It has twin thermoblocks so that it can steam and pull shots at the same time. But unless the thermoblock system has been significantly upgraded since the cafe aromatic, there is still wet steam and not very good thermal stability...it's a step in the right direction but why not boilers?
Posted Sun May 1, 2005, 3:29am Subject: Re: New Sunbeam machine with Paul Bassett
It's $600. Which imho, is cheap, if it is indeed good quality. I'd rather spend a few hundred $ more for a cheap hx machine, but that's me.
Apparently the thermoblocks are made by quickmill (which when i heard that, it seemed a bit heresay), ask Kaanage what that means for temp stability, build quality etc.
The thermoblocks are lined with stainless steel, so no aluminium worries ... and regarding the wet steam myth, let a thermoblock steam for a bit longer and you get very dry steam (but alas, not often powerful enough for more than one drink at a time).
Why not boilers? I dunno. Size maybe? Money?
I was seriously considering this machine, and would still love to give one a go, but upgrading for me is only gonna happen one more time in the next bit of life (planning a family etc) so the next upgrade has to last, and it has to satisfy me for a long time...
EDIT: reading through the online maual for this machine, it also does some sort of pre-infusion, it comes with a proper heavy s/s tamp, the 'espresso guage' sounds like a sort of pressure guage, telling you if you're over-extracting or under extracting ... interesting... and apparently the thermoblokcs are lined with stainless steel AND brass...
BigKen Senior Member Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: ECM Giotto Grinder: Mazzer Mini Roaster: Black & Decker
Posted Thu May 12, 2005, 7:13pm Subject: Re: New Sunbeam machine with Paul Bassett
Hello to all who have been following this thread... Even though I'd posted this elsewhere, I thought I'd add it to this thread.
Profound impatience forced me to actually email Sunbeam once again to ask if they have a release date yet (especially since the machine has been in the David Jones catalogue for a couple of weeks now....).
Their response was:
Thank you for your email. The EM6900 is not due into stores until end of June. Currently we have no schedules for demo's. Regards Susie
This is rather interesting - seeing as the machine was to have been released mid March.... then mid April, early May, Mother's Day (sorry wifey), mid May, and now the end of June.
Problems with reliability maybe? Production? Toaster interface difficulties? Who knows!
I'm going out looking at a good HX now - Lost my patience (and I can no longer hack the coffee from my Breville - even though I drilled out the bottom of the Crema Enhancing filters to remove the pressurisation - nor wait for the milk to steam...)
Posted Thu May 12, 2005, 7:39pm Subject: Re: New Sunbeam machine with Paul Bassett
Yeah, kinda why i'm looking down the hx path as well ... i've been waiting since last year, when they said it was due out first week of december.
But i reckon we'll both be happier in the long run with an hx machine. What machines are you looking at? I'm still tooing and froing between the NS Oscar (if only someone could explain the group head to me - does it do the same thing as an e61?) and an expobar pulser (although a got a secret tip off that i can get the lever model cheaper! but shhh...i didn't say that!), together with a mazzer mini.
cafine Senior Member Joined: 1 Apr 2005 Posts: 242 Location: Adelaide Expertise: Professional
Espresso: San Marino Jnr Plumbed Grinder: Mini Mazzer/SuperJolly
Posted Fri May 13, 2005, 5:40am Subject: Re: New Sunbeam machine with Paul Bassett
I like the ideas of the semi industrial or even full blown units in domestic situations even if I have to get up 20 minutes early to turn it on. Nothing beats that steam and pump pressure that can do one two or even a dozen coffees in a row. I pulled a Krupps domestic unit apart the other day I really don't know how people can use them they just feel so light, like a toy.
I've been waiting since I read about it (in a thread I believe here actually) as making 4 lattes and 2 choccas just takes too long late in the day...
mattyj Said:
But i reckon we'll both be happier in the long run with an hx machine. What machines are you looking at? I'm still tooing and froing between the NS Oscar (if only someone could explain the group head to me - does it do the same thing as an e61?) and an expobar pulser (although a got a secret tip off that i can get the lever model cheaper! but shhh...i didn't say that!), together with a mazzer mini.
I had a look at the NS Oscar, but just couldn't get past the plastic of it - Only my personal preference mind you. The lack of a hot water spout has been mentioned by others, but I have been getting around it for ages with my Breville so it doesn't factor in. In DiBella Coffee (roastery here in Brisbane) they have a see through Oscar on demo, so when I am next going past I'll have a gander at it to see what the brew group is for you.
Personally, I am looking at either the Bezzera range (99/02/02DE), or the La Scala Butterfly. I won't mention prices (as that can get some riled up...), but with the Butterfly they are also providing an Imat grinder for not much (the Imat looks quite similar to the Rocky). Basically it will come down to price and reputation, with the Bezzera 99/02 cheaper than the Butterfly, but it doesn't have the E61 group. Ahhh, decisions... decisions...
I intend to head up to the Qld Coffeegeeks meet next Sunday (with the family even!!!), so I'll ask the mulitude their opinions as well.
BenB Senior Member Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 466 Location: Perth, Australia Expertise: Professional
Espresso: 2 x 2grp LM Grinder: 2 Swifts, Mazzer Robur
Posted Sat May 14, 2005, 4:37pm Subject: Re: New Sunbeam machine with Paul Bassett
BigKen Said:
Profound impatience forced me to actually email Sunbeam once again to ask if they have a release date yet (especially since the machine has been in the David Jones catalogue for a couple of weeks now....).
I'm not sure exactly what's happening with the release date but I went into David Jones yesterday and asked when it was going to be in store. They didn't know so they phoned their sunbeam contact. They said the end of may...who knows if it will turn out but they said they will be getting a 'demonstrator' in.
cafine Senior Member Joined: 1 Apr 2005 Posts: 242 Location: Adelaide Expertise: Professional
Espresso: San Marino Jnr Plumbed Grinder: Mini Mazzer/SuperJolly
Posted Sun May 15, 2005, 3:43pm Subject: Re: New Sunbeam machine with Paul Bassett
Matt,
There is a thread here on CG comparing the expobar and oscar. I use the expobar guys in Melbourne for a lot of my parts quite fast and friendly. I have not sold or seen any Oscars in the flesh (plastic I believe), there is also a thread that puts the expobar in the E61 category clone or liscenced? These should give you some more infomation to make your choice.
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