New Sunbeam Torino triple thermoblock

[noidle22]

So BDB is still the go-to appliance option then (discounting cost which makes a BDB a no brainer)?

In my opinion, yes. Even if the Torino was the same RRP as the Breville, the Breville is still a better machine.

[readeral]

So BDB is still the go-to appliance option then (discounting cost which makes a BDB a no brainer)?

[noidle22]

I grew weary of the lack of consistency between shots. It was becoming tedious to try and get a decent shot out of it, it wants to under or over extract all the time.

I've removed the noise suppressor from the coffee pump and have fit an OPV of a Breville Dual Boiler. Yet again, Breville coming to the aid of the Sunbeam........
There is very little difference in noise with the OPV as compared to the noise suppressor which is nice, I was fearing it would be too loud.

I feel that the decision that Sunbeam made to lower the noise of the machine rather than fit an OPV indicates that their priority is not the quality of the coffee.
This is a shame.

There was no easy way to plumb the OPV return line into the water tank so it's going into the drip tray. Luckily it's a big tray so it doesn't need to be emptied all that frequently. Conveniently, Sunbeam used a t-piece for plumbing the drain tubes which had a spare nipple on it so I was able to drill that out and use it for the OPV return tube. It's almost like they were expecting an OPV to be fitted.

There was no easy way to install the OPV on to the pump as it was mounted so close to the base of the machine and it couldn't be flexed in the rubber mounts far enouugh to attach the OPV. I had no other option but to cut the rubber mount. This doesn't have any effect on the operation of the pump.

It is far easier to get a reliable shot from the machine now, as you would assume.

I also fit a spacer under the group seal so that the handle locks in straight. It was locking in nearly all the way to the right which is generally what the older machines do when the collar has worn out but this one was brand new.
It would be interesting to see if this problem plagues all of these models, at least of the first production run.

I think the biggest problem I have with this machine is that it was sitting on the bench at home, next to my Dual Boiler, and I just didn't feel inclined to turn it on and make a coffee. It's not as nice an experience to use as I would have hoped.
Now that the OPV is fitted and the handle locks in straight it will be a lot nicer to use but this certainly shouldn't be something that needs to be done on a brand new machine.

[noidle22]

The great thing about the thermoblock is the machine is ready within a minute or so. Instead of the 5 to 7 minutes of waiting time with some broiler machine. Two thermoblock for the shower or brew head, seems to be connected to the hot water spout on the side, (similar to the other Cafe Series Models) it's meant to make the temperature more accurate like having a broiler. one thermoblock is for the steam which is similar to an EM6910 steam wand. its nice to have if you like a full control on your coffee making. still to new to find some fault on the machine. 2.5 litre water container instead of the 3.5 litre on the EM7000. Easier access for filling. Auto switch off after 30 minutes or standby mode. About the Grinder it's identical to EM0700 precision grinder just change the look or the stainless to match the coffee machine. smaller chamber so less coffee to waste when purging or changing grinds. The motor is at the back so it does not heat the beans too much as you grind. when I figure anything else I would let you guys know.

No, the machine is not actually ready after a minute. It takes at least 5 minutes for the group head to reach thermal stability, I suggest 10.

It's got plenty of faults and to be honest, right now, you're a sucker if you bought this over a Breville Dual Boiler or paid any more than 1.5k.

[Yelta]

The great thing about the thermoblock is the machine is ready within a minute or so. Instead of the 5 to 7 minutes of waiting time with some broiler machine. Two thermoblock for the shower or brew head, seems to be connected to the hot water spout on the side, (similar to the other Cafe Series Models) it's meant to make the temperature more accurate like having a broiler. one thermoblock is for the steam which is similar to an EM6910 steam wand. its nice to have if you like a full control on your coffee making. still to new to find some fault on the machine. 2.5 litre water container instead of the 3.5 litre on the EM7000. Easier access for filling. Auto switch off after 30 minutes or standby mode. About the Grinder it's identical to EM0700 precision grinder just change the look or the stainless to match the coffee machine. smaller chamber so less coffee to waste when purging or changing grinds. The motor is at the back so it does not heat the beans too much as you grind. when I figure anything else I would let you guys know.

Evening MB, welcome to Coffee Snobs.

Call me a cynic if you like, however your first post reads very much like a Sunbeam testimonial

Not a single word of introduction, the only thing I can glean from your profile is that you have a house full of Sunbeam coffee gear, EM7000,EM0700 EM6910 EM0480 EM0500, only conclusion I can arrive at is your either a Sunbeam aficionado or there is some kind of vested interest, surely not.

[MagicalBean28]

The great thing about the thermoblock is the machine is ready within a minute or so. Instead of the 5 to 7 minutes of waiting time with some broiler machine. Two thermoblock for the shower or brew head, seems to be connected to the hot water spout on the side, (similar to the other Cafe Series Models) it's meant to make the temperature more accurate like having a broiler. one thermoblock is for the steam which is similar to an EM6910 steam wand. its nice to have if you like a full control on your coffee making. still to new to find some fault on the machine. 2.5 litre water container instead of the 3.5 litre on the EM7000. Easier access for filling. Auto switch off after 30 minutes or standby mode. About the Grinder it's identical to EM0700 precision grinder just change the look or the stainless to match the coffee machine. smaller chamber so less coffee to waste when purging or changing grinds. The motor is at the back so it does not heat the beans too much as you grind. when I figure anything else I would let you guys know.

[noidle22]

It's not like it needs to look pretty. How well laid out it is from a tech's point of view for serviceability is more important and I'd be interested to hear what noidle thinks.

I thought of dogs breakfast after i wrote that last post haha.

I wonder how else they should fit 3 solenoids, 2 full size pumps, 2 thermoblocks, a circuit board, a 2.5L water tank, storage for accessories, water piping and power cables in a machine this size without it looking like this......
I think they've done well with fitting everything in.

From a service perspective, everything appears easily accessible once some pipes are removed.
It may be tricky removing the complete group head, not sure how it is affixed to the front of the machine.
As long as the group head thermoblock is reliable there should be no reason to remove the complete group anyway, all other components on the group can be serviced without needing to disassemble the whole group.

[toorakwa]

Doggies breaky. Internal build says $1k.

How do you come to this conclusion?

Thanks noidle22 for a detailed review.

[LeroyC]

Not nicely laid out

It's not like it needs to look pretty. How well laid out it is from a tech's point of view for serviceability is more important and I'd be interested to hear what noidle thinks.

[readeral]

What on earth does that mean?

Not nicely laid out

[Melbroaster]

For anyone that has seen the bdb internals, how does the quality of the layout compare to the photos above?

[noidle22]

Just curious are you in the trade or just doing a teardown for fun?

I'm in the trade of machine repairs and see a lot of domestic equipment.
This machine is probably the most significant step forward since the Breville Dual Boiler and I wanted to see how it fares.
No way i would be doing this if i was just a consumer.

Doggies breaky

What on earth does that mean?

I still disagree with the 2k sale price but the amount of development they appear to have put into it means they need to get their money back somehow.

[TC]

Doggies breaky. Internal build says $1k.

[Melbroaster]

Just curious are you in the trade or just doing a teardown for fun?

[noidle22]

Disassembled the machine today and I now understand why they have the RRP so high.

90% of the machine is brand new.

Some new features include:

-New thermoblock design. Same style of thermoblock used for the coffee and steam rather than a thermocoil for the coffee.
-Steam thermoblock insulation
-Full size steam pump (Ulka EP5 equivalent, this explains the impressive power)
-Actively heated group head, this is the third thermoblock
-Nylon tube used exclusively
-Solenoid controlled steam tap rather than a manual valve
-Single 3-way solenoid used to direct water flow to the group head or hot water wand
-Exhaust solenoid mounted next to the 3-way solenoid via a nylon hose, no physical attachment to the thermoblock or group head as with previous models.

I am disappointed that they have not fitted an OPV. It does not make sense why they haven't fitted one. Retrofitting a Breville OPV or any other inline OPV will not be difficult and will probably be something I do in the future.

A possible potential problem is that they have used a lot of fittings with the 8mm o-ring and spring clip to hold it into place, much like on most other domestic machines. These leak over time, particularly the ones under brew pressure.
I suspect these will start leaking eventually. Not a major problem really, cheap and easy to fix when they do wear out.

The reason behind the smooth steam and hot water knob movement is that all they are doing is engaging a microswitch.
Seems to be a lot of design for a simple task but it was necessary for it to look the part and it is certainly of a high quality.

The machine components are primarily attached to what is the front of the machine as you look at it from the front. The pumps, power cord and flowmeter are attached to the base.

The water tank compartment, which the circuit board is attached to, is large and sturdy. A bracket holds this along with the mounts for the back and sides which is affixed to the front of the machine.
It appears to be well thought out and well built.

I am yet to disassemble the group but that is the next task. I suspect, and I hope this is the case, the group collar (as seen in a photo on a previous post) is affixed with the two philips head screws and simply wedges in to the back of the group somehow. However they have done it, I think collar changes are going to be a lot easier than they used to be.