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How to descale a Sage Oracle, Oracle Touch or Oracle Jet

How to descale the Sage Oracle, Oracle Touch and Oracle Jet, from Sage's UK manuals: the valve method on the original Oracle, the menu cycles on the newer models and what descaler to use.

By Hoppin Hopper editorial teamUpdated Prices checked 4 min read

A Sage Oracle descale works differently depending on which Oracle you own. The original Oracle (BES980) uses a manual method with two drain valves behind a cover on the front. The Oracle Touch and Oracle Jet run a guided descale cycle from the Settings menu. All three use Sage descaler and take a while. We haven’t tested this in person. Everything below comes from Sage’s UK manuals, read on 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.

Sage Oracle descale: the short answer

  • Oracle Touch or Oracle Jet: go to Settings, choose the descale cycle and follow the screen.
  • Original Oracle (BES980): let the machine cool, enter the descale mode from the menu, drain both boilers through the valves, run the descaler through, then flush twice.
  • All models: use Sage descaler and stick to the machine’s own procedure.

Who it isn’t for: owners of the Dual Boiler, which has its own steps in our guide to descaling a Sage Dual Boiler.

What you need

  • Sage descaler. The BES980 manual asks for one sachet of Sage Descaler in 1 litre of warm water. The Oracle Jet manual says descaling powder comes in the box. Sage’s “the Machine Descaler” pack of six was £16.95 at Sage UK, checked 3 Oct 2026, and Sage lists the Oracle Jet among compatible machines. See it at Sage UK
  • A flat-head screwdriver for the valves on the original Oracle.
  • A cloth for the drip tray.
  • Time. The Oracle Touch manual says to allow about 1.5 hours.

How to descale the original Sage Oracle (BES980)

These are the steps from the BES980 manual, in our own words:

  1. Cool it down. Empty and refit the drip tray, switch the machine off and let it cool for at least 4 hours.
  2. Open the descale mode. With the machine off, hold the 1 CUP button, then press POWER, and hold both for 3 seconds until “rSEt” shows. Turn the SELECT dial to “dESC” and press it.
  3. Uncover the valves. Remove the grey DESCALE ACCESS cover on the lower front and lay a cloth over the drip tray.
  4. Drain the boilers. Open the right valve slowly, turning it anticlockwise with a flat-head screwdriver. Steam may escape. If no water comes out, hold 1 CUP for 3 seconds. Close it clockwise until it’s seated, without overtightening, then do the same with the left valve.
  5. Add the descaler. Empty the drip tray carefully, as it may be hot. Empty the tank and take out the water filter. Dissolve one sachet of Sage Descaler in 1 litre of warm water and pour it into the tank.
  6. Run the descale. Press 1 CUP. A 20-minute countdown runs while the boilers fill with solution and heat up.
  7. Drain again. Empty both boilers through the valves, as in step 4, and empty the drip tray.
  8. Flush twice. Rinse the tank, fill it to MAX with fresh water, press 1 CUP and let the 20-minute flush run. Drain the boilers again, then repeat the flush once more.
  9. Finish. Press POWER to exit descale mode, and refit the cover.

The manual says to descale through this procedure even if you use the water filter.

Who it isn’t for: owners of the Touch or Jet, which use the menu cycles below.

How to descale the Sage Oracle Touch

A pop-up prompts you when descaling is due, or start it from Settings, then Descale Cycle, and follow the touchscreen. The manual says to allow about 1.5 hours, and if you’ve just used the machine, to switch it off and let it cool for at least 1 hour first. It also warns never to descale outside the Settings procedure, as damage could occur.

How to descale the Sage Oracle Jet

The Oracle Jet shows a message when it needs descaling, or you can start it from Settings, then Descale Cycle. The screen walks you through each step. Its troubleshooting section says restricted flow or poorly textured milk can be a sign of scale, and suggests running the descale.

How to descale less often

  • Set the water hardness. The BES980 uses levels 1 to 5, set from the test strip in the box, with level 3 as the default. The Oracle Touch has a Water Hardness option in Settings.
  • Change the filter on time. The BES980 manual says every 3 months or 40 litres, based on hardness level 4, and up to 60 litres in a level 2 area. The Oracle Jet manual also says every 3 months.
  • Use the right water. The Oracle Touch manual suggests filtered, bottled spring or mineral water, and says never to use distilled water. The Oracle Jet manual advises against reverse osmosis or distilled water and suggests another water source if your strip reads 4 or 5.

Downsides to know about

  • The BES980 method is slow. Four hours of cooling, then three 20-minute cycles.
  • Hot water. The valves can release steam or hot water, so go slowly.
  • Vinegar isn’t in the manuals. Sage’s instructions call for its own descaler, so we haven’t suggested anything else.

Where to go next

FAQ

How long does a Sage Oracle descale take? On the BES980, allow at least 4 hours of cooling plus about an hour of cycles. Sage says to allow about 1.5 hours on the Oracle Touch.

Can you skip the descale if you use the filter? No. The BES980 manual says to descale through the menu even if you use the filter. A filter just means you descale less often.

Where is the descale option on the Oracle Jet? Go to Settings, then Descale Cycle, and follow the screen.

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