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Questions getting started - Sunbeam Cafe Latte

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  • Questions getting started - Sunbeam Cafe Latte

    Hi all,

    Im new to the whole coffee making game and have recently purchased a Sunbeam Cafe Latte (EM5600) and a Breville BCG450 to get me started. However I seem to be having trouble getting decent shots.

    My biggest problem is that the espresso is blonding after about 3 seconds and tastes terrible as you can imagine - how can I control this?

    Finally, I have read a lot of posts that talk about tamp pressure around 10-15kg. How do I calibrate my arm to give 10-15kg of pressure? :

    Cheers,

    Steve

  • #2
    Re: Questions getting started - Sunbeam Cafe Latte

    Welcome to Coffee Snobs Steve.

    To answer your last question, get a set of bathroom scales and tamp on that.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Questions getting started - Sunbeam Cafe Latte

      Originally posted by Thundergod link=1200704555/0#1 date=1200711084
      Welcome to Coffee Snobs Steve.

      To answer your last question, get a set of bathroom scales and tamp on that.
      Just to clarify, I dont think TG means that you should stand, dance, or jump on the scales, but rather, place the group handle on the scales then tamp to the desired weight.

      Succinct is not always best! ;D

      Welcome from me too stevos.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Questions getting started - Sunbeam Cafe Latte

        Dennis,

        If you stand on the scales whilst tamping, they should read 15kg less if you are exerting the right amount of pressure into the portafilter whilst it is resting say, on the bench.

        The added advantage of doing it this way is that you dont have to clean the scales first. ;D

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Questions getting started - Sunbeam Cafe Latte

          Originally posted by Thundergod link=1200704555/0#3 date=1200719525
          Dennis,

          If you stand on the scales whilst tamping, they should read 15kg less if you are exerting the right amount of pressure into the portafilter whilst it is resting say, on the bench.

          The added advantage of doing it this way is that you dont have to clean the scales first. ;D
          Incorrect. : If that were true a weight lifter would not be able to lift more than their body weight before their feet left the ground. :P

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Questions getting started - Sunbeam Cafe Latte

            Youve confused me now; I give up. :-?

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Questions getting started - Sunbeam Cafe Latte

              Originally posted by Thundergod link=1200704555/0#5 date=1200721321
              Youve confused me now; I give up. :-?
              Thundergod...

              Dont give up.... you are correct!!!

              A 100kg person standing on scales exerting 15kg downward force (to an object not on the scales) will weight 85 KG.... The force of gravity (acting down on their body is 100Kg but 15Kg of that is applied in a downward direction...... reducing the effect of gravity by 15KG.... as the person is assisting gravity.

              A weightlifter fights gravity...... so a 100KG weightlifter lifting a 100KG weight will weigh 200KG on the scales.... the combined force of gravity acting downwards on the weight and the body of the weightlifter.....

              So you are 100% correct!!!

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Questions getting started - Sunbeam Cafe Latte

                youre no fun JavaB - I was enjoying TG being confused!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Questions getting started - Sunbeam Cafe Latte

                  My wife and son were out.
                  They were better in school with physics and chemistry.
                  Biology was my specialty (hence the wife and son).

                  Anyway, I checked with the lad and was about to come back from a long roasting session and ask about Newton and some of his laws.
                  "Equal and opposite reaction" rings a bell.

                  Thanks for sticking up for me JavaB.

                  Dennis.......  :P  

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Questions getting started - Sunbeam Cafe Latte

                    ....I just scanned this thread and Im lost. Thank god Im not working for NASA...

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Questions getting started - Sunbeam Cafe Latte

                      Well after that interesting physics lesson, back to Stevos question! ;D

                      Firstly let me add my welcome.

                      There are potentially many reasons for what youre experiencing, but one problem is that the EM5600 has pressurised / dual-wall baskets. These are designed to give artificial crema, not real crema that comes from a good extraction. Its possible to get aftermarket baskets that dont have that extra floor, but I suggest you do a subject line search for pressurised baskets to learn more about how they work and why theyre not good for real espresso.

                      Other possible reasons for early blonding:
                      * stale beans (how many days out of roast are they? If theyre supermarket beans, toss them in the bin and get some fresh ones from a local roaster or friendly site sponsor)
                      * grind too coarse - adjust finer, particularly likely if the shot is running fast.
                      * machine not warmed up properly - with the portafilter in place, allow it to sit turned on for about an hour before using to see if this makes a noticeable difference to your results

                      As a rule of thumb, you should have a delay of at least 3-4 seconds from when you activate the pump to when espresso starts coming out. My Silvia normally goes about 6 seconds before espresso starts exiting which Id aim for, but it may be a bit different in such a different type of machine. The longer it takes the more resistance to water flow and thus the more pressure the pump is generating, and you need a certain amount of pressure otherwise its not espresso!

                      Unfortunately the combo youve got doesnt really lend itself that well to good consistent results. However with good beans and technique you can probably get acceptable results until you catch upgraditis!

                      Greg

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Questions getting started - Sunbeam Cafe Latte

                        Well it appears we have come to a consensus about the weight on bench question - and thanks for the tips on tamp pressure. NOw I will need to get bathrood scales or work out a way of using my fishing scales to get the same result! I expect that I am not appying anywhere near enough tamp pressure.

                        I have been using Merlo beans which I have had for say 2 weeks now but I seem to have been having the blonding problems since purchase. I also tried a bag of vac sealed grinders coffee that I was given at christmas and it went the same way.

                        Also does a pressurised basket mean that the grind should be different from an unpressurised?

                        Cheers,

                        Steve

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Questions getting started - Sunbeam Cafe Latte

                          Sorry I forgot to add:

                          If a pressurised basket gives a false crema does that mean that even an otherwise perfect shot will look a little blonde.

                          I just tried another cup using the tips suggested (ie. used a small horse to tamp it) and it was a little better. Start-up was about 4 seconds and 30ml took about 15 seconds. I littel quick hey - so I might investigate moding the basket.

                          Keep ideas coming

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Questions getting started - Sunbeam Cafe Latte

                            Hey Stevos, given that you have a burr grinder Id definitely be trying unpressurised baskets. You can buy baskets to fit from Krupps dealers, or take to the factory ones with an angle-grinder My backup machine is a similar Sunbeam and Ive never been able to produce anything approaching an acceptable espresso from it with the factory baskets!

                            Also occurred to me that you didnt mention what tamper youre using - the supplied plastic scoop with tamper on the other end is basically useless unfortunately.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Questions getting started - Sunbeam Cafe Latte

                              Tamp sufficiently so that you can turn the group handle upside down without the coffee falling out. Use 7 grams of coffee only.

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