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I love having my own homemade espresso machine. It's all gonna depend on your espresso beans, but (to me) they all tasted great. Honestly, I think this machine makes better lattes than the generic coffee shops.
I've had the machine for about a year and we probably use it once a week or more. I don't drink straight espresso. We get the pre-ground espresso ground beans from local grocery stores.
Homemade is almost always better. You'll want to get a spoon if you plan to make lattes/cappucinos (or if you use the steaming option for drinks). We didn't want to spend $1000 for one of the nicer machines because we might as well go to a coffee shop twice/day every day for that money and not have to clean up after ourselves.
I have made lattes, cappucinos, americanas, and used the steamed milk for hot chocolate. The machine works better with fattier milks (its harder to use skim milk for the froth).
Although the latest trend in Italy is oriented to the fully automated computerized espresso makers (EVERYBODY needs to have one in Italy) I really didn't want to spend well over $ 1,000 for a coffee maker (call me cheap, but with a thousand dollars, plus the money you need to add for a good coffee bean, you can buy 5 years of daily espresso at any bar in Italy). I would recommend (in general, for all machines) to always make ONE cup per espresso and forget the two-cup option.In Italy they sell coffee specifically ground for domestic pump machines. is not easy to find them.You can stick with Illy or Lavazza, or - even better - go to my very dear friend Robert (importer of Jolly coffee: a blend from Florence, made of twelve 100% arabica beans).Important maintenance reccomendations: NEVER wash the filter with soap (only water), NEVER put it in the dishwasher.Once every 4-6 months, disassemble the filter and (with A LOT of patience. What a surprise. Great product. This machine makes excellent espresso, with a thick, delicious, consistent crema. I saw this unit on sale for $ 79.00 at a local Target and because of the excellent reputation of De Longhi I gave it a shot.Considering the ridicolously low price, I obviously didn't expect much from this unit but - still - I decided to try. in the U.S.
I have a pair of full-glass Bodum double body espresso cups and everytime I make an espresso, the crema is so thick and rich that it looks like a micro pint of Guinness. Fantastic machine, excellent quality/price ratio.Only a few cons: you have to be EXTREMELY careful with selecting the right quality of coffee: if it's too coarse, you don't get enough crema, if it's too fine you'll end up clogging the filter and the pump is not strong enough to overcome the pressure. it takes approximately 10 to 15 min) unclog each hole with a needle.I had this machine for 3 years now, I use and abuse it every day (average of 3-4 espresso/day) and NEVER had an issue. I would recommend it over an over.
Instead of the old simple two-piece assembly and rubber disk, it now has 5 parts with a difficult to clean complicated screw-together assembly and a rubber gasket, which is bound to fail. Why change when you are on to a good thing. That was a splendid machine, simple construction, good crema, and little maintenance. When tightened lightly to have the coffee run normally, steam escapes on side of Filter Holder.
Last week the pump stopped working so I ordered an EC 140 B Execution: C, which on the surface looked like the same machine. I have been using a Delonghi BAR 140 F for about 6 years, about 10 espresso's each week no latte's (don't like them), so no experience with that). On top of that IT DOES NOT MAKE ESPRESSO.When handle is normally tight, it runs (i.e. Filter is full of coffee/water sludge when you take it off i.e. Right.
dribbles) very slowly. not the nice dry "puck" I got on the old machine.I am really disappointed and to rub it in, Delonghi has changed the diameter of the holder attachment so I cannot use the Filter Holder of the old 140 F.I am returning the EC 140 B. I was very happy with it. Coffee looks like drip i.e. BIG MISTAKE.I used it for the first time this morning and it is a disaster.
The problem is the Filter Holder design.Some smart engineer decided (as they are wont) to improve the Holder and Creamer design. no crema. Does anyone have a lightly used 140 F that I can buy.
Be sure to have a good grinder. My expresso bean of choice is Lavazza.
I am on my second shot of expresso and am loving the simplicity of it all. I just received this item promptly yesterday and began using it this morning.
The unit is small and will not take up a lot of space on your counter. This is the first machine of this type I have owned, so I can not impart a comparison of any sort, but can say this machine is easy to use and makes a nice cup of expresso with ample crema.
It also steams milk like a little champ. Update: 11/22/2009 This little champ is still going strong and I have no complaints.
When this machine goes to expresso maker heaven, I will buy another DeLonghi.
I did have to experiment for a few days with the size of the grind (I recommend a good grinder as other have stated) until I finally got it right. I have never owned an espresso maker so I will not be able to compare it with other models and the more expensive ones out there. I have had no problems with making steamed milk and froth. All I know is that I love coffee (I even started roasting my own beans) and I am amazed at the quality of coffee this little inexpensive machine is producing. I can't believe I make my own cappuccinos and lattes so easily every morning. I must admit that since I have never used this type of machine before, I did have to read the instructions a couple of times to make sure I understood how to use it, but after a few times, I can whip out coffee in no time. I have only had this for a couple of weeks and I use it daily (sometimes several time a day) so I hope it lasts me a long time.
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