EM7000 Purchased - EM6910 Retired - Initial observations

QM0996 · March 2014

Not a timer... Disconnected the Steam heating block and temp came up to about where I thought and then stayed there. Even after some time... Then turned off and tried again; same result. Added hot / boiling water and again it came up to the temp I expected but took ages to get there... After about 30 - 40 sec it was only at 65 and took some time to get up where I expected. (Thus if one was to be also steaming the temp read out would never catch up - As found by the org poster) From what I can see / tell, the temp cct is very slow to respond, and I mean SLOW. It is also switched in and out and thus only works when the steam switch is activated... Do not think there are extra wires (switched via software) but if one could have the temp gauge on all the time - it would show a real time display; all be it a tad slow with response.

Honest_Gaza · March 2014

Any further progress QM ? Seems Sunbeam a charging a premium for a feature that doesn't really do what it is advertised to do, and that is... "display the temperature of the milk to achieve the desired temperature every time"

QM0996 · March 2014

on 1395309994:

Any further progress QM ? Seems Sunbeam a charging a premium for a feature that doesn't really do what it is advertised to do, and that is... "display the temperature of the milk to achieve the desired temperature every time"

It does as claimed above; if you start with cold milk... If your using room temp or above, then the display laggs and if you stopped at say 50 and waited a while it would clime to the actual temp. On cross checking with my 2 digital units; the one I have is accurate... That being said I would be stopping at 55 and the milk temp would still be climbing and but time of using be actually at 60..... This is the same for many other temp probes, as have seen people stop steaming at 60 or 65 yet if they stopped and waited a while they would see the gauge keep rising at least another 5 ... Disclaimer: depends on the quality and accuracy of the temp probe.

Honest_Gaza · March 2014

on 1395313431:

It does as claimed above; if you start with cold milk...

But that means they would have to make the assumption that we don't reheat milk at some stage for successive coffees ?

conikal · March 2014

on 1395737049:

But that means they would have to make the assumption that we don't reheat milk at some stage for successive coffees ?

Naahh ! .. I dont think SB are smart enough to build something that prevents you making crap coffee ! :laugh:

Journeyman · June 2014

I've got an EM7000 and was aware of the issue re the temps so I use my clip-on thermo along with the gauge. Or I did for the first month or so - now I don't need to. What I noticed is the clip-on lags behind the built-in by about 5

Brett H · June 2014

on 1401694621:

I've got an EM7000 and was aware of the issue re the temps so I use my clip-on thermo along with the gauge. Or I did for the first month or so - now I don't need to. What I noticed is the clip-on lags behind the built-in by about 5

QM0996 · June 2014

Journeyman Welcome... Must get the 7000 up and running again. The milk thing is a minor point and once you know your machine it is a non event; as you have suggested. It is a thermocouple and is reasonably well insulated, but I think they may have added a delay in the cct to compensate for the different ways people steam / froth / scald their milk... I am only aware of one ongoing problem with the EM7000 and that is to do with the steam switch/valve. So if it ever plays up drop me a PM. QM0996

Journeyman · June 2014

So far I've only read of one issue with the steam on the 7000 (apart from the thermo issue) and it sounds like the one the EM6910 had - steam weakens and then stops. In my instance, and that of a few others who read what I tried, it came down to the Sunbeam advice in the manual to never put cleaner through the steam system. It seemed strange to me because the description for both water and steam systems is the same, stainless-lined thermoblocks and the tubes are the same inside. I was getting reasonable steam when I got my 6910 but after a while it was taking longer to start steaming. So I ran Cino Cleano (recommended by local roaster) through the steam path and it improved a bit. Then about the 3rd time I did it, I inadvertently left it running for maybe 15 minutes. I came back inside to a coughing and spluttering steam wand then it suddenly got REALLY loud and strong. When I emptied the container I had under it, there was some dirty brown muck in the water. Since that time the steam has been great (for a 6910 - the 7000 is even betterer :D) and running cleaner through the wand has become part of the ritual. I may be preaching to the choir on this next bit... :D I think it blocks up because of another recommendation from SB in their manual - leaving the wand in the milk until the steam stops. In a physics sense, steam is expanded water and the pump puts it under pressure, so when it stops the liquid outside the tip has a partial vacuum to fill and milk goes up the tip. Over time this clogs the system I think. In the barista course I did I was taught to remove the wand from the milk before the end of the steaming; with a little practice it becomes easy to know when to do it and if you take the jug away at the angle of the wand there is little chance of splash or bubble. And there's a side issue of crap they put in the water that might get sent through the steam pipes. There is no reason I can think of why the steam system would NOT have similar issues to the water system so regular cleaning should be recommended. If there is something else that happens with the steam, please let me know; I prefer to have possible failure parts on hand for fixes; saves stress to the missus when I don't get my coffee. :D

QM0996 · June 2014

The issue with cleaner in the older systems is that at full temp the chemicals that are given off are not good for you. Thus to assist with RISK management and SB not getting into courts and a massive payout; the short answer is don't run cleaner via the steam wand. If you do the decal on the EM7000 I understand the Steam temp, no longer goes to full temp. That being said the steam switch valve has been getting stiff as the lube gets removed... There is a special Dow Corning hi temp valve lube that you can use. It is also used by the better service agents when doing Lever systems- search for Orphan Espresso they have small packets of it. But sure you can get some here.

Journeyman · June 2014

*grins* I don't normally stand in the steam cloud, and while I understand the political correctness idiocy of warnings etc. I think something is drastically wrong when we have to warn people not to do stupid things. :D Cleaning my steam path in the 6910 was the best thing I did with it - average milk suddenly became easy-to-make good milk. All the water into my 6910 since and my 7000 is reverse osmosis water so I'm not particularly concerned about descales etc. I do the cleaning cycle every couple of weeks with no additive at all - including a 5 - 10 minute steam run. So far, so good. :D I'll get hold of some of the valve lube. Is Dow COrning the only maker or might there be other brands available? (sort of 'on-topic' given it's to correct an EM7000 possible fault.

QM0996 · June 2014

Dow COrning as best I know... Just check out OE web site

Journeyman · June 2014

re: Valve lube - @ $3 it's a bargain worth having in the drawer. A report from Perth coffee servicers suggested the major repair issue with EM7000's has been replacing steam knobs - I thought at the time maybe they were flimsy but mine are pretty solid units so now I wonder if the stiffness problem causes people to apply more & more force until they break them? re: temp-sensing wand... another point is the difference in jug size. It has to be something other than a simple timer because a 1L jug heats slower than a 650ml which heats slower than a 300ml.

QM0996 · June 2014

on 1401857645:

re: Valve lube - @ $3 it's a bargain worth having in the drawer. A report from Perth coffee servicers suggested the major repair issue with EM7000's has been replacing steam knobs - I thought at the time maybe they were flimsy but mine are pretty solid units so now I wonder if the stiffness problem causes people to apply more & more force until they break them? re: temp-sensing wand... another point is the difference in jug size. It has to be something other than a simple timer because a 1L jug heats slower than a 650ml which heats slower than a 300ml.

It is NOT A TIMER... It is a thermocouple and very accurate. It just the rate at which the temp is sensed by the code and then displayed..... Have you worked out how the pressure is read / displayed.... Mehaaaaaaaaaa LOLAROF I like the way they have done it but the purist and those that do not understand physics would Laugh / Cry...

Journeyman · June 2014

:D I realise about the timer issue - was reading a bit further up and realised I hadn't mentioned the size of jug issue. I must admit, I kinda gave up on the pressure reads - I look mainly to see where it is. All my best coffees are at the top of the 'best segments or slightly above. Anything in those segments is under-extracted. Anything at max is pretty much choked, although I have had an occasional 45sec+ extraction that delivered liquid gold from fresh beans. :D Be interested in how it works though. The EM6910 had the same issue - the recommended segments were not the best place to be when extracting. PS: It is nice to be on a forum where Sunbeam owners aren't automatically treated as sub-normal cretins who clearly don't understand you have to spend $3000+ before you can make or understand coffee. Refreshing change. :D

QM0996 · June 2014

on 1401861812:

PS: It is nice to be on a forum where Sunbeam owners aren't automatically treated as sub-normal cretins who clearly don't understand you have to spend $3000+ before you can make or understand coffee. Refreshing change. :D

Don't speak too soon...

Honest_Gaza · April 2017

on 1390568778:

Update time....have had the new replacement machine approx 3 Months and so far, so good.

Well another 3 Years have gone by...and still enjoying my coffees each day. Apart from swapping the Steam Wand Rubber Knob with the one from the Hot Water one (due to splitting of the rubber tab)...and a good hit of WD40 in the Steam Wand control valve about 12 Months ago (all stiffness is now gone and the steam shuts off without brute force ;D)...this has been very reliable. Thought I'd let people know as it's coming up to Mothers Day and the Machines are still out there.

askthecoffeeguy · April 2017

I found a red model en6910 in hard waste and restored it some years ago the red model was the prototype of the em7000 and has all of the same functionality of the 7000 and its mainly my back up machine but ive got it in use at the moment and its still going strong!!! P

ThePiccoloChaser · August 2017

on 1493517200:

Well another 3 Years have gone by...and still enjoying my coffees each day. Thought I'd let people know as it's coming up to Mothers Day and the Machines are still out there.

Thanks for continuing this thread along Gaza and others too. My M-I-L insists father in law should have a machine for upcoming birthday (maybe squeeze it in early as Father's day). While I'd like to help get them to something like the Oscar II their budget probably keeps them to the EM7000 / EM7100 / Brev BES870 mark. Will keep an eye out for any good pricing on these.

Honest_Gaza · August 2017

Yes...it seems as long as you do your regular cleaning, they can last quite a while.

askthecoffeeguy · August 2017

my em6910 is still going strong still makes great coffee and I maintain that the espresso shots are on par with a commercial machine !

Honest_Gaza · September 2018

Another Year has gone by and still going strong. Only issues I have had (apart from the initial failed machines) is the wear and tear on the rubber control knobs. Steam Wand is still steaming, Collar hasn't been an issue....have performed the standard cleaning and descaling every few Months (though I have started using some nice cheap cleaning tablets from Woolworths as opposed to the $20 packet of Sunbeam). All in all, very happy with the Machine....still. I have been keeping a watchful eye on the Sunbeam Torino reviews. I think I need one, but can't justify the $$$ while my EM7000 is still working :-| DJ's currently have the Machine and Grinder available for $1,199 which is very enticing but I guess an EM7000 in the Kitchen is worth a Torino on the Shop Floor :coffee2:

Honest_Gaza · September 2018

Although the machine is still going strong, I find myself proactively researching what my next machine would be. Having had the Sunbeam EM6900, then EM6910, then EM7000...I have always assumed it would be the new Sunbeam Torino. But the feedback on this machine has not been great (and perhaps this could also be said about the earlier models including my own experience with poor quality control on all 3 Machines). So I find myself currently drawn to the Breville Dynamic Duo of similar price range. Interesting decision to make should the time come for a new machine and grinder package in the near future.

admin · September 2018

interesting that you've gone for all chinese-made (what Attilio would have called 'applicance') machines... his big gripe was the materials of the chinese ones, and the fact that the italian ones were (at least according to him) made to last longer, and include more brass/copper etc... at least that was my impression. it's great to have the feedback from over the years, but my question is - on reflection, do you think you were right to go Sunbeam, or would you recommend spending a bit (a lot?) more and go for an italian machine at the beginning, that might last 10-15 years? A

Koffee_Kosmo · September 2018

Gazza you have had a great run with your Sunbeams However in all honesty it’s time to go with a European mostly all metal machine, new or second hand Only because I want the same longevity tests as a comparison from someone in a unique position

admin · October 2018

on 1538287662:

Only because I want the same longevity tests as a comparison from someone in a unique position

haha :D

Honest_Gaza · October 2018

on 1538287064:

interesting that you've gone for all Chinese-made (what Attilio would have called 'appliance') machines... ...on reflection, do you think you were right to go Sunbeam, or would you recommend spending a bit (a lot?) more and go for an Italian machine at the beginning, that might last 10-15 years?

Up until now I have only ever had Sunbeam Coffee Machines (including a very basic Sunbeam Machine that did not have dual pumps prior to going down the Cafe Series path). My interest in continuing with 'appliance' models can be attributed to the very satisfactory support I have received from both the Manufacturer and Retailer over the years...this being Sunbeam and Harvey Norman. As previously documented, I've certainly had my share of failed machines but I cannot fault the repair and/or changeover process that I have experienced during this time (including a replacement EM6900 when it was out of Warranty). I'm certainly not one to only purchase technology through Mainstream Retailers (PC's and Camera gear are cases in point), but when it comes to Coffee Machines, I will probably continue down this path. It is easy to compare pricing prior to purchasing, and if issues arise, they are usually resolved quickly. I also don't plan on spending more on the Italian Machines that "might" provide longevity. The one time I deviated from an 'appliance' model was with my Solis Grinder after a recommendation from a Coffee Forum Member (can't even remember if it was from this forum), and getting that thing repaired was a right pain in the proverbial. I eventually replaced that with a Sunbeam Grinder and it has never caused me a problem. So on reflection...very happy that I went with Sunbeam.

Honest_Gaza · October 2018

on 1538287662:

Gazza you have had a great run with your Sunbeams However in all honesty it’s time to go with a European mostly all metal machine, new or second hand Only because I want the same longevity tests as a comparison from someone in a unique position

If you are happy to provide the machine....I'll give you my "Honest" feedback and comparison

But if I'm paying...I think it will be Sunbeam/Breville

Brett H · October 2018

Gotta tell ya'll….I've had my fair share of fancy European machines fail and its only been that I bought from terrific retailers that saved my skin every time. HG, I think you've had a better experience than most with this class of machine and possibly that comes down to how you use them, how you maintain them and also a bit of luck. There is no shame in choosing one of these over their fancy expensive cousins... in fact, I you can get great coffee and great service from a machine a fraction of the cost of others then I take my hat off to you!!

Honest_Gaza · October 2018

on 1538536995:

... in fact, If you can get great coffee and great service from a machine a fraction of the cost of others then I take my hat off to you!!

Like Wine, (not that I can speak from experience), Coffee is subjective. We have a commercial machine in our Restaurant/Lounge area at work and I am fortunate enough to be able to make the occasional Cappuccino on it and it has allowed me to make some comparisons with very interesting results. I have yet to make one that is of an equal taste (subjective as it is) to that which I can make on my EM7000 at home. Assuming it was the different Beans that they use, I even ground some of my own at home and brought it to work to try on their machine. Although this obviously meant that they weren't ground and then immediately used for making coffee...it was still within a couple of hours of grinding. Again, the result was uninspiring...and surprising. Could be the way the Machine is set up...who knows ? Just to put it into perspective, I am more than happy with most Cappuccinos that are made for me in various Coffee Lounges...so this is not a case of "only my Sunbeam can produce a good coffee". (I'm a man that is easily pleased with a 'Michel's" Coffee...but Starbucks should be avoided)

frame

Howdy, Stranger!

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

EM7000 Purchased - EM6910 Retired - Initial observations

Comments

foot

Policies

Social

frame

Howdy, Stranger!

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links

Categories

In this Discussion

EM7000 Purchased - EM6910 Retired - Initial observations

Comments

foot

Policies

Social