Breville Barista Pro BES878

Category: Coffee and espresso machines
Model number: BES878
Region: North America (120 V edition in English, Canadian French and Mexican Spanish)
Manual: BES878 USCM revision Q26
Verified: 13 November 2026
Rating label: Underneath or on the back of the machine, on a sticker or moulded into the housing. Source: support page

Error codes

Code	Meaning	Checks
FLUSH	A cleaning cycle (back-flush with a cleaning tablet) is due. This is separate from descaling.	Checks
DESCALE	Descaling is due.	Checks
Er	The machine is in error mode. Breville gives no owner fix for it.	Checks

Breville codes on other models

FLUSH

FLUSH alert on the LCD. A cleaning cycle (back-flush with a cleaning tablet) is due. This is separate from descaling.

Run the FLUSH cleaning cycle. See Run the FLUSH cleaning cycle.

Source Source: Care & Cleaning: Flush cleaning cycle, p. 20

DESCALE

DESCALE alert on the LCD. Descaling is due.

Run the descale cycle. See Descale the Barista Pro.

Source Source: Care & Cleaning: Descaling, p. 20

Er

Er on the LCD (error mode). The machine is in error mode. Breville gives no owner fix for it.

Breville Consumer Support Contact Breville Consumer Support. Contact: 1-866-273-8455 or breville.com/us/support.

Source Source: Care & Cleaning: Error mode, p. 22

Problems

No water from the group head, or no hot water4 causes in the manual. First: water tank empty.
Espresso only drips from the spouts, or does not flow6 causes in the manual. First: grind too fine.
Water does not come through and the machine is loudWater tank empty or below MIN.
Espresso runs too quickly3 causes in the manual. First: grind too coarse.
Espresso runs out around the edge of the portafilter3 causes in the manual. First: portafilter not fully inserted.
No steam4 causes in the manual. First: machine not yet at operating temperature.
Coffee is not hot enough4 causes in the manual. First: the cups are not pre-heated.
No crema5 causes in the manual. First: coffee is tamped too lightly.
Water leakingWater tank not fully inserted and locked.
Machine is on but stops workingThe safety thermal cut-out may have tripped because the pump or grinder overheated.
Grinder delivers no coffee2 causes in the manual. First: hopper empty.
Too much or too little ground coffee in the basketGrind amount does not suit the grind size.
Too much or too little espresso in the cupGrind amount, grind size or shot volume needs adjusting.
Grinder is making a loud noiseBlockage or foreign object in the grinder.

Water does not come through and the machine is loud

Water tank empty or below MIN. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 23

Fill the water tank.

Water leaking

Water tank not fully inserted and locked. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 25

Push the water tank down until it locks.

Machine is on but stops working

The safety thermal cut-out may have tripped because the pump or grinder overheated. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 26

Switch off with POWER and unplug the machine.
Let it cool for about 30–60 minutes.

Breville Consumer Support If it happens again, contact Breville Support. Contact: 1-866-273-8455 or breville.com/us/support.

Too much or too little ground coffee in the basket

Grind amount does not suit the grind size. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 26

Turn the GRIND AMOUNT dial to lengthen or shorten the grind time.

Too much or too little espresso in the cup

Grind amount, grind size or shot volume needs adjusting. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 26

Adjust the grind amount or grind size, or reprogram the shot volume.

Grinder is making a loud noise

Blockage or foreign object in the grinder. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 26

Remove the hopper and check for debris.
If needed, clean the grinder chamber and chute. See Clean the burr grinder.

Pulsing or pumping sound while making espresso or steaming

Normal pump operation. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 24

Water tank empty or not locked in. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 24

How-to

How to run the FLUSH cleaning cycleWhen the LCD shows the FLUSH alert. This cycle uses a cleaning tablet and is separate from descaling.
How to descale the Barista ProWhen the LCD shows the DESCALE alert.
How to replace the water filterEvery 2 months, more often in hard-water areas. Regular replacement reduces how often you need to descale.
How to clean the steam wandAfter every use, and when frothing gets weaker because the tip is blocked.
How to clean the burr grinderWhen oil build-up on the burrs affects grinding, or the grinder is noisy. A blockage between the burrs and the outlet needs the advanced cleaning on page 21 of the instruction book.

Maintenance

Task	When	Source
Replace the water in the tank with fresh cold water	Daily, before use	Source: First use, p. 11
Wipe and purge the steam wand	After every use	Source: Care & Cleaning: Cleaning the steam wand, p. 22
Rinse the filter baskets and portafilter under hot water	Immediately after use	Source: Care & Cleaning: Cleaning the filter baskets and portafilter, p. 22
Wipe the group head and shower screen with a damp cloth	After use	Source: Care & Cleaning: Cleaning the group head, p. 22
Run water through the group head with an empty basket	Periodically (no fixed interval given)	Source: Care & Cleaning: Cleaning the group head, p. 22
Empty and wash the drip tray	Regularly, and when the full indicator floats up	Source: Care & Cleaning: Cleaning the drip tray, p. 22
Replace the water filter	Every 2 months; more often with hard water	Source: Care & Cleaning: Replacing the water filter, p. 19
Run the FLUSH cleaning cycle	When FLUSH shows on the LCD	Source: Care & Cleaning: Flush cleaning cycle, p. 20
Descale	When DESCALE shows on the LCD	Source: Care & Cleaning: Descaling, p. 20

Settings

Setting	Options	Default	Notes	Source
Grind size	30 settings; lower is finer	15	Set with the GRIND SIZE selector on the left side. The upper burr can also be moved one number coarser or finer to extend the range; make one change at a time.	Source: Functions: Setting the grind size; Adjustable upper burr, pp. 13, 18
Grind amount	GRIND AMOUNT dial changes the grind time	9.5 seconds (1 cup), 13 seconds (2 cup)	Clockwise increases the time. Press FILTER SIZE to choose the single or double basket.	Source: Functions: Setting the grind size, p. 13
Shot volume	Pre-set 1 CUP and 2 CUP, or custom	About 30 ml (1 CUP) and 60 ml (2 CUP)	Program: press MENU, select the custom shot with the GRIND AMOUNT dial, press the CUP button to start and again to stop at the volume you want.	Source: Functions: Programming espresso shot, p. 16
Shot temperature	Hotter or cooler on the LCD	Default	Press MENU, select SHOT TEMP, turn the GRIND AMOUNT dial and press it to confirm.	Source: Functions: Adjusting shot temperature, pp. 16–17
Reset defaults	Reset		Press MENU and select RESET DEFAULTS. Grind amount, filter size, shot temperature and both shot volumes return to factory settings.	Source: Functions: Resetting to defaults, p. 17
Auto off	Fixed	Off after 30 minutes unused		Source: Functions: Turning off the machine, p. 12

Parts and consumables

Item	Replace or refill	Specification	Source
Water filter	Every 2 months	Fits a holder inside the tank. Buy replacements from the Breville website or Consumer Support.	Source: Care & Cleaning: Replacing the water filter, p. 19
Cleaning tablets	When FLUSH shows	One tablet per FLUSH cycle; also used to soak blocked baskets.	Source: Care & Cleaning: Flush cleaning cycle, p. 20
Descaling powder	When DESCALE shows	Supplied with the machine; added to water filled to the DESCALE line in the tank.	Source: Care & Cleaning: Descaling, p. 20

Specifications

Espresso machine with a ThermoJet heating system, built-in conical burr grinder with 30 grind settings, 54 mm portafilter, LCD display, steam wand, dedicated hot water outlet and a 68 fl oz (2 L) water tank with a replaceable filter. Source: Components; Features, pp. 7–9

Rated 120 V, 60 Hz, 1680 W. Source: Components (rating information), p. 7

Maintenance alerts show on the LCD: FLUSH when a cleaning cycle is due and DESCALE when descaling is due. The only fault display is Er, for which Breville says to contact Consumer Support. Source: Care & Cleaning, pp. 20–22

Electrical	120 V, 60 Hz, 1680 W	Source: Components (rating information), p. 7
Water tank	68 fl oz (2 L), removable	Source: Components, p. 7
Bean hopper	8.8 oz (250 g)	Source: Components, p. 7
Portafilter	54 mm stainless steel	Source: Components, p. 7
Basket doses	1 CUP about 8–11 g; 2 CUP about 16–19 g	Source: Functions: Filter baskets, p. 12
Grind settings	30, from fine (1) to coarse (30); default 15	Source: Functions: Setting the grind size, p. 13

Recalls

No exact-model match for BES878 in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall database, checked 13 November 2026. Recalls can name model families, so also check current recalls for Breville.

Service contact

Breville Consumer Support: 1-866-273-8455, breville.com/us/support. United States (Canada: 1-855-683-3535; Mexico: 800-649-0543). Source: Back cover, p. 84

Sources

the Barista Pro Instruction Book, BES878 Series (English, Canadian French and Mexican Spanish edition). Breville Pty Ltd. Document BES878 USCM, revision Q26, 2026, 84 pages, en-US. assets.breville.com (PDF). Listed on the manufacturer's support page. Retrieved 13 November 2026.

Page numbers are the numbers printed in the manual. Where this page and the manual differ, follow the manual.

Applies to: BES878. North America (120 V edition in English, Canadian French and Mexican Spanish).
Source: the Barista Pro Instruction Book, BES878 Series (English, Canadian French and Mexican Spanish edition), BES878 USCM revision Q26, 2026
Last verified: 13 November 2026

All Breville handbooks. Report an error to hello@modelhandbook.com.