RE: PRE-INFUSION- Seems manual PI goes up to 10 seconds and automatically is set to 8 seconds. I missed these two seconds. I stand by thinking calling a 2 second increase "manual pre-infusion" and bit silly. The Infuser, Express, and BDB all have unlimited manual Pre-infusion. I think either don't give the option or have it limitless (might be impossible with thermacoil for some reason I don't understand but can't imagine it would be.) So, apologies for that. Seems it is manual below 10. Just don't understand what a couple of seconds is good for tbh. Would prefer to hold the whole shot in PI for low flow shots, etc. Or hold it as long as need for full fill, etc. Anyway, SORRY
Maybe this is an accidental copy from the Barista Pro Model? I’ve used manual pre-infusion on it and I’ve experience more what the Bambino Plus manual is describing.
Unfortunately that's the way they programed the micro controller to set more limitations. A justification for higher price models. You know, the R/D and sells department stuff!
that makes sense. Very unfortunate. Curious why the Pro is the same way, being higher priced. I was curious if it was related, for some reason, to the thermocoil? Maybe they are scared of overheating if the water moves too slowly through it for too long?
@@LanceHedrick I believe pro, as a main design, has no pre infusion limit like bambino. I will check Hoons video on that one more time, but thermojet protection makes sense as well. For that reason I am sure the pump's continual working time is limited to 60s.
I did double check on Pro and Express. I was wrong about Pro. As you said the Pro has 10s max pre infusion limit as well as Bambino. And again as you said the technical reason maybe Thermojet protection which absolutely makes sense. On Express on the other hand there is no such a limitation.
I wanna jump in here as a Bambino owner of almost 2 years: Lance thank you for bringing light to this machine!! 100% agree about bang for the buck under $500. For those considering, if I may offer my viewpoint: Do not buy the Plus for the milk features - only the back flush solenoid function if you desire that. If you care about latte art & great texture, you will not use the auto steam features. The pre-infuse thing in the manual isn’t fully incorrect; it’s just missing details. You cannot preinfuse past 5seconds by holding down the button. But you can hold the button and release as preinfusion starts to dodge the preinfusion, which I’ve actually preferred lately for a more punchy shot in my opinion. And if you desire to preinfuse for 10 sec, hit the button, stop it before it ramps up, immediately press again. Kind of messy but that’s one of the huge advantages to the Bambino - it doesn’t suck the water back up when you cancel the shot like commercial machines. Speaking of this, the Bambino slowly releases the pressure when you cancel it, allowing for what I call “post-infuse” or drawdown etc. It’s annoying at first, but if you like the idea of lowering pressure/speed at the end of a pull, you can! If you desire the shot to remain full pressure ‘til the end, you have to pull your cup and scale out at your desired output grams. Because pressing the button to cancel will slowly release the pressure & drawdown a lot of remaining water. You can also “bloom” with the Bambino due to this. Add a dimmer mod and you get that as well, which I’ve been messing with lately. Grab the 54mm paper filters for the top of the tamped grounds, really helps with spraying if you have that issue on naked porta baskets! Sorry, I have been exploring this machine for a while so I just wanted to get in here and help anyone who is considering purchasing it. It’s such a crazy good machine, two of my buddies have owned bambinos as well. In my opinion, if I have ~$1,000 to spend on an espresso setup, I’m paying $300 for this and $700+ for a killer grinder. Personally. Only would step the machine up if I had $1500+ probably. Just my opinion! It is not a perfect machine! It just smacks so insanely hard for $300. And as one who really likes to dive deep (hence my subscription to Lance), this this has not disappointed. Again, for the price. Insane. K thanks for reading hope you all the best in your learnings and keep watching Lance if you enjoy learning anything coffee!!!!!
I hoped there was a way to add 3 way solenoid. As you mentioned it's a pain in neck on fixing output after stopping the shot which can be gussable after pulling many shots with same coffee. Overall 100% agree with you. I own one in a loyalty period to examine myself as well as waiting on my fixed residency in a new country. After all go up to dual boiler or e61.
Great comment. Agree with everything except the paper filter. Get a puck screen to put on top and use the paperfilter a the bottom under your ground coffee.
Apart from the tiny drip tray, I love and swear by this machine left right and centre. Low cost, great espresso, small footprint, I can talk all day. Thanks again for voicing out that low budget with careful choice can still yield great coffee at home!
This is one of the most honest, comprehensive and nonjudgmental reviews I have seen. I have this set up right now currently an after watching this video, my shots have become even better than they were before. I cannot recommend this machine enough and well done sir, for one of the best coffee machine review videos I have ever seen..
This felt like a Part 1 of a 2 part review series. I've had this machine for a couple years now. With the Sage Smart Grinder Pro, a bottomless portafilter, WDT, one of those grind distributer spinny things, I can make a milky coffee as good (if not better in some opinions) as any local cafe's offerings. The quality of the coffee this thing can put out is amazing for the price, but it's not even the price of the thing. I'd go and get a La Marzoccho machine, but the 3 second readiness on this Bambino is pretty hard to beat. Regular cleaning cycles have kept this machine going perfectly. I love my coffees as do many friends who stop in for a morning coffee. Oh, and with that auto steam wand, my 11yo can whip up a prefect hot chocolate super easily.
Would watch a part 2. Maybe how to tackle different roast levels? dark: purg and freeze pf 20-25s medium: purg 20-25s light roasts: purg (or not if too sour?) and 20-25s (or longer if too sour?)
I've had a modded Gaggia Classic Pro for a couple years. I recently bought a Bambino Plus for half price on Marketplace and I find it much more consistent at pulling shots than the Gaggia. Not to mention the amazing automatic milk frothing. A Breville Barista Touch Impress will be my next purchase.
I used to own the bambino ( not plus ) which i believe has the same pre-infusion capability as the plus version, and I can confirm that it does up to 10 second pre-infusion which you can control manually or program into either of the shot buttons, which I learnt to do from the manual ( but I agree with Lance about the misinformation as the manual doesn't say it's a max of 10 seconds ) , also the manual mentions to purge the group head before pulling a shot to stabilise the temperature ( just like Lance discovered from his own experience ) Actually I discovered a hack ( without having to mod ) to the Bambino before upgrading to e61 The bambino doesn't have two way valve so when the shot stop, the excess water pressure continues to flow through the puck , so here are some hacks . • You can pre-infuse as long as you want by running the pre-infusion to its max time of 10 seconds ( or less ) then quickly stop and start pre-infusion again , you could even run the full shot like that if you desire. I had some great results applying that hack to my shots, it can completely stop channelling • you can also use the pre-infusion at the end of the shot , let's say you aiming for 40 grams out , you stop the shot at 30 grams or even 25 grams , and again Same like the previous hack , you quickly start pre-infusion again which will reduce the pressure/flow and end the shot smoothly which also helps avoiding channeling AGAIN that's possible because of the lack of two way valve , so whenever you are stopping the shots you are not loosing positive pressure over the puck therefore you don't lose puck integrity, etc ... It's an amazing machine if you willing to tinker little bit with your shots and understand how to manage thermal stability
@@LanceHedrick thanks ☺️ Here are some extra hack points too ! • you can use the lack of 2 way valve to your advantage if required, by ending the shot earlier than the desired weight and letting the rest of the coffee dripping enter the cup from the excess pressure until desired weight reached ( you can usually get between 5 and 10 grams from.excess pressure in my experience but someone has to trial with it ) , this way the pressure will slowly decrease till the shot ends which would mimick the old style ( spring ) lever machine effect !! • and you can actually use the steam wand as a two way valve , simply when desired weight reached , end the shot by pressing the steam button and the excess water pressure will immediately transfer through to the wand you will even see the extracted coffee exiting the wand , incredible right ? 😆 You just have to make sure to purge the wand again immediately once you remove the portafilter to flush the coffee residue out.
@@MM-rn6ii I never thought of using the steam wand to cut the shot and stop the water from dripping. That's really clever! Will definitely try this, thanks!
Lance, the plastic piece in the Breville portafilter does come out. You just need to remove the retention spring and use a pair of chopsticks to push the plastic piece out. A few people, myself included, found that coffee/water can get trapped between the plastic and portafilter. It was a nightmare to keep clean
Well thanks for writing this. Just bought a used Bambino Plus and have been cleaning it since it's got grounds everywhere. Knocked out the plastic piece and oh my god, so much gunk caked between the plastic and the portafilter! Descaled today, back flushing tomorrow. Really hoping that cleans out everything inside.
Love, love, love the editing in this video. Subscribed. Just got a bambino, a total bambi beginner over here and ChatGPT can't resolve all my issues yet, so here I am on the tubes.
Cool video! You mentioned modifying a Gaggia Pro as the only potential competitor as best value under $500. The thing that I don't think you can modify with the Gaggia is the aluminum boiler which made it a no go for me. I think the Flair 58 or even the PRO 2 have to be included as best value espresso machine although it's manual.
Had my regular Bambino for about a year, and love it. I’m sure there’s better machines, but it certainly punches up. I am starting to get a hair nervous about longevity, but it works for now. Good to know on the pre-infusion stuff, one less thing to worry about. I’ve typically not purged before shots, too, so it seems like there’s room for improvements.
Regarding the quality and longevity of the unit. I have used this machine, 1-4 (sometimes more when hosting) times a day for 3 years straight and never had a problem.
I learned my lesson with my breville... the inner shower screen/group head is teflon coated plastic which will eventually flake off/crack. On the higher end dual boiler it is plastic as well but you can upgrade it with a third party stainless steel. On the lower end 54mm models this is all one piece (shower head block) and it is impossible to buy that part and needs a full tear down to repair. I loved my duo temp pro but I now understand why other machines (like a Gaggia, Silvia, etc) have much better longevity.
I’ve got a Bambino Plus and a Niche Zero-have had them for at least a year and love the workflow on it. The auto milk steaming is nice cuz I can wash my portafilter when that’s going and don’t mind not having perfect texture every time. Originally got this as a starter machine, but the coffee from this setup is pretty tasty and I find it hard to want to upgrade since a lot of more expensive machines have a slower workflow
Yeah the Bambino plus and Niche zero combo is a real workflow giant and probably unbeatable with any other combo. If you don't want making a coffee to be a hobby but just want a great quality coffee that's quick and easy to make then the convenience of the Bambino+/Niche is stella. I drink mostly Americanos and it makes those admirably and fuss-free.
My bambino plus + jx pro setup has been serving me and my sister coffee twice a day for almost two years now so essentially 4 cups daily minimum and every morning i wake up only to the excitement of using my bambino even without the will to live 😅 the performance to convenience ratio is bar to none especially with that 3 sec warm up time and very spacious build. Planning to get an electric grinder asap for the maximum convenience level and very much excited to soon serve good coffee to friends without losing an arm to the jx pro 😂
I’m so glad this video exists, thank you Mr. Hendrick! I was so frustrated with my machine for at least a year and couldn’t get my shots right. I followed your 2-3 simple steps (steam flush and short time with no “infusion”) and right now I have finally a thick chocolaty and fruity espresso I’m going to cry
So I'm a little confused as to what Lance is recommending to get those kind of shots since he talks of different things (different readings with the 2 measuring portafilters, a dedicated machine for slow shots, etc.) throughout the video and not just achieving the type of shots you're describing. What exactly are the 2 - 3 simple steps you are describing? Is it just letting the machine purge the hot steam shot first before inserting the portafilter and pulling the shot, or are you also doing something else that you didn't before? For example, are you also adjusting your grind size to make the entire shot less than 30 seconds because he says keep it below 30 seconds? Thanks.
I have this machine for about 3 years now, really happy about it. Easy to use, and now on the verge of upgrading the tamper etc because the stock one sucks. I upgraded also my Sage grinder for a Timemore 078s and the setup is just perfect. less than 1000€ for both thanks to the kickstarter price and I think that's a really hard combo to beat for the money I spent on it !
This is going to be me setup next month.Any tips on grind size on 078s? I’ve already purchase a bottomless portafilter and some upgrades. Is the espresso good with this setup?
@@LGTF1000 I’ve change the position of the pin to have the 0 position closer to the limit of the burrs. My expression settings is in between 4 and 5 mostly with light and medium roast and you definitely have to WDT as well. I use a coaster to shake the grounded coffee in the cup then I have a wedge distributor and a proper tamper. It’s probably better with an actual WDT tool but it works fine this way. I acquired some wasted coffee from some missed roast from my local specialty coffee to seasoned the burrs too just in case but I don’t really know if that’s a must to do, I just had the opportunity. Anyway, that’s a great grinder for the price (probably hard to beat), enjoy it !
Great review. We have had this for a couple years now, used daily. Just now getting into mods like a better portafilter. I’d say that for anyone who wants good espresso and milk, but doesn’t really want to get all techie, this is a great way to go.
Bambino plus owner for 2 years. It took a bit of getting used to - I did *_not_* like it at first. Milk foaming drove me nuts! But now I love it. I learned how to make silky microfoam for my flat white (100ml of milk): a combination of initial manual foaming for a few seconds to get some air in there and finish off with auto. Espresso is good. It's quick, small footprint reliable (for now...)
@heberildo If using the pitcher supplied, make sure it is placed all the way forward with wand against the wall closest to the handle. I use #2 temp, #2 froth, filled below the spout indentation and it comes out great. Been using for two years now. If you are using a different SS pitcher, then you’ll have to play with the placement and/or temperature setting. I believe it was designed for the sensor to be located at the middle of the pitcher…the edges of the pitcher could be a different temperature. For example, I often use a smaller pitcher and I do place it all the way forward, but only do a temperature setting of 1, froth still 2, and it comes out great 99% of the time. Also, I never fill past the spout indentation…always keep below. The less milk used in the pitcher, the foamier it gets. At or above the spout indentation I find it gets too thin.
Loved this in-depth review of the Bambino Plus! Your insights into its performance are super helpful. It’s clear you’ve thoroughly tested it. Thanks for breaking down the pros and cons so well! ☕👏
This is what I have with an IMS screen and basket. I also installed a dimmer switch to regulate flow which I learned from your video, "How to Perform a Dimmer Mod." I absolutely love it now. Thank you for that! By the way, I was able to cut out the side and fit the switch internally, so it looks nice and clean ;)
Hi Lance. I have the standard Bambino that I use daily to make myself a cappuccino. I must say that often I find the results better than coffee's from numerous cafes. Puck prep and good baskets make all the difference.
In all honesty you don't need the plus! I've had the standard model for over a year and a half, use it daily and it's wonderful. I'm a bit of a fussy coffee snob so take my word, it's a great machine. In fact I will say that 90% of the time it can make nicer cappuccinos than many cafe's. Just keep in mind that this is not really an espresso machine. It's made for lattes and cappuccinos or flat whites. It CAN make straight shot espresso but in all honesty more high end machines do a better job at that. Good luck! @@BusyAngel9999
@@BusyAngel9999if you want lattes or cap, get the plus I just need the double shot to make iced coffee and I dont see spending 200$ just for some "latte" art necessary.
Been messing with my Bambino and its a fun machine to learn on and delivers well for a beginner at a low cost of entry. Agreed with the pre-infusion bit. Read manual, tried doing it and was confused why the pump would kick up to full throttle after a few seconds. Thanks for the video!
Didn’t realize how much you could modify! I traded in the basket that came with it for a normal espresso basket and wow! I could actually put a fine espresso grind into it! Very cool video
I really appreciate the in depth review, this is what I've been using for almost a year as my first espresso machine along with an 1Zpresso J-Max. I also love the eco-friendly/environmental awareness message as well. Amazing video Lance ❤
We have owned the bambino plus for two years and it’s been working great. It’s a great beginner machine also very transportable for traveling. Work flow is fast because there’s no waiting for it to heat up to temperature. No waiting for boiler temp changes between brewing and milk frothing.
Mine actually has a full 10 seconds preinfusion. Try to program the double shot button with a puck prepped like you're actually making a double shot, press both the single and double shot buttons to enter programming mode, then just hold the double shot button for about 10 seconds and let go to run the pump at full pressure for the rest of the shot, as the maximum i could do is 10 seconds anyway. Try it and let us know please, hope am not hallucinating that 😂.
I love my bambino +,paired with a niche zero Always purge 1st ,then with a 9 second pre infusion with a cold bottomless portafilter + ims basket and shower head +puck screen,I’ve gotta say for the money I’m impressed with the tasty drinks I get along with well sourced fresh beans (mostly med/light roast). Always steam my own milk (never really used the auto milk thing)Thanks Lance 🙏🏼
I've got the exact same setup minus the showerhead. I have not tried a cold portafilter but Ima check it out. Last Summer, I took my whole setup to the training labs at Greater Goods Coffee here in Austin, and they did a consultation with me to figure out how we could get the best out what we had to work with. I told them up front to be honest and if the conclusion is it's a piece of junk and you need to get a different machine, fine. The barista I was working with giggled "I feel like I'm gonna break it" at how lightweight and flimsy it felt the first time she locked in the portafilter. We dialed stuff in, she busted out the refractometer. In the end, everyone's conclusion was "holy shit this thing is amazing for the money"
I paired this with an Eureka Specialita as my first dive into espresso. I was worried that I would lose interest if making a drink would feel like a chore. But after 9 months of using it about twice per day, I'm ready for an upgrade. I'm happy to pay $2,000 to $3,000 for a Bambino with much better build quality, no need to purge for thermo stability, and a 58mm portafilter and smarter auto frothing. Unfortunately that product doesn't exist. Most prosumer machines add more complication and dials in the pursuit of quality. I wouldn't wait more than 5 seconds for a machine to heat up. Breville/Sage has done an outstanding job prioritizing convince and usability. NOTE: I've heard the counter-argument. I don't have regularity in my daily routine for a smart timer to avoid the heat up times. On principle I also don't want to waste electricity for a machine to keep water hot for hours on end. As for the dissatisfaction with the auto-frothing capabilities. It might be because I make cortados and the milk volume I use is below what they designate as the 'min' amount. I've never really gotten consistency with milk using the auto frother. I have noticed that the second back to back shot I do with the machine has far more crema, so I always suspected there were thermo stability issues. I sometimes run a blank shot, but I didn't know you could cancel... So I'm glad this video taught me something new.
I’m trying to choose between the specialita, niche, and df64P. How’s the workflow? I’ve been single dosing with a decent manual grinder and a scale and I just can’t hand grind for 5 minutes straight at 6 am anymore lol
Mine is almost 3 years old now and going strong! Whole time I’ve owned it the pre-infuse time thing has made me feel crazy, glad to hear I wasn’t imagining it, but disappointed that it’s not real :(
Just owned myself a Bambino (not Plus), did watch your video prior to buying it too. And oh my days, the machine is awesome for home espresso - latte making. Thank you so much for the content and stay awesome man
I’ve had mine for a year! I also have the Breville grinder. Great combo. As someone who knew nothing about espresso prior, it has been an amazing little machine to get started on. Maybe someday I’ll upgrade if it ever dies, but for now, it’s doing a great job.
Great review/guide video, thanks! I started out with a Bambino Plus and Smart Grinder Pro, specifically with the plan of giving it a treat to see if I'm into this espresso hobby first, and then upgrading. It's been a couple of years, I upgraded the SGP to a Niche as soon as the year was up, but the Bambino is still here! Got a bottomless portafilter and IMS basket, but that's all for parts swaps/mods. As you mentioned, it has its issues, the small drip tray is annoying, and as you mentioned in the video there's a couple of (easy) things to do, but it's a great machine for the money, no doubt. Getting accessories for 54mm used to be difficult, but it's getting a lot better, in part thanks to you!
great vid! Worth mentioning that super important to descale these religiously as the ThermoJet veins are really thin and can get blocked easily. Also worth mentioning that it won't ramp up to full temperature unless it senses adequate resistance from the puck. And texturing milk using the wand manually is very easy.
Standart is a lovely magazine. Used to read it at Primary Coffee Roasters in Sydney. Also, great video! Still rocking the non-plus bambino with your naked porta, obviously.
This is a great review. I'm currently running a DTP, which is the more manual counterpart to this machine. In defense of the build quality, I found it at a thrift store for $1, obviously very heavily used, and it was working perfectly after a thorough cleaning. I've had the whole thing apart and there are no leaks or signs of imminent failure. I'd think that the bambino is built to a similar standard.
I would love to see you do a video on the DeLonghi ECP series, and if/how to get the best espresso possible out of them. I know these are more “appliance grade” machines, but I think they are what a lot of people, myself included are working with because they are cheap.
This is probably too late but I just upgraded from the ECP3630 (with Rancilio wand mod) to the Bambino Plus. Looking forward to the better steam wand tbh.
Something I'll point out as a con, which I believe is important, is the cleaning cycles. While this is also a pro, as regular cleaning is a great thing for keeping this machine in great shape, the cleaning cycles are somewhat forced and can happen at unideal times. I've had cleaning cycles come up right after pulling a shot but haven't steamed my milk yet and it won't let me cancel to steam. So I'm forced to do the cleaning cycle before I'm done making my drink, which can be quite frustrating.
@@p4tdotb 100% same here. Really wish I had known about it prior to purchasing. Nothing is more annoying than that happening first thing in the morning when you also have other things to worry about. Luckily I bought an E61 machine recently and sold the Bambino plus. Seriously needs to be mentioned in reviews though.
The machine counts to 200 extractions and then forces a cleaning cycle (says the manual). You can start a cycle at a previous convenient time - see the 'Note' at page 15 of the 'User Guide'. I clean at the start of every month, say 120 'extractions' including purges and never get a forced cleaning cycle.
As a happy owner of a Cafelat robot I plan to purchase the base Bambino solely as a dedicated steamer for cappuccinos. $800 total for both and I'm making cappuccinos as good as or better than many dual boilers but without the 30 min warm-up time and extensive maintenance cost. Used exclusively as a steamer and using the best water available the Bambino should last a very long time I would think.
Pre-infusion can be programmed to whatever time that you need. Typically, I programmed it at around 10 seconds when the button is pressed. The brewing time will depend on the type of coffee, in my case i prefer the brew time to be between 30-35 seconds.
I’ve had mine for 41/2 years. It makes 2-5 cups a day and it is still going strong. I use filtered water and keep the filter in the water tank as well. I backwash with water only daily and with a (crushed) tablet once a week and descale when it tells me to. It has not yet been relegated to landfill. I love it, it’s easy to use on auto and also if you want to go more manual. My latte art is shit mind you and I don’t care, I really don’t.
I bought a Bambino (non-pro) to use as a dedicated steamer for my Flair 58, but it's just generally handy as a fast hot water machine for tea. I haven't gotten around to dimmer modding it yet, but I still occasionally use it for coffee shots when I'm too lazy to make a pour over or do Filter 2.0 on the Flair. I've done the dimmer mod on my friend's Bambino though, and it really is pretty easy.
How does it compare against the 58 directly? I am considering either machine, but leaning towards the Bambino for convenience as I have a baby at home. I don't know if I can justify the tinkering of a manual espresso machine, but would feel regretful if the coffee tastes much worse on the Bambino.
@@doctormoobbc I'm also curious if @tallergeese can give a good comparison as my short list for a new machine includes both the Bambino and the Flair 58. I feel like I will eventually want a lever but wonder if the Bambino might do me until an Argos lever is available (which I figure will be years at this rate).
The Lelit Anna variant with the PID (PL41TEM) is similarly priced and has some additional appealing features, such as a 250ml brass boiler and a pressure gauge. The slightly more expensive Grace (PL81T) adds a shot timer, pre-infusion, much nicer looks and an improved portafilter (the kind that stays leveled, removing the need for a tamping stand). It would be great if you could review these machines.
I’m torn between the lelit Anna with the PID and this bambino plus for a smaller footprint espresso machine in our RV. So I’d love to hear his opinion also.
If you guys can get the Anna for the same price as the Bambino Plus, you’re lucky. Here in Canada, the Anna is $1000CAD and the Bambino Plus is regularly $650. Though you should never pay that price. All Breville products go on sale frequently and the BP can often be found for $500CAD.
Default pre-infusion time is 8 seconds, u pressed the button at 17:09, it went full force at 17:17. Manual max pre-infusion time is 10 seconds, u pressed the button at 18:00, it went full force at 18:10. That is also what it says in the manual. Something is wrong with the timer you put on the video
timer seems to be assuming 60fps, but the video is only at 25fps, you can see the last number of the timer is counting frames and it ticks over at 60, if you right click the video and click "stats for nerds" you can see the video is running at 25fps, so the timer x 2.4 should be real time
@@ThatGamerBlue the blinking light on the Bambino is very close to being exactly one second (They should have just calibrated it to be). The pump kicks in after 10 blinks and change.
When i measure the temp of the water which comes out of the head is a small container it consistently measures approx 60-70 degC. I know there will be a bit of temp loss in the water travelling into the container and the container itself will cool it too. But i preheated the container and also did a large water dispense and also did a pre steam wand use to heat up the thermojet. Still, 60-70 degC.
@@LanceHedrick the machine should deliver water at 70degC? I thought coffee should be brewing above 90degC? I wouldn't think it's losing 30degC after preheating the unit etc etc.
When you mentioned stainless steel being a pain in the butt, was that for keeping it clean? Sounds like you recommend getting other colors? That part wasn’t super clear to me. Thank you for all the great info on this!
Hey Lance! I think that you can only change the preinfusion time when you hold down the two buttons for custom shots, then you hold down for the desired preinfusion time and let go, after you reach the desired coffe ammount you simply press again. And your custom brew is saved with the correct preinfusion time. I hope this helps :) I used the bambino plus for 2 years but I have changed to a barista pro beacuse of its better thermal capabilities. I dont know if this is true, but I think that I can achieve higher temperatures with the barista pro. Love your videos! Balixx
Yeah! I've tried that and it doesn't do any longer than the 8ish seconds I show in the video. And the pro should be pretty similar to the bambino, but if you're getting better shots, great!
I’ve had the machine for 5 years and we have gotten some great use out of it, but it seems to have hit a wall. The blinking lights to clean the group head always blink even after I have run the tablets and descaled two times. It also does not have the steam pressure release sound that it used to. And I think the temperature is off. I measured the water temp at the group head for a double shot and it started at 195F and was down to 150 by the end of the shot. Don’t think that is supposed to happen. Anyway, not sure what we will upgrade to, but it has been a great first machine with lots of pleasurable drinks.
is it any different from the regular bambino besides the auto steam wand ? debating if i should get this one or do just the normal bambino with a nice grinder
Hi Lance, thanks for your excellent reviews. I’m interested to know why you don’t necessarily recommend changing the shower screen please? I’ve upgraded to bottomless pf, use puck screen, and swapped the steam wand tip on my bambino to the b plus tip. I also take my bambino with me when I’m staying away from home. It’s ideal.
Interesting data reading Lance. I fully agree to purge before pulling a shot. I use quality beans in UK - James Gourmet Vardem Grande and have excellent results.
I just got the none plus version of this for $150 at a Bed Bath and Beyond that was closing. I never moved so fast in my life from finding it to the checkout, I think I beat the sound barrier LOL I love it especially for the price. still have not got a good tamp for it but I am making due with what came with it surprisingly well. but that portafilter had to go! I could not for the life of me get the plastic out of it. so not only is it plastic but its glued in there ...lovely...not!. so I got a naked portafilter for it right away. now I don't think i would have paid full price for this when there is their dual temp pro for only $100 more and has features I would prefer but I am still very impressed with this thing. ok I am caffeinated and starting to ramble sorry 😁
Using bambino plus for about a year, pump first gear starts around 4 seconds and second gear starts around 9 seconds for me. I always thought the second noise change is when it hits 9 bars
Had mine for about 4 years still going strong. When this eventually breaks down not sure what I will replace it with. There are much better built machines, but not many that are as compact, good looking and convenient. Wish Breville would make a high end bambino.
I bought mine at the start of COVID (3 years) never had any problem with it :) and I'm using the breville//sage grinder :D I'm always whatching when should i upgrade and if i need too but still didn't got to the decision point XD especially because i mostly drink my coffe with a bit of milk (cortado, flat white size). Btw yeah i like how quick the machine is, so , should i upgrade to a barista express? hmmm? And Lance if you have aaaaaaaaaaaaany influence on the manufacturer PLEASE advice them to produce a "tray" mod, to make it bigger because yep, that's the most pain in the ass part in the machine :D Video TOP as usual, thx to you my bean swap and grind set up is much more quicker with less waste, and I'm having some nice latte art sometimes :D
I've tested this on the Pro and it doesn't continue doing PI. I owned two and have tried it on a few at their actual HQ. Stops at the same time this one does. You will hear the pump go to full mode.
Thanks for reviewing my current machine! How well does the pull shots scale if you go get a higher quality grinder & beans? And seperate question, will you maybe do a video about bean roasting quality differences? I am starting to see my local roasters use infrared bean roasting because they say it is “better”. I would like to know from a nerdy POV how it actually compares to even the old italian way of wood roasted or current slow drum roasting by hot air from gas fire.
Interesting watch, thanks! As a 2yr+ owner of the Bambino Plus, here's my twopenny worth Firstly, you mentioned stabilising the temperature before a shot as though this was an issue - it is clearly mentioned in the manual. Secondly, the pre-infusion thing. You definitely can change the pre-infusion time manually but its for sure not indefinite. It doesnt say in the manual that it is though. My thought is that with a full portafilter there must be a max amount of pre-infusion before the puck is too full and the pressure too great, so yes of course it cannot be indefinite I love the milk side of this machine. On full auto it does a decent job, but you didnt really mention that you can also steam milk manually with this machine - and it does an amazing job of that. You also didnt mention the 4 hole frother which is superior to the single hole on the Bambino I was surprised to hear you go on about dismantling the machine and opening it up to descale it. That's completely unnecessary. The machine has a built in descaling function which triggers every few hundred shots. It also has a built in backflush cycle which also triggers each few hundred shots. All clearly described in the manual. The way the machine is made is that there is no 'loose' water inside which could scale up anywhere else. You can of course descale or backflush manually too if you live in a hard water area and think it needs to be done more frequently. And of course, it has a filter in the water dispenser which will remove many of the damaging chemicals and hardness Yes, the drip tray is tiny!! Could do with a bigger one, but to be honest you can easily get around this by using a small jug to put under the steam wand when it purges. My routine is - put a cup in place and add the portafilter empty. Hit the shot button to run water through to warm everything. Empty the portafilter into the cup and grind/WDT/tamp your coffee. Hit the 1 shot button to stabilise the temperature, insert portafilter and pour the shot (I use manual infusion and manual extraction). Put an empty jug under the extended steam arm (this puts it into manual) and run that till steam comes through, then swap for the milk jug, push steam wand back down for auto and press steam again (I'm happy with the auto steam most of the time). When it is finished I lift the arm and wipe it with a cloth, put the jug back and lower the steam wand to let it purge into the jug, then wipe it again. I also usually run a shot through into the jug to rinse the screen, then give that a wipe. Only have to empty the drip tray every few days Completely agree about the tamper and portafiter, however I think they are good quality for the price of the machine, though are not 'pro' level. Will look into your alternatives too, if they are available in the UK as I like the look of them! Finally though - reviews like this need to be taken in context with what the machine is and its intended audience. The Bambino Plus is Boss Levels ahead of all the other standard machines you see with pressurised baskets, yet is in a similar price bracket to the best of these. It is aimed at people who want the chance of brewing a lovely cup of coffee from a small, compact machine which doesnt cost a fortune. It is ideal for those who want to learn more and for those who want to play at learning latte art (which has never interested me). It's not a pro machine aimed at pro level users, small cafes or those who want to pull 100 shots a day. As you mentioned, it is probably the best machine available today in its price range for out of the box coffee quality - and that is exactly what it is aimed at.
Well, that was a lot. But riddled with mistakes. First, breville reached out to me following this and agreed with my critiques and are currently aiming to fix them. Second, you are wrong that this is only a beginner machine. If you follow any forum, you'll know even the most advanced users love these. Third, there have been inadequate reviews done on this with improperly acquired data. Fourth, I do appreciate your watching but perhaps next time, attempt to understand that products are much more than their intention and people are always looking for a budget machine that punches above its weight. Cheers
Mans re-discovered the ideal gas law with all the testing he did 😂. Thanks so much for this video! I just bought one for Black Friday and I can’t wait to use it. Sadly I got the chrome finish, hopefully it’s not too much of a pain.
How does one achieve great espresso in the low 20 second range? I want to grind in the low 20 second range to get consistent results with the temperature of the machine as Lance mentions in the video. Bear with me, I am still pretty new to espresso and I lack some fundamental knowledge. I've heard you want to aim for a 2:1 ratio in the 25-30 second range as a starting point. - I've found this to be pretty true with my Bambino Pro for Medium roast espresso beans. Usually the 27 second range seems to be a consistent sweetspot (changes on the beans, but if I had to pick a single shot length, it would be 27s) If I were to pull a shot in the low 20 second range, while keeping a 2:1 ratio (my basket is ~16g-18g), then I would need to grind pretty coarse - to the point where the shot would be under extracted - When dialing in a new bag, I've pulled shots that were super coasre, in the 20 second range, and they tasted terrible and super under extracted Any thoughts on how to achieve a shot in the low 20 second range without it being terribly underextracted from grinding really coarse?
OMG!! Thank you Lance!!! I thought I was losing my freeking mind with this machine! Gaaaah!! Dark Roast beans (not oily) shots too fast at 12 on the Niche...bitter AF. No wonder!! I need to use a cold PF (I use naked). I get 'God Shots' with the La Pavoni and E61 and was about ready to send my Bambino Plus back! Trying your tips tomorrow! I'm about an hour away from Bentonville, hope to get to Onyx soon!
Great video as always lance! I almost bought one of these second hand a few months ago, but I’m really glad I went with my Nomad. I’ve bought 4-5 standart issues second hand and I really enjoy them. Cool to see they sponsored you.
I want to like Sage, I really do. But this video confirms what I keep finding online: so so machine(s) with limited lifespan. Most reviewers are either selling or working for/with the brand, which makes a review biased, even if it’s only a little bit.
I don't sell or work for breville. I consult on a project that isn't even released. And I have absolutely trashed other products. I have protected in my contract my liberty to say what I want about whatever I want always. I make $0.00 on any breville sales on the market. Nothing. Nada. I sell nothing. And I refused an affiliate link when offered. Please don't make me regret saying no to one and all the money I could've had if you're going to say these things regardless
@@LanceHedrick Sorry wasn’t attacking you or your review but more the brand and it’s reviews in general. This felt like the first honest review in a long time and I appreciate the time and effort you put in to it.
I have one of these and really enjoy it. I've never, not once heard of using a cold portafilter--I usually purge with the empty portafilter locked in to pre-heat it because that's what I was taught! But I'll try it this way, and that may also help by making me purge right before the shot (I didn't realize the steam issue). And I'm still so confused about how much pre-infusion to do, but maybe since it's got to be below 10sec it's not going to make much difference anyway?
love the video Lance! I was shocked to see you steaming milk with the pitcher just sitting on the drip tray instead of your usual height and angle. Can you add some detail to that? I am making a v60 with your 1-2-1 recipe with a Kenya I ground on an Ode Gen 2 with SSP MP (installed by Fellow) thanks to your hardwork to make coffee better for all of us 💯
Great video thank you Lance. I still have a question about timing shots and programming the machine (pressing both bottoms to then adjust the time with a scale etc.). When timing shots to dial in recipes when would yo start your timer? Start it when hitting the button or when you hear the pump turn on the first time (not the second time when it reaches full force)? Normally I would say when hitting the button the first time but I feel like the time before the pump starts ramping up varies from shot to shot or am I completely wrong here? In your video it is the same time at the end but I feel like there is a difference when you just hit the two cup button or when you press it while you are in programming mode….
@@LanceHedrick thank you for the turbo (shot) quick answer. I definitely have to retime it now but thank you. I upgraded to a MaraX but supplied my family and brother with my old machine and another bambino plus so I have to adjust these two for them to get them the best out of it!
Got mine with with Smart Grinder Pro over 3 years ago as a beginner and it turned out to be the perfect combination. Using quality beans, I make several short Americanos a day and it takes seconds.3 years later, both Breville machines have surprised me by staying alive. One day I'll replace the SGP with a Niche...just because...Niche... but the BambinoP...not sure as it's so good at what it does.
I got a Breville 450XL about a dozen years ago for what I thought at the time was an exorbitant amount of money ($130CAD). Still going strong, though it’s now relegated to secondary duties as my Moka grinder when using it to make “Moka Espresso” for cappuccinos as I got a J-MAX about a year ago as my daily. But it’s ground through an average of 120g of coffee per week for a dozen years.
How about a video for a tier above? Lelit Victoria or Profitec Go sort of thing... Basically about what to get if you only want great shots and great build/durability, but also don't care about all that milk stuff.
Hi Lance Regarding the new studio look. Maybe try in post a bit more contrast and color grading. It looks a bit low contrasty/ kinda like a log footage look atm. Especially with washed colors clothing. The blacks are really pushed up and even the matte black grinder in the backright is greyish. And your hair even gets grey colors from the close soft box light :) Don't just wash the entire scene with light, try directing it a bit. It will give more of a non-2d look and also pop on smaller screens :) Just a friendly advice.
I picked one of these up for £199 new around 4/5 years ago and it was great. Then COVID hit and and the prices went back to £399. Great little machine for beginners. I actually sold it for more than what I bought it for
Thanks for the great vid on this beloved machine of mine, Lance. Curious about timing of shots! You mentioned that for this machine shots should be 25s or less - I had always thought that I should be aiming for the 28-32seconds range for a double? Have I been wrong all this time?! Thanks!
Great video! Something that I'd really like to see a review from you on is the ascaso steel series. I currently have a brista pro and really like the convenience of the thermojet. I wonder though how more expensive thermoblock designs hold up to things like e61 group heads...
Hey @Lance, 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?
Thanks a lot, now I understand why my shots work better when under 25 secs, this kind of machines are the entrance to this beautiful hobby for many of us. Can si pull a turbo shot on this machine ? Would lone to be able to do it.
I'm currently using a Delonghi dedica and have been getting good enough milk drinks from it. I can say that I enjoy homemade coffee more than in most coffee shops in my city, with a few exceptions of specialty coffee shops. The dedica heats up in less than 45 seconds, so in less than 3 minutes you an go from I want coffee to the first sip. I have been thinking in an upgrade for so long, the killer always have been heating times. For me it is just crazy to wait 20+ minutes to make a single coffee, and to use that amount of energy in an domestic environment. I think my upgrade needs to be something that's fast and not energy wasteful. The bambino plus now seems like a good option.
Hi. I upgraded my dedica to a bambino plus recently and it’s genuinely better. The coffee output is more consistent and tasty and the milk frother is way more powerful. Happy customer 🙂
@@willrevI also upgraded to the bambino plus about 3 months ago. It is a better easy to use machine than the dedica. The only thing the dedica is better is in its volumetric dosing which is far more precise than the bambino one.
I enjoy your sense of humor, and I was glad to see this review of the Bambino Plus. But I'd love to just watch a video that shows features, techniques, etc., and not feel as if half of it is an infomercial for accessories.
Hey Lance, I managed to get 9-10 seconds pre infusion by first pressing both single and double shot together until it blinks. Then you can program the pre infusion. Until you activate program mode it won’t change the length of time
with the preinfusion test you didn't set it to manual mode by pressing the 2 shot buttons simultaneously for 2 to 3 seconds. if you did that you may find the preinfusion will last longer. Mine goes to around 10 seconds
Can you do a review on the Lelit Anna PID (PL41TEM). Its a PID single boiler with opv set to 9 bars and pressure gauge on the front for under 500 euros in Europe. The only downside is the 57mm group, but the Bambino is also not 58mm. Cheers!
You mentioned a filter that comes with the bambino plus. My US version did not come with a filter. I contacted Breville support and they confirmed it does not come with a filter. They didn’t tell me if a filter was available and what that part number was. Is there a good puck screen that is magnetic? Using a magnet to remove the puck screen would be neater and easier than fishing it out of the knock box.
RE: PRE-INFUSION- Seems manual PI goes up to 10 seconds and automatically is set to 8 seconds. I missed these two seconds. I stand by thinking calling a 2 second increase "manual pre-infusion" and bit silly. The Infuser, Express, and BDB all have unlimited manual Pre-infusion. I think either don't give the option or have it limitless (might be impossible with thermacoil for some reason I don't understand but can't imagine it would be.)
So, apologies for that. Seems it is manual below 10. Just don't understand what a couple of seconds is good for tbh. Would prefer to hold the whole shot in PI for low flow shots, etc. Or hold it as long as need for full fill, etc. Anyway, SORRY
Maybe this is an accidental copy from the Barista Pro Model? I’ve used manual pre-infusion on it and I’ve experience more what the Bambino Plus manual is describing.
Unfortunately that's the way they programed the micro controller to set more limitations. A justification for higher price models. You know, the R/D and sells department stuff!
that makes sense. Very unfortunate. Curious why the Pro is the same way, being higher priced. I was curious if it was related, for some reason, to the thermocoil? Maybe they are scared of overheating if the water moves too slowly through it for too long?
@@LanceHedrick I believe pro, as a main design, has no pre infusion limit like bambino. I will check Hoons video on that one more time, but thermojet protection makes sense as well. For that reason I am sure the pump's continual working time is limited to 60s.
I did double check on Pro and Express. I was wrong about Pro. As you said the Pro has 10s max pre infusion limit as well as Bambino. And again as you said the technical reason maybe Thermojet protection which absolutely makes sense. On Express on the other hand there is no such a limitation.
As someone who doesn't typically care about Espresso, but has a partner who wants Latte's in the morning, this is the perfect machine
I wanna jump in here as a Bambino owner of almost 2 years:
Lance thank you for bringing light to this machine!! 100% agree about bang for the buck under $500.
For those considering, if I may offer my viewpoint:
Do not buy the Plus for the milk features - only the back flush solenoid function if you desire that. If you care about latte art & great texture, you will not use the auto steam features.
The pre-infuse thing in the manual isn’t fully incorrect; it’s just missing details. You cannot preinfuse past 5seconds by holding down the button. But you can hold the button and release as preinfusion starts to dodge the preinfusion, which I’ve actually preferred lately for a more punchy shot in my opinion. And if you desire to preinfuse for 10 sec, hit the button, stop it before it ramps up, immediately press again. Kind of messy but that’s one of the huge advantages to the Bambino - it doesn’t suck the water back up when you cancel the shot like commercial machines.
Speaking of this, the Bambino slowly releases the pressure when you cancel it, allowing for what I call “post-infuse” or drawdown etc. It’s annoying at first, but if you like the idea of lowering pressure/speed at the end of a pull, you can!
If you desire the shot to remain full pressure ‘til the end, you have to pull your cup and scale out at your desired output grams. Because pressing the button to cancel will slowly release the pressure & drawdown a lot of remaining water.
You can also “bloom” with the Bambino due to this.
Add a dimmer mod and you get that as well, which I’ve been messing with lately.
Grab the 54mm paper filters for the top of the tamped grounds, really helps with spraying if you have that issue on naked porta baskets!
Sorry, I have been exploring this machine for a while so I just wanted to get in here and help anyone who is considering purchasing it. It’s such a crazy good machine, two of my buddies have owned bambinos as well. In my opinion, if I have ~$1,000 to spend on an espresso setup, I’m paying $300 for this and $700+ for a killer grinder. Personally. Only would step the machine up if I had $1500+ probably. Just my opinion!
It is not a perfect machine! It just smacks so insanely hard for $300. And as one who really likes to dive deep (hence my subscription to Lance), this this has not disappointed. Again, for the price. Insane.
K thanks for reading hope you all the best in your learnings and keep watching Lance if you enjoy learning anything coffee!!!!!
What grinder did you buy?
I hoped there was a way to add 3 way solenoid. As you mentioned it's a pain in neck on fixing output after stopping the shot which can be gussable after pulling many shots with same coffee. Overall 100% agree with you. I own one in a loyalty period to examine myself as well as waiting on my fixed residency in a new country. After all go up to dual boiler or e61.
Great comment. Agree with everything except the paper filter. Get a puck screen to put on top and use the paperfilter a the bottom under your ground coffee.
@@Phil_OG yes, I don't like paper filter as it messe flow rate. I use puck screen.
What grinder are you using?
Apart from the tiny drip tray, I love and swear by this machine left right and centre. Low cost, great espresso, small footprint, I can talk all day. Thanks again for voicing out that low budget with careful choice can still yield great coffee at home!
Agreed 100!
This is one of the most honest, comprehensive and nonjudgmental reviews I have seen. I have this set up right now currently an after watching this video, my shots have become even better than they were before. I cannot recommend this machine enough and well done sir, for one of the best coffee machine review videos I have ever seen..
thank you so much! That means a lot. Really appreciate the kind words!
This felt like a Part 1 of a 2 part review series.
I've had this machine for a couple years now. With the Sage Smart Grinder Pro, a bottomless portafilter, WDT, one of those grind distributer spinny things, I can make a milky coffee as good (if not better in some opinions) as any local cafe's offerings.
The quality of the coffee this thing can put out is amazing for the price, but it's not even the price of the thing. I'd go and get a La Marzoccho machine, but the 3 second readiness on this Bambino is pretty hard to beat.
Regular cleaning cycles have kept this machine going perfectly. I love my coffees as do many friends who stop in for a morning coffee.
Oh, and with that auto steam wand, my 11yo can whip up a prefect hot chocolate super easily.
it does a great job, no question!
Lol yup! Hot chocolate for the win. Use it all the time for that for my 8 year old. Great excuse to get one more latte art practice rep in
@@Stan_sprinkle Haha, yep, we both get matching latte art in the mornings. She loves it.
what bottomless portafilter do you use?
Would watch a part 2.
Maybe how to tackle different roast levels?
dark: purg and freeze pf 20-25s
medium: purg 20-25s
light roasts: purg (or not if too sour?) and 20-25s (or longer if too sour?)
I've had a modded Gaggia Classic Pro for a couple years. I recently bought a Bambino Plus for half price on Marketplace and I find it much more consistent at pulling shots than the Gaggia. Not to mention the amazing automatic milk frothing. A Breville Barista Touch Impress will be my next purchase.
I used to own the bambino ( not plus ) which i believe has the same pre-infusion capability as the plus version, and I can confirm that it does up to 10 second pre-infusion which you can control manually or program into either of the shot buttons, which I learnt to do from the manual ( but I agree with Lance about the misinformation as the manual doesn't say it's a max of 10 seconds ) , also the manual mentions to purge the group head before pulling a shot to stabilise the temperature ( just like Lance discovered from his own experience )
Actually I discovered a hack ( without having to mod ) to the Bambino before upgrading to e61
The bambino doesn't have two way valve so when the shot stop, the excess water pressure continues to flow through the puck , so here are some hacks .
• You can pre-infuse as long as you want by running the pre-infusion to its max time of 10 seconds ( or less ) then quickly stop and start pre-infusion again , you could even run the full shot like that if you desire. I had some great results applying that hack to my shots, it can completely stop channelling
• you can also use the pre-infusion at the end of the shot , let's say you aiming for 40 grams out , you stop the shot at 30 grams or even 25 grams , and again Same like the previous hack , you quickly start pre-infusion again which will reduce the pressure/flow and end the shot smoothly which also helps avoiding channeling
AGAIN that's possible because of the lack of two way valve , so whenever you are stopping the shots you are not loosing positive pressure over the puck therefore you don't lose puck integrity, etc ...
It's an amazing machine if you willing to tinker little bit with your shots and understand how to manage thermal stability
crap! I didn't even think of this hack! wow. Incredible.
When you restart, are you holding it down for three blinks to do manual mode again?
Bambino (non plus) for the win!
Also great for doing blooming shots.
@@LanceHedrick thanks ☺️
Here are some extra hack points too !
• you can use the lack of 2 way valve to your advantage if required, by ending the shot earlier than the desired weight and letting the rest of the coffee dripping enter the cup from the excess pressure until desired weight reached ( you can usually get between 5 and 10 grams from.excess pressure in my experience but someone has to trial with it ) , this way the pressure will slowly decrease till the shot ends which would mimick the old style ( spring ) lever machine effect !!
• and you can actually use the steam wand as a two way valve , simply when desired weight reached , end the shot by pressing the steam button and the excess water pressure will immediately transfer through to the wand you will even see the extracted coffee exiting the wand , incredible right ? 😆
You just have to make sure to purge the wand again immediately once you remove the portafilter to flush the coffee residue out.
@@MM-rn6ii I never thought of using the steam wand to cut the shot and stop the water from dripping. That's really clever! Will definitely try this, thanks!
Lance, the plastic piece in the Breville portafilter does come out. You just need to remove the retention spring and use a pair of chopsticks to push the plastic piece out. A few people, myself included, found that coffee/water can get trapped between the plastic and portafilter. It was a nightmare to keep clean
I just removed mine and it staved off the urge to go bottomless for at least a few more months lmao
So removing the plastic insert also increases the quality of the shot you pull?
@@Wokkelpno but keeps you from having microplastics in your coffee haha
This info is appreciated. The thought of hot drinking water being in contact with plastic has never sat right with me.
Well thanks for writing this. Just bought a used Bambino Plus and have been cleaning it since it's got grounds everywhere. Knocked out the plastic piece and oh my god, so much gunk caked between the plastic and the portafilter!
Descaled today, back flushing tomorrow. Really hoping that cleans out everything inside.
Love, love, love the editing in this video. Subscribed. Just got a bambino, a total bambi beginner over here and ChatGPT can't resolve all my issues yet, so here I am on the tubes.
Cool video! You mentioned modifying a Gaggia Pro as the only potential competitor as best value under $500. The thing that I don't think you can modify with the Gaggia is the aluminum boiler which made it a no go for me. I think the Flair 58 or even the PRO 2 have to be included as best value espresso machine although it's manual.
Had my regular Bambino for about a year, and love it. I’m sure there’s better machines, but it certainly punches up. I am starting to get a hair nervous about longevity, but it works for now.
Good to know on the pre-infusion stuff, one less thing to worry about. I’ve typically not purged before shots, too, so it seems like there’s room for improvements.
Your integrity is one of the many reasons I enjoy watching you
Regarding the quality and longevity of the unit.
I have used this machine, 1-4 (sometimes more when hosting) times a day for 3 years straight and never had a problem.
I assume you will more years to come.
I learned my lesson with my breville... the inner shower screen/group head is teflon coated plastic which will eventually flake off/crack. On the higher end dual boiler it is plastic as well but you can upgrade it with a third party stainless steel. On the lower end 54mm models this is all one piece (shower head block) and it is impossible to buy that part and needs a full tear down to repair. I loved my duo temp pro but I now understand why other machines (like a Gaggia, Silvia, etc) have much better longevity.
I’ve got a Bambino Plus and a Niche Zero-have had them for at least a year and love the workflow on it. The auto milk steaming is nice cuz I can wash my portafilter when that’s going and don’t mind not having perfect texture every time. Originally got this as a starter machine, but the coffee from this setup is pretty tasty and I find it hard to want to upgrade since a lot of more expensive machines have a slower workflow
Yeah the Bambino plus and Niche zero combo is a real workflow giant and probably unbeatable with any other combo. If you don't want making a coffee to be a hobby but just want a great quality coffee that's quick and easy to make then the convenience of the Bambino+/Niche is stella.
I drink mostly Americanos and it makes those admirably and fuss-free.
very nice workflow, especially for milkies. I wouldn't upgrade unless something broke. Just keep it clean, desclaed, and happy!
same here. Same setup and conclusions about why I haven't found the need to upgrade.
My bambino plus + jx pro setup has been serving me and my sister coffee twice a day for almost two years now so essentially 4 cups daily minimum and every morning i wake up only to the excitement of using my bambino even without the will to live 😅 the performance to convenience ratio is bar to none especially with that 3 sec warm up time and very spacious build. Planning to get an electric grinder asap for the maximum convenience level and very much excited to soon serve good coffee to friends without losing an arm to the jx pro 😂
Heck yeah! I agree here. For lots, that convenience factor is massive.
I’m so glad this video exists, thank you Mr. Hendrick!
I was so frustrated with my machine for at least a year and couldn’t get my shots right. I followed your 2-3 simple steps (steam flush and short time with no “infusion”) and right now I have finally a thick chocolaty and fruity espresso I’m going to cry
oh heck yeah! Stoked you are getting the goods out now!
So I'm a little confused as to what Lance is recommending to get those kind of shots since he talks of different things (different readings with the 2 measuring portafilters, a dedicated machine for slow shots, etc.) throughout the video and not just achieving the type of shots you're describing. What exactly are the 2 - 3 simple steps you are describing? Is it just letting the machine purge the hot steam shot first before inserting the portafilter and pulling the shot, or are you also doing something else that you didn't before? For example, are you also adjusting your grind size to make the entire shot less than 30 seconds because he says keep it below 30 seconds? Thanks.
@@Victor47930 flushing and keeping shots below 25s.
@@LanceHedrick May I ask if 25 seconds include also the preinfusion ? Flushing a full shot prior to the actual shot ? Thank you
Flushing just until the steam and boiling sound is gone. And 25s included PI
I have this machine for about 3 years now, really happy about it. Easy to use, and now on the verge of upgrading the tamper etc because the stock one sucks.
I upgraded also my Sage grinder for a Timemore 078s and the setup is just perfect.
less than 1000€ for both thanks to the kickstarter price and I think that's a really hard combo to beat for the money I spent on it !
This is going to be me setup next month.Any tips on grind size on 078s?
I’ve already purchase a bottomless portafilter and some upgrades.
Is the espresso good with this setup?
@@LGTF1000 I’ve change the position of the pin to have the 0 position closer to the limit of the burrs.
My expression settings is in between 4 and 5 mostly with light and medium roast and you definitely have to WDT as well.
I use a coaster to shake the grounded coffee in the cup then I have a wedge distributor and a proper tamper.
It’s probably better with an actual WDT tool but it works fine this way.
I acquired some wasted coffee from some missed roast from my local specialty coffee to seasoned the burrs too just in case but I don’t really know if that’s a must to do, I just had the opportunity.
Anyway, that’s a great grinder for the price (probably hard to beat), enjoy it !
Great review. We have had this for a couple years now, used daily. Just now getting into mods like a better portafilter.
I’d say that for anyone who wants good espresso and milk, but doesn’t really want to get all techie, this is a great way to go.
Bambino plus owner for 2 years. It took a bit of getting used to - I did *_not_* like it at first. Milk foaming drove me nuts! But now I love it. I learned how to make silky microfoam for my flat white (100ml of milk): a combination of initial manual foaming for a few seconds to get some air in there and finish off with auto. Espresso is good. It's quick, small footprint reliable (for now...)
Did you have to service it at all?
Does your milk get super hot?
@@musc258same issue. Even at the lowest setting the milk is too hot. Disappointing.
@heberildo If using the pitcher supplied, make sure it is placed all the way forward with wand against the wall closest to the handle. I use #2 temp, #2 froth, filled below the spout indentation and it comes out great. Been using for two years now. If you are using a different SS pitcher, then you’ll have to play with the placement and/or temperature setting. I believe it was designed for the sensor to be located at the middle of the pitcher…the edges of the pitcher could be a different temperature. For example, I often use a smaller pitcher and I do place it all the way forward, but only do a temperature setting of 1, froth still 2, and it comes out great 99% of the time. Also, I never fill past the spout indentation…always keep below. The less milk used in the pitcher, the foamier it gets. At or above the spout indentation I find it gets too thin.
@joelf5565 I will try those tips thank you very much!
Loved this in-depth review of the Bambino Plus! Your insights into its performance are super helpful. It’s clear you’ve thoroughly tested it. Thanks for breaking down the pros and cons so well! ☕👏
This is what I have with an IMS screen and basket. I also installed a dimmer switch to regulate flow which I learned from your video, "How to Perform a Dimmer Mod." I absolutely love it now. Thank you for that! By the way, I was able to cut out the side and fit the switch internally, so it looks nice and clean ;)
Hi Lance. I have the standard Bambino that I use daily to make myself a cappuccino. I must say that often I find the results better than coffee's from numerous cafes. Puck prep and good baskets make all the difference.
Most cafes make horrible coffee. Old oily dark roasts with bad extractions.
I’m getting a regular bambino, can you give me tips and how tos? Never had a machine before and people keep saying this machine doesn’t last?
In all honesty you don't need the plus!
I've had the standard model for over a year and a half, use it daily and it's wonderful.
I'm a bit of a fussy coffee snob so take my word, it's a great machine. In fact I will say that 90% of the time it can make nicer cappuccinos than many cafe's.
Just keep in mind that this is not really an espresso machine. It's made for lattes and cappuccinos or flat whites. It CAN make straight shot espresso but in all honesty more high end machines do a better job at that. Good luck!
@@BusyAngel9999
@@BusyAngel9999if you want lattes or cap, get the plus
I just need the double shot to make iced coffee and I dont see spending 200$ just for some "latte" art necessary.
Been messing with my Bambino and its a fun machine to learn on and delivers well for a beginner at a low cost of entry. Agreed with the pre-infusion bit. Read manual, tried doing it and was confused why the pump would kick up to full throttle after a few seconds. Thanks for the video!
Thanks!
Didn’t realize how much you could modify! I traded in the basket that came with it for a normal espresso basket and wow! I could actually put a fine espresso grind into it! Very cool video
I really appreciate the in depth review, this is what I've been using for almost a year as my first espresso machine along with an 1Zpresso J-Max. I also love the eco-friendly/environmental awareness message as well. Amazing video Lance ❤
The science is immense. Love it. Niche, nerdy and informative.
We have owned the bambino plus for two years and it’s been working great. It’s a great beginner machine also very transportable for traveling. Work flow is fast because there’s no waiting for it to heat up to temperature. No waiting for boiler temp changes between brewing and milk frothing.
Mine actually has a full 10 seconds preinfusion. Try to program the double shot button with a puck prepped like you're actually making a double shot, press both the single and double shot buttons to enter programming mode, then just hold the double shot button for about 10 seconds and let go to run the pump at full pressure for the rest of the shot, as the maximum i could do is 10 seconds anyway. Try it and let us know please, hope am not hallucinating that 😂.
I mean just take a timer and measure the time it takes to ramp up the pump to full power?
You are right. It's in the manual, the max is 10 sec
I love my bambino +,paired with a niche zero
Always purge 1st ,then with a 9 second pre infusion with a cold bottomless portafilter + ims basket and shower head +puck screen,I’ve gotta say for the money I’m impressed with the tasty drinks I get along with well sourced fresh beans (mostly med/light roast). Always steam my own milk (never really used the auto milk thing)Thanks Lance 🙏🏼
absolutely! Nice set up and pull plan.
I've got the exact same setup minus the showerhead. I have not tried a cold portafilter but Ima check it out. Last Summer, I took my whole setup to the training labs at Greater Goods Coffee here in Austin, and they did a consultation with me to figure out how we could get the best out what we had to work with. I told them up front to be honest and if the conclusion is it's a piece of junk and you need to get a different machine, fine. The barista I was working with giggled "I feel like I'm gonna break it" at how lightweight and flimsy it felt the first time she locked in the portafilter. We dialed stuff in, she busted out the refractometer. In the end, everyone's conclusion was "holy shit this thing is amazing for the money"
i hav mine for abt 2 years now. so the only way to really pre-infuse is the dimmer mod?? from the vid i thought it cant stock.
You can do preinfuse up to 8-10sec roughly. But that's the most you can do
I paired this with an Eureka Specialita as my first dive into espresso. I was worried that I would lose interest if making a drink would feel like a chore. But after 9 months of using it about twice per day, I'm ready for an upgrade. I'm happy to pay $2,000 to $3,000 for a Bambino with much better build quality, no need to purge for thermo stability, and a 58mm portafilter and smarter auto frothing. Unfortunately that product doesn't exist. Most prosumer machines add more complication and dials in the pursuit of quality. I wouldn't wait more than 5 seconds for a machine to heat up.
Breville/Sage has done an outstanding job prioritizing convince and usability.
NOTE: I've heard the counter-argument. I don't have regularity in my daily routine for a smart timer to avoid the heat up times. On principle I also don't want to waste electricity for a machine to keep water hot for hours on end.
As for the dissatisfaction with the auto-frothing capabilities. It might be because I make cortados and the milk volume I use is below what they designate as the 'min' amount. I've never really gotten consistency with milk using the auto frother.
I have noticed that the second back to back shot I do with the machine has far more crema, so I always suspected there were thermo stability issues. I sometimes run a blank shot, but I didn't know you could cancel... So I'm glad this video taught me something new.
I’m trying to choose between the specialita, niche, and df64P. How’s the workflow? I’ve been single dosing with a decent manual grinder and a scale and I just can’t hand grind for 5 minutes straight at 6 am anymore lol
Mine is almost 3 years old now and going strong! Whole time I’ve owned it the pre-infuse time thing has made me feel crazy, glad to hear I wasn’t imagining it, but disappointed that it’s not real :(
incredible! and seems manual PI is real, just can't go beyond the set time. Can only really shorten it.
Just owned myself a Bambino (not Plus), did watch your video prior to buying it too. And oh my days, the machine is awesome for home espresso - latte making. Thank you so much for the content and stay awesome man
I’ve had mine for a year! I also have the Breville grinder. Great combo. As someone who knew nothing about espresso prior, it has been an amazing little machine to get started on. Maybe someday I’ll upgrade if it ever dies, but for now, it’s doing a great job.
Great review/guide video, thanks!
I started out with a Bambino Plus and Smart Grinder Pro, specifically with the plan of giving it a treat to see if I'm into this espresso hobby first, and then upgrading. It's been a couple of years, I upgraded the SGP to a Niche as soon as the year was up, but the Bambino is still here!
Got a bottomless portafilter and IMS basket, but that's all for parts swaps/mods. As you mentioned, it has its issues, the small drip tray is annoying, and as you mentioned in the video there's a couple of (easy) things to do, but it's a great machine for the money, no doubt.
Getting accessories for 54mm used to be difficult, but it's getting a lot better, in part thanks to you!
great vid! Worth mentioning that super important to descale these religiously as the ThermoJet veins are really thin and can get blocked easily. Also worth mentioning that it won't ramp up to full temperature unless it senses adequate resistance from the puck. And texturing milk using the wand manually is very easy.
Yes! All very good points!
how often would you say to descale?
Standart is a lovely magazine. Used to read it at Primary Coffee Roasters in Sydney. Also, great video! Still rocking the non-plus bambino with your naked porta, obviously.
Dude, thanks for the video! You say to run a
This is a great review. I'm currently running a DTP, which is the more manual counterpart to this machine. In defense of the build quality, I found it at a thrift store for $1, obviously very heavily used, and it was working perfectly after a thorough cleaning. I've had the whole thing apart and there are no leaks or signs of imminent failure. I'd think that the bambino is built to a similar standard.
I would love to see you do a video on the DeLonghi ECP series, and if/how to get the best espresso possible out of them. I know these are more “appliance grade” machines, but I think they are what a lot of people, myself included are working with because they are cheap.
I am literally trying to decide between the DeLonghi ECP series and this one, so I agree!
This is probably too late but I just upgraded from the ECP3630 (with Rancilio wand mod) to the Bambino Plus. Looking forward to the better steam wand tbh.
Something I'll point out as a con, which I believe is important, is the cleaning cycles. While this is also a pro, as regular cleaning is a great thing for keeping this machine in great shape, the cleaning cycles are somewhat forced and can happen at unideal times. I've had cleaning cycles come up right after pulling a shot but haven't steamed my milk yet and it won't let me cancel to steam. So I'm forced to do the cleaning cycle before I'm done making my drink, which can be quite frustrating.
This is incredibly annoying, and no one ever mentions it in reviews. If I had known about it I would not have bought this machine.
@@p4tdotb 100% same here. Really wish I had known about it prior to purchasing. Nothing is more annoying than that happening first thing in the morning when you also have other things to worry about. Luckily I bought an E61 machine recently and sold the Bambino plus. Seriously needs to be mentioned in reviews though.
The machine counts to 200 extractions and then forces a cleaning cycle (says the manual). You can start a cycle at a previous convenient time - see the 'Note' at page 15 of the 'User Guide'. I clean at the start of every month, say 120 'extractions' including purges and never get a forced cleaning cycle.
Dude loving your content and sense of humor! Good stuff!
As a happy owner of a Cafelat robot I plan to purchase the base Bambino solely as a dedicated steamer for cappuccinos. $800 total for both and I'm making cappuccinos as good as or better than many dual boilers but without the 30 min warm-up time and extensive maintenance cost. Used exclusively as a steamer and using the best water available the Bambino should last a very long time I would think.
Absolutely! Great idea. The robot is so good. You'll love that setup!
Pre-infusion can be programmed to whatever time that you need. Typically, I programmed it at around 10 seconds when the button is pressed.
The brewing time will depend on the type of coffee, in my case i prefer the brew time to be between 30-35 seconds.
can you send a video of this supposed 10 second PI? I'd love to hear when the pump kicks on. lance@lancehedrick.coffee thanks
@@LanceHedrick my non plus will pre brew for 10 seconds max before I hear the pump kick on
I’ve had mine for 41/2 years. It makes 2-5 cups a day and it is still going strong. I use filtered water and keep the filter in the water tank as well. I backwash with water only daily and with a (crushed) tablet once a week and descale when it tells me to. It has not yet been relegated to landfill. I love it, it’s easy to use on auto and also if you want to go more manual. My latte art is shit mind you and I don’t care, I really don’t.
The longevity of this machine is insane then!
Which cleaning tablets are you using? And which descaler?
I bought a Bambino (non-pro) to use as a dedicated steamer for my Flair 58, but it's just generally handy as a fast hot water machine for tea. I haven't gotten around to dimmer modding it yet, but I still occasionally use it for coffee shots when I'm too lazy to make a pour over or do Filter 2.0 on the Flair. I've done the dimmer mod on my friend's Bambino though, and it really is pretty easy.
How does it compare against the 58 directly? I am considering either machine, but leaning towards the Bambino for convenience as I have a baby at home. I don't know if I can justify the tinkering of a manual espresso machine, but would feel regretful if the coffee tastes much worse on the Bambino.
@@doctormoobbc I'm also curious if @tallergeese can give a good comparison as my short list for a new machine includes both the Bambino and the Flair 58. I feel like I will eventually want a lever but wonder if the Bambino might do me until an Argos lever is available (which I figure will be years at this rate).
The Lelit Anna variant with the PID (PL41TEM) is similarly priced and has some additional appealing features, such as a 250ml brass boiler and a pressure gauge. The slightly more expensive Grace (PL81T) adds a shot timer, pre-infusion, much nicer looks and an improved portafilter (the kind that stays leveled, removing the need for a tamping stand). It would be great if you could review these machines.
I’m torn between the lelit Anna with the PID and this bambino plus for a smaller footprint espresso machine in our RV. So I’d love to hear his opinion also.
If you guys can get the Anna for the same price as the Bambino Plus, you’re lucky. Here in Canada, the Anna is $1000CAD and the Bambino Plus is regularly $650. Though you should never pay that price. All Breville products go on sale frequently and the BP can often be found for $500CAD.
😊
Default pre-infusion time is 8 seconds, u pressed the button at 17:09, it went full force at 17:17.
Manual max pre-infusion time is 10 seconds, u pressed the button at 18:00, it went full force at 18:10.
That is also what it says in the manual.
Something is wrong with the timer you put on the video
timer seems to be assuming 60fps, but the video is only at 25fps, you can see the last number of the timer is counting frames and it ticks over at 60, if you right click the video and click "stats for nerds" you can see the video is running at 25fps, so the timer x 2.4 should be real time
ah nice. I didn't see it say 10sec in the manual. Pretty useless with a 2 second extra PI. Should be unlimited like in the infuser, express, BDB, etc.
@@ThatGamerBlue the blinking light on the Bambino is very close to being exactly one second (They should have just calibrated it to be). The pump kicks in after 10 blinks and change.
When i measure the temp of the water which comes out of the head is a small container it consistently measures approx 60-70 degC. I know there will be a bit of temp loss in the water travelling into the container and the container itself will cool it too. But i preheated the container and also did a large water dispense and also did a pre steam wand use to heat up the thermojet. Still, 60-70 degC.
That's expected.
@@LanceHedrick the machine should deliver water at 70degC? I thought coffee should be brewing above 90degC? I wouldn't think it's losing 30degC after preheating the unit etc etc.
When you mentioned stainless steel being a pain in the butt, was that for keeping it clean? Sounds like you recommend getting other colors? That part wasn’t super clear to me. Thank you for all the great info on this!
Just have to say that the new studio is looking slick!
thank you so much!
Hey Lance!
I think that you can only change the preinfusion time when you hold down the two buttons for custom shots, then you hold down for the desired preinfusion time and let go, after you reach the desired coffe ammount you simply press again. And your custom brew is saved with the correct preinfusion time. I hope this helps :)
I used the bambino plus for 2 years but I have changed to a barista pro beacuse of its better thermal capabilities. I dont know if this is true, but I think that I can achieve higher temperatures with the barista pro.
Love your videos!
Balixx
Yeah! I've tried that and it doesn't do any longer than the 8ish seconds I show in the video.
And the pro should be pretty similar to the bambino, but if you're getting better shots, great!
I’ve had the machine for 5 years and we have gotten some great use out of it, but it seems to have hit a wall. The blinking lights to clean the group head always blink even after I have run the tablets and descaled two times. It also does not have the steam pressure release sound that it used to. And I think the temperature is off. I measured the water temp at the group head for a double shot and it started at 195F and was down to 150 by the end of the shot. Don’t think that is supposed to happen. Anyway, not sure what we will upgrade to, but it has been a great first machine with lots of pleasurable drinks.
is it any different from the regular bambino besides the auto steam wand ? debating if i should get this one or do just the normal bambino with a nice grinder
This also has a 3 way solenoid valve, so no puck sneeze
Hi Lance, thanks for your excellent reviews. I’m interested to know why you don’t necessarily recommend changing the shower screen please?
I’ve upgraded to bottomless pf, use puck screen, and swapped the steam wand tip on my bambino to the b plus tip. I also take my bambino with me when I’m staying away from home. It’s ideal.
Would you ever make a video about different milk pitchers? Love the education behind your videos Lance.
Interesting data reading Lance. I fully agree to purge before pulling a shot. I use quality beans in UK - James Gourmet Vardem Grande and have excellent results.
I just got the none plus version of this for $150 at a Bed Bath and Beyond that was closing. I never moved so fast in my life from finding it to the checkout, I think I beat the sound barrier LOL I love it especially for the price. still have not got a good tamp for it but I am making due with what came with it surprisingly well. but that portafilter had to go! I could not for the life of me get the plastic out of it. so not only is it plastic but its glued in there ...lovely...not!. so I got a naked portafilter for it right away. now I don't think i would have paid full price for this when there is their dual temp pro for only $100 more and has features I would prefer but I am still very impressed with this thing. ok I am caffeinated and starting to ramble sorry 😁
Great review! You're a lot of fun to watch.
Using bambino plus for about a year, pump first gear starts around 4 seconds and second gear starts around 9 seconds for me. I always thought the second noise change is when it hits 9 bars
Second noise change IS when it hits 9 bar. You're correct. That is what I was emphasizing in this video.
Had mine for about 4 years still going strong.
When this eventually breaks down not sure what I will replace it with. There are much better built machines, but not many that are as compact, good looking and convenient.
Wish Breville would make a high end bambino.
I want that portifilter holder on the side!
I bought mine at the start of COVID (3 years) never had any problem with it :) and I'm using the breville//sage grinder :D I'm always whatching when should i upgrade and if i need too but still didn't got to the decision point XD especially because i mostly drink my coffe with a bit of milk (cortado, flat white size).
Btw yeah i like how quick the machine is, so , should i upgrade to a barista express? hmmm?
And Lance if you have aaaaaaaaaaaaany influence on the manufacturer PLEASE advice them to produce a "tray" mod, to make it bigger because yep, that's the most pain in the ass part in the machine :D
Video TOP as usual, thx to you my bean swap and grind set up is much more quicker with less waste, and I'm having some nice latte art sometimes :D
On the Barista Pro, you can hold the button for longer pre-infusion.
Maybe someone messed up the software on the Bambino Pro.
I've tested this on the Pro and it doesn't continue doing PI. I owned two and have tried it on a few at their actual HQ. Stops at the same time this one does. You will hear the pump go to full mode.
Came for the Bambino+ review stayed for the hopes in an update of the bdb top secret. Hope that machine you showed in 21 come to fruition!!!!!
I got it’s bigger brother, the Barista Touch. Very helpful tips, thanks Lance
Thanks for reviewing my current machine! How well does the pull shots scale if you go get a higher quality grinder & beans? And seperate question, will you maybe do a video about bean roasting quality differences? I am starting to see my local roasters use infrared bean roasting because they say it is “better”. I would like to know from a nerdy POV how it actually compares to even the old italian way of wood roasted or current slow drum roasting by hot air from gas fire.
Interesting watch, thanks! As a 2yr+ owner of the Bambino Plus, here's my twopenny worth
Firstly, you mentioned stabilising the temperature before a shot as though this was an issue - it is clearly mentioned in the manual. Secondly, the pre-infusion thing. You definitely can change the pre-infusion time manually but its for sure not indefinite. It doesnt say in the manual that it is though. My thought is that with a full portafilter there must be a max amount of pre-infusion before the puck is too full and the pressure too great, so yes of course it cannot be indefinite
I love the milk side of this machine. On full auto it does a decent job, but you didnt really mention that you can also steam milk manually with this machine - and it does an amazing job of that. You also didnt mention the 4 hole frother which is superior to the single hole on the Bambino
I was surprised to hear you go on about dismantling the machine and opening it up to descale it. That's completely unnecessary. The machine has a built in descaling function which triggers every few hundred shots. It also has a built in backflush cycle which also triggers each few hundred shots. All clearly described in the manual. The way the machine is made is that there is no 'loose' water inside which could scale up anywhere else. You can of course descale or backflush manually too if you live in a hard water area and think it needs to be done more frequently. And of course, it has a filter in the water dispenser which will remove many of the damaging chemicals and hardness
Yes, the drip tray is tiny!! Could do with a bigger one, but to be honest you can easily get around this by using a small jug to put under the steam wand when it purges. My routine is - put a cup in place and add the portafilter empty. Hit the shot button to run water through to warm everything. Empty the portafilter into the cup and grind/WDT/tamp your coffee. Hit the 1 shot button to stabilise the temperature, insert portafilter and pour the shot (I use manual infusion and manual extraction). Put an empty jug under the extended steam arm (this puts it into manual) and run that till steam comes through, then swap for the milk jug, push steam wand back down for auto and press steam again (I'm happy with the auto steam most of the time). When it is finished I lift the arm and wipe it with a cloth, put the jug back and lower the steam wand to let it purge into the jug, then wipe it again. I also usually run a shot through into the jug to rinse the screen, then give that a wipe. Only have to empty the drip tray every few days
Completely agree about the tamper and portafiter, however I think they are good quality for the price of the machine, though are not 'pro' level. Will look into your alternatives too, if they are available in the UK as I like the look of them!
Finally though - reviews like this need to be taken in context with what the machine is and its intended audience. The Bambino Plus is Boss Levels ahead of all the other standard machines you see with pressurised baskets, yet is in a similar price bracket to the best of these. It is aimed at people who want the chance of brewing a lovely cup of coffee from a small, compact machine which doesnt cost a fortune. It is ideal for those who want to learn more and for those who want to play at learning latte art (which has never interested me). It's not a pro machine aimed at pro level users, small cafes or those who want to pull 100 shots a day. As you mentioned, it is probably the best machine available today in its price range for out of the box coffee quality - and that is exactly what it is aimed at.
Well, that was a lot. But riddled with mistakes. First, breville reached out to me following this and agreed with my critiques and are currently aiming to fix them.
Second, you are wrong that this is only a beginner machine. If you follow any forum, you'll know even the most advanced users love these.
Third, there have been inadequate reviews done on this with improperly acquired data.
Fourth, I do appreciate your watching but perhaps next time, attempt to understand that products are much more than their intention and people are always looking for a budget machine that punches above its weight.
Cheers
(Also, I've owned a bambino plus since it was released)
Wow, how patronising! And I didn't say it was only a beginner machine, I mentioned it's intended market (as explained to me by Sage)
Mans re-discovered the ideal gas law with all the testing he did 😂. Thanks so much for this video! I just bought one for Black Friday and I can’t wait to use it. Sadly I got the chrome finish, hopefully it’s not too much of a pain.
How does one achieve great espresso in the low 20 second range? I want to grind in the low 20 second range to get consistent results with the temperature of the machine as Lance mentions in the video.
Bear with me, I am still pretty new to espresso and I lack some fundamental knowledge.
I've heard you want to aim for a 2:1 ratio in the 25-30 second range as a starting point.
- I've found this to be pretty true with my Bambino Pro for Medium roast espresso beans. Usually the 27 second range seems to be a consistent sweetspot (changes on the beans, but if I had to pick a single shot length, it would be 27s)
If I were to pull a shot in the low 20 second range, while keeping a 2:1 ratio (my basket is ~16g-18g), then I would need to grind pretty coarse - to the point where the shot would be under extracted
- When dialing in a new bag, I've pulled shots that were super coasre, in the 20 second range, and they tasted terrible and super under extracted
Any thoughts on how to achieve a shot in the low 20 second range without it being terribly underextracted from grinding really coarse?
OMG!! Thank you Lance!!! I thought I was losing my freeking mind with this machine! Gaaaah!! Dark Roast beans (not oily) shots too fast at 12 on the Niche...bitter AF. No wonder!! I need to use a cold PF (I use naked). I get 'God Shots' with the La Pavoni and E61 and was about ready to send my Bambino Plus back! Trying your tips tomorrow! I'm about an hour away from Bentonville, hope to get to Onyx soon!
Great video as always lance!
I almost bought one of these second hand a few months ago, but I’m really glad I went with my Nomad.
I’ve bought 4-5 standart issues second hand and I really enjoy them. Cool to see they sponsored you.
I want to like Sage, I really do. But this video confirms what I keep finding online: so so machine(s) with limited lifespan. Most reviewers are either selling or working for/with the brand, which makes a review biased, even if it’s only a little bit.
I don't sell or work for breville. I consult on a project that isn't even released. And I have absolutely trashed other products. I have protected in my contract my liberty to say what I want about whatever I want always.
I make $0.00 on any breville sales on the market. Nothing. Nada. I sell nothing. And I refused an affiliate link when offered. Please don't make me regret saying no to one and all the money I could've had if you're going to say these things regardless
@@LanceHedrick Sorry wasn’t attacking you or your review but more the brand and it’s reviews in general. This felt like the first honest review in a long time and I appreciate the time and effort you put in to it.
I appreciate that! Thank you
I have one of these and really enjoy it. I've never, not once heard of using a cold portafilter--I usually purge with the empty portafilter locked in to pre-heat it because that's what I was taught! But I'll try it this way, and that may also help by making me purge right before the shot (I didn't realize the steam issue). And I'm still so confused about how much pre-infusion to do, but maybe since it's got to be below 10sec it's not going to make much difference anyway?
love the video Lance! I was shocked to see you steaming milk with the pitcher just sitting on the drip tray instead of your usual height and angle. Can you add some detail to that?
I am making a v60 with your 1-2-1 recipe with a Kenya I ground on an Ode Gen 2 with SSP MP (installed by Fellow) thanks to your hardwork to make coffee better for all of us 💯
It's an automatic steam wand! I was just showing how it worked.
Great video thank you Lance.
I still have a question about timing shots and programming the machine (pressing both bottoms to then adjust the time with a scale etc.). When timing shots to dial in recipes when would yo start your timer? Start it when hitting the button or when you hear the pump turn on the first time (not the second time when it reaches full force)? Normally I would say when hitting the button the first time but I feel like the time before the pump starts ramping up varies from shot to shot or am I completely wrong here?
In your video it is the same time at the end but I feel like there is a difference when you just hit the two cup button or when you press it while you are in programming mode….
I start timing when I hit the button.
And I tried varying PI using the program button ad nauseum
@@LanceHedrick thank you for the turbo (shot) quick answer. I definitely have to retime it now but thank you. I upgraded to a MaraX but supplied my family and brother with my old machine and another bambino plus so I have to adjust these two for them to get them the best out of it!
Got mine with with Smart Grinder Pro over 3 years ago as a beginner and it turned out to be the perfect combination. Using quality beans, I make several short Americanos a day and it takes seconds.3 years later, both Breville machines have surprised me by staying alive. One day I'll replace the SGP with a Niche...just because...Niche... but the BambinoP...not sure as it's so good at what it does.
I got a Breville 450XL about a dozen years ago for what I thought at the time was an exorbitant amount of money ($130CAD). Still going strong, though it’s now relegated to secondary duties as my Moka grinder when using it to make “Moka Espresso” for cappuccinos as I got a J-MAX about a year ago as my daily. But it’s ground through an average of 120g of coffee per week for a dozen years.
Great comprehensive review Lance
How about a video for a tier above? Lelit Victoria or Profitec Go sort of thing... Basically about what to get if you only want great shots and great build/durability, but also don't care about all that milk stuff.
Thank you for your review! for 25s shots when do I start to count for this machine?
Hi Lance
Regarding the new studio look. Maybe try in post a bit more contrast and color grading. It looks a bit low contrasty/ kinda like a log footage look atm. Especially with washed colors clothing. The blacks are really pushed up and even the matte black grinder in the backright is greyish. And your hair even gets grey colors from the close soft box light :) Don't just wash the entire scene with light, try directing it a bit. It will give more of a non-2d look and also pop on smaller screens :)
Just a friendly advice.
Thanks! Such a cool little machine. Breville has really stepped up their game since I last checked out their machines.
Great review. Can you recommend a Non pressurised basket to pick up for it?
That coffee blade reminds me of the Go/NoGo tool for a 50 caliber machine gun. 😂😂
I picked one of these up for £199 new around 4/5 years ago and it was great. Then COVID hit and and the prices went back to £399. Great little machine for beginners. I actually sold it for more than what I bought it for
Thanks for the great vid on this beloved machine of mine, Lance. Curious about timing of shots! You mentioned that for this machine shots should be 25s or less - I had always thought that I should be aiming for the 28-32seconds range for a double? Have I been wrong all this time?! Thanks!
Wondering the same thing. It sounds like he recommends using a cold portafilter for doing longer shots, so I might try that.
Great video! Something that I'd really like to see a review from you on is the ascaso steel series. I currently have a brista pro and really like the convenience of the thermojet. I wonder though how more expensive thermoblock designs hold up to things like e61 group heads...
Hey @Lance, 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?
Thanks a lot, now I understand why my shots work better when under 25 secs, this kind of machines are the entrance to this beautiful hobby for many of us.
Can si pull a turbo shot on this machine ? Would lone to be able to do it.
I would love to hear you review the Delonghi ecp3420, in regard to how good an espresso can it produce from such a basic machine.
I'm currently using a Delonghi dedica and have been getting good enough milk drinks from it. I can say that I enjoy homemade coffee more than in most coffee shops in my city, with a few exceptions of specialty coffee shops.
The dedica heats up in less than 45 seconds, so in less than 3 minutes you an go from I want coffee to the first sip. I have been thinking in an upgrade for so long, the killer always have been heating times. For me it is just crazy to wait 20+ minutes to make a single coffee, and to use that amount of energy in an domestic environment.
I think my upgrade needs to be something that's fast and not energy wasteful. The bambino plus now seems like a good option.
Hi. I upgraded my dedica to a bambino plus recently and it’s genuinely better. The coffee output is more consistent and tasty and the milk frother is way more powerful.
Happy customer 🙂
@@willrevI also upgraded to the bambino plus about 3 months ago. It is a better easy to use machine than the dedica. The only thing the dedica is better is in its volumetric dosing which is far more precise than the bambino one.
Been using it for last year and a half with a naked portafilter.. It's been awesome so far!!
What grinder do you use?
I enjoy your sense of humor, and I was glad to see this review of the Bambino Plus. But I'd love to just watch a video that shows features, techniques, etc., and not feel as if half of it is an infomercial for accessories.
Point this "half" that is an infomercial for accessories. Time stamps please. Thanks.
Hey Lance, I managed to get 9-10 seconds pre infusion by first pressing both single and double shot together until it blinks. Then you can program the pre infusion. Until you activate program mode it won’t change the length of time
yes I did this!
with the preinfusion test you didn't set it to manual mode by pressing the 2 shot buttons simultaneously for 2 to 3 seconds. if you did that you may find the preinfusion will last longer. Mine goes to around 10 seconds
I did do that and it didn't go past 8 or 9
(Did it in testing. Was on a call with breville today and they agreed it was an issue they will fix)
Can you do a review on the Lelit Anna PID (PL41TEM). Its a PID single boiler with opv set to 9 bars and pressure gauge on the front for under 500 euros in Europe. The only downside is the 57mm group, but the Bambino is also not 58mm. Cheers!
I need to!
@@LanceHedrick Ive had an older version for the past 2 years now, the only thing I might change is a dimmer mod
What do you think about Lelit Anna PID under 450€?
You mentioned a filter that comes with the bambino plus. My US version did not come with a filter. I contacted Breville support and they confirmed it does not come with a filter. They didn’t tell me if a filter was available and what that part number was.
Is there a good puck screen that is magnetic? Using a magnet to remove the puck screen would be neater and easier than fishing it out of the knock box.
Using pre ground coffee means you have to use pressurized filter baskets?