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Sunbeam Latte: Espresso Machine

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  • kay
    replied
    Re: Sunbeam Latte: Espresso Machine

    I get the picture!
    Many thanks - this site is brilliant - I have learned a lot.

    Kay

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  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: Sunbeam Latte: Espresso Machine

    Originally posted by kay link=1174477597/45#56 date=1177234472

    What are the factors that make for this variation in the coffee - I keep the grind and weight constant - the basket is full at 14 grams. The only thing I can think of is the tamp. Am still using the one that came with the machine - the plastic one - and try to use the same weight all the time. I dont want to get a "proper" one until I see what machine I end up with!
    Kay

    One of the most important factors is a totally uniform tamp right up to the edge of the basket - in one tamp (not multiples).... and the plastic "thingy" - You notice I dont call it a tamper - wont tamp right up to the edge, it distorts under pressure.... in a word - its useless! You need a solid tamper (Id recommend Gregs fitted tampers - but if you are thinking of changing machines - probably not worth it.... but you do need a good tamper- and you wont get even close to consistent results without one.

    Intermittent leaks can be caused by too much coffee in the basket, the PF not locked fully each time, old grounds from the last extraction left around the group seal or the group seal getting old and tired. A Group brush is a good idea to clean out the group seal after each coffee session.




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  • kay
    replied
    Re: Sunbeam Latte: Espresso Machine

    Thanks JavaB and tempest.

    Have switched to the double basket but find some variation in the output. I made the grind coarser and the first time it worked brilliantly. But the next time the result was thinner and there was more volume.

    What are the factors that make for this variation in the coffee - I keep the grind and weight constant - the basket is full at 14 grams. The only thing I can think of is the tamp. Am still using the one that came with the machine - the plastic one - and try to use the same weight all the time. I dont want to get a "proper" one until I see what machine I end up with!

    Sometimes the whole thing leaks a bit - very annoying - but it is intermittent, unfortunately! (or I would send it all back - but it works sometimes so I wonder if I am doing something). I have made sure that the rim is clean, and have tried running water through the shower screen as well as wiping it down to wipe off any remaining ginds.

    Kay




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  • tempestv8
    replied
    Re: Sunbeam Latte: Espresso Machine

    Originally posted by JavaB link=1174477597/45#54 date=1177157374


    The grind for a single and a double will be considerably different... and it is much harder to get a good coffee out of the single (in fact at the professional coffee machine course the instructor told us to never use a single - always use the double....) if you only want one espresso (30ml) tip the other 30 ml down the sink.... he believed it is just too hard to get a quality shot from a single basket (only half the depth of coffee)

    Excellent comments JavaB!

    I have found that if you keep changing between the single and double filters, the grind "fineness" has to keep changing.

    So Ive given up switching between the filters on the SunBeam EM6910 and just using the double filter to get consistent results.

    Lawrance

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  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: Sunbeam Latte: Espresso Machine

    kay,

    Well the EM048 is a capable grinder (just watch the grind size as several have been returned as they get coarser - even finer - as they get older).

    Both the single and double baskets need to be full (you can forget about the 7 and 14 grams.... e.g. my double takes about 19 grams on the La Cimbali)... after tamping to 13 Kg (using a normal basket by the way) when you fit the PF to the machine the puck should just touch the showerscreen --- but you should be able to do it up easily - if too tight you have too much coffee in the basket....

    You then aim for the 30 ml or the 60 ml from a double in the 30 seconds... if too slow- make the grind coarser and if too fast the grind needs to be finer.... and make sure you keep the tamp pressure constant.

    The grind for a single and a double will be considerably different... and it is much harder to get a good coffee out of the single (in fact at the professional coffee machine course the instructor told us to never use a single - always use the double....) if you only want one espresso (30ml) tip the other 30 ml down the sink.... he believed it is just too hard to get a quality shot from a single basket (only half the depth of coffee)

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  • kay
    replied
    Re: Sunbeam Latte: Espresso Machine


    I have the EM0480 - bought it the at the same time.

    When I first got the Krups double basket, I had to turn the grind down to 11 on the EM 0480 to get the 30ml pour in 30 secs from 7gm.

    Just got my single basket today. At setting 11 on the grinder, nothing much came through, and ended up with about half the amount.

    So raised the grind to 16 and got about 30ml (also from 7g coffee, in 30 secs). But it looked lighter than the previous effort with the double basket.

    Havent tried getting two shots from 14 gm the double basket. Would I usually need to make the grind coarser than for the 7gm in the same basket?

    Thanks for your comments - all help appreciated!

    Kay


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  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: Sunbeam Latte: Espresso Machine

    kay,

    it should be 7 grams (possibly a bit more) in a single basket for the 30 ml in 30 seconds..... or 14+ grams in a double for 60 ml in 30 seconds....

    There needs to be enough coffee in the basket to touch the showerscreen when the PF is installed.

    What sort of grinder are you using? Does it produce uniform size grains of coffee or is there a lot of powder as well. If there is powder that can choke the basket....

    And pressurised baskets (double floor) are far less fussy about the size of the grind, the consistency of the grind and the tamp pressure. But the results wont taste any where near as good. :P

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  • kay
    replied
    Re: Sunbeam Latte: Espresso Machine: Non pressuris

    Re non pressurised baskets for Sunbeam, and other things

    I live in Sydney - I went to Krups (Group SEB) at Homebush Bay and they gave me some names of retailers who supply their spare parts. Took along my pf, and went to one in Chatswood - but there are several I gather - and they had a double in stock. They ordered a single- took about a week to come.

    I find with 7g coffee in the double, I can manage a 30 second 30 ml pour - is that the criteria? Works well. With the single basket, though, very little comes though and I have had to make the grind coarser.

    Also, I have contacted Sunbeam who said that their filters sometimes block up! They sent me a new single (dual floor) filter. Have used it with a finer grind and it is now working perfectly - no spatters or leaks, and a reasonable coffee. From my limted knowledge, that just doesnt make sense, but for the time being, it works.

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  • Sunbeamer
    replied
    Re: Sunbeam Latte: Espresso Machine

    any appliance repair place should be able to source them, I picked the closest sunbeam warranty agent and gave them the Krups numbers and they ordered them in

    the double basket part number is 0907163 and single 0925592
    I paid a bit more than most posts here list and took some time to get in but I guess the supplier for these would be in melbourne so there are freight costs factored in

    be awaare the single isnt a perfect fit, the little spring clip that holds the basket in interferes with it, you can remove the spring but then the basket flops around when tamping and such

    I cant recommend it enough as a mod, I was happy with what I was getting for coffee with the pressurised baskets but the difference in flavour is amazing and I havent even got it all dialed in yet

    I can bung some pics up of them tonight if you want

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  • varanid99
    replied
    Re: Sunbeam Latte: Espresso Machine

    Originally posted by Ray C link=1174477597/45#48 date=1176986939
    So did anyone find out where to get a non pressurised basket for these sunbeam things, if so please pm me...
    Ray,

    I linked another thread about 10 posts back - all the info will be in there.

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  • Ray_C
    replied
    Re: Sunbeam Latte: Espresso Machine

    So did anyone find out where to get a non pressurised basket for these sunbeam things, if so please pm me...

    Leave a comment:


  • pete
    replied
    Re: Sunbeam Latte: Espresso Machine

    Giving up on a bad Sunbeam buy. Sell or etc,
    Am looking at a Breville 800 had a very good offer $225 or a Gaggia Classic $ 400 Any ideas guys. Im not yet financial ly into the pricier machines.

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  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: Sunbeam Latte: Espresso Machine

    Originally posted by Thundergod link=1174477597/30#44 date=1176685791
    Welcome to Coffee Snobs kay.

    Im guessing that your EM5600 may not have a 3 way valve to release pressure after the shot is finished. In which case I dont think theres anything you can do but get used to it and learn not to try pull the handle out too soon.

    Someone with more knowledge than I should be along soon to confirm.
    Kay,

    Welcome to CoffeeSnobs....

    Not really more knowledgeable : :.... but as Thundergod suggested - no 3 way valve!

    You will always have somewhat soggy pucks (less with the unpressurised baskets). If you leave the puck in the PF whilst steaming the milk you will find it will dry out somewhat.

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  • kay
    replied
    Re: Sunbeam Latte: Espresso Machine

    Thank you Thundergod. No I dont think this model runs to a 3 way valve buyt will go and check.
    Kay


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  • Thundergod
    replied
    Re: Sunbeam Latte: Espresso Machine

    Welcome to Coffee Snobs kay.

    Im guessing that your EM5600 may not have a 3 way valve to release pressure after the shot is finished. In which case I dont think theres anything you can do but get used to it and learn not to try pull the handle out too soon.

    Someone with more knowledge than I should be along soon to confirm.

    Leave a comment:

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