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Please help me get started - $500 budget

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  • rawill
    replied
    Re: Please help me get started - $500 budget

    I had 2 Cafe Latte EM 5600, machines, but the LCD display and computer chip failed on both of them.

    They made good enough coffee for me/us.
    I ended up with the Cafe Crema 4800C, and a Breville BCG 450/A.

    They both seem to do a good enough (not perfect) job for me.

    I think my issues are mostly "operator issues" which I will detail else where.

    I also bought another cheaper grinder (flat blades-not good) and Breville (Bar vista-I think) expresso machine for my campervan. Maybe not such a good choice, but they still make good enough coffee.

    We havent got to site snob status yet!! ;D

    Leave a comment:


  • demianm
    replied
    Re: Please help me get started - $500 budget

    Well... "bean" happy with my Ikon/Rocky combo but I reckon its time to move to the next level.

    Put in an offer on the Diadema Unico Splendor in the hardware section - heres hoping... If it works out, the Ikon will go on the board.

    Leave a comment:


  • rival81
    replied
    Re: Please help me get started - $500 budget

    Hi hallycat and welcome. Are you able to get a 30ml in 25 - 30 second extraction out of the breville and the sunbeam grinder?  If youre achieving that, and using beans roasted fresh in the last week from a local roaster (NOT supermarket stuff that is 3 months old or worse), and letting the machine heat up for at least 45 mins prior to extraction, then youre doing three things the right way. Good luck and happy easter

    Leave a comment:


  • hallycat
    replied
    Re: Please help me get started - $500 budget

    Now I know I am no coffee snob and my knowledge pales into insignificance with a true coffee snob, but for the money I think the Sunbeam makes a decent coffee (much better than the Ikon) .

    By the way I take my coffee with milk, so that will colour the judgment too. True coffee connoisseurs prefer to compare shots for quality rather than a milky coffee.
    For the comment about not cleaning the machine properly, absolutely right. I should have done it regularly which I didnt do.

    Anyway, I was merely trying to offer an opinion on a relatively low cost machine when the budget doesnt stretch to more expensive espresso machines.

    The good news for me is that I finally managed to add some texture to the milk with the wand (something I have consistently failed to do, I just finish up with hot milk). Yay for that

    Leave a comment:


  • GregWormald
    replied
    Re: Please help me get started - $500 budget

    Originally posted by 272E2323362C2E3B4F0 link=1265861003/14#14 date=1269757382
    David and Matthew Gee are from Barista Basics Coffee Academy in Sydney and they rated the machines. I have no idea how well respected they are in the coffee community.
    I cant give a definitive answer on that--but their video on the Choice site had me in stitches!

    Greg

    Leave a comment:


  • jkarlis
    replied
    Re: Please help me get started - $500 budget

    Originally posted by 4E474A4A5F454752260 link=1265861003/14#14 date=1269757382
    It turned out the  Breville is OK, just a dirty shower head.
    Glad to hear it is ok.  If it was so dirty it stopped working you probably need to pay more attention to cleaning and maintenance on the machine.  Many of us here would spend more time cleaning our machines than we do using them.

    Leave a comment:


  • TC
    replied
    Re: Please help me get started - $500 budget

    Originally posted by 6C6568687D676570040 link=1265861003/14#14 date=1269757382
    ....they rated the machines. I have no idea how well respected they are in the coffee community.
    .....and given that the if you buy the most poorly rated Choice machine, youre probably on the money..... :

    Leave a comment:


  • Wushoes
    replied
    Re: Please help me get started - $500 budget

    Originally posted by 262F2222372D2F3A4E0 link=1265861003/14#14 date=1269757382
    David and Matthew Gee are from Barista Basics Coffee Academy in Sydney and they rated the machines. I have no idea how well respected they are in the coffee community.
    not very well?

    Leave a comment:


  • hallycat
    replied
    Re: Please help me get started - $500 budget

    Originally posted by 3C3D37243A3F25560 link=1265861003/13#13 date=1269753544
    I think 3 years out of a Breville or Sunbeam isnt bad going, I hope you get at least that much out of this one.  
    It turned out the  Breville is OK, just a dirty shower head. However, I will keep the Sunbeam as the coffee was good.
    I will take the Ikon to work as we dont have a coffee machine there and I dont drink instant so I miss my coffee at work.

    As far as Choice reviews on coffee machines, I have no idea but the price was good and nothing wrong with the coffee it produces. A nice crema and rich flavour. David and Matthew Gee are from Barista Basics Coffee Academy in Sydney and they rated the machines. I have no idea how well respected they are in the coffee community.
    However, for an entry level machine I think you could do far worse.
    My first machine, Baby Gaggia, I had no end of problems and eventually sold it. The Ikon was fine with a non pressurised basket and so is the Sunbeam. Remember, these are entry level machines that dont require the expertise of a barista but will make a decent coffee for those with limited finances.

    Leave a comment:


  • jkarlis
    replied
    Re: Please help me get started - $500 budget

    There are some serious doubts about the value of the Choices review on coffee machines which have been clearly voiced numerous times on this site.

    If youre happy with your purchase then thats all that really matters. I think 3 years out of a Breville or Sunbeam isnt bad going, I hope you get at least that much out of this one.

    Leave a comment:


  • hallycat
    replied
    Re: Please help me get started - $500 budget

    My Breville Ikon died this morning after about 3 years of light use (usually two coffees each morning) so I was in the market for a new espresso machine.
    As I subscribe to Choice online I checked them out first. They tested and rated 19 machines in January this year ranging from $170 to $1295.
    Their top rating went to the Sunbeam Cafe Latte EM5600 priced at $329. I went down to my local Good Guys and purchased the machine for $279 with a little bit of bargaining.
    The machine is easy to use and easy to clean. The only thing I wasnt too happy with were the pressurised baskets but the Krups non pressurised basket I purchased for the Breville Ikon fit the portafilter perfectly.
    So far I am very happy with its simplicity of operation and the coffee flavour. I have probably made a half dozen coffees today and am feeling the effects of caffeine overdose  

    Edit: I am using a Sunbeam EMO480 conical burr grinder which cost between $200 and $220. I havent had any problems with it.

    Also, after having a better look at the Ikon it hasnt died, just needed the shower head cleaned and is fine...oh well I will take that to work.

    Leave a comment:


  • mmmcoffee
    replied
    Re: Please help me get started - $500 budget

    Hey tbh how Id the Rocky and Ikon coming along?? How r ur coffees??

    Now that u have have a massive 5-6 weeks of snobbery and good coffee @ ur place (ps where is our invite ;D) may we now continue to coffee exploration experience and rocommend some green beans from BeanBay<<<<< and a popcorn machine (if u dont have one try Cash converters for $10) and ur coffee will increase in quality significantly. ;D

    I feel some more $$ well spent coming on its easy and makes even better coffee!

    Leave a comment:


  • coffeelust
    replied
    Re: Please help me get started - $500 budget

    Another month on this site and you will be!

    Leave a comment:


  • demianm
    replied
    Re: Please help me get started - $500 budget

    had some very nice coffees this morning

    wish I could drink 6 of these things a day

    Leave a comment:


  • GregWormald
    replied
    Re: Please help me get started - $500 budget

    The Rocky is a decent grinder off the shelf and some fairly simple (and totally reversible) mods can improve it to good with about an hours work.

    The Ikon will do well with the Rocky--good combo.

    Greg

    Leave a comment:

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