Hey, I have been reading this forum for a bit now, and most searches in google lead here so I decided to join. I have used my Breville BES250 for a couple of years now, but lately have been wanting better coffee. After house sitting for a family member I used their 800es and liked that machine. Then shortly after used an em6910 and loved that machine.
Not being a major priority I decided to just sit on ebay for a bit. I bid on a couple of things. 1 being a Breville 800es which I won for $180, brand new in box. Also simultaniously getting a Sunbeam EM6910, used without accessories. I found another used but faulty em6910 on gumtree which I bought for the accessories. After cleaning up all the accessories for that I thought Id have a look at the machine. It was so full of build up it was virtually blocked in all holes from it. I completely pulled it appart, clearing most areas and running a couple of tanks worth of decscaler through it, I got it all up and running again. Though the brew head still looked pretty funky even after flushing it thoroughly with descaler.
In the mean time the other one I won on ebay came, I gave it a good clean, decaled and polished the stainless steal, it was in better knick than the other one, but still was a bit dirty. The issue Im having is I cant get a decent pull from the em6910. The espresso always comes out bitter with no crema, but the presure gauge barely rises. The shots I get from my BES250 are much better tasting. I use a EM440 grinder which, in my opinion isnt very good. adjusting the colar on it barely changes the grind. But for my BES250, it was fine, and when I ground a bunch of beans on it for the place I was house sitting, i was getting a good pull from the 800ES.
Basically I have a stack of coffee machines now, and wondering what to do, I really liked the EM6910 that I used for the first time. Is it possible the 2nd hand machine I have can be spoiling the espresso, even after a thorough cleaning? The group seal on it looks virtually brand new, and I decsaled it to the point where the descaler was coming out clear.
I use Zaraffas beans which I know arent the freshest of beans, but as I said, I haven't really been disapointed with them on the BES250 and 800Es. As for the brand new 800ES I won, im thinking about just keeping that and selling the rest, what do you think?
Not being a major priority I decided to just sit on ebay for a bit. I bid on a couple of things. 1 being a Breville 800es which I won for $180, brand new in box. Also simultaniously getting a Sunbeam EM6910, used without accessories. I found another used but faulty em6910 on gumtree which I bought for the accessories. After cleaning up all the accessories for that I thought Id have a look at the machine. It was so full of build up it was virtually blocked in all holes from it. I completely pulled it appart, clearing most areas and running a couple of tanks worth of decscaler through it, I got it all up and running again. Though the brew head still looked pretty funky even after flushing it thoroughly with descaler.
In the mean time the other one I won on ebay came, I gave it a good clean, decaled and polished the stainless steal, it was in better knick than the other one, but still was a bit dirty. The issue Im having is I cant get a decent pull from the em6910. The espresso always comes out bitter with no crema, but the presure gauge barely rises. The shots I get from my BES250 are much better tasting. I use a EM440 grinder which, in my opinion isnt very good. adjusting the colar on it barely changes the grind. But for my BES250, it was fine, and when I ground a bunch of beans on it for the place I was house sitting, i was getting a good pull from the 800ES.
Basically I have a stack of coffee machines now, and wondering what to do, I really liked the EM6910 that I used for the first time. Is it possible the 2nd hand machine I have can be spoiling the espresso, even after a thorough cleaning? The group seal on it looks virtually brand new, and I decsaled it to the point where the descaler was coming out clear.
I use Zaraffas beans which I know arent the freshest of beans, but as I said, I haven't really been disapointed with them on the BES250 and 800Es. As for the brand new 800ES I won, im thinking about just keeping that and selling the rest, what do you think?

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