EM6910 tricks

System · August 2011

on 1313497396:

We finally have a machine and I don't want to hear any crap (or be pitied) about it :P

We are 2 very very very tired people, he's working 60-70 hours a week and that is just what he does at work, there is more he does at home each night and weekends, and I'm lucky if I get more than 4 hours of sleep a night, I need 8 to function!

I was very tired of spending 10 minutes cleaning up for each cup of coffee I wanted to make and hence I'm lucky if I even make 1 cup a day for me, no not lazy just very very tired.

We went down to HN and got almost $200 off the RRP of the EM6910 with the free grinder package. I wasn't worried about the grinder side of things but I think it will encourage my OH to make a coffee when he wants to.

I have the ability to change the temps when I want and also to just set the preset for my OH to just press his button to get coffee.

I know the steam isn't the best but it can't be any worse than what I get out of the old Breville steam wand so I just don't care at this stage.

So probably all a little too much information in there but it answers the question of the thread

Oh and I know that there are a few of you who have had one, can you let me know what else you've used to get the most out of it, baskets etc.

1: junk the double floor baskets
2: Get rid of the plastic insert
3: I found that a head temp one up from default was OK for my unit and on another I had to take it up again. Try it and see.
4: Steam, Set it to the HOTTEST and then try the driest and then the wettest settings and see how you go. My main unit was OK on default but another would really only perform when set to wettest. Still got good milk.
5: If you can let it warm for 15 to 20 it is better. But if not, then once the lights say ya ready. You can go for it :o
6: DO not OVERDOSE... Up dosing is good for most beans, but found a few that were ok even under dosing (with a change to the grind ie. quite fine).
7: I tended to use a tripple basket I got from some one and always managed to get a good cup; most of the time ;D

When it comes to maintenance, well there are any number of tricks and things to be careful of.

Brett H · August 2011

Think about investing in a good tamper with a matched basket. It means that any upgrades later need to be 58mm if you want to take them with you but I remember having great success early on with Silvia upon upgrading o a Pullman tamper. The Tamper/Synesso or VST basket will cost you most of your discount but will be a future proof providing you stick to the 58mm path.

shape_shifter · August 2011

Thank you guys

Muscles · August 2011

Congrats on the purchase SS!! Yeah, I too will say go get a Pullman tamper with Synesso baskets (but be prepared to occasionally clean up spilt coffee or to pull the basket out of your bang-bang). I have My temp at the std setting and my steam at hottest and wettest.

Rusty · August 2011

You will get great coffee from the EM6910 - it is easy to use and clean. I know you're busy and tired, but if you can fit in the free Sunbeam training course it is well worth the effort

I upgraded to the EM6910 from a Silvia and have never regretted it 8) Enjoy, and follow AM's tips - he knows what it's all about.

shape_shifter · August 2011

That he does Rusty ;D I'll be buying all the other things over a period of time, so it really will be using what I've got for a little bit. Looking at a triple basket first up

Tango · August 2011

on 1313653100:

That he does Rusty ;D I'll be buying all the other things over a period of time, so it really will be using what I've got for a little bit. Looking at a triple basket first up

I recently bought an EM6910 too shapeshifter and I think it's a great machine for the price. Been getting some great shots and some decent milk on the hottest and wettest setting. Thinking about getting a naked portafilter too but can't afford the $120 at the moment!

shape_shifter · August 2011

Tango, yes I'm looking at getting a naked as well, no way to the $120, that's a little over the top. I think I might look for a second hand one and get my OH to make it naked. Oh does anyone know about this supposed 'new style' steam head, part number EM69168? I've looked through the manual but it doesn't say anything about part numbers.

Tango · August 2011

on 1313676250:

Tango, yes I'm looking at getting a naked as well, no way to the $120, that's a little over the top. I think I might look for a second hand one and get my OH to make it naked. Oh does anyone know about this supposed 'new style' steam head, part number EM69168? I've looked through the manual but it doesn't say anything about part numbers.

I'm pretty sure your machine would have the new style steam tip shape_shifter considering you just bought it. Does your steam nozzle look like: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Sunbeam-EM6900-EM6910-New-Style-Steam-Nozzle-EM69168-/170609948902 The older steam tips on the EM6910 weren't smooth and rounded at the distal point of the tip - they had a 'nipple' as some called it. Looked like: http://coffeesnobs.com.au/attachments/10-11combo-w.jpg As a side note, how are you finding the milk steaming? I struggled for a bit, then I did the sunbeam course where Erin Sampson showed us a few tips in how to hold the jug. I found the best way is to have the jug tilted towards you as far as you can go without spilling the milk. I also set the steam on hottest and wettest!

Tango · August 2011

on 1313670374:

$120 ? Whoooo there............. That's a lot of $$$$ I wonder what Sunbeam charge for just the Group. I was sure that Sparkys here in Brisbane a complete handle was only about $80 at tops if I remember... Contact them and see what it is.... I can pick-up, make it a Naked and post to you. Unless the price has jumped, Postage and my time should not add more than $25 to outlay....

Thanks AM - I think the Sunbeam groups are quite expensive hence why a naked portafilter is pricey! I've managed to source one though - thanks for the offer!! I have the feeling you're the GO-TO guy for EM6910 issues!

Tango · August 2011

Hi guys, Looking at baskets for the EM6910...either the Synesso or VST. Problem is, do you go with a 14g or 18g??

RichardM · August 2011

I can't say for the EM6910, but for me, anything under about 16g for a double just tastes flat. The more coffee the better

Muscles · August 2011

I pack between 20 and 22g into my synesso 18g basket. Love it! If I had a 22g basket I reckon I'd be packing 26-28g in there...

shape_shifter · August 2011

I wouldn't even bother with the 14g, I'll be getting the 18g and 22g, although I don't know if I really need 2 that are a similar size, I might just go for the 22g, we like our coffee

OH has said that if I can't find a good enough priced PF to make naked then just buy the new naked PF and basket etc from Pullman. At least then we know everything fits each other. As these are all additional things we'd be buying anyway we still have our original savings off the machine. Oh and yeah, Tango, I can't tell you anything as we don't have it yet, they had sold out after the interest free stuff on the weekend and said it will be a few days, more like early next week I was told today *shrugs* oh well, doesn't matter, I've done a couple of roasts that will be ready for when it gets here.

Tango · August 2011

on 1313752660:

I pack between 20 and 22g into my synesso 18g basket. Love it! If I had a 22g basket I reckon I'd be packing 26-28g in there...

Muscles - does the Synesso 18g fit in the standard (non-naked) EM6910 portafilter?!

RichardM · August 2011

on 1313753422:

I've done a couple of roasts that will be ready for when it gets here.

From experience - when you get a new machine, roast at least double what you think you're going to use as a) you will be busy with the machine, and forget about your old poppery masterpiece, and b) you will drink more just to "get the hang of it". (I still reckon you'd have been better off with my Lelit :P )

shape_shifter · August 2011

:P I was expecting that, I would have you know, except that it doesn't have a 'push a button' feature and that was one of the 'must haves'. I have no idea what he'll do once I can afford the lever, I'll be making outstanding coffees from the lever and he'll have to make do with what comes out of the EM6910 when I'm not home ;D Yes I have expected to go through quite a bit, I have a blend from Jeff to go through as a black as well, and I want to start seeing if I can get a blend going with the Harrar so hopefully the first week will be well and truly covered

Muscles · August 2011

on 1313753931:

Muscles - does the Synesso 18g fit in the standard (non-naked) EM6910 portafilter?!

Yep, but don't expect it to stay in the PF with the stock Sunbeam spring cause it won't. You will need the weaker springs that are sold on the Pullman site...

shape_shifter · August 2011

A question: while I'm waiting I'm looking at videos on youtube, I'm finding so far that they have all gone over the optimum pour section into the over extracted section. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that besides a tiny bit in the manual they don't make any reference to it either. Oh the question is, do people find that this actually does happen regardless?

shape_shifter · August 2011

Question: should I take the 2 pour spout off? This model doesn't come with the single pour spout just the double but I was thinking in the meantime, less metal to absorb heat. It's also not in the instruction guide anymore either. Interesting to note that the shower screen only has a small section of holes on it, once I take it off in a minute I'll know if all the holes have been punched. I was expecting a larger circumference of holes I think due to the larger portafilter. Question: stupid question and I know the answer but just as a put it out there thing, how much should I really get out of the double? I'm used to pulling 60ml out of 15g, would I be right in thinking that we'll have much stronger coffee if I stick to 60ml out of 20g? We won't know what's hit us.

derrilex · August 2011

Ahhh, still dishing out the good oil ( pun intended) on the 6910 AM. Good to see. Takes me back. I had to do another aggressive steam descale the other day when the pump went quite on me. Going like a train again now though. Will this thing ever let me upgrade ?

shape_shifter · August 2011

LMAO this is fun, we have a grinder that even on the coarsest settings is too fine

Maybe they doubled the shims in ours, we haven't pulled it apart that far yet. Unfortunately we're using Jeff's PST coffee (sorry Jeff

) to try this out with but I have to say the last shot that I pulled didn't taste anywhere near as bad as what I was getting out of the Presso with the same coffee. So I think there is progress. Was a little worried at the start when no water came out for ages

OH thinks that the steam is really dry already so I'm going to leave all the settings where they are at this stage and change them as we need to. Yes thank you to AM for the initial knowing where 9 bar sits, we did that as the first run with the double floor basket. I still think that the normal double basket doesn't have enough holes in it, this coming from a Presso user where the baskets are like the new VST baskets, holes all the way to the outside. We also checked the shower screens, why do they need two? Anyway both had all holes punched so it's all good there

Ok now back to working on the making the grind coarser, I might go and manually grind some now, oh and I'm only getting I think about 18g in the double basket, more measuring to do too. Oh oh one last thing - it's bloody NOISY!!! I'm hoping it settles down a little once it's worn in!

Brett H · August 2011

Hi SS, those grinders are known for noise. My mate ran his alongside my old Lux and between the two grinders I think we loosened the foundation of our home! Great that ou are haing fun experimenting!!! Enjoy

shape_shifter · August 2011

LMAO that noisy comment went for both the machine and the grinder, we were running both at once and couldn't talk to each other. Ok I think I'm close, with my MANUAL grinder mind you LMAO I'm laughing my head off at the people that scorned me for using a manual grinder but if they are reading this their comment will probably be "oh it's only a sunbeam" ;D This is definitely fun Brett, learning all over again

I am sorry that I had to use the PST in this way but it's the only coffee we have enough of to see the differences to start. Ok AM I know you said don't worry about numbers, so of course here is a numbers question :D I know where the 9 bar sits and the last shot I pulled I got 30ml in 30 seconds out of 16g of coffee and I think it tastes not half bad (I say that because I don't think I really like the PST coffee but of all the tastes I've had and originally through the Presso it's great in comparison). So the question is is that when I watched the gauge it goes to the middle of the darker yellow/brown section. This is in comparison to where the 9 bar sits which is almost on the middle between the lighter yellow/brown section but leaning ever so slightly to the lighter side. Do I just say stuff it if I think the coffee tastes fine and that's where it will sit for us, or do I play around to try and get it back towards the centre of the two? Tomorrow I'll take photos and video hopefully, that will probably be easier to understand than my waffle :D

shape_shifter · August 2011

Damn it sorry AM I added more up there... I also have to admit something here, AM you were close to right, I was using the single basket and not the double, well I've got the single close to perfect I think LMAO. I'll blame it on recovering from the migraine from hell last night and still having a headache. Sooo 16g in a single basket I think is a good thing, although yes I know I'm supposed to only get 30ml out of it, lets hope going up to the double with the same settings of grinder and tamp will bring the same results. Such a blonde thing to do!!!

shape_shifter · August 2011

Oppps sorry about the AM, I completely forgot. The last good shot I got the gauge was at 12, the 9 bar reading was at umm about 11 closer to 11.5 I feel. So from all the double dutch up there it's a thumbs up I take it LOL :P about the pods, I pulled out the extra basket in the floored ones and said "what is that", sure enough it was the pod filter

shape_shifter · August 2011

She shoots, she scores ;D I did my first double basket, I only had 20g of OHs coffee left so though why not. 60ml in 30secs. I think I tamped too hard so the gauge was a little over where it was last night but as AM said it's what's in the cup that counts and it sure looked good. The judgement: powerful hit of coffee and nice. Surprisingly when asked in comparison to the Presso he said that when I got the Presso shots right they were just as good as his coffee today. Lesson for all LOL don't drink coffee on an empty stomach and go to bed LMAO I was still awake at 2am with my arms vibrating ;D

shape_shifter · August 2011

Tango the steaming, well it appears to be fairly dry, it's so quick to heat so it's taking a little bit to get used to it. I'm only using a 250ml jug, although I'm used to using the jug, the power of the steam makes me have to start from scratch

I've only made 2 milk drinks so far and I'm bordering on burning the milk I feel although it doesn't smell that way, I think I'll have to get a temp probe in there to test what degree I'm getting to. Guys I thought that I would put all my adventures in my blog, which is below, instead of clogging up this thread, leaving this thread for specific questions with things myself and others are having trouble with and can't seem to find answers

Muscles · August 2011

Nice blog Nic, I have bookmarked it for further reading so keep the updates coming

shape_shifter · August 2011

I've added a little picture with text

This just shows where the sweet spot is using the double floor to find out where 9 bar sits and the best shots I've got so far have been between it and where the green line is. Easier to see rather than read in a lot of cases. Oh and yes the gauge is wonky, not my photography, well not in this case anyway ;D

Brett H · August 2011

on 1314306519:

Remember this is about consistency and getting a feel for the unit NOT numbers ;D After any service or major repair OR if you think it is the machine... Do the sweet spot test.. And do not be surprised if it all OK and the problem is you ;D

Sorry mate but I have to take issue with your last statement. I own some pretty good quality tools and machinery and it is THEM that has been the cause of many of my (Darn... 100mm short eh....) problems. In fact I don't once remember swearing at myself when an issue with machinery has occured. I bet the guy who put Nic's gauge in her 6910 had a similar problem with his tools... poor beggar!

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