Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Getting Started: General Setup Tips
- Machine-Specific Guides
- Bean Progression Path
- Troubleshooting Basics
- Final Thoughts
Introduction
Welcome to your all-in-one guide on how to set up a Sage espresso machine at home! Sage (the UK brand of Breville) offers exceptional home espresso machines that deliver barista-quality coffee in your kitchen. Whether you’ve just purchased a Sage Bambino Plus or an Oracle Touch, this guide will help you get the best from your machine.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Step-by-step setup instructions for each Sage model
- Recommended grind sizes and brew ratios
- Advice on coffee freshness and roast dates
- Suggestions for getting started with Salford Roasters coffee
- Troubleshooting tips to help perfect your home espresso
Let’s dive in and start making better coffee at home.
Getting Started: General Setup Tips
Unboxing and Initial Setup
Start by carefully unboxing your Sage espresso machine. You should find:
- Portafilter and filter baskets (single and dual-wall)
- Water tank and filter holder
- Milk jug and tamper
- Cleaning tools and descaling tablets
Wash all removable parts (excluding electrical components) in warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly before first use.
Installing the Water Filter
Most Sage machines include a charcoal water filter. Before inserting it:
- Soak the filter in cold water for 5 minutes
- Rinse and attach to the filter holder
- Insert into the water tank and fill with fresh cold water
This improves water quality and reduces limescale build-up.
Water Hardness and Descaling
Use the test strip included with your machine to determine local water hardness. Sage recommends descaling every:
- 3 months for hard water areas
- 4–6 months for soft or filtered water
Always follow Sage’s descaling instructions using approved descaler tablets. Descaling keeps your boiler and sensors working efficiently.
First Rinse and Warm-Up
Once filled, power on the machine. It may run an automatic flush cycle. If not, run a blank shot (without coffee) to preheat the system. Flush the steam wand and hot water outlet before use.
Roast Date Freshness
For best results, use beans:
- 5 to 20 days after the roast date
- Stored in a cool, airtight container
Fresh beans = better crema and flavour. Our Signature Blend is roasted weekly to optimise this window.
Machine-Specific Guides
Sage Bambino Plus
The Sage Bambino Plus is a compact, beginner-friendly espresso machine with fast heat-up and automatic milk texturing. Here's how to set it up:
Setup Steps
- Install the water filter and fill the tank with filtered water.
- Run a rinse cycle or press the 1 Cup button to flush the system if prompted.
- Preheat by running a blank shot through the group head with the portafilter in place.
Recommended Grind & Brew Settings
- Grind size: Fine, slightly finer than table salt. Start at setting 10 on Sage grinders.
- Dose: 18 grams in the double single-wall basket.
- Yield: 36 grams of espresso (approx. 30–40 ml including crema).
- Time: 25–30 seconds.
Milk Frothing
Use the automatic milk frother:
- Fill jug one-third with cold milk.
- Place wand tip just under surface and rest jug on sensor tray.
- Select milk temp and foam level. Press steam to activate.
The wand will auto-texture and purge when done. Wipe it clean immediately after use.
The Bambino Plus is ideal for simple, high-quality espresso at home. Start with a balanced bean like our Signature Blend to get consistent results.
Sage Barista Express
The Sage Barista Express is a popular all-in-one espresso machine featuring a built-in conical burr grinder, pressure gauge, and manual milk wand. It offers great value and control for aspiring home baristas.
Setup Steps
- Install and soak the water filter, then insert it into the tank and fill with cold filtered water.
- Run a rinse cycle through the group head and hot water spout to prime the system.
- Turn the machine on and allow it to heat fully (buttons will stop flashing).
Recommended Grind & Brew Settings
- Grind size: Start at setting 5–6 on the grind dial (fine to medium-fine).
- Dose: 18 grams using the double single-wall basket.
- Yield: 36 grams of espresso (approx. 30–40 ml including crema).
- Time: 25–30 seconds from button press to completion.
Dialling In Tips
- Use the pressure gauge to monitor extraction. The needle should sit in the espresso range during the shot.
- If pressure is too low, use a finer grind or slightly more coffee. If too high, grind coarser or reduce the dose.
Milk Frothing
The manual steam wand produces excellent microfoam:
- Start with cold milk and a clean jug.
- Purge the wand, then position tip just under surface to introduce air for 3–5 seconds.
- Lower jug to submerge tip and continue steaming until milk reaches 60–65°C.
The Barista Express is a reliable daily brewer. Once dialled in, it works beautifully with our Signature Blend or single origin beans like our Guatemala Ceiba.
Sage Barista Pro
The Sage Barista Pro is a modern, digital espresso machine with a fast ThermoJet heating system, intuitive LCD display, and precision grinder. It offers speed and control in equal measure.
Setup Steps
- Install the water filter and fill the tank.
- Follow the LCD prompts to complete the rinse cycle and prime the machine.
- Run a blank shot to warm the group head and portafilter before brewing.
Recommended Grind & Brew Settings
- Grind size: Start at setting 15 out of 30.
- Dose: 18–19 grams in the double basket.
- Yield: 36–38 grams of espresso.
- Time: Aim for 25–30 seconds extraction time.
Dialling In Tips
- Use the shot timer on screen to adjust grind size or dose for better results.
- If extraction is too quick, use a finer grind. If too slow, adjust coarser.
Milk Frothing
The manual steam wand is powerful due to the ThermoJet system:
- Purge the wand, then stretch and texture milk as desired.
- Use cold milk and a thermometer to avoid overheating (60–65°C).
The Barista Pro is ideal for users who want speed, digital control, and manual finesse. It pairs beautifully with our Signature Blend or rotating single origin releases.
Sage Barista Touch
The Sage Barista Touch combines the high performance of the Barista Pro with an intuitive colour touchscreen. It features automatic milk frothing, programmable drinks, and fast ThermoJet heating.
Setup Steps
- Insert and soak the water filter, install it in the tank, and fill with cold water.
- Follow touchscreen prompts to complete the initial rinse cycle.
- Preheat with a blank shot to warm group head and portafilter.
Recommended Grind & Brew Settings
- Grind size: Start at 15 on the built-in grinder (out of 30).
- Dose: 18–19 grams in the double basket.
- Yield: 36–38 grams of espresso.
- Time: 25–30 seconds using the shot timer display.
Milk Frothing
The Barista Touch has a fully automatic milk wand:
- Place filled jug on the sensor tray with wand tip submerged.
- Select milk temp and texture level on screen.
- Press ‘Milk’ and let the machine steam automatically. Wipe wand and allow purge.
Perfect microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos with minimal effort.
Customisation
Create and save up to 8 personalised coffee profiles. Adjust grind, milk, and shot volume for each. This is ideal for households with different preferences.
The Barista Touch offers ease and precision for coffee lovers. Try it with our Salford Signature Blend or experiment with single origins using custom shot profiles.
Sage Oracle
The Sage Oracle is a prosumer-grade machine with dual boilers, integrated grinder, automatic dosing, tamping, and milk frothing. It’s ideal for high-volume or precision-focused users.
Setup Steps
- Insert the water filter into the tank and fill with filtered water.
- Follow the LCD instructions to complete the rinse cycle and system check.
- Use hot water tap to fill both boilers initially if prompted.
Recommended Grind & Brew Settings
- Grind size: Start around 25 on the dial (range may vary by unit).
- Dose: Automatic 22g in the 58mm portafilter.
- Yield: 44g espresso (1:2 ratio) over 25–30 seconds.
Milk Frothing
The Oracle steams milk automatically to a set temperature and texture:
- Adjust foam and temp levels via the dial.
- Use the sensor tray and steam wand to auto-froth milk hands-free.
- Manual steaming is also available for advanced users.
The Oracle simplifies high-quality coffee production. Combine it with a rotating supply of Salford Roasters beans to make the most of its precision controls.
Sage Oracle Touch
The Oracle Touch is Sage’s flagship model, combining dual boilers and auto grind/tamp/steam with a large colour touchscreen for ultimate ease and control.
Setup Steps
- Install water filter and fill the tank.
- Use the touchscreen to complete guided setup and rinse cycles.
- Preheat with a blank shot before first use.
Recommended Grind & Brew Settings
- Grind size: Start between 20–25.
- Dose: Auto 22g in double basket (58mm).
- Yield: 44g in approx. 30 seconds.
Milk Frothing
- Use touchscreen to select milk temp (e.g. 65°C) and texture level (1–9).
- Place jug under wand, press start, and let machine steam automatically.
- Wand purges after use; always wipe clean immediately.
You can save customised drinks for every household member, with programmable grind, dose, shot time and milk style. A true café-at-home experience, best enjoyed with freshly roasted Salford coffee.
Bean Progression Path
If you’re new to espresso, start with a consistent, forgiving coffee. Our Salford Signature Blend is designed to be smooth, balanced, and easy to extract — perfect for getting used to your machine.
Why Start with a Blend?
- Blends are typically easier to dial in than single origin coffees.
- They produce more crema and work well with milk-based drinks.
- Our Signature Blend has chocolate, nutty and molasses notes for broad appeal.
Moving to Single Origins
Once you're pulling good shots consistently, experiment with single origin beans. These highlight unique flavour notes – like citrus, floral, or stone fruit – and challenge your extraction skills.
We recommend:
- Guatemala – Pecan and creamy
- Ethiopia Bonora – tropical flavours
- Colombia – Milk Chocolate tones
Pro Tip
Use a small notepad or app to log your grind size, dose, yield and taste impressions. This helps you repeat successful shots and learn faster.
Troubleshooting Basics
Common Flavour Issues
- Sour or sharp? – Grind finer or increase dose.
- Bitter or harsh? – Grind coarser or reduce shot time.
- Weak and watery? – Use more coffee or shorten extraction.
Shot Volume Problems
- If espresso pours too fast: grind finer or tamp more firmly.
- If espresso drips or stalls: grind coarser or reduce dose slightly.
Crema Issues
- Too pale: Beans may be too fresh or grind too coarse.
- Too thin: Beans too old or machine not fully heated.
Milk Frothing Troubles
- Big bubbles: Wand tip too high during steaming.
- Flat milk: No air introduced. Keep tip just below surface initially.
- Scorched milk: Stop steaming before 70°C. Ideal is 60–65°C.
Final Thoughts
Every Sage espresso machine gives you the tools to make café-quality coffee at home — but it's your consistency, beans, and technique that bring it to life.
Whether you're a beginner or seasoned enthusiast, remember:
- Use fresh, well-stored beans.
- Dial in gradually – change one variable at a time.
- Keep your machine clean, descaled, and serviced.
Explore more on our website:
Keep experimenting — and enjoy every cup. ☕