Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

So fed up with sunbeam machine

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Magic_Matt
    replied
    Originally posted by Journeyman View Post
    I think you have to post it to youtube then link that here. You might want to PM mattbr who had a EM3500 - see his thread at http://coffeesnobs.com.au/brewing-eq...am-em3500.html
    Well found! That thread is a blast from the past...

    Not sure if the OP is still reading, but I ended up running the 3500 unpressurised and had similar issues with blowouts and the p/f locking in further and further to the right.

    IMO the 3500 seal and group/handle interface just aren’t designed for the pressure of an actual extraction, leading to blowouts and eventually collar damage as the user tries to lock in the group handle harder to compensate. If I had to try and solve this problem, I’d be looking at adding a cardboard spacer under the group seal and possibly replacing the collar - but if the OP can afford to upgrade to a Silvia or similar it’s a bit of a no-brainer for me.


    I didn’t persevere for long before upgrading to an EM6910/EM0350 combo which is still delivering great coffee every day about five years later.

    Leave a comment:


  • Yelta
    replied
    Originally posted by ArtW View Post
    Probably because its true. As I've said, the Silvia is less forgiving of variations in dose and grind than many other machines. In particular given its price bracket it is often the machine of choice for people who are relatively new to espresso making and it does take some time to get consistently right. I would suggest that it is a mistake buying one with the attitude of "If you cant master a Silvia within a short time suggest you sell it", not only is this a very defeatist attitude but I believe it gives an incorrect impression of the learning curve and could lead to disappointment for some.

    That said, other than 'Easy to use', I agree with the positive qualities you list.
    Guess there are a few out there that are slow learners.

    Leave a comment:


  • ArtW
    replied
    Originally posted by Yelta View Post
    Why oh why do people keep regurgitating this rubbish about the Silvia being difficult to master
    Probably because its true. As I've said, the Silvia is less forgiving of variations in dose and grind than many other machines. In particular given its price bracket it is often the machine of choice for people who are relatively new to espresso making and it does take some time to get consistently right. I would suggest that it is a mistake buying one with the attitude of "If you cant master a Silvia within a short time suggest you sell it", not only is this a very defeatist attitude but I believe it gives an incorrect impression of the learning curve and could lead to disappointment for some.

    That said, other than 'Easy to use', I agree with the positive qualities you list.

    Leave a comment:


  • Yelta
    replied
    Originally posted by lobstermash View Post
    don't expect reasonable coffee from any machine using supermarket beans​.
    Is there an echo in here? think I just said that in post # 37.

    Leave a comment:


  • lobstermash
    replied
    I'll raise your uncaveated statement with a don't expect reasonable coffee from any machine using supermarket beans​.

    Leave a comment:


  • Yelta
    replied
    Originally posted by lobstermash View Post
    That statement should contain a caveat that the Sunbeam (6900/6910/7000) produces excellent coffee with fresh beans and a good grinder. And producing great shots with it also involves a reasonably steep learning curve from a 'toy' pressurised basket machine.
    What I said was, don't expect reasonable coffee from a Sunbeam using supermarket beans, I'll say it again,

    Don't expect reasonable coffee from a Sunbeam using supermarket beans no caveat needed.

    In fact don't expect reasonable coffee from any machine on a diet of supermarket beans.

    Leave a comment:


  • lobstermash
    replied
    Originally posted by Yelta View Post
    As far as a Sunbeam producing "reasonable tasting coffee" using supermarket beans, it's simply not the case.
    That statement should contain a caveat that the Sunbeam (6900/6910/7000) produces excellent coffee with fresh beans and a good grinder. And producing great shots with it also involves a reasonably steep learning curve from a 'toy' pressurised basket machine.

    Leave a comment:


  • TC
    replied
    ^^^^^ What Yelta said

    Leave a comment:


  • Jonathon
    replied
    So fed up with sunbeam machine

    Originally posted by Yelta View Post
    Why oh why do people keep regurgitating this rubbish about the Silvia being difficult to master, anyone with average skills and intelligence should be able producing excellent coffee on a Silvia within a few days of first using it.
    Because there are a lot of people out there with below average intelligence, below average skills or, compared to the average coffee snob, below average care about making good coffee.

    I had my Silvia for about 3 years, it took me maybe 40-50 shots to get something that was good, but a few years after owning it I was still improving as I learnt more about it.

    I always recommend it to people who want to learn how to make real espresso, but I also tell them that there's a steep learning curve.

    Leave a comment:


  • Yelta
    replied
    Originally posted by ArtW View Post
    However, the Silvia is undoubtedly more difficult to use, being quite sensitive to grind and dose and also the having well known (but overstated) requirement for temperature surfing. If you want easy reasonable tasting coffee (perhaps using supermarket beans), go for the Sunbeam. If you want to delve into the world of the coffee snob and are willing to take time to learn, experience frustrations along the way and work to try to achieve the best possible shot, I highly recommend the Silvia.
    Why oh why do people keep regurgitating this rubbish about the Silvia being difficult to master, anyone with average skills and intelligence should be able producing excellent coffee on a Silvia within a few days of first using it.

    The Silvia,

    *Produces very good espresso

    *Reasonably priced

    *Easy to use

    *Well made

    *Durable

    Compared with appliances is excellent value for money.

    If you cant master a Silvia within a short time suggest you sell it (they are always in demand) and buy a super auto from HN, feed it a diet of fresh good quality beans and the coffee should be reasonable.

    As far as a Sunbeam producing "reasonable tasting coffee" using supermarket beans, it's simply not the case.

    Leave a comment:


  • ArtW
    replied
    The Sunbeam and the Silva are very different machines. The Sunbeam uses twin-thermoblocks and therefore allows you to brew and steam at the same time. The Silvia is a single boiler so you have to wait to get the boiler up to heat before steaming. The Silvia uses quite a number of commercial components and as per previous comments, if maintained properly should last for a long time (mine is over 7 years old and I haven't had any problems at all). In my opinion the Silvia should be capable of producing better espresso, in particular due to better thermal stability. However, the Silvia is undoubtedly more difficult to use, being quite sensitive to grind and dose and also the having well known (but overstated) requirement for temperature surfing. That said, a friend of mine who has a Sunbeam rates the coffee he can get from it. I would say the choice should be fairly easy to make if you know what you want to get out of your coffee making. If you want easy reasonable tasting coffee (perhaps using supermarket beans), go for the Sunbeam. If you want to delve into the world of the coffee snob and are willing to take time to learn, experience frustrations along the way and work to try to achieve the best possible shot, I highly recommend the Silvia.

    Leave a comment:


  • noidle22
    replied
    Originally posted by Hildy View Post
    Are 6910s really cheaper than silvias? I see prices of $500-$750 for both.
    Brand new probably not but there's quite a few on gumtree and ebay that I see frequently for $150-300. They do seem to also be in good condition at that price.
    I was looking at buying one actually but decided against it as I have a boiler machine now.

    Leave a comment:


  • Yelta
    replied
    Originally posted by Hildy View Post
    Are 6910s really cheaper than Silvias? I see prices of $500-$750 for both.
    Not sure about prices, what I do know is that the Silvia will still be making excellent coffee and retain much of it's value when the Sunbeam has has long since hit the recycle bin.

    Leave a comment:


  • whowe
    replied
    There are a lot of used 6910's out there and if find a well cared for unit, you should be able to pick one up for $200 to $300. Used Silvia's aren't as common and also very popular used. Not sure what these go for though but CS'ers who have this machine may sell theirs when upgrading to something else.
    Last edited by whowe; 23 April 2013, 02:08 PM.

    Leave a comment:


  • Hildy
    replied
    Originally posted by noidle22 View Post
    you may want to consider for your next machine a Sunbeam EM6910 or similar, that'd be a pretty solid step up from your current machine and not as hefty a price tag as a Silvia.
    Are 6910s really cheaper than silvias? I see prices of $500-$750 for both.

    Leave a comment:

Working...
X