Breville Espresso Machine Repair Without Spending a Dime

Does your Breville espresso machine needs repairing? Breville espresso machines are some of the best out there; their espresso always tastes great. But as with every espresso machine, you might run into some issues and need to repair them. But how can you go about it, especially if you haven’t done it before? Stick around in this article, we talk about repairing your Breville espresso machine quickly and easily without needing to spend a fortune.

7 Breville machine problems and how to fix them quickly

Let’s go over 7 common problems you might run into when brewing with a Breville espresso machine.

Breville is leaking water

One of the most common issues you face with a Breville machine is that they leak water. 

There’s a bunch of reasons this might be happening: 

• One of them is the water tank isn’t seated properly and the pump struggling to force the water to move outside the tank properly. If this is the case, all you need to do is check the water tank and ensure is seated properly.

• Another reason that might cause leaking is that the head gasket wears down over time (especially if you brew too many espressos every day). In this case, consider replacing the head gasket.
• When was the last time you descaled your espresso machine? A great rule of thumb is to descale it every 4-6 months (depending on how much coffee you brew). 
• Check the seals and O-rings; they might have been worn out and need replacing. 

The pump isn’t working properly

This is another common issue you might come across.

In this case, check to see if the wand is blocked. As you might have guessed the wand in an espresso machine (including Breville) plays a significant role. It forces steam toward the coffee grounds to start the brewing process. Obviously, if it’s blocked your Breville machine will be malfunctioning. If this doesn’t solve the issue, have a look at the filters and see if they need replacing. 

It’s not heating the right way 

This is another common issue you might run into with almost any espresso machine. 

The first thing you need to check is the thermostat. 

You might be thinking ‘What’s the role of a thermostat in an espresso machine?’

(I’m glad you asked.)

Practically, a thermostat converts electricity to heat to make sure that there’s enough pressure in your espresso machine to pull espressos. If the thermostat isn’t performing to its maximum capacity, the odds are you won’t be able to brew hot coffee (most likely your coffee will be lukewarm). If you haven’t changed your thermostat yourself before, you can give it a go by watching Youtube videos on how to change a thermostat. But if you think you won’t be able to change it yourself, there’s no harm in hiring a professional to do it for you. This might make your Breville espresso taste slightly bitter.

The amount of coffee is less than usual 

What if your espresso machine produces half of an espresso shot? 

Where is the other half? 

In this case, consider cleaning the inside of your machine with a cleaning solution to remove the coffee residue that might have been built over time. If you keep your Breville machine clean and it still produces little amount of coffee it’s wise to grind or opt for coarser coffee grinds. 

When they are too finely ground they block the machine to brew enough coffee. Another thing to take into account is the tamping as, in general, it’s wise to avoid tamping your coffee grounds too tightly as there’s not going to be space for the hot water to run through the grinds and extract their flavours and aromas.

The coffee is too cold 

Let’s see the cause of this problem and come up with a couple of solutions.

One of the most common reasons that this might be happening is that you’re probably be using coarse coffee grounds that allow water to run through the grounds too quickly and as a result, the coffee doesn’t get enough time to be heated properly. In this case, consider going for slightly finer grounds (it’s also vital to check what’s recommended by the specific Breville espresso machine you own).

The espresso machine is too noisy

If your espresso machine is too noisy, the odds are that your pump might be malfunctioning. 

To solve this issue consider cleaning up the inside of your machine to remove the residue and descale it to get rid of water minerals. It’s also useful to clean the wand; all you need to do is take it off and put it in a container with hot water for a few hours. Give it a proper wash with soap and put it back on.

I can’t turn on my espresso machine

This is another issue but the good news is that you can fix it quickly.

Most of the time the problem stems from the switch or even the cord. So all you need to do is change the switch or cord and you’ll be just fine. If the problem persists then the best thing to do is reach out to the Breville customer support team.

6 tips on how to use your Breville machine in a more safe way 

Let’s go over a bunch of tips on how to use your Breville machine in a safe way: 

1. If you’re planning to do repairs, cleaning or descaling make sure to unplug the machine
2. Put gloves if you attempt to change the switch or the cord of your espresso machine 
3. If the machine is wet, postpone the repair till the machine dries out
4. Make a note of the order of the component to be able to fit them back on quickly and easily
5. It’s wise to spend a bit more and buy components that the manufacturer recommends rather than cheap ones.
6. If you’re unsure how to disassemble a part of your machine you can always go on Youtube and watch videos to help you get a better understanding.
7. Prioritise safety with anything to do with repairing your espresso machine

Let’s wrap it up

Do you know now how to repair your Breville espresso machine? If you have already put the theory into practice and fixed your machine, you deserve a big BRAVO. Treat yourself and your family to espresso, cappuccino, macchiato or just your favourite espresso-based drink.

How do you reset a Breville espresso maker?  

It’s good to know how to reset your Breville espresso maker as you might need to do so at some point. 

Here are the steps: 

Make sure that the machine has been turned off

Press simultaneously the ‘1 Cup’ and ‘Power’ 

You’ll soon see a message popping up ‘reset’

Resetting sometimes helps the machine to brew better coffee. But in general, it’s no good to use it all the time. I’d personally use it as a last resort when nothing else of the solutions we discussed isn’t working.

FAQ

Let’s go over some common questions.

How much does a Breville machine repair cost? 

The cost may range depending on the damage, but most of the time a professional charges over $100, so be prepared to pay something within this region.

What is the most common problem with Breville espresso machines? 

The most common problem with a Breville espresso machine is that it doesn’t produce enough coffee. I go over what you need to do in order to ensure it produces more coffee.