Author Topic: EM7000 Purchased - EM6910 Retired - Initial observations (Read 29271 times)

Honest_Gaza · « **on:** 06/07/2013, 05:42 PM »

As alluded to on other threads, my EM6910 finally gave up after 5 Years.

Purchased the EM7000 today for $700 (unfortunately 1 week too late to benefit from the Sunbeam Free Grinder deal).

Initial observations include :

7000 is slightly deeper than the 6910 (approx 4cm), so sticks out a bit further from the wall
7000 Espresso function is definitely quieter than the 6910
loving the temperature guage of the 7000 Steam wand
would prefer the little rubber TAB that was included on the 6910 Steam wand (7000 only has the rubber tube)
7000 water reservoir is lower and deeper than the 6910 so that probably explains the deeper body

After the initial problems I had with the 6900/6910, the last Machine lasted me just over 5 years with no issues. Hopefully, this one will also last at least 5 Years.

Brett H · « **Reply #1 on:** 06/07/2013, 08:52 PM »

Congratulations mate! We'd love and Honest user review. Many happy coffees to you HG!!

Honest_Gaza · « **Reply #2 on:** 13/07/2013, 12:35 PM »

Further observations (when compared to the 6900/6910) :

No roller wheels under the machine to assist in sliding out from the wall (eg during water top-up)
Due to the deeper / shorter design of the water resevoir, machine has to come out a long way to remove it for refilling (personal preference that I prefer to remove to refill rather than pour from the top)

But still happy with the beast

Brett H · « **Reply #3 on:** 13/07/2013, 01:28 PM »

Quote from: Honest_Gaza on 13/07/2013, 12:35 PM

Further observations (when compared to the 6900/6910) :

No roller wheels under the machine to assist in sliding out from the wall (eg during water top-up)
Due to the deeper / shorter design of the water resevoir, machine has to come out a long way to remove it for refilling (personal preference that I prefer to remove to refill rather than pour from the top)

But still happy with the beast

Interesting. In fairness to the machine most espresso machines don't have wheels. How's the coffee in comparison to the 6910 a couple of weeks on?

derrilex · « **Reply #4 on:** 13/07/2013, 02:58 PM »

Wheels ? My 6910 didn't have wheels that I can remember. Then again I'm blocking those memories in the brain vault

Honest_Gaza · « **Reply #5 on:** 13/07/2013, 07:37 PM »

Definitely....tilt the machine back slightly by lifting the front, and the machine rolls on wheels built in to the rear feet

Honest_Gaza · « **Reply #6 on:** 17/08/2013, 01:01 PM »

Quote from: Brett H on 13/07/2013, 01:28 PM

How's the coffee in comparison to the 6910 a couple of weeks on?

Noticing my first real gripe with the EM7000...possible pressure limitation ?

My personal method of choice for making multiple coffees (eg 3 or 4 at a time as opposed to just 1 for myself), is to steam the milk for 1 and do the espresso pour towards the end of milk steaming...and then make the first Cappuccino.

Top up the milk, get the next lot of coffee grind....and same procedure as above for the 2nd Cap...and so on.

With the EM6910, I used to find that by the 3rd or 4th espresso pour, the machine would struggle to force the water through the grind and I would end up with an over extraction and little espresso in the cup. I used to compensate for this by easing off on the tamping for the last Cap.

With the EM7000 (using the exact same method of Steaming and Espressing)...I find the same problem occurs from the 2nd Espresso Pour....so much so that the Needle on the Meter goes right to the limit. It can't be the grind is too fine as it is the same grind setting I always use...and the individual ones I make for myself during the course of the week are all great.

I performed further tests by just doing Espresso Pours (without resteaming the milk)..and all of the Pours are successful. So I can only assume that the EM7000 doesn't have the same level of pressure when combining Milk Steaming with Espresso Pouring that the previous EM6910 had ?

Or I have a problem with my new EM7000

Brett H · « **Reply #7 on:** 17/08/2013, 01:48 PM »

Quote from: Honest_Gaza on 17/08/2013, 01:01 PM

Noticing my first real gripe with the EM7000...possible pressure limitation ?

My personal method of choice for making multiple coffees (eg 3 or 4 at a time as opposed to just 1 for myself), is to steam the milk for 1 and do the espresso pour towards the end of milk steaming...and them make the first Cappuccino.

Top up the milk, get the next lot of coffee grind....and same procedure as above for the 2nd Cap...and so on.

With the EM6910, I used to find that by the 3rd or 4th espresso pour, the machine would struggle to force the water through the grind and I would end up with an over extraction and little espresso in the cup. I used to compensate for this by easing off on the tamping for the last Cap.

With the EM7000 (using the exact same method of Steaming and Espressing)...I find the same problem occurs from the 2nd Espresso Pour....so much so that the Needle on the Meter goes right to the limit. It can't be the grind is too fine as it is the same grind setting I always use...and the individual ones I make for myself during the course of the week are all great.

I performed further tests by just doing Espresso Pours (without resteaming the milk)..and all of the Pours are successful. So I can only assume that the EM7000 doesn't have the same level of pressure when combining Milk Steaming with Espresso Pouring that the previous EM6910 had ?

Or I have a problem with my new EM7000

That's a really interesting observation. I would have never suspected that the pump pressure would fatigue (for want of a better word). I'd be inclined to all customer support because these machines are supposed to do exactly what you're doing and consistently!!

Honest_Gaza · « **Reply #8 on:** 22/08/2013, 02:16 PM »

Hmmm...had to make 3 in succession during the weekend, and all ok

Will obviously continue to monitor

derrilex · « **Reply #9 on:** 22/08/2013, 04:02 PM »

That's odd because it makes no sense. The machine has 2 pumps and 2 thermoblocks both independent of each other. Steam, brew, brew, steam, together or separate should make difference to either's performance

UNM · « **Reply #10 on:** 22/08/2013, 04:45 PM »

Two thermoblocks one pump would limit things, but with two pumps there should be little difference unless you have dodgy input power.

Honest_Gaza · « **Reply #11 on:** 05/10/2013, 08:22 PM »

I was trying to convince myself that the issue I was having with the espresso pump was my own doing...but it is definitely still a problem when making multiple successive coffees. On the 3rd and 4th, the gauge hits the red zone and the espresso barely drips out through the group handle. Same grind and tamp techniques as used for the 1st and 2nd pours.

And now I have an additional problem. The steam control seems to have got very stiff and needs to be turned very hard to switch off the steam. I have to listen to see if the pump has stopped in order to know i have switched it off. Once it is off, there is a delay of approx 3-5 secs before the Steam stops...not sure if this is normal for the EM7000 but it certainly wasn't for the EM6910.

Looks like a call to Sunbeam after the weekend

Honest_Gaza · « **Reply #12 on:** 08/10/2013, 07:28 PM »

Made the call to Sunbeam today and have been advised to take it back to place of purchase for replacement machine.

Hopefully I will have better luck with the next one.

I'm feeling a bit of de-ja-vu here....is it the EM6900/EM6910 all over again ?

Brett H · « **Reply #13 on:** 08/10/2013, 09:13 PM »

It's to be expected with any product run that a small number will be defective. Let's hope that it's a very small number and your next machine is bang for buck!

Honest_Gaza · « **Reply #14 on:** 09/10/2013, 09:22 PM »

Returned the unit to place of purchase today and picked up replacement unit.

Plugged in the new unit tonight and I believe the expression is "NOT HAPPY JAN"

From my short time with the previous EM7000 I remember that on Power Up, the unit beeps once and both gauges register like tacos in a car at full revs.

This one beeped 4 times and only 1 gauge registered....and the "Fill Tank" light remained lit. After running through a full reservoir of water (as per initial start-up instructions)...I then topped up the reservoir and am still getting the "Fill Tank" light lit permanently. More annoyingly, every time you hit a button it beeps 4 times to attract your attention to the "Fill Tank" indicator.

Looks like another call to Sunbeam in the morning....and the EM6900/EM6910 episodes all over again

(If I don't laugh...who will)

Lacehim · « **Reply #15 on:** 09/10/2013, 09:41 PM »

Return to place of purchase, demand a refund. Buy a decent Italian style machine with brass and stainless steel.

You might think that is harsh, but seriously if you invest in a decent machine it will last years, and you can probably fix some things yourself. With these consumer devices you can't fix anything and have too many electronics in them for my liking.

Honest_Gaza · « **Reply #16 on:** 10/10/2013, 10:21 PM »

After speaking to the Sunbeam Service Desk it was suggested it could be the Floating Level Mechanism that had gone faulty they advised they would send out a replacement Float. As a test, I ripped the one out from my EM6910 (appears to be identical except for colour) but still the same problem.

I also did further tests with the Steam Wand and the Temp gauge does not register at all. So definitely a dud machine....No.2

Further calls to Sunbeam tomorrow to organise a replacement.....No.3

Yes I probably could demand a refund, but my preference is to have a working EM7000

Honest_Gaza · « **Reply #17 on:** 11/10/2013, 11:08 PM »

Harvey Norman has ordered another Machine from Sunbeam....should be available mid-Week.

If this one is faulty...that will be the end of it for me

Honest_Gaza · « **Reply #18 on:** 25/01/2014, 12:06 AM »

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

Koffee Kosmo · « **Reply #19 on:** 25/01/2014, 12:31 AM »

Quote from: Honest_Gaza on 25/01/2014, 12:06 AM

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

You are staying caffeinated then Gazza

Honest_Gaza · « **Reply #20 on:** 11/03/2014, 09:27 PM »

Has only taken me several Months

but just discovered a major misrepresentation from Sunbeam relating to this Machine.

The temperature gauge, which for me was a major selling point in the extra $$$ compared to an EM6910...actually uses a timer rather than a sensor. That's pretty poor from from Sunbeam.

Koffee Kosmo · « **Reply #21 on:** 11/03/2014, 09:39 PM »

Quote from: Honest_Gaza on 11/03/2014, 09:27 PM

Has only taken me several Months but just discovered a major misrepresentation from Sunbeam relating to this Machine.

The temperature gauge, which for me was a major selling point in the extra $$$ compared to an EM6910...actually uses a timer rather than a sensor. That's pretty poor from from Sunbeam.

There must be some sort of thermostat in there somewhere
Can anyone in the know care to comment ?

KK

QM0996 · « **Reply #22 on:** 11/03/2014, 11:04 PM »

Quote from: Honest_Gaza on 11/03/2014, 09:27 PM

Has only taken me several Months but just discovered a major misrepresentation from Sunbeam relating to this Machine.

The temperature gauge, which for me was a major selling point in the extra $$$ compared to an EM6910...actually uses a timer rather than a sensor. That's pretty poor from from Sunbeam.

Which temp gauge ? I can check on the one here but was sure temp is temp for Milk and Group..

Now as to pressure; that is calculated via boyles law and derived from the flow rate...

Honest_Gaza · « **Reply #23 on:** 12/03/2014, 07:23 PM »

Talking about the temperature gauge of the Steam Wand.

Simple test :
Grab 2 cups, one with cold water and one with boiled water
Place Steam Wand into cup with cold water and operate Steam Wand until Gauge hits 65degs...then,
Place Steam Wand into cup with boiled water..note the Gauge is back to minimum reading (even though the water was boiled recently)
Operate the Steam Wand and by the time the Gauge hits 65degs...the Water in the cup is boiling over the edge

Working on a timer

And an even simpler test. Simply point the Steam Wand at your bench-top (place a towel or sponge to protect the bench)...and let the steam flow while watching the Gauge work its way up to the 65degs

QM0996 · « **Reply #24 on:** 12/03/2014, 08:48 PM »

Quote from: Honest_Gaza on 12/03/2014, 07:23 PM

Talking about the temperature gauge of the Steam Wand.

Simple test :
Grab 2 cups, one with cold water and one with boiled water
Place Steam Wand into cup with cold water and operate Steam Wand until Gauge hits 65degs...then,
Place Steam Wand into cup with boiled water..note the Gauge is back to minimum reading (even though the water was boiled recently)
Operate the Steam Wand and by the time the Gauge hits 65degs...the Water in the cup is boiling over the edge

Working on a timer

And an even simpler test. Simply point the Steam Wand at your bench-top (place a towel or sponge to protect the bench)...and let the steam flow while watching the Gauge work its way up to the 65degs

Got to test this one... As I do know the tip gets hot....

If you look at the latest Breville, they also have a temp probe in the steam wand but have it sitting much further out and away from the steam path.

With the sunbeam one, if the insulator around the sensor gets dirty / damaged then heat from the wand will have an impact on the sensor.

I will try confirm the following; if you run it for a moment or two and then plunge into cold milk the temp will drop significantly.

I will also look at the test you identified.

As well as to disconnecting the temp probe and see what happens then...

Will let you know the results.

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Author Topic: EM7000 Purchased - EM6910 Retired - Initial observations (Read 29271 times)

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