Breville
Breville Bambino Plus
Breville Bambino Plus setup guide — accessories, grinders, and what to buy first
The Breville Bambino Plus is the most beginner-friendly semi-automatic espresso machine worth owning. At roughly $500, it pairs a capable 54mm group head with a fully automatic steam wand that froths milk to the right temperature without manual technique. The tradeoff is that it has no built-in grinder — you'll need to pair it with one.
What ships in the box
The Bambino Plus ships with a single and double wall (pressurized) portafilter basket, a basic tamper, a 16oz stainless milk jug, a cleaning disc, and a water filter. It does not include a grinder, a scale, or a knock box.
Why the Bambino Plus is beginner-friendly
Two features set the Bambino Plus apart: it heats up in 3 seconds (faster than almost any other machine), and it has an automatic steam wand that heats milk to the exact temperature you set and stops automatically. This removes the single hardest skill to learn in home espresso — milk frothing technique. For someone who wants excellent flat whites and lattes without a barista course, the Bambino Plus is uniquely practical.
Grinder pairing
This is the most important purchase decision you'll make alongside the Bambino Plus. The machine uses a 54mm portafilter (same as the Barista Express), so grinders designed for espresso with stepless adjustment work best. The Baratza Encore ESP ($200) is the most commonly recommended entry-level pairing. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro ($200) integrates well with Breville machines and has a dosing timer. If you want to spend more, the Eureka Mignon Specialita ($330) gives you better grind quality and lower retention.
Essential accessories
After a grinder, prioritize: a 54mm calibrated tamper (the included one wobbles), a scale with 0.1g resolution, and a knock box. A WDT tool ($15–$25) helps distribute grounds evenly in the basket before tamping, which matters more with a smaller puck like the 54mm. The Bambino Plus's compact footprint also means counter space is at a premium — a small, low-profile knock box like the Breville BES001 fits neatly alongside it.
Milk frothing with auto steam
The auto steam function works well out of the box, but you can improve results by positioning the wand tip about 1cm below the milk surface and angling the jug so milk circulates. The default temperature setting (around 150°F) is correct for most lattes. If you prefer a cooler drink or are making an iced latte, the temperature is adjustable. One limitation: the auto steam takes about 60 seconds per pitcher, which is slower than a skilled barista with a manual wand — fine for home use, occasionally frustrating if you're making drinks for three people.
Frequently asked questions
What grinder do you recommend for the Bambino Plus?
The Baratza Encore ESP ($200) is the most popular choice — it's calibrated for espresso out of the box and has macro/micro adjustment. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro ($200) is a strong alternative with a dosing timer and a dose-by-weight mode. Both pair well with the Bambino Plus's 54mm portafilter. Avoid the standard Baratza Encore (non-ESP version) — it's designed for filter coffee and doesn't grind fine enough for espresso.
What tamper size does the Bambino Plus use?
The Bambino Plus uses a 54mm portafilter, so you need a 54mm tamper. The Normcore 54mm Spring-Loaded Tamper ($35–$45) is the most popular upgrade — it's calibrated to 30lbs of pressure and eliminates wobble. Avoid the included tamper for anything beyond initial testing.
Can I upgrade the basket in the Bambino Plus?
Yes. The included pressurized (double wall) basket is forgiving but limits how much flavor you can extract. Upgrading to a non-pressurized (single wall) basket — Breville sells a 'Precision Basket' that fits the Bambino Plus — lets the machine perform closer to its ceiling. You'll need a proper burr grinder and good technique for the single wall basket to outperform the pressurized one.
How do you descale the Breville Bambino Plus?
Breville recommends descaling every 2–3 months. Use Breville's descaling powder (BES007) or citric acid dissolved in water. Fill the tank with the descaling solution, place a container under the group head and steam wand, and run the descaling program (consult your manual for the specific button sequence). The process takes about 20–25 minutes including rinse cycles. Use filtered water to reduce scaling frequency.
Does the Bambino Plus heat up fast?
Yes — the Bambino Plus is one of the fastest-heating espresso machines available. It reaches brew temperature in approximately 3 seconds thanks to its ThermoJet heating system. This is its standout feature compared to machines that require 15–30 minutes of warm-up. There is a brief additional period needed for steam — about 1 minute after the shot — but for busy mornings this heat-up speed is a genuine practical advantage.
Is the Breville Bambino Plus worth it compared to the Barista Express?
The Bambino Plus and Barista Express serve different needs. The Barista Express includes a built-in grinder, making it a more complete out-of-box package. The Bambino Plus requires a separate grinder but pairs it with a faster heat-up time (3 seconds vs. 30+ seconds), automatic milk texturing, and a more compact footprint. If you already own a grinder or plan to upgrade one later, the Bambino Plus's separate grinder pairing produces better espresso quality per dollar. If you want a single machine with everything included, the Barista Express is the simpler choice.
Pro tip
Weigh your dose every single time, at least while you're learning. The Bambino Plus's small 54mm basket is less forgiving of dosing errors than larger 58mm machines. Aim for 18g in, 36g out (a 1:2 ratio), in 25–30 seconds. Once you find settings that produce a shot you love, write them down — grind setting, dose weight, and yield — so you can return to them after any variable changes.
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