After doing months of research on an espresso maker, I figured that I should get a cheap, reliable and good model. Believe me I knew nothing about espresso machines and even with months of research, I can’t say that I’m already an expert. I have decided between getting a more expensive model and a cheaper one but I must say that I really wanted to go for something less dear. I finally settled for the Delonghi EC155 Espresso Maker.
You might ask why? Some of you might know that this model is one of the cheapest espresso makers around and it certainly doesn’t burn too much of a hole in your salary. After using it for almost 6 months, I must say that I am really impressed with this machine. Basically, the entire machine is a pump driven espresso maker which makes a whole lot of difference compared to the steam driven ones. Steam driven ones make crap coffee! This is by far the best and cheapest model fitted with a pump and durable stainless steel boiler. It also heats itself up really fast. There’s also a removable tray drip underneat, a big water reservoir enough for 10 shots of espresso and 2 thermostats to measure water and steam pressure. There is also the option of using either ESE pods or ground espresso.
Also, the water reservoir is great because it gives you enough water to create up to 10 shots of espresso. There are also 2 thermostats to measure water and steam pressures. Both of which are imperative in making you the perfect cup of espresso. It took me a while to get this thing warmed up although most people took a short time probably I’m just not so inclined to operating these things, but after a while it became so easy to operate it.
My biggest problem with this espresso maker is the steam wand. Although not apparently obvious, this is one of the most frequently used part of any coffee preparation. This steam wand to my surprise was made of plastic and the insides were threaded. With all the heating and frothing and repeated use, I figured that this part would quickly wear over time. Although it hasn’t completely worn off, I am beginning to see signs of wear and tear of the inner threads. My other issue is that you could only fit a small cup underneath the spout. Not very ideal, since I do like a good big cup of coffee.
I would think that this espresso maker is good in a lot of ways but there are times when I wish I can fit a bigger cup underneath instead of small cups. The space kind of looks cramped. The built-in tamper is also a little cumbersome to use. Apart from all these minor issues, I think this is a great espresso maker for less than $100. If you are still unsure, I would definitely put this on the top of my list.
Want to find out more about delonghi EC155 espresso maker? then visit Angelica Hoffmann’s site and read about espresso machine reviews before getting one!