Water collecting inside the BES870 drip tray after espresso, hot water or steam can be normal auto purge. Water on the counter, underneath the housing or around electrical parts is a different situation. Check where it first appears before buying a seal or running another maintenance cycle.
Stop for wet electrics: if water reaches the plug, outlet, cord connection or controls, do not touch the wet machine or reach through water to unplug it. Have power isolated safely; use qualified help if you cannot do that from a dry, safe location. Do not reconnect the appliance merely because its outside looks dry.
This guide follows the U.S. Barista Express BES870XL /A2 instruction book. Other Barista models and production revisions may have different layouts.
First establish where the water goes
| Observation | Interpretation | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Water stays in a correctly seated tray after a function | This matches the timing of normal purge described by Breville. | Empty the tray when EMPTY ME! rises; no part replacement is justified by this alone. |
| Water spills over an already full tray | The collection area needs emptying and checking. | Let parts cool, empty and refit the tray; check for damage or poor seating. |
| The counter becomes wet outside an empty, seated tray | Normal collection inside the tray does not explain the puddle. | Stop and use the BES870 leak-location guide. |
| Water continues to gather while the machine is idle and untouched | This requires assessment; it is not identified as ordinary post-function purge. | Keep the machine off and describe the timing and location to support. |
Check the removable parts with power disconnected
- Empty and seat the tray. If there is no electrical hazard, switch off, unplug with dry hands and let components cool. Remove the tray without spilling it, dry its outside and the counter, then slide it fully into position. Check that it is not visibly cracked.
- Clean the grid, separator and float. Breville specifies hand washing with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, followed by rinsing and drying. Do not put these parts in a dishwasher. Refit them correctly so the EMPTY ME! indicator can be seen.
- Check the tank position. With power still disconnected, confirm the removable tank sits fully in its normal location. An incompletely seated tank is a separate manufacturer-listed leak check. Do not manipulate its valve with a tool.
Observe one normal use only if it is safe
Do not perform a powered test if water emerged from the housing, reached electrical parts or the source remains unsafe. If the area is dry, the external parts are intact and seated, and there were no electrical symptoms, reconnect for one normal function with a cup in place. Watch from outside the appliance; never remove its panels.
Note whether water stays inside the tray and appears just after the function. That result is consistent with purge. If water escapes onto the counter or continues to flow unexpectedly, stop. The manual gives no fixed “normal ounces per shot” value, so a guessed volume cannot distinguish a valve fault from normal operation.
What to tell service
Record the full model code, whether the machine was brewing, steaming or idle, and the first place water appeared. A photo taken from a safe distance is more useful than the total puddle size after moving the tray. Do not repeatedly operate a leaking appliance to obtain a clearer photo.
A wet tray alone does not establish a failed group gasket, pump or valve. Normal purge does not need descaling as a remedy. An unexplained leak after the external checks needs diagnosis before parts are ordered.
FAQ
Why does the tray fill even when my cup catches the coffee?
The machine can discharge water into the tray as part of normal operation. The cup does not collect that internal purge route.
What if the EMPTY ME! indicator never appears?
Do not wait for the tray to overflow. Empty it and check the removable indicator during cleaning. If it is damaged or cannot be reassembled normally, ask Breville about the correct part rather than modifying it.
Source
Breville BES870XL /A2 instruction book, “Drip tray fills too quickly,” “Water leaking,” drip-tray care and safety precautions. The location comparison is an editorial check, not a diagnosis of an internal component.