It looks like this deal is back. This coffee machine with integrated grinder was given an 81% expert rating by Choice magazine. Cheapest elsewhere is $499
Sunbeam EM5300S Barista Max Espresso Coffee Machine $369 Delivered @ Appliances Online
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el santo on 23/06/2020 - 12:12 appliancesonline.com.au (7685 clicks)
Last edited 23/06/2020 - 14:07 by 1 other user
Last edited 23/06/2020 - 14:07 by 1 other user
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Yep - even if you already have a good grinder $369 for a top rated manual machine is a bargain.
Isn't the Breville version of this the preferred device tho?
Oh ozbargain hive brain, please tell me what I want, need and like…
More expensive
I have been using this machine from the last 6 months and its awesome. The best part is it comes with the coffee grinder
thats why i think its a bargain. Although i have no need for one now.
If i were to buy a coffee machine i would want one with coffee grinder as it is a lot cheaper and taste better than those pods.
All the ones i have seen are $1000+. At 369 i reckon its a bargain. for these types.
Keep in mind it's a lot more effort and mess than a pod machine. It's something to think about.
Completely true for those who are coming from pod machines or who are tossing up on a pod machine vs. coffee machine. I would add that the process of making coffee is the main attraction to me. Nothing starts my day better than the therapeutic and intimate act of making my cup which you just don't get from a pod machine.
@Reitai: I agree the process can be really enjoyable, although until you're proficient, producing a great coffee from beans can be a bit stressful. Maintaining fresh beans, dialing-in, the dose, the grind, distribution, tamping, cleaning spilt grinds, timing the shot, dumping the puck, cleaning the basket and handle. That's on top of frothing and cleaning milk.
I've been loving the learning process, there's nothing better on a Sunday morning, but when pressed for time first thing before work I sometimes feel like it'd be easier to go to a cafe!
cleaning the basket and handle
Do you just rinse under water or scrub at the back of the basket?
@Reitai: This is true for me also, until I get a new bag of beans, and have to spend ages calibrating the machine all over again.
I've used both pod and espresso machines, and I haven't found the latter to require much effort - only takes a minute or so while distracted. I have the grinder set to my favourite setting ready to go, so I just press to grind, tamp the grinds, slot into the machine, press a button and it's done. Tastes/smells nicer and I can compost the grinds instead of throwing away piles of used pods.
Depends on preference I guess, but I also like the fact I can change the grinder settings for cold brew etc. when I want.@pe arl: I 100%, just giving heads up, as the grinding/tamping/dumping of used ground will cause a mess on your bench, and around the machines. Also if you get new beans requires calibration all over again which means loads of time/ground/waste/mess.
@onlinepred: Yeah I do have to keep a tea towel handy to wipe the grounds away. As for maintaining fresh beans I just buy fresh batches regularly from Aldi and keep in an airtight container, and perhaps because I use the same beans I haven't had to recalibrate often. Once I found my fave setting, I stopped paying attention to dialling in, setting the grind, timing the shot, etc. especially since I'm busy in the morning, but the results were still consistently good :) But I get what you mean, it's not an automated process!
Also keep in mind the only waste from this machine is a nice puck of coffee grounds which goes into compost. Pods on the other hand are a recycling issue, in most cases (Aldi etc) you need to return the used pods to place of purchase….
@willyroo: Yep spot on, which is why I went this route. That doesn't mean it isn't more mess and way more effort though ;-)
Early August is the earliest delivery date for Sydney.
Just to add, seems like Melbourne is in stock.
All good in Melbourne. Ordered last night and is arriving tomorrow.
Got it in the last deal. Great machine, love how everything has a place to be stored. Though the grinder is a disappointment. No dose control and grinds go everywhere…
Sure. Why not?
Free doesn't get things a free pass for being unsuitable or no good.I'm not sure why you think the grinder is free?
The grinder is part of the product you are buying, so you're paying for the grinder as well.
I said "basically" getting it for free. Most decent espresso machines are close to $400. And most decent grinders are $200. So explain how you're NOT getting the grinder for free, when an espresso machine and grinder combo would usually cost you close to $600.
I wouldn't say they "go everywhere", I mean, you get like 5-10% spillage in the last few seconds, IF you are pushing for a maximum heap. Yes, there's always a little spillage, but 'go everywhere' could be misleading.
Agree with this - I actually just changed from EM5300 to the EM4300 due to grinder issues. It is identical, other than the grinder (available for $205ish from AO). I also got a Beeville Smart Grinder Pro for $200ish with some cashback. $405 for what I'd say is a much better combo. Only catch is it comes with Double walled filter baskets, ideally you want single walled for fresh beans. I spent $30 on ebay to get a set.
We coffee snobs call the double walled baskets pressurised, and the single are non pressurised.
/pedant
Yes, I was looking at the EM4300. Also checked Choice recommended at 82%. Then read some feedback reviews of people that have owned it for some time with issues of leaking and other concerns after 6mths (if something tests well over the week that Choice has it - that's great, but these days a lot of appliances, even well tested ones breakdown. Some years ago it wasn't so common, you read what Choice suggested, and it held water .. ) Seems one may need a strong hand to utilise the design being light weight and of partial plastic design. I know it is a cheaper unit - and can make good coffee, but seems wise if to purchase it - get an extended warranty for a few yrs.
How many cups of coffee can you get from one grinder/bean hopper?
250g hopper. About 20g per double shot. So about 12-13?
Closer to 10-11. There is always wastage.
but nooot maaarch
I measure out 9g of beans every time and put that in my grinder, get a prefect cup every time that way.
Crikey. That is a very small amount of coffee for this machine. I assume it has a full sized basket?
9g, highly probable its a single shot basket.
I do the same (with EM5300) - I measure 12g of beans for Single and 20g for a double. Then throw it in the grinder and grind until empty - much easier way to gaurantee the dose and also keeps coffee fresh in an air tight container.
It’s also useful to do it that way if you’re using more than one bean or blend depending on what you’re making or who you’re making it for.
How is this compared to Dedica Espresso Ec685bk? I got it two weeks ago when discounted at Myer. I got the Breville Smart Grinder as well.
I've got the dedica as well, how are you finding it?
The only downside to dedica is the crappy milk steamer rod but it's much better now after a few hacks ive done to it.It is a very good machine if you know how to grind the coffee and how much per shot. The Milk steamer is a bit annoying I agree, but I am using it on the hot steam not froth - much better.
Tip: remove the plastic cylinder from the steamer and zip tie the rubber nozzel underneath so it doesn't pop off.
I also recommend piercing the end of that rubber spout with a couple of holes perpendicular to the main hole. You'll get much better steamed milk without that useless cylinder covering.
I would recommend getting a bottomless portafilter so you can actually grind your coffee at espresso levels on the smart grinder. Have the same setup, still waiting on my new portafilter from china, they are at least twice the price locally https://www.amazon.com/WEI-EI-Bottomless-Portafilter-51MM/dp…
I bought this portafilter last week aswell as a 51mm solid barista tamp. Issue is the tamp gets stuck in this portafilter, so even though it says its a 51mm it feels like its 0.5mm too small. Unless I'm an idiot and am not using it right it seems either wrong or they have production issues. The tamp works fine in the pressurized portafilter so I dont think its the tamp
Two quick and easy hacks (as touched on above) is to mod the pannarello steam wand, cheapest being taking the silver part off and holding the rubber part in place with a cable tie - this is to get better control on the milk frothing for smoother milk and get the latte art going (with enough practice)
For the coffee basket, the cheap mod is to by a 51mm unpressurised coffee basket (~$5-6 on Aliexpress), the bottomless portafilter looks nicer but you can actually just unscrew the plastic feeder at the bottom - this can result in a better coffee and better control with even spreading and tamping
I personally find the Dedica to be a decent machine with very small bench space at an affordable price. Users also advise steaming the milk first and then bringing the temperature down for the espresso shot. Lots of features to play with and improve your experience. Hope you enjoy!
Thanks Dbuiz.
No free bonus pack this time which is a shame - looks like the promo ended :(
Available on ebay also for the same price:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-Sunbeam-Barista-Max-Espresso…For those in sydney this may speed up the delivery process .. I wouldnt know as Im in covid central down south…
Has anyone tried this Sunbeam machine and the Breville Barista Express? If yes, what's your opinion?
All youtube reviews of this machine seem to have been done by amateurs or actual sellers of this machine.
The Sunbeam has a 58mm portafilter which means if you ever want a naked one or to buy a really nice tamper you will have way more options. They both have a thermoblock/thermocoil style of heating so that's a wash. The Breville has dose control on the grinder and the Sunbeam doesn't. I would probably go with the Sunbeam, but would rather not have the integrated grinder.
The Breville has a pressure gauge while the Sunbeam doesn't, I have the Breville and know I will get a good cup if I keep the pressure within the espresso range on the gauge.
I was just about to say the same thing! Love my Breville. 9 years old and still going strong.
This looks like a bargain. Is the grinder adjustable ?
You can adjust the coarseness of the grind. You can't control the dosing
How does it compare with the $600-$800 Breville BES870 and 880
Yeah I would like to know this. Worried that saving a couple hundred may just result in my being annoyed at inconveniences of this machine and regretting not getting the Breville
Taste test is important but always go for the more reliable machine. I went with the Breville because it seems to last quite a few years.
Choice:
BES870 82% - taste test 85%
EM5300 81% (as noted by the OP) - taste test 85%
EM4300 82% - taste test 85% - last price on OzB was $199BES920 81% - taste test 80%
EM3820 II 79% - taste test 80%
BES840 79% - taste test 80%
EM2800 78% - taste test 80%
EM7000 78% - taste test 75% (ouchy mamma - do I need to upgrade to the EM5300 from the EM6910 :) )
EM7100 78% - taste test 75% (this is the dual capsule/manual machine, on manual mode)
BES878 77% - taste test 75%
BES990 76% - taste test 70% and $3,799 RRP
BES880 73%(Edited to add - many of the cheaper machines come with dual wall baskets, I don't know how many of the tests were done with single (unpressurised) baskets…)
So more expensive = worse taste? Cannot compute..
Compared to the EM4300? The EM4300 is sans grinder, so +++
How does Choice rate the Breville Bambino (BES500)?
I’ve got a delonghi magnifica s which I love because the whole process of grinding the beans and dispensing the coffee is automated. This one listed is way too much work
I got this in the last deal too.
@NotAnAudiophile - yes, grinder is fully adjustable
@orin - yeah, grind spillage is a bit of a pain
@jubbing - I made notes over a full bag, I got 56 double shot coffees from a 1kg bag of beans, the beans were of course from an OB deal, so $30, just over 50cents worth of grinds per cup. I was pretty happy with that.Overall, highly recommend, grinder is strong and fast, the little bit of spillage can be wiped away. Lack of dose control gives spillage, but also gives you control right! Easily cleaned, frother is ready in about 10-15 seconds after you prime it, and works fast once ready. Given all things are on a spectrum, I find the coffees I was making (Adore beans) to be smooth and strong, and well worth doing at home, not quite cafe level, but when the trade of "there whenever I want" vs "standing in a line", I'd go one of these at home any day, not to mention the price difference. I really can't imagine what a $1000+ home machine would do that this doesn't.
I got the sunbeam gift pack (free at the time) which had a stainless tamper (not 100% sure I see the point in that) and a thermometer (a must have that you'll need to buy).
Have to factor in how many cups you get AFTER calibrating. I often will go through at least 2-3 shots every few days of just calibration of grind etc. And also factor in if you get new beans you will need to waste a lot of grind to get all the settings right.
Start buying the same bean blend from the same place that you like everytime.
Take a few notes, but based on the age of the beans (from roasting) you will be able to set a courseness that is close enough for a reasonable pour and then fine tune after that.
It will drift to needing a slightly finer grind every few days depending on how you store the beans and how much moisture thay can absorb.
You may notice if the beans are older than around 30 days you may need to grind courser again to get the same pour, but at this age the beans will be loosing flavour.
Fair call, guess it depends what you mean by waste.
I'm really not that fussy. I love a good coffee, but I'm not a snob.
If the first few cups aren't fantastic as you calibrate, you're still getting a cup of coffee, right? I mean, I reckon 80% of cafes server coffee I would put in the "that was fine, but I wouldn't actively go out of my way to buy this again" category. So a couple of 3.5/5 coffees at home while you calibrate a new bag of beans isn't a drama?Also if you are having with milk an average pour is fine :)
I'm a snob, hence why I bought a decent machine and beans haha ;-) Otherwise I would have stuck with the nespresso for average coffee that's easy and mess free.
Its not just new bags, it's as the temperature changes, or as the beans get older. You constantly need to calibrate if you want great coffee.
Otherwise I would have stuck with the nespresso for average coffee
Nespresso is very below average coffee. My nanopresso and hand grinder (total cost sub $150) beat it by miles.
@onlinepred: Don't understand why you would need to fiddle with it so much. I was like you when I first got into espresso machines but having gotten familiar with the process now, I hardly need to throw away any coffee.
Even when I get a new bag of different coffee I still get drinkable cups using the same grind setting.
I just tweak it on my next cup (sometimes I just play around with the dose as opposed to changing
grind setting) rather than throwing it away and dialling it in again.@keejoonc: Yes prob because I'm a coffee snob. I'd rather drink nespresso than a terrible uncalibrated coffee haha - they can taste incredibly bad. I just love coffee too much
@onlinepred: Whatever floats your boat but I consider myself a coffee snob and don't need to do that.
My coffee is never terrible even when not dialled in 100%. There will be minute differences in flavour but it's never terrible.
@keejoonc: How do you store your beans? What size bag do you get? Do you weigh your beans before or after grind or both? Do you measure the shot amount? What style of coffee's do you make? Most importantly, what style of coffee beans do you like? Do you change beans or just keep buying the same beans?
My partner likes mild coffee and considers themselves to be a coffee snob, but they don't mind if the shot isn't perfect. I love very strong italian roasts, which become extremely acidic/bitter if not brewed properly, and they become imo not worth drinking. Our old house mate was a barista, and taught me how to brew, every decent shop will have to calibrate in the morning, and then midday as the temp changes
@onlinepred: I usually buy anywhere between 250g to 1kg at a time depending on the offer available. Never more than 1kg though.
I ofcourse use a scale to measure the dose each time down to one decimal gram and also measure the output based on time and volume.
I mostly buy different beans each time and hardly ever drink milk based coffee. It's almost always long black or espresso.
I'm aware cafes will adjust more than once. For home use it's irrelevant really. You would then have to recalibrate everyday which is pointless and wasteful.
That's my opinion but YMMV.
@keejoonc: 100% wasteful, but not pointless. Anyway, that's great it works for you mate, clearly I'm just a coffee snob haha!
because I'm a coffee snob. I'd rather drink nespresso than a terrible uncalibrated coffee
The only reason it would taste bad would be because you would most likely be over extracting it. If you are putting milk in your coffee you'd have a huge margin for error anyway.
Nespresso always tastes over extracted and disgusting imho. I loved them when I first got into coffee, but now even if I use my own freshly grinded coffee in that nespresso machine it just burns the crap out of it and if left on the default setting over extracts every time.
@serpserpserp: I get pods from UrbanBrew, they are significantly better IMO, and always come out average to above average. Average for me is better than bitter/acidic. I double shot with milk, which barely increased the margin for error. Like I said, I am a coffee snob. The extraction is where the problem occurs, but it's to do with the grind/beans/tamping.
Anyway peace out!
Like I said, I am a coffee snob.
You keep saying this. But any pod coffee is poor. I have extensively used all variety of pods, used my own manual pod arrangements and I've never got a coffee on par with even an "OK" coffee out of a machine or hand press arrangement.
The extraction is where the problem occurs, but it's to do with the grind/beans/tamping.
Tamping is a basic skill, beans have such a small variance on extraction it is an easy fix and grind? Well that is easy once you know your machine and changing beans around requires a small movement on coarseness either way. Extracting is the issue for most, on manual machine people just don't learn to pull a shot properly or think that they are (but aren't) and blame everything else. You can grind/tamp your beans to perfection and easily screw it up at extraction.
@serpserpserp: Exactly. I get annoyed when people make it sound like using manual espresso machine equates to always fiddling around with the grind setting and wasting coffee. If you are doing this you are doing it wrong.
@keejoonc: I got a barista express and a neapresso machine. In the mornings I often just make a nespresso as its quicker,on the weekends I take my time and make really nice coffees on the barista express.
I am a coffee snob
and
I often just make a nespresso
This just doesn't compute to me… But then, I haven't spent any time exploring the different pod options, as when I have tried pods they're bad. Better than instant and bad drip coffee, but certainly not good…
@NigelTufnel: I simply am accepting of nespresso as a quick coffee, it isn't anywhere near as good as what I can get out of my Barista express, but on the same hand, it's better than no coffee for me in the morning when I am in a rush. When I take the time to make a good coffee, I am extremely picky.
Wish I had spare cash/space to buy this. Already have a Breville one I love but without grinder.
Why not get a grinder then? Integrated grinders exist for convenience not because they are good.
I'm chasing convenience. I did buy a grinder but it's tiny and i don't want to spend more and more money on it lol
Ordered - That's my bday present sorted. Thanks OP. :)
Delivered first thing this morning (Perth WA), so about 20 hours from impulse purchase to receiving the product. Well done Appliances Online. Very happy. :)
Time to see if jb hi fi will price match this. I have an unused gift card sitting idle. Will be awesome if they do price match
if you do try pricematch, please let us know!
Price matches successfully. Although it was a dmso piece and they reduced further $20 on it. I'm a happy man!
Wasw about to bite the bullet on this UNTIL - https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/sunbeam-barista-ma…
Seems a very common defect, water leak (Sometimes causing electric shock).
I moved to NZ for one year 2019 and bought this exact machine.
6 months in … Water leak. They swapped it out, but yes seems to be a common fault. Also the grinder is pretty messy, it seems to clump a lot
Does make a good coffee though. Good intro
I've been through 2 Sunbeam espresso machines and would never go back. Full disclosure they were much cheaper ($149).
After 6 months the first smelt like an electrical fire every time it was turned on. I got it replaced under warranty. The 2nd shorted my house and then would not turn on again at all.
Moved to a Delonghi and will eventually upgrade to a Breville when the wallet permits.
EM3820 ?
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this seem like a bargain, like what ozbargain is all about.