Over the last several months, I’ve been researching various espresso machines as to replace the coffee pod machine that has sat on my counter for some time. While that has served me well for quick cups of morning coffee, I’ve been wanting an espresso machine that will allow me more control over taste and texture without too much complexity. I recently picked up a Breville Bambino Plus on the cheap during a recent holiday sale on Amazon.com. I’ve been using this machine for a little over a month now and have found it to be a solid option. In this post, I’ll provide an overview of the Breville Bambino Plus espresso machine and share some of my thoughts on its strengths and it’s opportunities for improvement.
Key Features and Benefits
- Fast Heat-Up Time: The most consistent part of my morning routine is that first cup of coffee. Getting is quickly is important. The Bambino Plus’ ThermoJet® heating system provides a rapid 3-second heat-up time, meaning I can satisfy my caffeine cravings almost instantly.
- Automatic Microfoam Milk Texturing: The biggest reason I wanted to move from a coffee pod machine to an espresso machine was for better texture. A key part of great texture, after a good crema, is the milk. Achieving silky smooth microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos is a breeze thanks to the automatic steam wand and the Auto MilQ feature. It creates perfectly textured milk with minimal effort, even for beginners. You can adjust the milk temperature and texture settings to your preference.
- Precise Espresso Extraction: The Bambino Plus uses a digital temperature control (PID) system to ensure optimal water temperature for balanced espresso extraction. This consistency is key to unlocking the full flavor potential of your coffee beans.
- Compact Design: Its small footprint makes it perfect for kitchens where counter space is at a premium. Don’t let its size fool you, though – it’s a powerful machine.
- Simple and Intuitive Controls: The button interface is straightforward and easy to navigate, making the entire espresso-making process a breeze.
- Durable Construction: Built with high-quality materials, the Bambino Plus is designed to last.
Manual Control
The Breville Bambino Plus’ automatic features provide great espresso and coffee drinks with ease and speed, but I also wanted a machine with which I could ramp up my barista skills. For that, I needed some manual control over the process. The Bambino Plus provides several key manual options.
Shot Volume Adjustment
Adjusting shot volume allows you to fine-tune the taste of your espresso. By controlling the amount of water extracted from the coffee grounds, you can achieve optimal flavor. The optimal shot volume depends on the coffee bean, the grind, and your personal preference. A larger shot volume can lead to a less concentrated, milder taste, while a smaller volume produces a more intense, concentrated espresso.
Shot volume on the Bambino Plus can be changed using a simple button combination. This button combination will place the machine in setting mode. Once in setting mode, you can manually start and then stop the pull at the desired volume for the one or two cup button.
I decided to set mine machine’s one cup button to 1.5 oz. and the two cup button to 3 oz. for a long shot. This allows me to easily create very rich coffee drinks with the one cup button while others in the house can use a long shot option for larger lattes.
Milk Texturing
Proper texturing of milk and milk alternatives is key to a decadent espresso drink and a must for achieving stunning latte art. Breville’s Auto MilQ feature does a terrific job of texturing. My son, a barista in the Nashville coffee scene, was skeptical but very impressed after using it and adjusting temp and froth settings. Typically, I will use this feature. However, there are times that I like to steam and froth manually.
Sometimes, my goal in using the manual option is just to practice my technique. But the manual option is also handy when using smaller amounts of milk for your espresso drinks. The pitcher included with the Bambino Plus has a minimum and maximum fill line to assist with the Auto MilQ feature. The minimum is often more than what I want to put into my drink. At times like that, I’ll add a smaller amount of milk to my pitcher and then manually texture. The process is quite simple.
How to Manually Text Milk on the Breville Bambino Plus
- Add milk to pitcher.
- Select desired temperature and frothing levels.
- Preheat and pressurize steam head by pushing the steam button. Hot water will flow through the wand briefly and then steam. Press steam button again to stop preheat. Preheating and pressurizing can be done over the drip tray but I recommend doing this into into another pitcher or mug.
- Place nozzle of steam wand under the surface of the milk and press steam button. Press steam button again when desired texture is achieved. There are many videos that go into more detail regarding techniques for best results.
Hot Water
Another great manual feature of this machine is the ability to pull hot water without the need for a separate kettle. It’s very helpful when creating Americanos. This is too is easily achieved.
How to Pull Hot Water on the Breville Bambino Plus
- Push the one cup and the froth level button at the same time.
- To stop the process, simply press the one cup button again.
Opportunities for Improvement
Shot Temperature
The biggest drawback to the Breville Bambino Plus is the temperature of the espresso shot. The shot itself might be a bit colder than what many would prefer. Breville states the shot temperature is designed to be 200° Fahrenheit. In my research I’ve found many that speculate that that temperature is at the group head, not at the shower head and cup. The temperature could be as low as 150° Fahrenheit in the cup if the machine is not warmed up first. For hotter shots, run a cycle through the portafilter before adding grounds. This can be done by inserting the portafilter in the group head, pressing and holding the one cup button until water flows, then pressing the once cup button again to stop the process. Additionally, you can increase the temperature of the milk using the temperature control button to get a hotter result if you are creating a cappuccino or latte.
Auto MilQ Overflow
The only other issue I have with the Bambino Plus is that the Auto MilQ feature can, at times, run too long and cause the milk to overflow, creating a huge mess. To ensure this does not happen, you should make sure both the bottom of the pitcher and the heat sensor button are both very dry. Any moisture could cause the sensor to not read the proper temperature of the pitcher and milk.
Final Thoughts
The Breville Bambino Plus is a fantastic espresso machine that offers a great balance of performance, convenience, and price. While it might not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive models, it excels at what it does: delivering delicious espresso and perfectly textured milk with minimal effort. If you’re looking to upgrade your home coffee routine, the Bambino Plus is definitely worth considering. The Bambino Plus currently sells on the Breville site for $499.95 but can usually be found a bit cheaper on some other sites.
