Breville Bambino Plus BES500
- Category
- Coffee and espresso machines
- Model number
- BES500
- Region
- North America (120 V edition in English, Canadian French and Mexican Spanish)
- Manual
- BES500 USCM revision Y25
- Verified
- Rating label
- Underneath or on the back of the machine, on a sticker or moulded into the housing. Source: support page
- 1 CUP and 2 CUP flash alternately
- 1 CUP and STEAM alternate with 2 CUP for 15 seconds
- 1 CUP, 2 CUP and STEAM lights off
- MILK TEMP and MILK FOAM lights run downwards
- MILK TEMP and MILK FOAM lights all flashing, STEAM light off
- Froth and temperature lights flash together
- No water from the group head, or no hot water
- Espresso only drips from the spouts, or does not flow
- Water does not come through and the machine is loud
- Espresso runs too quickly
- Espresso runs out around the edge of the portafilter
- No steam
- Coffee is not hot enough
- Milk is too hot
- No crema
- Water leaking or water in the drip tray after steaming
- Machine is on but stops working
- Too much or too little espresso in the cup
- How to run the cleaning cycle
- How to descale the Bambino Plus
- How to clean the steam wand
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Indicator lights
| Indicator | Meaning | Checks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 CUP and 2 CUP flash alternately | 200 extractions have been made since the last cleaning cycle; the group head needs a cleaning (flush) cycle. This is separate from descaling. | Checks |
| 1 CUP and STEAM alternate with 2 CUP for 15 seconds | Descaling is due. Pressing any of these buttons cancels the alert and returns to ready mode. | Checks |
| 1 CUP, 2 CUP and STEAM lights off | The water level in the tank is low. | Checks |
| MILK TEMP and MILK FOAM lights run downwards | Lower steam wand alert: the steam wand was left raised after texturing milk. | Checks |
| MILK TEMP and MILK FOAM lights all flashing, STEAM light off | The machine detected a blocked steam wand and stopped texturing. The lights flash until the wand has been cleared. | Checks |
| Froth and temperature lights flash together | Steam function error, or the water tank may be empty. | 2 causes |
Breville codes on other models
1 CUP and 2 CUP flash alternately
The 1 CUP and 2 CUP buttons flash alternately. 200 extractions have been made since the last cleaning cycle; the group head needs a cleaning (flush) cycle. This is separate from descaling.
- Run the cleaning cycle. See Run the cleaning cycle.
1 CUP and STEAM alternate with 2 CUP for 15 seconds
The 1 CUP and STEAM buttons and the 2 CUP button flash alternately for 15 seconds. Descaling is due. Pressing any of these buttons cancels the alert and returns to ready mode.
- Descale the machine. See Descale the Bambino Plus.
1 CUP, 2 CUP and STEAM lights off
The 1 CUP, 2 CUP and STEAM buttons are not lit while the machine is on. The water level in the tank is low.
- Add water. When there is enough, all buttons light and the machine can be used.
MILK TEMP and MILK FOAM lights run downwards
The MILK TEMP and MILK FOAM lights light in a downward pattern. Lower steam wand alert: the steam wand was left raised after texturing milk.
- Lower the steam wand so it purges automatically.
- To start a purge by hand with the wand lowered, hold STEAM for 5 seconds.
MILK TEMP and MILK FOAM lights all flashing, STEAM light off
STEAM light goes out and every MILK TEMP and MILK FOAM light is lit and flashing. The machine detected a blocked steam wand and stopped texturing. The lights flash until the wand has been cleared.
- Clean the steam wand. See Clean the steam wand.
Problems
- No water from the group head, or no hot water4 causes in the manual. First: water tank empty.
- Espresso only drips from the spouts, or does not flow6 causes in the manual. First: grind too fine.
- Water does not come through and the machine is loudWater tank empty or below MIN.
- Espresso runs too quickly3 causes in the manual. First: grind too coarse.
- Espresso runs out around the edge of the portafilter3 causes in the manual. First: portafilter not fully inserted.
- No steam4 causes in the manual. First: machine not yet at operating temperature.
- Coffee is not hot enoughPortafilter not preheated.
- Milk is too hotMilk jug not positioned correctly on the temperature sensor.
- No crema4 causes in the manual. First: coffee is tamped too lightly.
- Water leaking or water in the drip tray after steaming2 causes in the manual. First: normal auto-purge: right after steaming the machine releases water into the drip tray to bring the thermocoil to temperature.
- Machine is on but stops workingThe safety thermal cut-out may have tripped because the pump overheated.
- Too much or too little espresso in the cupGrind amount, grind size or shot volume needs adjusting.
Water does not come through and the machine is loud
Water tank empty or below MIN. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 20
- Fill the water tank.
Coffee is not hot enough
Portafilter not preheated. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 22
- Rinse the portafilter under hot water and dry it.
Milk is too hot
Milk jug not positioned correctly on the temperature sensor. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 22
- Stand the jug correctly on the sensor on the drip tray.
- Choose a lower MILK TEMP setting.
Machine is on but stops working
The safety thermal cut-out may have tripped because the pump overheated. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 22
- Press 1 CUP and STEAM together to switch off, and unplug the machine.
- Let it cool for about 30–60 minutes.
Too much or too little espresso in the cup
Grind amount, grind size or shot volume needs adjusting. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 22
- Adjust the grind and dose, or reprogram the shot volume (Settings below).
Pulsing or pumping sound while making espresso or steaming
Normal pump operation. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 21
Water tank empty or not locked in. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 21
How-to
- How to run the cleaning cycleWhen the 1 CUP and 2 CUP buttons flash alternately (every 200 extractions). It is separate from descaling.
- How to descale the Bambino PlusWhen the 1 CUP and STEAM buttons and the 2 CUP button flash alternately for 15 seconds.
- How to clean the steam wandAfter every use, and when the steam wand blocked alert shows or frothing gets weaker.
Maintenance
| Task | When | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Wipe the steam wand and lower it to purge | After every use | Source: Care & Cleaning: Cleaning the steam wand, p. 18 |
| Rinse the filter baskets and portafilter under hot water | Directly after use | Source: Care & Cleaning: Cleaning the filter baskets and portafilter, p. 19 |
| Wipe the group head and shower screen; run water through with an empty basket | Periodically (no fixed interval given) | Source: Care & Cleaning: Cleaning the shower screen, p. 19 |
| Empty and wash the drip tray | After each use, or when the indicator rises through the grid | Source: Care & Cleaning: Cleaning the drip tray, p. 19 |
| Run the cleaning cycle | Every 200 extractions, when 1 CUP and 2 CUP flash alternately | Source: Care & Cleaning: Cleaning cycle, p. 17 |
| Descale | When 1 CUP and STEAM alternate with 2 CUP | Source: Care & Cleaning: Descaling, p. 17 |
Settings
| Setting | Options | Default | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk temperature | 1 Warm, 2 Ideal, 3 Hot | Last setting used | Source: Functions: Setting the milk temperature, p. 13 | |
| Milk foam | 1 Low, 2 Medium, 3 High | Last setting used | Source: Functions: Setting the milk foam, p. 13 | |
| Shot volume | Pre-set 1 CUP and 2 CUP, or programmed | About 1 oz (30 ml) and 2 oz (60 ml) | Hold 1 CUP and 2 CUP for 2 seconds until they flash, press 1 CUP (or 2 CUP) to start and again to stop; the new volume is saved. | Source: Functions: Programming shot volume, pp. 12–13 |
| Reset factory espresso volumes | Reset | Switch off by holding 1 CUP and STEAM for 5 seconds, hold 1 CUP and 2 CUP for 5 seconds, then press 1 CUP or 2 CUP; the light flashes 3 times when all volumes are reset. | Source: Care & Cleaning: Reset factory espresso volume settings, p. 19 | |
| Hot water through the steam wand | On demand | In ready mode, lift the wand over the drip tray and press 1 CUP and MILK FOAM; press 1 CUP to stop. | Source: Functions: Hot water operation, p. 15 |
Parts and consumables
| Item | Replace or refill | Specification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning tablets | Every 200 extractions | One tablet per cleaning cycle, used with the cleaning disc. | Source: Care & Cleaning: Cleaning cycle, p. 17 |
| Descaling powder | When the descale alert shows | Supplied with the machine; added to water filled to the DESCALE line. | Source: Care & Cleaning: Descaling, p. 18 |
Specifications
Compact espresso machine without a grinder: ThermoJet heating, 54 mm portafilter, automatic steam wand with a jug temperature sensor and three milk temperature and three foam settings, and a 64 fl oz (1.9 L) water tank. Source: Components; Features, pp. 7–9
Rated 120 V, 60 Hz, 1560 W. Source: Components (rating information), p. 7
It has no display. Alerts are button-light patterns: 1 CUP and 2 CUP flashing alternately means a cleaning cycle is due; 1 CUP and STEAM alternating with 2 CUP for 15 seconds means descaling is due. Source: Care & Cleaning, p. 17
The machine is switched on with 1 CUP, 2 CUP or STEAM, and off by pressing 1 CUP and STEAM together. Source: Functions: First use; Turning off machine, p. 10
| Electrical | 120 V, 60 Hz, 1560 W | Source: Components (rating information), p. 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Water tank | 64 fl oz (1.9 L), removable | Source: Components, p. 7 |
| Portafilter | 54 mm stainless steel | Source: Components, p. 7 |
| Basket doses | 1 Cup 8–11 g; 2 Cup 16–19 g | Source: Functions: Filter baskets, p. 11 |
Recalls
No exact-model match for BES500 in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall database, checked . Recalls can name model families, so also check current recalls for Breville.
Service contact
Breville Consumer Support: 1-866-273-8455, breville.com/us/support. United States (Canada: 1-855-683-3535; Mexico: 800-649-0543). Source: Back cover, p. 72
Sources
- the Bambino Plus Instruction Book, BES500 Series (English, Canadian French and Mexican Spanish edition). Breville Pty Ltd. Document BES500 USCM, revision Y25, 2025, 72 pages, en-US. assets.breville.com (PDF). Listed on the manufacturer's support page. Retrieved 13 November 2026.
Page numbers are the numbers printed in the manual. Where this page and the manual differ, follow the manual.
All Breville handbooks. Report an error to hello@modelhandbook.com.