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Sunbeam EM6910 - Leaking problem / froth question

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  • Sunbeam EM6910 - Leaking problem / froth question

    So I have just purchased a new Sunbeam EM6910. Quite an impressive looking unit, but I’m having a few niggling issues.

    I am experiencing some leaking from the group head when I pour my shots. I have been dosing to the desired 3mm below the top of the basket. When I pour though, water has been leaking around the outside of the group head, and some water appears to be flowing through the portafilter into the shot also. The pressure has been ok (around 2 o’clock), so I don’t think it’s related to the grind.

    I tried inserting the portafilter a little looser (I had been cranking it past centre) and this seemed to help a bit. My pucks have been dry but the grind seems to be getting stuck to the group head. It looks as though the grind is coming loose around the edge of the basket. So, I then tried reducing my dose. This also seemed to help, although I am aware that the quality of the espresso will suffer from underdosing.

    Has anyone experienced a similar problem? Does anyone have any ideas of fixing this problem without sacrificing the quality of espresso?

    On another note, it has been quite a challenge frothing. I think it’s just a matter of practise, but essentially I have been either producing either no microfoam whatsoever, or very bubbly froth. Given that I have not adjusted to the machine yet, do you think I should change the temp/pump settings yet ? Or wait til I have mastered frothing on the standard settings?

    Thanks in advance.

  • #2
    Re: Sunbeam EM6910 - Leaking problem / froth quest

    Hi there,

    I am experiencing the same probably youve detailed. But it only occurs to me sometimes, not always. So it must be the way we dose/tamp/insert into group head or something.

    Looking forward to see what others think.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Sunbeam EM6910 - Leaking problem / froth quest

      The solution may be to twist the grouphandle firmly into group head. It needs to go beyond the perpendicular, to about 45degrees. It is deceiptive at first, buty ou have to really push it along.
      As for the frothing, I strongly recommend going to the Sunbeam traning course. Theyll certainly teach you the technique required with the EM6910.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Sunbeam EM6910 - Leaking problem / froth quest

        I second flatwhite comments... pull the PF tighter...

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Sunbeam EM6910 - Leaking problem / froth quest

          Thanks guys. However the leaking seemed to be worse when I pulled the portafilter very tight. It also felt like it could not handle the pressure and was twisting itself out of the group head - this scares me because my old sunbeam did this. I know some ppl have experienced this and its not pleasant - you end up with coffee, water and potentially glass flying everywhere

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Sunbeam EM6910 - Leaking problem / froth quest

            "I have been dosing to the desired 3mm below the top of the basket. "

            dose way ABOVE the PF, then tamp down hard to below.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Sunbeam EM6910 - Leaking problem / froth quest

              Gaggiaboy - yeah sorry thats what I meant. After I tamp the level is about 3mm below the top.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Sunbeam EM6910 - Leaking problem / froth quest

                I had the same with my Silvia when I first got it. This was because the showerscreen was hitting the coffee before the side of the basket sealed on the gasket, so the coffee/showerscreen union prevented the seal getting enough compression to withstand the pressure.

                I dont normally recommend this, but for the purposes of troubleshooting try grinding a bit finer than normal but fill the basket so its a couple of millimetres BELOW the top of the basket, then tamp and see how you go when you lock the PF in. From my recollections of the review I did on the 6910 the gasket is pretty forgiving; it seems to feel like its sealed when the portafilters straight out but it can go a lot further round. This will ensure the portafilters well sealed against the gasket. Also take note of where the pressure gauge gets to and make sure its in the same sort of area as it was when it was leaking (if its not grind finer and repeat the above). If you find youre able to hold the same pressure without leaking via this method, you may be overdosing too far, or grinding too fine with the volume of dose youre using.

                Greg

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                • #9
                  Re: Sunbeam EM6910 - Leaking problem / froth quest

                  liquid gold, have you done the Sunbeam course?

                  You really do need to updose on this machine...

                  The twisting out of the group is a real problem with these machines unless you updose and pull reasonably tight.... If I underdose just slightly, the PF starts to come lose... its real annoying.. I think its just one of the idiosyncrasies of this machine that you learn to work with...

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Sunbeam EM6910 - Leaking problem / froth quest

                    yeah its a balance thing. too high - it wont lock, too low the coffee surface tends to seal sometimes and then water pressure build up....

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Sunbeam EM6910 - Leaking problem / froth quest

                      Oh, and about the frothing...

                      I havent attended the course yet, but I have the froth going nicely now. At first, I didnt have enough milk in the jug and that made it difficult, so I would say to have the jug at least half full (at least when youre learning). Then pull the nozzle way out and lower into the jug - the jug should generally stay pretty level - the nozzle should be just below the surface - if youre getting bubbles its too high. Then turn the steam knob to full. If youre doing it right youll get a soft squirting sound instead of a harsh noise. You should start to see the level of the foam rise after a 20-30 secs - once you have the amount of foam you want insert the nozzle deeper into the milk to get it to the right temperature.

                      cheers,
                      John

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Sunbeam EM6910 - Leaking problem / froth quest

                        Ok Ive spent a few more days trialling with varying results. When I have updosed, the leaking is much worse. However I get nice dry solid pucks. There seems to be a 5mm wide mark around the outside of the puck though, presumably from the coffee being pressed against the showerscreen. Would this indicate the dose is too high?

                        When I reduce the dose (with a finer grind), the leaking significantly reduces (still a few droplets). However the shots are more blonde, the pour is too fast and my puck is often quite wet. My next step is to try the lower dose but with a much finer grind.

                        Note - the leaking is predominatly coming from the back of the PF, at about 11 oclock.

                        The good news: After another session of frothing I have got the hang of it. Very satisfying! Im producing pretty good microfoam now - now just working on my latte art

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Sunbeam EM6910 - Leaking problem / froth quest

                          LG, looks like you may need to get a new group seal... call Sunbeam, theyll send you out a new one...

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Sunbeam EM6910 - Leaking problem / froth quest

                            Hi, I just bought an EM6910 and have had all sorts of trouble and reading the posts on this site I see I am not alone. I have the leaking seal sometimes even if underdosing and the problems with the mik frothing.

                            The milk has improved with changing the settings as mentioned in "frothing milk and bubbles" section but I am still getting leaks around the seal now and again.

                            I want to be able to use the single floor basket but I cannot get any crema and the guage sits at about 8 oclock. I have tried very fine "Turkish" grind setting and espresso fine with no difference in results. When I use the double floor basket, the guage shows at about 2 oclock with or without coffee!

                            Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong or is it likely to be a dud machine?

                            OBTW Im in NZ and a Newbie.....so dont hold it against me

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Sunbeam EM6910 - Leaking problem / froth quest

                              Told you I am a Newbie!!!!! I tried to change my email in my profile and for some reason it wont send the confirmation to it so I re registered as Deejayz. Sorry Admin Man can you delete my Davey login please?

                              Comment

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