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  • Newbie machine advice

    Hi guys, been browsing the forums, and have decided to get the sunbeam em0450 or 0480 grinder (one seems to be a cut-down version of the other - what is the real difference?), but also want a machine to go with it - dh is quite partial to cappuccinos & the littlies like babyccinos & hot choc - so frothing capability would be useful. WOuld also like a compact device if possible (yes I know plungers etc are pretty smal!) The CHoice report rates the sunbeam latte & expresso (ie the cheaper models) for taste & frothing - in fact over and above the silvia!!
    What do you think of these along with the grinder? SOmeone talked about the Saeco VV for $199 but where did they find this as can only see it online for over $400
    TIA
    deb

  • #2
    Re: Newbie machine advice

    The 0450 has a plastic body and no "on/auto" switch.
    It grinds when the portafilter is pushed against an activating switch under the spout.

    Choice know nothing about coffee machines in my opinion.






    Edit: Spelling

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    • #3
      Re: Newbie machine advice

      It would be a brave "reviewer" that would recommend a base model dual wall thermoblock machine over a specialist (and some may say) category killing single boiler machine with "commercial" heritage.

      I do wonder if "choice" use the same reviewers as NZs "Consumer Magazine" as the 5600 was also their machine of choice when we were researching buying a machine. I cant remember what other achines there were in the test, but IIRC they were using a super-auto as their "Benchmark".

      Most machines you look at (in terms of major dept store style machines, Sunbeam, Breville etc) will come with pressurised baskets / portafilters. If you get these swapped out for normal baskets, then this combined with either grinder (450/480) will produce ok coffee at this price range.

      I have just purchased the Breville BES400 Ikon as a factory 2nd for around $145 incl delivery. I will sort out some normal baskets for it. Being a boiler type machine rather than a thermoblock, I understand that this machine punches well above its weight in terms of its steaming abilities (time will tell I guess)

      Sen

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      • #4
        Re: Newbie machine advice

        IIRC you lose points with Choice if the machine doesnt have power cord storage.

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        • #5
          Re: Newbie machine advice


          ok so how do you find "normal" baskets? and any recs on the entry level machines? I would love to be able to justify a sylvia but can"t & woudnt do it justice even if i could, i am sure!
          thought the choice results were a bit odd, which is why i am asking for advice here...
          cheers

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Newbie machine advice

            Ive heard the VV is OK but have no expereience with it.

            Finding baskets will depend on which machine you decide on.

            You need to set a budget.
            Assuming you buy the basic EM0450 grinder, how much more can you spend on a machine?

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            • #7
              Re: Newbie machine advice

              Originally posted by Thundergod link=1231330600/0#5 date=1231375421

              You need to set a budget.
              Assuming you buy the basic EM0450 grinder, how much more can you spend on a machine?
              Budget capped around $500. I am thinking of starting with a pretty basic model as that way it will be easier to justify an upgrade in the future! ;D I dont really have a problem spending more but need to see that it is going to get good use first!


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              • #8
                Re: Newbie machine advice

                In that case, for ease of use and because I know from expereience, Ill recommend the Sunbeam 6910.

                If you shop around you might find one for around $550.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Newbie machine advice

                  Originally posted by 063A273C363720353D36520 link=1231330600/1#1 date=1231336058

                  Choice know nothing about coffee machines in my opinion.
                  Its not just coffee machines! They know nothing almost about anything! Their reviews are nothing but jokes!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Newbie machine advice

                    Originally posted by 5361616D000 link=1231330600/8#8 date=1232101863
                    Originally posted by 063A273C363720353D36520 link=1231330600/1#1 date=1231336058

                    Choice know nothing about coffee machines in my opinion.
                    Its not just coffee machines! They know nothing almost about anything! Their reviews are nothing but jokes!
                    I did some work with a eng that did refrigeration reviews as part of some studies into vaccine cold chain management.   He did lots of work for them (choice) over a number of years and what not only great to get along with; he was very on top of his game...

                    However I get the view that what might have been printed in choice report for the general refrigeration review and the public; would be sanitized and re worded on assumptions of the senior editors.. I must admit that many of the technical issues would be beyond most, so you have to draw the line somewhere.

                    I guess I am saying  that even thought the choice articles that I have read leave a lot to be desired; some of the people involved, do know their stuff.  I guess they have to put up with it OR get another job.

                    Then again, many of us suck it up at work...  for many reasons, personal and otherwise.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Newbie machine advice

                      I used to love the Choice reviews--when they were long and included enough details for me to pay attention to the bits that were important to me (and ignore/discount what wasnt).

                      Since the articles have gotten shorter, they are only occasionally useful.

                      I did have a good laugh at the last one on espresso machines though.

                      Greg

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                      • #12
                        Re: Newbie machine advice

                        Originally posted by 0C232A283F002C232C2A28202823394D0 link=1231330600/9#9 date=1232103717
                        Originally posted by 5361616D000 link=1231330600/8#8 date=1232101863
                        Originally posted by 063A273C363720353D36520 link=1231330600/1#1 date=1231336058

                        Choice know nothing about coffee machines in my opinion.
                        Its not just coffee machines! They know nothing almost about anything! Their reviews are nothing but jokes!
                        I did some work with a eng that did refrigeration reviews as part of some studies into vaccine cold chain management.   He did lots of work for them (choice) over a number of years and what not only great to get along with; he was very on top of his game...

                        However I get the view that what might have been printed in choice report for the general refrigeration review and the public; would be sanitized and re worded on assumptions of the senior editors..  I must admit that many of the technical issues would be beyond most, so you have to draw the line somewhere.

                        I guess I am saying  that even thought the choice articles that I have read leave a lot to be desired; some of the people involved, do know their stuff.  I guess they have to put up with it OR get another job.

                        Then again, many of us suck it up at work...  for many reasons, personal and otherwise.
                        The field that Im sure about is IT. I have been in IT industry for more than ten years now. Their reviews in this field are not only inaccurate, but misleading. It is not all about focusing on details. People who are responsible for the reviews can do the detailed tests and come to a valid and useful verdict BUT explain the verdict in simple words! they do not need to explain their test procedure in details, as most of the people would not understand that.

                        Regarding other fields, my opinion is based on most of the things I hear and read here and there, mostly from the professionals who are complaining about their inaccurate and misleading reviews.

                        BTW, another area which their reviews are crap is multimedia, which is one of my faviourites. One of my friends bought a LCD TV based on their review, despite my negative commnets about them, and now he regrets why he did not do a REAL research and did not read accurate reviews from technical and professional sites.

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