Hi folks, I have just gone from a Saeco Via Venezia (?) to the Sunbeam EM6900 and am having some serious milk problems. Purchased from Myer 2 weeks ago for $499.
The Saeco gave me over 4 years of faultless coffee pleasure (esp. after I went to a non-pressurised PF and propper grinder/tamper,removed plastic cover on the steam wand etc.) and I could microfoam like crazy (it would pour like a fine Guinness), but the 6900 its just hot flat milk or at best a bunch of bubbles on hot milk.
I need some EXPERT help here and I fear it may infact be a machine fault (but just as likely be me). I am going to a Sunbeam course at the Novatel in a few weeks, but really cant go that long without my latte!
Ok, first some facts...
1) I have read widely (this and other forums) as well as watched videos and people at caffes
ie. http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1152302832
http://www.cremamagazine.com.au/forums/YaBB.cgi?board=Technical;action=display;num=111655 5453;start=60
coffeegeek, lattelove, google video etc...
2) I use cold mik
3) I have a milk thermometer (and it still stuffs up if i do it by feel and sound).
4) I let the machine warm up and run the steam for 10-30 sec. before steaming (no diff. how long its run)
5) Ive practiced with water
6) Ive gone through 6 litres of milk in one session trying to get it right trying various techniques and wand positions (varying one item at a time and making notes).
7) I have tried various temps for plunging the tip (around 40 degrees) and final temp. (and 55-70 degrees final temp.).
8) I have tried various brands/types of milk.
9) Various levels of milk and size of jug (500ml and 800ml), half and 3/4 full
So, what am I doing ?
I place the wand at the base of the jug, turn on the steam fully, lift it up so that the tip is just below the surface and the milk begins to swirl and a small slurp is heard. (I also tried big golps of air and tiny or big slups and various combinations). The milk heat to 40 degrees in about 35ish seconds, but does not appear to stretch no matter what (what the?).
Now its ~40 degrees, I plunge the tip (tried various levels and positions/inclinations of the tip and jug) and (try) and create a whirlpool (no more air gets in at this phase). I guess there is some whirling but nothing that Id call a real whirlpool...more a swirlpool. Ive even tried to roll the milk over itself rather than in a whirlpool. No joy.
All up, a bit over 1 minute 30 seconds....and net result, hot milk and a crap rapidly fading froth (not microfoam...not realy foam at all).
Strangely, despite the steam seeming to be quite strong when I hold my hand infront of it... I think the swirl is not as big as it was with the Saeco...so perhaps there is a prob. with the steamer ?....but then it does heat up the milk...arghhh....
Perhaps someone in Melbourne who has one of these machines or knows their stuff would be able to show me the way or confirm that the EM6900 steamer is infact at fault or if its me. Happy to bring the machine to you. (it was bought at Myer and as we all know they dont know anything about coffee, but they do price match and accept returns
).
So, please help me...I miss my latte!
PS. I have a video of one of the "failed" attempts, not the best example but it will at least give something to talk to....Ill post it on one of the vid. sites in the next day.
The Saeco gave me over 4 years of faultless coffee pleasure (esp. after I went to a non-pressurised PF and propper grinder/tamper,removed plastic cover on the steam wand etc.) and I could microfoam like crazy (it would pour like a fine Guinness), but the 6900 its just hot flat milk or at best a bunch of bubbles on hot milk.
I need some EXPERT help here and I fear it may infact be a machine fault (but just as likely be me). I am going to a Sunbeam course at the Novatel in a few weeks, but really cant go that long without my latte!
Ok, first some facts...
1) I have read widely (this and other forums) as well as watched videos and people at caffes
ie. http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1152302832
http://www.cremamagazine.com.au/forums/YaBB.cgi?board=Technical;action=display;num=111655 5453;start=60
coffeegeek, lattelove, google video etc...
2) I use cold mik
3) I have a milk thermometer (and it still stuffs up if i do it by feel and sound).
4) I let the machine warm up and run the steam for 10-30 sec. before steaming (no diff. how long its run)
5) Ive practiced with water
6) Ive gone through 6 litres of milk in one session trying to get it right trying various techniques and wand positions (varying one item at a time and making notes).
7) I have tried various temps for plunging the tip (around 40 degrees) and final temp. (and 55-70 degrees final temp.).
8) I have tried various brands/types of milk.
9) Various levels of milk and size of jug (500ml and 800ml), half and 3/4 full
So, what am I doing ?
I place the wand at the base of the jug, turn on the steam fully, lift it up so that the tip is just below the surface and the milk begins to swirl and a small slurp is heard. (I also tried big golps of air and tiny or big slups and various combinations). The milk heat to 40 degrees in about 35ish seconds, but does not appear to stretch no matter what (what the?).
Now its ~40 degrees, I plunge the tip (tried various levels and positions/inclinations of the tip and jug) and (try) and create a whirlpool (no more air gets in at this phase). I guess there is some whirling but nothing that Id call a real whirlpool...more a swirlpool. Ive even tried to roll the milk over itself rather than in a whirlpool. No joy.
All up, a bit over 1 minute 30 seconds....and net result, hot milk and a crap rapidly fading froth (not microfoam...not realy foam at all).
Strangely, despite the steam seeming to be quite strong when I hold my hand infront of it... I think the swirl is not as big as it was with the Saeco...so perhaps there is a prob. with the steamer ?....but then it does heat up the milk...arghhh....
Perhaps someone in Melbourne who has one of these machines or knows their stuff would be able to show me the way or confirm that the EM6900 steamer is infact at fault or if its me. Happy to bring the machine to you. (it was bought at Myer and as we all know they dont know anything about coffee, but they do price match and accept returns
).So, please help me...I miss my latte!
PS. I have a video of one of the "failed" attempts, not the best example but it will at least give something to talk to....Ill post it on one of the vid. sites in the next day.

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