Sunbeam Em4800 Cafe Crema vs Breville ESP8C Roma

[motiv8d]

Hi. I am looking for a relatively cheap entry into the world of home coffee making. I have a basic grinder (Braun 3045) and am looking for an expresso machine that will be cheap but enough to make a nice (albeit far from perfect) cup of smooth rich coffee with some practice of course. I have found a couple of s/h unused units and wonder if either would be worthwhile for starting out.
Also if there are any modifications to either that would be worthwhile.
So if someone can give me the pros and cons of these, or maybe recommend one over the other that would be most appreciated.
Thanks kindly.

Motiv8d

[Dimal]

Re: Sunbeam Em4800 Cafe Crema vs Breville ESP8C Ro

Hi motiv8d,

Welcome to CoffeeSnobs.... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

If I was in your position mate and more or less just starting out with a limited budget, Id be upgrading the Grinder to the best "real" burr grinder that you can afford and then brew with an AeroPress or something similar. The Braun just doesnt cut it for decent espresso Im afraid.

If you do a bit more research though our Forum and other reputable forums like Home Barista or Coffee Geek you will find stated time and time again... The Grinder is way the most important piece of coffee hardware you can own, the brewing method is nowhere near as important. If you always ensure that you are using freshly roasted, high quality beans from a reputable specialist roaster and only grind enough coffee immediately before brewing, you will discover the wonders of great coffee and then realise why we are all so passionate about it here at CS.

Once you have a decent grinder, you can always save up for a more competent espresso machine for purchase later on but you will always find that something like the AeroPress will always come in handy, even if it is to make just one coffee and you cant be bothered turning the espresso machine on. It will never become redundant.

Pretty well all of our Site Sponsors sell good grinders, from entry level machines all the way up to professional competition beasties. CuppaCoffee also happen to sell the AeroPress and Dennis (the proprietor) will look after you the same as if you were buying a $5000 top of the range combo. Well worth taking the time to discuss your requirements with the budget you have at your disposal. Links to all of our sponsors are listed over on the L/H side of the page.... <----- Over there

All the best mate and happy brewing...

Mal.

[motiv8d]

Re: Sunbeam Em4800 Cafe Crema vs Breville ESP8C Ro

Hi Mal
Thanks for your advice. The aero does look like a great simple bit of gear. I will consider getting one and look around for better grinders. What about making milk froth though? (I am a little over putting some milk in the bottom of a milk container and shaking the hebes out of it to get some milk froth )What would one of the aforementioned units be like for that or is there a better way?
Cheers

[Stan]

Re: Sunbeam Em4800 Cafe Crema vs Breville ESP8C Ro

I used a EM4800C for several months before upgrading.  With unpressurised baskets and Fresh coffee from Brown Bay or one of the other sponsors or a roaster if there is one near to you.  Or you can roast your own.  You can make a pretty good coffee compared to Cafe Coffee.   The EM4800 does an alright job on the milk if you take off the plastic end which is a froth enhancer but doesnt seem to do to much.  It just takes a little while to steam the milk due to the low pressure of the steam.  You should also consider getting a tamper to fit.  The one that comes with the Sunbeam is not worth the effort.  The tamper in the Sunbeam Barista Kit is better that the plastic one.  You also get a milk jug and a few other items of use.

I cant help with the Roma but there are several threads in this section that state it is a good machine for the price.  Hope this helps.  

The most important items is however the grinder if you read through there are many threads on this. From my experience buy the best you can afford as it will continue to serve even when you upgrade machines.

[Dimal]

Re: Sunbeam Em4800 Cafe Crema vs Breville ESP8C Ro

Well.....

If youre dead set on getting yourself an entry level espresso machine, the Breville Ikon is probably about the best "bang for buck" machine around with good, tight Boiler temperature control (doesnt use thermoblocks, which in cheap machines soon scale up or corrode away) and fairly good steaming ability. Another bonus is that the Boiler is made from Stainless Steel so corrosion wont be something to worry about. I believe Ive seen where some CS members have been able to pick these up for about $140 from the Breville "Seconds" disposal stores in various capital cities. As far as I know they come with full warranty and service cover.

As I mentioned above though, you havent got a hope in hell of getting consistently excellent coffee from one of these or any other half decent espresso machine without the use of a good quality grinder and preferably, with the use of standard non-pressurised baskets for the PortaFilter. These can be readily acquired from most authorised Breville Service Centres for $10-$12. About the minimum you should aim for with a grinder, is the Sunbeam EM0480/450 or maybe a good used Iberital Challenge or similar. If you have a look through this thread and follow the links to the grinder descriptions page, it will hopefully help you out a bit.

All the best motiv8d...

Mal.

[Intellidepth]

Re: Sunbeam Em4800 Cafe Crema vs Breville ESP8C Ro

Hi motiv8d,

Dont buy a new ESP8C ("Roma"), you can pick up cheap ones off evilbay for around $40 from people who dont have the patience to work out a method to get reasonable coffee out of them. You can also buy new baskets from Breville for about $12 each if you find theyre blocked between the double-walls if you want to stick with pressurised (which I wouldnt).

If you live in Newcastle, give send me a PM and you can borrow mine. Im one of those who didnt have the patience and upgraded pretty quickly (6 weeks), but my husband is reluctant for me to give it away as he bought it for me for mothers day this year . I keep asking him if I can give it away here on CS, but he hasnt given in yet. ;D