Sunbeam Cafe Series Twin Thermoblock EM6900

Loudest coffee machine I've ever heard – The machine makes a good coffee, but it has a few notable drawbacks. First there is a common issue with the water control due to reliance on a magnet to regulate water level. This means it will stay in the "down" position, stopping the machine from working, jamming it in the "up" position is fairly. Simple, but risks running the machine with… Read more

the water empty which as I understand it can damage it seriously; it's inevitable as the magnet will always loose power over time, very poor design.

It makes a loud pulsing hum when it runs, then it makes a hideous screaming noise when you use the steam wand to heat your milk, and before you think "you're just letting the steam hit the jug", i'm a barista and let me tell you that the steam head on the machine and the size of the jug makes this impossible not to do.

When I have my friends over for a coffee they sit with their hands over their ears because of the machine.

Also a less then pleasant issue is that the water jug in the back isn't sealed, it just sits there.

Not a problem, unless a bug gets in there and drowns in the water; which of course you wouldn't realize.

These are simple design flaws that shouldn't exist regardless of the price of the machine.

Six Years Satisfaction – For 6yrs I have loved my "Sunbeam Cafe Series Twin Thermo Block Coffee Machine". Today I thought....why not let you know, It has probably made approx 2500 X Coffees, Lattes, Hot Chocolates, Chai Teas & Macchiato's in that time. I was in a 'Time to spoil myself mode' when I purchased the Cafe Series Twin Thermo Block Coffee Machine, and… Read more ·  1

'Sunbeam Conicle Grinder' the salesperson booked me into the promotional Sunbeam 'Barista' course offer held in Adelaide Grosvenor Hotel.

Thus enhanced the skills in my field of employment in the Cellar Door/ Barista position held at 'Saltrams of the Barossa.' (responsible for the highly sought after 'Pepperjack range of wines & "The No.1" International Award winning Shiraz.)

I love making coffee for myself and others (as well as selling wine to our guests) and feel I am in a privileged job seeing others enjoy their leisure time.

Again, I would just like to thank you for a superb product that I love every day and feel was a highly worthwhile purchase. (It works well, looks good and is easy to maintain).

Please feel free to use my testimonial for the feedback in your marketing strategy.

Kindest Regards

Helen Porton.

Gawler East, SA. (It works well, looks good and is easy to maintain). Nothing.

Pluses and minuses – I bought my EM6910 2nd hand late last year. Condition was good to the casual inspection but the showerscreen/washer assembly was fully caked up with old coffee. Given how simple it is to remove it before sale I figure they hadn't cleaned it for some time. In fact I deliberately let it go for about 6 weeks and still had nothing like the build up it… Read more

came with.

A thorough clean had it working nicely. I even managed to get some reasonable (as in better than Nescafé) product from some old beans left over from several years before when i bought an el cheapie machine.

I bought some Vittoria beans from supermarket (I got an EM0480 grinder with the 6910) and was making quite drinkable coffee within 4 or 5 cups. Fresh roasted beans from the local roaster made lovely coffee and I started hunting for my God-shot.

I like that I can adjust temp, steam temp and dryness and even program in the settings for each. :D Mind you, I don't use that much because each batch of beans requires changing the program to adjust for the different requirements, but I altered the steam to get better frothing.

My next step is to get a naked filter so i can check my shots more accurately but they are pretty consistent now so it isn't a biggie.

I'm having problems with leaking out the top of the group head. I replaced the washer (twice now) and the collar but it has started again and the handle goes to the 5 clock point before sealing, so I figure (seeing it has a brand new washer) the collar is kaput again.

Other than that I am very happy with the machine and defend it against some of the more snobbish comments from coffeesnobs who can afford $2000 machines and disdain the EM6910. When I can afford it I will upgrade to the EM7000. My machine produce coffee better than I can find in almost any café, even in Melbourne - there are about 3 or 4 that produce equal or better - and I have tried many places in the city for my coffee. (worked there for years up until a couple of years back)

For the price, even the new price, this is a pretty good choice - some of the less costly (but more expensive than the 6910) machines don't provide anything better and have a higher learning curve before good coffee comes out.

Not happy about the amount of problems in the group head area - I will soon be at the cost of a new machine, but then the 6910 is not alone in the cheaper range in having problems. I just wish I could get a new collar for less than $85 or that they would last longer.

I also get a little water overflow under the tray (as mentioned here) but it certainly doesn't leak out - maybe that person isn't on a level bench? The amount is negligible anyway Ease of use, speed of heat up, quality of steam, programming. The group head issues - I'm on my 3rd washer & my new group collar lasted only 7 months and it's leaking again.

Bought it in 2005, still going strong! – After 14 years of reliably pulling great coffees, my dear red EM6900 is being replaced by the new EM7100. I have used this regularly, (but not daily) along with the Sunbeam Cafe series grinder. I have had no problems with it except a sticky steam wand solenoid knob that takes a couple of twists before the steam starts. There have been no leaks… Read more ·  1

and it has been an excellent caffeine friend to me for over a decade. I did tweak the pour volume settings when I first got it after a bit of trial and error, but I can deliver better coffee from it than most cafes.

Love, Love, Love this machine RIP

8 years making 3 coffees a day with no breakdows – It Makes great expresso and textures milk well It is very reliable It is of abery Solid construction It is Simple in operation - manual so less to go wrong Separate heat pumps for steamer and group head is an important feature It has made 2 or 3 coffes a day since purchasedin 2010 Definitely recommend Sunbeam  Show details ·  1

Great, reliable coffee machine – We have had this machine for about 7 years. It has consistently made good coffee and is easily maintainable. There are lots of spare parts ie filters and seals available to make it cheap to maintain. The machine makes great coffee when used in conjunction with a good coffee grinder. I will definitely consider Sunbeam when this machine finally gives up.  Show details

Group head leaks! Collar wears out even with gentle use :( – I am so torn with this model. Yes, it makes terrific coffee. BUT... the reliability of this unit has been awful to be honest. I've owned this unit for around 4 years. I am an experienced espresso coffee user/maker, and so I very regularly clean my machine, use gentle force to lock in the group handle into the group head... still, the collar has… Read more

worn out twice. The first time I paid around $350 for the service agent to replace it! Huge bucks! :( Now, after only around 12-18 months, the collar has given up the ghost again. Am I going to replace it?? No, I don't think I will. ;(. Extremely disappointed. The coffees that this machine makes a great. And its an easy to use machine. But the quality of the soft brass collar (the part that receives the most wear, by design) is just rubbish.

Extremely disappointed.

nice coffee but leaks out of group head – Weve had this unit for 4 years.. Makes nice coffee before the problems started. Water was leaking out of group head. Replaced the seal, still leaks. Did some research and found that the the group head wares out. Weve never over packed the coffee basket, done as per instructions, always used the supplied burr grinder.. Never been abused and only… Read more

used to make 4 coffees a day.. Not happy as we bought this as the salesman said it was a "commercial" quality head, pump etc....We had Brevels before this and they worked faultlessly for years.... Now we need a new one.. Not good, wont be buying Sunbeam again... Will do more research before buying a new unit... NOT GOOD SUNBEAM, rubbish product. Especially as it was in the mid to high price range.

Excellent Entry Level commercial machine with good features at this price point – Coffe always turns out excellent and full bodied, provided good beans are used of course. It is easy to use and clean, however, it has a tendency to drip hot water from the group head. The Group pump can be noisy compared to higher priced commercial machines. Has some sharp edges around the machine, do be careful while cleaning. Water tends to get… Read more

discharged also below the drip tray rather than into it despite being placed correctly. Unsure if there is possible fix for this likely design flaw, similar to dripping from group head.

Machine is fine.. BUT – The unsealed water container in the back is a disaster in Australia, especially in Queensland where ants love a swim. Ant soup is disgusting, very poor design Sunbeam. Taking it back, unhygienic.  Show details

Great product and worth every cent – Yes very happy with the coffee taste. Machine lasted almost 10 years. The machine produce great crema but the only thing is machine does not clean easily and you must know some coffee knowledge to know how fine you need to grind your coffee beans otherwise if you get the prepacked coffee powder from coles and woolworths you wont get the crema you… Read more

want. Easy to use and great frother. The only thing that bothers me most is when the coffee is dripping it makes a very loud noise.

Great machine!..Very reliable-but noisy! – I have had my EM6910 for 9 Year's. Still makes great coffee! but now the milk pressure is not as high as before and takes a little while longer(over time). Also, I like the fact that you can adjust the temp of the water to make your coffee hot if you desire. Overall, I am very happy with this machine apart from the noise. I have now purchased the… Read more

EM7000 and is not as noisy and makes great coffee. The inbuilt twin gauges for milk and coffee are very handy too! I would highly recommend this machine for anyone that loves making a good coffee!..

Great machine - great coffee - similar overflow problem – We have had the same machine for a few years. It has consistently produced great coffee - but has had a leak beneath the drip tray since new. I assumed it was just something to put up with but recently, it has become worse. Any solutions? I appreciate any suggestions. Paul.  Show reply

This thing is so loud it could wake the dead – The bad bits. The first thing to go on this machine was the pressure gauge. No amount of cleaning tablets, or vinegar would make it talk for long. I opened up the machine and found out why. Turns out the copper-tube feed- point for the pressure gauge is at the pressure head at the top of the machine while gauge is at the bottom of the machine. … Read more

Condensate always ends up in gauge. Genius. Given that they used a huge coil of tube for a 10cm drop, must have been a known issue. Marketing said put gauge at bottom. Engineering department said , but but but...

Next thing to break was the water level warning indicator. Machine kept beeping and showing red light - low water level. Opened up magnetic float to find Chinese magnet made of magnetic filings glued together with rubbery glue. Glue turned to goo allowing filings to flip on each other, So losing external magnetic field. Made machine think there was no water. Solved the problem by sticky taping a button magnet between water container and machine inside wall. No more beeping.

My second Sunbeam suffered a worse fate. The solenoid pump for the coffee feed is positioned directly above the electronics. When the thin brass wall of the solenoid bursts ( its weak point), water falls into the electronics taking it out. Another boy Genius design.

Update 1:

There are three solenoids in the EM6910. Two of these are rubber mounted. One for the steaming wand and the other for the hot water wand. These solenoids are reasonably quiet.

The third solenoid is for pushing hot water through the group head for coffee making. This is the noise creating culprit. Reason why the noise maker it is. Sunbeam weren't able to mechanically isolate the solenoid from the group head feed. It is directly coupled via a short copper-tube water-feed. And this is the vibration conduit for all the irritating noise. Forgotten basic vibration-isolation, Acoustics 101.

Overall - solid machine, cult status looks. but inside of machine looks like an after thought of Yum-Cha electronics and solenoids (Yum-Cha, you know, bit of this and bit of that).

Update 2; EM7000

It seems that with the EM7000, Sunbeam may have resolved the issue of failing pressure gauge ( check the net - many people suffered this on the 6900 series).

I understand the group head solenoid pump is still positioned above the electronics without a water cover for the printed circuit board electronics. So the newer machine has the same potential for water over the electronics when the group head solenoid fails, as did mine.

To be fair the good bits. Makes a decent coffee, warms up in the morning in 40 seconds flat, and I can make froth while the coffee drops. Easy to use, Easy to clean, Good looking. Really good steam pressure.

So If you think I've given something to you of value, consider a vote for this.

(thanks)

Persistent Collar problems – Like the previous writer, the poor design of teh collar which cannot seem to maintain the pressure of the group holder against the flexible washer. Taking the machine to the agent cost almost $300 and doing so again after about 1 year is not a pleasing prospect. Not to mention teh extremely expensive tablets for cleaning. When this machine runs… Read more

OK it makes great coffee, but the unreliability is getting beyond a joke. It costs more in service/repair costs than my Toyota Prado for a similar time frame.

No wonder it's been discontinued!!!!! – Although we get really good coffee from this machine, I'm just about ready to replace it (not with a sunbeam!!! My de longhi machine lasted 8 years with no issues, this sunbeam had issues from day one)! I have had the machine for 2 years and not a day goes by that I don't have to clean up the leak from underneath the drip tray and the need to wipe… Read more

down drip tray & mug from block overflowing. The noise of machine I can handle but the overflows I'm over. From the other comments I've read on here, it seems like a recurring complaint, could this be why it's been duscontinued?

Waste of good money – My wife bought this thing being told it was semi professional and top quality. I had my doubts the moment I heard the thing operate. Have had the same problems as other reviewers, noisy to the point where all conversation is impossible whilst in use and leaking even when the catch tray is empty. Strangely it has stopped doing this for a few weeks… Read more

now but now it is overheating and wont make steam most of the time.

I can't find a service manual and given others have had "appalling" service from Sunbeam and that they have been told parts are not available I am now looking at throwing it away and buying a more reputable brand after only two years of very light use.

Don't know about you mr Sunbeam but I can't afford to be throwing money away.

It is clear this once respected company has degraded, hires designers with no experience and no longer sees it's customers as more than a source of cash in the short term, the product is built to look impressive and improperly promoted as semi professional but under the skin it's expensive, unreliable plastic rubbish designed to be thrown away after warranty expires.

Good manual machine – I have had this espresso machine for a few years now. I service it myself as suggested by the manual, although the seal, tablets and filter soon add up in cost. There are some great You Tube clips if you want to have a go yourself. I did have to get a new collar done professionally late last year. The service centre people are very helpful. The coffees always have a good crema. Service centre technicians Spare parts a little pricey

Machines have failed after a month of light use – I bought the machine in November and it started to make a strange sound when dispensing coffee. This was only after a month of using once a day! I was told that it had to be repaired, but after a lot of kicking and screaming on my wife's behalf we managed to arrange a replacement machine. I have had this new machine for less than a month,… Read more

and the milk frother has stopped working.

Would not recommend to buy a Sunbeam Cafe Series product to anyone, as I have had a blender that has also failed. Good machine when it's working, customer service is excellent not reliable, doesn't inspire confidence in it lasting past warranty period

Won't stop leaking! – Our EM610 Cafe Series makes a nice coffee, but the leakage into the drip tray and onto the benchtop is not acceptable considering it was purchased for $799 in November 2010; with what we thought was a five year warranty, NOT SO for this fault, only one year. We called Sunbeam who provided no assistance whatsoever other than to direct us to an… Read more

address in Brunswick Melbourne, 500kilometres from where the coffee machine sits and leaks. Makes a quality coffee Excessive leakage into drip tray unbearable

Continuous leaking and poor crema – This is my second Cafe Series Twin Thermiblock machine. My first was brilliant, efficient and faultless. I handed it on to a friend and purchased a new machine for my new house. This new machine has never worked properly, although I assumed it was my own fault. It leaks and sprays coffee out of the group head and the drip tray does not fit… Read more

properly so drips end up under the tray and eventually on my bench. The crema is of poor quality and is not the same quality as my older machine.

Purchased at Harvey Norman just over 12 months ago I telephoned but they were unable to assist me beyond pointing me to Sunbeam. I emailed and called sunbeam but as I am just out of warranty it's too bad for me.

Poor quality customer service on a supposedly high quality product. Therefore, I do not recommend this product. $700 for 14 months poor coffee. Not good enough? Easy to use, fast heat up. Leaks, poor quality crema, poor customer service.

Never again!!!!!! – I purchased this machine approx 2 years ago, had to return to shop the same day, it took the shop assistant time to get it started, I was told it is fine, took it home, within a month the group handle had to be replaced not long after that the water chamber. I was new to coffee machines, and like the assistant said it would take time to master… Read more

the perfect coffee, so I thought is was me, however surely after this time you would think I would be getting close, no I still strongly believe I was sold a lemon. Purchased a simple stove top espresso pot at a fraction of the price and haven't had a bad coffee yet. I do not recommend this machine to anyone!!!!!!!!

It was a lemon.

OK when it's working – I've had my machine for around 4 years & in that time it's been in the repair shop 3 times, twice with thermoblock issues & last time for a replacement motherboard. All very expensive. This week the steamer packed it in again. No more, time to look at a new machine & it won't be a Sunbeam. Sunbeam customer service, what an oxymoron. It makes good coffee when it's working properly. Steamer is a bit underpowered, noisy & backup service is a joke.

Great coffee but annoying overflow – Love the coffee from this machine, a perfect cream every time once we got the grind adjusted perfectly. Th dual floor head containers work well for store-ground coffee. A few annoying things - first, the print rubbed off the control knobs really quickly. The other is that despite the drip tray being really large and there being an outlet lip to… Read more ·  1

guide any drips into the drip tray, it actually runs underneath the tray and drips out onto the table. Tis isn't overflow from the coffee head, it is from the internal pump area. S no matter how often I empty the drip tray, there is this separate overflow happening. Rally annoying. But still great coffee. Great cream, very consistent Overflow from pump not directed into drip tray

Very pleased – This coffee machine was bought to help us save costs - we found ourselves driving some distance to get a decent coffee each morning. Now we make it at home. We use freshly roasted beans with the accompanying grinder. The machine has not missed a beat in the two years we have had it. Apart from the noise and the fact that the steam rotary dial… Read more ·  1

has had the lettering rub off in the first few months of using it, it has been really good for us and I would recommend it. Great coffee and the twin thermo block means there is no delay in making the coffees in the morning. noisy and the print on the rotary dial for steam has rubbed off pretty quickly

What a piece of rubbish! – When looking at this machine from the outside it is impressive. Everything looks solid and made to last. But every chain is as strong as its weakest link. The weak link is the group head collar, a catastrophic design fault. Here is a whole thread devoted to this topic:… Read more

http://coffeesnobs.com.au/brewing-equipment-midrange-500-1500/28671-leaking-around-pf-em6910-how-long-before-your-collar-wore-out.html.

I use my machine about 4 times daily, but I'm now trying to source the 5th group head collar!!! Fortunately I've learned to repair this myself so I can save $120 each time this happens, but I still fork out $70-$80 for the collar and it isn't an easy repair job. Worst of all, I know it will crack at any time! This time I fix it and flog my machine off and buy something that actually works.

BTW: the problems I had with my group head collar were that it was either cracked or the poxy wee screws holding it in place ripped the thread out of the collar and rethreading it is not possible because the collar is far to flimsy. Looks much better than what it is. Catastrophic design fault. Leaks around group head are a common and recurring problem and very expensive to fix and the fix will not last.

2 years on and still going strong – At the time of purchase we really wanted a rancilio silvia but could not afford one. After research decided that with our budget this was the next best option. We also got the free matching grinder at the time of purchase. After 2 years, the machine is still working perfectly and produces a far better coffee than 80% of cafes we have tried. … Read more

We currently use Campos coffee beans and these come to us after having been roasted only a few days prior. Im sure this makes a difference.

About 6 months after purchase the handle did separate from the group head (though I may be using the wrong words - the thing you put the coffee in!). A call to Sunbeam and we had a new one in the mail a few days later and havent had a problem since. Cost - was cheap compared to some competitors, great coffee The milk frother could work better - its pretty slow to froth the milk.

Excellent espresso from a quality package – Bought this machine 8 months ago from Good Guys and so far so good. There is a learning curve involved as this machine comes with dual floor and standard filter cups so you do need to fine tune your grind size of the beans, once this is done the machine will produce a lovely rich crema every time. The baskets, group head and pump chambers are of… Read more

high quality stainless steel, no aluminium to be seen. I like control options which allow you to go manual or auto when making a coffee. The pump operation is a little noisy compared to some higher end machines so spend a couple of grand extra if whisper quiet is your thing. As with every machine on the market, good quality beans will go a long way to ensuring you get a quality result every time. Do the back flush procedure with name brand cleaning tablets to keep the machine running smoothly, an easy enough procedure. Well built and sturdy, allows you to individualise and experiment with your espresso. Nothing wrong, just a bit noisy when pump is going.

Still loving my Sunbeam after 2 years – I originally purchased my new coffee machine when I bought my house. Just over 2 years ago The best thing about my machine is that you can change the setting to stronger or weaker and do not need to use the auto settings. Great in the mornings when you need that extra pick up, or a little weaker for later in the night. I can use what coffee I… Read more

wish to have, and there are many fantastic brands out there (I Love my Zarraffas) you do not need to use pre-prepared capsules. It takes a little longer to make, and is a little noisy in the mornings if you want to sneak one whilst others are still sleeping. I chose which coffee brand I like, depending what I feel like. I can make it weaker or stronger Takes a little longer to make then the basic capsule cofee machines, and is a little noisy

Great machine, best in its price range – Been using this machine for a couple of months now and I'm very pleased. With good quality beans it makes excellent coffee. Easily the unit to get in this price range. As pointed out by others on this review page though it is a bit noisy. It's not that bad, but it is louder than one might expect. It also may vibrate a little more than expected,… Read more

it makes some of my glasses and mugs move about sometimes. But this is a minor issue and does not impact on the quality of the end result. Makes very good quality espresso, good value for money Noise and vibration, but this is a minor issue really

Was the best machine for the price bracket - maybe it still is? – Had one since this model was released, replacing a less capable EM5900. If you want to play barista at home without breaking the bank, then this model can deliver. You still need good coffee that's ground just right (a good conical grinder rather than pre-ground coffee helps), and good water and milk, but it can all come together beautifully using… Read more

this machine. Once mastered, it makes consistently good coffee offering excellent bang per buck.

Pros:

Steam wand can be used while also making coffee. Handy hot water nozzle, pressure gauge, room for tall mugs under basket, large drip tray and water container with two filters. Large cup warmer. Four baskets included - single, double - dual and single walled. Came with 4 quality stainless cups and frothing jug. Handy cleaning disk hidden inside rear door.

Cons:

Not as quick/easy as a full automatic or Nespresso machine - but budding baristas prefer this and achieve the coffee they want, rather than what someone else thinks they'd like! A little noisy when pumping. Metal casing hidden under drying tray shows some surface corrosion (water salts/rubbing/vibration?). Two failures in 5+ years. Circuit board under buttons failed (corrosion?) and basket handle snapped across brass thread (fatigue?). Pressure gauge is failing to respond lately - clogged plumbing? Sunbeam cleaning tablets very expensive - similar alternatives much cheaper from coffee machine repairers or on-line. Thermo-Block system isn't as temperature consistent as a good boiler, but for the price ...

Great coffee – I have had my machine for 4 years and retired it favour of a full automatc, for convenience. I have been through 4 machines, including a Nespresso machine. NONE of them produced as good a coffee as the Sunbeam. The reliability has been pathetic and service poor, other than the Merol which after many attempts and help from the supplier has ded. It… Read more

was a refurb unit. The other automatics have been name brands. I have returned to the Sunbeam after a year and it started 1st time and still produces excellent coffee. Like all coffee machines, even automatics, you have to keep them clean, use filtered water and spend time tweaking the machine until you get the coffee you want. A good grinder is essential, the top of the range Sunbeam is OK but I would go for something like a Mazza. It is also essential to use freshly roasted coffee and use within 3 weeks, maximum. Supermarket coffee just isn't good enough. Cafe's and coffee shops, will often sell fresh beans. Store unused beens in a sealed vacuum pouch or seal original package well. Store in a cool dark place but not In the fridge or freezer, the condensation caused by defrosting wets and ruins the coffee. Excellent coffee Nothing, other than it can be a bit noisy