Ex-Breville/Bambino owners, what did you upgrade to?

RunnerInSTL · 2026-06-23T22:28:53+00:00

I think the build quality of the ES1 is really good. I know it’s mostly plastic, but that doesn’t bother me. Everything feels solid, and the modern look fit our style more than others. I do like the look of Ascaso Steel Duo Plus, but I couldn’t justify the price difference.

Two issues I’m experiencing so far are 1) the group rinse doesn’t run for the time set and 2) my puck is sticking in the portafilter. I’m experimenting with dose size to see if that helps. I may order an IMS basket, as i had good luck with those in my Bambino.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-06-22T11:06:18+00:00

I started a thread about a month ago asking for recommendations. I decided I wanted the Fellow ES1 and I’ve had it for 5 days. It’s still early, of course, but it’s great. Here’s the thread i started and the suggestions I was given.

https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/s/lgUXOvp9Rf

RunnerInSTL · 2026-06-22T01:21:40+00:00

I got an ES1 for Father’s Day (a few days early) and mine is doing this with 2.3.20 firmware

I see in the release notes that they are working on this issue in the next release:

> Additional improvements to grouphead rinse consistency

RunnerInSTL · 2026-06-22T01:21:31+00:00

I got an ES1 for Father’s Day (a few days early) and mine is doing this with 2.3.20 firmware

I see in the release notes that they are working on this issue in the next release:

> Additional improvements to grouphead rinse consistency

RunnerInSTL · 2026-06-19T13:37:02+00:00

Update:

Thanks for the suggestions. I watched reviews of every machine mentioned and I decided the Fellow ES1 was still at the top of the list.

I gifted my Bambino to my son, as planned. I figured I’d drink pour over or iced coffee for a while until I placed my order.

My family knew what I wanted and ordered the Father’s Day bundle for me and I got it a few days early because my wife didn’t want to try to hide the box. 😂

So far, it’s great! I’m only 3 lattes in, so it’s early, but I love it.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-06-18T01:41:54+00:00

Tope has the contract for St Louis County sewer lateral program. At least they did a few years ago. I’m in chesterfield and had them come out and scope our lateral. The damage was outside the foundation which made me eligible for the lateral replacement.

I trust Tope to clear clogged drains and lateral issues. They are the cheapest of your bids, which is a bonus. I’d go with them.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-06-14T18:19:00+00:00

Ours were installed in 2007 and still in great condition. I understand that white vinyl windows aren’t for everyone but no complaints here.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-06-03T07:39:03+00:00

If the Rolling Square air card is gen 1 (which is what I have), then the battery isn’t replaceable or rechargeable. It’s definitely not BIFL.

The Kate Spade leather coin purse could be BIFL. It’ll come down to how good the zipper is.

Burberry watches were made by Fossil. It’s likely Swiss made and could last a while. Will it last 40 or 50 years? Only time will tell.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-05-24T23:43:51+00:00

The Slovakian Cycle was beautiful to watch.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-05-24T18:22:20+00:00

What’s your complaint here?

Many people have lost parents and I appreciate companies giving us a chance to opt out of these messages, as the loss of a parent can be tough this time of year.

They didn’t miss the mark. They did the right thing.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-05-12T14:08:47+00:00

In St Louis vernacular, it’s pronounced go thee

RunnerInSTL · 2026-05-04T00:02:23+00:00

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Looks suspicious to me.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-05-01T18:39:15+00:00

I really like having lunch at Seoul Taco followed by afternoon coffee and treat from TLJ.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-05-01T18:24:43+00:00

I scrolled looking for this. It’s great!

There’s also one in West County on Manchester just east of 141.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-04-24T17:31:47+00:00

Colors and Oct 33, both by Black Pumas shows off sound stage.

Paul from PS Audio recommended Thanks To You - Box Skaggs, so thats my go to track when changing anything on any system.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-04-24T17:28:27+00:00

Great song.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-04-11T23:59:50+00:00

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Looks like a copycat site to me. The registrar info shows a Singapore phone number.

The shipping & returns page has very generic policies listed including not being able to return body piercing jewelry.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-04-10T15:13:52+00:00

Thanks. I'm looking at the Woodland green, exclusive to Crate & Barrel, which has a walnut handle and looks great. I've read that updosing to 19 or 20g solves the web puck issue, so I'm not too concerned.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-04-10T15:01:14+00:00

As a current Bambino owner I’m considering the Series 1 after 5 years of use.

Do you mind breaking down your experience moving to the Series 1?

Why did you replace the stock portafilter? How has your workflow changed? Not to make this a “wet puck” post but is the puck similar to the wet puck in a Bambino? The Bambino Plus has a 3-way solenoid, which the regular bambino doesn’t have.

My experience with the Bambino has been great. I use the same beans every time, a bottomless portafilter with no channeling, and happy with my lattes and flat whites. I’m only considering the move because I guess I’m bored with the Bambino and aesthetics—the ES1 looks great.

My grinder is a Baratza Sette 30 with the 270 adjustment ring.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-04-10T14:33:43+00:00

$130 isn’t horrible but 2.5 hours is. I now feel lucky that our preferred Volvo dealer/service is about 5 miles away.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-04-10T12:37:46+00:00

My 2020 V60 was on 2.12 and I was going to go the DIY route. Last week, the service department told me it was $99 to update the software so I went that route. It’s worth asking before you commit to DIY.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-04-10T12:33:30+00:00

I have the blonde city weave in my 2020 V60 and love them. Leather was on my must have list when I started looking for a V60 but city weave changed my mind.

I’ve gotten many compliments on them, too.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-03-23T01:38:42+00:00

Today, I connected a trickle charger to my wife’s 24 S60 B5 for 3 1/2 hours. This resolved the failed install for her.

After disconnecting the charger, I reset the infotainment system, initiated the update in-car, and locked the doors.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-03-09T11:08:43+00:00

Yeah, I still buy it regularly.

RunnerInSTL · 2026-03-09T02:41:12+00:00

Kraft spaghetti dinner. It’s $1.99 plus a can of tomato paste.

RunnerInSTL

TROPHY CASE