Re: Impulse buy, keeper?
Ive just bought the same Sunbeam package as an upgrade to my now dead, 5 yr old Saeco Aroma.
I thought I made good coffee with the Saeco and Delonghi grinder combo. BOY WAS I WRONG.
Ive only had the new machines a few days so Im still learning but I am absolutely hooked now. The first few shots I made werent great but can confidently say each one is improving. After the panarello thing on the Saeco, Ive had to learn to do milk from scratch really, lots of reading here and watching U tube vids and its getting passable for textured milk.
So far no issues with the grinder, it seems to be grinding fine enough on about 19, (17 chokes the basket) gives me room for wear like everyone reports. On 19 with a medium tamp I pull shots in the top half of the ideal pressure bracket using the non-pressurised double basket. Awesome crema and great taste using a local roasted blend.
Keep it.
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Re: Impulse buy, keeper?
Well done rcon...I started with that exact combo...I wouldnt be surprised if alot of others on here started exactly the same way.....
It got me into coffee, and it/we made good coffee together ( amazing coffee, once I upgraded the grinder), until I gave it away and upgraded..
If you could, Id sell the grinder, and get either a second hand mazzer or maybe a compak k3...
It will do the job, but for a few hundred more the two above will keep you happy for many years to come, and will suit your next machine if you do eventually decide to upgrade your machine...
wonder
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Re: Impulse buy, keeper?
You guys have bought into probably the best value prosumer combo out there. Yes, Im biassed, because I had (actually still do) that pair and know just how good they can be.
The negative first - 6910: The brew pressure is a bit high, so the coffee needs to be nice and fine. Its a bit noisy! Its a domestic device, so expect plastic inside, not copper etc. Whilst the milk textures fine, it does take a bit of a long time.
0480: can need shimming as the burrs wear down, Noisy, lots of static and tends to hoard grounds inside.
The positive: Throw a dinner party with 8 guests who all like a different brew, from espresso to Cappuchino, then show me a combo that can do the job better for under a thousand bucks RRP! In half an hour I can teach anyone to use this pair to make superb coffee time and time again.
And take advantage of the Sunbeam Home Barista course - if you are lucky, like me, you will spend all morning with a national champion
Oh, and yes, there are better machines that make a single espresso shot, and yes there are better machines that cost much more, and yes you can get a more expensive grinder that does the job better, and yes, in a year you will be so hooked that you have sold the car and built a home coffee studio...
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Re: Impulse buy, keeper?
Well Im a newbie and just picked up my set of EM6910 and EM0480 second hand for absolutely dirt cheap, and while I cant comment on the quality of the grinder as of yet as Im a newbie at that, but so far Im quite happy with it.
Ive read on this forum about people having troubles frothing the milk, but I gave it a go today, and the milk was BEAUTIFUL, though I do have about 2 years of milk frothing under my belt so that might be one of the reasons.
Consistent shot wise, I wouldnt say the machine plays a part as much as technique, such tamp, grind coarseness, freshness of bean etc etc. Like I said, fairly new at this, and my coffee shots have been fairly inconsistent.
And as above, the grinder DOES keep a bit of old grind, and when I cleaned the machine I was actually shocked by the amount retained in the machine, so a good clean is definitely required once a while.
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Re: Impulse buy, keeper?
I have the 480 grinder. Im not a huge fan of it. I bought it before I joined here, and - while I wont say I wish I hadnt - Id love to upgrade it ASAP. I find it retains a lot of old grinds, which, unless you clean thoroughly after use will be stale by the time they are used. Cant wait until I upgrade to a Compak (probably)...
On the subject of the machine, I used one a few months ago, and was reasonably happy with it. Unfortunately I didnt get to have a a big play around with it, as the owners used stale coffee, pressurised baskets, coffee stored for (who knows how long) in the hopper etc. But I believe the 6910 comes with unpressurised basket? If so, only use these, grind on demand and only add what beans you need to the hopper.
Did you buy the machine and grinder in a package, or separately? That is, can you return the grinder and not the machine? I think the machine will serve you well, the grinder may let you down.
PS: yes, the 6910 does good milk, once you get the hang of your technique!
David
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Re: Impulse buy, keeper?
I dont own either the Sunbeam or Breville but my advice: hang on to the Sunbeam. It will do what you want it to do and there have been many satisfied users on this forum.
At 2.5 times the price Im not sure the Breville offers 2.5 times the quality in the cup.
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Impulse buy, keeper?
Coming home from an introduction seminar to a post grad degree, I picked up an EM6910 and EM480. I really stopped to just look over a BES900, but truthfully I just need something that gives me fresh grinds, well stretched milk and consistent double shots (picolo for me) to get me going in the morning. I managed to talk myself into a "now purchase" based on the fact Ive got a lot of reading coming my way.
So, questions,
is the EM480 a decent grinder? sticker price 199 but I discount this
can I stretch milk properly with the thermoblocked EM6910?
will i get reasonably consistent shots?
Paid 620 for the pair.
Or.... should I take the whole lot back before I open it and buy the BES900 whilst hoping the GF doesnt notice the $1500 hole in the credit card?
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