Why Your Breville Espresso Machine Is Not Reaching Pressure

Waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee is every coffee lover’s ultimate dream.

After all, an espresso shot made with premium quality Breville machine feels like a drink from heaven early in the morning.

However, things don’t always go as planned. Your device can malfunction and start causing problems making you wonder what the issue is. One common problem is not reaching the desired pressure, making your espresso shot taste bland and sour.

If you are struggling with it, don’t worry, it is a simple issue you can fix at home.

If you are desperately missing your dreamy espresso shot, read further as we discuss eight reasons why your Breville machine is not reaching pressure and how to fix it.

8 Reasons Breville Espresso Machine Is Not Reaching Pressure

The Breville espresso machine is one of the finest in the market. It is famous for brewing high-quality and heavenly espresso shots.

However, due to some issues, it can malfunction and stop reaching pressure to produce the ultimate taste you require.

Here are a few reasons for the problem and its quick fixes.

1. Broken Pressure Guage

A broken pressure gauge won’t measure the water tank’s pressure accurately, making your espresso machine not reach the desired level. As a result, you won’t get the aromatic crema on your drink, only a flavorless strong coffee drip.

Solution

It is good to take the machine to a licensed repair shop and get the broken pressure gauge replaced.

2. Incorrect Grind Size

Another critical reason for your espresso machine not reaching the pressure is using the incorrect grind size. The coffee beans are ground in multiple sizes, from coarse to fine.

Your espresso machine will never reach the desired pressure using coarse ground, as the water will seep through easily without needing extra force.

As a result, you will get a fluffy crema on your cup, but the espresso shot will taste extremely sour.

Solution

Always remember the finer the grind size is, the more pressure the machine will exert to get an espresso shot.

3. Ruptured Pressure Relief Valve

The Breville espresso machine has a pressure relief valve that works as a safety feature and releases pressure in the chamber when it gets too hot.

If your device is not reaching pressure, the main reason can be a broken or stuck pressure relief valve not releasing the pressure correctly.

Solution

The pressure relief valve is an easily replaceable component of the espresso machine. Any licensed repair shop can do the job for you.

4. Torn Seal or Gasket

The Breville espresso machine has several gaskets that keep the internal mechanism intact and working smoothly. If a seal is broken, the device can malfunction and fails to reach the desired pressure.

You will also notice water leaking from the bottom of the appliance after brewing a cup of coffee. The main culprit for broken seals can be limescale build-up or coffee oil, as it eats the rubber away after constant interaction.

Solution

If you suspect a broken gasket, taking the whole espresso machine to a certified repair shop is recommended. Never try to repair it yourself, as it can cause more harm to the device.

5. Using a Low Amount of Coffee Beans

The Breville espresso machine is built for the two-cup basket. So using it to measure the right amount of ground beans is always a good practice.

A low amount of coffee will not require pressure from the espresso machine resulting in a poor espresso shot. You can also use the razor tool that comes with the machine to measure the exact amount of beans. pump

Solution

When pressing the ground beans with a tamper, ensure you only see the silver ring on the tamper. You must use fewer coffee grounds if you can’t see the silver edge.

6. Faulty Pump

The water pump in the Breville espresso machine is responsible for exerting the correct pressure that forces the water to seep through the ground beans.

If the pump is faulty, it won’t work accordingly, and your espresso machine will lack the desired pressure.

Solution

You can easily replace the water pump in your espresso machine with the help of an expert.

7. Clogged Water Line

Using clean, purified water for making coffee is always recommended, as tap water contains a lot of limescale and calcium. These components in the water start building up and eventually clogs the water line resulting in lower pressure.

If the water line is blocked, less water will seep through the coffee beans resulting in a low-quality espresso shot.

Solution

Like every other household appliance, the Breville espresso machine also requires regular maintenance and cleaning to prevent clogged water lines.

A homemade baking soda and water descaling solution can help unclog the water line efficiently.

8. Not Tamping the Coffee

The Breville coffee machine comes with a tamper attached to a magnet. The main purpose of this tamper is to press the coffee ground harder, making it thick.

Always remember the denser it is, the more pressure the water will require to pass through the coffee. If you are not tampering with your coffee grounds enough, the water, even with little pressure, will pass through, resulting in a tasteless drink.

Solution

Use the tamper provided by the machine and press the coffee ground harder to make it a dense layer.

Takeaway

Breville coffee machines are one the finest appliances for getting espresso shots. However, a minor issue with the device can result in bland and sour coffee.

Now you know the possible reasons why your machine is not reaching the desired level, you can easily fix it and enjoy a warm cup of coffee just the way you want.