De'Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
by Delonghi
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Our Price: $79.99
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Category: Kitchen
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: DelonghiBrand: DeLonghi
Model: EC155
Color: Grey and Black
Product features:
- Use convenient pods or ground coffee with the patented dual function filter holder. It makes espresso preparation simple and fast
- Easily prepares latte and cappuccino with the swivel jet frother, for perfect drinks every time
- Eliminate annoying start-up preparation with the self-priming operation
- Always brew espresso at the perfect temperature with two separate thermostats, which allow for water and steam pressure to be controlled separately
- Enjoy delicious espresso for years to come with the durable, high-quality stainless steel boiler and 15 bar pump pressure
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of De'Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
Customer Review: Very Good Espresso
Summary: 4 Stars
My wife purchased this for me. I have used a Steam Powered machine for a very long time until one day she told me that the steam machine wasn't extracing very well, still had dry coffee in the basket. Wether I did a slight pack or not. She worked in a coffee shop for some years, so she would know. I was skeptical, as I always am about devices. But, I gave it a shot.
Plus, after trying a few other Iced Latte's from good coffee shops (not $tarbuck), and trying to make them at home and finding they weren't the same no matter what I did, or the coffee I used, I told her to buy me a good one. She found this one. For the price, it is a very good machine.
A Steam Powered Machine might give you the symbolance of espresso, all it really is, is a concentrated coffee. Not the true flavor of espresso. The problem is, it heats the water far too hot and powers the water through the coffee extracting more than just the essance of flavor that is espresso. Has a tendancy to burn the grounds as water is forced through the medium.
Pump Driven Machines, are far more subtle in that they allow a proper tempreture of water to flow more fluid, and not be forced by high pressure steam.
One other important factor. If you notice, Steam Drivem Machines produce a grit in the bottom of the pot. This doesnt happen with a pump driven machine. Or at least, not this one.
If you are like me and have used Steam Powered Machines for years. DO NOT treat this machine like one of those. Steam Powered Machines are extremely inferior. The amounts of coffee you use in those is far more and the extraction is completely different than a quality pump driven machine.
(Yoda Voice) You will need to unlearn what you have learned.
The build quality of this EC155 seems to be quite solid. I do get a whistle during extraction tht is caused by the frother valve. I can make it stop by turning the valve on top, but then water comes out of the steam tube. It can be annoying at first, but I don't think it is doing any damage. I will work with it and see if I can make it stop.
Use Espresso coffee. A very good dark roast, not just any dark roast will do. If you don't like a strong coffee, then you can use a dark or medium roast. But, for me, I like strong, so only a very good Espresso Dark Roast will do. Illy Coffee, or probably Lavazza. And use an Espresso Grind, nothing finer or courser. It is important. However, I did make a grind mix from turkish to espresso grind and that has worked well also. There are a lot of coffee blends out there, and it can take a few tries to find a good one that produces a good flavor. This has nothing to do with the quality of the machine, but the qaulity of the coffee. You can try the grocery store, but chances are, they won't have a good quality espresso type bean there. None of mine do. I did buy a can of pre-ground Illy Espresso. It's good, but far too expensive (approx. $30/lb). We have a local coffee roaster and thier Espresso blends are as good or better for $12 a pound.
Do not tamp too hard. I have been tamping a bit too hard. If you need to know, press on a bathroom scale to about 30 lbs, it is less and more than you think. The proper tamp does make a huge difference. Basically, I have it down to, place coffee in basket (single or double, they are the same motion), press slightly to level it out, then a bit more pressure and a twist to smooth out the surface. It takes a bit of practice to get a firm but level, smooth pack. Then just push any excess from rim into or off the basket and you are ready.
One other little thing,,, the shot splitter. I am not sure I am impressed with it. It doesn't appear consistant enough to pull 2 equally single shots at the same time. I am skeptical of this feature on any unit, not just this one.
My machine is ready within about 5 min, I then pull an empty shot or two. Then load a shot and pull that one. It is not 15 to 45min like some, and even the book says. However, the book times may promote some nuances, that might make some difference on some level, that I personally just don't really care about. Give me my coffee and shut up.
The diameter of the basket is 54mm
Buy a tamper. The built in one is not that great. Difficult to get a proper pack.
A 52mm Tamper I think is the perfect size. I am using a meat mallet (smooth side, duh)
that is 50mm and it works just fine.
On the bottom of the baskets is a knob that you can remove for cleaning. Loosen completely and then tighten to just the point of tension. This will allow better extraction.
Find, buy or get a 2 oz espresso shot glass. It makes measuring the shot much easier
When pulling a shot,,, depending on the pack and the grind, could be about 15 to 17 seconds for a double. About 7 to 10 sec for a single.
After pulling a shot and removing the basket, yes, you will see that the coffee is wet, with water on top, and sometimes a little soupy on top. But, it really is not as big a deal as others might make it out to be. It still pulls a very good shot. Again, this is not your Steam Powered Espresso Machine.
This is much, much, much,much better.
The lever to hold the basket in when emptying is a little quirky. But, once you learn how to use it, it really is helpfull in preparing a second shot quickly.
The frother, however, can be an issue. And I am still working with it. It's not perfect, but it does work. Not something I will use often, as I drink iced mocha and iced latte. It does have a tendancy to pump water through, instead of steam, if it is not heated up properly. This may just be my unit. But, could be a deal breaker for some, if you experience the same. You do want to use an emtpy glass or something to make sure the tubbing is clear first. One it gets started, it seems to be ok for a bit. But again, it takes time to heat up, so, this may be where and why the book states those time frames. Again,, I can pull a fully hot shot in less than 5 min though. Steaming milk is a different story. I think (cause I haven't tried this) if you turn it on the steam heat side for about 15 min, clear the tubing, steam/froth your milk, then pull the shot, it sould be fine.
With that said, if you still have your old steam machine, and it does a good job of frothing milk, if you find the steamer on this one inadaquate, then keep the other as a frother, that is what I am doing.
I say, buy the machine and test it yourself. The shots are Really, really good. Not a single steam machine out there can even come close.
Over all,, for the money,, it is not a bad machine. Yes, you can do better, but you will spend 2 to 10 times the money.
If you have the money to spend, then get a better Machine. If not, this machine is very worth it.
4 stars for ease of use, quality of shot, lost one for the frother and wand is short.
Iced Latte
24oz mug, cup, or something
2 x double shots espresso
2 1/2 scoops sugar (not splenda if you can help it)
If you want a mocah, use 1 1/2 scoops sugar (or to taste) and 1 scoop chocolate syrup
About 1 cup ice
Put sugar in mug, pull 2 double shots espresso, and pour in mug
Stir till disolved, pour in ice and stir till cold, then pour milk to full
Better than any Starbucks (or thier cra-frapaccino in a bottle), as good as Carribou Cafe, or any other Coffee shop. And cheaper.
Description of De'Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
Enjoy delicious espresso made your way with De'Longhi's pump espresso and cappuccino maker. You can choose to brew ground espresso or E.S.E pods with the unique patented dual filter holder. The choice is yours, making your espresso truly made to order. You can enjoy espresso or cappuccino at the perfect temperature with two separate thermostats. If you prefer cappuccino you'll enjoy using the easy-to-use swivel jet frother, which makes perfect drinks every time. Other highlights include self-priming operation to eliminate pesky start-up preparation, removable water tank and drip tray and a durable, high-quality stainless steel boiler to ensure many years of delicious espresso.Espresso Machines
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