Breville, Sunbeam or something better?

[colonelfeline]

Hey guys

Looking to buy a low-midrange coffee machine for home. Less than $400 preferably.

We have a cheap Sunbeam at work that is pretty reliable, doesn't do an amazing job obviously.

I'm looking at getting a Breville for home, maybe the Breville 800 model. What are your guys' thoughts on that? Mainly using for espresso, machiatto and the occasional latte.

Thanks!

[colonelfeline]

Also,

What are your opinions on the DeLonghi machines, specifically the ECO310?

Thanks in advance!

[coffeechris]

Hi and welcome.

Have you considered a second hand machine? For $400 you may get something brand new that will do a similar job to what you already have. If you however look at something second hand you could get your hands on something like a Rancilio Silvia. I only say maybe. On top of this like most will suggest on here is that you will need to consider a grinder as well. You can by a great machine, however if you only by a cheaper grinder or use ground coffee you cant really expect to much. A grinder is more important.

Kind regards,

Chris

[timdimdom]

the eco series will be in the same league as the cheap sunbeam you have. main things you want to look for is something with:
1. non pressurised baskets
2. an OPV valve.

the 6910 goes for 150-400 on gumtree. if not, you're going to have to mod a machine to remove the pressurised baskets. (any of them will do in this case)

next thing is a on-demand conical burr grinder. minimum will be a sunbeam em0450?

without an on-demand grinder there wouldnt be much of a point upgrading

just my 2 cents

[Dimal]

Personally, if I was on a limited budget (and I have been on occasions), I'd opt for an AeroPress and use the rest of my funds to purchase the best Grinder I could. That way, you get to enjoy wonderful coffee from the AeroPress and if funds permit in the future, buy a decent quality small Italian/Spanish espresso machine. You can keep the AeroPress then for use at work or when away from home...

Mal.

[timdimdom]

Personally, if I was on a limited budget (and I have been on occasions), I'd opt for an AeroPress and use the rest of my funds to purchase the best Grinder I could. That way, you get to enjoy wonderful coffee from the AeroPress and if funds permit in the future, buy a decent quality small Italian/Spanish espresso machine. You can keep the AeroPress then for use at work or when away from home...

Mal.

or even find some single walled baskets and use the sunbeam that's already there with the new grinder

[colonelfeline]

Hey guys,

Thanks so much for the replies!

Where would I find single walled baskets?

It looks like I might go for a nice grinder (any recommendations around the $200 mark?) and a cheap Sunbeam/Breville machine until I can get my hands on a really nice piece of equipment.

Does that sound like a plan?

And also, what would higher quality espresso machines should I look for down the line? The Rancilio Silvia? Any other recommendations?

Thanks again

[Journeyman]

Most SB machines, even on gumtree/ebay will come with both double and single floor baskets. Or check on ebay for parts.

What coffee do you like or expect to be making? If milk varieties in any number (i.e. other than once every so often) look for double boiler or double thermoblocks - the steps involved in getting a single boiler to perform for both coffee AND steam will get old very fast.

The SB twin thermoblock and Breville double boiler have a much simpler use and the SB can keep producing coffees for a houseful of drinkers. The most I have done at one time was 7 and the last coffee was as good as the first. Machines with single or small boilers have to keep waiting for the boiler to refill or build up pressure after each use - thermoblocks just keep pumping through the water and steam - it's like using a pro machine and producing coffee and milk simultaneously.

If the SB at work isn't producing good coffee it's because it isn't being used or maintained properly. Or people haven't learned to make coffee properly - there's more to it on any machine than cramming coffee into a basket and running water through it. My SB (and those of many others on here) produces excellent coffee, very simply and reliably. I haven't used the Breville range but there are threads here dedicated to them so have a read.

I'd recommend the SB EM6910 along with some reading on CS to see what process to use and for tips on getting the best from it. For a start they are a lot less to buy than the Brevilles which leaves more for the grinder. If you're buying online, try to make sure you get to see the machine in action, or maybe pay by Paypal so if it is non-functional you can get your money back.

For grinders, the SB EM0450 would be the minimum, but I'd say go for at least the EM0480 - they are very similar but that switch on the side of the 480 is a very useful addition. The SB grinders are very good for the price and the only thing normally needed is to ensure it is shimmed correctly. (some of them will not grind fine enough for espresso so some shims (thin washers) get added under the bottom burr to get it in the right range)

You will often see the 2nd hand SB's come with the grinder so maybe look for one of those deals. e.g. a fairly new 6910 and 480 were sold on ebay 2 days ago for $305 along with all you'd need except beans.

[timdimdom]

Hey guys,

Thanks so much for the replies!

Where would I find single walled baskets?

It looks like I might go for a nice grinder (any recommendations around the $200 mark?) and a cheap Sunbeam/Breville machine until I can get my hands on a really nice piece of equipment.

Does that sound like a plan?

And also, what would higher quality espresso machines should I look for down the line? The Rancilio Silvia? Any other recommendations?

Thanks again

$200 mark grinder, if you can stretch it a little, try the breville Smart Grinder. myer has a one for one deal at the moment

if not, journeyman's suggestion for a 2nd hand 6910 is very highly recommended. just make sure the seller used filtered water and backflushed it regularly. and watch them pull a shot before you buy to make sure the opv is in working order (pressure gague will be working and pf wont blow out during shot)

for single walled baskets, you might have to try using a dremel tool to remove the outer wall, or there are some charitable peeps on CS who will do it for you so long as you cover postage. youtube will be helpful with how to do it if you go down that route =p

out of curiosity, what sunbeam are you using at the moment?

[colonelfeline]

Thanks for the replies

Using Sunbeam Cafe Espresso at the moment - there's not too much we can tinker with on it, it's a pretty basic unit.

I like espresso's, will make the odd cappuccino or machiatto with it as well, but definitely won't be making multiple milk coffees.

I see there are some deals for the EM6910 espresso machine + EM0440 grinder at around $450-$500 brand new. Do you think this would be a good starting point?

[Journeyman]

I'd talk to them about upgrading the 440 to a 480. Better grinder for very little more. With the 480 it would be a good starting point and there's a lot of info on CS re using them.

If it's mainly espressos, the issues re single boiler machines may not be a concern for you. To me the idea of following the necessary rigmarole for virtually every coffee is a definite deal breaker but mostly the missus and I (& friends) drink milk-type coffees.

[colonelfeline]

Great, thanks!

I've done a bit of searching - I've found a brand new 480 grinder for $100, or a second-hand Gino Rossi CC45 for $150

Should I go for the CC45??

[LexiconDevil]

if the work machine is the sunbeam cafe creme II I had that & replaced it (after 3000 cups) with the breville 800 today.
it makes coffee from beans and to me even the shittest machine is better than a jug & international roast.just a bit easier to use than the 'beam really push buttons nice handle to turn front load water I can see the first cup being an easier proposition now.
and the cup height clearance is perfect every cup in the place fits under it nicely
for $279-299 at the moment i'd tell anyone to spend the extra 100 on one of these or even the next model up.we had to bypass that and opted for the simplest easiest "less likely to mess it up" one for Joe Public to use ....

[Journeyman]

Great, thanks!

I've done a bit of searching - I've found a brand new 480 grinder for $100, or a second-hand Gino Rossi CC45 for $150

Should I go for the CC45??

The Gino is a commercial grinder - to be that price you'd have to ask what is wrong with it. Buying it cheap may not be so once you've paid for worn parts etc. Also I think it's a doser - most CS'ers seem to prefer doserless - wastes less coffee. I'd probably go the brand new one - at least there's a warranty with it.

[reiimondo]

I've found a brand new 480 grinder for $100

If you don't mind me asking, but where did you find this?!