Recommendations for cheap machine?

leebs

I tried two of the goodguy stores last night - both out of stock   ANyone used the Cafe Ristretto in question? How was the coffee. If its no better than the Breville ESP6, I might just stick with a Stovetop Espresso Pot and freshly ground coffee from (coffeecompany.com.au) Cheers

Unknown

I bought a Cafe Ristretto the other day as an interim measure in case my beautiful old Novitalia is in fact dead. The coffee itself is OK (I have a reasonable grinder, but the coffee beans are now stale since I have been waiting for Caffe Bianchi to get their shop back open to fix the Nova for some time now). The crema made is substantial, but I figure I'm getting fooled a bit because of the dual pot thingy that comes with it. I know some on this and other forums despise these (being purists that they are) and there definitely is a little bit of 'frothiness' to the crema, but it doesn't taste bad. I'm of the opinion that if it looks and quacks like a duck, then I don't care if it came from an egg or not. There are a lot of good design points to the el cheapo Ristretto for mine - the removable tank without a tube, heat indicator in case you're too hot or cold to pull a shot or steam some milk, nice viewing of the tank level being a few. It is however painfully slow (in my opinion) to steam some milk, and the machine struggles to steam enough milk to 65 degrees C for two flat whites - it gets there, but only after a minute or two warming up, and then another 30 to 60 seconds of steaming. This means that the shot of espresso is now colder than it should be, and so taste is down a bit. This redoubles the importance of having nice hot cups before you start, and if you were just drinking shots, it would be entirely moot. For the price however, how do you complain about this? My plan is to have it (the Sunbeam Ristretto) hanging around after the Nova gets out of hospital, or is reincarnated, and then during high load periods (dinner parties and the like) the two can be going together - I have plenty of kitchen space.

Unknown

Hi all.  I'm new to this forum.  My latest obsession seems to have become home espresso after my parents lent me their Sunbeam Ristretto while they are OS.  After a couple of months with it I am very impressed.  Well the coffee tastes great to me and better than some I've tasted.   The Sunbeam makes nice crema due to the double bottomed portafilter and even better if I get the tamp right and use good fresh coffee.  I would recommend the Sunbeam Ristretto as a second machine but I am a bit concerned with longevity of cheapies after reading up on the net and I don't want to wear mum and dad's machine out for them.   I was inspired by the Sunbeam to source my own more robust machine and have just bought a used Spidem Cappuccino Express in almost new condition although it is around 4 years old.  I would have liked a Rancilio Silvia but I got the Spidem for less than $100 so I couldn't pass it up.  FC was very helpful in instructing me in the use of the pressurised PF and also the value of using "fresh coffee" . I will definitely be back for more, FC.  I may get a conventional PF down the track but I am a little puzzled.  Isn't leaving the handle of the pressurised PF at the open position the same as have a non pressurised PF?   While I still have the Sunbeam I will do some side by side taste comparisons and make a few measurements (temp in cup and time taken etc) and post the results. Cheers PP  

FreshCoffee2

Hi Passporter, Re: "...I am a little puzzled.  Isn't leaving the handle of the pressurised PF at the open position the same as have a non pressurised PF..." Yup I guess so (never really thought about it before) but only on these machines that use the "ORIGINAL" version of the pressurised filter holder where the valve is opened manually. If you are going to use it in that way then you always need to fill the filter with the appropriate amount of coffee and tamp (so it is "full" after tamping). Regardz, FC.

Unknown

Thanks for that FC.  I'm just wondering if there is any advantage to trying "manual" mode or whether I should just be content to allow the pressurised portafilter to do its thing.   One thing I have noticed using pressurised mode is that the pour for a single untamped but "tapped" shot, as per your instructions, using a heaped measure of coffee is a lot quicker than 30 ml in 25 seconds after opening the valve on the portafilter.  Probably more like 40 ml in 15 seconds.  Is that a normal function of the pressure build up and release with this type of portafilter or should I experiment with a finer grind/tamping to get a slower pour?   My "bottom line" is the taste and appearance of the coffee in the cup. regards PP  

odysseus

Hey Joe, which Good Guys catalogue was it? (The stores seem to put out catalogues individually).

Unknown

Our local Goodguys had sold out at $69.95.  Megamart 'matched' a cash price of $62 for Sunbeam Ristretto, saying it had a 10 ml (!) aluminium boiler. First machine, learning fast.  Loud pump noise on first firing up, due to dodgy water intake valve where water tank doesn't seat properly.  Now OK after serious manual pressure through tank onto valve; hope that the lean it has is not from that!  Not sure if hot enough, especially after initial heat up period, and may need to try MattyJ's tricks.  Non-sour enough though to allow my very sensitive wife's tastebuds to tolerate coffee for the first time ever (hooooray). Have to get rid of my stovetop Mocopan pre-ground coffee before grinder is purchased - maybe that will make it sweeter. Anyhow, machine, complete with stainless steel showerscreen, portafilter inserts and a milk jug thrown in is not too bad at all for 60 bucks.

joe

Finally picked up my Sunbeam Ristretto today for $57 (Goodguys had to order it in.) At the price, it's not a bad machine at all, given that you could spend as much on a moka pot. The coffee is ok - IMHO better than a stove-top - but certainly not in the league of a Gaggia Classic or Rancilio Silvia (but what a price difference!) As an 'emergency' machine or take-away-with-you for the weekend number, it's fine.

mattyj

Hey, I've bought a ristretto the other day too, $70, and I've got to say, I'm less than impressed!!! I don't know why sunbeam went wrong making this machine! Or maybe it's just mine ... are any other ristretto owners suffering with leaky group heads? I've tried replacing the seal with my other sunbeam (exactly the same seal), which was a brand new seal (it had been used for about 4 days ... that's about 6-8 espresso's ... granted, I do abuse the seals a bit with my mazzer mini) and even when the filter handle is crammed in as tight as she'll go, there's still heaps of leaking around the handle. I'm guessing they've just skimped on the design of the group head, not really compensating for anythiing more than supermarket crap I mean, coffee. That, and the steam really sux! Once the boiler has finally reached it's steam temp, (and the steam tip has leaked quite a few mls of water) you turn it on and POW! A huge amount of super-heated water sprays everywhere, finally settling down to a weak, wet steam. REALLY DISSAPOINTED! I'm glad I didn't buy this machine for anything more than a fill-in til I get my expobar!

joe

Gosh, mattyj, I'd hate it too if that's what mine did. To tell the truth, I've made only one espresso with it to test what it was like and then I put it back in the box and put it away for that day where my Classic decides it cannot go on. Because you're waiting for your dream machine, I suppose your recent purchase is short-term pain for long-term gain.

odysseus

Got mine about a week ago for $70 from Retravision in Hornsby (NSW) .. will post some notes under a separate topic soon.

mattyj

update: my older sunbeam cafe crema has mysteriously stopped leaking ... (x-files music) ... spooky. So it's working fine now. A few odd little noises from the pump during the shot, but nothing too out of the ordinary, adn the shots seem good enough. I gave the SB ristretto to a mate of mine for free - it didn't leak as much with the normal basket, and he's only just getting into coffee seriously. I figure that it'll frustrate him soon enough to buy his own machine, and then I can help him spend lots of money to buy someting decent! But then yesterday, i go to check my email, and there's one from Sybilla at forsyth coffee - my Expobar Office Pulser has arrived in australia! It'll be at forsyth's soon, and probably in my kitchen moments after that! Excellent!