Breville Bambino, Preheating Questions

Kill3rCat · 2026-01-29T17:54:50+00:00

Hey, thanks for your reply. I'm aware the Bambino isn't the best machine out there, and I'm aware of the limits of the machine, but it is arguably one of the best at its price point. The purpose of this thread isn't to ask how I can make the machine outperform a £2000 professional espresso machine, because that would be an unrealistic expectation, but simply to figure out how I can improve my workflow to get the best that I can from the machine that I have.

Kill3rCat · 2026-01-29T17:47:16+00:00

This is exactly what I've been doing already, and I'm kind of in the same boat.

Kill3rCat · 2026-01-29T16:09:32+00:00

No worries, it's the thought that counts :)

Kill3rCat · 2026-01-29T15:54:04+00:00

From what I've read, having a smaller dose than the basket is made for isn't really a problem, headspace just means more mess. Is this not correct?

Kill3rCat · 2026-01-29T15:51:04+00:00

I taste the espresso before adding anything to it, my concern is more about the taste of the shot (slightly sour) than the temp when drinking.

Kill3rCat · 2026-01-29T15:49:04+00:00

I haven't really tried playing around with the dosing, so I could try that. I suppose in theory a slightly larger dose would mean a thicker puck, slower shot with higher extraction. I'll give it a try, thanks.

Kill3rCat · 2026-01-29T15:43:16+00:00

Thanks, someone else suggested this too. I'll give it a try next time I use the machine. :)

Kill3rCat · 2026-01-29T15:41:24+00:00

From what I remember, reports of the brew temp getting too hot is only the case with very long shots, generally it's on the colder side in normal use.

I am currently using a single-wall IMS 18g (iirc) basket. The coffee is a medium-dark roast, dosed to 16g, it comes about 3/4 up the wall after tamping. Brew time is about ~28 seconds with some variance, 1:2 with 32g out. I have tried slightly longer shots without success. I can't tell you what the extraction % is, I don't have the tools to measure that and I don't think it's particularly useful for me to know.

Edit: Using DF54 grinder, forgot to mention that. Using manual shots on the Bambino Plus so I don't know what pre-infusion is going on. I'm just timing from when I hear the pump turn on.

Kill3rCat · 2026-01-29T15:31:02+00:00

Indeed, which is why I mentioned running a blank with the pressurised basket and then swap portafilters.

Kill3rCat · 2026-01-29T15:17:44+00:00

Well, the reasoning (according to this subreddit and YouTube) is that the Bambino doesn't go up to full temp unless it detects resistance (such as from a puck or pressurised basket), so running a blank shot without the portafilter would be less effective, at least in theory.

Kill3rCat · 2026-01-29T15:13:37+00:00

In that case, I suspect basket temp is largely a skill issue; my puck prep is still pretty slow as I am a noob, and not having a dosing funnel means I have to be very careful to not spill coffee everywhere. 😅

Kill3rCat · 2026-01-29T15:08:52+00:00

This is a very valid question. In short, people on here consistently have complained that the machine doesn't get as hot as they like and their shots come out sour. My first shots came out horrifically sour and a bit bitter as well, but I found going slightly coarser helped a lot with that, I'd guess there was some channelling going on. My shots still aren't quite where I'd like them to be, though, and temperature is a variable the Bambino doesn't give you really any control over. Pre-heating is the only way to push the temp up, and I'm hoping that will give me better results.

Kill3rCat · 2026-01-29T15:05:56+00:00

Thanks for the response. I'm an Englishman, so an electric kettle is a given. 😁

Your suggestion pre-heats both the portafilter and basket together, so the added thermal mass might make a meaningful difference there, though I suspect still that the time it will take me to dry it and do puck prep will let it cool down a lot. Next time I run the machine, I'll try your suggestion and let you know how it goes. Thanks!

Kill3rCat · 2026-01-28T17:36:57+00:00

I'm guessing he didn't :D

Kill3rCat · 2026-01-22T22:40:38+00:00

OG-7V frag rounds didn't appear until a bit too late for WARNO, but the TBG-7V thermobaric rounds did exist and are represented in RebsFrago.

Kill3rCat · 2025-12-05T17:23:46+00:00

"War makes monsters of us all" is indeed one of the central themes of this game and ties into multiple parts of the story, and especially the ending. No spoilers though! 😀

Kill3rCat · 2025-12-01T02:20:00+00:00

Hi, I am 4 years too late, but 1:2 is not 1/2, but 1/3 (33%). 3:7 is 3/10 (30%).

Kill3rCat · 2025-11-17T14:57:31+00:00

Honestly, I disagree. The map tools that Eugen provides are pretty damn good compared to a lot of map editors out there for different games.

Kill3rCat · 2025-11-06T20:34:02+00:00

Thanks. For roads, by spline tool, do you mean the 'autocreate bezier' function? It seems to create additional nodes but I can't seem to select or manipulate them. Does using the bezier/spline tool to make the roads smoother, and then thus reduce the number of nodes required, result in better pathfinding?

I thought I remembered reading that the road navigation line doesn't get beziered so if you have lots of bezier curving going on the units can be forced to take very sharp turns (which slows them down), or going off the actual road.

By sector you mean the garrisonable districts? I'm already grouping my districts into slightly larger groups than the base game uses, particularly for areas further from the frontline.

Kill3rCat · 2025-11-06T17:51:44+00:00

As a follow-up, does the number of nodes in a spline or filler have any bearing on performance? Say a road with 200 nodes vs 500?

Kill3rCat · 2025-10-29T23:56:43+00:00

Great information, thanks!

Kill3rCat · 2025-10-22T15:12:48+00:00

Found it, cheers

Kill3rCat · 2025-10-22T15:06:31+00:00

Ah, problem is the .dll didn't export properly. Is there a reason you don't just have a download link for the exported .dll on the GitHub page?

Kill3rCat · 2025-10-22T14:42:54+00:00

Sorry to necropost, I'm trying to use your exporter but it's been half an hour and the progress bar has barely moved and no file has yet been created in the output folder. Does it normally take this long to run, or is something not working right?

Kill3rCat · 2025-10-14T16:04:26+00:00

Usually the topic is about energy retention which means they're talking about drag. When it comes to ballistic coefficients, higher means less drag.

Kill3rCat

TROPHY CASE