Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Sunbeam EM0450 - new conical burr grinder

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

  • #31
    Re: Sunbeam EM0450 - new conical burr grinder

    Originally posted by Spelunx link=1161409619/15#29 date=1164279337


    You have yours set on 15?  I need mine set on 5...  with a Gaggia Classic.

    There shouldnt be that much difference between a Classic and Silvia grind should there?

    Have you done any modifications to your grinder?

    Makes me think there might be something wrong with mine..... :-/
    I chase mine around a bit depending on the beans, roast, freshness, etc. But based on the experiance of a few others with 0480s, the settings between different grinders can vary a bit. Dont be alarmed unless you need to go past 0...

    Comment


    • #32
      Re: Sunbeam EM0450 - new conical burr grinder

      Yep,

      Matts on the money there [smiley=thumbsup.gif].... You cant compare actual settings between grinders (of the same make) as the marked Zero position may not be aligned with the true Zero of the grinder, i.e. when the burrs just touch.

      The graduations are only there as a relative position indicator so that the user has a reference from one grind level to another. As Matt says, so long as you dont find yourself having to push the setting over the wrong side of Zero, all should be well,

      Mal.

      Comment


      • #33
        Re: Sunbeam EM0450 - new conical burr grinder

        So if one wanted to spend less than $200, what would people recommend??

        I have seen the DeLonghi KG100 in action, and it seems to produce a decent grind.

        I havent seen the Sunbeam 0480/0450 - how do they compare??

        Given that I am using a Krups dirty old Boiler machine at work, or a crappy Sunbeam machine at home....but I think a better grinder would help me get a little more mileage out of these machines. Although both behave as perfectly adequate caffeine delivery devices.

        Cheers

        Comment


        • #34
          Re: Sunbeam EM0450 - new conical burr grinder

          Gday Shamus,
          just to throw a spanner into the works for you, are you thinking of upgrading any time in the future? If so, dont skimp on the grinder.
          If you get the best grinder you can afford, it will outlast several cycles of upgradeitis in the machine department. Otherwise, youll be wanting/having to upgrade your grinder if and when you decide to upgrade your machine/s.
          MattyJ had a Sunbeam machine (if memory serves me correctly) paired with a Mazzer grinder, and has since upgraded the machine, but the grinder remains the same.
          If you dont want to upgrade at any time, I think the Sunbeam 0450/0480 should be fine for espresso use, bearing in mind that the difference between the steps is fairly large.
          Hope this helps.

          Comment


          • #35
            Re: Sunbeam EM0450 - new conical burr grinder

            The Delonghi will struggle to give a good consistent grind. Itll cope, but its a very base level grinder. I would steer clear.

            I think the Sunbeam EM0450 or EM0480 would be minimum entry level grinders.

            The Sunbeam website shows both models. Apparently, the difference between the 2 is mostly external (IE: The guts are the same).

            If you spend a little more on the grinder now, it will still be good enough to cope with a higher level machine should you get the upgrade bug.

            Also, I strongly advise giving one of the site sponsors a call, e-mail or PM. Whoever is closest to you. They might even be able to give you some more options.

            Comment


            • #36
              Re: Sunbeam EM0450 - new conical burr grinder

              Cheers guys.

              Im pretty much a tight arse, who is interested mostly in bang for buck at the moment (still a student).

              So looking for maximum price:quality ratio....hence my question for the sunbeams versus delonghi machines, which are comparably priced.

              I certainly see the argument for buying high quality (spending lots of $$$s initially) and then having great grinding, which will last a long time. And will probably do so when I actually bother to join the real world (heaven forbid) and get a job.

              Its just not super feasible....

              Comment


              • #37
                Re: Sunbeam EM0450 - new conical burr grinder

                shamus,

                i sooo understand where youre coming from. budget can be tight for a student eh? i too am a poor ol student.

                i would agree with lovey and fatboy that sunbeam is the way to go for the same price. i think i got my em0480 for $160 at a department store a while ago and it has taken me very far along my coffee journey.

                its great for plungers. espresso is ok too. ive recently acquired an espresso machine and have been using the grinder with it for a week or two, i agree that the steps can be a bit large but bearable i reckon. my thinking is much the same, pretty ok results so far but not _the_ best in the world.

                if you _do_ decide to get it, have a look at harrances cotton string mod: http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1138058473/149#149

                i find im able to get an acceptable grind (for me anyway) with that.

                ive not have experience with the delonghi, though ive seen my friend use it. it grinds into this container using a timer on the side. so you probably wont be able to fit the portafilter to grind straight into it. also, i dunno, the build just doesnt seem as sturdy as the sunbeam.


                conclusion: id recommend the sunbeam 0480

                Comment


                • #38
                  Re: Sunbeam EM0450 - new conical burr grinder

                  Hi, i just picked up the EM0480 today at David Jones (on sale) for $169.95. Thats 15% off rrp! I think for the extra $10 its worth it. I attended a sunbeam coffee appreciation course over the weekend and both grinders were being used. I think its all in the appearance... My friend was using the EM0450, I had the EM0480 and after a few turns at adjusting the grind and running it through the sunbeam machines (changing it according to the espresso flow) we both had a great grind going.

                  I read this today before heading to the shops
                  Commercial link removed by Mods

                  As for the numbers it doesnt matter what the number says, its all in the grind itself. If you get the dose and tamp right (fingers crossed) then run it through your machine and it runs too fast then you know to adjust it finer, if it just drips then move it to a coarser grind. It should flow through like sticky hunny not a leaking tap (drip drip) or running too freely. After that check your puck (the spent coffee cake). It should be firm, moist and have an indentation of the shower screen. Also when you knock it, it should remove in one peice.

                  Hope this helps, Amanda.

                  Comment


                  • #39
                    Re: Sunbeam EM0450 - new conical burr grinder

                    It needs to be understood that these are bare minimum entry grinders and discount or not, will struggle in the real espresso world. Consensus is that the steps are too big for some machines and for fine-tuning espresso.

                    CSers- if youre serious about getting a good result from your machine, I reckon that the Iberital Challenge is the entry point...

                    Yeppers- it is dearer, but there may be someone who will pay a reasonable price for a good 2nd hand entry level grinder....I wonder what a Sunbeam is worth on the secondhand market?

                    If you pay $150 but sell 6 months later for $50 because it struggles to do the job, thats high cost of ownership in my opinion....

                    Bottom line is that there aint no bargains- you gets what you pays for  

                    Comment


                    • #40
                      Re: Sunbeam EM0450 - new conical burr grinder

                      Welcome to Coffee Snobs NE1.

                      Comment


                      • #41
                        Re: Sunbeam EM0450 - new conical burr grinder

                        When i knock out the puck on my Solis the puck doesnt stay together no matter what i do but the shot comes out even. Any ideas? Once i used a friends silvia and the first timed i used it the puck came out clean and i did what i normally did on the solis. Is it just the solis wont knock out a nice puck? :-?

                        Comment


                        • #42
                          Re: Sunbeam EM0450 - new conical burr grinder

                          Is the puck dry enough?

                          Where does it break up?

                          Comment


                          • #43
                            Re: Sunbeam EM0450 - new conical burr grinder

                            Thanks for the welcome Thundergod although i didnt feel that way after reading the first reply to my post... (not your fault though)!

                            What machine are you using. If its a bottom end they dont have the same pressure as the more expensive meaning it wont compress as hard. Also the steam release on the cheaper models is near the group head so steam/water is released through the puck on completion, making it wet.

                            In regards to the second hand price i just checked the completed listings of an online auction and a used EM0430 sold for $50 (this one retails for $79.95). So i think youd get a fair bit more for the EM0480... The whole point is they are students (like myself) and cant afford the best available. $200 was the price range and both of the sunbeam conical burr grinders are good for that money (rrp 199 & 159) and why not save an extra $30 if its on sale. Youd be a mug to pay full price!

                            Comment


                            • #44
                              Re: Sunbeam EM0450 - new conical burr grinder

                              Originally posted by Coffee Kid link=1161409619/30#40 date=1164888935
                              When i knock out the puck on my Solis the puck doesnt stay together no matter what i do but the shot comes out even. Any ideas? Once i used a friends silvia and the first timed i used it the puck came out clean and i did what i normally did on the solis. Is it just the solis wont knock out a nice puck? :-?
                              The solis sl70 (and its bigger brother the sl90 I had) do not have three way valves - so there is nothing to release the pressure in the group - almost instantly - like machines with this valve.... the result- the puck stays more "wet" than with other machines - and when you knock it out - its a combination of pouring it out (somewhat an exaggeration ) and knocking it out.

                              It is much harder to get a one piece solid puck with these machines.

                              Comment


                              • #45
                                Re: Sunbeam EM0450 - new conical burr grinder

                                Originally posted by JavaB link=1161409619/30#43 date=1164891884
                                The solis sl70 (and its bigger brother the sl90 I had) do not have three way valves - so there is nothing to release the pressure in the group
                                Spot-on JB 8-)

                                Welcome to CoffeeSnobs there NE14COFFEE [smiley=thumbsup.gif]. Hope you enjoy the experience

                                Mal.

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X