Why Breville Espresso Machine Not Pumping enough Water? – 4 things to check

Is your Breville espresso machine not pumping enough water? Chances are, the water line is clogged or water pump faulty. Let’s explore four things to check for and How To Fix It easily without replacing the whole machine!

The Breville espresso machine is a popular appliance for coffee lovers. However, sometimes the device may not function properly for various reasons.

The first thing you should do is to check for clogged water lines. If not, there might be a problem with the pump or a faulty pressure gauge that needs to be replaced or fixed. You can find instructions on how to do this in your user manual.

This article will help you troubleshoot the issue of your Breville espresso machine not pumping water. Read on to learn the common causes of this problem and how to fix them.

1. Clogged or Faulty Brew Valve

The Breville espresso machine is a high-end machine that is becoming more popular because of its quality. Still, there are problems with this machine becoming clogged or having a faulty brew valve. 

A Breville Espresso caching comes with a solenoid valve that controls water flow through the brew head. If the valve is blocked, it could cause your machine not to pump water as it should.

The clogging can be caused by not using suitable coffee grounds or too many coffee grounds in the portafilter basket while brewing, leading to a buildup of residue on the filter and eventually causing a clog. Other reasons the machine can clog include:

• Residue from the water tank and water filter
• Minerals in the water supply

Read: 4 Common Ninja Coffee Maker Problems

How To Fix It?

When too many coffee grounds are in the basket, it will cause an obstruction which will affect the ability of the appliance to pump water. There are two ways to unclog a brew valve:

• Pour boiling water into it from a kettle or pot. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, then empty it again to dislodge the clog and clear up your machine.
• Use a paperclip to clean out any debris in the valve by opening up the top of your espresso machine, removing any water from inside, and inserting one end of the paperclip.

2. Blocked Water Reservoir

The Breville Espresso Machine has a water reservoir in the appliance, which can easily become blocked. The water reservoir is responsible for storing the water needed to make espresso. A blocked water reservoir can be a sign of a clogged line caused by debris, mineral buildup, or a buildup of limescale. 

To resolve this issue, you should clean the filter and the tank on your Breville Espresso Machine. When this area becomes blocked, it can lead to some unpleasant consequences such as:

• Slow brewing time.
• The machine does not pump water effectively.
• Noisy operation.
• Water spilling over.
• Coffee grounds in your coffee cup.

How To Fix It?

The Breville Espresso Machine is great, but it can be challenging to clean the water reservoir when it is blocked and won’t drain. First, you will need to remove the water reservoir from the machine and set it aside.

Next, take a towel and soak up as much water in the reservoir as possible. Then use a toothbrush or other small brush to scrub away any stubborn debris blocking the drainage pipe and clean the filter. 

Finally, use a vacuum cleaner with an attachment hose to suck up any loose debris or dirt before putting everything back together again and starting up your Breville Espresso Machine.

3. Faulty Electrical Components

The Breville Espresso machine is an appliance that prepares coffee by automatically grinding the beans, heating the water, and then brewing it.

The most common problems with this appliance are electrical issues. These problems can come from faulty wiring, switches, or damaged circuit boards. Electrical components in a coffee machine can also malfunction due to overuse or poor maintenance practices.

Read: Cuisinart Coffee Maker Troubleshooting

Thermostat

The thermostat is a programmable digital component you set to a specific temperature. It then turns the appliance on and off accordingly. It is ideal for people who want their coffee to brew at a precise temperature.

A few signs indicate that your Breville Espresso thermostat has gone bad. One of the most obvious signs is if the coffee maker doesn’t turn on. If you have checked the power cord plugged in, it may be a faulty thermostat. 

Another sign of a faulty thermostat is if the unit shuts off after only a few minutes of brewing. If you notice that your coffee isn’t hot enough, this may also be an indication of a faulty thermostat.

How To Fix It?

A broken or loose wire can cause a faulty thermostat. The wire that is attached to the thermostat can come loose and break. To fix this problem, you will need to replace the wire with one of the same gauge, length, and color. 

It is essential to call a professional technician to test your thermostat and replace it if necessary.

Read: 4 Common Keurig Coffee Maker Issues

Thermal Fuse

A thermal fuse is a safety device that shuts down the power to the Breville Espresso machine in an overheating or overloading condition. You can find it in the machine’s heating element. If a thermal fuse fails, it will cause the appliance to shut off and stop working.

The thermal fuse prevents fires in case of an electrical short. You should know where your thermal fuse is to replace it if necessary later.

How To Fix It?

Fixing a faulty thermal fuse is not too difficult. The first step is to identify the defective fuse.

There are two thermal fuses in coffee makers – one inside the water reservoir and the other on the heating element’s side.

If you find a faulty fuse, you should replace it with a new one with the exact specifications as the old one. If you cannot inspect or replace the thermal fuse on your own, a professional technician can do the job for you.

4. Faulty Start Switch

There are many reasons for the Breville Espresso machine not to pump water, but one of the most common is a faulty start switch. If you notice any of these signs, it might be time to replace the start switch:

• Your machine doesn’t turn on when you press the button.
• The button doesn’t work at all.
• The appliance starts brewing even though you didn’t press the button.
• The machine does not pump water at all.

How To Fix It?

First, turn off the power to your machine by flipping the circuit breaker on your electrical panel. Next, disconnect the wires from both ends of the faulty switch. Gently pry up at least one side of the plastic cover on your machine with a screwdriver or another flat-edged tool and set it aside. 

Finally, use needle-nose pliers to remove and discard your old switch – you can then insert a new one and reconnect all wires before replacing all pieces in reverse order.

Read: Why Is My Ninja Blender Power Light Blinking? How To Fix?

How To Care for Your Breville Espresso Machine

The Breville Espresso machine is a perfect appliance for preparing coffee, but it needs to be looked after properly to continue working well. The following steps will help you care for your espresso machine so it continues to work well for many years.

• Clean your coffee maker regularly: You should clean it at least once per month or more if you use it often to prevent any build-up of residue from affecting the taste of your coffee. It will also stop any build-up on the machine’s components, leading to damage.
• Deep clean: After cleaning, run one pot of water through the machine to rinse it out before using it again. Remember also to clean the group head thoroughly.
• High-quality water: Using filtered or bottled water is best to make your coffee, as tap water may contain minerals that clog your machine’s system over time.

Here is a detailed video showing how to clean your Breville Espresso:

Final Thoughts: breville espresso machine not pumping enough water

The Breville Espresso Machine is a high-end machine that offers several benefits to the coffee drinker. However, it can have issues with its brew valve, water reservoir, and electrical components. Taking care of your machine will help extend its lifespan.