Breville Oracle Touch Espresso Machine BES990BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel

I’m truly impressed
Let me preface this review by letting you know how we use our machine(s). We are both busy in the mornings with two kids to get to school. We’re moving around a lot and need something easy, but also want more than coffee and something we can change up a bit here and there. Previously we had the Breville Barista (it now sits in my office). First the Barista has been a great machine for us. Problem was, my wife never felt comfortable making the drinks. The time it took made mornings tough. I actually enjoy making the drinks but when early mornings come along it really is hard to getting a drink made everyday while trying to get out the door.Now this machine: What a machine it is. First, and most importantly, my wife loves it and she uses it daily, twice per day, on her own. It’s incredibly simple to use and clean. The price was something I was shying from at first. In fact I didn’t even tell my wife how much it cost for a week or two. I wanted her to fall in love with it first. My game is on point and it worked. I mean, I did get some backlash but man I dodged a pretty good amount of grief.TIME: I can make a single drink in under a minute. It’s all automated except moving the porta filter from the tamper to the extractor (I don’t even know the correct names most likely but you get the point). The machine has an auto-on setting so it’s on and heated up for us when we go to use it. It even has a heater for the porta filter that gets it hot prior to putting grinds in it. I never knew much about it but I guess it helps the taste of the coffee if the porta filter is hot when the coffee grinds are tamped in it. Most amazingly, it TAMPS THE GRINDS AUTOMATICALLY. My biggest issue was always finding consistent pressure when doing it on my own manually. I’m no pro so it was always a different quality of drink. Here, it’s the same every single time.Another thing that I loved that so few ppl probably think of when buying anything is, the size of the water container AND how to refill it. Unlike most machines, you don’t have to remove the water container or open a lid in the rear to refill the water. You put the container in the machine when you first get it and then on the front is an opening to refill it. So easy. Everything was thought through. Also it holds enough water for us to refill maybe just every few to four days, with regular use.Every thing is touch screen, down to the grind size and temps.Something to address: A previous reviewer said it “cannot make lattes” because of the milk froth. I do want to address this. First, It absolutely can make a latte for the average person out there. Now, if you are a barista, or a person who demands only the top notch froth, yeah maybe this is where the machine is a bit less quality than full manual. When I made froth manually, I could make it absolutely perfect. It’s true, this machine cannot do it “as well” but does do pretty well. However, manual machines, often take twice as long to froth milk and it requires constant attention. This machine allows you to set the temp that you want the milk and the amount of froth. It automatically stops frothing at the desired temp. It’s really fantastic. It makes really nice froth IMO, but not great froth. You are trading this one aspect. As far as the coffee, I believe this makes better than I can manually becuase of the consistency. Now a barista can probably make a better coffee than this machine, but I cannot. I’m an average joe who wants more than coffee in the mornings, and wants nice quality with ease and quickness. This machine requires almost zero cleanining aside from the froth wand, and is super easy to run cleaning cycles on.Another note: You can always change your grind and coffee pour. For example, if you really want a stronger coffee, you can make the grinds smaller. However, this may cause less coffee to come out during extraction. However, the machine very easily allows you to simply go in and add brew time to the shot so that you get your complete two ounces. If you do purchase this machine, I highly suggest purchasing a 2 ounce (minimum) shot glass so that you can test your grind to extraction ratio. Basically if you aren’t getting two ounces, add time. Test when you get it with a small bag. Basically just assume you are going to burn through a test bag of coffee (use the coffee you plan to drink as results change with each bean type). Get it down pat and make sure you get your two ounces and you’re set.CREMA: This machine makes absolutely gorgeous crema. Even on my best “pulls”, I never got crema like this machine creates. Do yourself a favor if you get time, do a shot in a clear glass just to watch the crema bubbling underneath as it is pulled. It’s very impressive.These are my thoughts. If you have the money, get this machine. Don’t look back. I know the progression of thought. It’s this kind of “want, need, doubt, price, doubt, price, want, need, almost buy, back away, price, need, etc” kind of thing. I promise you, unless you are looking for excellence you will feel you just made the best buying decision you have in a long time. Personally, I think it’s better than a Starbucks drink (just my opinion) and truly, considering the price you pay for a Starbucks drink, this machine pays for itself in time. Also, be assured, it’s very well built. It’s a very nice, sturdy (very heavy), solid machine.

The Breville Oracle Touch: A Marvel in Automatic Espresso Making
I had long debated the merits of an automatic espresso machine, and the Breville Oracle Touch had been a recurring item in my inbox over and over for years. Finally, last December, I decided to take the plunge – and what a delightful experience it has been!The versatility of this machine is simply astounding. I’ve experimented with its numerous functions, including using different types of portafilters (single, double, bottomless), and even pairing it with a separate grinder, distribution tool, and tamper. The results? Consistently excellent. The Oracle Touch might pull a shot a bit heavy in 30 seconds sometimes, but the quality of the espresso it produces is nothing short of exceptional.The standout feature, for me, has been the frother. It’s hard to overstate just how impressive the milk froth from this machine is. With minimal effort and no manual intervention, it produces froth that can only be described as perfect. The automatic cleaning function of the milk wand is a cherry on top.During the past Christmas gathering, even the most discerning espresso aficionados among my friends were wowed by the crema, frothing ability, and overall quality of the beverages. It’s important to note that the Oracle Touch might not be for everyone; if you crave complete manual control over your espresso, this might not be your machine. But for those who seek a blend of convenience, quality, and ease of use, it’s a dream come true. However, our guests were simply stunned.The design is user-friendly, with thoughtful additions like a top fill point for the water container and a lighted fill level indicator at the front. The customization options are sufficient for most users, offering a good balance of control and automated precision. The warm-up time is a mere 7-8 minutes, and the machine efficiently handles grinding and tamping, adapting automatically to the type of portafilter basket used.Maintenance is a breeze, thanks to the easily removable tray and the clever feature that allows the machine to be raised on wheels for moving around the counter easily. While the touch screen can be a tad slow, its clarity and ease of use more than compensate for this minor flaw.The Breville Oracle Touch is not just an espresso machine; it’s a centerpiece that fosters connection and enjoyment. It’s ideal for those who want to enjoy high-quality espresso and frothy milk drinks without the complexities of a manual machine. Whether it’s for personal enjoyment or entertaining guests, this machine delivers a consistently high-quality experience. In summary, the Breville Oracle Touch is an exceptional product that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who values quality, convenience, and the joy of sharing great coffee with friends and family.

Wanted to share: We still use it on a daily basis. Still works like a charm. Love this machine. Great coffee. In 2020/07 the plastic inner shower screen broke because I use to tighten it too strongly (cost $4 from Breville, replaced it in 5 minutes). I’m impressed with its durability.

Great machine… on paper. In real life, a lemon. Broke 3 times in 7 years, always for the same reason, i.e. heavy scale buildup. Eventually, it will stop extraction completely. Breville makes other fine products, such as the Roma and the barista Express. But the “Touch” should be more appropriately called “Don’t Touch… Even with a 10-Foot Pole”.