Sunday, January 31, 2010

DeLonghi EN680.M Nespresso Lattissima Single-Serve Espresso Maker, Metal

From Delonghi

Price: $1,040.00
 


Similar Items
- Swissmar 80013 Cap Store Fila 40 for Nespresso Coffee Capsules
- Bodum Pavina 2-Ounce Double-Wall Thermo Glasses (Espresso/Shot), Set of 2
- Swissmar 80010 Cap Store Nobile for Nespresso Coffee Capsules
- Riedel Bottle Cleaner Beads 1.75-Inch, Black Container with Lid
- WMF Bistro Espresso Spoon, Set of 4
Accessories
- DeLonghi DO1279 6-Slice Toaster Oven
- Bormioli Rocco Verdi Cappuccino Cup With Stainless Steel Handle, Set of 4, Gift Boxed
- J.A. Henckels Cottage Stainless-Steel Espresso Spoons, Set of 8

Features
- Single-serve espresso maker for use with coffee-filled capsules
- 19-bar high-pressure pump; used capsules eject automatically
- Illuminated controls; IFD milk system; adjustable milk/coffee amounts
- Adjustable cup-tray height; removable drip tray; 40-ounce water tank
- Warming tray on unit's top; measures approximately 10-1/4 by 8 by 13-1/2 inches

Product Description
DeLonghi's Metal Nespresso Lattissima Maker, Model EN680.M, patented extraction system facilitates the ideal flow of water through the ground coffee. The machine automatically ejects the capsules into holding tank after brew is completed. Patented IFD milk system includes a milk container for cappuccino, latte or macchiato. The milk container includes a unique automatic cleaning function with a push of a button. The entire milk container is detachable so it can easily be placed in the refridgerator. The amounts of frothed/steamed milk and coffee are adjustable to preference. Adjustable cup tray height accomodates large or small cups with easy removable drip tray insert. Illuminated controls allow the consumer to choose their favorite drink of cappuccino, latte machiato, espresso coffee, long coffee, or hot water in a simple and intuitive way. Other features include removable drip tray, self-priming operation, 19 BAR high pressure pump and removable 40 oz water tank. The welcome kit includes an espresso cup, a latte cup, a saucer and a sample pack of Nespresso capsules.

Customer Reviews

Latissima problems solved
Date: 2008-11-01 | Rating: 5
I loved this machine from the first time I saw and tried it. However, I started having problems on day 2 - the milk wouldn't froth and it came out in spurts with a lot of water, not even filling 1/8 of the glass with milk. I took it back to Williams Sonoma and they cheerfully replaced it. It happened again to this new machine and, once again, I took it back for a replacement. (I had been in touch with Nespresso at all the junctures along the way and they replaced the milk jug and top twice.) When it happened on the third machine, I called the local Williams-Sonoma and asked if there was someone who could check out my machine. I am in the Danbury, CT area and Bill, at the local Williams-Sonoma, told me to leave it with him while I shopped and he would check it out. When I returned he told me it was frothing perfectly and then showed me how he set it up. It seems that I had not been pushing the jug connection tight enough. It has to click in. The lights had always been on and so I believed that the jug was connected correctly, but I was wrong. Not until I saw it being done and felt the connection, did I understand what I was doing wrong. Without being tightly connected it doesn't work correctly. Now I push until I hear a click and/or push it in a second time holding the back of the machine as I push, and have been making perfect lattes. I recommend this machine highly but think the documentation should be rewritten with this little bit of information in bold letters. I have seen many reviews of this machine from people who have had the same problem and hope that they found the solution as this machine is wonderful.

delonghi EN680.M
Date: 2007-12-23 | Rating: 5
We ordered this from Amazon and received it a week ago. My wife and I are very happy with the machine. It is a great design, easy to use and clean, and makes great coffee. I highly recommend it. It's high priced but much cheaper than similar machines.

Awsome espresso
Date: 2009-08-07 | Rating: 5
I saw this machine and tried a few samples of espresso with my family in the Nepresso store in Boston a month ago. I ordered it as soon as I returned from my trip. I think it produces a fantastic espresso and I like the convenience of the pods. I also own the Keurig machine and the Tassimo machine. Obviously I like the convenience of pod machines. I love the Keurig machine for regular coffee and iced coffee. The Tassimo machine can't compete with the Keurig machine for coffee. I bought it to make mostly cappuccinos and espresso with but it can't touch the Nespresso lattissima. The lattissima uses real milk not prepackaged condensed milk and the espresso the lattissima produces is far superior to anything the Tassimo produces. Hands down the Lattisima is a far superior machine. I have no problem with the milk frother and the temp of the milk on the Lattissima machine. After reading the others comments about the temperature I have always just run hot water through the frother first and made sure my cup was at least room temperature. My model has the cup warmer on top which I think is great. It keeps the cups warm all the time. I think the espressos and cappuccinos are plenty hot and so do my kids. We've only had it a couple of weeks but it gets used two to three times a day, some times more. I'm having a dinner party in two weeks and looking forward to be able to offer great espresso and cappuccino after dinner. It also makes great iced lattes. At this time I have no complaints about it. We love it!

good cap
Date: 2008-11-11 | Rating: 5
i just finished three years living in rome and when everyone asked me what would i miss most, i said the cap and corn (that's a cappucino and a cornetto--croissant) which i had each morning. since i got the nespresso machine, i'm back to my cap and corn each morning. i really like the one touch cappucino maker although i do find that i have to use two capsules for one good sized cappucino. not a problem since there's no mess with this machine. just pop the capsule in and then empty the tray when you're done. i really like it and it is going to save me airfare back to rome several times a year just for a cup of coffee!

Nespresso Lattisima
Date: 2008-12-22 | Rating: 5
LOVE LOVE LOVE this machine!!!!!!!! We bought this machine because we wanted the ease of not messing with foaming the milk. It makes the most delicious latte, cappuccino, expresso!!!!! The coffee capsules are delicious! We haven't had a bad one yet. My only suggestion would be to get your cups hot with hot water before filling with your desired beverage! Very easy to use, but there are a few days of getting the perfect hang of it. Don't forget to get a little shaker for cinnamon or cocoa!! This is an addicting little machine. Oh, I have heard people complain about the little capsules not being recycleable, I just pop them in the sink and use a spoon to pull back the foil top and rinse them out and put them in the recyling bin...You won't be dissappointed this is an awesome little machine...We are packing ours up to take to FLORIDA this week with us...I don't know if I can live without it!!!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Delonghi BCO264B Cafe Nero Combo Coffee and Espresso Maker

From DeLonghi

Price: $420.00
 


Similar Items
- Krups 085 20-Ounce Stainless Steel Frothing Pitcher
- Taylor Classic Cappuccino Frothing Dial Thermometer
- PodMerchant Espresso Pod Super Sampler
- Bodum Pavina 2-Ounce Double-Wall Thermo Glasses (Espresso/Shot), Set of 2
- DeLonghi DCG39 Electric Grinder, 2.36-Ounce Capacity
Accessories
- De Longhi 4-Cup Espresso Carafe
- DeLonghi DCG59 Retro Burr Grinder
- Konitz K108 Coffee Bar Coffee Mugs Set of 4
- ILLY 7737 18 Medium Roast Espresso ESE Pods
- P3 International P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor

Features
- Individually or simultaneously prepares coffee or espresso using separate controls/water tanks
- Coffeemaker has patented brewing system, strength selector dial, 5- or 10-cup option
- 24-hour digital programmable timer and drip interrupt on coffeemaker
- Espresso machine has two patented filter holders for pods or grounds
- Patented cappuccino system, automatic self-primer, stainless-steel boiler for espresso

Product Description
Delonghi Caffe' nero Three in One combination Pump Easpresso, Cappuccino and Coffee Maker- Three in One machine prepares coffee, cappuccino and espresso. It can also make latte or hot chocolate perfectly. Dual Removable water tanks, easy to use controls, and anti-drop design.

Amazon.com
It's easy to offer guests or family members a choice of drip coffee or an espresso drink with this combination coffee/espresso maker. The Caffé Nero has separate controls and water tanks for each function, so you can brew drip coffee and espresso simultaneously. The coffee side has a patented Flavor Savor brewing system that fully saturates grounds and lets them steep for a while to draw out rich coffee flavors. A permanent gold-tone filter keeps even the finest grounds from sneaking through to a coffee cup and eliminates the need for buying paper filters. Using the dial on the top of the coffeemaker, you can adjust the coffee's strength to personal preference. A separate button lets you choose between brewing 5 cups or less or from 6 to 10 cups and alters the heating element accordingly so smaller pots never taste burnt or overheated. The drip coffee side also has a 24-hour programmable timer that can be set each night to brew first thing in the morning and a "drip interrupt" feature, so you can pour a cup before the full pot is brewed. Coffee remains hot in the 10-cup glass carafe due to the Caffé Nero's nonstick warming plate. The espresso function starts up quickly without much advanced preparation and has two filter holders--one that uses ground espresso and another that uses coffee pods. The pod filter holder has a unique design that securely holds pods in place and makes disposal easy with a single touch of a button. The patented ground espresso filter improves upon the brewing process, which means espresso drinks always have a perfect crema. Cappuccino and latté lovers will be pleased with the exclusive chamber that mixes steam and milk into a delicious, creamy froth. The espresso maker has a stainless-steel boiler for durability and a removable spill tray for easy cleaning. DeLonghi offers a one-year limited warranty on defects in materials and workmanship for this two-in-one espresso/coffee machine. --Cristina Vaamonde

Customer Reviews

I'm in love...
Date: 2006-12-11 | Rating: 5
I purchased this in 2004 as a Christmas present for my boyfriend. Since then it has been used at least once daily and has been wonderful! After reading the other reviews I felt compelled to write a review because I work at a coffee bar and feel that I am uniquely qualified to write a response. Pros: First let me start with the coffee maker, this machine makes PHENOMINAL coffee!! Many people have not only complemented the flavor of the coffee but also the style of this machine, it's not stainless steel, but that doesn't mean that it looks cheap by any means. The gold tone filter is wonderful because you will never have to buy another coffee filter ever again. As far as filter maintenance is concerned, you do need to dump the used grounds into the garbage and rinse it out with water after every use, but that doesn't take more than a few seconds. I do clean the filter every month or so with dish detergent so that the coffee stays just as good as it was the first day of use. Another reviewer mentioned that the coffee didn't stop dripping when they pulled the coffee caraf out. All I can say to that is yes, the coffee will continue to drip until it's completely done brewing. We have never once had ANY problems like this with the machine. Now for the espresso side, I'm going to address a few concerns from other reviews. For starters it takes 5 minutes of preheating time before the machine is ready to brew the espresso NOT 30! At the coffee bar where I work, we only use espresso pods. Illy pods are only a few dollars more than their ground espresso and are deffinitely worth every single cent for not having to deal with grounds. When brewing the espresso on this machine I should mention that the water will not shut off on its own so it needs to be watched and measured while being brewed. Depending on the pod and whether it's a single or double will determine how many shots of espresso it is supposed to make. A single pod should be used for a single shot of espresso 1 1/2 oz. - 2oz.(1/4 cup). A double pod would be good for 3 oz. - 4 oz.(1/3-1/2 cup). We have not once had an issue with watered down espresso. If more water is used than that, then the espresso will be watered down, if using ground coffee beans instead of espresso beans, then it's not going to be as strong. Coffee and espresso are different in a few very important ways, trust me. Cons: Something to keep in mind if you have a minimal amount of counter space is that this machine is somewhat bigger than your average coffee maker. Something also worth mentioning is the steam arm, although it can be detatched from the machine to be cleaned, if it's not cleaned almost immediately I can see it being a HUGE pain in the neck to clean. Overall, we have been super happy with this machine and its quality. I bought it on ebay for $250 in October of 2004 and has been worth every single penny since then.

Great machine! I love it!
Date: 2007-01-18 | Rating: 5
This truly was a great machine. I know that there were some negative reviews about this product, but for one month now, I have been using and loving this machine. Works great, couldn't ask for more! Thanks!

Delonghi BCO264B Combo Coffee Maker -- A Great Product
Date: 2009-01-12 | Rating: 5
Bought as a Christmas gift for my wife. It was very easy to set up and use, although we're still playing with the settings. I particularly like the ability to set the time that the pot stays hot -- it's preset at 2 hours, but can be easily changed to any length, including always on. The titanium filter is a nice idea -- does away with paper filters, and it cleans easily.

Simple but Effective
Date: 2007-04-10 | Rating: 4
I had originally purchased the Krups version of their fanciest dual machine and it arrived non-functional with a display and buttons that were a little too "Star Trek" for me anyway...in fact, they didn't function at all. The Delonghi Caffe Nero (so far) has been very straighforward, easy to use, and produces good coffee and espresso. The quality of the coffee is moderate-high and I'm impressed with its strength selection system (a simple knob) and the mechanism by which it brews. No bells or whistles to confuse me. I did think initially that the permanent filter might be difficult to clean but not so far. However, the heat resistant coffee pot has an interesting design and a strange top which snaps on somewhat awkwardly and appears vulnerable to breaking but otherwise I have not found any major flaws with this machine as of yet. Good coffee, good espresso, easy to use, easy to program for the next day. We'll see...

great drip coffee, average espresso
Date: 2006-07-14 | Rating: 4
The drip coffee is wonderful, but the espresso is weak. It seems like the pump does not generate enough pressure to make real, full bodied espresso. Overall, a satisfactory purchase.

Friday, January 29, 2010

DeLonghi ESAM3500.N Magnifica Digital Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine

From Delonghi

Price: $2,100.00
 


Similar Items
- Durgol 0291 Swiss Espresso Special Decalcifier
- Durgol 0291 Durgol Express Decalcifier 2-bottle
- Nikon Coolpix S1000pj 12.1MP Digital Camera with Built-in Projector and 5x Wide Angle Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom
- Nintendo DSi - White
- Durgol swiss 0291 espresso decalcifier 3 Pack (6 Bottles) LOW SHIPPING
Accessories
- DeLonghi D895UX Cool-Touch ROTO Electric 1-1/2-Pound-Capacity Food Fryer
- DeLonghi DCU500T 50-Cup-Capacity Stainless-Steel Coffee Urn
- DeLonghi DO1279 6-Slice Toaster Oven
- DeLonghi CGH800 Retro Collection Retro Panini Grill

Features
- Super-automatic 1,150-watt espresso/coffee machine with programmable menu
- Instant reheat function; conical burr grinder with adjustable fineness settings
- 5 coffee-strength options; 3 cup-size options; height-adjustable coffee spouts
- Patented single-touch cappuccino/latte system; dishwasher-safe parts
- Measures 15 by 11 by 14 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Product Description
The DeLonghi Exclusivo Magnifica allows you to make the freshest espresso in the comfort of you home. A digital programmable menu not only allows you to adjust the auto on/off time, but also the temperature of the coffee, the hardness of the water, and the strength of the coffee. The patented single-touch cappuccino and latte system allows you to make great espresso without any work. The integrated grinder converts beans directly into fresh espresso. The instant reheat function heats the core of the machine, ensuring the Magnifica maintains an ideal temperature for brewing. Other features include: cleaning-indicator lights; a cup warmer; hot water spout; large, removable water reservoir; removable coffee container; heat-adjustable coffee spouts. DeLonghi offers the best espresso you can make at home with the Magnifica Digital Super Automatic Machine. Other features include a professional-quality conical burr grinder that produces consistent, fresh, and aromatic espresso or coffee. The latest, most advanced technology for brewing authentic Italian espresso or coffee.

Customer Reviews

Better than Starbucks
Date: 2008-06-24 | Rating: 5
I received this machine as a gift (thankfully, 'cuz I wouldn't have been able to afford it for myself). Before this I had a Capresso CoffeeTEC machine. The Magnifica is so easy to use and to clean, it's great not to have to deal with filters, grinders, frothers, etc. My husband is a stickler for using freshly ground coffee beans for his coffee. It's such a joy not to have to sweep up the coffee grinds from the floor now! Anyway, here are some things I like about it: - Amazing tasting coffee; freshly ground at the touch of a button. Several people have told me that it tastes better than Starbucks coffee - Machine rinses itself after turn on and before turn off - Tells you when to clean the coffee grind container (makes 'em into little hockey pucks) - Wide range of coffee strengths from which to choose: extra mild, mild, regular, strong, extra-strong - 3 cup sizes from which to choose. You can change the settings so the cup sizes are customized for you. I use the "Long" setting. If you press it twice quickly, it will make 2 'long' coffees for you - Love the frothing pitcher. Just attach it, press the cappuccino button, sit back and watch it make you a steaming hot cappuccino with thick froth. Frother puts frothed milk directly into your cup and then makes the espresso and puts it in the cup. - There's a pre-ground "bypass" button. I use it when I want to have decaf. I add ground decaf beans and use the frother to add frothed milk. - Machine tells you everything that it "needs." "Fill Beans container, descale, add water...etc." - You can use the water spout for instantaneous hot water for tea, hot chocolate, etc. - Starbucks will sell you bottles of their flavored syrups, so I bought several of my favorite flavors for my little "at home cafe" Update Sep 2008: About a month ago I opened the front door of the machine and it was empty. I thought to myself "who would've broken into my house and only stolen the infuser to the coffee machine?" I examined the machine and was able to see that the infuser was stuck in the housing at the top of the machine. An internet search showed that other people had had the same problem but no solutions were posted. I called DeLonghi and went through a few troubleshooting steps with a friendly customer service lady. Finally we gave up and she said I had to send it in to get it fixed. They sent me the boxes, labels and packing materials, which was nice. I sent it to an appliance place in NY. After 3 weeks I called to check the status and they said, "It's on the shelf; we'll get to it." Within a day or two the machine was delivered and working again. It was a bummer to have to ship it out to get it fixed (took a month) and my other gripe is that it came back dirtier than when I sent it (coffee grounds everywhere, etc.). Would've been nice if they wiped it down. Anyway, DeLonghi customer service handled it well.

One Great Cup Of Coffee!!! You Won't Regret Buying!!!
Date: 2008-04-27 | Rating: 5
I bought my espresso machine a little over a year now and have never looked back... It all started when my daughter came to visit and took me to that coffee place(I won't name it but cups are over $5 each!!)and had my first taste of espresso!!!then after also seeing the alton brown(good eats) episode on making espresso yourself started the spark in me to learn about the different espresso machines out there on the retail market(and there are a lot of them)One of the MANY things that led me to this machine is the frothed milk feature where instead of frothing a pitcher of milk at a time and wasting whats left, you have a separate container that holds the milk that detaches and stores in fridge till next cup....a VERY handy feature!!!and the quality of product and ease of setting different features(all explained in instruction manuel which can be a bit overwelming but take it slow and keep book close by till you can memorize certain steps) The money i am saving alone has earned my cost back already if you figure average $3 bucks a cup compared to the other store (star who???)and no you won't get a cup to taste like theirs but i am pretty close after experimenting with different coffee creamers and sweetners.... The ease of cleaning the inside (which to me should be done every few weeks) and the automatic notifier(which you set to your own water hardness with test strip enclosed)for the descaling process (with fluid you buy separate,(Durgol brand is best)which averages me with my own use at once every 3 to 4 week...and is VERY easy to do(i bought a 4 cup measuring cup which fits under water spout to drain in.....very handy) Last thing for me to say about the one person looking for o-rings to replace one that broke...I had same one break on my frother and all i did was go to my local hardware store and found that (after searching)that the o-rings used for certain water faucets worked perfectly!!! Thats it for this review i hope it helped.....

tatsty coffees, well designed and easy to use machine
Date: 2008-07-06 | Rating: 5
I am very happy with this machine. Very easily it produces very good cappuccinos or espresso style coffees. The milk container is handy and there is a clever mechanism to clean the frothing spout without having to empty and wash the milk container, allowing me to return the container back to the refrigerator for the next use. I'm impressed with the design, since previously had two Saeco automatic espresso machine (both which died after 3 or 4 years of heavy use). When the bottom drip tray is removed, it also contains the grounds container and the catch for stray coffee grounds. The Saeco machine required vacuuming to find remove the grounds that largely missed the small tray to catch them. The buttons and menu are very straight forward. The messages appear in clear English and are much easier to follow than the Saeco machine. The help manual is also very clear. Other machines in the past seem to have poor translations from Italian. The descaling process is relatively painless. Once you are notified, you simply go to the menu and start the process. You are guided through each clear step I had one question where I contact customer service. Very quickly I reached a person and my question was addressed. The machine is much more compact and takes up much less counter space. The design is very clean and isn't as bulky as my old Saeco machines. Because the machine is smaller, I do have to fill up the water, beans and remove grounds more often, but this is worthwhile compromise for a much better and smaller machine. It also seems that the water, coffee beans and ground removal has been designed so that these all happen at about the same machine, allowing one simple replenishment step instead of different steps on my old Saeco machine. Overall, I'm extremely happy with this machine.

Great Machine!
Date: 2007-08-29 | Rating: 5
I love it! Sure it's pricey but I bought it at BB&B with a 20% coupon so the price was less. No filters, a weekly cleaning how easy is this? Plus the coffee grinds benefit your plants. You can use other coffee beans besides espresso. At the moment I am using up my ground coffee, but have used the grinder for beans. The instruction book looks hard but watch the DVD and if you still don't understand call support. They know their information.

It works beautifully and it has held up over the past year...
Date: 2008-12-16 | Rating: 5
I was skeptical at first about buying a "Super Automatic Espresso Machine," but I have not regretted buying this one! I've had it for a year now and it's gotten much more intense use because I have it in my office. It probably gets used 15 to 20 times a day and it still works like it was brand new. You do need to learn how to clean it which is very, very easy to do and, depending on your water, you need to descale the machine periodically. This is also very easy to do. I did have trouble at first getting the hang of "attaching" the milk pitcher properly, but once the machine got to be about two months old, the connections became easy and I also learned not to just "jam" the pitcher into place, but to align the nozzle with the top connecter very gently, but with sufficient force so it forms a tight connection as intended. Previously, I had tried several of the other brands, but this is the only one that lasted more than a couple of months and wasn't a pain to use.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

DeLonghi BCO130T Combination Coffee/Espresso Machine

From Delonghi

Price: $210.00
 


Similar Items
- Krups 085 20-Ounce Stainless Steel Frothing Pitcher
- Bodum Pavina 2-Ounce Double-Wall Thermo Glasses (Espresso/Shot), Set of 2
- Krups XS5020 20-Ounce Stainless-Steel Milk Frothing Pitcher
- Taylor Classic Cappuccino Frothing Dial Thermometer
Accessories
- DeLonghi EO1260 Stainless-Steel Toaster Oven with Broiler
- 5-Year DOP Warranty for Appliances - Under $1,500
- 2-Year DOP for Appliances - Under $1,500
- Bodum Pavina 2-Ounce Double-Wall Thermo Glasses (Espresso/Shot), Set of 2

Features
- Brew coffee and espresso simultaneously with this all-in-one appliance
- Adjustable brew strength; programmable digital timer for "wake-up" coffee
- 4-cup espresso carafe; stainless-steel filter; swivel Jet Frother
- 10-cup glass coffee carafe; brew-pause; swing-out filter; warming plate
- Measures 11 by 17 by 14-1/6 inches; 1-year warranty

Product Description
The DeLonghi Combination Espresso/Coffee machine is an all-in-one machine that can brew coffee and espresso simultaneously. This machine can also prepare a great cappuccino, latte or hot chocolate for the perfect drink. The patented instant froth dispenser lets you add froth right in the same cup as your coffee or cappuccino. This machine features programmable digital timer that allows you to set the machine to turn on at a later time and even sets to the exact minute. The Vario system and Accuflavor selector dials allow you to choose the strength of espresso and coffee just the way you like it. The 10 cup Carafe allows you to make enough cups of coffee to keep everyone satisfied and the Drip Interrupt feature lets you have a cup before the pot is done brewing.

Customer Reviews

So far great coffee and experience
Date: 2007-03-09 | Rating: 5
The drip coffee is excellent. I love the programmable timer and ease of making coffee and cleaning. The machine is quiet and makes coffee very quickly. The espresso maker is great. The machine makes excellent espresso with espresso beans, I repeat here, espresso beans. It is also quiet, which I really like! There were a couple of tricks I had to learn - one is to make sure that the "taste" dial is not positioned all the way to "strong" otherwise the espresso machine skips making espresso and instead sends the steam to the foamer. I like the foamer but it is a bit particular. First, it must be cleaned right away and the foamer does make a bit of a mess all over on the inside of the unit - milk seems to bubble out and go under the removable milk compartment and get into hard to reach places to clean. Second, the foamer works well with skim milk or 2% but not so well with whole milk - this is stated in the instructions as well. I love whole milk in my cappucino so that was a bit of a drawback for me. Overall, I have really enjoyed having this machine and look forward to making either coffee or espresso. It is a bit particular in that everything needs to be exactly right for it to work otherwise issues will arise. I've got it dialed now. I would advise reading instructions all the way through once and look over diagrams, then go back and read instructions and set up new machine step by step. It makes everything easier to understand.

This thing is AWESOME!!
Date: 2007-05-04 | Rating: 5
I loved it but it has broken 1 year after I bought it and of course it is out of warranty now. A coffee maker should work a lot longer than that! I would say 2 stars now!

LOVE this machine
Date: 2008-04-18 | Rating: 5
I bought this not being sure of the 'automatic frother' and wanted to have a faster 'breve' made in the morning before work since it is crazy getting ready for work with two kids and the family. Before this machine, I was constantly standing at the 'frother'/'steam wand' on my old machine. This machine did EXACTLY what I was hoping it would. It elminated my 'stand time' at the machine AND because the parts that froth are plastic, it is MUCH easier to clean. The parts all remove and you can wash them quickly or I have even put them on the top rack of my dishwasher. Great machine and I would buy it again in a heartbeat.

Watch Out Dunkin... Or Maybe Not
Date: 2008-01-26 | Rating: 5
We are hooked on lattes and decided to try this. Its awesome It makes great expressos and the frother is even better.It comes apart very easy to clean after expresso and froth. Clean the milk section asap to keep it clean. We have had numerous coffee machines and few made a "hot" cup of coffee. Very satisfied with the coffee too.This machine I rate a AA+++. Most bang for your buck. UPDATE After 11 months its starting to leak water,resulting that 10 cup pot of coffee turned out to be a 7 cup pot of mud. The expresso knob will not shut down all the way, Resulting in leaking to much water from expresso water tank. Then it runs out of water for frother.Over the past 11 months the red milk frother snapped 5 times. Delonghi did warranty the red frother. For the leaking water and faulty expresso know Delonghi had me send it out for repair. After 1 week of no Java, I called the service center and they told me they would not even look at it for 3 weeks. I called Delonghi about my displeasure and they informed me it probably going to take 6 weeks and I am not the only customer with a defect. WTF, 6 weeks to get a coffee machine back. I will update when and if it ever returns.I give Delonghi a F- for customer service 2nd Update. After 6 weeks delonghi finally decided there was to many problems with it to fix it. They sent a brand new in box unit.Well I guess its good for about a year if you get a working unit..

-Great Product
Date: 2007-11-04 | Rating: 5
I have owned combination systems before but this Delonghi is fantastic. the coffee brew basket makes the handling of the coffee easy, the removable water resevoir prevents spilling all over the counter. the variable knobs for bothe the coffee and expresso help make the coffee just the way I like it. Besides all that the price was great.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

DeLonghi EC702 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Maker, Stainless

From Delonghi

Price: $350.00
 


Similar Items
- RSVP Terry's Tamper
- Krups XS5020 20-Ounce Stainless-Steel Milk Frothing Pitcher
- Lavazza Crema E Gusto Ground Coffee, 8.8-Ounce Bricks (Pack of 4)
- Taylor Classic Cappuccino Frothing Dial Thermometer
- GQ (1-year)
Accessories
No Accessories.

Features
- Espresso machine with stainless-steel boiler and 15 bars of pump pressure
- Dual-function filter holder accommodates Sempre Crema Filter and ESE Filter
- Self-priming system; 2 thermostats for brewing and steaming; adjustable frother
- 44-ounce water tank; cup warmer; removable drip tray ensures quick clean-up
- Measures 12 by 8-1/5 by 12-4/5 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Product Description
DeLonghi EC702 Esclusivo Espresso Maker is a 15 bar pump-driven machine with the patented dual function filter holder, accommodating two separate attachments - the patented Sempre Crema Filter and the ESE Filter. This espresso maker includes the adjustable patented Cappuccino System Frother, which has a special chamber that mixes steam and milk to create a rich creamy froth for the ideal beverage. With this machine is a cup storage tray, removable 1.3-liter (44oz) water tank, and large removable drip tray. The self-priming operation prepares a favorite beverage quickly and easily with no annoying start-up preparation. Other features offered is the stainless steel boiler, an on/off switch with indicator light, anti-drip design, and two separate thermostats which control the water and steam pressure separately to enable the ability to make espresso or cappuccino at the perfect temperature.

Customer Reviews

Excellent machine
Date: 2009-04-13 | Rating: 5
I bought it for my son and have one ourselves, great machine, just make sure you buy good coffee and grind it for espresso and not for a drip machine. By the way, the machine is MADE IN ITALY, not in China.

Excellent Machine
Date: 2009-06-05 | Rating: 5
A great machine, very simple to use, makes excellent coffee, as long, of course, you buy real coffee ground for espresso and if you have never used one please read the instructions. Looks really nice too.

Excellent Espresso and Crema
Date: 2009-12-29 | Rating: 5
So far, this has been a terrific espresso maker. The best of 3 or 4 I've had over many years. Very well designed. I was really surprised. It does not take 15 minutes to preheat, despite what the manual states; it's ready in less than 10 minutes, usually less than 5, and then almost instantly when you want a second or third cup. The coffee is hot with a thick crema, the unit is easy to use, fill and empty. It comes with a bottle of decalcifier, to use after 200 cups. Then the cleaning might get trickier - you need to unscrew some parts; we'll see. It's been just 2 weeks and so far, so good.

Great Machine for this price
Date: 2010-01-10 | Rating: 5
I've had this machine for over a year, and use it every day. Yes, you do have to take it apart once a year or so to clean it really well, but the maintenance is worth it because the machine is a workhorse. We had an au pair from Italy who had brought her own small stove-top espresso maker, but never used it after the first week because she proclaimed the shots from this machine excellent(whether we packed them ourselves or used the pods.) The one reviewer is right in that you have to watch the machine until your shot is done, but if it takes you more than 30 seconds to run your shot you are probably making it too weak anyway, so I haven't found this to be a big deal. We make the lattes sometimes too, and the foaming function works pretty well; - I have nothing to compare it with, but it makes a decent latte.

Buy something else
Date: 2009-07-31 | Rating: 3
In a nutshell - look at another machine, don't buy this one. I am an espresso drinker, the kind who drinks coffee from Robusto with very little Arabica. I don't do lattes, cappuccinos etc. so I cannot say anything about the frothing function, I will probably never use that part of the machine. But I do like my espresso and this DeLonghi does deliver in this department - the coffee is good with plenty of crema (I drink Lavazza Crema e Gusto) and generally I have no compaints in this department. The machine also runs very quiet and it's very light-weight. But, here are the reasons one should look at a different machine in this price range. 1. There is no automatic cut-off when making espresso - you must stop the machine yourself! I have owned some cheap espresso makers in the past and even those would stop after one or two cups are filled. This machine has no such option - if you don't stop it, it will continue running water until it's all gone from the tank. For $250 the lack of this function just boggles me. 2. Preheating - the manual recommends at least 15min of preheating. Most of the espresso drinkers don't have the time/patience for such a long period of preheating. When I get up in the morning the first thing I do is make coffee, 15min of waiting before you even start is unacceptable. You can start making coffee in about 2-3 min (which is fine, since it takes that long to get the coffee ready), but if you make 2 small cups, the second one comes barely warm. If I paid around $100 for this machine, there would be no reason for any of the comapints above. But at $250 - it should have been made much better (MSRP is shown as $350, according to Amazon). Again, the espresso is great, but I have little doubt that all the machines in this price range would make good coffee. If you don't mind the couple of things I've noted above, you may want to buy it, I will certainly keep the machine. But if I had to buy again or recommend - I wouldn't. Update: I just thought I should stress again the fact that there is no safety cut off feature either. What I mean is that If you fill up the water tank and start the machine it will run until all the water is gone. I know this may sound a bit stretched, but if you start the machine and for example your kid starts crying in the living room, you go to see what's going on - you may come back to one messy kitchen :) not to mention that it could be a fire hazard, considering the majority of us will keep the machine on the counter, among other small appliances.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine

From Delonghi

Price: $1,260.00
 


Similar Items
- Durgol 0291 Swiss Espresso Special Decalcifier
- Durgol 0291 Durgol Express Decalcifier 2-bottle
- Frieling 0105 Creamer/Frothing Pitcher
- Rattleware 20-Ounce Latte Art Milk Frothing Pitcher
- Lavazza Supercrema, Whole Bean, 2.2-Pound Bag
Accessories
- DeLonghi DO1279 6-Slice Toaster Oven
- DeLonghi D895UX Cool-Touch ROTO Electric 1-1/2-Pound-Capacity Food Fryer

Features
- Automatic espresso/coffee machine with integrated coffee grinder
- Beans-to-brew system; 2 stainless-steel boilers; 3-hour auto shutoff
- Electronic steam and coffee thermostat; adjustable-height coffee spigots
- Heated cup tray; removable water tank and bean container for easy filling
- Measures 17 by 13 by 18 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Product Description
The DeLonghi Esclusivo Magnifica Super-Automatic Machine brews perfect coffee, espresso, latte, and cappuccino. The compact and patented Direct-to-Brew System with Thermo Block technology provides excellent heat distribution, and it's removable for easy cleaning. The beans are ground instantly to ensure the freshest espresso or coffee brewed under 15 bars of pressure. Professional-quality integrated burr grinder produces consistent, fresh, and aromatic espresso or coffee. Grind settings allow you to adjust the fineness for all types of beans. The instant reheat function heats the core of the machine, ensuring that Magnifica maintains an ideal temperature for brewing. The patented cappuccino system frother includes a special chamber that mixes steam and milk to create a rich, creamy froth. It's perfect for making the ideal cappuccino, latte, or any other frothy milk coffee beverage. Automatic decalcification indicator lights let you know when it's time to clean the machine. Removable 60-ounce water tank with water-level indicator allows for convenient filling and easy cleaning. Removable used coffee container and drip tray for convenient cleaning and easy disposal of coffee waste. Two separate, easy-to-use control dials allow you to make adjustments to coffee strength and brewed amounts. Choose the one-cup option for a large mug or small espresso, or choose the two-cup option for two large mugs or two small espressos. Three-hour automatic shutoff for safe operation. Adjustable spouts let you brew directly into espresso, demitasse, or 12-ounce cups.

Customer Reviews

One of the Best Super Automatics Out There for the Price
Date: 2007-05-11 | Rating: 5
I have the EAM3200, which is the previous model version. The differences are slight but noticeable to the newer. These machines are the best in class for price and performance, produce a great espresso, and are maintainable in ways that other manufacturers models are not. The coffee from the Delonghi is just as good as from Jura and even some manual models such as Expobar and Rancillo. It is very close to what you find in Italy - not quite, but for the price it is worth it. Great crema, hot temperature, rich flavor. And the best part is you can pull out the brew mechanism and clean it - VERY key. This will ensure sound operation and function for many years. In order to keep this machine is fine working order, you need to do a bit of upkeep each week and use the right beans. 1. Only use non-oily, 100% Arabica beans. If you use oily beans it will clog frequently and attract rancid flavors. It will also shorten the life of the machine. I use Illy, but any espresso will do (I actually get the Illy dark roast - it has more flavor when brewing a larger "americano" cup). 2. Clean the brew mechanism once a week. Just snap it out and run it under hot water. 3. Use spring water instead of tap water. This will keep any weird flavors from your tap entering the coffee. It may build up minerals, but... 4. De-calcify the machine when it asks for it - don't wait. I, for one, would rather have manual controls over coffee amount, strength, etc. You are not losing out on anything by not having digital controls - other than not being able to have the machine automatically on and ready to go when you first wake up. As for the other models ability to do milk-based drinks at the touch of a button - how often do you really want a cappuccino? If it is every day, then get the 3500. If you are like me and need real coffee in the morning, then get this model. The milk canister can only sit in the fridge for so long. If you are planning to serve cappuccino at dinner parties, then you are committing Italian heresy - cappuccino is only served in the morning. CONS 1. The cup warmer does not work very well, but get double walled cups and the temperature of the product will not be an issue. 2. You can't have it turn on automatically at a certain time. But it only takes a few minutes to get up to temperature. 3. It is NOISY. My espresso settings - coffee amount at 10 o'clock, strength at 3 o'clock, single cup dispense. Super double espresso in an espresso cup. I may have 2 of these on a saturday. My wife's "americano" settings - coffee amount at 3 o'clock, strength at 3 o'clock, double cup dispense. Full cup of rich coffee in a normal cup. Bean grind at 5.

Nearly perfect.
Date: 2007-11-30 | Rating: 5
I wish I could give it a 4.5. As others have noted, it is a bit on the noisy side. We went from a Bunn drip machine (best drip coffee maker by far) to this after being blown away by the one our hosts had in Germany. It's been worth every penny. Speaking of pennies, a 20% off coupon at Bed Bath & Beyond is the ticket for low price and a VERY good return policy. We have used Starbucks and Pears beans, and will continue to try others probably. Cleaning is a snap, my only real gripes are the water reservoir - obviously designed with coffee-sipping Europeans in mind, not us coffee-DRINKING Americans. Still, we haven't used the Bunn since we plugged in the Magnifica. Likes: Superb coffee!! Great crema, better than coffee houses Easily adjusted cup size & coffee strength FAST warm-up Easy to clean Everything works perfectly Dislikes: A little noisy. No automatic timer (not a big deal, since it warms up fast) Cup warmer not of much use, and no way to shut it off

Worth It's Weight in Gold
Date: 2007-11-23 | Rating: 5
Truly a great espresso machine; consistent, easy to use, makes great coffee. I've been using only Illy beans with it, and I feel like I can hardly go out and buy an americano or a latte at commercial stores because it just doesn't seem to taste as good as at home! I think the first review really covered most of the details you need to know, but here are a couple of my favorite features. I love that it's easy to get inside and really clean everything out, pull the infuser out and rinse off, etc. It also has a very nice amount of complexity vs. simplicity with respect to the settings for amount of water, coffee, etc. in each cup. My only negatives would be that it's a bit hard to make a latte that's really as hot as you'd want it, and i think the water reservoir runs out fairly quickly. Overall I would highly recommend. My wife and I figured that we would use once in a while after we bought, but it's bean over 3 months now and we have yet to make a pot of drip again.

Pricey but really wonderful
Date: 2007-12-01 | Rating: 5
I really do love my DeLonghi Magnifica. It greatly simplifies my morning mocha ritual. Just push the on button and this fabulous machine spends a minute cleaning an warming itself. Then all you have to do for an espresso is select the single or double button. Granted, Mocha lovers (like myself) still need to spend some time steaming the rest of the beverage, but the quality of the steam for the milk is really superior. The bean hopper holds enough for about six doubles and the water reservoir makes about four frothed doubles before needing to be refilled. My only argument with the machine is that the strongest adjustment on the bean quantity knob is a bit low and I had to dial back the water quantity knob and add less chocolate to make the ideal drink. Oh yeah. the stainless steel tray is easily scratched by ceramic cups so it will not remain perfectly shiny for long. Still. What a wonderful example of improved living through automation. Also it seems as if most of the parts are easily replaceable from the supplied order form.

Wonderfull Machine. Easy To Use and Clean
Date: 2008-06-14 | Rating: 5
Several months ago I researched espresso machines and decided on a Saeco Super Automatic. I liked it, but it only lasted slightly over a year. So then I bought a different model of Saeco. I liked it also, but that one went out in just 6 months. Needless to say I researched a different brand and decided on this Delonghi. I have only had it for a short time, but I do like this one better than the Saecos. I will not go into details about this machine because you can read all the specs for yourself. However, I will give you some information not listed in the description and some things are not in the manual. There are two of us in the household. I prefer mocha cappuccinos and the other prefers regular American coffee in a 10 oz cup. The problem with that is the machine only dispenses a max of 7 oz. However, there is a way to get around this. You can either put more hot water in the cup by using the water/steam wand, or you can do the following. After it has stopped dispensing the coffee/water, press and hold the coffee button and it will fill the cup with more hot water until you release the button. However, be quick. You must press the cup start button within 3 seconds after it stops dispensing your coffee. There is also a third way to get more than a 7 oz cup of coffee that is not in the manual. Instead of pressing and releasing the coffee start button, push and hold the 1 cup start button until the desired amount of water is dispensed then release the button. Of course, anything over 7 oz is going to be weaker. So, you will want to increase the amount of beans to grind. The decaling light will tell you when to descal. This is set at the factory and may come on more often than you actually need. I use filtered water, so I can go longer without descaling. Read the manual. It will tell you how to adjust this setting. The machine comes with a hard water strip to tell you how hard your water is. It has 4 indicator squares. One to four squares may turn red. The more red strips you have the harder the water and therefore the more often you have to descal. The manual tells you how to adjust the lights, from 1 to 4 to set the time you must descal. Helpful hint: The fewer lights you set, the longer you can go without descaling. If you have, say, 4 lights set then you will descal the most often. The manual really does not explain this, but does tell you how to set the number of lights. The machine does not have a setting to automatically turn it on in the morning, but this is not a problem. It heats up and ready to use in a little under 2 minutes. Although, it will turn itself off 3 hours after the last use. I read a few reviews that complained about how loud it is. Well, it is a little noisy, but not that bad. And, it is not any louder than the other espresso machines I had. Another helpful hint: When you first turn on or off the machine it will dispense 1 to 3 oz of water. This action helps prime the pump and clean the infuser. Put your cup under the dispenser when you first turn it on. This will help heat your cup a little. Then throw the water out and make your coffee. I really do like this Delonghi machine and highly recommend it. I can only hope it lasts longer than the other two Saecos I had.

Monday, January 25, 2010

DeLonghi EC140B Espresso and Cappuccino Maker

From DeLonghi

Price: $140.00
 


Similar Items
- Krups 085 20-Ounce Stainless Steel Frothing Pitcher
- Bodum Pavina 2-Ounce Double-Wall Thermo Glasses (Espresso/Shot), Set of 2
- Krups XS5012 12-Ounce Stainless-Steel Milk Frothing Pitcher
- Taylor Classic Cappuccino Frothing Dial Thermometer
- RSVP Terry's Tamper
Accessories
- Cuisipro Coffee Tamper (Large)
- Delonghi DCG49 Burr Coffee Grinder
- P3 International P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor

Features
- Espresso machine with stainless-steel boiler makes 1 or 2 shots
- Special sempre crema filter holder produces authentic crema
- Adjustable steam emission with swivel jet frother
- 35-ounce, removable water tank for easy filling
- Measures 11-1/2 by 8-1/2 by 7-1/4 inches; 1-year warranty

Product Description
Delonghi Espresso/Cappuccino Maker with patented "sempre crema" filter holder. Used with ground espresso, this unique filter mixes air into the brewing process to produce a perfect crema. Distinguished by its caramel color, the crema is the seesnce of authentic espresso.

Amazon.com Review
Savor a burst of true Italian flavor at home with this DeLonghi espresso and cappuccino maker. With a durable stainless-steel boiler, two thermostats (for water and steam), 35-ounce water reservoir (which removes for easy filling and cleaning), and two nozzles, this self-priming pump machine brews up single or double shots of espresso in just minutes. As for taste, the machine's 'sempre crema' filter holder produces a perfect, caramel-colored crema, the essence of great espresso. Before brewing, a built-in tamper levels and presses the grounds before use; some practice is usually required to tamp at just the right pressure. After brewing, a lever on the filter holder flips up to hold the metal basket in place in order to knock out the used grounds. Three switches make the entire brewing process intuitive: on/off, espresso/water delivery, and steam: the machine preheats cups and filter holder with hot water and also froths milk for cappuccino using a swivel steamer and adjustable steam control knob. An "OK" light illuminates when the machine is fully heated and ready to go. A drip tray under the nozzles holds two espresso shot glasses or cups (not included), and removes for dishwasher cleaning. The machine measures 11-1/2 by 8-1/2 by 7-1/4 inches, and is covered by a one-year warranty against defects. --Ann Bieri

Customer Reviews

Excellent combination of low price + high quality
Date: 2005-10-02 | Rating: 5
When i read the opinions of the "experts" about the needed of heat exchanger espresso machines to obtain good espresso at home and see the price of this machines in the range of $600 to $1000, i think it hurts to spend this quantity of money in a machine for your home, then i asked to an Italian friend who owns a caffé near to my house about: What machine do they use in Italy at home to make a real espresso? and the answer was "Delonghi". I ordered one in amazon.com and coupled with a cheap La Pavoni burr grinder and the bodum canteen double wall espresso glasses plus recently roasted espresso coffee beans and without so much dollars invested i enjoy of the best espresso at my home, better than the espressos i drink in any caffé of my country El Salvador, even better than the Espressos that my Italian friend makes in his Caffé with a professional Nuova Simonelli machine, you can obtain excellent espresso with tons of crema and better taste than any commercial caffé, my espresso is not bitter and with tons of crema. I am an Espresso purist, i make double ristrettos and drink it without sugar and this machine is really an excellent combination of low price with the highest quality. Is important to use recently roasted coffee, the right blend for espresso, recently grinded coffee, 30 lb tamping, to obtain excellent espressos with this machine.

Solid performer at a reasonable price with minimum of fuss
Date: 2007-02-02 | Rating: 5
I just re-checked my original receipt and found that I purchased this DeLonghi in Nov. 2000 for $179 from the Hammacher-Schlemmer catalog. At that time, it was featured as their "BEST" coffee maker, and since I have been using this little machine for over 6 years, I think it deserves a 5-star rating! Here are my tricks so that this machine performs at it's best (remember, it is NOT the $1,000 machine!). My focus is on a very good expresso with a minimum of fuss, and here's how I do it: - I ground the beans for a couple years (getting the grind exactly right is of key importance with ALL expresso machines), but then I discovered expresso "pods". Pods are individual servings of expresso powder vacuum packed between thin sheets of filter paper. You insert a single pod in the filter holder (designed for pods). After brewing, the used pod drops out and you discard it - with NO mess! A box of 12 pods (regular or decaf) is sold at Starbucks for about $5.00. - in the morning, when I am bleary-eyed, it takes me a total of 3 minutes to have my latte (2 min. warm-up, about 1 min. pump-through) - use the supplied spout diverter so that you are making 2 shots with ONE portion of coffee (grinds or pods). Don't expect to put a huge coffee mug under the spout - if you don't want to splurge on the little expresso glass (about $4 at Starbucks) then just use any liquor shot glass, maybe one with a little vacation spot logo on it to make you smile in the morning! - here is probably the biggest tip of all if you are a latte person - these small machines (under $100 type) are not the best or the quickest at frothing milk to a very hot temperature with a very stiff foam, which is what I like. So here's what I do...I put 1/2 cup of milk in my coffee mug and put it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes (just shy of boiling). I do this while my expresso is running through the machine to save time. Then I put that hot milk, in the mug, under the frother spout for the final frothing. Now the machine doesn't have the long task of warming up the cold milk first - all it needs to do is to finish off the frothing (to get the most foam, repeatedly dunk the whooshing steam wand in and out of the top 1/2" of milk). So there you have it - all the tips I have come up with after using this machine for 6 years. I could have spent much more on a more delux machine, and I know the expresso could be even better, but I am incredibly pleased with this purchase. The key for me is that it was reasonably priced, has lasted 6 years, is quick, takes a minimum of space/effort, and produces a very good cup of expresso.

Impressed
Date: 2005-05-10 | Rating: 5
For the price this machine brews some amazing espresso. I used to have a steam driven machine, from which I obtained reasonably good results. This new pump machine blows that old machine away. I am impressed with the consistent coffee. The color and amount of crema is consistent. The coffee flows quickly and the steamed milk is consistently frothy. The built in tamper is located nicely on the machine. It is made of plastic, but it does not feel flimsy. I may upgrade to a separate tamper soon. I am still a graduate student, so this machine was a nice upgrade over my previous machine. It does not cramp my small kitchen's counter compared to larger machines, and it did not kill my wallet.

Great espresso for so little money!
Date: 2006-04-10 | Rating: 5
I highly recommend this machine for its great espresso and ease of use. You can certainly spend more money on a machine but it won't make better espresso and froth milk any better than the Delonghi does. I've owned the "Grand" DeLonghi" for over 10 years and finally retired it due to a leaky gasket. This one is smaller but just as powerful and easy to use. Get yourself a decent burr grinder to make a fine grind and a temperature probe for the milk and you are set to make a great latte that rivels the best in Seattle. Make sure you don't leave the machine on for hours at a time as this dries up the internal seals.

Excellent for the Money
Date: 2004-12-26 | Rating: 5
This is a great espresso machine for the money. I originally bought a Mr. Coffee (made by Sunbeam) from another store and it was a total disaster. It dripped, the pump was weak, and I had to wait for minutes between shots or the pressure blew grounds all over the place when I unscrewed the cup. This machine, however, has been excellent. I have been drinking a double con-panna from Starbucks almost every day for awhile and this brews espresso every bit as good. I can brew multiple shots quickly because the pump pressure is quickly dissipated after the switch is turned off. The steamer heats quickly (1-1.5 minutes for me) and I just rotate the knob a little, wait for a minute or so, and milk is perfectly steamed. I don't pull the water container out to fill it, I just pour water in it, so I don't have a problem with the tubes. Clean up has been easy for me as well. I also don't grind my own beans, I let Starbucks do it - I have them grind it 1 notch above their finest setting and I get 2 perfect shots with great crema in 20 seconds. I'd reccommend this machine to anyone.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

DeLonghi EC5 Steam-Driven 4-Cup Espresso and Cappuccino Maker, Black

From Delonghi

Price: $66.00
 


Similar Items
- Krups 085 20-Ounce Stainless Steel Frothing Pitcher
- Bodum Pavina 2-Ounce Double-Wall Thermo Glasses (Espresso/Shot), Set of 2
- Cappuccino/Espresso: The Book of Beverages (Nitty Gritty Cookbooks)
- Gibson 12-pc. Espresso Set
- Imusa Espresso Set with Chrome Rack, 12 Piece, Red
Accessories
- DeLonghi Large Capacity 6-Slice Toaster Oven- Black(EO1200B)
- Delonghi DCG49 Burr Coffee Grinder
- Bodum Pavina 2-Ounce Double-Wall Thermo Glasses (Espresso/Shot), Set of 2
- P3 International P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor
- Nigella Lawson Cappuccino Cup/Saucer Set/2 Black

Features
- 4-cup-capacity steam-driven espresso/cappuccino machine
- Swivel jet frother produces think froth; 2-cup adapter for making 2 espressos simultaneously
- 8-1/2-ounce heat-resistant highly durable glass carafe withstands heat, ensuring optimum safety
- On/off switch with indicator light; steam-pressurized safety cap; large, removable drip tray
- Measures 11-1/4 by 11 by 8-1/4 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Product Description
DeLonghi's state-of-the-art EC5 Expresso Maker features steam processing, two-cup simultaneous capacity, patented safety cap, swivel jet frother, 8.5 ounce heat-resistant glass carafe, On/Off Switch with indicator light and a large removable drip tray for quick and easy cleanup.

Customer Reviews

Perfect Espresso Machine for Those Who Want Value & Quality
Date: 2004-12-31 | Rating: 5
This Espresso machine is great for people who love good espresso but can't afford fancy machines. In fact, I think I like this machine better than the fancy machine my mom has. It's super easy to use and quick- I make a latte every morning before work. And in fact you CAN froth milk with the wand- it takes a little finagling but the trick is to rotate the mug around the wand. It may take a couple of tries to get a routine down but by the third time you'll get the hang of it. And may I suggest- if you're making lattes, make only one at a time to get good foam. Enjoy!

Espressos and Cappucinnos beat a coffee any day
Date: 2006-12-11 | Rating: 5
I believe this is my fifth espresso and cappuccino maker (I have worn out the previous four) and this DeLonghi EC5 is by far the best one. It is easy to use, easy to clean, takes up little counter space, while producing the best espressos,cappuccinos and mochas I've made using a Steam-Driven home brewing system. I don't even bother using the glass carafe anymore except to measure and pour the correct amount of water into the machine. I put my favorite cup directly under the filter when I make an expresso, latte or mocha for myself and if a friend joins me I put two cups under the double spouts of the extended filter, which sits lower, allowing me to make two at the same time while foaming the milk. It saves time, makes less mess, and warms the cups at the same time. Perfect for those cold winter mornings allowing me more time to relax and enjoy a hot beverage while visiting with a friend. Less mess, less fuss, less time, and my friends and I believe it produces the best beverage yet while allowing us more time to visit.

Brilliant!
Date: 2005-04-25 | Rating: 5
I bought this machine in the UK and will definitely purchase one when we are back in the US. It makes as good or better latte's than you can get at any cafe and pays for itself very quickly. I was surprised how well the milk frother works and the coffee comes out nice and strong. Everyone who I have made coffee for from this machine - has ordered one for their home as well - its that good. You won't be sorry.

My first espresso maker
Date: 2004-12-09 | Rating: 5
I really love this little machine! It's easy to use, easy to clean and I make myself a huge 4-cupper each time. I use a soup mug for my cappuchino. It works fine and totally fits under the frother.

Great for the price
Date: 2004-12-06 | Rating: 5
While this isn't one of those amazing machines, you get more than your $ worth. I use it at work and make my officemates green with envy as I brew up a triple shot and top it with freshly steamed milk. On my first one, the milk steamer was broken, so for the person who rated it badly - return yours and get a new one - I did and now I love it! If you're a coffee snob, go spend $500, but if you just like convenient, tasty espresso this puppy is an absolute workhorse. I use it every day, my meetings go very well ;^)

Saturday, January 23, 2010

DeLonghi BAR32 Retro Pump-Driven 35 ounce Espresso Maker

From Delonghi

Price: $210.00
 


Similar Items
- Krups 085 20-Ounce Stainless Steel Frothing Pitcher
- Bodum Pavina 2-Ounce Double-Wall Thermo Glasses (Espresso/Shot), Set of 2
- RSVP Terry's Tamper
- Krups XS5012 12-Ounce Stainless-Steel Milk Frothing Pitcher
- Rattleware 12-Ounce Latte Art Milk Frothing Pitcher
Accessories
- Nigella Lawson Cappuccino Cup/Saucer Set/2 Black
- P3 International P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor

Features
- Retro - Pump Driven Machine - 35 ounce
- Large Space Coffee Filter & Drip Tray-allows use of coffee mugs.
- Patented Easy Serving Espresso can be used with coffee pods. With ESE filter holder, expresso has never been easier to make.
- Patented Sempre Crema Filter produces a rich, creamy froth for use with ground coffee.
- Swivel Jet Frother makes frothy milk for cappuccino, latte & other beverages.

Product Description
DeLonghi is proud to present this unique and popular BAR32 Retro Pump-Driven 35 ounce Espresso Maker. Just a few of it's features include pump driven, makes coffee in mug-size or smaller cup-sizes, brews standard or with pods. With ESE (Easy Serving Expresso) espresso making has never been easier. The Sempre Crema filter produces a rich, creamy froth and the swivel jet frother makes frothy milk for cappuccino, latte and other beverages. The easy cleaning 35 ounce water tank is removable and fills easily right at the faucet. This model features an exclusive anti-drip design.

Customer Reviews

Great little machine
Date: 2004-12-31 | Rating: 5
I've been a coffee snob for several years have several brewing machines scattered throughout my kitchen. Since I got this machine xmas morning, all the others brewing systems have become obsolete. It produces plenty of steam in a jiff, and the removable water tank is very handy (especially for use with my water filter). While I scoffed at the thought of using the ESE pre-packed espresso pods, it came with a tin of them, so I tried them out since all local coffee houses were closed (and I had no beans!). The ESEs make a pass-able cup of espresso--not the darkest roast, but the convenience of a pod is handy. I have some Major Dikason's blend from Peets which I made regular espresso and Americanos out of. Delicious, thick, creamy. This machine is a steal at this price. I've had to get the hang of packing my grounds in the handle, however. If I pack too tightly, the cream only comes out as a trickle. I suppose that's the case with most home machines, however. Also, it has a built in tamper on the frame of the machine, and I consider that to be a bit of a mess and kind of sketchy. Go buy a tamper sperately. This is a great little machine. For any price under $200 it's a steal.

perfect first time / every time -- but not for long!
Date: 2005-10-20 | Rating: 5
(December 20, 2008) I've learned to live with it and it will work very well for a long time, apparently. Two things I have learned to do: 1 - time the drip once it starts flowing (16-20 seconds, then shut it off or turn to steam setting - this limits quantity to the desired 2 ounces) 2 - clean the water reservoir carefully every couple of months (this stops leaking onto the counter). So ... now I feel I can control the machine so it works just fine all the time. ......................... The next paragraphs are from my EARLY review. After 6 months, though, I found out that the machine is not reliable. Some valve or switch inside started to fail to shut off, causing the espresso-making function to continue twice as long as it should and even longer. This seriously diluted the expressed coffee (I overcome this now by removing my cup and catching the excess for disposal with a second cup). THEN, I discovered that the water reservoir valve leaked at times, resulting in leakage of water onto the counter. It doesn't leak all the time but every week or two I'll get a quarter or half cup of water leaking onto the kitchen counter. SO ... in all ... I'd say this machine is OK if one can adapt to the mentioned problems. Not a serious machine, really. But for an espresso machine under $200, maybe the best you can expect. ............... The DeLonghi machine worked first time. It made the correct quantity and beautiful crema. Tastes right, too, though I'm not an expert and cannot say 100% sure it is something a veteran would embrace (tastes about like what you'd get at Starbucks, etc.). BUT the machine, to me, looks nice and makes great looking espresso. DeLonghi has taken ALL the guesswork out of flawless espresso-making. I think the secret is in the portafilter, which has some parts I have I did not see on my first (junked) espresso machine. After agonizing with my $200 Gaggia machine, attending to grind and tamp pressure and 2 booklets plus a CD of (nicely done but lengthy) directions, I never got a perfect espresso. Not once! I went through MANY different grinds brands of beans and on and on. I became so frustrated, I eventually "beat up" the poor thing. So the DeLonghi came as a huge relief, espcially since I did not want to spend another $200+ on another experiment. I see this is really the entry level machine for serious espresso (absolutely forget anything cheaper - they are toys at best - flimsy, non-espresso producers). Prices go on up to $1500 and more, I guess. But, from what I know of espresso, I simply cannot see how the result could be any better than what this machine puts out ... effortlessly. Nice job, DeLonghi!!!

Excellent coffee machine at a great price
Date: 2008-05-31 | Rating: 5
I got this coffee machine to keep at my boyfriend's house so I could have cappuccino while at his house. I worked at a coffee shop in high school, so I pretty much know what I'm doing. At home I have an old Cappresso (roughly equivalent to the Capresso 302.01 Mini-S 4-Cup Safety Espresso/Cappuccino Machine) that I'm quite fond of and that has lived through many college roommates. You can basically divide espresso machines into a few groups by price: 1. Mostly manual, basic machines. Typically these make 1-2 cups of coffee at a time. Sometimes difficult to use, may not make great crema (the brown foam on top of a good up of espresso), and may not get temperatures quite right for milk foaming and espresso. $50-200 2. Automatic machines and more fancy manual machines, capable of making multiple cups of coffee at a time. Usually there's a trade-off between proper temperatures and a good milk frothing wand and automation. $500-1200 3. Restaurant quality machines. The perfect machine, capable of high volume and maintaining all temperatures and pressures properly. Often a little difficult to service. >$2000 This machine fits into the first category, but it has some features which make it better than the other machines in that category. This is a pump machine, and many have already commented on the benefits of pump machines in terms of flavor. But it also has benefits in terms of use. 1. Easy of use This machine is not quite push-button, but it's close. Once you have coffee in the portafilter and water in the tank, you turn on the machine. There's a green light that tells you when it's ready to make coffee. Then you flip the knob to another setting to make coffee. You have to stop it when it has extracted enough water. (This is the one feature I would improve; I would prefer if it had a default setting so that I did not have to keep an eye on the machine to determine when it is done making coffee.) The directions in the manual actually make it sound more difficult to use than it is. 2. Can be used for entertaining You can only make one espresso drink at a time, *but* you can refill the water tank before it's empty. With my old Capresso, since it is a boiler pot machine (water is heated until it's forced through the coffee), you have to wait until the water tank is empty or cooled down to refill the machine. With this machine, if you have ten friends over and wanted to make them coffee, you could just refill the water tank when it gets low. It's not as automated as some of the fancier machines, but realistically, it still would make coffee about as fast as the more expensive machines. 3. Excellent milk frothing wand The milk frothing wand is plastic and I'm not too fond of that, but the wand is exceptionally easy to use. When I was working at the coffee shop, this was one of the hardest skills to learn and to teach others. With most wands you have to tilt the milk container just right and hold it at just the right height to get the milk to froth properly and it's difficult to learn how to get sufficient foam. This milk frothing wand made coffee as good as I can do with my Capresso, but much easier. This is actually important because a lot of the cheaper machines and even many of the expensive ones have really lousy milk frothing wands that just don't work, even when you know what you're doing. 4. Good coffee This machine seems to keep the temperatures right and makes very good coffee. This is in contrast to some of the cheaper machines, which often scald the coffee and/or milk. It's better than the more expensive machine (Gaggia 9306 Syncrony Compact Super-Automatic Espresso Machine, Silver) that we have at work. The one thing I'm not certain of is durability, since this machine is less than a week old. The body and a lot of parts are plastic. I don't worry about using it now that I'm a little more stationary and don't have roommates to destroy my property, but I still might prefer the Capresso if I were still living the undergraduate life. So if you're looking for a household espresso machine and you don't want to spend more than $500 (and in many cases even if you're willing to) this is an excellent choice.

Healthy & Good Taste Choice as it is Aluminim Free
Date: 2006-12-19 | Rating: 5
This DeLonghi BAR32 Espresso Maker is the only budget priced espresso maker that I can find that does not have aluminum its water/coffee path. The boiler, porta-filter & baskets, brew group, and steam wand are all stainless steel (albeit the wand has a plastic tip). I thought the Capressopro with a slightly larger stainless boiler might qualify as aluminum free and provide good competition but the porta-filter itself is made of aluminum (although it does have stainless basket inserts) and is TWICE THE PRICE than the Delonghi BAR32. It is questionable that the acidic coffee might poor over onto the aluminum porta filter and leach aluminum at the bottom of the porta-filter after exiting the stainless baskets - although Capresso implies no in their Ads.

Wonderful machine
Date: 2009-04-11 | Rating: 5
I recently purchased the DeLonghi BAR32 Retro Pump-Driven espresso maker, which was previously owned. The machine is relatively small, it does not take up any more space than a standard coffee maker, and it heats quickly. I am able to heat water warm enough to warm my coffee mug before pulling a shot within about two minutes of turning it on. I have not had any training as a barista, and have never used an espresso machine before. I found the instruction booklet provided with the maker to be lack luster, but instructive enough in the basics of operating the machine. I found more details though simple internet searches, as well as by asking a few coffee enthusiast friends. Pulling a single shot of espresso is quick and simple. I have found that if I ask for my coffee shop to grind the beans just under the typical setting for espresso (slightly more coarse) the flow is steady, and produces a wonderful crema. As far as pulling a double shot, I have not had any trouble. I use about one full scoop and one scoop slightly less than full, loosely packed, and then I tamp it just enough to level the beans in the filter. (Which is very lightly) I believe I timed the single shot around 25 seconds, and the double around 30-35 seconds. I watch the shot more than the time. When the color turns from dark brown to caramel, it usually only takes a few more seconds to lighten from caramel to an ivory/whitish color. That's when I turn it off. I let the cup sit a moment or two to insure no drips (even with the drip tray, I don't like messes...) then I remove the mug and turn the dial to steam. It takes a minute or two to get hot enough to steam. I've read that a good crema will hold a teaspoon of sugar, and the crema provided by the BAR32 does just this. Steaming milk took some practice. I suggest investing in a frothing pitcher. Being able to place the vessel, (ideally the pitcher) into the freezer to chill before adding the milk seems to help. I've used whole milk and skim, and skim seems to froth better. The frothing wand is tricky, but I've found that placing the head of the wand in the middle of the pitcher with the pitcher level to start gets the microfoam growing (starts to stretch the milk) and keeping the wand just under the surface of the milk (so you hear a kind of "sipping" noise) stretches the milk sufficiently. If the bubbles get too large, tilt the pitcher so the milk swirls into itself like a whirlpool and then stretch it until the pitcher is almost too hot to hold. I did not find it necessary to use a thermometer. Once you're done, let it rest a few seconds before pouring into the espresso. I've also added any syrup flavorings to the milk prior to frothing. All in all, I've found this maker to be easy to use, easy to clean up, and that it makes a great espresso/cappuccino/latte. The only issue I've had is the steaming wand starts to swing back towards the right after pushing it to the left to steam milk. I did burn myself the first time I used it because I didn't notice it swinging back. I have read that the machine should be descaled, but only every "300 uses" which for me would be about once a year. I won't have to try this until about next March. I would definitely recommend this product.

Friday, January 22, 2010

DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Maker

From Delonghi

Price: $140.00
 


Similar Items
- RSVP Terry's Tamper
- Bodum Pavina 2-Ounce Double-Wall Thermo Glasses (Espresso/Shot), Set of 2
- Krups stainless steel frothing pitcher, 12oz.
- Rattleware 12-Ounce Latte Art Milk Frothing Pitcher
- Krups XS5012 12-Ounce Stainless-Steel Milk Frothing Pitcher
Accessories
- JavaOne Breakfast Blend Coffee Pods 56-pods

Features
- 15-bar pump-driven espresso machine with durable stainless-steel boiler
- 2 thermostats for separately controlling water and steam pressure
- Self-priming operation; accommodates E.S.E. pods and ground espresso
- Adjustable swivel jet frother; removable 35-ounce water tank; "on/off" switch
- Measures 7-1/2 by 9-1/2 by 11-1/8 inches; 1-year warranty

Product Description
The DeLonghi Espresso Maker has a patented dual-function filter holder for use with ground espresso, this unique filter mixes air into the brewing process to produce a perfect crema. Distinguished by it's caramel color, the crema is the essence of authentic espresso. The filter also accommodates E.S.E pods. This great Espresso machine offers a swivel jet frother that makes cappucccino, latte or any other frothy milk beverage with ease. The 35 ounce (1Liter) removable water tank can now be filled right at the sink. Plus cleaning the tank has never been easier. The removable drip tray also lends itself to easy, hassle-free, clean up. Many other feature set this Espresso machine above the rest, its self priming operation, stainless steel boiler made of durable, high quality stainless steel, two separate thermostats so water and steam pressure are controlled separately. The adjustable steam emission for making the perfect cappuccino and the ON/OFF switch with indicator light that allows for easy operation.

Customer Reviews

Great espresso, incredible price!
Date: 2007-04-23 | Rating: 5
I love espresso, and this little baby makes a great cup. Here are a few points that might be useful for you to know: Good points: *It doesn't take up too much room on the counter and looks nice with it's silver metal accents. *The water reservoir is a good size, you can make about 8-10 shots before you need to refill it, which is very easy to do, and there is a clear section behind the basket which shows the water level. *Fast heat-up time (only about a minute), good frothing wand, no wait time between frothing and brewing (though you do have to wait a little between brewing and frothing). Be warned: *Frothing wand is only 3 1/4 inches from the counter top. Not a big deal, I just went and bought a frothing cup that is about that height. *Distance from grounds basket to tray is only 2 1/2 inches, I usually use a small espresso cup. *Built-in tamper sucks, buy a good metal one. *You don't end up with a nice dry puck, the grounds basket is a watery soup after your espresso is made, so I dump it down the disposal. *You will end up drinking more espresso than you mean to, it's that good! Seriously, I chose this machine after a lot of online researching, and decided on this one based on its outstanding reviews and great price. What led me to it were the reviews of another DeLonghi, the EC140B, which is an older and less attractive model, but had reviews from people who had owned theirs for 6 and 10 years! I'm hoping that this one will have the same longevity. -----> UPDATE: I've now had this machine for 8 months and it started running very slow. I'd been using only distilled water, so I knew it wasn't a calcification issue, so I looked into it and it turns out machines like this one (no backflushing) need to be cleaned every month or so to remove built up grounds that work their way inside the machine. So I ran some cleaner through it and all this nasty brownish liquid came out, and now it runs great again! So remember people, take good care of your things and they will take good care of you. A lesson I am still learning... - and to answer a question commented on this review, my tamper is 2 inches in diameter.

Awesome pump driven machine for the $$
Date: 2007-03-24 | Rating: 5
I was always skeptical of expensive espresso machines and wondered why anyone would pay hundreds of dollars for an expensive machine. It turns out that the more expensive and quality machines are "pump-driven" rather than the typical "steam driven" found at your local Wally World and such. A pump driven machine will hit pressures 4-5 times greater than that of a steam driven machine and gets much better extraction from the espresso grinds (better flavor) and are the only machines capable of generating the "chrema" foam at the top of the espresso. The DelLonghi EC155 is an excellent budget machine found for under $100 that is pump driven. I was happy with my old steam driven Delonghi, but once I received this I realized that I didn't even know what I was missing. This espresso is as good or better than anything you'll get in a nice Italian restaurant or at your local Charbucks. The chrema that this thing produced is flat out great (you'll get a nice 1/4 layer of tasty emulsified foam). The convenience of pulling a single shot is great too, and you really only need the machine to warm up a few minutes before you pull a shot. The best feature about this machine in my humble opinion is that it is E.S.E certified (easy serve espresso). This means that you can pick up the ESE certified pods from Charbucks or a good online pod retailer and not have to go to the trouble of grinding and tamping. This is a HUGE feature that even some more expensive machines do not have and is what eventually sold me on this unit. Having grown accustomed to the convenience of pod coffee, it was only natural to look for the same thing in my espresso machine. Do note that coffee (senseo style) pods will not work in here as those are much larger than the ESE certified pod. Try a nice blend from Baronet or another find espresso brand and you won't be sorry. I highly recommend this machine. In short, it has fantastic features for the money, makes awesome espresso chrema, and it ESE certified for pod use. You will definitely not do any better than this machine for under $100.

Process of elimination
Date: 2008-01-02 | Rating: 5
First, a couple of disclaimers: 1. This is the first pump-driven espresso machine that we have owned. 2. We generally drink cafe Americano, which is an espresso with a little added hot water (or cold water with an iced Americano). We make an occasional cappuccino and have thus used the steam wand, but not extensively. After doing a cost/benefit analysis in regards to our current cafe Americano habit (~10 per week), we realized that there would be some justification to buying a home unit. We first considered the Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker, but reviewers consistently lamented the unit's tendency to clog the filter, necessitating time-consuming cleaning. Also, not being completely sure that we would actually use the espresso maker, we balked at the $250 price tag. We also considered moving up to one of the superautomatico machines that grind, tamp, brew and dispose of the grinds, but we worried about the reliability of technology that had only recently hit the consumer-grade appliances. After reading zillions of reviews, we realized that every mid-priced machine had some glaring flaw and, in the end, we decided to buy an inexpensive pump-driven unit and wait for the technology to catch up before investing a huge chunk of change in an espresso machine. Moving our investigation to low-end espresso makers, we were impressed by the reviews of the DeLonghi EC155 and purchased it from Amazon. I put off writing a review in order to make sure that the DeLonghi was going to last until we had at least broken even on it. We received it in mid-July and since then it has produced about 200 double shots flawlessly. By my reckoning, that's about $400 worth of Americanos at the local cafe. Even considering the price of the coffee, we have more than broken even. So, here's our pros and cons: PROs - Price--we paid $91.28. - Crema Production--this unit consistently produces a thick layer of delicious crema. - Powerful Stream Wand--Easily froths milk. - Mechanicals--After six months of nearly daily use this mighty-mite works as well as it did the day it arrived. - Easy Cleanup--Filter cleans easily. CONs - Ergonomics--As other reviewers have noted, there could be a little more room between the area where the cup sits and the output nozzle. Also the steam wand could be longer. - Features--No cup warmer. Not a big deal to us, especially considering the price of the EC155, but it will put off some buyers. SOME THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED - Using a coffee especially made for espresso, such as Lavazza, produces a much better espresso. Lavazza has the added benefit of allowing you to go for hours without blinking. - Preheating the unit for 15 minutes and warming the cups in the microwave improves the results and experience.

Great product for the price
Date: 2007-09-22 | Rating: 5
This product will meet your needs if you are looking for a basic machine that delivers good espresso at a decent cost. After trying it with the 15-30 minute recommended warm-up (turned it on to pre-heat and hit the treadmill) and the quick warm-up (about 5 minutes running two cycles of hot water), the end result is the same either way. I've tried the single and double shot filters packing my own coffee, and the single filter using a pod. I will say that I much prefer the pods for the convenience and because I'm not good at tamping-- plus, you don't have the hassle of dumping wet grinds out of the filter. Either way, the ultimate taste experience is going to depend on the quality and type of coffee bean (or pod) that you use, and your ability to successfully steam the milk without scalding it. I understand the complaints people have about the awkwardly positioned steam wand, but I purchased a 12oz pitcher and a thermometer, and have been able to manuver it under the steaming wand without much trouble. I recommend releasing the steam for a couple of seconds before putting the milk under the wand-- that will eliminate any water buildup from the wand going into your milk. If you're new to steaming milk like I was, I recommend reading an article or two on the proper steaming technique-- it makes all the difference. I brew into a marked 1 oz glass, so the small clearance space between the drip grate and the filter basket isn't a problem for me, but it is something to be aware of.

EC155 A Really good machine
Date: 2007-02-15 | Rating: 5
This is my first pump machine, until now I have been steam driven. Wow, what a difference. I choose it based on price + reviews + past experience with DeLonghi. The reviews were the major factor. I have fed a variety of coffees through the machine, used an incorrect grind etc, just to test it. It provides perfect creama every time. Starbuck's stock may just go down as I now make really good espresso at home. My only complaints, and I think with time they won't be complaints any more, is that when fitting the coffee basket to the machine it is pretty easy to cross thread, and I would prefer the steam wand be mounted just a little higher. The steam wand by the way foams well and easily. I have only my old steam machine to compare to, but this machine is a joy. Amazon as usual provided a highly competitive price, and better shipping than I had any right to expect. 5 stars all around