DeLonghi Coffee Machines Archives

DeLonghi EC155 – One Of The Best Espresso Machines Money Can Buy

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DeLonghi EC155 The DeLonghi EC155 is a greater starter espresso machine for a wonderfully low price!

The DeLonghi EC155 will allow you to make a delicious cappuccino or espresso from the comfort of your own home.

Featuring dual thermostats for controlling water and steam pressure and a 15-bar pump, the EC155 will deliver a fresh, hot, cup of coffee without you doing barely anything at all.

Italian designed and engineered, you also get to take advantage of a 1 year warranty from this 1000-watt machine.

What will you like about this DeLonghi espresso machine?

  • This unit will look good in your kitchen. As you can see from the picture above, it is quite a distinguished machine with the silver accents and black finish.
  • Decent sized water reservoir with handy water level indicator which is clearly visible upon opening the lid (see the video below).
  • Fast start up time, the DeLonghi EC155 will be heated and ready to go in about 1 minute.
  • Ability to consistently produce a thick layer of crema for your enjoyment.
  • Easy to froth milk with the powerful steam wand.
  • Easy to clean and maintain.

Ready to buy? Click here for the lowest price online! 

DeLonghi EC155 review

Perhaps one of the main selling points of the EC155 is the fact that it is pump driven. This is opposed to more typical steam-driven units that you can purchase for very cheap in your general sort of department stores.

The advantages of a pump driven machine are that it will be able to produce pressure that is in the vicinity of 5 times greater than pressure that is generated by steam alone.

This has the flow on effect of being better able to extract flavor from the espresso (resulting in better flavor of course and the sought after crema).

Unfortunately, pump driven espresso machines aren’t the cheapest. The good news is that the DeLonghi version mentioned in this review is perhaps one of the cheapest and easiest ways to experience cafe quality espresso in your own kitchen and start to recoup some of the cost of those frequent coffee shop trips.

The convenience of E.S.E.

E.S.E stands for easy serve espresso and is a similar concept to the now extremely popular K-Cup coffee maker that utilizes pre-ground, pre-packaged coffee that is inserted straight into the associated coffee machine for immediate extraction.

The DeLonghi EC155 is actually one of the few espresso machines to offer this feature and it is something that a lot of the higher priced machines do not offer either.

Using espresso pods to make your espresso is so convenient and there is little to no mess either. The only downside is that they tend to be more expensive than buying coffee in bulk.

What price you put on convenience and ease of use is really up to you, but it is something to keep in mind!

Ergonomics and weaker points

As far as handling and ease of use go, several people commented that the steam wand could be a little longer and that there isn’t much room between the top of the cup and the output nozzle, but I guess that really depends on the size of your cup.

The lack of a heated cup warmer may also discourage some people from seriously considering the EC155, but in most cases a quick zap in the microwave will improve the situation remarkably.

What are others saying about the DeLonghi EC155?

The overwhelming consensus is excellent, with close to 500 four and five star reviews on Amazon. There is lots and lots of information in the review section about how to deal with the aforementioned shortcomings of this machine – most notably the closeness of the nozzle to the top of the cup, the lack of a cup warmer and proper tamper.

One example of such a review was from Joseph Jenkins of Tampa, FL:

I was skeptical that a low- (or medium-low)priced machine could work well, but it turns out that it works brilliantly. Some previous reviewers have noted a few areas of concern (all very minor), and I will offer my solutions to them:

1. The spout doesn’t allow for anything taller than an espresso cup or very short coffee cup: Not a big deal for me (our cups are short and wide and hold all the espresso you could handle and still hope to get to sleep that night), but if you want to use a standard-sized mug, simply pick up the perforated steel plate that the cups sit on and place your mug into the well below. If there’s liquid in the well, just wipe off the cup when you pick it back up…

2. No cup warmer: Two solutions here. I use the “quick” warm-up method stated in the manual by running two cups of water through the machine before inserting the grounds, and the hot water easily heats up the cup. Otherwise, if you let it warm up for the traditional 15-30 minutes, sit the cups on the steel area on top of the machine, which serves as its cup warmer, just like it says in the manual…..

….Anyway, even at full price (which I didn’t pay), this machine will pay for itself after 25-30 cups of $4 fill-in-the-blank-coffee-shop cappuccino/latte/whatever, counting consumables.

Read the rest of this great review here!

Conclusion

Overall, the DeLonghi EC155 espresso machine is a fantastic unit that delivers outstanding espresso for a bargain basement price.

Of course, the benefits don’t end there. You also get the added versatility of the option of using pods instead of grounds and by all accounts, the EC155 is reliable if looked after properly and thoughtfully.

For all of the minor negative points which seem insignificant (and easily fixed or dealt with) when compared to the wealth of positive points, it is nevertheless the #1 selling espresso machine on Amazon. That has to count for something!

DeLonghi ESAM 3500 – Another Great Coffee Machine From DeLonghi

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DeLonghi ESAM 3500

DeLonghi ESAM 3500

The Delonghi ESAM 3500 is available here for 30% off!

The ESAM 3500 is a super automatic 1,150 watt machine that is capable of making espresso, cappuccinos, lattes and more.

The height-adjustable coffee spout makes pouring into different sized cups a breeze and the coffee machine is kept at a constant optimal temperature between cups thanks to the instant reheat capability.

It shares all of the core functions of the 5500 and 6600 including adjustable brew strength and cup size and also offers the unique beans-to-brew system that includes an integrated conical burr grinder with adjustable fineness settings that automatically grinds coffee beans right before brewing for exceptionally aromatic espresso.

You also get the patented one-touch cappuccino and latte system that includes lids on the milk frother for both steamed milk in lattes and frothed milk in cappuccinos. If you tend to always pour more milk than you need, this will not be a problem because you can simply detach the entire unit and place it in the refrigerator for later use.

Key information

  • Super-automatic 1,150-watt espresso/coffee machine with programmable menu
  • 7.5 cup water capacity, 7 ounce bean container
  • 5 coffee-strength options; 3 cup-size options; height-adjustable coffee spouts
  • dishwasher-safe parts
  • hot water spout for tea and hot chocolate making
  • Measures 15 by 11 by 14 inches; 1-year limited warranty
  • decalcification warning light to let you know when cleaning is required

What others are saying about the ESAM 3500

Michael D.  really echoes the sentiments of a lot of people I’m sure – we want the coffee but we don’t want to do the work!

I’ve had this super-automatic espresso machine for about a month now and have really enjoyed it. I have an espresso every night after dinner, and my partner has a cappuccino. I’ve been eying these machines for years but really wanted one that would froth from a container rather than sticking the milk into the frother.

The machine has different strength options at the push of a button that allows me to have strong coffee while others can have less strong coffee. The frother works very well and results in a cappuccino that looks remarkably like those we had in Italy.

My only frustration is that Amazon dropped the price by 25% to under $1,000 right after Christmas this year. It’s a steal at that price.

Christopher Curshellas is happy to put up with a bit of distraction in order to get the perfect cup of coffee from a very reliable super automatic coffee machine:

I have had this coffee maker for about 2 years and use it 10-20 times a day. I love it! It is noisy, however the flavor of the coffee and ease of use is worth adjusting to that. I have had no problems or malfunctions of the machine.

Many people have commented that the 3500 has changed their lives for the better and while the initial cash outlay is hefty to some, you can easily start to see how you will recoup the costs in no time at all (especially if you are a coffee addict). Click here to watch a customer video review.

A few tips and hints to consider..

Some people have also reported that after a few days the milk frother is hard to get back into place. If this happens, place it under hot water and then try again. Also, make sure you have enough water to do the whole job before you start.

While the coffee making process will stop if you run out of water half way through, it will go back and start all over again once you refill the water container which is obviously a waste of coffee.

Conclusion Rating: ★★★★☆

If you have lived with a stock standard drip coffee maker for your whole life and want to upgrade to a super automatic machine, I can tell you that you are going to be spoiled rotten with the DeLonghi ESAM 3500.

Any coffee lover will agree with the fact that it is a privilege to be able to enjoy high quality cups of coffee from the comfort of your own home with what is basically the push of a button.

The coffee from this machine is just awesome – but there is no word that can accurately describe the feeling of a good coffee first thing in the morning.

What’s more, you will have people over for coffee all the time and they will be amazed at your coffee making abilities! Not to mention being insanely jealous that you have a super automatic machine and they don’t.

While these types of setups are typically expensive, you are going to be able to produce and drink twice as much coffee with half the effort – which excluding every other positive is a major reason to get one if you have the funds available and want to treat yourself.

DeLonghi ESAM 6600 – From Beans To Bliss In Minutes

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DeLonghi ESAM 6600

DeLonghi ESAM 6600

The Delonghi ESAM 6600 Gran Dama is the big boy of super automatic coffee machines. It is bigger, tougher and bolder. It also makes pretty good coffee!

The ESAM 6600 Grand Dama is a fully automatic espresso machine and has a direct-brew system which only grinds the beans when required to actually make a cup of coffee. This has the advantage of maximizing the freshness of a nice espresso or cappuccino.

A pleasing feature of this machine is the milk container which has two detachable lids – one for the steamed milk that you need for a latte and another for the frothed milk that you require in a cappuccino.

For even further customization, the individual amounts of milk and coffee are able to changed to your desired amount and the 6600 also has an instant heat function for the perfect brewing process and even a cup warmer too.

As with the ESAM 5500 there are a number of presets and functions available to the user, including 5 brew-strength settings (extra-mild, mild, regular, strong, and extra strong), 3 cup size settings (ristretto (small), espresso (medium), and American coffee (large))  and even has a push button solution for cleaning itself.

Key features

  • 350-watt fully automatic 15-bar espresso machine
  • Thermoblock technology for excellent heat distribution
  • 7.5 cup water capacity
  • Digital programmable menu settings; dishwasher-safe parts
  • Measures 16-1/2 by 11-1/4 by 15 inches
  • weighs in at approximately 27 pounds
  • 8 ounce bean container

ESAM 6600 superior build quality

This super automatic coffee machine will have a large presence in your kitchen, thanks to the fact that it is encased in steel and is solidly built (unlike super automatic models from other manufacturers which are mostly plastic with the odd steel embellishment).

A little TLC goes along way

While the process of coffee making is automated, there are still a few things that need to be done to ensure that you get the most out of your coffee machine.  Don’t worry – I’m not asking you to run a marathon. There are just a few things that need to be done before and after the brewing process but think of them as tips and tricks rather than jobs.

First of all, use the rinse feature often. It takes less than a second to push the button, but most people couldn’t be bothered. If the machine has been sitting for a while, hit rinse before you use it so the infuser will heat up. After your last cup for the morning or for the night or whatever, hit rinse. It is a quick and simple way to keep the machine working well and avoid the disappointment of not being able to get a cup of coffee when you really want one.

The second point is that before and after you use the milk container, hold the clean button for at least 5 seconds. This has the effect of blasting steam through the internal parts of the system and should be done for the simple fact that there is no other way to clean the milk that enters the system.

After all,  the milk might be clean going in but you have no idea what it’s going to pick up along the way, especially if the tube is dirty. If you don’t do it often enough, you run the risk of the milk drying and hardening inside your coffee machine and I don’t need to tell you what an inconvenience that would be.

Again, there is no need to clean the system after every cup of coffee, but you should aim for at least once a day at the bare minimum (preferably after every drinking “session” has ended).

Finally, prepare your machine based on your actual coffee drinking usage. Don’t let the machine tell you to empty the container, fill the beans, or fill the water.

Why? Because the machine works on a set number of coffee being made and then issues alerts based on that. If you empty of any of the reservoirs when the coffee machine doesn’t tell you to do so, then it obviously won’t know you have done it and will continue with its warnings thereafter. Obviously this is a design flaw, but a minor one at best.

What I like and don’t like about the 6600 Gran Dama

Make no mistake, this is an awesome super automatic machine. It doesn’t get the name Grand Dama for nothing!

The big water reservoir, interchangeable accessories, perfect milk frothing and self cleaning function are the big positives without even mentioning the ease of use and superb quality cappuccino and latte output.

However, a few people have mentioned that the digital display can malfunction after 12-18 months, this is possibly due to the heat from the machine itself. This is a rare case however and under warranty DeLonghi will replace the display no problems at all.

Conclusion Rating: ★★★★☆

The DeLonghi ESAM 6600 is almost perfect at making great tasting cappuccinos and lattes.  The pitcher might stick in place once in a while or your mug may be too big to fit underneath the dispenser (use a Pyrex jug to transer), but these are very very minor disturbances in the scheme of things.

If you and your family love your coffee and drink it regularly then this will machine will definitely pay for itself in Starbucks trips – perhaps sooner than you think if you do the math.

What better way is there to produce high quality and almost instantaneous coffee at home, or entertain friends and guests as barista for the day?

DeLonghi ESAM 5500 – For The Lazy Coffee Lover

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DeLonghi ESAM 5500

The Delonghi ESAM 5500 is the perfect one touch solution for those who like to wake up, push a button and enjoy great tasting coffee. Buy it here now!

Do you want to be able to brew high quality espresso, cappuccino or lattes from the comfort of your own home? The ESAM 5500 is is an easy to use super automatic coffee machine that has 5 coffee-strength settings to suit all tastes – ranging from extra mild to extra strong with everything in between.

The included conical burr grinder also has 13 different fineness settings to cater for each and every bean type and the beans are ground immediately before the brewing process starts to make sure that the end result is fresh and flavorsome.

Even heat distribution is assured with DeLonghi’s Thermoblock technology and the double espresso boiler with 15 bars of pressure ensures that there is no waiting for your cup of coffee between frothing the milk and the final product.

ESAM 5500 review – keep track of your coffee

One unique feature of this coffee machine is that it has a statistics function built into the user display which shows such data as how many coffees have been brewed, how many liters of water have been used and how many times you have actually decalcified the unit.

This has the added benefit of letting you know when your unit needs a clean or on the other hand, just how addicted to drinking coffee you really are!

Key features

  1. digitally programmable menu – you can control such things as start and shut-off time, temperature, hardness of the water and of course the clock

    The Delonghi ESAM 5500

  2. three cup size choices: ristretto (small), espresso (medium), and large (American coffee).
  3. all parts are dishwasher friendly to make cleaning a breeze
  4. automatic decalcification warning – the ESAM 5500 will tell you when it needs to be cleaned
  5. adjustable spout – perfect for different sized cups
  6. 200 gram coffee container, 25 ounce milk container and 60 ounce (1.8 liters) water container

Watch the instructional ESAM 5500 DVD before you begin brewing

While the machine is relatively easy to use, there are a couple of little tidbits that are specific to its operation. So please, watch the operational DVD first just to make sure that you aren’t going to do something that will reduce the life of your espresso machine (even if you consider yourself to be an expert on the subject).

One particular example of something you might miss is the fact that the burr grinder notch has been turned slowly (one notch at a time) while it is in operation. For what reason? Who knows, but we have to assume that the reason was important enough for DeLonghi to include it in the instruction manual.

What I like and don’t like about the ESAM 5500

As a cappuccino lover, this machine makes them in a breeze and more importantly, they taste brilliant! The foam is also a positive. While it may not be up to some peoples exacting coffee-house standards, it is still very good and besides, you could always buy an electric milk frother if you really wanted the best.

Many people have reported that this machine has made thousands of cups of coffee and still going strong. The fact that this unit keeps a historical report of all the coffee made must surely do wonders for its reputation of longevity and reliability.  This unit is also very quiet for a super automatic machine.

As far as the negative aspects go, a few reviewers have commented that the 5500 doesn’t exactly make a hot cup of coffee. I guess given the price of this unit, it should be able to make a hot cup of coffee.

However, if you are prepared to overlook that point for the other positive points, then I’m sure a quick 30 second zap in the microwave will do the trick.

Jonathan Hallman summed up his experience of this coffee maker well:

I have settled on Illy beans and it is a real luxury to wake up, press one button, and have such a tasty treat. It does not create true coffee-house foam but it is close enough. Indeed, I am now accustomed to the slightly larger bubbles and find real cappuccino a bit too creamy. In any case, the beast has worked like a charm so far. It is expensive but life is short and little luxuries like this make it so much more enjoyable.

Conclusion Rating: ★★★★☆

The DeLonghi ESAM 5500 offers the convenience of automation that any super automatic machine will give you. So what sets it apart from the rest?

Probably the fact that it is quiet, reliable and good at what it does. It will grind whatever you throw at it and produce something that is way more than just acceptable.

Furthermore, you also get to take advantage of the excellent customer service that DeLonghi provide should you ever encounter a problem – regardless of the place of purchase.