DeLonghi EC5 Steam-Driven 4-Cup Espresso and Cappuccino Maker, Black
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of DeLonghi EC5 Steam-Driven 4-Cup Espresso and Cappuccino Maker, Black
Customer Review: Best value for espresso
Summary: 4 Stars
After working at Starbucks and getting free espresso drinks for 4 years, I needed an espresso machine to support my habit. This one was the most affordable with the best reviews, and so we went with it. I am so impressed! First of all, don't follow the directions on steaming the milk, instead of moving the pitcher up and down just keep the tip of the steam wand right below the surface of the milk. It should just barely look like the surface is stirring. If you have too many bubbles pull the wand out slightly at an angle. That will make foam instead of bubbles. The quality of the espresso shot isn't the best, so if you drink straight espresso I wouldn't recommend this. But for lattes, cappuccinos, or flavored americanos, it's so worth it. The money we're saving is great. (Even for a pro barista like me it took a few tries to get it right to make two at a time, so don't get discouraged at first!)Customer Review: Not a Latte maker
Summary: 1 Stars
All the reviews I read before I purchased this item said that the coffee maker was purchased to make lattes. Several reviews mentioned the steaming wand being difficult to use, but that they managed in the long run. Well, I feel that the wand is impossible to use as there is no way to chose between the espresso selection and the steaming selection. If you follow the instruction regarding the coffee and the water portions, you have great espresso, but if you want to steam milk, you need to put in more water, but since there is no way to select steam, you have to try and steam the milk while the espresso is brewing and you end up having watered down espresso or steam milk that is not hot enough. I have resorted to just heating my milk up in the microwave and have more of an espresso with hot milk as opposed to a latte. If you want to make lattes, I recommend looking for another espresso maker.Customer Review: Broke in less than 4 months of use
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this product for our office end of October of 2010.
My colleague and I were so happy that the espresso machine worked great despite some negative reviews.
We took good care of the machine by performing the recommended scaling and routine cleaning.
By the end of December 2010, the machine refused to work, as soon as the machine is turned on, water starts to spill out from the knobs, the frother, and any holes that would allow water to leak out.
I called De'Longhi customer service and it seems that the customer service is backed up everyday for the past 3 days.
No emails were replied as well.
I tried to call the number available from a booklet that was sent together with the machine, and it seems the number is outdated as well.
We are very disappointed with our failed espresso machine.
Customer Review: Very big design flaw
Summary: 1 Stars
As some of the other reviews state, there is no knob or switch on the EC5 to go from Foaming to Espresso drip. Which means if you want a cappuccino you have to froth the milk at the same time as dripping the coffee. The problem lies in that the frothing wand is way too close to the machine and it's difficult to use while the coffee is dripping. Secondly if you don't put enough water and you estimate incorrectly the wand never produces enough steam to make a nice froth. If you put too much water you will make perfect froth however the coffee will be very watery because you had to add water to make enough steam.. it's kinda a double edged sword. And more hassle than it's worth too. I am surprised that every machine doesn't have a knob or switch to adjust between froth and drip. Very big disappointment, am going to have to go out and buy a new machine most likely.Customer Review: Not a bad first espresso machine
Summary: 3 Stars
While this was my first espresso machine and I did end up using it for years, my biggest complaint is the steamer. I could not get enough steam to make espresso and foam milk in one go. In order to make a latte, I embarked on a rather laborious two-step process...I would first put in just enough water to make the espresso, and once that was done I would fill it up again with much more water in order to get enough steam to foam the milk. I found it easier to use a handheld foamer for the milk and this machine only for espresso. When this machine finally gave out on me (the end of the steamer broke off), I upgraded to the DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Maker. While I am much happier with my new machine, this little guy was not a bad introduction to making espresso at home.