Breville has always been a reliable name when it comes to kitchen appliances Their coffee machines also have established a pretty goo reputation as entry level machines. This time around, the Breville company has once again put out a name for itself with the release of the Bambino. Because of the good reviews that has garnered, it has even come up with the Bambino Plus which is getting good reviews as well. How different is one from the other though? Is the Bambino Plus truly an upgrade of the original version?
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At the onset, the Bambino and Bambino Plus may not seem to be much different. Looking closely though, there is a significant difference between the two. The Bambino is slightly slimmer in dimensions than the Bambino Plus. Its design is also more simple, containing only a few buttons. The Bambino comes in brushed stainless steel compared to the Bambino Plus, which comes in different colors.
The Bambino Plus offers the following choices for its color palette: Black Truffle, Brushed Stainless Steel, Smoked Hickory, Sea Salt, Royal Champagne, Damson Blue and Oyster Shell.
The water tank’s capacity is bigger by almost half a liter for the Bambino Plus at 1.9 liters than the Bambino’s. This reduces the needs of frequent refills.
One good feature of the Bambino though that the Bambino Plus failed to adopt is its drip tray. The drip tray of the Bambino sees to be more solidly built and it easily fits to the Bambino unlike the drip tray of the Bambino Plus, which seems to be quite unstable when placed on the Bambino Plus.
Brew Quality
Both the Bambino and Bambino Plus do no disappoint when it comes to the quality of the brews they produce. Th extraction process used by both machines is quite precise due to features such as low pressure pre-infusion and Digital Temperature Control. Extraction is also made quickly due to the Thermo Jet Heating System feature of Breville. This system eliminates the need of preheating typical of other espresso machines so that extraction takes as quick as three seconds!
Both machines comes with a 54 mm portafilter. These can accommodate ground coffee weighing 19-22 grams. Both machines are capable of delivering single or double shots of espresso. Shot length can also be controlled by a simultaneous press of both the single and double cup buttons prior to starting the extraction process.
Steaming
The Thermo Jet System that is responsible for rapid coffee extraction makes it easy for the machine to transition from coffee extraction to steaming.
Both machines have milk frothing functions. The Bambino though makes use of the typical single steam wand since it is considered to be an entry-level machine. The wand is, of course, capable of producing good, foamy milk but it takes some learning and getting used to in order to come up with the perfect settings. The Bambino Plus, on the other hand, comes with three levels of temperature and texture control options. Even a first-time user who has o training in milk texturing whatsoever can produce quality microfoam similar to that produced by an experienced barista. An advantage of the Bambino’s wand though is that it ca be used as a hot water outlet for creating Americanos. That option is not available for the Bambino Plus.
Additional Features
The Bambino Plus has an added featue known as its auto-purge function. With this system, the machine is able to automatically reset temperature levels to that which is ideal for brewing espresso after each extraction cycle.
The Bambino Plus includes a stainless steel milk jug with each purchase too!
As for warranties, the Bambino Plus comes with a longer warranty up to two years, unlike the Bambino which comes with only a one-year warranty. Regardless of the warranties provided however, both machines are definitely of good quality and are built well enough for long-term use.
Final Words
There is no debate as to which machine can brew better espresso. Whether it’s the Bambino or Bambino Plus, both produce good quality espresso. The point of contention now lies in the frothing capabilities of each machine. Although both can produce the right quality of froth, the Bambino plus has pre-programmed frothing options which eliminate the need to adjust settings which are necessary to create the perfect froth.
If you plan to use the machine for a lot of milky espresso-based preparations, the Bambino Plus would be a better choice despite the additional expense. Otherwise, the Bambino in itself is already quite good for espresso brewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How different is the Breville Bambino from the Breville Bambino Plus?
The difference between the two machines is in the water tank and milk frother. The Bambino Plus has a bigger water tank than the Bambino.
As for the milk frother, the Bambino Plus has a milk frother that has three temperature and frothing preprogrammed settings which makes it easier to use. The Bambino comes with a single hole wand typical of espresso machines. Although this is still reliable, it may need some training in order to produce the desired froth.
Is there a difference between the number of holes on the steam wands of the Bambino and Bambino Plus?
The Bambino’s wand has one hole, while the Bambino Plus has four holes.
Can you do manual steaming on the Bambino Plus?
Yes, it is possible to use manual settings on the Bambino Plus.
Can you use charcoal filter pods on the Bambino Plus?
Yes. Charcoal filter pods may be used on the Bambino Plus.
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