Sage / Breville Barista Pro Series - Video 2. Barista Pro Vs Bambino Plus & Smart Grinder Pro.

[@Coffee_Kev]

Re Hot water: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqeqfXSIpZ6mfdU

[@Zinnet85]

Oh my god the definitive video I was looking for. Many thanks you have earned a new subscriber!

[@Coffee_Kev]

Thanks :-)

[@kyleright7346]

There are two really under appreciated aspects of the pro: size and programmability. The bambino has a tiny drip tray and the auto purge feature basically means it needs to be cleaned after every use. Additionally, as you mentioned the bambino slides around the counter like a hokey puck. Not a huge deal but it is additional care that you must put into the Bambino. In addition to size, the Barista can be programmed more. As you mentioned you can program the temperature, but you can also program the infusion time. One can potentially increase extraction by playing around with infusion time. Ultimately, I wish Breville had gone with the Infuser body and upgraded insides similar to what they did in upgrading the Barista Express to the Barista Pro. This would have allowed them the space to keep the programming and weight while upgrading the insides. In this case, the “Infuser Plus” with a separate grinder would be the ultimate setup in this segment.

[@Coffee_Kev]

Hi Kyle, Yes you're right. Did I not mention pre-infusion? Doh!! You can play around with pre-infusion with the Bambino plus too but only manually, not with the pre-programmed shot buttons. Yes I agree with what you're saying, I'd love to see an "Infuser Pro" type machine. Cheers Kev

[@DanGroveTube]

Thanks for the video, exactly the conundrum I was having. I have the Smart Grinder Pro but was debating whether to use it only for filter and get a Barista Pro or spend less and be slightly more inconvenienced. Think I will go with the Bambino Plus after seeing this.

[@Coffee_Kev]

Cheers Daniel.

[@elainebuckley4984]

Thanks for the comparison Kev. I've been debating between the two. Going from a pod machine to my 1st expresso machine has been an eye opener to say the least! I've watched all of your videos & found them very useful. Love your infectious enthusiasm for coffee 😃 As a result I've just ordered the Barista Pro from Sage 😉 & 2 bags of coffee from you to try. Great discount thanks.. No doubt you'll be teaching me how to dial in etc. ☕

[@msdixie1972]

How do you like it now?

[@Kindmanwithhopes]

8:30 but then bambino plus cant adjust the temperature as barista pro does, it is also hard to try various coffee beans.

[@markdolby]

Loving the new set and improved production values!

[@Coffee_Kev]

Thanks Mark :-)

[@mrinsanitii]

Ive ordered my bambino plus late last year and its getting delivered tomorrow. Cant wait for my bambino to come! Just need to pair it with a grinder and im thinking to get breville smart grinder pro. Great comparison and either machine is a good purchase.

[@Coffee_Kev]

Thanks :-). I think the Smart Grinder Pro is a good option - I've had mine 5 years now.

[@imfanuvsport]

Thanks for the review. One thing I really don't understand is the missing fact that a separate grinder does a lot better job at grinding than the one builded in. (could be eureka mignom manuale for same price tag). But wouldn't that create a better coffee when the grinding is better and therefore favor the bambino plus?

[@Coffee_Kev]

Yeah going for separate machines does give you the ability to go for a higher quality grinder, as I mention in the video, but I think it's probably a bit of a sweeping statement to say that a separate grinder does a much better job - it would depend on the grinder, and also the difference between the two isn't only the grinder, there are quite a few other differences too. Cheers.

[@msdixie1972]

My question is not as much about retention as the grind size differences - not just at first, but once I’ve learned how to dial in and want to vary what I’m brewing?

[@ronnyskaar3737]

Isn't it another advantage with the bambino pluss and grinder, that you actually can use the grinder easily for your V60 and so on?

[@nisreennawar1959]

The barista pro with a volumetric programmed shot just like the bambino plus? Thanks!

[@Thomasmoney96]

Hi, wondering if anyone can help, not sure whether to go for the Bambino Plus or the barista pro, only thing I'm unsure on is if it's worth all the extra to have adjustable temperature control? Any help or advice would be appreciated!

[@Coffee_Kev]

Hi Thomas, adjustable Brew temp isn't the only difference. The major difference is integrated grinder vs stand alone. Depending on what grinder you go for, you potentially have more fine tuning and better ability to dial in with the Bambino plus and a separate grinder. But then there's the LCD display on the pro, the shot timer, easier accessed cleaning cycles, bigger drip tray. I actually wish they made a version of the barista pro without the integrated grinder allowing people to pair it with a more capable grinder, as the pro is a really good machine for the £, but even though it has double the grind settings as the express its still not got the ideal fine tuning adjustment

[@Thomasmoney96]

@@Coffee_Kev thanks for the reply it's much appreciated! I already have the smart grinder pro so unsure whether to go for the Bambino Plus and use my current smart grinder pro for all of my coffee grinding or to get the barista pro and then keep the smart grinder pro for v60 and aeropress use only. Yeah would make things a lot simpler if they offered the barista pro but without the integrated grinder!

[@Coffee_Kev]

Yeah I appreciate the quandary. Personally if you already have the grinder I'd be tempted to go for the Bambino plus. You'll get very similar results from both although you'll probably be able to dial slightly better with the sgp, and the shot timer and other benefits of the LCD are handy, but they're not crucial.

[@Thomasmoney96]

@@Coffee_Kev cheers for the reply and the advice, really appreciate it! All the best!

[@tyo101]

Thanks, Kev, useful video 👍🏻

[@Coffee_Kev]

Thanks :-)

[@giginavam1966]

Hi! Which machine froths better? Or would you say they are pretty similar? I enjoy milk drinks

[@DanielDotM]

Both the same

[@dave_s_vids]

Just so you know, you CAN dispense hot water on the Bambino Plus via the steam wand! Pull the wand out, hold your cup under it and hold the 1 cup and froth setting buttons (far bottom right) for a couple of seconds and it'll start dispensing hot water until you press the 1 cup button to stop.

[@Coffee_Kev]

You're right David! Thanks :-)

[@pontusthuren2197]

Great video! Thnsks, this helped me make Up My Mind :) I used to have a Delonghi bco 421,s combo. It broke down only after a year. So I was looking for a proper machine to realy upgrade My coffey :) I have ha real good grinder already, so I'll go with the bambino :) Gonna be awesome:D

[@Coffee_Kev]

Cheers :-)

[@207micro]

Thank you for this comparation. My question would be...is the grinder pro that much better than the build in grinder of the barista pro? I am thinking of buying the Barista pro... I just want to start with all in one machine for the convenience. I am not the only one in the familie drinking coffee and it might be overwhelming for some people to learn more machines at once... I want to start with 1 favorite bland and dial it to the "perfection"... later on when I decide to try more sorts coffee beans I'll probably upgrade to something like a niche zero... And the rest of the family can still just use the Barista Pro if they don't feel like learning new things...

[@Coffee_Kev]

Sorry for the delayed reply. It's an interesting question, and the simple answer is no, I don't think so. I think (I'll have to check this) it's the exact same burrs, just different adjustment settings. The main point about the benefit having a separate espresso machine and grinder is it gives you more choice with the grinder, and you don't have all your eggs in one basket. As far as grinder quality goes, for an integrated grinder machine I think the inbuilt grinder on the Barista pro is great.

[@lupee10]

I had the Barista Express, it's a decent grinder but now I'm making an upgrade to the Bambino plus + Smart Pro Grinder, I belive it's a better grinder even they have the same conic burr, and this depends on the motor, it's better distributed than the other machine, but let's see if the theory is correct!

[@sjorlando7282]

SGP has more adjustments than the grinder in the Pro. Mainly because of theuse for Drip/Pourover/French press. The Built ins on Express and Pro were not setup to give you those coarser grinds. Yes they have the same burrs….. and the outer burr has 10 adjustments as well. So for the SGP you have 0-60 on the side knob… plus 10 on the outer burr - so theoretically 600 settings.

[@minettecristales3290]

Hi Kev, nice video! I have no barista experience whatsoever but prefers latte drinks. I have no problem manually steaming the milk and I have no equipment as of the moment. Which is better to start with, Barista Pro or Bambino Plus? Many thanks! ❤️

[@NoZenith]

You would be fine with the Bambino. You'd save money and the only thing you would lose is the solenoid valve that relieve the pressure on the puck after you finish extracting. It makes backflushing more difficult when it's time to clean but that's the only other thing to consider. I'm curious what you wanted up with. I've been intensely researching over the last six months and I keep coming back to the Bambino Plus

[@minettecristales3290]

Neither. I got a so-so machine but I was happy with it for a while. I’m going to upgrade with a bambino plus once I convince myself it’s worth to wake up at 5am to make a cappuccino before heading for work. I’ve been reading from comments to go with a good-ish machine then get a great grinder. Let me know what you got!

[@hash5191]

@Coffee_Kev you look so different here, great vid! I'm still on the fence getting the DB vs Bambino and great grinder, say Eureka Zero. Is the milk on the DB more silky and cafe quality compared to the BP? Same with the espresso?

[@mez_cal]

Very helpful video with its review

[@Coffee_Kev]

Thanks Alex :-)

[@mez_cal]

@@Coffee_Kev pleasure is ours ;-)

[@mondarinvino107]

do you know if the grinder on the Barista Touch is the same as on the Pro, or is it different?

[@dommymac7458]

Hay Kev I'm dying to buy a electric coffe grinder (sick of my rhino hand grinder inthe mornings takes about 3mins to grind per cup fml) I'm trying to decide to between wilfa svart and the sage smart pro I use aeropress, French press and clever dripper mostly, what would you recommend mate !??!

[@Coffee_Kev]

Hi :-), more grind settings with the smart grinder pro, and very nice to use too, with the LCD display etc., but Svart is half the price, and should be fine for Aeropress, French press and pourover. I've just bought the Svart, I'll review it, compare it with the Smart grinder pro - and then a patreon supporter will win it. patreon.com/coffeeblogkev Cheers :-)

[@dommymac7458]

@@Coffee_Kev thanks so much for the reply buddy!!! Will jump on patreon today ; love ya content! Its actually helpd by coffee-lockdown ocd!!! 😆 #obsession😆✌

[@NoZenith]

There is minor adjustability in Brew temperature on the Bambino plus. There are three different temperatures you can choose from I don't remember what they are but it's on every other review

[@Coffee_Kev]

This is on the auto milk steaming only. There's no adjustable brew temp on the Bambino plus. Cheers, Kev.

[@NoZenith]

@@Coffee_Kev oh! I misunderstood another video review. They also were ingesting pre infusion and discussing temperatures and I kind of connected the wrong dots. Thank you. Going back and looking at the 3 other very complete videos (that all said you couldn't get hot water out of it as well 😆) The only thing this unit doesn't do that I would appreciate would be to adjust the temperature up-and-down a couple degrees. Give me a high medium and low like it gives you the ability to Increase in decrease milk temperature or increase in decrease the preinfusion time and I would be exceptionally happy. I think I'm gonna go for it anyway. I'm in the US so I'm going to wait for the black Friday sales in a month and see if there are any good deals before I commit to it

[@mz-hv2vh]

Interesting comparison

[@wowozaable]

There is a hot water function on bambino plus! Have to press two buttons at same time

[@Coffee_Kev]

Yup, kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqeqfXSIpZ6mfdU

[@riccardopepe1442]

It's incredible that in a 10 minutes of video there is no mention to the most important thing... The quality of the espresso you can make with one or the other

[@abdolrezashirvani7678]

Barista pro comes with m2 grinder burrs. You can make 9/10 quality shots with it easily

[@kenroman777]

Coffee Kev Kevin are you available for support or do you not offer that service?

[@Coffee_Kev]

Hi Ken, What support do you need? Cheers Kev

[@ryanburr8419]

Actually the Bambino Plus does dispense hot water through the steam wand. Press the steam and one shot bottons at the same time to start and then press any button to stop dispensing hot water. I wish there was a dedicated button but for sure a hidden feature is better than no feature. Other than that I liked your comparison a lot. Very fair I thought.

[@Coffee_Kev]

Haha, thanks Ryan - you're right. Quite a few people have been telling me this, you're quite right, pressing and holding the single shot button and the froth settings button for about half a second does the trick, it's a fairly reasonable pressure it comes out at too!

[@ryanburr8419]

@@Coffee_Kev Yeah, the only problem is the heat. From memory it's only in the mid 60s Celsius. Not hot enough for a black tea so I can't retire my kettle yet.

[@RichardoBrit]

So handy to side-by-side. The Bambino Plus is a great value for what it offers… I just can’t get past it looking like a cheap plastic machine. The Pro looks so much more solid and impressive sitting on the counter. I know that’s not why you buy a machine, but the Pro costs $800 and looks like $1000 and the Bambino costs $500 and looks like it costs $200. But I don’t need the built-in-grinder…

[@Coffee_Kev]

I guess its personal preference, My dad has just got the bambino because he has a small kitchen and no room for a larger machine, The Pro is an impressive machine, but I also have a great love and respect for the Bambino Plus. Cheers Kev

[@godintheshell]

Its been 2 years and this comment is truly underrated lol. I totally agree with you that even though money should be spent wisely, but cmon look at the two machines. The Pro looks 10x better than the Bambino.

[@tyrantofmiletus5611]

I really want a Smart Grinder Pro, but they are all sold out!

[@Coffee_Kev]

They're back in stock now (at the time of writing...) cheers.

[@MoustermindTCG]

@@Coffee_Kev that's strange, I've been checking for the last few days and it's still unavailable to buy. For some reason one colour says out of stock, but the other two simply have no add to basket option 😅

[@josefprossegger3278]

was machst du mit deinen händen ?

[@Coffee_Kev]

Almost everything

[@bargeonline]

The Gaggia Classic wins :)

[@Coffee_Kev]

haha

[@iriniyfandi5402]

A maximum temp of 70°C with the brew temp set to maximum.Dude, you don't know what awful coffee you make

[@31acruz]

So after sticking through 10 minutes of this video we still don't know if these machines make a basic cup of coffee? seriously, you didn't think that was kind of 'relevant' to cover? I believe they are called Americanos.