Delonghi EC155

I purchased this machine 4 months ago, and absolutely love it! It's my first expresso machine, so I'd never made expresso previously. However, after reading the machine's instructions and a few posts on… this site, I was quickly making wonderful cappuccinos and lattes. And the taste is just as good as what you get at Starbucks! This machine is fully self-contained and very easy to operate. There is a slight learning curve when it comes to steaming and frothing, but I perfected my technique after the first couple of trys. The frothing wand sits a bit low, so you'll need to purchase a frothing cup to match that height. I've tried the LaVazza pods, but prefer the Starbucks expresso roast coffee. I buy it at my local Starbucks and have them grind it! As expected, the fresh ground coffee is much tastier, although cleanup is much easier when using the pods. For under $100, you won't find a better expresso machine than the Delonghi EC155!

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I have owned this machine for about a month. Reading the different reviews were a big help in figuring out how to get the best out of this machine. It is important to use very cold milk to froth. I put it… in glass jar to get it really cold. I use whole milk for the richest taste. Make sure the machine is very hot before use, turn it on about 15 minutes for the best results. I use a plain cup to releDe'Longhi EC155 Espresso Machine Ec155ase some steam into the cup. It is usually watery so that clears the nozzle for pure steam. Then I make the espresso. I fill the the filter holder and tamp it with about 30 pounds of pressure, while giving it a slight twist at the end. Then pull the espresso for about 20 seconds or until the color becomes light. Let the machine heat for a minute to froth the milk. Fill the frothing cup about a third full of cold milk. Do not immerse the frothing tip in the cup as shown in the instruction book. This will overheat the milk and NOT ctreate the delicious foam. Instead insert the tip just under the top of the milk and turn the steam knob to 12 o'clock. Skim the tip over the milk and lower the cup as the milk begins to foam up so that the tip does not end up deep in the foam. I ended up with alot of hot milk and little foam before I figured this out. Meticulous cleaning of the machine is so important. Run water with vinegar through the machine once a month. Then run plenty of water though it to remove the vinegar. Seven parts water to one part vinegar is what I used. Run this though the espresso maker and the foaming tip. Clean the plastic tip with a pin frequently as milk will plug it even if you soak it. I was frustrated with the intruction booklet, but I read alot of reviews for ideas and I now make a drink to rival a good coffee shop. It is a learning curve that has been alot of fun. This has been a very rewarding purchase, literally at the price of a latte!

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I can't say much about the quality of the espresso made by this machine since I'm such a novice (and don't even have a decent grinder). However, I can say with some confidence that the steam wand on this… machine is too short for any ordinary quantity of steamed milk. It doesn't even reach the bottom of stout twenty ounce pitcher. I also don't understand the bulky plastic piece around the end of the wand: why not just leave the tip bare like some of the other machines I've seen? It looks and feels clumsy. Since I'm mostly about the cappuccinos, I had to return the product. What a shame.

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