My magnificent obsession!
Ok guys: here's the "scoop" on the Sunbeams......
Veg and David:
They have become my "Magnificent Obsession"! I have six of them: 3 C-50s, 1 C-20 and 2 C-30s. The Coffeemasters require just a tad more effort than a drip coffeemaker. First, you fill the bottom bowl to the desired fill line, i.e., 4,6, or 8 cups. Next, you attach the top (vacuum) portion. You can place the filter rod in the top portion either before or after placing it on the bottom (or serving) pot. Fill the top pot with ground coffee, place lid, plug in, and turn it on. In about 5 minutes you will think that you are reliving the great Pompeii eruption! The Coffeemaster then switches itself to "low". In about 5-10 minutes, the bottom pot will cool sufficiently to "break" the vacuum and allow the coffee to fall into the serving pot. After the "great fall", the top portion of the pot is removed, and.....(drum roll please) IT'S COFFEE!
A few words of caution, however....the top portion (and bottom portion too) is very hot! Be careful when removing it. There are special stands for these, but since I do not have one, I just stand it straight up in the drain of my sink. Also, (I think I mentioned this on a previous thread) the coffee is McDonald's lawsuit HOT. I swear, I can pour a cup, drive 17 miles to the next town, and it's still scalding!
Now...what to do with those grounds...I purchased a funky yellow plastic vintage ice bucket. I place the cooled grounds in there. When the bucket is full, I put the grounds in my flower beds. It kind of gives the plants a *jolt*.
As far as replacement parts, etc. To me the C-50 is the easiest to use. There are "ears" on each side of the vacuum pot. You just press them down to seal the two pots together. The C-20s have no handles and no ears so they have to be twisted into place from the top. Getting the top off after brewing is a pain because the dang thing is still hot. One must use a towel or risk permanent damage. The C-30s have a handle. They are easier to use than the C-20s, but I'm still partial to the C-50s.
Since I am not an expert, I may or may not be correct on this but I'm not sure if the C-20s and C-30s have removable gaskets. The C-50 does have a removable gasket. Not real sure about parts availability, but I have seen them on ebay.
As far as the meltdown of one of my gaskets....that was on one of those fussy Silex coffee makers. They are great to look at but require vigilance (note my lack of it). These are way too much trouble for me. For someone like me (type A personality, ADDHD, etc.)the Sunbeam C-50 is the coffee maker of choice. It is virtually indestructible. Oh, did I tell you that the coffee it brews would put a "Red Bull" to shame. I'm wired for days! LOL
Hope this helps
Venus
Who's enjoying a delicious cup of coffee courtesy of the C-50
:-D
