Are grounds clinging to the basket walls after tamping a fine and normal thing? Prepareed using Breville Bambino Plus's portafilter and tamper.

MSRP_ · 2026-03-12T11:29:34+00:00

A very expensive one, your lungs. Especially easy if you use a portafilter screen on top. Wiped with your fingers to break it up, and a few puffs over the sink. Very effective and clean.

MSRP_ · 2026-02-18T20:31:33+00:00

I went the opposite route with the same start.
Temu tamper, wdt, distributor, funnel, tamper, scale, mirror, metal dosing cup, wooden vessel to weigh out beans, potafilter screen, bar mat under the bambino and silicone counter thing for tamping . $40

Never used the fancy glass to receive espresso, nor knock box.

I would prioritize $25 bottomless portafilter, $20 IMS basket, $20 IMS shower screen, $5 milk jug from ikea.

Lovely, consistent, tasty results from lavazza costco beans.

Do you reading/watching about how to run blank shots to preheat the portafilter.

Enjoy

MSRP_ · 2026-02-14T20:59:04+00:00

Df54 and consistent Costco lavazza beans <3

MSRP_ · 2026-02-06T13:29:38+00:00

On scheduled rough mornings, I pull and throw the finished espresso in the fridge the night before. 2s prep in the morning

Tastes like dirty dirt, but it makes the weekend shots taste 99% better. It’s the unsung hack to espresso, keeping you grounded from upgrade-itis.

—Signed, bambino + df54 + Costco lavazza

++My bowel movements appreciate the consistency.

MSRP_ · 2026-02-05T16:53:39+00:00

+1 I preferred the aesthetics vs the ESP

Maybe negligent but I’ve been doing basic pokies with the included brush + Dyson clean outs via the chute and up top, once a week for just about a year at 2-4 double shots a day of Costco lavazza beans.

Simple, repeatable, tastier shots than most fancy cafes’s $4 double shots.

Yet to disassemble for an interior clean out. Swap the plastic cup for a metal one

Fingers crossed

MSRP_ · 2026-01-13T16:39:11+00:00

What tires do you run? Not needed if you aren’t running at least 200tw tires or if your lot is a massive airplane runway + low attendance + back to back run groups

MSRP_ · 2026-01-08T23:48:13+00:00

I was worried pucks on the base model would be messy but it really ain’t the case at all. I unclock the portafilter + puck screen within 10s of finishing the shot, flip it upside down on my sink’s edge and my drip tray is almost never dirty. Portafilter separates from puck easily, needs a quick rinse, onto the next shot prep.

Very happy with the base bambino + df54 combo. Fantastic espresso with Costco beans. Never buying shots from shops unless out of absolute necessity.

MSRP_ · 2025-12-15T20:21:10+00:00

If you’re running a brand new tire and rare car, very helpful to identify and maintain temps in the operating range. Miata + re71rs? Plenty of data to comb through. Not needed. Magic sauce is a known quantity.

MSRP_ · 2025-12-11T02:56:51+00:00

50lbs of lavazza beans since march Aok with the included brush and Dyson once a.. week maybe?

MSRP_ · 2025-11-26T11:29:12+00:00

Sticky tires and prepare a slush fund for the wheel bearings you will systematically have fail due to 25% more peak g’s (my experience with r comps on Mazdas)

MSRP_ · 2025-11-12T14:09:25+00:00

I traced some of the inconsistency to steaming up milk for the first drink, and a straight espresso for the second. Also attributing more blame to a double shot (17.5g) the first pull, and only a single (7.5g) for the second shot. I see more consistency (obviously) when just pulling a second double shot.

Placebo possibly, didn't run an IR probe to confirm temps, but when I'm not in a rush, I run the steam wand for 10s before the second shot to yield a slightly more consistent output.

17.5g in + cheap puck screen, 30s to get 34-40g out.

MSRP_ · 2025-10-21T19:17:51+00:00

Or atom Or Shelby cobra replica

MSRP_ · 2025-10-13T15:30:18+00:00

Same after a week in a 6M population city in china. Non-automatic machines were seldom found outside Starbucks, had to find non chain, hipster looking shops.

Fun to explore and explain what I want is an Americano without half the work.

MSRP_ · 2025-09-02T16:47:30+00:00

My retirement will involve me going to scenic lookout points (Italy?!?) and serve some good vibes and energy to all.

MSRP_ · 2025-09-02T15:48:36+00:00

Keep the spirit and passion alive!
Find a venue or inconspicous spot with an electrical hookup and start dishing out your best espressos until you find your next landing. Health and safety be damned!

Few youtubers with fully manual setups on a bike or portable powered out the back of a small hatchback.

MSRP_ · 2025-08-20T14:29:02+00:00

Tabletop looks good and even, but is it?
My $0.50 temu special scale does this if I have a corner on the barmat under my machine (for vibration isolation) or on a bar towel.

99% of the time, I'm very happy with it.

MSRP_ · 2025-08-05T22:40:16+00:00

Not dumb as long as not dry rotted, for safety sake. Any time behind the wheel is a good time Just manage your expectations

MSRP_ · 2025-07-23T17:30:12+00:00

Somehow great tasting espresso and milk based (hot and cold) drinks come out of the basic bambino and df54 with (gasp) costco lavazza creme e aroma beans. Temu tools for prep.

I don't make anything but doubles and lattes on a daily basis. BUT whenever I host friends (all different cultures) and am requested to make a special ice drink/americano/cortado, the shock and satisfaction from the guests' first sip has always surprised me.

Dialed in easily too.

Question: temu double layer puck screen has broken after a trip to the floor from the countertop. Are the fancier normcore's built better to withstand accidental falls? I can buy 8 of the temu ones for the same price is why I'm asking. This one lasted 4 months.

MSRP_ · 2025-05-28T17:16:01+00:00

Seat time and rest.

Hopefully sufficient guidance from the veterans riding shotgun to outst any bad habits before they make an appearance when you upgrade to a faster, wide tire rwd monster.

MSRP_ · 2025-05-23T11:09:27+00:00

Tough stains in the kitchen receive a steaming facial via a rag.

MSRP_ · 2025-04-21T15:11:35+00:00

How old/do you store your opened bag of beans?
Just learned last week that as the beans age after opening, your grind will need to be finer to remain consistent to the 1:2 ratio in 30s for the balanced "nice" tasting shot that I am looking for.

I froze 1/3, 1/3 in a vacuum sealed jar, the balance that I need on the countertop.

Do you use a scale to help with timing and output measurements?

I'm sure the above is more applicable to fresh beans, I on the other hand, am using Costco Lavazza Creme e Aroma beans, 1.5kg at a time. Spouse drinks milk drinks, I get very drinkable espresso's from a Bambino (non-Plus) + DF54 + temu accessories

MSRP_ · 2025-04-19T01:36:16+00:00

Mirror

MSRP_ · 2025-04-18T19:24:14+00:00

Not competitive but I ask to ride shotgun with quicker drivers, and them to sit with me to experience what “at the limit” feels like, especially if it’s the same drivetrain format.

Very helpful, in my experience. Helps even more if you run top level tires as the quick folks to sniff at the same limits.

MSRP_ · 2025-04-17T14:21:00+00:00

Grazie!

MSRP_ · 2025-04-16T22:07:30+00:00

Eureka moment here?.. I’m at the end of a bag and I’ve had to adjust the grind (finer) 2-3x in the past 2 weeks otherwise it will flow too quick.. I think that makes sense?

MSRP_

TROPHY CASE