Steam pouring from the BES920 group head is not normal extraction behaviour; Sage instructs shutdown and a full cooling period. Treat the display or symptom as a clue, not as proof that a pump, grinder or board must be replaced. Change one user-accessible condition at a time and let every shutdown finish. The machine has entered an abnormal thermal state that is not resolved by coffee-dose or basket adjustments. Visible steam from the empty group differs from normal pump pulsing or a few drops after extraction. Switch the machine off, unplug it and leave it untouched for 60 minutes; do not open valves or remove hot components. Restart once with no portafilter. Any renewed steam from the group requires Sage service and no further use.
Models covered
Safety first
- Keep water out of the bean hopper, grinder and electrical openings. Never reach inside a running grinder or force a hot, pressurised component.
What the symptom may indicate
Checks in the right order
- Confirm the pattern
The machine has entered an abnormal thermal state that is not resolved by coffee-dose or basket adjustments.
- Prepare safely
Finish the automatic shutdown, unplug the machine and let hot surfaces cool. Remove only the tank, tray, brew group or cleaning accessory named by the manufacturer.
- Apply the official check
Switch the machine off, unplug it and leave it untouched for 60 minutes; do not open valves or remove hot components.
- Retest once
Restart once with no portafilter. Any renewed steam from the group requires Sage service and no further use.
Stop and get qualified help when
- Stop for a harsh grinder noise, repeated electrical error, uncontrolled leak, burning smell or a symptom that returns after the one official retest.
Next step
Repair, replace a part, or arrange a diagnosis?
Use the checks and stop conditions above to choose a cautious next step. A symptom alone never proves that the appliance has failed.
Resolve it without buying anything
Complete the 4 user-accessible checks in order. If normal operation returns and no warning sign remains, no replacement is indicated.
Replace only the confirmed part
If the checks isolate a worn or blocked component, match its complete reference to the exact appliance model before ordering.
This guide does not identify a replacement part. Do not order a generic component from the symptom alone.
Arrange a diagnosis before replacing the appliance
Stop at any warning sign listed above. A qualified diagnosis should confirm that repair is unsafe, unavailable or uneconomical before an appliance replacement is considered.
Sources used
- Sage — Sage's official material documents “Sage Dual Boiler BES920 steam escapes group head” and the user checks retained here.
Last checked: 30 August 2026