The Breville Oracle Jet was a highly anticipated machine when it launched. The original Oracle is a beloved option for coffee enthusiasts who want that perfect middle ground between a superautomatic and a semiautomatic. If you're new to the Oracle platform or a longtime fan ready for an upgrade we have some thoughts after seeing this machine in the wild for a bit!
Design and Ergonomics
The Oracle isn't a tiny machine, but it still fits well on most countertops, particularly compared to other all-in-one options. We've found that it's pretty easy to live with and offers a more compact option than separate machine and grinder, while not quite as tiny as some smaller dedicated superautomatics.
One way that the Oracle makes life easier is the wheels that you can access by removing the drip tray. By taking the drip tray off you can tilt the machine onto those wheels and move it around the countertop a little easier. This is a huge boon for cleaning and refilling the water tank/bean hopper.
This machine also has much improved controls when compared to older generation Brevilles, especially with regards to the touch screen. With wifi built in you can get automatic updates to the software in the machine, and using the screen is a much smoother experience than with older models. We really would liken it to using a smartphone touch screen.
Brewing Experience
The brew experience on the Oracle Jet has its pros and cons. This is definitely a machine designed for users who want some help with the brew experience. If you know exactly how to get the shot you want from an espresso machine then the Oracle Jet may not be the best machine for you. If you're still learning and and want that extra guidance though, there's not really a better option out there that preserves that semi-auto workflow while guiding you through your drinks.
One other con we've noticed, which we talked about in our review last year, is that lighter espresso can be hard to properly extract on this machine. This is not much of an issue if you like medium light, or darker coffees, but it is worth noting that very delicate light roasts may struggle a bit in this machine.
Performance wise, while the Oracle Jet may have lost the ability to simultaneously brew and steam, this machine's Thermojet heating allows it to transition from the needed temps very quickly. This makes losing those dual boilers from the original Oracle a much easier pill to swallow. Plus, the Jet gained some great features that we are big fans of...
Extra Menu Options
There are a number of really fun menu options on the Oracle Jet that may just become staples for even the biggest espresso traditionalist. First up is the cold settings. This machine can effectively pull cold shots as well as just about any machine we've encountered. By pulsing water in to pre-infuse and then brewing much slower than a standard shot, you can get a delicious cold shot of espresso. This is, of course, all handled via the menu and the barista guidance system.
Other options like tea brewing, hot chocolate, and the adorably named "babyccino" recipe really expand what this machine can do. With the help from barista guidance and the other automatic features on the Oracle Jet we find it really works great as a first machine for new users.
The biggest takeaway from this article should be that the way to truly get the most out of your Oracle Jet is to take your time playing with the various features that is has to offer. We love exploring the menus and options that this machine has, and we're sure you will too.
If you want to see some of these capabilities in action and get some more tips on using a Breville Oracle Jet you can check out the video below. Be sure to let us know in the comments how you're enjoying your espresso!