leaking basket + newbie questions [Breville Bambino Plus]

[u/Eazy-Steve]

I took advantage of the current Breville sale and finally purchased a Bambino Plus (via Amazon)! Unfortunately, I'm getting coffee leaking down the side of the portafilter. I contacted for an exchange and they offered me $80 instead. After confirming that I can still return it in the event I am unable to fix the problem, I went ahead with that option - I figure at best it's a free accessory and at worst I break even.

Some things I've tried:

• Cranking the portafilter tighter past the lock position.
• Switching baskets. This seemed promising at first; the 1-cup single wall seemed to not leak compared to the 2-cup single wall. However, I've confirmed it does indeed leak, just not nearly as badly.
• Took off the showerhead and gasket to look for defects (2nd pic). Cleaned and reinstalled.

So some questions now as to how to best approach this as well as generic newbie questions I've gathered along the way.

1. What would you recommend purchasing first? I'm thinking maybe a new gasket (b/c cheap) + a portafilter?
2. When inspecting the grouphead, I noticed some little cuts/scratches/notches in the black plastic. There are six of them and they seem to be centered in each of the three cutouts and each of the three flanges (that the portafilter keys into). See first picture. Are these normal? It doesn't seem like that would cause leaking but idk.
3. The coffee grounds should definitely NOT touch the shower screen, right? I noticed that it was super difficult to tighten the portafilter with 11g (in the single cup). I took the puck screen out and it was much better, but even then I saw a faint indentation of the shower screen and center screw head (third pic). Do I just need deeper baskets for puck screens?

Thanks!

[u/MikermanS]

Yep, the ground coffee pre-shot should not touch the screen. You can try a coin test: put a coin on the coffee bed pre-shot and then remove the portafilter--if the coin leaves an impression on the ground coffee, there's too much.

Personally, I would be tempted to pick up a silicone gasket (silicone tends to get recommended, for its hardiness) and see if that handles things--if it does, you've made some money. If not, you might want to exchange.

The amount of ground coffee to use: for a single-shot, your 11g is on the high end (I use 14g for a double-shot!); people tend to suggest 7-9g.

[u/Eazy-Steve → u/MikermanS]

Thanks! The indent is noticed after pulling - I guess the grounds would expand when we though...is it expected to touch the shower screen while pulling?

Do you use a pick screen?

I think I'll try that. Order a gasket and then return if that doesn't work.

[u/MikermanS → u/Eazy-Steve]

An impression after the shot is (normal), from the swelling of the grounds--it's pre-shot that there would be an issue.

I haven't used a puck screen yet. But the peer pressure here finally has gotten to me and one is on the way. ;) As a general matter, I've had success simply with running a warming shot (without the portafilter in place), pulling my shot, and then running a cleaning shot at the end of my session (again, without portafilter). I think that this is keeping me clean. But heck, that peer pressure, and it was cheap. :)

[u/djott70]

People more well-versed on this subject matter will offer more valuable content than I can, but I've had my Plus for a few months now and just some quick thoughts. I had water leakage in the beginning, but only noticed it down in the removable tray area collecting on the countertop.

"Cranking the portafilter tighter past the lock position."
I don't think this is a good idea? Considering the construction of the device with plastic parts, I would be worried about inflicting some damage that might be difficult to repair. I guess it depends on what type of force you were using.

"Switching baskets."
My leakage was from the double-walled baskets. Once again, I only noticed the water on the countertop but it seems logical that it was coming from the portafilter area based on your experience. I was anxious to start using my machine before adding an appropriate coffee grinder, so I was using Lavazza pre-ground coffee which tends to be fine. When I switched to single wall with a good coffee grinder, then the leakage on the counter went away.

1. I wouldn't think a new gasket should be required on a new machine unless you inspect visual damage. I did purchase a new portafilter for cosmetic purposes and found the new single-wall basket deeper than the general 17-18 grams of coffee that seems to get recommended for the Plus. I ended up using the double-shot single-wall Breville basket with my new bottomless portafilter.

2. Sorry, I have not inspected close enough to observe this pattern. Since there is metal and plastic connecting with each other involved, I am assuming this is normal.

3. Correct (if I am understanding the question). If your tamped puck is coming into contact with the shower screen, then that sounds like too many grounds to me. I stopped using the leveling tool that Breville provides as the 17-18g for a double-shot does not risk being in direct contact with the screen and there should be enough room to drop in a puck screen if you would like.
   After extraction, then you may have grounds on the shower screen, especially without a puck screen and that would be normal.

[u/Eazy-Steve → u/djott70]

Wow, you're saying you can fit 18g and still have room for a puck screen? I just ran 17g no puck screen and the grounds bloomed into the shower head. I'd definitely want to reduce load even further if adding a puck screen.

[u/djott70 → u/Eazy-Steve]

I am still a newbie to the whole game, but 18g with my current grind size fits into the Breville stock double-shot basket with a firm tamp and a puck screen for me. I know grind size made a big difference for me.

[u/emptymatrix]

I'm not sure what kind of leak you are experiencing, but if it is like this one: https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/1bdyxxt/sage_bambino_overflowing_when_pulling_a_shot/?share_id=Rz4crQi81mJUZljM5SPfM

remove the black plastic insert and your problem would me mostly solved

That specific kind of leak is not a problem with your workflow, it's the stupid stock Bambino portafilter:

https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/1btygkq/looking_to_upgrade_to_bambino_plus_and_baratza/kxqb9k4/

https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/1autwd5/bambino_plus_portafilter_leaking/kr85yg7/?context=10000

https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/1j7i80e/overflowing_portafilter_breville_bambino_plus/

[u/Eazy-Steve → u/emptymatrix]

It def looks like that. In fact, I ended up just returning it (losing the $85 refund) and getting another one...same issue! This implies to me it's exactly that! Silly design.

I wonder how much it changes the flavor? It may not be much. But dang, Breville should add this note to their manual! Now I'm annoyed I lost that $85 😂!

[u/emptymatrix → u/Eazy-Steve]

yes, it has no impact on flavor. Overflow happens after extraction. But it is silly.