So.....two weeks of intense research, worrying, day dreaming...just what to buy to upgrade from the Sunbeam EM6910. It was working fine, the steamer just wasn't quite as good as it was in the beginning (2 years old) and I was wanting, desiring more from my machine and coffee. Just wanted something that would take me back to the days of owning my own cafe and commercial machine. But, oh so much choice, so much feedback and so many $$$$$.
In the end it came down to a hard crunch between at the bottom end: the new Sunbeam EM7000, a NS Oscar on special, the Breville DB, the Rocket Giotto (2 yrs old) and the NS Musica. I read the forums till my eyes hurt, I watched many Youtube videos.....I searched ebay, CSnob's and Gumtree. It came down to a great price offered by Antony at Casa Espresso in Melbourne (CS Sponsor), reviews and hands on reviews on Youtube. It's not a cheap home machine, though cheaper than the Giotto.
Unpacked, filled and heated. Pretty simple to use and am loving the steam handle and boy what steam pressure! woo hoo...a 4 hole nozzle and I was nervous it would feel like riding a race horse when you were used to a merry go round pony....but the control and sound made it easy to dial in the sweet spot and in no time flat and I mean it, beautiful glossy micro foam.
Still dialling in my bean grind, will try tomorrow morning and also get some fresh local beans. But the couple of shots I pulled so far look very very promising.
Overall I am impressed with the modern look of the machine, it suites my modern kitchen, it's compact, shiny and matches the Mazzer mini pretty well. The build quality looks good, so I will cross my fingers that the reliability comes with it. I hope to hold on to this baby for quite a few years.
Upgrading, it's stressful, fun and confusing. Which machine, how much to spend, from who, reliability vs cost, is their a service place nearby (if needed) and ease of use. I just hope my post sings true to the rest of you out there with upgraditis.....you can DO it.
In the end it came down to a hard crunch between at the bottom end: the new Sunbeam EM7000, a NS Oscar on special, the Breville DB, the Rocket Giotto (2 yrs old) and the NS Musica. I read the forums till my eyes hurt, I watched many Youtube videos.....I searched ebay, CSnob's and Gumtree. It came down to a great price offered by Antony at Casa Espresso in Melbourne (CS Sponsor), reviews and hands on reviews on Youtube. It's not a cheap home machine, though cheaper than the Giotto.
Unpacked, filled and heated. Pretty simple to use and am loving the steam handle and boy what steam pressure! woo hoo...a 4 hole nozzle and I was nervous it would feel like riding a race horse when you were used to a merry go round pony....but the control and sound made it easy to dial in the sweet spot and in no time flat and I mean it, beautiful glossy micro foam.
Still dialling in my bean grind, will try tomorrow morning and also get some fresh local beans. But the couple of shots I pulled so far look very very promising.Overall I am impressed with the modern look of the machine, it suites my modern kitchen, it's compact, shiny and matches the Mazzer mini pretty well. The build quality looks good, so I will cross my fingers that the reliability comes with it. I hope to hold on to this baby for quite a few years.
Upgrading, it's stressful, fun and confusing. Which machine, how much to spend, from who, reliability vs cost, is their a service place nearby (if needed) and ease of use. I just hope my post sings true to the rest of you out there with upgraditis.....you can DO it.

Comment