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New Sunbeam Espresso Machine!

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  • Monti
    replied
    Re: New Sunbeam Espresso Machine!

    Originally posted by Monti link=1109515596/135#149 date=1124092586
    Ive just brought home the pf baskets from our commercial espresso machine from the shop to try it in the Sunbeam EM6900, and they fit perfectly.  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
    I was wrong.  :-[ It seemed to fit perfectly until I tried making an espresso.  The lip of the basket underneath is ever so slightly too narrow on the commercial basket compared to the Sunbeam original one, so it doesnt sit completely air-tight on the rim of the pf.   The difference is so small.  Damn!  Need to find a different one.  
    The size of the basket is perfect, though.  

    Leave a comment:


  • Sparky
    replied
    Re: New Sunbeam Espresso Machine!

    Gotta say, my PF stays in the machine. Ive taken out the springs and just drop the filter basket in, lock and brew...

    Dosing and tamping in the filter basket is easy and you dont have to rush before your PF cools down too much.

    My tamper is also just a 58.3 mm brass puck weighing 0.75 kg. No handle. The whole filter basket, tamper fits into my hand and I use my hand to squeeze it down. Maybe not 30 lbs force, but it sure is consistent. A final twist leaves a nicely tamped and polished puck ready for brewing.

    Leave a comment:


  • Monti
    replied
    Re: New Sunbeam Espresso Machine!

    Ive just brought home the pf baskets from our commercial espresso machine from the shop to try it in the Sunbeam EM6900, and they fit perfectly.  So, there is no problem with exchanging baskets or getting the baskets you want to use in the sunbeam.  

    The holes on the original Sunbeam baskets look exactly the same as the ones that come with our commercial machine.  Same size, same spacings, and same quality.  They are virtually identical appart from the Sunbeam ones hold more coffee.   [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    Re: New Sunbeam Espresso Machine!

    Originally posted by mattyj link=1109515596/135#147 date=1123916193
    Ive always found holding a rounded edge (the bottom of the pf) on a flat bench a bit tricky to be perfectly level, and my tamp is usually a little bit off ... regularly with the sunbeam, and from the few times Ive used a bazerra and a LM. Having a handle and spouts that line up to make the pf sit level takes away one more variable that can ruin my tamp. Its just an option that some people like to take.
    Actually mattyj,

    Ive never really found this to be much of a hassle. Just sit the PF on the bench like a tripod and after the coffee is levelled off, just tamp down making sure that the top flat section of the tamper is parallel with the top of the PF basket. You could do this type of tamp on the ceiling if one was so inclined and it should always turn out ok.

    If your tamper isnt flat on top then maybe you could get a friendly local machine shop to cut in a couple of reference lines on the side of the tamper so that you can see at a glance that your tamp is level. Just an idea

    Cheers,
    Mal.

    Leave a comment:


  • mattyj
    replied
    Re: New Sunbeam Espresso Machine!

    ...thats why I said "if you like..."

    Some people actually do have portafilters that they prefer over standard straight handled pfs - Ive always found holding a rounded edge (the bottom of the pf) on a flat bench a bit tricky to be perfectly level, and my tamp is usually a little bit off ... regularly with the sunbeam, and from the few times Ive used a bazerra and a LM. Having a handle and spouts that line up to make the pf sit level takes away one more variable that can ruin my tamp. Its just an option that some people like to take.

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    Re: New Sunbeam Espresso Machine!

    Me too [smiley=thumbsup.gif],

    Mal.

    Leave a comment:


  • Monti
    replied
    Re: New Sunbeam Espresso Machine!

    I agree robusto.

    Leave a comment:


  • robusto
    replied
    Re: New Sunbeam Espresso Machine!

    Certainly would never throw away my Silvia portafilter for 15 degrees or any other number of degrees.

    Personally, I think its just a little too precious if go into that sort of unnecessary wastage. What is wrong with holding the PF level on the bench while tamping?

    Leave a comment:


  • Monti
    replied
    Re: New Sunbeam Espresso Machine!

    Originally posted by mattyj link=1109515596/135#142 date=1123742375
    non-standard pfs is a problem if you like using pfs with a 15o angled handle. These make level tamping a bit easier, and they sit on your bench with the filter level, so you dont have to rest the pf on the edge of the bench to tamp.

    and you cant replace them with la marzocco pfs, which are just damn sexy for some reason.

    and then, if you wanna go nude, you have to buy another SB pf and chop it, rather than just ordering a pre-cut one from www.coffeeparts.com.au ...
    Id like to know how many percent of people actually throw away their portafilter to get a 15 deg one.  Perhaps any of the Sylvia owners on this forum did?  Let us know.

    How many here actually replaced their pf to Marzocco pfs?

    And finally how many have a nude pf for their Sylvia?

    Since, they seem important to some when evaluating the Sunbeam, I wonder how many thought of these to be important when buying their Sylvia and other similar priced machines.

    Leave a comment:


  • mattyj
    replied
    Re: New Sunbeam Espresso Machine!

    non-standard pfs is a problem if you like using pfs with a 15o angled handle. These make level tamping a bit easier, and they sit on your bench with the filter level, so you dont have to rest the pf on the edge of the bench to tamp.

    and you cant replace them with la marzocco pfs, which are just damn sexy for some reason.

    and then, if you wanna go nude, you have to buy another SB pf and chop it, rather than just ordering a pre-cut one from www.coffeeparts.com.au ...

    Leave a comment:


  • mauricem
    replied
    Re: New Sunbeam Espresso Machine!

    I dont see the portafilters as a problem, they are rarely interchangable between different brands plus it apears you can use rancilio baskets so there are plenty of options there. On a number of other fronts though I gotta think the Silvia would be a better choice for most "enthusiasts" but hey each to their own!

    Leave a comment:


  • Monti
    replied
    Re: New Sunbeam Espresso Machine!

    Originally posted by Wired link=1109515596/135#139 date=1123713172
    Alan Frew has done a write up on this machine:

    http://www.coffeeco.com.au/articles/sunbeam.html

    Couple of key points from my perspective: non standard portafilter, supplied baskets are too big, not a tweakers machine.

    Cheers
    Why do you need a universal portafilter? It is commercial size anyway and it weighs more then the Sylvia one. The Sylvia pf is not standard either. It is not like you are ever going to exchange portafilters on your machines. Or is that what some like doing? Itll last longer then the machine itself.

    You can get baskets of the size youd like as Alan has done himself. So, no problems there.

    As Alan said, the temps are pretty good so no tweeking is needed really. Most will get more consistent shots out of this then out of something that you need to tweek, and flash, and whatnot as the only variables you have to control are your grinding, dosing and tamping,
    So, this weekness can be a strength for most.

    Cheers

    Leave a comment:


  • garglebutt
    replied
    Re: New Sunbeam Espresso Machine!

    Alan Frew has done a write up on this machine:

    http://www.coffeeco.com.au/articles/sunbeam.html

    Couple of key points from my perspective: non standard portafilter, supplied baskets are too big, not a tweakers machine.

    Cheers

    Leave a comment:


  • Monti
    replied
    Re: New Sunbeam Espresso Machine!

    I just remembered, that someone here on the forum has my Sunbeam EM6900 machine and had a problem with coffee going under the drip tray through a pressure overflow. Also, Alan Frew has mentioned the same thing. I had that problem at the begining but then I adjusted the adjustable front legs lower and now have no such problem anymore.
    Hope it helps.

    Leave a comment:


  • Monti
    replied
    Re: New Sunbeam Espresso Machine!

    LOL

    That is funny, Sparky! ;D

    Leave a comment:

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