I've been using this machine for about 6 months now. I found that upping the grams by 1.5-2 over my portafilter basket rating helps create a cleaner puck. Basically the closer the grounds are to the group head, less water is gathering on top. I don't have a puck screen, and never cleaned the group head, I just run half a blank shot, no portafilter, and it removes any grounds. Though I have to refill the tank a bit more frequently, not enough to bother me. Great video!
What a review! You cover everything. No just pros and cons, but like detailed testing and comparison with other machines. Amazing. Hope you get a lot of views!
Hey bud thanks for the video I have had my Bambino now for a couple of weeks.. if the main issue is wet pucks... If you custom cut paper filters for the top and bottom of the portafilter you get drier pucks and less mess.. easy clean... What you need is an NT circle cutter and if you want to do it on budget get any #4 cone filters and cut out circles i am currently using ims 18-22g basket so cannot give you specific size. But you can make like a crap load all at once and it adds very little time to the workflow in the morning. I upgraded the portafilter to the 54mm Breville spouted from the express/pro series.. too much plastic on this version.
A puck screen will pretty much eliminate wet pucks, with no paper needed at all. I've had mine for around 6 months. Bought it used. I'm using the same IMS basket, 19 in 38 to 40 out in to taste.
@@Aka-Chico How are you cleaning it? My main reason so far not using a puck screen and. Using paper instead is the cleaning... And the puck paper just a quick wash on running water I can reuse it for multiple shots that day.
@@adriand6477 In my experience my group head has remained really clean. Between the cleaning cycle and running dummy shots I have very little build up. Most of it is near the seal and around the outside of the group head where the portafilter locks in. Also, I pull the shot and scale as I shut off the machine and let the remaining water run into the drip tray. This will help with a dry puck. It doesn't bug me at all, I clean the drip tray every day.
I warm it up with a shot in a mug . I use that water to clean the steam tip . Great video. I need a grinder now . I know im going to upgrade my espresso machine so I don’t want to get a cheap grinder.
Love it! I am glad that an expert truly tells us what’s happening after extraction for beginners like me. I kept asking myself why the puck was still wet. Could you make more videos on how to dial in your espresso beans using this machine? Or do you offer a quick course for starters like me?
I haven't really done any videos on that subject, and I really feel like others have more expertise than I do on those things. I would refer you to James Hoffmann for that. He's pretty much the gold standard: ru-vid.com/group/PLxz0FjZMVOl3ksLTyWsWNFdU1b73w1BUW
It does have a charcoal filter that you can attach inside the water tank. My Bambino even came with it. It's a 2 piece black plastic thing that fits into the bottom of the water tank, where you can attach the filter into. (My Bambino is fairly new and sold under the Sage brand).
Interesting. I wonder if that is on newer models or if it's just a difference in the international versions. My Barista Express had a charcoal filter in the tank.
@@TechDregs , it's not in the included parts list on the Breville website, however on the Sage website it is. The water tank looks to be the same, so I guess they decided, that the European market should have the filter included.
In-depth technical reviews of the two espresso machines I´m most interested in, because I also own them. Kinda. Started with the Bambino Plus and now the Ascaso Steel Uno PID. Pretty much the same machines, the Steel probably a little more similar to the Ascaso Dream than the Bambino to the Bambino Plus but close enough. Love your insights on these machines. Very informative and to the point. On my Bambino the pucks usually came out a little wet too. Somewhat remedied by giving the water a couple of seconds to soak into the grounds before taking the portafilter out the machine. I`m a little confused though when it comes to the relief valve. Pretty sure the Bambino Plus has one. Makes the appropriate sound when you end the extraction and shoots excess water into the drip tray. If I remember correctly. It also comes with a stainless steel portafilter. Same design with the spouts and plastik insert though. The insert is easily pushed out by insertig a screwdriver in one of the spouts. Probably there to keep the coffee from losing too much heat to the not preheated portafilter. Quite a bit of mass there, especially in the stainless version. Group head in that machine isn`t heated. Running some water through the portafilter and into your cup before you prep helps preheating both cup and portafilter somewhat. But going bottomless is a great idea anyway. Very revealing. Had to chop the bottom of my portafilter of with an angle grinder. Not many accessories available in that size a couple of years ago. The water tank of the Bambino looks exactly like that of the Plus version. That one came with a water filter that fits in the water tank. Weird choice by Breville to leave that out and produce a seperate tank. Tamper is a little bit nicer too. Not by much but a little. I also think the drip tray is slightly bigger on the Plus. Even if you don`t need the auto milk frothing function of the Plus you might like the option of switching between three temperature stages for the Steam. Sadly not the water for the extraction. Another weird choice. It also auto flushes the steam wand when you put it back down after use. Doesn`t help with the outside caked on milk of course. I think the Plus is worth a look when you can find it discounted. Anyways thanks for all the work you put in. Much appreciated.
Interesting on the Plus model. I would have thought they would use the same plumbing for the solenoid, but admittedly, I have never used one. The extra cost might well be worth it for quite a few people if it has a drain and a water filter.
I have the plus, and the only real flaw for me is the temp and a tiny complaint is the 54mm porta filter. i've learned to preheat everything before pulling a shot tho and that helped a ton, or turn on the steam wand before. the thing realized is that if you want anything even a bit better you've to spend double the price minimum. (say heavily modded gaggia pro classic) also a load cell is cheap and easy, why does nobody put one on the drip tray?! :|
Have had many Breville espresso machines. Based on reviews thought this would pour a decent shot and be easy to transport. Have yet to get one decent shot regardless of grind and tamp. Near ready to return.
Great breakdown of the features of this machine. Along with your teardown video, it really helped me understand how these machines work. I noticed you mentioned a flush shot... Do you mean running a blank shot with the blind disc? I know you mentioned that this machine has a solenoid valve but you explained that it leads to the steam wand instead of the drain. Is there a purpose then to backflushing this machine? Also, the Bambino doesn't come with a cleaning/blind disc while the Bambino Plus does - which leads me to believe that the base Bambino may not need to/ should not be backflushed... Can you clarify?
When I said that, I was referring to running a shot through the machine to warm it up or just wash stuff out, not flushing it with a blind basket. Based on my understanding, backflushing on this machine wouldn't really do much.
Hey my machine powers ups normally but the buttons are unresponsive.I need to press them multiple times for them to start . Any idea what maybe the issue ?
My first thought would be to try to factory reset the device. If that doesn't help, I'd next check the plugs on the button daughter board and the main board to make sure they are plugged in well. Also make sure there isn't any dirt or coffee dust gumming the buttons up. After that, you're into more in depth trouble shooting, like checking the wiring or replacing the button board.
I generated some balls and opened the machine following your guide. It seems from my idiotically thinking the machine have put water in from the top site (on top of the insulator with the grounded cable )where most espresso artist leave their portafilter. I am gonna let it dry. If anyone reading this DO not have the machine in contact with water. Not even a little. Don’t leave your wet stuff there. I am in the process of praying now. Thanks a lot for your help I know it’s not a lot but you earned a sub
It's an unbranded silicone bellows I found on Amazon. I had a 3d printed TPU one that I made, but it eventually cracked at the layers. This one works pretty well, and seems like it will be way more durable. The lid is actually aluminum, which was surprising. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CBPZSGM8/
Hi Pl can u let me know that my breville bambino plus not working after I reset it does lights brewing not working steam work just a bit only I don’t know what’s wrong iam using this machine since 2021 pl let me know I had seen ur full video of bambino Ty
I'm not aware of an espresso machine that doesn't have plastic somewhere in the water system, including on the hot side. At minimum, there is always a seal for the grouphead/portafilter interface.