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Every morning, like clockwork, after dropping the kids at school, I’d find myself in the local coffee store queue, craving that rich, flavorful coffee that seemed impossible to replicate at home. In the world of coffee lovers, there’s a certain allure to the perfect cup of espresso. Its rich, bold flavor and velvety texture are enough to make anyone swoon. But for many, like myself, the idea of making espresso at home seems daunting. That is before I was introduced to the Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine – a compact powerhouse that brings the art of espresso-making right to your kitchen counter. One Christmas, my husband gifted it to me, and it’s been my daily companion ever since. The Bambino Plus isn’t just about espresso; its built-in automatic steam wand makes crafting lattes and cappuccinos ridiculously easy. And when summer hits, I’m all about those iced oat milk espressos to beat the heat.
What Exactly Is the Breville Bambino Plus?
It’s this nifty, compact espresso machine that’s foolproof for even beginners to whip up a range of specialty coffees in a snap. Thanks to its ThermoJet heating system, it’s ready to go in just three seconds. The automatic steam wand is a gem, letting you froth milk effortlessly, making it perfect for those of us who dream of creating latte art but lack the barista skills.
And what sold me? Its compact design means it fits perfectly on my kitchen counter without hogging space.
The machine features a user-friendly illuminated front panel, offering presets for single shots, double shots, and steam. It also includes milk steaming presets with three temperature options (warm, ideal, and hot) and three foam density choices (low, medium, and high) for personalized milk texture. A clever little metal sensor at the base automatically monitors your milk’s temperature, allowing for effortless, hands-free frothing.
Breville Bambino Plus Highlights
The Perfect Brew, Every Time
The Breville Bambino Plus is more than just an espresso machine – it’s a game-changer. Designed to deliver barista-quality performance, this machine is equipped with a range of features that make brewing espresso at home a breeze.
Third Wave Specialty Coffee
This little genius follows the 4 keys formula, ensuring you get that cafe-quality brew at home. It’s all about the perfect dose of freshly ground beans, nailing the water temperature, getting the pressure just right, and whipping up that silky microfoam milk that’s a must for latte art.
Optimal Extraction
Starts with a gentle, low-pressure pre-infusion to soak the grounds, followed by a powerful 9 bar extraction for that smooth, creamy, and caramel-colored espresso. And it’s all powered by a top-notch 15 bar Italian pump.
ThermoJet Heating System
One of the standout features of the Bambino Plus is its ThermoJet heating system, which heats up the water to the perfect extraction temperature in just 3 seconds. This means you can go from craving espresso to sipping on a perfect shot in no time.
Automatic Steam Wand
Creating microfoam milk for lattes and cappuccinos has never been easier thanks to the Bambino Plus’s automatic steam wand. With the push of a button, you can froth milk to your desired texture, making it ideal for latte art or simply enjoying a creamy, delicious drink.
54mm Portafilter
The Bambino Plus comes with a professional-style 54mm stainless steel portafilter, ensuring that you get the perfect dose of coffee for a full-flavored espresso every time.
Volumetric Shot Control
Forget about guesswork – the Bambino Plus features one-touch 1 and 2 shot volumetric control, so you can brew the perfect amount of espresso with ease.
Compact Design, Big Performance
Despite its powerful features, the Bambino Plus has a compact footprint, making it perfect for smaller kitchens or countertops. Its sleek design and stainless steel finish also add a touch of elegance to any space.
Bambino Plus Accessories
So now let’s take a closer look at the accessories that come bundled with the Breville Bambino Plus, as well as some additional accessories I recommend adding to your collection to enhance your espresso setup. Below is a list of what you will get with your new Bambino Plus:
- Stainless steel milk jug with MIN and MAX lines
- Portafilter
- 54mm tamper
- Steam wand tip cleaning tool (found under the water tank)
- The Razor precision trimming tool
- Single and dual wall filter baskets for 1 and 2 cups
- Cleaning disk
- Espresso cleaning tablets
- Descaling powder
I strongly suggest considering these extra accessories for your espresso machine: a Knock Box and a Tamping Pad.
An espresso knock box is a specialized container used to dispose of used coffee grounds, known as “pucks.” After brewing an espresso, the used coffee grounds are knocked out of the portafilter (the handle that holds the coffee grounds during brewing) into the knock box. The knock box helps to easily and cleanly remove the used grounds, preventing them from clogging drains or creating a mess. It also allows baristas to quickly dispose of the grounds, making it easier to prepare the next shot of espresso.
An espresso tamping pad is a small rubber mat that is placed on a countertop or other surface to protect it while tamping espresso. When making espresso, the coffee grounds need to be evenly compressed (tamped) into the portafilter to ensure consistent extraction. The tamping pad provides a soft, non-slip surface for tamping, preventing damage to the countertop and helping to stabilize the portafilter during the tamping process. It also helps to keep the area clean by catching any stray coffee grounds that may fall during tamping.
Brewing Your Perfect Espresso
Making your own espresso is now simpler than ever with the Bambino Plus. I’ve outlined the easy steps below, and you can also watch the video to see the process in action.
Steps for Making Your Espresso:
- Start Up: Plug in the machine and hit any button. All the lights will flash before staying lit. If they don’t stay on, it’s time to refill the water tank at the back.
- Prep the Portafilter: Slot the filter basket into the portafilter.
- Grind Your Beans: Fill the portafilter with ground coffee beans. If you’ve got the Breville bean grinder, it’ll grind right into the portafilter. Otherwise, just scoop your ground beans in. You’ll want it heaping.
- Tamp It Down: With the tamper, press down evenly until the coffee is packed firmly. The tamper’s top edge should be flush with the filter basket’s rim.
- Level Off: Use the Razor tool to trim the excess coffee for a perfect dose.
- Lock and Load: Twist the portafilter into the machine until you meet resistance.
- Ready the Cup: Place your cup on the drip tray underneath the portafilter.
- Extract: Choose the 1 CUP or 2 CUP button for your espresso shot. The machine does the rest, stopping when your espresso is ready.
- Finish Up: Add hot water or milk to your espresso, or leave as is, and you’re done!
Check out my video below where I demonstrate how to make espresso with the Bambino Plus!
Steps for Steaming Milk
- Fill the Jug: Pour milk into the jug up to between the MIN and MAX lines.
- Position the Steam Wand: Insert the wand into the jug, then rest the jug on the drip tray’s milk temperature sensor, covering the wand tip with milk.
- Select Temperature: Press the MILK TEMP button to set your desired milk heat (1-warm, 2-ideal, 3-hot).
- Steam: Hit the STEAM button. It’ll flash while texturing, then stop when the milk’s perfectly heated.
- Clean Up: Lift out the jug, wipe the wand and tip, then lower the wand to auto-purge.
Check out my video below where I demonstrate how seam milk using the Bambino Plus!
Choosing the Right Beans
When it comes to making the perfect espresso with your Breville Bambino Plus, the type of coffee beans you use can make all the difference. From freshness to origin, here’s everything you need to know about selecting the right beans for your machine.
Freshness is Key
Freshness is crucial when it comes to coffee beans, but there’s a sweet spot to aim for. Coffee beans are at their peak flavor 5-30 days after roasting. This is when they have the best balance of flavors and aromas. However, after 30 days, they start to lose some of their character and may taste flat. When buying coffee beans, look for ones with a roast date on the bag to ensure freshness.
Know Your Coffee Bean Origins
Coffee beans from different regions have distinct flavor profiles. South American beans, such as those from Brazil and Colombia, are known for their low acidity, medium to heavy body, and nutty, chocolatey notes. On the other hand, beans from Ethiopia and Kenya tend to have higher acidity, with more floral and delicate notes. Understanding the origin of your coffee beans can help you choose the perfect blend for your taste preferences.
Dialing In Your Espresso
When brewing espresso with your Bambino Plus, dialing in your grind size and tamping pressure are crucial for a perfect shot. Here’s a quick guide:
- Grind Size: The grind size of your coffee beans is essential for proper extraction. For espresso, aim for a fine grind, similar to table salt.
- Tamping Pressure: When tamping your coffee grounds, apply enough pressure to compact the grounds evenly. Too little pressure can result in under-extraction, while too much pressure can lead to over-extraction. Aim for a firm and even tamp to ensure a balanced extraction.
Experiment and Enjoy
The Breville Bambino Plus is a versatile machine that allows you to experiment with different coffee beans and brewing techniques. Whether you prefer a single-origin espresso or a rich Americano, the right beans and a little experimentation can help you create the perfect cup of coffee every time. So go ahead, explore different origins, and dial in your espresso to perfection with your Bambino Plus!
To read more about finding the best beans for making espresso and also to see my top picks, check out my article, “The Best Espresso Beans for that Perfect Cup of Coffee”.
User Insights: Addressing Common Concerns About the Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
As a proud owner of the Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine, I’ve come across various comments and feedback from other users. Here’s a breakdown of some common concerns and my take on them:
1. Portafilter Placement
Several users have mentioned that they find placing the portafilter on the group head to be a bit tricky. Personally, I’ve found that holding the machine down with one hand while inserting the portafilter with the other helps stabilize the process. It’s all about finding the right technique and the sweet spot to ensure a smooth insertion. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature.
2. Filter Preferences
The Bambino Plus comes with a double-walled pressurized basket, which is great for beginners or those looking for a more forgiving brewing experience. However, some users, myself included, prefer the option of using single-wall filters for a more nuanced and flavorful shot of espresso. Thankfully, Breville offers single-wall filters as an additional purchase, making it easy to customize your brewing experience to suit your preferences.
3. Drip Tray Size
A few users have mentioned that they wish the drip tray was larger. Personally, I haven’t found this to be an issue. Cleaning the drip tray is a quick and simple task that can be done in a matter of seconds. While a larger drip tray would be convenient, it’s not a deal-breaker for me.
In conclusion, while there are some minor issues raised by users, such as portafilter placement and filter preferences, the overall consensus is positive. The Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine continues to impress with its performance, ease of use, and ability to produce high-quality espresso. With a few adjustments and accessories, it’s easy to customize the machine to suit your specific brewing needs.
Keeping Your Breville Bambino Plus in Pristine Condition
Routine Cleaning
Maintaining your Breville Bambino Plus espresso machine is key to ensuring consistent performance and delicious coffee every time. It’s actually really easy and only requires a few steps after each use:
- Wash the portafilter to prevent coffee residue buildup.
- Regularly empty and clean the drip tray, as it’s rather small and can fill up quickly.
- The milk wand features an automatic purging cycle, making cleanup after frothing your milk a breeze. All that’s needed is a quick wipe down of the outer sides of the wand using a damp cloth after each use.
Deep Cleaning Your Espresso Machine
While routine cleaning is crucial, the deeper cleaning cycle and descaling process are required less frequently but are equally important for maintaining machine functionality and flavor purity. After about 200 uses, the Bambino Plus will prompt you for a deep cleaning cycle, indicated by the flashing 1 cup and 2 cup buttons. Here’s how to perform it:
1. Insert the cleaning disc into the portafilter basket.
2. Place a cleaning tablet onto the disc.
3. Insert the portafilter into the machine.
4. Position a large container under the portafilter and steam wand.
5. Top up the water tank.
6. Press the 1 CUP and 2 CUP buttons simultaneously to start the cleaning cycle.
The machine will run the cleaning cycle for a few minutes, ensuring it’s clean and ready for your next brewing session.
Descaling Your Espresso Machine
When it’s time to descale due to mineral buildup from hard water, the Bambino Plus will alert you by flashing the 1 cup, Steam, and 2 cup buttons. Descaling is straightforward:
1. Follow the instructions in the user manual or watch instructional videos for guidance.
2. Add the descaling solution to the water tank.
3. Press the appropriate buttons to initiate the descaling process.
4. Let the machine work its magic, flushing out mineral deposits and ensuring optimal performance.
Regular cleaning and descaling of your Breville Bambino Plus are essential for maintaining its longevity and brewing quality. By incorporating these simple maintenance tasks into your routine, you’ll enjoy delicious espresso drinks for years to come.
Check out my video below where I demonstrate how to run the descale cycle on the Bambino Plus!
You can also find the complete cleaning guide in Breville’s Instruction Manual.
Why Choose the Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine?
Pros:
- Barista-Quality Performance: The Bambino Plus is designed to deliver espresso that rivals what you’d get at your favorite coffee shop. With advanced features and precise controls, you can expect consistently delicious espresso every time.
- User-Friendly Design: Whether you’re a seasoned barista or a complete novice, the Bambino Plus is incredibly easy to use. Its intuitive controls and compact size make it a great choice for anyone looking to make great espresso at home.
- Compact Size: One of the standout features of the Bambino Plus is its small footprint. Perfect for kitchens with limited space, this machine packs a punch without taking up too much room on your countertop.
- Quick Heating: Say goodbye to long wait times for your espresso. The Bambino Plus heats up in just 3 seconds, so you can get your caffeine fix in no time.
- Built-in Steam Wand: Take your drink-making skills to the next level with the Bambino Plus’s built-in steam wand. Whether you’re in the mood for a velvety latte or a frothy cappuccino, the steam wand allows you to create a wide range of delicious drinks.
Cons:
- High Price Tag: One of the main drawbacks of the Bambino Plus is its high price tag. While it offers exceptional performance, it may not be the most budget-friendly option for everyone.
- Lacks Built-in Bean Grinder: Unlike some other espresso machines on the market, the Bambino Plus does not come with a built-in bean grinder. This means you’ll need to purchase one separately if you don’t already have one.
Final Thoughts
The Breville Bambino Plus is a machine that’s designed to make espresso brewing at home easy and enjoyable. Its compact size, user-friendly interface, and consistent brewing temperature make it a great choice for both beginners and experienced baristas. Whether you’re craving a classic espresso shot or a creamy latte, the Bambino Plus has you covered. With this machine in your kitchen, you’ll be able to unlock the perfect espresso every time.
Check out my coffee Must Haves below!
