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?

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Filed under: DeLonghi Coffee Machines

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