Vacuum Coffee Makers

[58limited]

I have a Sunbeam vacuum coffee maker. The gasket is bad - is there a source for these?

Next question: I have never used one and I have no owner's manuals. How do you use them?

I am a coffee connoisseur. I saw in other posts where people really like the coffee made in this manor and I would like to try it.

 

[washernut]

I have two of them myself but I think that Retromom could best answer your questions...Mine are more to sit on their little chrome tray with the bakelite handles with their matching creamer and sugar bowl and look pretty than use everyday. (Over the top I know.) I believe I read awhile back Retromom uses hers everyday....
Bill

 

[frigilux]

I believe Launderess is also a fan of vacuum coffee pots. Hopefully one of them will check in soon to answer your question.

I'm guessing your vacuum pot is vintage, correct?

I don't do coffee very often, and when I do it's usually an espresso, but I'm intrigued by the vacuum process. Seems Black & Decker or some other mainstream company makes one. I should check it out. If nothing else, it would be an interesting process for breakfast guests to watch.

 

[whirlcool]

Here is a link to a scan of the original brochures and operating instructions for a Sunbeam C-30.

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www.oldcoffeeroasters.com

 

[58limited]

Thanks for the link, Whirlcool. That explains alot. Now to remember where I put mine....

 

[whirlcool]

You are welcome. We really like ours, but those seals are old and become brittle. And the only way to replace them is to buy another pot from Ebay or somewhere. Sunbeam made a jillion of these things you would think that SOMEONE would have a replacement seal out there.
BTW, if you need any cloth filters for your Coffeemaster, I have a bunch of them. I could send you a few. If you are interested, just contact me thru my profile.

 

[launderess]

Sunbeam Coffee Gaskets:

Alas Sunbeam long since ceased production of their vac pots, IIRC the 1960's model "C-50" was the last of the series. You may be able to find NOS gaskets lying around, but they are pretty rare. There was talk over on the Interent group rec.coffee about clubbing together to have a mold then more gaskets made, but don't know what became of that project.

Depending upon the state of your gasket it may be possible to soften it up by soaking in ammonia or glycerin (Goggle Internet archives for exact directions), but as one has never tried either method, cannot vouch for sucess. Most persons simply purchase another similar Sunbeam vac pot, or at least the upper chamber to get a good gasket. Sold off a non-working Sunbeam vac pot to someone who only wanted the gasket. As with most other vintage appliances, it is not uncommon for vintage vac pot users/collectors to have several pots on hand, mainly as a ready store of parts and accessories.

How To Use A Sunbeam Vac Pot:

Models vary slighly, but basically directions are the same. One pours cold water into the lower chamber, insert the upper chamber then "clamps" down to secure. Add correct amount of coffee to upper chamber (one should have inserted the strainer beforehand), put lid on upper chamber,turn on unit and wait for the unit to do it's thing.

Can dig out my C-50 directions for a blow by blow description, but do not have a good scanner to make a copy.

Was lucky my Sunbeam C-50 came with lots of extra "goodies", such as extra strainers and filter cloths, so was set as far as that goes. Am still on the hunt for another MIB unit to store away for use if and when my current unit dies.

If you need other assistance, please ask away.

L.

 

[wiskybill]

I have two of the Sunbeams, a C30A and a C20B. The C30A has the large gasket that presses into the lower pot. The C20B has a smaller gasket and just sits on the lower pot. It's held in place with the filter rod. It screws into the lower pot and is much easier to separate after use.
I use them both in rotation with other percolators and they make very good coffee.
Bill

 

[frigilux]

Here's a nice little vacuum unit. Only $2000, too!

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www.royalcoffeemaker.com

 

[alr2903]

i won a c-50 a while back, my aunts had them, long ago. Thanks again to both Venus and Laundress, i had no idea how to use mine either, they got me schooled on the use and care of them. Whirlcool thanks for posting the scan, i had not seen that. They make good coffee, take a little more time though, but its real nice on weekends when you have extra time. M thru Friday its the plastic drip gotta have that timer on workdays. alr2903

 

[exploder3211]

I love the smell of coffee, esp. when perked... But no matter how it;s made it still reminds me of barf... Sorry... Great percolators.. To me they'd make a better decoration than anything

 

[58limited]

I also love the smell of coffee - I wish the air freshener companies would make a coffee scent. When I was a kid living in Plano, Tx, me and my dad would go camping at Lake Texoma. We would exit the highway north of McKinney at a Folgers plant - the entire countryside smelled like roasted coffee. I loved it!

I also love drinking coffee and cannot start the day without "the elixir of the Gods"

 

[48bencix]

hard rubber

They do make great coffee. I picked up mine at an antique sale here in Sacramento. The rubber gasket was so hard that it took two people to pull it apart. Otherwise it is in perfect condtion. I believe it is one of the later ones. When I use it I get a large plastic glass, fill it with hot water and microwave it for two minutes to get the water extra hot. Then I put the top pot with gasket in the water for a couple of minutes, long enough to soften the gasket. Then proceed as normal.

I think it was mixfinder that mentioned the glycerine to soften the gasket. I have tried it in a limited fashion with little effect. Perhaps I need to put some glycerine on it and put it in a baggie for a week or so.

I did see a unit at the antique mall in Roseville and it had a nice soft gasket, probably should go get it.

Happy brewing.

Martin

 

[chachp]

eBay, eBay, eBay

They are all over the place on eBay. I was a die hard Bunn Coffeemaker user until about 4 years ago. I picked up my first Vac pot at Goodwill. They really do make the best coffee. When I moved two years ago I packed the Bunn away and never unpacked it.

I have about 4 of the Vac coffeemakers I have picked up for less than $20 each (usually around 9.99 or so). I use them as spares. I actually just had one fail the other day. The seal came loose from the top part so I put it away and pulled out another. When I entertain I get two going for those who want decaf. Yes, I will make decaf for them but I do it kicking and screaming!

I would suggest watching eBay for them. They come up quite often and you can usually pick them up cheap. I haven't seen one at Goodwill in a long time and those at the antique stores are usually priced much more than I am willing to pay for them. Where's Venus? She would be all over this post.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Hey Martin

I have had good luck, when the top pot is stuck on, with putting water in the top pot then stick a straw down the center tube. This will allow the water to go into the lower pot. Then run it through a cycle or two. The steam, pressure and heat will usually do the trick.

Good luck!

Rich

...also...don't try to pull the top pot off of the bottom. You risk a nasty burn. Grasp the lower handle and use your thumb to pry the lower pot handle upward. This is in the instructions from Sunbeam.

 

[washendry]

SUNBEAM C-20

I have 3 sunbeam coffee makers, the latest one has a mesh filter and a small basket, no instructions, Which way does the basket go (upside down) or upright to hold coffee grounds, it works either way but I think its suppose to be inverted, right?
Any input would be appreciated, I have 2 cory pots with glass rods and they work great, not too familiar with the Sunbeam,
Thanks
Kim

 

[bigbubbacain]

many folks still consider vacuum pots the very best method

I wore one of those Sunbeam pots out! If your ever get your hand on one the all glass vacuum pots made by Cory, do what you must to take it home. They're made of borosilicate glass (aka PYREX) and they're faaaaaaaaabulous! Alas, I lost one in a move 15 yrs. ago. That Dutch company called Bodum makes replicas of the one in glass. The model is called 'Utopia' and they also make an electric vacuum pot called 'Santos'. I've used both. They're not bad.

 

[gregm]

58limited !!!

I think I have an extra "top" piece with the gasket and I can mail/ship it to you? email me at [email protected] and give me your address .......

 

[paulg]

Sunbeam vacuum pot is very sensory.

I alternate between my Sunbeam C30A vacuum pot and the GE/Universal reeded percolator. Although both do a fabulous job of making coffee, the coffee aroma from the Sunbeam wafts all the way up to my second floor bedroom. I am so hooked on the thing. The machine has character! Appearance, noises and coffee quality make owning one a very sensory experience.
I too have several spares for parts. The one I use now was a NOS unit I found at an estate sale for $5.00. They're out there for parts by the zillions. My parents received one for the wedding in '58. It was rarely used as it was messy to clean. Probably that is why you can find so many at resale shops with relatively little use. Bad for them..good for us.