Hi everyone
I have been using a second hand EM6910 with the matching burr grinder.
The machine is currently in the shop. It was leaking from the group head as soon as there was any resistance (coffee vs. an empty group head). It was also leaking mainly from the back of the head. From reading posts on here it seems as if it may be heading to the cafe in the sky (have told the shop to replace the seals and see if that fixes it, I couldnt get the shower screen to budge and Im not really the type to pull things apart and manage to get them back together so didnt want to damage it further). Plus water has been leaking from underneath the unit.
My main issue is that I have no idea what Im doing. I get the basics, fresh beans, 7gms of coffee, a good tamp, let the machine warm up first 25-30 seconds for extraction etc etc. But in all honesty my coffees have been nowhere near as good as what even a poor cafe produces (bugger all crema, steaming took a week and microfoam hard to achieve). Id imagine it was more down to me than the machine.
Since Im impatient Ive decided that the machine has died (if it hasnt and is working once out of the shop will probably look to unload it on Ebay anyway).
My eye has been taken by the deal offered by Talk Coffee http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1163933911/14#14
* GEE Espresso machine
* Compak K3T grinder- short hopper grind on demand 2010 version
* 58mm Espresso gear tamper
* Compact designs knock tube
* 600ml Rattleware latte art jug
* Compact designs pro tamp mat
Im just wondering if Im likely to kill this machine in a hurry as well as general things that must be done not to damage it. I know to not use tap water, I also know about back flushing. Im a bit confused about descaling. Some people say to never run the stuff through the steam wand (at least on the em6910 but figure since this is also a thermoblock machine the same may apply) whilst others say its necessary.
I guess my main concern is whether once you move beyond the Harvey Norman type machines if the units produce better quality coffee but need an expert at the helm to keep them from carking or if they can cope with the occasional overdose/too hard a tamp?
Id really love to do a course but I live 3 1/2 hours out of Melbourne and whilst I do know a few baristas they are self-taught and generally know less of the basics than I do (ex Gloria Jeans workers/waiters). I watch the videos on youtube but for the Sunbeam at least it didnt really seem to help too much.
My max spend is around $1500. I mainly drink lattes/flat whites (yes giggle at me). Im wondering if the Gee and Compak is the ticket? I was also looking at the Compak doser grinder but I think thats because I like the lack of mess and all in one-ness. But the excess coffee grinds would go stale quickly yeah? But on the flip side can you just dump the excess rather than having a pipe filled with stale grind from a doserless? Or does the same thing happen still?
Basically Im totally lost and need help. I really dont want to wander into a store and be taken for a ride, come back on here and hate myself for it.
I have been using a second hand EM6910 with the matching burr grinder.
The machine is currently in the shop. It was leaking from the group head as soon as there was any resistance (coffee vs. an empty group head). It was also leaking mainly from the back of the head. From reading posts on here it seems as if it may be heading to the cafe in the sky (have told the shop to replace the seals and see if that fixes it, I couldnt get the shower screen to budge and Im not really the type to pull things apart and manage to get them back together so didnt want to damage it further). Plus water has been leaking from underneath the unit.
My main issue is that I have no idea what Im doing. I get the basics, fresh beans, 7gms of coffee, a good tamp, let the machine warm up first 25-30 seconds for extraction etc etc. But in all honesty my coffees have been nowhere near as good as what even a poor cafe produces (bugger all crema, steaming took a week and microfoam hard to achieve). Id imagine it was more down to me than the machine.
Since Im impatient Ive decided that the machine has died (if it hasnt and is working once out of the shop will probably look to unload it on Ebay anyway).
My eye has been taken by the deal offered by Talk Coffee http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1163933911/14#14
* GEE Espresso machine
* Compak K3T grinder- short hopper grind on demand 2010 version
* 58mm Espresso gear tamper
* Compact designs knock tube
* 600ml Rattleware latte art jug
* Compact designs pro tamp mat
Im just wondering if Im likely to kill this machine in a hurry as well as general things that must be done not to damage it. I know to not use tap water, I also know about back flushing. Im a bit confused about descaling. Some people say to never run the stuff through the steam wand (at least on the em6910 but figure since this is also a thermoblock machine the same may apply) whilst others say its necessary.
I guess my main concern is whether once you move beyond the Harvey Norman type machines if the units produce better quality coffee but need an expert at the helm to keep them from carking or if they can cope with the occasional overdose/too hard a tamp?
Id really love to do a course but I live 3 1/2 hours out of Melbourne and whilst I do know a few baristas they are self-taught and generally know less of the basics than I do (ex Gloria Jeans workers/waiters). I watch the videos on youtube but for the Sunbeam at least it didnt really seem to help too much.
My max spend is around $1500. I mainly drink lattes/flat whites (yes giggle at me). Im wondering if the Gee and Compak is the ticket? I was also looking at the Compak doser grinder but I think thats because I like the lack of mess and all in one-ness. But the excess coffee grinds would go stale quickly yeah? But on the flip side can you just dump the excess rather than having a pipe filled with stale grind from a doserless? Or does the same thing happen still?
Basically Im totally lost and need help. I really dont want to wander into a store and be taken for a ride, come back on here and hate myself for it.


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