DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine
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List Price: Our Price: $788.78 You Save: $471.22 (37%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $749.99 (click here) Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine
Customer Review: Very happy
Summary: 5 Stars
We purchased this machine after a vacation where we became accustomed to conveniently consuming espresso on a daily basis. Our previous experience with an espresso machine was limited to a dual coffee/espresso maker from Krups that we received as a present. It was a cute idea but very entry level; the machine was very light weight and since the espresso function was manual, rather unstable due to its extreme lightweight. It was also quite difficult to clean the steam/milk frothing apparatus; I never really felt it was clean. We eventually stopped using the espresso part of the machine due to the poor design.
*This* machine is very easy to operate (I'm not at all technical) and to clean, and while it wasn't cheap, it certainly didn't fall into the small used car category. It's important to read the user manual (keep it handy for the first 1-2 weeks so you can look up what to do when the little lights illuminate), but it really a very easy to use espresso machine that produces lovely coffee. We have used it at least once a day (sometimes 2-3) for about a month, and have not encountered any issues. You'll quickly learn what the little indicator lights mean, and won't need to look them up in the user manual.
I took a cue from another reviewer re: discounts; we also purchased ours at Bed Bath Beyond using the 20% off coupon. At this price, 20% off is significant! I also felt that it would be better to purchase locally so we could return it quickly and without shipping issues if there were obvious defects (there were not).
I would definitely recommend if you're looking for a more affordable high quality espresso maker that is easy to use.
Customer Review: great machine
Summary: 5 Stars
This my third super automatic espresso machine. The first was a Saeco Vienna Deluxe which burned out and the second was a Krups Palatino (which seemed like a Saeco re-brand). It served me well for 8 years and finally the brew unit broke. So the major difference between those other machines and this Delonghi is the double boiler feature which allows you froth milk and make coffee without the slow warm up/cool down cycles that a single boiler system requires. This is important as it usually means i just didn't do it with the other machines, even though they COULD do it.
SO the machine seems to make frothed milk nice and consistently, though sometimes better than others at times, not sure why, though I never read the manual, or watched the DVD.
My only minor complaint is that the machine turns itself off automatically (not a bad feature) and in the morning there is no auto turn on (I guess the next model up has that ) so you have to wait around for a minute or to while its very early for it to warm up. its makes nice coffee with a nice crema and the the dials are not too fussy. its easier to fill (and empty) than my other models were, and the cup warmer gets much hotter than my last-but in the morning the machine is cold and the cup warmer turns off WITH the machine, so it would be nicer if the warmer stayed on. This machine also squirts a little water out at turn on (and turn off) so you should keep a cup there (or a milk container)
Over all its a nice machine I used the 20% off coupon at Bed Bath and Beyond so i got a decent discount off the $800 retail cost.
Customer Review: So worth the money!
Summary: 5 Stars
My husband is a HUGE coffee drinker. Two years ago, I surprised him with this for a combo Christmas/Bday gift. It has been impossible to top this gift!
99% of the time, he drinks his coffee black. He even orders just plain ol' black coffee at Starbucks. Since getting this machine, he can't stand spending money at such places when he can make it just as good, if not better, at home! He is VERY picky about his coffee, so that says a lot coming from him.
We have had no problems with this unit in the 2 years we have owned it, and it has been used heavily. It is just now needing decalcified, as we have used filtered water with it.
Not only does it make great coffee, it saves money. We are no longer dumping out pots full of coffee because it didn't get drank. Between that and the money we save by not buying cups of coffee at Starbucks, this unit has probably paid for itself!
There are only a few downsides I can think of:
1) Tall coffee mugs/cups do not fit underneath the spouts
2) The milk steamer nozzle could stand to come out a little further. It's not a huge deal, though.
3) I wish the water storage tank was larger. Again, my husband drinks SO much coffee so we are constantly refilling it.
We have absolutely no regrets about spending so much money on a coffee maker!!! If this one ever breaks, we plan on buying another one just like it. Do shop around. Prices can vary up to $200 for this unit.
2/26/2010--
We have now owned this for over 3 years. We have had ZERO problems with it!
Customer Review: Good results, easy to use, good value, steamer is just ok
Summary: 4 Stars
Definitely like the Delonghi Magnifica 3300. Coffee results are good and the analog dials are intuitive and simple to use, even for visiting Grandma. A straight up espresso comes out very nice with crema. Even a full cup of weaker American style coffee comes out well once you master the dial settings. My main complaint is that the steam wand is not fully articulating e.g. just goes side to side. You have to hold the cup up to the wand while frothing. If the wand also went up and down, you could set the cup on the tray with the wand in the milk, but alas it doesn't. Also, the steamer is designed for cappuccinos and not lattes. There is no way to turn off the air intake which creates cappuccino froth. The water tank is not huge but it's very convenient to remove (from the front)and fill up. It has a top so spillage is minimal. Bean hopper is good size and super easy to fill. It's not too loud when it grinds, relative to stand-alone grinders. The grind coarseness adjustment seems to work well. You can set it so high that a shot will just trickle out, which indicates it can grind very finely. One odd thing is that it uses a lot of water in it's warm up cycle, thus requiring an even more frequent fill of the water tank.
Pros:
- Great espresso / coffee results
- Intuitive, easy to use
- Good build quality
- Easy to clean and refill
- Quality grinder
- Relative low cost, good value
Cons:
- Steam wand not very convenient
- Not geared for lattes
- Uses a lot of water in warm up cycle
- Bypass doser a bit cumbersome
Customer Review: It does the job, and does it well
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm at the six month mark for using this machine. First, for context: I do not sip coffee out of a mug in the morning looking out over San Francisco Bay as I contemplate life's wonders. Instead, I want my mocha latte in the morning (and just about every morning) before I go to work. In addition, I am not a frustrated barrista faling back on my Starbuck's training; I don't even use the frothing wand because it is too much of a pain in the rear to deal with. Instead, I bought something that does it automatically, which kind of fits the theme of this machine.
I used a Gaggia Classic until it died. I was happy with it, but in a sense, I think this machine has it beat for one very important reason: consistency. You get the same cup of coffee every morning with good crema. And that is, to me, the only upside that matters. Is it noisy? It is quieter than my burr grinder. Do you have to clean it? Sure, about once a week, but it takes about 30 seconds. Do you have to decalcify it? I only use distilled water, and I haven't had to yet. Does it break down? Not mine, but I don't leave it on all the time. I turn it on, it takes about a minute to get ready, I make my coffee, then I turn it off. No problems. Is it super hot? I use a double-walled Bodum cup, and it stays hot for 20-25 minutes with the foam on top. The trick is to either make the coffee right away, or pre-warm the dispenser (it can be done).
All in all, it does what it is supposed to do. What more can you ask?