots I have ever produced (I changed to the Oracle from an Expobar semi-auto). The milk frothing system is genius. I never liked the milk reservoir concept on super-autos and manually steaming can be imprecise. The auto-steaming function creates the exact texture and temperature you want. Then there is the Americano button which simplifies and unifies your Americano output. Such ease of use and with really really superb coffee output is an amazing achievement.
Going one step further, if you need to manually control any feature noted above you can take complete control to customize the end result. Other great features include the grinder which doses, tamps and polished flawlessly, front tank fill access, auto steam wand purging, easy programmability, well-conceived descaling access, and on and on.
So far my results are superior to more expensive semi-auto espresso machines and, of course, in a completely different league from super-automatics (we also use a Jura-Capresso Z5 at home).
So, this is great purchase if you are an espresso veteran. Funny thing is that it is also perfect for people who are learning and for people thinking of changing from super automatic.
Rate your coffee expertise:
Connoisseur
Fabian Ludwig –
I have never spent this much money on an espresso machine, but I finally bit the bullet. The Oracle is amazing. It is very easy to use. It heats up quickly and you have an amazing espresso within minutes after the machine heats. The steamer produces great steamed milk with perfect froth every time. I was going to Starbucks daily but I haven’t goneRead more about review stating I have never spent this much money on… in 2 months. I make better drinks at home! I am thrilled with the Oracle!
Rate your coffee expertise:
Beginner
What do you like best about this product?
Ease of use and quality of drinks.
Uwe Becker –
In the beginning, we had the classic Ranchillo manual espresso machines. They worked well, but they were messy, especially in an office environment. The then moved to trying a number of high end Saeco and Gaggia super automatic espresso machines over the past many years both at home an in the office where they are used daily multiple times (especiRead more about review stating In the beginning, we had the classic Ranchillo…ally at the office). The super automatic machines are very convenient when they are working well. Most of the super automatic machines we had lasted 1-2 years, with some lasting longer, but at some point they quit or needed significant repairs.
After our home Gaggia Academia quit on us, we decided to look at semi-automatics. After doing quite a bit of research, we decided on the Breville Oracle. It is an amazing espresso machine that makes wonderful espresso and has a great steamer! The machine is very well made, mostly metal, unlike most of the super automatic machines. The machine is very easy to clean and unlike the old manual machines there is very little mess because of integrated grinder and automatic tamping system.
The Breville Oracle comes with a 2 year warranty, which is much longer than any of the super automatics we’ve had.
I highly recommend this espresso machine.
What do you like best about this product?
Integrated grinder and tamping system. Very solidly built. Makes great espresso. Easy to clean, little mess.
Do you have any helpful tips for using this product?
Read the directions and follow the tips in the manual, then experiment.
Johannes Franke –
So far so good. Getting used to what number of grind to use , but great coffee with deep rich crema