Breville Bambino Plus: looking for tips/hacks and mods to maximize shot quality

[Mochi]

You can do manual pre infusion up to ten seconds by holding either of the shot buttons. After ten seconds the bambino automatically switches to full pump flow and pressure and runs until the button is pressed again or 60 seconds has been reached. Probably an easier way of getting a longer pre infusion.

I really wish this machine allowed for longer pre infusion times like the Barrista Pro allows for.

[devkom]

Howdy Y'all. First post.
Want to share two Bambino 'hacks' I haven't seen here.

In general, I use it in manual mode and weigh my shots.
Bottomless portafilter, single wall basket, DIY WDT, calibrated tamper (all cheap Amazon stuff)
The (new) grinder is the 1Zpresso JE-Plus (big difference) from the Virtuoso and Zassenhaus Santiago.

1) I cut an Aeropress filter to use on top of the puck to smooth out the showerhead flow.

2) I figured out a simple way to extend my preinfusion which is usually maxed out at 5 seconds:
I preinfuse to the max allowed, then start and immediately stop the brew, then repeat as per usual.
This 10 second pre-infusion completely changes the texture and extraction and might help with lighter roasts too.
I say 'might' as I am medium roast kinda guy...

[Alarcilam01]

I have suggested removing it. Was based on a comment regarding the pf for the Sunbeam EM6910. Having the plastic in there just gives a place for gunk and grime to breed. I have noticed no different in the shots having removed it.

If you are planning to get an IMS/Pesado basket it won’t fit with the plastic insert there as these see bigger baskets.

An easy way to remove it is to first warm the whole PF with boiling water.. then push the plastic insert out. That’s for the Bambino stock portafilters

[jafa1970]

Is the plastic piece in the stock portafilter the one that can be removed? Or is it the one on the regular Bambino model

I have suggested removing it. Was based on a comment regarding the pf for the Sunbeam EM6910. Having the plastic in there just gives a place for gunk and grime to breed. I have noticed no different in the shots having removed it.

[ProfessorEgg]

Nah probably not, not for the time being anyway :P

[level3ninja]

Dialling in shot with a pressurised basket is completely different to a non-pressurised basket, and will throw you for a loop when you first switch. I would suggest ditching the pressurised basket unless you plan to stick with it forever.

[JAVAPADAWAN]

Someone mentioned removing the plastic piece from the stock portafilter.... I have a Breville Bambino Plus and even though I've purchased a bottomless portafilter and a non pressurized basket for it , I am still using the stock pressurized portafilter until I can get the hang of dialing in my shot. Is the plastic piece in the stock portafilter the one that can be removed? Or is it the one on the regular Bambino model

[WoweeZowee]

Can confirm they're compatible with the stock portafilter. It fits tighter than the stock double wall basket because the Pesado has straight sides all the way down, but it fits well!

Thanks! Going to order an 18gm now.

Are you picking up any other 54mm accessories? Naked portafilter, tamper?

[ProfessorEgg]

I just picked up a Bambino Plus, also looking at these baskets. Are they compatible with the stock portafilter, or need a Pesado pf to match?

Can confirm they're compatible with the stock portafilter. It fits tighter than the stock double wall basket because the Pesado has straight sides all the way down, but it fits well!

[WoweeZowee]

Will do! Waiting for my grinder to arrive next month so I can try it with some fresh beans, right now I'm still using the free Veneziano pre-ground coffee that came with the Breville Father's Day promotion ?

I just picked up a Bambino Plus, also looking at these baskets. Are they compatible with the stock portafilter, or need a Pesado pf to match?

[ProfessorEgg]

Will do! Waiting for my grinder to arrive next month so I can try it with some fresh beans, right now I'm still using the free Veneziano pre-ground coffee that came with the Breville Father's Day promotion 😂

[Alarcilam01]

I ended up buying the Pesado basket. There isn’t an IMS reference like the Amazon one, it just says “PSDBV18g by IMS” on one side and “Pesado 26 Made in Italy” on the other.

Let’s us know how you find it mate.

[ProfessorEgg]

I ended up buying the Pesado basket. There isn’t an IMS reference like the Amazon one, it just says “PSDBV18g by IMS” on one side and “Pesado 26 Made in Italy” on the other.

[Alarcilam01]

Hi everyone!

Does anyone know how this Pesado basket compares to the IMS basket from Amazon? Commercial link removed as per Site Posting Policy

From the item description, the Pesado basket is also by IMS and there is a size designed for the Breville 54mm portafilters (both 18g and 20g sizes available). Seems like an equivalent/comparable basket to the Amazon one but cheaper?

Ohh.. they could be the same or too similar.. damn it is 50 bucks cheaper too.. If I knew I would have bought that one instead. If someone buys that one it would be good to know the reference.

[ProfessorEgg]

Apologies for including an external link in my previous post, I didn't realise this was prohibited. The Pesado basket I referred to is on the Australian Pesado website named Filter Basket (it's the only item in the Basket section of their shop).