Ive been using the em4800 at work for a while now at work and it does an ok job with pre-ground coffee. Better than instant anyway, but I decided to get one for home on special and then got a em0450 for xmas.
I was getting crappy 10 second gushers even with the coffee ground to atoms or it would just block and blow the seal.
So I sifted through the forums here and found them to be extremely helpful, modified my machine slightly.
I got a Krups filter basket and a Krups group head seal for about $20 bucks all up. What a difference! (the PF Basket is non-pressurised - dont bother with the crema enhancers - throw them in the bin) You need the Krups seal because the Sunbeam one doesnt quite produce a perfect seal and is prone to blowing. Theyre $5 at the same place you get the basket).
after a lot of practise this is what Im getting consistently from a $300 setup:
- 25-30 second pours
- rich cinnamon coloured crema
- a dense, dry puck which pops out easily
- what i think is tiger striping
- consistent volume
I wasnt getting these results until I started overdosing the pf a little and tamping really hard, maybe 20kg or force?
My em0450 is set a around 7-8 (im told you need to play around as grinders differ)
Also the espresso tastes good. What do you think? Is it possible to get a good shot from a cheap machine? If so do people go more expensive for the added reliability or consistency?
Has anyone else done this?
I was getting crappy 10 second gushers even with the coffee ground to atoms or it would just block and blow the seal.
So I sifted through the forums here and found them to be extremely helpful, modified my machine slightly.
I got a Krups filter basket and a Krups group head seal for about $20 bucks all up. What a difference! (the PF Basket is non-pressurised - dont bother with the crema enhancers - throw them in the bin) You need the Krups seal because the Sunbeam one doesnt quite produce a perfect seal and is prone to blowing. Theyre $5 at the same place you get the basket).
after a lot of practise this is what Im getting consistently from a $300 setup:
- 25-30 second pours
- rich cinnamon coloured crema
- a dense, dry puck which pops out easily
- what i think is tiger striping
- consistent volume
I wasnt getting these results until I started overdosing the pf a little and tamping really hard, maybe 20kg or force?
My em0450 is set a around 7-8 (im told you need to play around as grinders differ)
Also the espresso tastes good. What do you think? Is it possible to get a good shot from a cheap machine? If so do people go more expensive for the added reliability or consistency?
Has anyone else done this?
. With the time it took to heat the milk it was lovely and glossy making art that much easier. 
)
Comment