DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine
Customer Review: Stellar espresso machine
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm not one to write reviews, but I know the agony I went through looking at espresso machines. If you're looking for a fully automatic espresso machine, stop looking and get this machine. Read on for details.
I knew I didn't want to have to grind and tamp my own espresso. I wanted to be able to grab an espresso two minutes before a conference call. I didn't need another appliance I wasn't going to use after the novelty wore off. So I was already set on the semi/fullly/super automatic category.
Make no mistake, the buy in cost is high. But if you're looking at this range of machines, you already know that. The cost will be mitigated with saved outtings to the local shoppe, and tempered by the high quality espresso you'll be enjoying. The Magnifica is simple to operate and simple to clean (an important factor in the durability of these machines). We pour five to six espressos a day and the machine has been running solidly for 10 months. I've descaled twice, a mindless process that takes about 40 minutes. Cleaning the inside and drip tray is just as easy and takes just a few minutes. Some people mention that it's noisy. It isn't. Folks, it has a built in burr grinder.
Pros:
* great quality espresso, capuccinos, lattes, americanos.
* built in grinder. One less thing to buy, have on the counter, or store.
* ability to use grounds for single cups. Great for decaf orders at dinner parties.
* pours singles or doubles, together or as two cups.
* portability. Yes, it's actually easy to move around. We take it to friends houses for brunch.
* hot water for tea, too, should you be so inclined.
* ease of maintenance
* heats up quickly
* auto shut off, good for absent-minded people
Cons:
* steaming wand is awkward. It's either too short or not angled enough (not angled at all).
* plastic. Machine looks good, but it would have been better with a metal face.
* wish it had a timer
* cup warmer rather anemic
Customer Review: Awesome crema for a regular cup of coffee...,
Summary: 5 Stars
Unlike most of the other reviews, I solely bought this machine to make coffee, not espresso drinks. I love it -- this is my 3rd automatic espresso/coffee machine and so far so good. Why spend the money and not buy a drip machine instead? Once you are used to the thickness, crema, and quality that these automatic coffee makers produce, you will never go back to a drip machine. Additionally, I'm the only coffee drinker in the house, and so I can have a cup of amazing coffee within one minute, and not have to deal with all the clean up of a drip machine. Why not buy a single k-cup or pod coffee machine? Again, coffee taste does not measure up to how good these super automatic machines produce coffee.
The other two that I owned had the 18-bar pump, so I was a little concerned about this one being a 15-bar pump, but I feel that it creates the same and maybe even better flavor and crema of coffee that the previous ones did. One thing that a lot of these reviews lack is thier own recipe for thier favorate drink; or what worked and didn't worked when playing with the settings. For a good cup of java, set the water dial full blast at 6 oz, and the coffee bean amount dial to just a tad over the halfway mark. Doesn't get any better than that. For those of you who would like a fuller cup of coffee (more than 6 oz) you can press the "two cup" coffee button and adjust the water and coffee bean amount as needed.
One feature that is not impressive is the cup warmer, it may warm the cup a bit, but not enough to make a great difference. The coffee comes out hot enough as it is, and is perfect. I have not tried to steam milk for a latte yet, maybe some day when I have time. But I highly recommend using filtered water and good quality coffee beans. You'll notice the difference in the flavor of coffee when using filtered water compared to tap water.
I owed this review to you, coffee lovers...you deserve nothing but the best coffee ever!!!!
Customer Review: Amazing! Transformed our morning routine! Simple to use and Great taste
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this machine for one of my husband's Christmas presents. He is a true coffee lover who cannot start his day without a cup of joe and, as a result, has added much to Starbuck's profits over the years.
I was not familiar with espresso machines (never having owned one) and did weeks of research to find the one that seemed right for us. My requirements were simple: I wanted something extremely easy to use and something that would provide good quality espresso.
I could not be more pleased with this machine! His daily and my weekly trips to Starbuck's have ended because of how easy this machine is to operate and the wonderful quality of the coffee. We push a button (after setting a couple of EASY to read dials) and voila! Espresso! Making a latte (my preference) is just one easy additional step in steaming the milk.
My husband reports that this is super easy to clean and it's compact design is attractive on the counter. The bypass doser is easy solution for the times I want decaf. This is so easy that my teenagers can easily make a latte or hot chocolate (chocolate is made from adding the steamed milk to chocolate syrup)
Last note, I thought we'd miss not having a timer so that I could set it to make espresso at a certain time and we don't' miss that one bit. From the time you turn it on you have espresso in a minute and latte in 3 minutes. I also thought we might possible miss having the steamed milk dispensed from the machine automatically. Don't miss that at all, either!
If you are questioning whether it is worth the cost - buy it! You will save money in ending the coffee shop runs AND you will have the option of having an espresso or latte whenever you want one. (Yes you will actually stop going to the coffee shops!)
Customer Review: 3.5 years and counting making consistent, high quality expresso EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
The name bears the Fame!
This machine really has it all! I bought it since October 05 and have enjoyed a triple espresso (To get my heart start beating!) virtually every single morning since then. The machine delivers a very consistent cup every time and the controls are very intuitive (there is really no need for the LCD display on other models). It is very easy to clean and maintain: no messy clean-ups, three minute cleaning and that's it. I have used several beans during these years and I have always been able to "calibrate" the settings to my taste and get the perfect cup. When I have gone for a long time; (say) 6 months with the same beans, I've been gladly surprised about the consistency...I get the same quality in my cup of coffee every time. The manual says that with time you may need to adjust the grinder to maintain the tightness on the mechanism but I prepare an average of 5-10 espresso shots every single day and I keep getting the same quality. Flawless.
Pros:
Reliable, consistent, easy to use, built to last. Great value for the money.
Cons:
Noisy...It was not an issue for me until my wife and I realized that our 1 year old woke up at the same time in the morning when I make my coffee. The machine is located downstairs and my baby's room is closed. We wake him up five minutes earlier since then to prevent a cranky wake up =)
The water tank has to be removed every time you need to fill it up and I thought that it would have an impact in the little gromet that controls the water flow from it. Although not very comfortable (other brands let you refill just by removing a lid and then pour water on the tank), the tank comes off very easily and you can snap it back without a problem.
Customer Review: DeLonghi Magnifica Lives Up To Its Name
Summary: 4 Stars
The ESAM3300 Magnifica certainly lives up to its name. I purchased this product to replace an aging cappuccino machine that was on its last legs. I had tried a number of different machines, from the most basic to the most advanced, and each was found lacking when compared to the ESAM3300.
I find that the Magnifica consistently provides a perfect espresso each and every time. The only adjustment I have ever have to make is to the volume of espresso generated (in order to match the size of the cup/mug I am using at the time). The frothing is, thus far, absolutely flawless.
However, I notice that the frothing valve on this machine is identical to that in the ESAM3200, which is notorious for becoming stiff and sticking after extended use (especially in areas with extremely hard water) due to mineral build up on the seals of the valve. The largest drawback to this, or ANY DeLonghi machine, is that replacement parts are extremely difficult to come by and customer service is virtually nonexistent. I have completely disassembled these machines in the past and the various components are simple enough to identify, access, and replace IF you can obtain the replacement parts that you require. Unfortunately, DeLonghi expects the user to empty and pack up the entire unit, ship it off to a service center, wait 6-8 weeks (average) and then the user is frequently told that the cost of repair is greater than the cost of purchasing a new unit.
Were it not for this one shortcoming, there would not be enough stars to adequately rate just how wonderful this machine is. Anyone, from the most advanced barrista to the first time user, can be making perfect cappuccinos in a matter of minutes using this machine.