Robot Barista (w Pressure Gauge)

I'd keep what you have unless you get something better (Bambino plus is not it). Sadly, better would mean more expensive unless you really go with a Cafelat Robot. Just make sure you have time to pull a shot before getting a Robot. Those would take about 5 to 10 min per shot (including the grinding and prep time) instead of less than 5 min. PS I'd recommend the Robot with the pressure gauge. I had one for a week and they really opened my eyes to proper pressure to pull a shot. Totally worth it IF you are willing to sacrifice time to make coffee in the morning.

BIFL; get a manual 1ZPRESSO grinder (J-Ultra or K-Pro) and a full manual level machine like the Flair 58, Rok Presso or Cafelat Robot. These are all machines with no electric parts, everything is replaceable and fixable and made from some kind of durable metals.

Even the Jura machines, which will be considered the best in the field (my uncle's 10 year old Jura is past it's 30,000 cup) would not be considered truly bifl. These machines use tap water, which even if filtered had calcium buildup. They use heat and have moving plastic parts. Right, with the proper maintenance you might squeeze 15 years from them, but at what cost? the coffee quality is mediocre, and you won't be able to enjoy excellent beans. You're limited to dark roasted beans and a certain profile. If you just want a simple no-fuss machine? the Cafelat Robot (or the ROK Presso Smartshot, if you want something easier) and a hand grinder would give you better results any day of the week.

I’ve got a Silvia and Robot + Nanofoamer pro and I haven’t used the Silvia in a loooong time. The Robot is just so much better.

I love my Cafelat Robot. If you need foamed milk then you are gonna miss a pump machine. But otherwise the espresso from a lever is just plain better. I don’t miss my Silvia at all.

I’m going to suggest something a little different. Cafelat Robot Barista + Fellow Skagg EKG Pro electric kettle. It’s so simple to use, very forgiving, has an enjoyable workflow, and the espresso is amazing. I can easily pull 3 double shots in like 5 minutes total - all consistently good. It’s also a machine that you can travel with if that’s important to you. I started with a Breville Bambino Plus that I now only use for the milk steamer. Since that’s not a concern for you, I highly recommend looking into the Robot. https://preview.redd.it/uur5vvzkplpg1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8d7d445de279e27428938303da192d7c3d4aeb9f

Man, I’m rooting for you and I hope you enjoy it. However, this really makes me appreciate my Cafelat Robot. No firmware, no milk modes, my kettle is on a schedule so it’s hot and ready the moment I wake up. I’m usually in the “more is better” camp, but I’m not sure what would be worth the upgrade at this point.

Thanks - I’m just trying to be honest and non-elitist haha. I’m a major rabbit hole kind of guy and started looking for a good deal on a la marzocco or Lelit pretty much the day after I got my bambino plus. I saw a robot pop up for sale locally, did a quick search, and picked it up - for only $250!. I haven’t looked for another machine since. The workflow is simple and the whole process is enjoyable. Even my “bad” pulls are good. It’s easy to dial in and I can pull back to back shots with consistency. I make a double for my wife and a quad for myself, every morning. Gone are the days she gets a good coffee and I get crap lol. I now only use the BBP for the steamed milk.

Electric kettle + nice grinder + Cafelat Robot! You can keep your current machine and use it just for milk. With the robot, you literally get the hands on experience pulling shots and the only limiting factor is how quickly your kettle can get to temp after you’ve gone through it. I absolutely love mine. You get an espresso that tastes as good as the really expensive machines for a fraction of the cost.

Do yourself a favor and get the Robot! The workflow is so simple compared to the Flair and the espresso is fantastic. I only use my BBP for milk now and don’t even feel bad about it haha. I also have no desire for any upgrades at this point - and I’m a “more is better” kinda guy. If you do go the manual route, I recommend pairing with the Fellows Skagg EKG Pro. The water is holding at temp when I wake up, then I grind, WDT, tamp, and pull a shot. The feedback when pulling a shot is enough for me to not even use a scale anymore. Happy to answer any questions if you have any. Team Robot 10/10.

Thanks for calling this out! I may be making this comment off a previous Flair model where the piston was a separate part that you would need to load in with each shot - with it being quite hot afterwards. I just looked up the F58+2 and it does look like a pretty similar workflow to the Robot. The robot has the integrated piston and you put the grinds, filter/shower screen and water all into a single portafilter basket. Pull your shot and then you purge the excess, pull off the shower screen, dump and reload. I also like how deep the portafilter is, and plan to experiment pulling a 25g triple soon! It seems the main differences are there’s no electronic group head pre-heating and the overall footprint of the Robot is smaller. I have cabinets overhead and I feel like the Flair lever could be an issue. I also feel like I’d prefer the ergonomics of the levers from the Robot over the Flair. It’s built like a tank and hasn’t needed any major design changes since it was first released. I don’t personally have experience with the Flair, so I’d like your perspective to help inform any future advice I have! I just know what I know and shouldn’t simply regurgitate what I hear!

I use a Cafelat Robot + Fellow Skagg EKG Pro kettle and I have a bambino plus I use strictly to steam milk with. Super happy with this set up. The espresso it pulls is amazing and the bambino does back to back milk easily (since it’s not being used to pull a shot). I love the workflow and the literal hands on experience. You get to decide the pressure profile and can adjust temp on the kettle as needed. If you can find one in stock, I highly recommend it!

Keep the BBP for steaming milk and get a cafelat robot. Opposite of the automation but I’m loving the manual machine and the espresso it makes. Feels like endgame for me haha. No input from me on grinders though. Good luck!

Don't know what your currency is, and starting with just a machine, and not pricing grinders etc into the amount If Australian dollar, just get a piccopresso and a couple of baskets. Also consider Hugh leverpresso or flair neoflex They will make a very good coffee, and you will learn a shit ton more than buying something where you are pretty well limited to pressing a button. If USD, get the barista model robot.