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  • #31
    Re: Grinder Suggestions?

    Hi Charlotte,

    Ive got a Lux grinder within my Lelit Combi machine - doing a very good job for me so far.

    Also keep an eye out for Iberital Challenge (should be about same price range).

    As to your Cafe Crema machine, I have no experience with them. I certainly wouldnt invest much money in it, but converting the PF to non-pressurised is a must (if you want to make a decent brew). I dont know if anyones had success converting the PFs - anyone? Check back through old threads.

    I think theyre a 53mm. Probably not easy to match up. Check with Sunbeam if they can supply a non-pressurised PF (and, I would think, new double basket).

    Maybe also try Pedro at Coffee Parts (CS sponsor and great service).

    Good luck.

    Greg.

    PS. Are you getting any study done? :-?

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    • #32
      Re: Grinder Suggestions?

      Surely you can get a Sunbeam EM0450 for less then $150 if you bargain a bit.

      The Lux will go well with your machine but if you cannot afford one the Sunbeam will do just as well but messier.

      Comment


      • #33
        Re: Grinder Suggestions?

        Everyone is telling me different things, so its hard to make a decision. Some CSs tell me to get a good grinder and not waste my money on sunbeams grinders, others are telling me to just get the sunbeam. I imagine that most people agree with my choice to get a Lux. Wont it be better in the long run? It s also much cleaner (which I need because I have a severe vision impairment)

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        • #34
          Re: Grinder Suggestions?

          Hi again Charlotte,

          It is confusing when different people tell you what their preferences would be. Take it all with a grain of salt and go with your intuition.

          Basically, as with most things, you get what you pay for. Im no expert (by any means) but, as I understand it, a Sunbeam EMO450 (which is a built down EMO480) will give a decent grind, but with some mess / fluff, and for a short term only (depends on use) - possibility of QA problems in medium term, although it appears Sunbeam are good on warranty matters. Probably value for money if you enter into one with this knowledge.

          Check out Alan Frews website (who IS an expert):

          http://www.coffeeco.com.au/articles/september2002.html
          http://www.coffeeco.com.au/articles/sunbeamgrinder.html

          With a limited budget you obviously have to make compromises and do the best with what youve got, while putting off serious satisfaction for down the track when circumstances change.

          Chin up and good luck.

          Greg

          Comment


          • #35
            Re: Grinder Suggestions?

            Charlotte, at the end of the day we are all biaised and have personal favourites.  Like cars that have different engines, styles, etc. grinders are no different and some certainly perform better than others.

            Ultimately it does come down to your personal choice, which can be influenced by so many variables eg. price, size, colour, research, etc. and even vision impairment!

            Consider it a journey that is meant to be pleasurable - if you go with your instinct, and what you feel most comfortable with, it is likely to be a better choice than what someone else may tell you is best!

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            • #36
              Re: Grinder Suggestions?

              Thanks for the advice.

              While the sunbeam grinder did appeal in the beginning, I could use the money I was to spend on that for the lux grinder. I mean obviously I will have to save some $ still (unless i can source a 2nd hand one) but I can put up with ground coffee from roasters til such time as I can afford one. I think I would rather save my pennies than invest in something short term only to upgrade later.

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              • #37
                Re: Grinder Suggestions?

                Charlotte, the hand grinders Lucinda suggested are a good intermediate solution...
                #hand-ground fresher grinds for a bargain basement price,
                #pennies in the piggy-bank for a Lux,

                and later on, once you are fully addicted to fresh coffee,   the hand grinder can become part of the travel outfit", together with the plunger and a bag of freshly roasted beans

                but, ultimately:
                Consider it a journey that is meant to be pleasurable - if you go with your instinct, and what you feel most comfortable with, it is likely to be a better choice than what someone else may tell you is best!
                L

                edit: was re-reading my post and saw i was trying to tell you what was best :P :P

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                • #38
                  Re: Grinder Suggestions?

                  Has no won heard of the consumer report on grinders?
                  Just because it is expensive does not mean it is good.
                  The Starbucks Grinder had good score and is only $150.

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                  • #39
                    Re: Grinder Suggestions?

                    Hi Aqua and welcome.

                    Ive only heard mixed reviews on the starbucks grinder, though there is one thing said in regard to this that is consistent....unmodified, it is incapable of grinding fine enough for a real espresso.

                    If you were referring to a Choice consumer report, that doesnt score well around her either

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                    • #40
                      Re: Grinder Suggestions?

                      Charlotte I mentioned the Sunbeam because you said you had a limited budget.
                      I have a Macap which was my first grinder and hopefully will be my last.
                      I agree that upgrading can be a waste of money which is why I paid out the big $ for the Macap.

                      If you can wait a little and save up for something better than the Sunbeam then go for it.

                      The Sunbeam really is a bit too messy for my liking and I dont have a vision impairment.
                      I am deaf in one ear though but that doesnt help with the noise compared to my quiet Macap.  ;D

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                      • #41
                        Re: Grinder Suggestions?

                        Yeah, vision impairment sucks when making coffee at times! But Ill get over it, as you do. Id just like to minimise on mess so that I dont have to struggle with the cleaning of both the grinder and my kitchen (mostly the grinder).


                        The grinder that Lucinda recommended - how do they work? I mean I know I hand grind, but do I then tip the ground coffee into my filter basket, or does it grind straight into it, or what?

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                        • #42
                          Re: Grinder Suggestions?

                          Have added a pic here for you. Beans go in the top and grounds fall into the drawer below. That then slides out and you tip the contents into your filter basket and hey, presto!



                          Comment


                          • #43
                            Re: Grinder Suggestions?

                            I use both, a Sunbeam EM04800 and the Lux. They both grind great but the Lux is not messy at all, while the Sunbeam is very messy if used as per normal.

                            When I use the Sunbeam I get a sheet of those rolled up paper towels and place it on the base of the grinder where the coffee grinds would fall. I removed the fork that you would rest your portafilter on. This way I can slide that paper towel right up to and behind the spout where the coffee grinds come out. I know, the paper towel now hides the button that you press to start grinding, but it is OK. Then I hold the portafilter as high up and close to the spout as possible and I use my finger to press the button to start grinding. Every few seconds I take the portafiler away and tap it and redistribute the grinds in it to make it even and then keep grinding until needed.

                            This way, once I am finished I just scrunch up the paper towel and chuck it in the bin. I barely have any mess to clean up if I do it that way. My brother is not as careful as I am and he makes an enormous mess with the same grinder. :

                            Another thing with the Sunbeam is that it comes with a small plastic container that you can just hold up to the spout and grind straight into it without any mess what so ever. Then you can just pour the grinds into the portafilter over the sink and so you have no mess at all.
                            This little container has a lid too.

                            So, the Lux has bugger all mess even if you grind straight into it.
                            The Sunbeam is very messy but you can make it work by using a paper towel like I do, or by just grinding into the container that it comes with and then just pour the coffee grinds into your protafilter over the sink. Using the container you dont even need the paper towel as you will have ZERO MESS.

                            Sorry, I didnt realise that you are vision impaired. Now that I know, I better understand what you need. So, I hope that I was more helpful this time around.



                            Oh, and one more thing. The Sunbeam EM0450 is different and I dont have one of those. So, I dont know if that one comes with a container and the base seems different too, so I dont know how easy it is to clean that one up.

                            Comment


                            • #44
                              Re: Grinder Suggestions?

                              Originally posted by drovers-sunrise link=1180626907/30#35 date=1193108148
                              Thanks for the advice.

                              While the sunbeam grinder did appeal in the beginning, I could use the money I was to spend on that for the lux grinder. I mean obviously I will have to save some $ still (unless i can source a 2nd hand one) but I can put up with ground coffee from roasters til such time as I can afford one. I think I would rather save my pennies than invest in something short term only to upgrade later.
                              Good decision IMO.

                              There seem to be two main issues with the Sunbeam grinders - mess and longevity. It appears that the burrs can loosen up over time, meaning that you may have to disassemble and adjust the burr carriers, change grind settings etc to maintain a consistent grind. Im not anti-Sunbeam at all - I have this grinder in fact - but combined with the mess factor Id say its worth your while to save up a while longer and get a better grinder!

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                              • #45
                                Re: Grinder Suggestions?

                                The hand grinder I mentioned - the turkish one just grinds straight into the bottom tube.

                                Then you just pull it apart and tip into the basket.

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