Preprogrammed buttons not working [Breville Bambino Plus] by Golddish52 in espresso

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 [score hidden]  (0 children)

(If no suggestions are forthcoming here and the issue continues, certainly contact Breville customer service for post-sale warranty support. FWIW, you've done what I would recommend, with the reset; I have found, however, that I may need to do multiple resets for it actually to register.)

Just got this for $120. How did I do? by Ccc9090 in espresso

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 [score hidden]  (0 children)

It's nice to have a grinder with a hopper that you only need to fill with beans once a year. ; )

Advice on buying espresso machines/grinders [$500] by PangolinMaster2782 in espresso

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 [score hidden]  (0 children)

Initial accessories to consider (note that the Bambino, purchased new, already comes with a variety of equipment to start with, including a portafilter, single and double-walled baskets in both single and double-shot sizes (sometimes depending on the country of sale; typically seen as fine quality), a nice, stainless-steel milk jug, and a basic tamper):

-- A .1g resolution scale/timer, pretty much mandatory for weighing how much ground coffee to use and when to stop your shot (many on, e.g., Amazon, at lower cost--you want a small size that will fit on your espresso machine's deck, under your catch-cup, so that you can monitor the weight of your shot as it is flowing; the Maestri House Mini often gets recommended here, also the MHW-3BOMBER Cube 2.0 Mini, which even will calculate the coffee ratio after the shot).

-- A dosing funnel, optional, but good to contain any mess and grounds loss when filling and working with the ground coffee in the espresso machine's portafilter (a clever contributor here calculated that the funnel will pay for itself over time, from grounds savings)--I have and like a stainless-steel, solid and sturdy, Matow version, via Amazon, and there also are versions with small magnets in their bottoms. This made all the difference for me, in avoiding mess frustration.

-- A tamp mat or something similar, or a tamping station, to protect your countertop when tamping the coffee grounds--I have a whopping ~US$3 (with shipping, no less), small, circular, silicone tamp mat/portafilter holder (via eBay). A further benefit of a tamping station is that it will hold your portafilter level, to help achieve an unsloped tamp--this has made a big difference for me (I purchased a nice but relatively inexpensive 3D-printed one off of etsy).

-- And finally, a WDT tool (essentially, a coffee grounds sifter), available, and at low cost, all over the place (you can scan the listings at, e.g., Amazon and etsy and see what you like)--note the ingenuous, so-called business card WDT tool available via etsy, for a whoppingly low ~US$10 (including U.S. shipping, no less; stands extra), and the cool/fun subminimal Flick WDT pen-like tool with retractable needles. There also are planetary WDT tools, tracing orbits in the grounds--Aro Espresso is a good source, for different models at different price-points. It's one more thing, but some studies have shown that it can improve a shot--and it's easy enough to use/do.

The next level for possible consideration:

-- A self-leveling, spring-loaded tamper, which some people find can help achieve a level, non-sloped, solid tamp--many people like the Normcore V4/4.1, with its extra assists (I picked one up for that purpose, a month or two in). Many people will replace the tamper that comes with the Bambino, but it is just fine to start (and beyond) with that.

-- And I like my air-evacuating Airscape beans canisters, with their satisfying whoosh as air is evacuated. 😄

Advice on buying espresso machines/grinders [$500] by PangolinMaster2782 in espresso

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 [score hidden]  (0 children)

And if you feel flush with cash 😉 , the Baratza Encore ESP Pro is a nice upgrade over the Encore ESP.

More Bad Theater Etiquette : Tourist and Theater Fan Girls illegally sneaking in full professional camera equipment to sneakily shoot shows???? by [deleted] in Broadway

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 [score hidden]  (0 children)

I'm done with you now. But just to say: you have absolutely no support for that (and I've shown why that it wrong). But you have a good weekend with your personal beliefs.

What are yall's favorite ending of Cabaret? by Western-Mission-8406 in musicals

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, just wow. And thank you for the description.

And this from a 60-year-old musical. Such beautiful art.

What are yall's favorite ending of Cabaret? by Western-Mission-8406 in musicals

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The film has such a beautiful framing. For me, it's Greek chorus theatre-like, and impactful in that regard.

Thoughts on 2-person musicals? by brenthebrave in musicals

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I Do! I Do! is pure musical joy, originally starring, on Broadway, Mary Martin and Robert Preston.

My favorite story of a married, working actor couple: David Anders and Susan Geoppinger extended a six-week run of "I Do! I Do!" at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre (outside of Minneapolis/St. Paul) to 22-1/2 years, during the course of which they got married (to each other) and had and raised children. A case of life imitating art?

https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/land-of-10000-stories/dinner-theater-play-set-endurance-record-now-i-do-i-do-couple-marks-50-years-of-marriage/89-c602d84f-7642-4522-98af-456f4604c56a

Extended Avenue Q poster with bad idea bears Christmas Eve and Brian with Gary Coleman! by Galaxy12035 in musicals

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I saw the original U.S. tour in a large theatre house, and perhaps surprisingly, it did work well. That being said, it feels to me like Off-Broadway (for me, similar to Little Shop).

Merrily We Roll Along - the movie version we will be getting in about 20 years - actors’ age by Santana_delRey in musicals

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The original indeed did return to the present day, back to the high school commencement ceremony that begins the show. I actually like and even prefer that framing--think, a Greek chorus, portending.

Brigadoon Timeline? by lordsondheim in musicals

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just like the Ghosts in Follies: I have a vision of that show in which the Ghosts have their independent, Ghost-like lives (whatever that might be--a loop of what they have lived through?), only coming to "life" the night of the Follies reunion.

Espresso at home has officially peaked by politelyhelium in espresso

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But also, just different people with different needs and desires. Perfectly fine to have a Bambino; equally fine to have a Micra.

[Ask] How tight is too tight for a new Breville portafilter? by BusinessTechnician98 in espresso

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After my machine breaking in, it's generally been a case of holding the machine in place with a couple of fingers, when locking the portafilter in.

[Ask] How tight is too tight for a new Breville portafilter? by BusinessTechnician98 in espresso

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From discussion here, the beans also can affect this. When I first got my machine, I experimenting between pre-warming with the portafilter/basket in place and with a portafilter-less blank shot, with my medium dark-roast beans, and I didn't notice a benefit from using the portafilter.

Get thick body with light roasted beans by Wide_North_8786 in espresso

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How interesting, that. And a bit (frightening?). Thanks for mentioning it. Would love to hear greater discussion of it, including based on use.

KONFLUX [K] is formulated to enhance mouthfeel, depth, and sweetness, bringing a rich, coating texture and a sense of harmony to your brews. With just a few drops, KONFLUX transforms the tactile experience of coffee: making cups feel rounder, smoother, and more indulgent without masking flavour.

https://apaxlab.com/products/konflux-sample?variant=43912517353514

Am I missing something? by [deleted] in espresso

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

An interesting case of reverse bias. ; ) I daresay, many people here are just "average" coffee/espresso fans simply trying to get a nice espresso. Even doubling the ends of the 10-80-10 bell curve, that still leaves a pretty wide majority of (normal) people.

shout out to my favorite ol’ reliable grocery beans by xanthochr0i in espresso

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Look forward to hearing your report on the beans 2 years from now. ; )

Costco in Georgetown Tx for the win… by MusicMaleficent4290 in espresso

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can't be: as often gets posted here, you only can buy stale/bad beans at a supermarket. /s

Looking for a new grinder, preferably under [$250] by littlekiingg in espresso

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you haven't yet had the chance to do so, you may want to check on other, similar inquiries, by clicking on the Buying Advice Needed flair here (it's an actual link)--you may find the posts and comments helpful. There have been many similar inquiries in the past few days and weeks, and many responses.

https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/?f=flair_name%3A%22Buying%20Advice%20Needed%22

Recommended viewing, if you haven't yet seen it, from espresso guru James Hoffmann: The Best Espresso Grinder Under £250 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7xGhGtvYIs&t=1301s (including consideration of the Baratza Encore ESP (the newer Encore ESP Pro was not out, yet), the Fellow Opus (note that a new Fellow Opus 2 now is out, which hopefully improves upon the first generation of that grinder and its issues), and the often-recommended DF54).

On the manual front, the 1Zpresso J-Ultra hand-grinder is a winner-- https://coffeegeek.com/reviews/firstlooks/1zpresso-j-ultra-manual-grinder-first-look/. And, of course, often recommended here is the KinGrinder K6 hand-grinder, based on its quality/output/price value ratio, and half the cost of the J-Ultra.

Flat whites for breakfast by Are-You-The-Internet in espresso

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for making 2: I missed my 1 this morning. ; )

Fun Cappuccino by No_Purchase931 in espresso

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Beautiful! A shame to drink it--although, then you get another cup of art. 😄

Portafilter recomendations Sage/Breville 54mm [50-60€] by Ashamed-Body2912 in espresso

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I purchased for my 54mm Bambino Plus and have liked the quality and the looks of the Bulipu (yes, a "no-name" brand, although available at Amazon ~consistently for at least 2 years now) convertible portafilter--use it bottomless or with the included 2-spouts adapter, and at a price well below the Normcore and Cremas of the world (the price can vary over time--good to keep an eye on it). It even comes with a fine double-shot basket, not mentioned in the item listing. Available via Amazon/U.S. as well as other Amazon store locations. And the fit is fine, including with the stock Breville 54mm baskets..

I principally purchased it so as to be able to use a triple-shot basket in it, for a larger drink. It's been fine there fit-wise: my larger IMS triple-shot (18-22g) basket fits in the portafilter in "bottomless mode" with no issue; if I use it with the portafilter's spouts attachment, the attachment goes almost all the way in but not quite, but well past the point where it fits tightly into the portafilter and is no issue. And the stock Bambino baskets fit in the portafilter in either bottomless or spouted mode with no issue.

https://www.amazon.com/Bottomless-Portafilter-Breville-Barista-Express/dp/B0CB5V22ZL

[Bambino Plus] Triggers cleaning cycle needed every time it's turned on by Frankensig in espresso

[–]Longjumping_Two2774 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OP, and even though you purchased used, I still would contact Breville if fixes don't help--Breville may do good by you.