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Date: 04 Sep 2006 02:07:00
From:
Subject: Sunbeam Cafe Ristretto
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Probably the best $80 I'd ever spent. I already have a decent grinder
(starbucks grinder, does a pretty good job) and I roast the coffee in a
large popcorn maker. This combo yields superb cappuccinos. Not sure
about espressos, but for cappuccinos it is fabulous. The steam out of
this thing is great, I can get microfroth with a little technique.
I know it has a pressurized portafilter and a crema-enhancing device,
but for cappuccinos it ain't bad at all. For espresso I agree the
Rancilio Silvia and a top-of-the-line grinder like the Mini Mazzer is
probably much better suited, but I don't drink espresso a lot.
I've had plenty of cappuccinos made from the Silvia and Mini combo
because that's what my friend uses, but to me this Cafe Ristretto
really held it's own.
Not bad for a paltry $80 (Australian).
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Date: 04 Sep 2006 08:21:22
From: Omniryx@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Sunbeam Cafe Ristretto
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Robert Harmon wrote:
> This points out the truthfulness of what many here have been preaching; A
> quality grinder is the most important of the 'holy trinity' of espresso -
> machine, beans, & grinder.
Truer words, Robert.... I learned that by stepping back from a Rocky
to a KA ProLine, Didn't take long to correct that mistake.
Will (who is saving his pennies for a Versalab M3 grinder)
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Date: 04 Sep 2006 11:00:49
From: Jules
Subject: Re: Sunbeam Cafe Ristretto
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I firmly agree with this!
I used the $80 Sunbeam for about 6 months with my Rocky grinder and was
consistently pleased with the result; particularly the steaming performance.
I was using a Silvia at the same time (in the office) prior to getting
my own Silvia, and found that the Sunbeam did remarkably well. Not as
good, naturally, but the bang for buck was incredible.
Planned to do a write-up on this undiscovered gem but never got round to
it ;-) It's a good little machine, definitely benefits from being used
with a decent grinder.
Plus, for an extra $80, you can have a two boiler setup ;-) Two
Sunbeam's side by side is still smaller than most duallies!
rhinestoneau@yahoo.com.au wrote:
> Probably the best $80 I'd ever spent. I already have a decent grinder
> (starbucks grinder, does a pretty good job) and I roast the coffee in a
> large popcorn maker. This combo yields superb cappuccinos. Not sure
> about espressos, but for cappuccinos it is fabulous. The steam out of
> this thing is great, I can get microfroth with a little technique.
>
> I know it has a pressurized portafilter and a crema-enhancing device,
> but for cappuccinos it ain't bad at all. For espresso I agree the
> Rancilio Silvia and a top-of-the-line grinder like the Mini Mazzer is
> probably much better suited, but I don't drink espresso a lot.
>
> I've had plenty of cappuccinos made from the Silvia and Mini combo
> because that's what my friend uses, but to me this Cafe Ristretto
> really held it's own.
>
> Not bad for a paltry $80 (Australian).
>
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Date: 04 Sep 2006 14:35:46
From: Robert Harmon
Subject: Re: Sunbeam Cafe Ristretto
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This points out the truthfulness of what many here have been preaching; A
quality grinder is the most important of the 'holy trinity' of espresso -
machine, beans, & grinder. I know people who make very good espresso with a
Delonghi 140B & a Gaggia MDF, just as I know one person who insists this is
all crap & makes horrible shots with his Europicolla because he insists the
Cuisinart Supreme is an unappreciated gem in the rough.
--
Robert (duck & cover) Harmon
http://tinyurl.com/pou2y
http://tinyurl.com/fkd6r
"Jules" <sdfsdf@example.com > wrote in message
news:BHTKg.23146$rP1.9589@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>I firmly agree with this!
>
> I used the $80 Sunbeam for about 6 months with my Rocky grinder and was
> consistently pleased with the result; particularly the steaming
> performance.
>
> I was using a Silvia at the same time (in the office) prior to getting my
> own Silvia, and found that the Sunbeam did remarkably well. Not as good,
> naturally, but the bang for buck was incredible.
>
> Planned to do a write-up on this undiscovered gem but never got round to
> it ;-) It's a good little machine, definitely benefits from being used
> with a decent grinder.
>
> Plus, for an extra $80, you can have a two boiler setup ;-) Two Sunbeam's
> side by side is still smaller than most duallies!
>
>
>
>
>
> rhinestoneau@yahoo.com.au wrote:
>> Probably the best $80 I'd ever spent. I already have a decent grinder
>> (starbucks grinder, does a pretty good job) and I roast the coffee in a
>> large popcorn maker. This combo yields superb cappuccinos. Not sure
>> about espressos, but for cappuccinos it is fabulous. The steam out of
>> this thing is great, I can get microfroth with a little technique.
>>
>> I know it has a pressurized portafilter and a crema-enhancing device,
>> but for cappuccinos it ain't bad at all. For espresso I agree the
>> Rancilio Silvia and a top-of-the-line grinder like the Mini Mazzer is
>> probably much better suited, but I don't drink espresso a lot.
>>
>> I've had plenty of cappuccinos made from the Silvia and Mini combo
>> because that's what my friend uses, but to me this Cafe Ristretto
>> really held it's own.
>>
>> Not bad for a paltry $80 (Australian).
>>
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Date: 04 Sep 2006 22:50:30
From: Jules
Subject: Re: Sunbeam Cafe Ristretto
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Yep! I never believed the "it's all about the grinder" preaching until
I matched the Rocky with the aforementioned Sunbeam.
'Twas like night and day.
Jules
Robert Harmon wrote:
> This points out the truthfulness of what many here have been preaching; A
> quality grinder is the most important of the 'holy trinity' of espresso -
> machine, beans, & grinder. I know people who make very good espresso with a
> Delonghi 140B & a Gaggia MDF, just as I know one person who insists this is
> all crap & makes horrible shots with his Europicolla because he insists the
> Cuisinart Supreme is an unappreciated gem in the rough.
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Date: 04 Sep 2006 21:46:34
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Sunbeam Cafe Ristretto
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I tend to consider the coffee as a separate factor because good or bad
equipment, you can't make good coffee with bad beans. Silk purses and
sows ears and all that....
But as testament to the importance of the grinder, I made a very nice
straight espresso using my $8.00 Krups thermoblock machine from the
thrift store using Rocky (see chapter 80 on my website).
Randy "backflushed today" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
Jules <sdfsdf@example.com > wrote:
>
>Yep! I never believed the "it's all about the grinder" preaching until
>I matched the Rocky with the aforementioned Sunbeam.
>
>'Twas like night and day.
>
>Jules
>
>
>Robert Harmon wrote:
>> This points out the truthfulness of what many here have been preaching; A
>> quality grinder is the most important of the 'holy trinity' of espresso -
>> machine, beans, & grinder. I know people who make very good espresso with a
>> Delonghi 140B & a Gaggia MDF, just as I know one person who insists this is
>> all crap & makes horrible shots with his Europicolla because he insists the
>> Cuisinart Supreme is an unappreciated gem in the rough.
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Date: 05 Sep 2006 01:57:49
From:
Subject: Re: Sunbeam Cafe Ristretto
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> I used the $80 Sunbeam for about 6 months with my Rocky grinder and was
> consistently pleased with the result; particularly the steaming performance.
One thing I might add is that I don't use the attachment on the
steamwand, I just use it bare. I sit the nozzle just below the surface
of the milk and then let it froth, by bobbing the nozzle up and down
for a minute or so I get a superb microfroth. Unbelievable for the
price. I know the Silvia machine will get that froth a little easier
and faster, but that machine goes for about $750 where I live. For
almost 1/10th of that I can get a machine that does 95% of the job.
I wouldn't use it for straight espressos, but it still makes passable
ones.
> Planned to do a write-up on this undiscovered gem but never got round to
> it ;-) It's a good little machine, definitely benefits from being used
> with a decent grinder.
The pressurised portafilter is nice when you don't feel like turning
the grinder on and roasting any coffee, since I can just go and get
some preground from Gloria Jeans and it still makes a great cappuccino.
It works well both ways, either fresh or preground. But I still prefer
fresh (by a long shot!)
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Date: 05 Sep 2006 11:01:10
From: Jules
Subject: Re: Sunbeam Cafe Ristretto
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> One thing I might add is that I don't use the attachment on the
> steamwand, I just use it bare. I sit the nozzle just below the surface
Yep ditched that as I unwrapped the machine for the first time ;-)
I keep the Sunbeam for road trips.. all that plastic is very light.
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