New Sunbeam Grinders ??

[Darkfalz]

The burrs are identical in all of these from the EM0440 to the EM0700. Any grind variability would mainly be down to any give vertical and horizontal on them. However in operation, the burrs will go towards the path of least resistance until they hit whatever limit is there - which should be more or less the same on all models.

I Don't think you can do much about the grind retention other than getting one with the anti-static chamber - I regret returning my EM0700 now and will buy it again when it's on sale for a decent price. It retained the same amount of grinds, which also couldn't be banged out as easily (they'll need to instead be ground out on next use) but the dosing was just so much nicer.

[MrSoulSong]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I thought I'd give my two cents on the topic, as I found this thread by searching info on my grinder, so others may yet do the same.

I got the EM0440 grinder in the pack with the 6910 recently myself. Without a word of a lie, I can get great coffee with it! It can definitely grind fine enough. If I go below 5 it will choke the 6910. I've found around 7-8 perfect for my needs. I've read about people stating that the grind is inconsistent with these grinders (well the 450 and 480 in particular) but from my experience that's not the case with my 0440. The only issue is sometimes as I'm doing progressive tamping, I'll go back for the second grind and only a little will come out. But a quick turn to 10, a very slight tap on the button, and then back up to 7-8 sorts out the problem.

I will be taking apart the grinder soon to see if I can modify something to stop some of the grind retention that does happen with these grinders. Other than this, the grinder does a great job.

I've disassembled it to clean between different blends etc,and it's not difficult to do so, once you've done it before.

[Robbks]

if you're looking for a new grinder, look for a used rocky (heaps on here and evil bay) or a used Compak K3

I've just moved from an 0480 to a Rocky and it's a much better machine. Faster, quieter, better build.

[rawill]

Had a look at an EM0440 today, there were two types in the shop, one that is bundled with the EM6910, and the other a standalone.

The shop assistant said "don't buy one" the grinder. She said they are always coming back in. She told me, the tops/hopper with the top burr do not line up easily with the base.

[Journeyman]

I haven't seen a 440 - saw a reference to one a while back that was selling for half the price of a 480 (both new) The 480 feels solid and works well. I don't know if the new style burrs are a better option - both my machines (450 & 480) have what look like pristine edges on the burrs but when i was having issues (see my thread) there were comments about maybe the burrs were worn. Short of putting foreign materials down the chute I don't see what might wear down the burrs.

You can see the burrs are quite chunky compared to the pic above - these are the top burrs from the 450 and 480.

Unless you find someone who has a 440, I don't know if you can be sure it will work for you without trying it. Perhaps Hardly Normal can do a demo of espresso from one for you?

[rawill]

Am I wrong, or right?

I thought the EM 0440 was the same as an 0480, just a cheaper model, plastic rather than aluminium.
I also thought the EM0440 was a relatively new release.

[Journeyman]

Reading up above there seems to be some difference between the 440 and the later(?) models. I have an EM0450 and an EM0480 and both perform well. Currently the 0480 is shimmed and grinds very nicely for my EM6910 machine around 10 on the dial. I use the 0450 only occasionally for decaf for the missus but it does a good job without shims. Both have different burrs to the photo above from dazfc - at least I think they do. Look on my thread http://coffeesnobs.com.au/brewing-eq...w-machine.html for photos of my burrs - the blades seem much more pronounced than what I see a few posts back.

According to TampIt, that means I have the older style 0480. I've seen comments around the forums that the new EM0480 is a better grinder that doesn't need shimming - I have no idea if this is so or if they just got Tuesday machines. But until I get a lot more money to spend, I'm happy with the output of my (adjusted) EM0480.

[okitoki]

I had the 440 for my Silvia but it wasn't fine enough.

However it was comparable to the breville smart grinder.

U can get the shim kit from eBay for the 440 to make it grind finer

[rawill]

An old thread - but I wondered.
Can any one give any idea of how the EM0440 grind compareswith the Breville Bar Aroma coffee grinder.

I have the Breville, but can not get a fine enough grind to make a good expresso unless I use the dual walled baskets on my EM6910

I have modified my Breville grinder to get it as fine as possible but it still not enough.

[Hildy]

I have an EM450. I took it over to a friend's house: not as good as an anfim best, but much more portable. The top burr goes in two ways (you can put it in backwards). With it the wrong (?right) way, it is much too coarse for espresso. With it the other way, it will choke a rocket giotto at about 6, give ristretto(ish) at 7, and normale at 8. Steps are fairly coarse.

[dazfc]

The top burr is attached to the hopper

gold star to me

[dazfc]

I was looking at the 440 as well for the reasons stated.
my BCG450 just packed it in and i need a new grinder, but cannot shell out for a good one unfortunately.

So is the assumption that it is the same internals as the 450 & 480?

I've been looking at these too as a frugal alternative. Please keep in mind that I've not seen one but this is what I've been able to come up with.

From what I can tell of the online instruction manuals at the sunbeam site, there IS a difference between the EM0440 and EM0450/80/90. The EM0450/80/90 have the top burrs separate from the adjustment collar but the EM0440 instructions suggests the top burrs are fixed to the adjustment collar. Sunbeam's site also doesn't refer to the burrs as being replaceable although the instructions say to contact Sunbeam to replace the burrs.

The question assuming there is a difference. Is this a cost cutting short-cut and if so does it affect the performance and/or longevity of the product? I guess only time will tell.

Other than that it would seem to be the same burr set and are all mentioned as 'Italian conical burrs'.

Of note is the EM0480/90 models state they use a gear driven motor, although promotional material around the net suggest the EM0450 has a 'gear driven burr system'. The EM0440 is not listed as having a slow speed grind either but its hard to imagine it'd work without it.

Perhaps its all marketing to push people towards their more expensive models as I've not been able to find anywhere with the cheaper EM0440 on display to look at. Target have them online and it seems a perfect fit to sell these at the cheaper focused chain stores.

So my conclusion is I have no idea but it may give you some questions to ask when you go looking. If I see one around I'll remove the adjustment collar and take a picture. If anyone else happens to see it, could they please do the same. Gold stars and smiley stamps to be awarded for best picture.

[DrSmurto]

I have 2 x 450s and a 3rd i gave to the inlaws. None of them needed shimming, all of them grind fine enough - set on 1 they all clog up the espresso machines used (again, Sunbeams 4800/5900/6910).

All bought 2nd hand, the last cost me $30.

Like anything, a little bit of maintenance goes a lot way so i regularly (minimum of fortnightly) pull them apart and clean them thoroughly.

Worth keeping in mind - check out ebay/gumtree in addition to the marketplace here. An option for those who want to dip their toes into the world of coffeesnobbery without donating their unborn child.

My 6910 cost me $100, sold the extra PF and 2 boxes of brand new dual filters for $100.

[mwcalder05]

New Sunbeam Grinders ??

I have 2 480's with only one needing shimming. Haven't missed a beat with regular cleans and fresh beans. Only downside is the amount of coffee left in the area underneath the burrs. But there's probably an easy fix for that.

[Ineeda]

I was looking at the 440 as well for the reasons stated.
my BCG450 just packed it in and i need a new grinder, but cannot shell out for a good one unfortunately.

So is the assumption that it is the same internals as the 450 & 480?