In this video, we look at a new espresso machine in my arsenal, the Bambino Plus, which is just the best at steaming milk. Perfect for beginners, and enthusiasts alike, this machine simply provides the steam power to get the job done. Creamy, delicious milk microfoam for luscious lattes and cappuccinos is the result. 0:00 Intro 0:41 A Word on Milk Steaming 1:36 Test 1 - Manual Milk Frothing 3:47 Test 2 - Automatic Milk Frothing ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Join the coffee club! (subscribe): th-cam.com/users/TomsCoffeeCorner ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I also keep a spare frothing pitcher on hand to put under the steam wand when I put it back down for when it does it's Auto Purge after I wipe it. It keeps all the milk out of the drip tray, which makes it basically a rinse and forget kind of thing every couple days. The only thing getting in there is the bypass water from the solenoid valve and some drips of espresso that you can obviously usually see on your dip tray and grate... its just a cheap thing I picked up at a consignment shop that matched my Moka pot years ago. Works beautifully, so I only have to dump out my drip tray every couple three days and about once a week actually wash it to get the coffee residue out. I can go a couple 3 days without even dumping it if I'm in a rush and forget about it when it's just the bypass water going into it. It also keeps the milk spatters contained really well
@TomsCoffeeCorner Game Changer. Just make sure it's empty when you put it under so that the wand can fully Purge and it doesn't spatter out. If you have a little water in the bottom when it starts squirting some of the water can spatter out of the jug. Not a big mess and I feel smaller mess than dealing with it purging into the drip tray all the time
So, I tried this technique on my La Spaz and ejected a quarter of the milk out of the jug. Ok. A steeper angle is required for this particular monster. I used a bit of your technique Tom and integrated it with mine and big creamy milk ensued. Latte's all round.
Sounds good to me, Paul! I do love lattes! The La Spaz has a ton of steam power, but I can’t seem to get the milk as fine porous as with the Bambino, or the Gaggia.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner I modulate the lever like a throttle. Of course, my standards are probably not as high as yours. The 4-hole tip seems to do fine with the microfoam though.
@@PaulLemars01 Hmm...I have tried that and failed. That lever is so touchy, that it's hard not to get full power for me. Plus, I have to hold and position the milk pitcher properly at the same time with the other hand. Maybe I will try your method some more, though.
Hey, You press the double shot and stop it manually. Are you using double basket? I was told I should be getting 60ml out of 16-18g of coffee. I've dialled the grind setting on our Eureka grinder to get 60ml in 26 seconds. Is that wrong?
I generally use a double basket with 16 grams, and stop it around 35 grams or so. Pulling for 60 grams would make the shot quite dry and potentially bitter in my experience. Cheers!
@@TomsCoffeeCorner Thank you! Since making that comment we started doing 18g and stopping at 35g. It's good to have confirmation we're doing things "right".
Great video Tom! So I just got a Bambino Plus and Eureka Mignon Silenzio, which I have been playing around with trying to dial it in. I know you are not using a Silenzio but still a Eureka. What do you find is a good range on the grind setting for espresso? I know there is not only one set answer as it fluctuates with the beans you use but I was trying to get a sense of where to work from.
Fantastic video. Question: does a pressurized basket change the flavor in a big way when grinding the beans fine? I heard the basket included with the Bambino Plus is made for pre-grinded coffee
Well, you need to grind coarser for pressurized baskets, since they already really constrict the flow, and therefore increase pressure. I do feel like this affects the flavor some. I prefer non pressurized baskets, which you can easily order up: amzn.to/3QwB9D6 (affiliate link)
Thanks Tom for the video, as i asked 😂. Where did you buy the non-pressurised basket? In your opinion is better the bambino plus or the dedica for coffee? (Not for steam milk because i think sage is better)
Hey Tom! Thanks for such an informative video. Just curious- when you did manual steaming- what setting did you use for the foam? Also what size cups are those? 8oz? Thanks!
Hi there! The settings for temp and froth amount are for automatic frothing...manually, you are responsible yourself for the amount of air you inject, and to what temperature you froth. But, on this machine it is really easy to do. Cheers!
Great video. I wish i could just decide whether to buy this machine or the GCP. I was so sure about the GCP because of the build quality, but after the problem with boiler coating,im inclined to buying the bambino instead.
Hmm, that's a tough one. I feel that the GCP makes better espresso, but this does better milk steaming, and is more ergonomic to use. The aluminum boiler thing can be a turn-off though for the GCP.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner Thank you. I will wait till april, maybe gaggia will fix the issue and i will look at the Bambino in person in a store or something and then.. i will probably have to flip a coin anyway :D
This helped sell me on this exact (US) model. I'm back digging looking for the bypass option when it wants to clean itself. Such a pain in the ass when it goes off after I already have my coffee ground and then I need to wait 5 minutes. I thought I can bypass it and when the lights were solid I tried to pull a single shot, luckily a single not a double because it ended up giving me a single ristretto before waiting for a minute and then going through a cycle with the portafilter still in... nothing would work so I ended up unplugging it and then I had to restart the cleaning cycle and it wouldn't even let me froth milk at all
Yes, that's annoying. I thought there was a way to bypass it too, but looking at the manual, I do not see an option. Maybe it depends on when your model was made. I have been using this as my daily machine the last several weeks though, and it hasn't prompted me to clean it yet. Cheers!
@@TomsCoffeeCorner somewhere around 200 shots but it also counts purging I believe and I do flush the group head almost every time I pull a shot. If I'm pulling back-to-back I don't bother I just wipe it to clean the face of it. But I do run a bit of water through it after I wipe it once I'm finished making coffee and then wipe it again with a clean rag it's been so easy to keep clean over this last month. I guess I finally initiated 200 shots with doing weekly back flush (2-4 times depending if the water coming out looks clear) and it wanted a cleaning cycle. 🙃
Hey Ata, I have to make myself a bottomless portafilter for the Sage, then I will make a proper comparison and post the results. Thanks for the question! 👍
For the automatic frothing, I think it purged some water into the milk in the beginning. Maybe that's the reason why it taste thin/ diluted? Anyway to purge the water before steaming for the automatic settings?
@@TomsCoffeeCorner can you purge before the automatic steaming? Because after the purge, I put in the pitcher with the milk, maybe because of the lifting up of the wand to put the pitcher.. it will goes into the milk purging mode which purging the water into the milk. Hope you know what I mean. 😅
@@kevinevanstay6039 in Breville's/Sage's official video it says to purge it by pressing the steam button until only steam comes out, then just steam automatically or manually as needed. Shouldn't have pure water going in it once it's purged.
In this video, we look at a new espresso machine in my arsenal, the Bambino Plus, which is just the best at steaming milk. Perfect for beginners, and enthusiasts alike, this machine simply provides the steam power to get the job done. Creamy, delicious milk microfoam for luscious lattes and cappuccinos is the result.
0:00 Intro
0:41 A Word on Milk Steaming
1:36 Test 1 - Manual Milk Frothing
3:47 Test 2 - Automatic Milk Frothing
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Join the coffee club! (subscribe): th-cam.com/users/TomsCoffeeCorner
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How long it takes for this machine to get ready for espresso and also to change from espresso mode to steam mode? (it's a single circuit, right?)
@@OttoRolloff Hi Otto, I will have to recheck that. From memory, it's similar to the Dedica, around 10 seconds.
I also keep a spare frothing pitcher on hand to put under the steam wand when I put it back down for when it does it's Auto Purge after I wipe it. It keeps all the milk out of the drip tray, which makes it basically a rinse and forget kind of thing every couple days. The only thing getting in there is the bypass water from the solenoid valve and some drips of espresso that you can obviously usually see on your dip tray and grate... its just a cheap thing I picked up at a consignment shop that matched my Moka pot years ago. Works beautifully, so I only have to dump out my drip tray every couple three days and about once a week actually wash it to get the coffee residue out. I can go a couple 3 days without even dumping it if I'm in a rush and forget about it when it's just the bypass water going into it. It also keeps the milk spatters contained really well
That's a good idea with that extra milk pitcher. I'm gonna try that.
@TomsCoffeeCorner Game Changer. Just make sure it's empty when you put it under so that the wand can fully Purge and it doesn't spatter out. If you have a little water in the bottom when it starts squirting some of the water can spatter out of the jug. Not a big mess and I feel smaller mess than dealing with it purging into the drip tray all the time
👏👏👏thank you for the great review👍
So, I tried this technique on my La Spaz and ejected a quarter of the milk out of the jug. Ok. A steeper angle is required for this particular monster. I used a bit of your technique Tom and integrated it with mine and big creamy milk ensued. Latte's all round.
Sounds good to me, Paul! I do love lattes! The La Spaz has a ton of steam power, but I can’t seem to get the milk as fine porous as with the Bambino, or the Gaggia.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner I modulate the lever like a throttle. Of course, my standards are probably not as high as yours. The 4-hole tip seems to do fine with the microfoam though.
@@PaulLemars01 Hmm...I have tried that and failed. That lever is so touchy, that it's hard not to get full power for me. Plus, I have to hold and position the milk pitcher properly at the same time with the other hand. Maybe I will try your method some more, though.
Plz can u inform me how to Prepare filter in the Tank of filter why need to use this filter if l Don't use this is problem or no
I didn’t see you purge the steam one first if I don’t purge my steam wand before I steam water comes out into the milk
True. I don't generally purge the BP, because it doesn't have a mechanical valve to feather.
Hey,
You press the double shot and stop it manually. Are you using double basket? I was told I should be getting 60ml out of 16-18g of coffee. I've dialled the grind setting on our Eureka grinder to get 60ml in 26 seconds. Is that wrong?
I generally use a double basket with 16 grams, and stop it around 35 grams or so. Pulling for 60 grams would make the shot quite dry and potentially bitter in my experience. Cheers!
@@TomsCoffeeCorner Thank you! Since making that comment we started doing 18g and stopping at 35g. It's good to have confirmation we're doing things "right".
Great video Tom! So I just got a Bambino Plus and Eureka Mignon Silenzio, which I have been playing around with trying to dial it in. I know you are not using a Silenzio but still a Eureka. What do you find is a good range on the grind setting for espresso? I know there is not only one set answer as it fluctuates with the beans you use but I was trying to get a sense of where to work from.
I'm usually about 1-2 notches away from the calibration point. Cheers!
Fantastic video. Question: does a pressurized basket change the flavor in a big way when grinding the beans fine? I heard the basket included with the Bambino Plus is made for pre-grinded coffee
Well, you need to grind coarser for pressurized baskets, since they already really constrict the flow, and therefore increase pressure. I do feel like this affects the flavor some. I prefer non pressurized baskets, which you can easily order up: amzn.to/3QwB9D6 (affiliate link)
Thanks Tom for the video, as i asked 😂. Where did you buy the non-pressurised basket? In your opinion is better the bambino plus or the dedica for coffee? (Not for steam milk because i think sage is better)
This machine came with them. Apparently, the later models seem to come with non pressurized baskets.
Hey Tom! Thanks for such an informative video. Just curious- when you did manual steaming- what setting did you use for the foam? Also what size cups are those? 8oz? Thanks!
Hi there! The settings for temp and froth amount are for automatic frothing...manually, you are responsible yourself for the amount of air you inject, and to what temperature you froth. But, on this machine it is really easy to do. Cheers!
I learnt one good tip from this video, add some cocoa powder before pouring the latte milk, it looks much better and better taste. Thanks Tom.
Haha, thanks! I find it also helps mask my latte art skills!
Great video. I wish i could just decide whether to buy this machine or the GCP. I was so sure about the GCP because of the build quality, but after the problem with boiler coating,im inclined to buying the bambino instead.
Hmm, that's a tough one. I feel that the GCP makes better espresso, but this does better milk steaming, and is more ergonomic to use. The aluminum boiler thing can be a turn-off though for the GCP.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner Thank you. I will wait till april, maybe gaggia will fix the issue and i will look at the Bambino in person in a store or something and then.. i will probably have to flip a coin anyway :D
This helped sell me on this exact (US) model. I'm back digging looking for the bypass option when it wants to clean itself. Such a pain in the ass when it goes off after I already have my coffee ground and then I need to wait 5 minutes. I thought I can bypass it and when the lights were solid I tried to pull a single shot, luckily a single not a double because it ended up giving me a single ristretto before waiting for a minute and then going through a cycle with the portafilter still in... nothing would work so I ended up unplugging it and then I had to restart the cleaning cycle and it wouldn't even let me froth milk at all
Yes, that's annoying. I thought there was a way to bypass it too, but looking at the manual, I do not see an option. Maybe it depends on when your model was made. I have been using this as my daily machine the last several weeks though, and it hasn't prompted me to clean it yet. Cheers!
@@TomsCoffeeCorner somewhere around 200 shots but it also counts purging I believe and I do flush the group head almost every time I pull a shot. If I'm pulling back-to-back I don't bother I just wipe it to clean the face of it. But I do run a bit of water through it after I wipe it once I'm finished making coffee and then wipe it again with a clean rag it's been so easy to keep clean over this last month. I guess I finally initiated 200 shots with doing weekly back flush (2-4 times depending if the water coming out looks clear) and it wanted a cleaning cycle. 🙃
Hey, I figured out a cheat code: th-cam.com/users/shortsdCitFLKl6rM?feature=share
How many grams do you brew?
16 grams, cheers!
How do you compare the espresso quality of this machine with dedica? assuming you will use bottomless portafilters?
Hey Ata, I have to make myself a bottomless portafilter for the Sage, then I will make a proper comparison and post the results. Thanks for the question! 👍
@@TomsCoffeeCorner But I thought Sage comes with both bottomless and pressurized portafilters!
@@atasattarzadeh7520 It comes with non pressurized and pressurized baskets, but not with a bottomless portafilter. Cheers!
For the automatic frothing, I think it purged some water into the milk in the beginning. Maybe that's the reason why it taste thin/ diluted? Anyway to purge the water before steaming for the automatic settings?
Hi Kevin, I think purging is always a good idea before steaming either manually or automatically.
@@TomsCoffeeCorner can you purge before the automatic steaming? Because after the purge, I put in the pitcher with the milk, maybe because of the lifting up of the wand to put the pitcher.. it will goes into the milk purging mode which purging the water into the milk. Hope you know what I mean. 😅
@@kevinevanstay6039 in Breville's/Sage's official video it says to purge it by pressing the steam button until only steam comes out, then just steam automatically or manually as needed. Shouldn't have pure water going in it once it's purged.