De'Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of De'Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
Customer Review: Good machine, somewhat disappointed
Summary: 3 Stars
First I'll start off my saying I began my espresso purchases with a Mr. Coffee Espresso maker from Wal-Mart.com. After receiving the item the handle of the filter basket arrived broken. I promptly returned the item and began a search for a new one. I was really looking to buy a very inexpensive machine, not wanting to spend over $40 or $50. Thus, the lower price of this machine caught my attention. It is the 'cheapest' pump machine you can purchase.
After reading thru pages of the several hundred reviews written on this machine I decided it was the one for me. I rarely saw negatives posted and for every negative comment on one topic I saw 5 positive topics that countered what the other person said. Meaning 5 people to 1 didn't have that problem or the 1 person was doing something wrong.
I am by no means an espresso savy person. This is my first machine ever. I'm just tired of paying $3-$5 for a cup of whatever at McDonalds or Starbucks.
To sum up this machine it's not EXACTLY what I thought. I have 2 negatives that, in my opinion, almost make me wish I looked harder at this machine.
1. It is VERY loud and vibrates hard when in use. When you actually are pouring the espresso shot the machine is very noisy and it literally moves on whatever surface you set it on. It moves so much in fact that whatever 'cup' you put under the spout, you literally have to hold it there with your hand or it moves completely off and falls off the machine. This caught me off guard as I only saw 1 negative comment about this. So either my machines works but is somehow broken and vibrates so badly I don't know if that's how it works or if it truely is broken. Whatever the case--I do not care for the vibration the machine causes. Thus I downgraded it 1 star for this bad vibration.
2. There is NO room for a cup under the filter basket at all. The only item I can get to fit to 'catch' the espresso is a shot glass. Thus, I can't even pour two espresso's at once for a 'double' b/c a double shot glass doesn't even fit. This really surprised me b/c I saw no negative comment about this at all. Literally, the only thing that fits is a small, shot glass. So, I'm unsure what other people are using, but it's the only thing in my kitchen that fits. I ordered 4 espresso cups that have yet to arrive. Unless they're as tiny as a shot glass (which they aren't) there's no way they will fit either. So I'm perplexed as to what to use. Thus I downgraded it another star level for no room.
3. The frothing wand is a bit short and as I read, the end of the wand is useless. I took it off to clean it and I can't even get it back on tight enough to where steam doesn't pour out of the top of it--yet it's screwed back on as tight as it goes. The wand definitely needs to be longer and more flexible. It is flexible somewhat, but it's flexible as in it'll move where you want it, but it won't stay. It gently glides back into another position no matter how far you move it. I ordered a 20 ounce pitcher and I'm unsure how I'm going to use it b/c the arm is so small.
Other than those three negatives I've been happy. I've made about 5-8 shots and each have been perfect. Frothing is a bit hard to accomplish as I've yet to get lots of froth from milk. However, I just need more practice.
I'd love it if someone who had vibrations problems like I'm having fixed it. I'd also love to know what people are using to catch their espresso shots.
Thanks. Hope this helps anyone as this is a 100% accurate review from a brand new purchaser.
Customer Review: Works as expected - Fine.
Summary: 4 Stars
UPDATED AFTER 2.5 YEARS: This machine is still working fine with daily use (2-3 coffees per day). Minor problems include a tendency to continue dripping coffee long after the brewing cycle has been turned off (over a minute of dripping...get used to emptying your drip tray!). Need for decalcifying seems to be at unequal blocks of time: It will be fine for months then need two cleanings in the same month. BTW, I use vinegar for cleaning rather than the fancy stuff. Rinsed thoroughly it does not smell. I leave my rating at 4 stars. This machine is great for the price (as of this writing it's $[...] after a rebate).
UPDATE AFTER 1.5 YEARS: I have been using this machine daily for almost a year and a half. It works well, and has given me NO trouble. I have had to de-calcify it twice in that time - I use filtered water in it. In general I simply rinse it thoroughly each time I make coffee with it, and periodically I disassemble all the filter parts and take a soft brush to them. If the machine is not balancing well between to cups when pulling a double shot, I recommend taking the coffee filter piece completely apart and cleaning it throughly. The least obvious part to clean is the part the has a strong spring holding it closed - it is the part that lets the coffee out of the filter only when the pump is supplying pressure. Since I started getting that cleaned out every so often, I have no problem with uneven flow. Making a double shot with very finely ground coffee seems hard for the machine. I recommend TWO THINGS: use a slightly less-fine grind, AND (important and!) do not tamp the coffee down hard! I switched back to using the tamper on the machine and it now functions quite well. Consider the tamper as more of a "leveler" and you will have the right idea.
I tried pods in it recently and it worked well but the coffee wasn't great (but it was drinkable).
I now pull my espresso into a stainless steel 1-cup sauce pot ($1 at a garage sale) that fits great and lets me accurately measure 1-2 shots, or loading 1 portion of coffee and making an Americano or iced coffee. For iced coffee, I froth milk with something like this, though mine was significantly cheaper at an expensive store (not a Bodum brand frother). http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Chambord-5-Ounce-Milk-Frother/dp/B000QEEI5I/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen&qid=1251650228&sr=1-8. You can froth 2% milk to a state like whipped cream in a few seconds.
I am very pleased with the performance of this inexpensive machine.
ORIGINAL REVIEW: This espresso maker works just as I expected: Perfectly fine. It's simple and intuitive. It works fine for pulling 1-2 shots at a time. The reheat cycle is about a minute, so if you're making more, by the time you clean out the spent grounds and reload, the machine is ready for you. After making 1-2 shots, the machine needs about 2 minutes to get the steamer ready. The steamer works well. Complaints about the wand height and length are apparently from people who insist on using whatever milk pot they have rather than one that fits. Not having one, I've been using my Pyrex 1-cup measuring cup which works well. I froth 1/3 cup milk which becomes a full (overflowing) cup of steamed milk and some foam. End result? Tasty espresso with good crema, and lattes or cappuccino with little fuss. I'm quite happy with this under [...] machine. It's perfect for 1-2 people who don't drink tons of espresso. It's also pretty quiet and cleans up easily. Daily use for about a month.
Customer Review: Makes a Great Espresso
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my fourth espresso machine. The other three were all Mr. Coffee Pump Espresso machines, but an older version of what you currently see available. I got tired of replacing them because they have a max life of 18 months IMHO. I bought the DeLonghi EC155 because of its favorable reviews AND its price. After less than a week I can say that I like this machine A LOT. I will describe how I make a cup of Americano and deal with the "issues" that some reviewers have had with this machine. As soon as you get the machine out of the box get a bucket of white paint out and dip a toothpick into the paint. Fill the notch on the control knob with a little of the white paint. It will help you see the front knob position. I always fill my stainless steel pitcher with water and let it stand overnight to allow the floride to evaporate. Fill the water reservoir and note that the water exits out of the bottom. I think this is a better design feature than with the Mr. Coffee. Now for brewing a cup of Americano I start with three cups: a 16oz stainless steel pitcher for frothing, a 4oz espresso cup and a regular 12oz coffee cup. Turn the knob to the right to heat water for making the espresso. While that is heating fill the larger of the two filter baskets with your favorite espresso. (The small one will never get used in my home.) I tamp the espresso with the flat bottom of my coffee scoop. (I don't ever see myself using the tamp on the right side of the machine.) Experiment with your tamping pressure to control the strength of your brew. I fill the filter almost all the way and tamp fairly firmly. You do have to be able to seat the filter basket firmly which means turning the filter holder handle until it is in the six o'clock position so don't overfill the filter. By this time the green light should have come on. Put the espresso cup (I don't know of any machine in this price range that will accommodate a regular cup) under the filter and turn the pump on. I run the pump until the cup is about ¼" from full. I let the crema drain for a couple seconds and then move it to the right side of the driptray. (You can add sugar to that and drink this as espresso if you like.) I turn the knob to the left to heat water for frothing. While that is heating I vent the frother into the 12oz cup which gets rid of the water that would dilute your milk and heats the cup I drink from. I usually end up with about ½" of water in that cup which I pour out. The frothing light will come on shortly if it is not already on. I like my drink sweet so I put 2 Sweet N Lo into the stainless pitcher before adding about 6oz of milk. I tip the stainless steel pitcher until I can move it under the frother. I insert only the tip into the milk and then open the steaming knob on the top of the machine all the way. I immediately get a lot of bubbles but this usually settles quickly as the frother builds a generous firm foamhead. I dump the espresso into my empty coffee cup and then pour milk into the small espresso cup to get the last of the espresso and pour that into my coffee cup. I then spoon some of the foam head into the coffee cup and I'm ready to drink. Sometimes when I'm feeling a little lazy I will froth the milk in the cup I drink from. I tried to include a couple pictures showing the DeLonghi frothing the milk in my drinking cup while it sits on the driptray. It can be done. Enjoy! It's a great machine IMHO.
Customer Review: My solutions on Soupy Grounds, etc.
Summary: 4 Stars
The Delonghi is a very good espresso maker. I concur with the positives that other people have mentioned in their reviews. I've had it a several weeks and I overcame some issues other people experienced.
1) Soupy grounds: Fill the grounds to the VERY TOP of the portafilter to prevent muddy or soupy grounds. Other people have mentioned that they fill to the top but they don't stress it enough. Fill the filter 2/3 full then spread and tap the coffee lightly then fill level to the top of the portafilter or slightly mounded. Then tamp it down about 2-3 pounds of pressure. The amount of coffee should equal to the weight of coffee mentioned in the instructions: 7 g for the single cup and 12 g for the double cup. When you attach the portafilter to the machine, you actually press the top of the coffee from the screen filter inside of the mounting as well. If you leave space between the top of the coffee and the filter where the pumped water comes through, water can pool there. You should see the impression of the filter and rubber gasket on the coffee grounds after the espresso has been extracted. The size of your ground or the strength of your tamping may affect this step as well so look to that if you still have problems.
2) Useless plastic tamper: Use the plastic mounted tamper by SQUEEZING the tamper and portafilter together. Place your thumbs on both sides of the tamper and squeeze the grounds in the portafilter with the rest of your fingers in the UP direction towards your thumbs from the bottom of the portafilter. To prevent burns, perform the tamper squeeze about 30 degrees to the right so you won't burn your left hand on the metal portafilter mounting underneath. Rotate the portafilter a few degrees to the right and repeat the squeeze. The tamper works fine.
3) Leaky portafilter: Excess coffee grounds and dirty machine portafilter gasket were the culprit for me. When you fill the portafilter with coffee, wipe any residue from the edges and don't overfill the portafilter too much. I've found grounds on the edge after I dismounted the portafilter. Also, use a small brush to clean the gasket that is on the machine where the portafilter pushes up against when mounting the portafilter. The brush would have to be narrow so if you don't have a small stiff paintbrush, maybe you can fashion one by cutting an old toothbrush and leave one row of bristles alone. I was surprised by the amount of coffee grounds falling out when I cleaned mine.
4) Other tips: a) for cappuccino, fill 6oz mug with 1% milk halfway then put sugar then use steamer for a sugary foam. b)for fitting bigger cups under portafilter, take out the tray then put your cup in.
A interesting factoid: when the coffee goes through the portafilter, it pushes through the screen and comes out the small hole that is covered with a small spring-loaded plastic piston at the other end. If you unscrew the bottom nut then push your thumbnail between the tiny disk at the end of the portafilter that sticks out, you'll see the disk comes out very slight and you'll see a tiny rubber gasket. That's where the coffee comes out. I don't know if it gets dirty but it may be good to know if coffee comes out too quickly and you know you've cleaned the machine according to instructions and the grounds and tamping checks out ok.
Customer Review: Nice Espresso Machine for the Money
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a nice entry level machine which is generally available for well under $100 (DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Maker). I do not consider myself a barista, but I love coffee and usually drink plain espresso (no milk, cream, sugar, etc). I cringe at coffee drinks that take 5 minutes just to say the name of the drink. I've been using this machine for almost two months making anywhere from 2-8 espressos per day for my wife and I.
EASY TO USE - It's not finicky about the grind of the coffee. This is due to the use of a pressurized portafilter. True baristas will cringe at the use of a pressurized portafilter because it limits a person's ability to make coffee that is optimized for a particular espresso machine, grinder, and coffee bean. The pressurized portafilter on the DeLonghi EC155 may limit my ability to really dial-in my coffee, but it also limits the number (and severity) of bad coffee I serve. Even though it's not finicky, I've found that the coffee will not come out right if you don't tamp properly or try to use an overly coarse grind of coffee. Even though this machine is easy to use, I still have to use decent coffee that is at least a little more finely ground than drip coffee and tamp it properly to get the best coffee. This machine just make it easier.
SHORT HEATING TIME - The DeLonghi heats up quickly. When you first start it, the green "ready" light will come on after a couple of minutes. Although I've made some decent coffee at this time, I've found that it's best to wait until the machine warms up for around 10 minutes. The user manual basically suggests the same thing, but if I'm in a hurry I can usually short the warm-up time and get an acceptable coffee.
COFFEE BASKET STAYS IN THE PORTAFILTER - When you're done making coffee, the "puck" (what's left in the portafilter) will be wet. This is normal for all inexpensive espresso machines which do not have a 3-way solenoid that is prevalent in much more expensive machines. The portafilter has a lever on the handle which does a decent job of keeping the coffee basket in the portafilter while I bang-out the coffee grounds. I've not had any issues with it.
BUILT-IN TAMPER - Forget about using this. I could not get the hang of lifting the portafilter up into the plastic tamper. For well under 10$, you should get a separate tamper.
STEAM - The steam works pretty well for an inexpensive machine but there's not a lot of "steam power" which I think is typical for inexpensive machines. I don't drink a lot of capuccino's and my wife doesn't drink anything with milk, so this isn't a big issue for me. I've had the best results waiting until the machine is fully warmed up (10-15 minutes) before making steam. My steaming skills are not that great but I've been able to increase the volume of the milk by 30-50%. I usually go through 2-3 steam cycles before the milk is at the right temperature and has enough foam. I steam until the temperature light goes off, turn the steam off and wait for it to come back on which usually takes about 15 seconds and then continue steaming. The end result is very acceptable steamed milk.
In all, a nice little machine.