Thanks for watching: comments welcome! How do you like your Bambino Plus? Check prices here: geni.us/BrevilleEspressoMach (Breville/Sage affiliate link)
I owned a Bambino Plus machine for about 2 years. I did an experiment on the group head temperature abut a year ago. Here is what i gathered :- 1st purge : Brew temp is abt 82-85C 2nd purge : Brew temp is abt 85-87C 3rd purge : Brew temp is about 90-92C As you can see, in order to achieve above 90C which is the most recommended brewing temp, you need to purge twice before you start brewing your coffee.
Same! Is this even in the manual? I know I looked for it.. now I need to test if the steam temperature setting changes the temperature of water dispensing, would make sense if it did
I have had mine for almost two years and I can't be happier with it, it's perfect for amateurs or people that are not very demanding, but that want a good cup of coffee.
What I've done with my Bambino Plus is place it next to the sink and insert a very flexible piece of silicone/rubber transparent tubing one end touching the inside bottom of the tray and stuck in place with a good amount of "Blue Tack" and the other end "dangling" up in the air within the sink perimeter and way lower than of the tray end. And never had to empty my tray ever since I applied this MOD to it. Is done automatically.
You actually made a difference to me. Nice to see how you go through the details. Was interested in Expresso but had no idea about it. Looked at several of your reviews of different products in the same price range. It enabled me to make a decision. Have now ordered this machine.
I bought the Bambino Plus from Amazon in September (hope you got some credit) and expected pretty good espresso even with store bought pre-ground good quality coffee. Breville staff told me that the spurt I always heard and porta filter filled with water after doing a warm up of equipment was normal. I was even told to clean the machine without any tablets. I never saw a purge or brew temperature greater than 68.5. I also bought a Baratza grinder when I found that my espresso was awful and the pundits seemed to cry "It's the beans stupid". I bought neat "tools", traveled 25 miles one way to buy beans from a roaster and set about scientifically to record my work using variations of ground coffee weights, levels of courseness and brew time (keeping the actual coffee medium roast beans as the constant). I never had a drinkable brew. Did I even see any semblance of "crema"? No, never. Often the brew was too cool and I was $800 poorer. I survived the holidays using an old Nespresso and also an old Capresso machine. It's too late to return the items to Amazon. Now, I am scouring videos to see what I can do. Your videeo on the new DiLonghi Opera (600 USD including tax) came up and using store bought beans, you got a pretty good cup of espresso. The crema was treat to see. I enjoy your straightforward presentations, no distractions, no nose slightly uplifted lamenting the lack of "je ne sais crois" notes in the drink, your measured speed in speaking, and your common sense approach to being able to get a solid espresso is a welcome way of my spending some time and learning something. I am reluctant to spend more money on "tools" so I tried the double dose unpressurized filter even though the beans were "old" and did actually get a halfway drinkable cup with store pre-ground coffee (my first). Is there anything else I can do?
Thank you for the video Tom. I recently fell into the rabbit hole of making my own espresso (on a budget) and i ended up with a Sage Bambino. I have similar or same accessoires and it was great to see your approach of optimizing.
$300 and $150 in accessories seems a little nuts at first, but the result is much better espresso. Add in a nice grinder and digital scale and you're basically getting similar results to their Barista Pro for a lot less money. IME, the big deal is ditching the plastic bottomed toy filter it comes with. My only gripe is that it doesn't heat the group. Running 2 cycles through it to get up to temp is a little wasteful, IMO. AND - that they charge so much more for the plus than the regular.
As someone who is getting this machine in the next few weeks one of the tips I heard for using a puck screen is to use the steam wand to actually rinse it out 🙂 and to use a milk jug to pug into instead so by using the steam wand to clean or rinse the puck and using the milk jug when purging it instead of purging into the drip team you're able to do both functions relatively easily and mess free so I'm gonna do that and I am gonna make sure I get a bottomless portafilter. As someone brand new to Espresso I look forward to the journey of dialing in that perfect cup. I also heard to do a purge or two before brewing. Often using my aeropress in the morning and a keurig for milk it takes me at least 15-20 minutes anyway so I'm not too worried about getting a purge or two in before I brew my espresso it's still gonna be quicker than that lol I'm unsure of what grinder to get. I'm leaning towards the DF64 Gen 2 version but it's a bit expensive at 400 bucks over the Encore ESP at 200 dollars but I kind of like that nicer combo to really dial in light roast. I went from Dark Roast to Medium/Light roast in hopes to cut the bitterness down but I'm not the best of getting a good one. But I'm definitely set on the Bambino plus ☺ I've thought to get the barista pro or express but I like the idea of having a separate nicer grinder. My mom used to get fresh beans and fresh ground coffee when I was growing up so I think she would appreciate me making her fresh coffee these days since she will be moving in with me and it's our morning routine to have a coffee together and sit out in the garden 😊
That sounds like a nice plan. DF64 is nice, but consider that you'll be single dosing. You could also consider the Eureka Mignon line, for a quieter grinder.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner Oh really? 🤔 Eureka Mignon? Gotcha ☺ I shall take a look into it! Is single dosing bad? I tend to do maybe a scoop or scoop and a half in the aeropress but I will be honest I don't know how to make an espresso that well with it but I been watching videos on how to learn. Thank you for the suggestion. A quieter grinder is actually really nice to know 🥹 Appreciate all the help. I am a big time newbie.
I just got my Bambino Plus the other day. Tell you, it's fun trying out how to make a perfect shot. Although my wife keeps telling me my 2 shot is more like a 1 shot espresso....My energy levels disagree. The additional accessories are a must, that is for sure. Thank you for the recommendations.
Thank you for this video! We are not sure if we should choose Bambino Plus or Sage Duo Temp Pro (upgrading Breville Mini).We already have a good grinder. Always Capuccino drinker, but not dark roasted coffee. Light to medium roasted beans. You already mentioned Bambino is good for dark roasting. Pro Bambino: milk is easy, good, espresso easy. So I cannot decide☕️ I guess the Sage Duo Temp Pro is making better coffee.
I have one of these coming in the mail, today hopefully! I just got back from a trip to Vienna and regular coffee was no longer enough, I NEED espresso haha. Good to see some upgrades I can make that aren't too expensive, once I get the hang of using the machine!
I think the plastic portafilter inserts in the Bambino and Dedica are needed to divert the high-pressure stream of coffee exiting the single hole of a pressurized basket. I haven’t tried it, but I’m pretty sure a conventional spouted portafilter with that stream shooting out the center hole would make quite a mess.
This was an excellent review! I enjoy seeing a workflow with the tools that make for a better process. The coffee grinder that comes with the Breville 870 isn't all that great. And for about the same price, you could get the Baratza Sette 270 and the Breville / Sage Bambino, which is in my opinion, a better setup. Also you might want to give Sworksdesign's coffee puck screen a try. It's very thin stainless steel, that is very easy to clean, vs the mesh screens I see everywhere. It comes in a 54.5mm diameter that fits very nicely in a Breville portafilter basket, and for ~$15 you get two. As an experiment with your mesh puck screen, add a little water into a cup and run your steam wand over the puck screen just under the surface of the water and see what gets blown out after you thought it was clean lol.
I did a short on puck screen not uploaded yet. In fact I do normally rinse my mesh type puck screen. But today I did see how much mess was kept inside undre pressure of steam wand.
be careful when using puck screen, you need to reduce the dosage by about 1-2g, if not you will see the group head is scratching the puck screen. Overall, it is good as it keeps the group head clean, also it can eliminate the puck stuck on the grouphead. Although Bambino Plus has a 3 way solenoid, but it will cause puck stuck problem over time when it is not working well.
I came across this video by accident and I’m really glad I did my Gaggia brera just bit the dust after 4 1/2 years? (I blame the hard water where I live, even though I use a filter and conditioner.) and I’m looking for a replacement so I was looking at this one and your video helped a lot. I’m just curious, when I go to the link for the accessories on Breville, it doesn’t specify the names you were referring to for the tamper and screen and basket
I used this machine for almost 2 years , you must do some hack to perform a good shot this machines main problem is very low temp , even dark roast the water temp can't extract well , the following is the hack : 0. change to use IMS water screen , bottomless portafilter , and IMS basket 1. use full boiling water preheat everything , portafilter , puck screen etc 2. user filter paper under the cake 3. purging before cup 4. press steam after purging (important) 5. wait at least 5sec then stop the steam 6. press and hold the cup button for 7 sec pre-influsion after 7 sec the bump will auto start no matter you holding or not , extract in LOW flow rate (1.0-1.3 at Acaia Lunar ) 7. finally this is give you a much better extraction , if you don't go thru this step , the water is average around 6Xc at the first few second instead of 8Xc(this method)
It is, by all accounts, a wonderful entry level machine. I’ve so far resisted the espresso rabbit hole. I mostly brew Aeropress (for light roasts) and Moka Pot (light and medium) with the latter often used to make poor man lattés/cappuccinos (using medium roasts) along with the occasional Turkish. It is tempting to get one of these to essentially replace the Moka, mostly to have something approximating a decent steam wand. Currently I’m microwaving milk and using a cheap spinny, whisky thingy to froth it. Results are good, but the milk quality is only okay.
Oh gosh, I've been there. Just get an espresso machine that can froth nicely, like this one. Or the ECP 3420. You'll never get the same texture with a spinning thing, as you do with steam. Plus, it's fun to texture the milk and make designs. You know, you can find these on Amazon Warehouse deals for less. Have a look. Cheers!
@@TomsCoffeeCorner I’m tempted to try a Bellman steamer, but reviews are quite mixed. But still, a heck of a lot cheaper than buying an espresso machine!!
i made a lot of moka coffee also with a wisky thing to froth and aver buying the bambino i have to say even though i liked the moka coffee there is a big big step inbetween. especially the milk frothing is surprisingly good. even though its not always perfect im gonna say that it is better than even in some very good coffee shops.
Hello Tom, I am late to watch this video but thank you. I owned a Seico small machine that I got from my husband for my anniversery the year we moved from Italy to Canada, 8 years ago. Today, it just exploded on me and... my birthday is in 3 days. SO........my husband said..... wellll.... I know what to get you for your birthday..a new espresso machine. He want to get me THE best machine on the market but I just want this one. OK it is not like taking my morning cappuccino at the bar at the corner of your house but I want someting simple that will make a decent espresso, that I can close my eye and be in Italy. I might get the accessories you recommended. THank you, Grazie!
Thanks to you Tom , I finally figured out the hot water trick for my Bambino Plus and used it today to make an make an Americano.. On my machine it is a little hit and miss but I did get it to work. Nicely detailed review, as always and I liked the hot cocoa idea. Have you done any videos demonstrating latte art for beginners?
Hi there! Thanks for your feedback! Yes, I have made a few videos, but just on the Dedica and La Specialista. I feel like there's other resources better with that, like Emilee Bryant or Lance. They're really good with latte art. However, maybe I could do a video on steaming milk with these more economical machines. Cheers!
My wife and mother got together and got me one of these for my birthday during the Breville sale. I'm only about a month in now but I am enjoying it. I still suck at steaming. Consistency is hard, even if I time myself to try to do everything the same. The one thing I dislike is the drip tray. Not only is it small but if there is any water in it at all some can pop out when the solenoid empties. And yeah, the water from the steam wand simply isn't hot enough, for me, for making americanos. That is okay, my kettle works fine. Oh, another annoyance, for me, but maybe not for others is that it tells me when it needs cleaned. It always happens to be six am...lol. But all in all, much better workflow than my flair. I know some may not agree but for me it is much easier. (This may not hold true if I ever have the chance to use a 58.) Having said that, I am already learning what I want in my next machine...Hot water dispenser, shot timer, manual mode only and no flashing buttons telling me what to do at 6 in the morning. Heated group would be a plus. Loads of machines come to mind but I will not be able to make that call until my wife and I move back to the EU at the end of the year. Anyway, great content as always. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your experience! The drip tray annoys me too, but it's not so bad when you get used to it. I wonder what kind of machine you'll buy next? Good thing is, espresso machines and grinders are much cheaper in Europe, than in the USA. Cheers! Tom
Gosh that's a lot of faff for a coffee! I was thinking of getting a machine but honestly the cost, the accessories, the noise, I think I'll still be supporting my local indie coffee shop 😂
Great review Tom. Ive just bought a Bambino Plus and completely new to this. Im confused about how much coffee to use for one cup. When ive googled the question, a lot of sites say 7g but is that really enough ? Judging by the pod coffees ive tasted which are 7g of coffee it seems quite tasteless.
Hi Tom, thanks for the video. A few question from me regarding the outcome flavor for upgraded accessories: - Is the shower screen that important? - The difference between normal basket vs IMS basket. Is the flavor much better? - What do you think about puck screen. People say it does not affect the flavor but I find it can extend the extraction time upto 5s
Honestly, the IMS basket makes IMHO the biggest difference. I do notice a difference between IMS and OEM there. IMS can often deliver a more rounded shot, with less bitterness and sharpness. As for the shower screen and puck screen, I feel like those are nice to have. But I just really appreciate the craftsmanship of the IMS shower screen, so I like to install them in my machines.
Haha, at this point, I don't have a main machine. I just cycle through different ones. But I am really liking the Lelit Grace, the ECP 3420, and for speed, this Bambino Plus.
I came across this video by accident and I’m really glad I did my Gaggia brera just bit the dust after 4 1/2 years? (I blame the hard water where I live, even though I use a filter and conditioner.) and I’m looking for a replacement so I was looking at this one and your video helped a lot. I’m just curious, when I go to the link for the accessories on Breville, it doesn’t specify the names you were referring to for the tamper and screen and basketalsowas unsure on correct dimensions or size needed on some of the items?
Hi there! The basket size is 54mm. You don't really need the accessories, they're nice to have if you want to experiment a bit. I'd suggest using the machine as is out of the box first, and seeing how you like it before considering upgrades. Cheers!
I also need to know this, I got the 26mm and im filling with 18g. According to the IMS spec that should be fine for any roast type. I think Sage's stock basket is 24mm, my 18g grounds for that fill it up quite a bit but with the IMS baskets you can grind a lot finer with them
Enjoying your videos. Just got the Bambino plus and the normcore tamp. I changed out the spring to the 15lh one. Did you keep yours at the 30lb spring? Thanks
I wanna buy this machine. But no one has explained about the time you'll need for cleaning the machine after every use. That's the only thing that keeps me from buying it, and I suspect it's a hassle that will end up making me regret the purchase.
Hi do you think the regular bambino is good. It’s $200 cheaper. Also considering the delonghi ecp but concerned about its longevity bc of reviews of it breaking down early. Thank you
Wow, these are 2 totally different machines - boiler vs thermojet, manual vs automatic. For the money, the ECP can't be beat, and in my opinion I like the espresso better from it. It seems like the pressure is set a bit lower on the ECP, resulting in a shot that oozes out. The pressure on the Breville stuff seems somehow different, higher - even though it's supposed to be set at 9 bar. I have measured the temperatures, and the Breville does better to hold a flat curve due to the included PID, but I still prefer the result in the cup of the ECP. Just being honest. Workflow though is easier on the Breville, due to all the automatic features. In the end, I like them both, and I use the Bambino more when I have to make more drinks. For their respective price tiers, I think they can easily both be recommended. Aesthetics of course also play a role, but that's subjective.
Thank you for the information. Would you recommend bambino plus or dedica maestro plus? We are First time users but prefer a better product for long term use.
Hi Tom! Great Video. I purchased everything from your list, However, I dont know what I am doing wrong, My espresso shot is not coming out like yours and my milk is not frosting correctly, please help with set up.
Hello there! Yes, your beans are probably too old - or in other words roasted too long ago. These videos may help: How to extract the perfect espresso: ua-cam.com/video/piO6c695Op8/v-deo.html How to Get Crema: ua-cam.com/video/00NSG9459a8/v-deo.html Why Supermarket Coffee Beans are RUINING your Espresso! ua-cam.com/video/5BgMKqu8fJI/v-deo.html
One machine? Probably a Breville Dual Boiler. I'm testing one right now, and it's the best so far. But if you mean under $500, then probably an ECP 3420. I like using it better than a GCP, because it's got better ergonomics and can make great espresso.
I myself don't have the bambino plus but I do have the sage bambino, Im super impressed by the quality of the extractions at this price point.I have purchased several accessoires that have increased the quality of the extraction even more. I use the sage grinder pro alongside it.
I agree, however the only thing I regret about owning Bambino, not plus version, is the 3 way solenoid valve. Which is not a shot quality factor though. But handy on ending each shot time and volume. Auto steaming milk on plus version is not attractive and functional to me. So I prefer to stay with my bambino.
Hello Tom. On all the accessories you you mention in this video, how many come with the Breville Bambino Expresso machine and how many do I have to purchaSE SEPARATELY? THANKS Brian
Great Video. Recently purchased the Bambino Plus, using stock parts. My Double Espresso is not yielding 1/2 of what yours shows in this video. Why might that be? more details.... Lavazza Gran Crema beans, ground using Breville Smart Grinder Pro, Size 12 grind, 2 shots, 19 seconds. using around 18-19g of beans. TIA for your feedback.
Hello there! I’m guessing that your beans are probably too old - or in other words roasted too long ago. It could also be that your grinder is not ideal for espresso. Check out this short blog post: tomscoffeecorner.com/what-are-the-best-beans-for-espresso/ Or this one, with some good cheap grinders: tomscoffeecorner.com/best-espresso-machine-and-grinder-setups-under-500/ These videos may also help: How to Get Crema: ua-cam.com/video/00NSG9459a8/v-deo.html Why Supermarket Coffee Beans are RUINING your Espresso! ua-cam.com/video/5BgMKqu8fJI/v-deo.html How to estimate bean roast age for Lavazza: ua-cam.com/users/liveQmVRpBGOokE How to extract the perfect espresso: ua-cam.com/video/piO6c695Op8/v-deo.html ***I’d recommend looking on google maps for local coffee roasters. That's the best way to ensure freshly roasted beans. Cheers, Tom
Hey @Tom Coffee Corner, can you help me? I got the Touch Impress but I don’t really love the automatic nature and don’t really want to brew manual on a touch screen and such an expensive semi-auto machine. I’m going to return it BUT now I can’t decide between a Bambino Plus with a nice grinder OR the Barista Pro. What would you get between those two options?
My Bambino Plus is on the way (a 30th anniversary gift from my company) - thanks for a very insightful video. I like the platform you use when tamping - what is that? It doesn't seem to come with the tamper or the Bambino.
Hi there! Wow, what a nice anniversary gift! I was using a Motta tamping station. I have the tamper linked, but here's what the tamper station looks like: amzn.to/43UF5mC (affiliate link) Have fun with your machine!
Have you tried using other milk varieties such as Soy or Almond Milk in this machine ? Would it be much different in outcome ? Is it possible to use whipping cream instead of milk or would it explode and create a new Galaxy out in space somewhere ?
Lol, never tried whipping cream, but that's an interesting thought. Milk alternatives are always harder to froth, due to the lack of milk based proteins, but this machine at least has a ton of power to do the job as well as possible.
Great timing Tom! Just bought this as an upgrade from the ECP3420. One question, do you not need to purge the wand before steaming? When I purge before using the auto steam, the machine just purges again into my milk, and none of the videos I’ve found on this machine show any purging beforehand
It's hard to purge this machine, because there's no lever. So you press the button to start steam, and stop it. Also, the steam is not already built up, so each time you press the button, you have to wait for the steam to come. Therefore, I don't bother purging on this machine. Maybe someone else has a better workflow?
When you press the steam button, press it again within five seconds and you have successfully done a basic Purge, don't wait until it fully starts blowing steam because by that point you have gone past the 5-second mark possibly but it will clear all of the water out. It's quite a bit of water actually and it only takes a few seconds to do this and it helps
Before performing frothing, i usually purge the steam for about 3-4 seconds (the moment when steam started to purge), with this way, it will not cause the machine to purge water into your milk. If you go beyond this time frame, you will see water is injecting back to your milk.
@@Presso99 thanks I’ll give this a try! My wife just uses auto and lets it purge a little bit of water into it. Can’t really notice it Also I don’t see many people mention it, but when you do purge at the end, I like to put the milk jug underneath after pouring it out. Keeps the small drip try nice and clean
@TomsCoffeeCorner good, it drains the same way, I am a barista future coffee master, once the water comes out it is squeezed by compacting it, it has only one boiler that they share, therefore water remains in the lancet after preparing the coffee, but if it is it touches and it stops again, and you put the pitcher semi inclined etc and you start it, but you also need to purge the shower after making the coffee because micro particles in the coffee maker, the purge before and after makes them expel the small particles that have remained, is a way of caring for and prolonging the useful life
Hey Tom, I was going to get this machine as I love the simplicity of making a great coffee, would you still say it is good for medium / light roast coffees or would you tend to go for another machine in a similar price range? If so, any suggestions?
I don't know...I don't feel this machine is made for that. The PF doesn't get heated, and the max heat is not adjustable. I'd maybe suggest a GCP, and try temp surfing.
Hi Tom! I really want to buy the Bambino, but I've seen what you can do with the Delonghi ECP and that machine right now is super cheap! If I change to a non pressurised basket, and do the steam wand mod, do you still consider the Bambino to be a much better machine?
The Bambino is sicker at steaming milk. Espresso I would say is quite similar between the two machines. Maybe just buy an EC885 though, and skip doing the steam wand mod.
Superb Video Mate. I’ve Watched a Few Reviews By You And They Have Been Quite Good. Do You Have a Beginner Espresso Video That Covers These Parts In Detail. I Know Nothing About Making Lattes and Cappuccinos As The Only Machine I Have Owned So Far is The Keurig 2.0 And Now The Keurig Supreme. My 2.0 Just Failed Due To Self Sabotage By Getting The Brew Button Overly Wet During The Shell Cleaning Process. I Now Want To Get Into The Espresso/Cappuccino Game And Have My Eye On The Bambino. I’m Going With The Bambino I er The Keurig K-Cafe Cause I Watched Someone Do a K-Cafe Review And They Kept Saying The Machine Does Not Make a True Espresso. I Just Dont Want to Get a Machine That Cost a Grand or Two When I Am At The Beginner Level And Know Zero About These Parts And What They Do. I Am Gonna Subscribe And Check Your Catalog. I Will Also Save This As The Extra Parts Seem To Work Magic. Thanks.
Hi, great review! I think the US link for the shower is incorrect, it directs to the basket. Could you recommend some of the best value grinders to pair with this machine? Thanks!
Nice review, Tom. Very keen to know your rating on the espresso shot [ xx /10] please! Personally, prefer raw/unhomogenized milk and stove boil it. Prefer raw palm-sugar or unrefined sugar/jaggery.
Hi Tom, thanks for the super informative video! Do you by any chance know if the regular bambino's steam wand has the same amount of power as the plus'? I was very impressed by it but feel like I don't need the automatic steaming functionality
I bought the machine a few months ago, and it worked great with all the standard accessories and better with the WDT, spring loaded tamp and funnel @TomsCoffeeCorner suggested. However, I tried to use a Normcore 54mm Bottomless Portafilter | Bottomless Naked Portafilter and it sprays from the seal of the Portafilter to the screen. Any tips on how to stop the spraying, or do I need a different Portafilter? Is there a way to improve the seal?
I love this little machine in concept. I haven't used it but everything I've watched on it makes me think it's just a wonderful little machine for people that are almost super fussy about espresso but maybe not fully fussy about it. I just had a thought about the programmable dosing. Is it actually volumetric or is it just on a timer?
Oh! I also specifically use a puck screen just for keeping my showerhead clean. I don't think it really does anything for the brewing process. Maybe would help stop water blasting the top of the puck before it's completely filled and saturated in the basket. But for me, I don't even care about that lol. It keeps my shower screen just beautiful. Never any residue on it or under it when I remove it to clean it. No old coffee oils anywhere :)
Hi Justin, it's volumetric. I have it set to around 30-35 grams, but I try to weigh it anyway just to be sure. What's great that I forgot to mention, is that this machine has got some excellent cup space. You can easily fit various cups and a scale under there.
Hi there! I use a 54mm Normcore bottomless for Sage/Breville. It comes with a nice dual spouted portafilter, but I like to see the extraction. :) Feel free to check the video description for links. Cheers!
Sorry to bother you again Tom. With this machine and with all the same gadgets, would you recommend the Baratza Encore ESP as a grinder? I have some cheap one, but it just doesn't make fine enough for espresso, my coffee comes out too fast.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner Thank you for your reply. I'm still having under extraction issues with my machine. I will keep dialing I guess. My grind looks finer than yours from what I can tell from your video. All the best!!
If you did not have a grinder already would you get the Bambino Plus and a seperate grinder or something like the Barista Express - assuming you could get the grinder and Bambino for similar money?
I'd probably go with the BBE. The Bambino in my opinion does not make better espresso. The BBE passively pre-heats the group over time, which is also an advantage.
Tom thanks for the videos! Amazing information you share. I’m still in between bambino plus and dedica maestro plus. I’m an espresso guy and my wife she drinks milk beverages. What should I buy? HELP😂
Hello Tom. I just bought my bambino machine. As I only use it for espresso, I opted for the non plus version. I thought the difference would only be in the milk. However, notice that it does not have a 3-way solenoid valve. Is it possible to install? Will it be easy?
No, I doubt it will be easy to install, and you'd need to control it with a signal. Plus, there's almost no room to fit one in. I'd return it for a Plus model, if that's important to you.
Thanks for watching: comments welcome! How do you like your Bambino Plus?
Check prices here: geni.us/BrevilleEspressoMach (Breville/Sage affiliate link)
Would these upgrades work for the Bambino?
@@unknownentity222 Absolutely. The Bambino is a smaller Plus with less features (automatic steaming, 3 way valve, steamwand purge).
@@unknownentity222 Yes, it's dimensioned the same.
@@BigBenAdv it
I got mine 3 years ago; it fits under the counter in my 1930’s apartment.
I owned a Bambino Plus machine for about 2 years. I did an experiment on the group head temperature abut a year ago. Here is what i gathered :-
1st purge : Brew temp is abt 82-85C
2nd purge : Brew temp is abt 85-87C
3rd purge : Brew temp is about 90-92C
As you can see, in order to achieve above 90C which is the most recommended brewing temp, you need to purge twice before you start brewing your coffee.
Thanks for that! How much water are you purging each time - a whole shot's worth?
@@TomsCoffeeCorner each time is 1 cup brewing cycle
Just curious, did it break after 2 years?
whaaat. i just bought mine and it arrived 2 days ago and now i'm sad!
@@xasanbayrso far only the power supply is faulty (within 1 yesr used), after that it works fine until now. SO far so good.
Had this machine 3 years and just found out it can dispense hot water. Who knew? Well, obviously you did! Thanks.
Same! Is this even in the manual? I know I looked for it.. now I need to test if the steam temperature setting changes the temperature of water dispensing, would make sense if it did
I have had mine for almost two years and I can't be happier with it, it's perfect for amateurs or people that are not very demanding, but that want a good cup of coffee.
I bought my Bambino plus before watching this but ended up buying all the accessories you showed in the video. Makes prep and cleanup much easier.
I love this machine. A good tip is not to purge into the tray. I use my empty milk jug, so don't have to empty the tray as often 😊
That's a great idea!
It's one of the few downfalls of this otherwise great little machine.
It dumps a ridiculous amount of water via the steam wand into the tray!
why didn't I think of that!!!!!
What I've done with my Bambino Plus is place it next to the sink and insert a very flexible piece of silicone/rubber transparent tubing one end touching the inside bottom of the tray and stuck in place with a good amount of "Blue Tack" and the other end "dangling" up in the air within the sink perimeter and way lower than of the tray end. And never had to empty my tray ever since I applied this MOD to it. Is done automatically.
You actually made a difference to me. Nice to see how you go through the details.
Was interested in Expresso but had no idea about it. Looked at several of your reviews of different products in the same price range.
It enabled me to make a decision. Have now ordered this machine.
Thanks for sharing your feedback! Enjoy!
I bought the Bambino Plus from Amazon in September (hope you got some credit) and expected pretty good espresso even with store bought pre-ground good quality coffee. Breville staff told me that the spurt I always heard and porta filter filled with water after doing a warm up of equipment was normal. I was even told to clean the machine without any tablets. I never saw a purge or brew temperature greater than 68.5. I also bought a Baratza grinder when I found that my espresso was awful and the pundits seemed to cry "It's the beans stupid". I bought neat "tools", traveled 25 miles one way to buy beans from a roaster and set about scientifically to record my work using variations of ground coffee weights, levels of courseness and brew time (keeping the actual coffee medium roast beans as the constant). I never had a drinkable brew. Did I even see any semblance of "crema"? No, never. Often the brew was too cool and I was $800 poorer.
I survived the holidays using an old Nespresso and also an old Capresso machine. It's too late to return the items to Amazon. Now, I am scouring videos to see what I can do. Your videeo on the new DiLonghi Opera (600 USD including tax) came up and using store bought beans, you got a pretty good cup of espresso. The crema was treat to see.
I enjoy your straightforward presentations, no distractions, no nose slightly uplifted lamenting the lack of "je ne sais crois" notes in the drink, your measured speed in speaking, and your common sense approach to being able to get a solid espresso is a welcome way of my spending some time and learning something. I am reluctant to spend more money on "tools" so I tried the double dose unpressurized filter even though the beans were "old" and did actually get a halfway drinkable cup with store pre-ground coffee (my first). Is there anything else I can do?
Thank you for the video Tom. I recently fell into the rabbit hole of making my own espresso (on a budget) and i ended up with a Sage Bambino. I have similar or same accessoires and it was great to see your approach of optimizing.
$300 and $150 in accessories seems a little nuts at first, but the result is much better espresso. Add in a nice grinder and digital scale and you're basically getting similar results to their Barista Pro for a lot less money. IME, the big deal is ditching the plastic bottomed toy filter it comes with.
My only gripe is that it doesn't heat the group. Running 2 cycles through it to get up to temp is a little wasteful, IMO.
AND - that they charge so much more for the plus than the regular.
@@josephoberlander plus good espresso beans 👌
every second you let that milk dry on the steam wand one barista died inside 😂
I know. I didn't have a rag ready, so egg on my face...
@@TomsCoffeeCorner sweet IMS upgrade tho ;)
Not gonna lie, I read this comment as I was thinking “please wipe your wand😅”
I just keep staring at it. Then I saw him make "tea" 💀
I couldn’t concentrate on the rest of the video until he finally cleaned it.
I like the puck screen for how it keeps group head so clean, nice video :)
(8:38) ... You had me until the sound of zombies knocking at the door started 🧟😱😜 ..... Love the reviews Tom. !
What is this sound? I couldn’t understand really. I hope it isn’t the steam milk heater.
I was deciding between a semi automatic machine but your video really help me to decide which one to buy. I just got the bambino plus! Thank you!
As someone who is getting this machine in the next few weeks one of the tips I heard for using a puck screen is to use the steam wand to actually rinse it out 🙂 and to use a milk jug to pug into instead so by using the steam wand to clean or rinse the puck and using the milk jug when purging it instead of purging into the drip team you're able to do both functions relatively easily and mess free so I'm gonna do that and I am gonna make sure I get a bottomless portafilter. As someone brand new to Espresso I look forward to the journey of dialing in that perfect cup. I also heard to do a purge or two before brewing. Often using my aeropress in the morning and a keurig for milk it takes me at least 15-20 minutes anyway so I'm not too worried about getting a purge or two in before I brew my espresso it's still gonna be quicker than that lol I'm unsure of what grinder to get. I'm leaning towards the DF64 Gen 2 version but it's a bit expensive at 400 bucks over the Encore ESP at 200 dollars but I kind of like that nicer combo to really dial in light roast. I went from Dark Roast to Medium/Light roast in hopes to cut the bitterness down but I'm not the best of getting a good one. But I'm definitely set on the Bambino plus ☺ I've thought to get the barista pro or express but I like the idea of having a separate nicer grinder. My mom used to get fresh beans and fresh ground coffee when I was growing up so I think she would appreciate me making her fresh coffee these days since she will be moving in with me and it's our morning routine to have a coffee together and sit out in the garden 😊
That sounds like a nice plan. DF64 is nice, but consider that you'll be single dosing. You could also consider the Eureka Mignon line, for a quieter grinder.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner Oh really? 🤔 Eureka Mignon? Gotcha ☺ I shall take a look into it! Is single dosing bad? I tend to do maybe a scoop or scoop and a half in the aeropress but I will be honest I don't know how to make an espresso that well with it but I been watching videos on how to learn. Thank you for the suggestion. A quieter grinder is actually really nice to know 🥹
Appreciate all the help. I am a big time newbie.
Thanks
Thanks so much for your support!
We absolutely love ours, wouldn't bother with the plus model though , you can steam milk better yourself no need for the auto milk foamer feature
I just got my Bambino Plus the other day. Tell you, it's fun trying out how to make a perfect shot. Although my wife keeps telling me my 2 shot is more like a 1 shot espresso....My energy levels disagree. The additional accessories are a must, that is for sure. Thank you for the recommendations.
Thank you for this video! We are not sure if we should choose Bambino Plus or Sage Duo Temp Pro (upgrading Breville Mini).We already have a good grinder. Always Capuccino drinker, but not dark roasted coffee. Light to medium roasted beans. You already mentioned Bambino is good for dark roasting. Pro Bambino: milk is easy, good, espresso easy. So I cannot decide☕️ I guess the Sage Duo Temp Pro is making better coffee.
I didn't know you could use the water like that, thank you so much
The whole thing moves during steaming😮Somebody wants in.
I have one of these coming in the mail, today hopefully! I just got back from a trip to Vienna and regular coffee was no longer enough, I NEED espresso haha. Good to see some upgrades I can make that aren't too expensive, once I get the hang of using the machine!
Awesome, enjoy! Vienna is a nice city. Cheers!
Thanks!
Thank you for your support!
Hopping out from his chair is the best part 🤣 feels like a kid again🤣
Yeah that made me LOL each time 😂
I thought I was just going to buy a machine, now I gotta get just as much in accessories. Good vid yo.
I think the plastic portafilter inserts in the Bambino and Dedica are needed to divert the high-pressure stream of coffee exiting the single hole of a pressurized basket. I haven’t tried it, but I’m pretty sure a conventional spouted portafilter with that stream shooting out the center hole would make quite a mess.
I think so, too!
This was an excellent review! I enjoy seeing a workflow with the tools that make for a better process. The coffee grinder that comes with the Breville 870 isn't all that great. And for about the same price, you could get the Baratza Sette 270 and the Breville / Sage Bambino, which is in my opinion, a better setup. Also you might want to give Sworksdesign's coffee puck screen a try. It's very thin stainless steel, that is very easy to clean, vs the mesh screens I see everywhere. It comes in a 54.5mm diameter that fits very nicely in a Breville portafilter basket, and for ~$15 you get two. As an experiment with your mesh puck screen, add a little water into a cup and run your steam wand over the puck screen just under the surface of the water and see what gets blown out after you thought it was clean lol.
I did a short on puck screen not uploaded yet. In fact I do normally rinse my mesh type puck screen. But today I did see how much mess was kept inside undre pressure of steam wand.
be careful when using puck screen, you need to reduce the dosage by about 1-2g, if not you will see the group head is scratching the puck screen. Overall, it is good as it keeps the group head clean, also it can eliminate the puck stuck on the grouphead. Although Bambino Plus has a 3 way solenoid, but it will cause puck stuck problem over time when it is not working well.
I came across this video by accident and I’m really glad I did my Gaggia brera just bit the dust after 4 1/2 years? (I blame the hard water where I live, even though I use a filter and conditioner.) and I’m looking for a replacement so I was looking at this one and your video helped a lot. I’m just curious, when I go to the link for the accessories on Breville, it doesn’t specify the names you were referring to for the tamper and screen and basket
I used this machine for almost 2 years , you must do some hack to perform a good shot
this machines main problem is very low temp , even dark roast the water temp can't extract well , the following is the hack :
0. change to use IMS water screen , bottomless portafilter , and IMS basket
1. use full boiling water preheat everything , portafilter , puck screen etc
2. user filter paper under the cake
3. purging before cup
4. press steam after purging (important)
5. wait at least 5sec then stop the steam
6. press and hold the cup button for 7 sec pre-influsion after 7 sec the bump will auto start no matter you holding or not , extract in LOW flow rate (1.0-1.3 at Acaia Lunar )
7. finally this is give you a much better extraction , if you don't go thru this step , the water is average around 6Xc at the first few second instead of 8Xc(this method)
It is, by all accounts, a wonderful entry level machine. I’ve so far resisted the espresso rabbit hole. I mostly brew Aeropress (for light roasts) and Moka Pot (light and medium) with the latter often used to make poor man lattés/cappuccinos (using medium roasts) along with the occasional Turkish. It is tempting to get one of these to essentially replace the Moka, mostly to have something approximating a decent steam wand. Currently I’m microwaving milk and using a cheap spinny, whisky thingy to froth it. Results are good, but the milk quality is only okay.
Oh gosh, I've been there. Just get an espresso machine that can froth nicely, like this one. Or the ECP 3420. You'll never get the same texture with a spinning thing, as you do with steam. Plus, it's fun to texture the milk and make designs. You know, you can find these on Amazon Warehouse deals for less. Have a look. Cheers!
It was exactly the place I was and finally get tired of the pain in bot! Got the Bambino, not plus, no regret the day since.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner I’m tempted to try a Bellman steamer, but reviews are quite mixed. But still, a heck of a lot cheaper than buying an espresso machine!!
i made a lot of moka coffee also with a wisky thing to froth and aver buying the bambino i have to say even though i liked the moka coffee there is a big big step inbetween. especially the milk frothing is surprisingly good. even though its not always perfect im gonna say that it is better than even in some very good coffee shops.
@@coreycannon4511 well there's also the fact that because the bellman doesn't have a pressure gauge it could explode without warning
This video is amazing, thanks for all your tips!
Hello Tom, I am late to watch this video but thank you. I owned a Seico small machine that I got from my husband for my anniversery the year we moved from Italy to Canada, 8 years ago. Today, it just exploded on me and... my birthday is in 3 days. SO........my husband said..... wellll.... I know what to get you for your birthday..a new espresso machine. He want to get me THE best machine on the market but I just want this one. OK it is not like taking my morning cappuccino at the bar at the corner of your house but I want someting simple that will make a decent espresso, that I can close my eye and be in Italy. I might get the accessories you recommended. THank you, Grazie!
Prego, Sandra! Thanks for sharing your story, and I hope you like your new machine. Cheers!
Really l have to appreciate your teach thank you so much little little all the things you focus in front us❤❤❤
Why does he use BV200IM shower screen, but recommends BV200NT? I bought it to try but just noticed it’s different
Thanks to you Tom , I finally figured out the hot water trick for my Bambino Plus and used it today to make an make an Americano.. On my machine it is a little hit and miss but I did get it to work. Nicely detailed review, as always and I liked the hot cocoa idea. Have you done any videos demonstrating latte art for beginners?
Hi there! Thanks for your feedback! Yes, I have made a few videos, but just on the Dedica and La Specialista. I feel like there's other resources better with that, like Emilee Bryant or Lance. They're really good with latte art. However, maybe I could do a video on steaming milk with these more economical machines. Cheers!
Love the "Mr Burns" style "EXCELLENT" at 7:15 😂
Haha, you get me. :)
Damn that tea hot water option only works if you have the arm extended. Nice find
My wife and mother got together and got me one of these for my birthday during the Breville sale. I'm only about a month in now but I am enjoying it. I still suck at steaming. Consistency is hard, even if I time myself to try to do everything the same. The one thing I dislike is the drip tray. Not only is it small but if there is any water in it at all some can pop out when the solenoid empties. And yeah, the water from the steam wand simply isn't hot enough, for me, for making americanos. That is okay, my kettle works fine. Oh, another annoyance, for me, but maybe not for others is that it tells me when it needs cleaned. It always happens to be six am...lol. But all in all, much better workflow than my flair. I know some may not agree but for me it is much easier. (This may not hold true if I ever have the chance to use a 58.)
Having said that, I am already learning what I want in my next machine...Hot water dispenser, shot timer, manual mode only and no flashing buttons telling me what to do at 6 in the morning. Heated group would be a plus. Loads of machines come to mind but I will not be able to make that call until my wife and I move back to the EU at the end of the year.
Anyway, great content as always. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your experience! The drip tray annoys me too, but it's not so bad when you get used to it. I wonder what kind of machine you'll buy next? Good thing is, espresso machines and grinders are much cheaper in Europe, than in the USA. Cheers! Tom
Curious as to what the knocking sound was when you were steaming milk. Am I correct that this was the machine making that noise? Great video; thanks!
EVERY thermoblock machine has to pump water intermittently while steaming. It's just how it goes. Cheers!
Gosh that's a lot of faff for a coffee! I was thinking of getting a machine but honestly the cost, the accessories, the noise, I think I'll still be supporting my local indie coffee shop 😂
Great review Tom. Ive just bought a Bambino Plus and completely new to this. Im confused about how much coffee to use for one cup. When ive googled the question, a lot of sites say 7g but is that really enough ? Judging by the pod coffees ive tasted which are 7g of coffee it seems quite tasteless.
I forget the single shots, because they're not enough for me. I always do doubles (14-18 grams).
Great video!
Hello Tom,
Do you think it worth to upgrade from delonghi dedica to bambino plus ?
Hi Tom, thanks for the video. A few question from me regarding the outcome flavor for upgraded accessories:
- Is the shower screen that important?
- The difference between normal basket vs IMS basket. Is the flavor much better?
- What do you think about puck screen. People say it does not affect the flavor but I find it can extend the extraction time upto 5s
Honestly, the IMS basket makes IMHO the biggest difference. I do notice a difference between IMS and OEM there. IMS can often deliver a more rounded shot, with less bitterness and sharpness. As for the shower screen and puck screen, I feel like those are nice to have. But I just really appreciate the craftsmanship of the IMS shower screen, so I like to install them in my machines.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner thankssssssss
hi tom
i just wanted to ask
what is your main machine
and can you make a video reviewing your coffee setup
Haha, at this point, I don't have a main machine. I just cycle through different ones. But I am really liking the Lelit Grace, the ECP 3420, and for speed, this Bambino Plus.
I came across this video by accident and I’m really glad I did my Gaggia brera just bit the dust after 4 1/2 years? (I blame the hard water where I live, even though I use a filter and conditioner.) and I’m looking for a replacement so I was looking at this one and your video helped a lot. I’m just curious, when I go to the link for the accessories on Breville, it doesn’t specify the names you were referring to for the tamper and screen and basketalsowas unsure on correct dimensions or size needed on some of the items?
Hi there! The basket size is 54mm. You don't really need the accessories, they're nice to have if you want to experiment a bit. I'd suggest using the machine as is out of the box first, and seeing how you like it before considering upgrades. Cheers!
Great video
Great and very informative video. May I know which IMS basket you used and height (22mm, 24mm or 26mm) to pull the 16g ? Many thanks!
I also need to know this, I got the 26mm and im filling with 18g. According to the IMS spec that should be fine for any roast type. I think Sage's stock basket is 24mm, my 18g grounds for that fill it up quite a bit but with the IMS baskets you can grind a lot finer with them
Enjoying your videos. Just got the Bambino plus and the normcore tamp. I changed out the spring to the 15lh one. Did you keep yours at the 30lb spring? Thanks
So we can still stay manually! I was afraid that we cannot do it because of the automatic option!
I wanna buy this machine. But no one has explained about the time you'll need for cleaning the machine after every use. That's the only thing that keeps me from buying it, and I suspect it's a hassle that will end up making me regret the purchase.
Hi do you think the regular bambino is good. It’s $200 cheaper. Also considering the delonghi ecp but concerned about its longevity bc of reviews of it breaking down early.
Thank you
How does the espresso compare to the 3420?
Wow, these are 2 totally different machines - boiler vs thermojet, manual vs automatic. For the money, the ECP can't be beat, and in my opinion I like the espresso better from it. It seems like the pressure is set a bit lower on the ECP, resulting in a shot that oozes out. The pressure on the Breville stuff seems somehow different, higher - even though it's supposed to be set at 9 bar. I have measured the temperatures, and the Breville does better to hold a flat curve due to the included PID, but I still prefer the result in the cup of the ECP. Just being honest. Workflow though is easier on the Breville, due to all the automatic features. In the end, I like them both, and I use the Bambino more when I have to make more drinks. For their respective price tiers, I think they can easily both be recommended. Aesthetics of course also play a role, but that's subjective.
Toms videos are addicts!!!❤❤
From the first use, the only cup button closed, why did the rest of the buttons not work?
Thank you for the information.
Would you recommend bambino plus or dedica maestro plus? We are First time users but prefer a better product for long term use.
I like the Dedica Maestro Plus better - the Bambino is not temp adjustable, and has a tough time with light or medium roast beans for me.
You seem like such a lovely person! Thank you, Tom!
That's so kind of you to say, I appreciate it!
Hi Tom! Great Video. I purchased everything from your list, However, I dont know what I am doing wrong, My espresso shot is not coming out like yours and my milk is not frosting correctly, please help with set up.
Hello there! Yes, your beans are probably too old - or in other words roasted too long ago.
These videos may help:
How to extract the perfect espresso: ua-cam.com/video/piO6c695Op8/v-deo.html
How to Get Crema: ua-cam.com/video/00NSG9459a8/v-deo.html
Why Supermarket Coffee Beans are RUINING your Espresso! ua-cam.com/video/5BgMKqu8fJI/v-deo.html
Great breakdown!
Recommend any specific espresso beans for the BBP? Getting mine tomorrow!
Tom if you were to get one machine which one would you get? thanks in advance
One machine? Probably a Breville Dual Boiler. I'm testing one right now, and it's the best so far.
But if you mean under $500, then probably an ECP 3420. I like using it better than a GCP, because it's got better ergonomics and can make great espresso.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner Thank you very much
Can you review 2200 philips please since i really trust yours
I myself don't have the bambino plus but I do have the sage bambino, Im super impressed by the quality of the extractions at this price point.I have purchased several accessoires that have increased the quality of the extraction even more. I use the sage grinder pro alongside it.
I agree, however the only thing I regret about owning Bambino, not plus version, is the 3 way solenoid valve. Which is not a shot quality factor though. But handy on ending each shot time and volume. Auto steaming milk on plus version is not attractive and functional to me. So I prefer to stay with my bambino.
Hello Tom. On all the accessories you you mention in this video, how many come with the Breville Bambino Expresso machine and how many do I have to purchaSE SEPARATELY? THANKS Brian
Sounds loud! For the same price would you get this or the Ninja Cafe?
Main difference between Bambino and Bambino plus?
A lot. The Plus has a better steam wand and a newer heater technology. Larger water tank and pressure relief valve, too.
Great Video. Recently purchased the Bambino Plus, using stock parts. My Double Espresso is not yielding 1/2 of what yours shows in this video. Why might that be? more details.... Lavazza Gran Crema beans, ground using Breville Smart Grinder Pro, Size 12 grind, 2 shots, 19 seconds. using around 18-19g of beans. TIA for your feedback.
Hello there!
I’m guessing that your beans are probably too old - or in other words roasted too long ago.
It could also be that your grinder is not ideal for espresso.
Check out this short blog post: tomscoffeecorner.com/what-are-the-best-beans-for-espresso/
Or this one, with some good cheap grinders: tomscoffeecorner.com/best-espresso-machine-and-grinder-setups-under-500/
These videos may also help:
How to Get Crema: ua-cam.com/video/00NSG9459a8/v-deo.html
Why Supermarket Coffee Beans are RUINING your Espresso! ua-cam.com/video/5BgMKqu8fJI/v-deo.html
How to estimate bean roast age for Lavazza: ua-cam.com/users/liveQmVRpBGOokE
How to extract the perfect espresso: ua-cam.com/video/piO6c695Op8/v-deo.html
***I’d recommend looking on google maps for local coffee roasters. That's the best way to ensure freshly roasted beans.
Cheers,
Tom
Hey @Tom Coffee Corner, can you help me? I got the Touch Impress but I don’t really love the automatic nature and don’t really want to brew manual on a touch screen and such an expensive semi-auto machine. I’m going to return it BUT now I can’t decide between a Bambino Plus with a nice grinder OR the Barista Pro. What would you get between those two options?
Great informative video sir! What colour version is this one? Is it the black truffle or black stainless steel one?
I think it’s black truffle, but I don’t know for sure as I bought it used and defective. Then I fixed it.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner Thanks Tom ... I bought the black stainless steel one in the end
My Bambino Plus is on the way (a 30th anniversary gift from my company) - thanks for a very insightful video. I like the platform you use when tamping - what is that? It doesn't seem to come with the tamper or the Bambino.
Hi there! Wow, what a nice anniversary gift! I was using a Motta tamping station. I have the tamper linked, but here's what the tamper station looks like: amzn.to/43UF5mC (affiliate link)
Have fun with your machine!
FINALLY.. he wipes the wand!
😳me waiting.
Have you tried using other milk varieties such as Soy or Almond Milk in this machine ? Would it be much different in outcome ?
Is it possible to use whipping cream instead of milk or would it explode and create a new Galaxy out in space somewhere ?
Lol, never tried whipping cream, but that's an interesting thought. Milk alternatives are always harder to froth, due to the lack of milk based proteins, but this machine at least has a ton of power to do the job as well as possible.
Great timing Tom! Just bought this as an upgrade from the ECP3420. One question, do you not need to purge the wand before steaming? When I purge before using the auto steam, the machine just purges again into my milk, and none of the videos I’ve found on this machine show any purging beforehand
It's hard to purge this machine, because there's no lever. So you press the button to start steam, and stop it. Also, the steam is not already built up, so each time you press the button, you have to wait for the steam to come. Therefore, I don't bother purging on this machine. Maybe someone else has a better workflow?
When you press the steam button, press it again within five seconds and you have successfully done a basic Purge, don't wait until it fully starts blowing steam because by that point you have gone past the 5-second mark possibly but it will clear all of the water out. It's quite a bit of water actually and it only takes a few seconds to do this and it helps
Before performing frothing, i usually purge the steam for about 3-4 seconds (the moment when steam started to purge), with this way, it will not cause the machine to purge water into your milk. If you go beyond this time frame, you will see water is injecting back to your milk.
@@Presso99 thanks I’ll give this a try! My wife just uses auto and lets it purge a little bit of water into it. Can’t really notice it
Also I don’t see many people mention it, but when you do purge at the end, I like to put the milk jug underneath after pouring it out. Keeps the small drip try nice and clean
@TomsCoffeeCorner good, it drains the same way, I am a barista future coffee master, once the water comes out it is squeezed by compacting it, it has only one boiler that they share, therefore water remains in the lancet after preparing the coffee, but if it is it touches and it stops again, and you put the pitcher semi inclined etc and you start it, but you also need to purge the shower after making the coffee because micro particles in the coffee maker, the purge before and after makes them expel the small particles that have remained, is a way of caring for and prolonging the useful life
Hey Tom, I was going to get this machine as I love the simplicity of making a great coffee, would you still say it is good for medium / light roast coffees or would you tend to go for another machine in a similar price range? If so, any suggestions?
I don't know...I don't feel this machine is made for that. The PF doesn't get heated, and the max heat is not adjustable. I'd maybe suggest a GCP, and try temp surfing.
Hi Tom! I really want to buy the Bambino, but I've seen what you can do with the Delonghi ECP and that machine right now is super cheap! If I change to a non pressurised basket, and do the steam wand mod, do you still consider the Bambino to be a much better machine?
The Bambino is sicker at steaming milk. Espresso I would say is quite similar between the two machines. Maybe just buy an EC885 though, and skip doing the steam wand mod.
Superb Video Mate. I’ve Watched a Few Reviews By You And They Have Been Quite Good. Do You Have a Beginner Espresso Video That Covers These Parts In Detail. I Know Nothing About Making Lattes and Cappuccinos As The Only Machine I Have Owned So Far is The Keurig 2.0 And Now The Keurig Supreme. My 2.0 Just Failed Due To Self Sabotage By Getting The Brew Button Overly Wet During The Shell Cleaning Process. I Now Want To Get Into The Espresso/Cappuccino Game And Have My Eye On The Bambino. I’m Going With The Bambino I er The Keurig K-Cafe Cause I Watched Someone Do a K-Cafe Review And They Kept Saying The Machine Does Not Make a True Espresso. I Just Dont Want to Get a Machine That Cost a Grand or Two When I Am At The Beginner Level And Know Zero About These Parts And What They Do. I Am Gonna Subscribe And Check Your Catalog. I Will Also Save This As The Extra Parts Seem To Work Magic. Thanks.
No pressure gauge? Although sage pressure gauge doesn't show you pressure numbers but...
From all the breville/sage breville machines which would you recommend? The bambino or the barista express? Maybe another one?
So far, I'd probably recommend the Impress for an all in one, or this if you already have a grinder.
is there really a difference between an 80$ normcore tamper and a 15$ aliexpress tamper? which is also spring and pretty good quality i used it myself
I haven't ordered from AliExpress, but I cannot imagine there will be a huge difference. Beans, water and puck prep make the biggest difference.
Nice video, although -10 points for the dirty wand ;) OCD kicking in!
You're right - but at least I know you watched that long!
@@TomsCoffeeCorner😂
Hi, been hooked on your videos lately. Would you please do a comparison of the Bambino Plus VS the Delonghi Arte 885? Thanks
I will keep that in mind for a future video!
Is there no magnifying grid? the cup for an espresso is too low. splashes a lot
As a potential mod, could you drill into the drip tray and a have a hose drain out to somewhere? Not sure how to make it look pretty though
You could do that, but it would be difficult to slide out the drip tray if you needed to...I just empty it each day. Cheers!
Hi, great review! I think the US link for the shower is incorrect, it directs to the basket. Could you recommend some of the best value grinders to pair with this machine? Thanks!
Nice review, Tom. Very keen to know your rating on the espresso shot [ xx /10] please! Personally, prefer raw/unhomogenized milk and stove boil it. Prefer raw palm-sugar or unrefined sugar/jaggery.
With the Bambino I would say 7/10. I feel where this machine shines is the steaming, and not really the espresso.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner ThanQ Tom for clarifying. Appreciate much.
Tom, could you clarify 7/10 with or without mod?@@TomsCoffeeCorner
Hi Tom, thanks for the super informative video! Do you by any chance know if the regular bambino's steam wand has the same amount of power as the plus'? I was very impressed by it but feel like I don't need the automatic steaming functionality
@@eenvleugjegoeiegames
No, it’s an older design on the nonplus model. It just has one hole in the tip, and not nearly the same power.
Can I ask why u dose only 14 g of the coffe? Why not 16?
Given that it is painted with the right grinder, can it produce Cafe level expresso?
Some people say so. I find it a bit lacking in the temperature department. The steam wand is great though.
I bought the machine a few months ago, and it worked great with all the standard accessories and better with the WDT, spring loaded tamp and funnel @TomsCoffeeCorner
suggested. However, I tried to use a Normcore 54mm Bottomless Portafilter | Bottomless Naked Portafilter and it sprays from the seal of the Portafilter to the screen. Any tips on how to stop the spraying, or do I need a different Portafilter? Is there a way to improve the seal?
Do you recommend the bambino plus with a good grinder or the barista express?
Probably the BBE to be honest, as that one is capable of long pre-infusion, and eventually warms the brew group, providing imho a better shot.
I love this little machine in concept. I haven't used it but everything I've watched on it makes me think it's just a wonderful little machine for people that are almost super fussy about espresso but maybe not fully fussy about it.
I just had a thought about the programmable dosing. Is it actually volumetric or is it just on a timer?
Oh! I also specifically use a puck screen just for keeping my showerhead clean. I don't think it really does anything for the brewing process. Maybe would help stop water blasting the top of the puck before it's completely filled and saturated in the basket. But for me, I don't even care about that lol. It keeps my shower screen just beautiful. Never any residue on it or under it when I remove it to clean it. No old coffee oils anywhere :)
Hi Justin, it's volumetric. I have it set to around 30-35 grams, but I try to weigh it anyway just to be sure. What's great that I forgot to mention, is that this machine has got some excellent cup space. You can easily fit various cups and a scale under there.
What grind setting are you using?
Is that an after market portafilter? What type of portafilter does it come with?
Hi there! I use a 54mm Normcore bottomless for Sage/Breville. It comes with a nice dual spouted portafilter, but I like to see the extraction. :)
Feel free to check the video description for links. Cheers!
Sorry to bother you again Tom. With this machine and with all the same gadgets, would you recommend the Baratza Encore ESP as a grinder? I have some cheap one, but it just doesn't make fine enough for espresso, my coffee comes out too fast.
Yes, I quite like the ESP. It does a great job, and grinds well for espresso. Cheers!
Thanks Tom. I love my machine. How fine did you grind your beans for this?
Fine enough for a 2:1 ratio in 25 seconds, as a ballpark figure.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner Thank you for your reply. I'm still having under extraction issues with my machine. I will keep dialing I guess. My grind looks finer than yours from what I can tell from your video. All the best!!
Liked the content. Our breville machines here in Australia doesnt say Sage brand model. Is it the same though?
It's Breville Group. In AU and in North America it's Breville, and in Europe it's Sage. Has to do with trademark issues.
Do you recommend more the bambino plus or the dedica?
Overall the BP is a little better, but the price determines it. In some markets there is a huge price difference, and then I'd take the Dedica.
Thank you for your advice
What temperature does the water leaving the steam want get to when making tea?
It's not that hot, but you can then dip the steam wand in the water and steam it up to whatever temp you want.
Can you do a video comparing this va duo temp pro pls?
If you did not have a grinder already would you get the Bambino Plus and a seperate grinder or something like the Barista Express - assuming you could get the grinder and Bambino for similar money?
I'd probably go with the BBE. The Bambino in my opinion does not make better espresso. The BBE passively pre-heats the group over time, which is also an advantage.
Thanks @@TomsCoffeeCorner
Tom thanks for the videos! Amazing information you share.
I’m still in between bambino plus and dedica maestro plus.
I’m an espresso guy and my wife she drinks milk beverages. What should I buy? HELP😂
Did you see my comparison video? It's a close race. Imho, DMP wins for espresso, and BP wins for milk frothing.
Hello Tom. I just bought my bambino machine. As I only use it for espresso, I opted for the non plus version. I thought the difference would only be in the milk. However, notice that it does not have a 3-way solenoid valve. Is it possible to install? Will it be easy?
No, I doubt it will be easy to install, and you'd need to control it with a signal. Plus, there's almost no room to fit one in. I'd return it for a Plus model, if that's important to you.