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Get a 4th second hand Sunbeam 6910 or buy new Breville
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Erin73 how are you finding it in terms of quality of coffee compared to the EM6910?
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Thanks so much Leroy C, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. Your thoughts about the group head likely to leak again with another 8 year old 6910 machine clinched it for me.
I eventually decided to buy a Breville Barista pro and am very happy with it.
Thankyou again.
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Hey there. The easiest way to address this is probably to answer your questions directly so see below:
So I guess I have a few questions:
1. Given I am happy with the quality of the coffee in the 6910 is there much of a difference between the 6910 and the 7000 or between the 6910 and the Breville pro/Breville dual Boiler? I am finding it hard to find comparisons between the 6910 and the Breville pro online - anyone upgraded between these machines and noticed a difference?
When you say Breville Pro which model are you referring to? The Barista Pro? If that's the case then you'll note that its a combi machine with an inbuilt grinder. In theory it's an inferior machine to the Dual Boiler, but it is still very capable and would probably a better option than another Sunbeam. The Dual Boiler is a great machine in many ways, but all it's features are somewhat wasted if you're not interested in experimenting with brew temps and pre-infusion and the likes. If you mostly make the same coffee each day and have been happy with the EM6910s then the Breville Barista Pro could very well be the way to go. The EM7000 is very similar to the EM6910, but it's just a little more automated. Like the EM6910 it is also prone to the collar getting worn out although I believe it's a little tougher than the 6910 one.
2. If I got another second hand 6910, is this "group head leaking" problem likely to keep happening?
Probably.
Is it a thing with these machines?
Yes - they have quite a soft 'collar' around the group head that is prone wearing down. You may also have a split group head gasket if that has never been changed. The gasket is easy to replace, but the collar is not. One thing to try is replacing the group head gasket but put a space underneath the new one when re-fitting it to make sure you get a good seal.
Is it something I am doing or not doing? (I am too embarrassed to say how often I descale, but from my post content so far you might guess).
Probably at least a little bit, but it's also just normal wear and tear. If you got 8 years from your first machine without issue then you're obviously not too hard on them. The second one you bought was probably already heading that way thanks to the previous owner.
It's not to do with me always using the fine grind on my grinder is it?
Possibly. The collar wear that I mentioned above tends to be exacerbated as people over tighten the portafilter when they lock it in. They do this as they often see some minor leaking around the group head which is usually caused by over-dosing (too much coffee in the basket), but can also be caused by grinding too fine.
3. If my EM0480 has been fine just stuck on fine grind, do I buy a new grinder as well - and if so, perhaps I should just do the Breville pro which has the grinder built in?
Yep, it's time for a new grinder no matter which way you go.
Before you do anything you may want to see if your 6910 can be easily fixed with a new group head gasket. This is not really 'fixing' so don't be scared of it, it's just replacing a part that sould be replaced periodically anyway and should also be taken out occasionally for a good clean. If you just can't be bothered then make sure you don't throw out your old 6910(s). List them here on on Gumtree as someone will want to grab them to fix up or for parts. You might not get much for them, but it's better than sending them to landfill. And if that's what you do then the Breville Barista Pro or a Sunbeam EM7000 and grinder package are probably your two best options.
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Get a 4th second hand Sunbeam 6910 or buy new Breville
I had a 6910 for about 8 years which I loved. It broke, so I bought a second hand one from cash converters, and after 1 year it started leaking around the group head, so I bought yet another one from gumtree, which after only 12 months is now also leaking (quite badly now) around the group head. I know I could possibly google parts (I assume it is the seals) and fix it, but (feel a bit guilty about this) - but I really can't do any fixing of anything (I'm hopeless and lacking in motivation).
There is another second hand one on gumtree for 180 which I could go and buy tomorrow. However I really would like it to last more than one year.
I am happy to spend more and buy a new machine but I really want one which either steams and does shots at the same time OR only a few seconds wait after shots before I can do steam. Don't want to wait 15-30 seconds before the steamer is ready (combined with my inability to do any fixing, this is probably revealing my true slackness/laziness but oh well).
My understanding therefore is that my options for a new machine under $1000 are either:
a) Sunbeam thermoblock system - I think the EM7000
b) Breville dual boiler
c) Breville pro - which although doesn't steam and pour shots at the same time, instantly switches between them so don't have to wait.
However all of these are going to cost $800-$1000 - and given I am happy with the quality of the shots from the EM6910, maybe I should just get another second hand one?
Also, I have a Sunbeam EM0480 grinder and have had this for 15 years. However it has broken too so I can't adjust the fineness of the grind - just does a very fine grind. The weird thing is that I use this grind every time and it works fine in producing shots which are good enough for me so I have never worried about replacing it.
It seems the gumtree guy selling the EM6910 is also selling a new EM0480 too (which presumably adjusts) so maybe I should just get them both (6910 plus grinder) for $220 and not worrying about upgrading to Breville.
So I guess I have a few questions:
1. Given I am happy with the quality of the coffee in the 6910 is there much of a difference between the 6910 and the 7000 or between the 6910 and the Breville pro/Breville dual Boiler? I am finding it hard to find comparisons between the 6910 and the Breville pro online - anyone upgraded between these machines and noticed a difference?
2. If I got another second hand 6910, is this "group head leaking" problem likely to keep happening? Is it a thing with these machines? Is it something I am doing or not doing? (I am too embarrassed to say how often I descale, but from my post content so far you might guess). It's not to do with me always using the fine grind on my grinder is it?
3. If my EM0480 has been fine just stuck on fine grind, do I buy a new grinder as well - and if so, perhaps I should just do the Breville pro which has the grinder built in?
I have spent 4 hours researching on line today and my eyes are glazing over. If anyone has any ideas or help I will be very, very grateful!!
Thankyou

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