DeLonghi EC5 Steam-Driven 4-Cup Espresso and Cappuccino Maker, Black
|
List Price: Our Price: $31.64 You Save: $34.36 (52%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $28.99 (click here) Category: Kitchen See more product details |
|---|
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of DeLonghi EC5 Steam-Driven 4-Cup Espresso and Cappuccino Maker, Black
Customer Review: Espressos and Cappucinnos beat a coffee any day
Summary: 5 Stars
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.Customer Review: Save yourself the trouble and don't buy this product!
Summary: 1 Stars
I have been buying this machine for years. I say "buying" because the milk frother has a lifespan of anywhere between 30 and 90 days, which, if you like drinking cappuccino, creates some limitations. Nothing I've done to carefully maintain and care for this machine seems to make any difference. Why do I keep buying it? Because it's the only model I can find that allows enough clearance under the spout to insert a giant cappuccino mug (enabling me to make just one large cup, which I then split with my partner). The most recent time the frother died, I took the trouble to try to make good on the product's warranty with DeLonghi. It was SO not worth it! Although the product was just 60 days old and still under warranty, it was a huge hassle--two months of phone calls, letters, etc.--until I finally received my replacement. That was about a month ago, and the frother on this new machine just quit this morning. Save your money and invest in a quality product. (I'm so sorry I didn't). The EC5 is a piece of junk!Customer Review: Great for the Price!
Summary: 4 Stars
I love this machine! Had it a couple months now and it's still working great. Makes a good cup of espresso for the price. The wand is usable, it just takes some experimenting to get the timing right. I have no trouble getting a cup in place to froth milk. It is sturdy and has a nice well put together look and feel to it. It's very stylish, but takes up less room on the counter than my old drip machine.
I will admit there are better machines on the market, but they cost a whole lot more too. While I love my espresso I'm not a coffee snob by any means. For my needs and for the price I believe this is a great bargain. It comes with pretty specific insturctions, including cleaning instructions. I wonder if some of the people who have complained about the machine slowing down or not working have bothered cleaning the machine periodically? And like someone else, I can't find a rubber gasket on the machine period. It's just a joy to use and makes decaf drinkable.
Customer Review: Worst machine ever.
Summary: 1 Stars
I have used cheaper machines, more expensive ones, to make lattes. I purchased the Delonghi after reading positive reviews. Frankly, I am surprised by them after having given this machine not one but two tries. By which I mean that I purchased the machine, used it daily for the span of a month, then replaced that one and used the new one daily for the past two months. The first one I received was atrocious and I thought it was defective. The steam wand is impossible to use and it does not matter how good of a coffee grade I get, the machine will ALWAYS yield watery coffee. I returned the first one and received a new one. This new one has been equally impossible to wield. This machine will not make lattes, foam, or even heat milk properly. I you just want a espresso makers, there are cheaper ones that are just as good. If you want to make lattes, go elsewhere. Even Mr. Coffee has better models (and that tells you how bad this one is). Everyone in my family who tried it agree.Customer Review: Mine was a good buy for the money
Summary: 3 Stars
My husband bought this after doing reseach as well as reading the reviews posted on this site. We have to agree with all posters that the frother does not heat the milk just luke warm at best. Also where they placed it is kind of inconvenient and too short. We came up with two tricks that helped both issues. In regards to the frothing heat issue, we discovered to make our espresso and wait for complete cycle to brew (do not use frother). Once brewed, we refill the water to the 2 cup level into the maker and then we turn the forther to full open level. You will find that this will heat the milk it as much as you like and the froth is excellent. Basically it adds 2-3 minutes to the process. For the second issue (short stem) we use two cookbooks as a lift base and this gives us the height and convenience needed. I know it sounds quirky but for the price of $26.00 all in I can't complain and I get my morning cups of joy. Hope this helps anyone that is on the fence.