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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
Awesome Machine, love the steam frothing
This machine is nicely heavy and strong, normally with every pump espresso machine you have to wait like 5 minutes or more to let it warm up, well this one is ready in seconds, the pump is not noisy at all, the steamer works very nice mixing perfectly the milk with the steam without making boiling the milk before you get a firm foam and that is a good advantage because...
Published 15 months ago by A. C.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Insane Leaks!!!
We had high hopes for this machine, and it was well reviewed and very reasonably priced. The first time we filled the water reservoir a few minutes later we were stepping in water (oh, it leaks.) We cleaned up, filled it up again, and this time carefully ensured it was seated properly. Then we waited. Yep, it leaked again.
After a couple of additional...
Published 10 months ago by KW
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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
Awesome Machine, love the steam frothing, June 8, 2009
This review is from: DeLonghi EC270 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine, Black and Stainless (Kitchen)
This machine is nicely heavy and strong, normally with every pump espresso machine you have to wait like 5 minutes or more to let it warm up, well this one is ready in seconds, the pump is not noisy at all, the steamer works very nice mixing perfectly the milk with the steam without making boiling the milk before you get a firm foam and that is a good advantage because you can froth directly into your cup instead of using frothing pitcher (less clean to do), the water reservoir can be remove to fill it or it has a lid too, and it comes with two kinds of filters one to use with ground coffee for 2 cups, and another one that can be use with ground coffee for 1 cup or with E.S.E pods( which although they are bit expensive, once you use them you love them cause they are super practical) and at last but not least the fact that this has stainless-steel boiler is a plus since all the small espressos use aluminum which is not that healthy. In general it is very easy to use and to clean machine.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
Tank replaced, machine is wonderful once more!, October 29, 2009
This review is from: DeLonghi EC270 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine, Black and Stainless (Kitchen)
UPDATE 2: I found a replacement water tank fairly cheaply online. It totally fixed the leaking problem. The through-flow problem and pump noises that made me think it was dying seem to be down to the fineness of the grind. I made the grind a little coarser and stopped tamping it so hard (apparently you don't need to tamp the coffee so much for these pressurized portafilter machines). Now it is working again just like new! So I am upping my rating to 4 stars, as the tank may need replacing every so often, but this is very easy if you know where to look ([...] - just search on brand and model number EC 210). It was very easy and inexpensive (10.95) to replace the tank. The new tank had a tighter fit than the original - perhaps it will last longer. I'm a happy bunny again, now I am getting my daily fix of espresso once more ... :-)
UPDATE 1: Seven months of wonderful coffee, but now getting floods all over the counter, with a distinct lack of flow/throughput from the espresso head. DeLonghi were no help at all in fixing the problem, even though the machine was still under warranty - they asked for multiple details over the course of 6 emails, told me it was out of warranty (they take the date of manufacture) and then told me to ship it 100 miles to get the problem sorted once I emailed a scan of my original invoice (they only have a few espresso machine repair centers in the USA). It was cheaper to obtain a new tank from a third-party supplier than to ship the machine. So don't expect to get this (apparently really common) issue fixed under warranty.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
The machine is easy to use: you need to run two lots of heated water through the espresso filter part to heat it up (takes 3-4 minutes, including wait time for the light on top to tell you that it has reheated between runs). Then you can pop in the pod or a tamped espresso filter and make your coffee. I use Peace Coffee Guatemalan espresso beans, ground fine with a Braun burr grinder. If I can't be bothered to grind the next few days' supply, I use Lavazza Espresso Pods Gran Crema, 150-Count, .25-Ounce Pods. Both make excellent coffee, although the Peace coffee is to die for!
The milk steamer/frother works perfectly for me. For the reviewer who said they could only get froth out of this, you need to hold the milk jug closer underneath the wand and at an angle so that the steamer is near the bottom of the jug. If you just put the tip of the steamer wand in the milk, you get froth. If you immerse the wand so that the steamer is close to the bottom of the jug, it steams the milk with very little froth. Move the jug down on the frothing wand as the milk is heated, to add as much froth as you want by steaming the top 1/2 inch at the end of the heating process. I'd really recommend the Krups XS5020 20-Ounce Stainless-Steel Milk Frothing Pitcher as this is *just* the right size to steam milk for 1-2 large (16oz) lattes and has a great handle that keeps fingers away from the heated stainless steel. I would also recommend the Rattleware 5-Ounce Brew Pitcher, which is just the right size to fit under the espresso spouts. I make a long shot of espresso which fills the pitcher from a double-shot amount of espresso (or two single-shot pods). This is the advantage of using a machine that does not have an automatic cutoff for the water-flow: you can make your coffee how you like it (the standard double-shot is only 2oz - I make nearer 4oz, which still has a real kick that you don't find in filtered coffee, yet is not at all bitter).
The RSVP Terry's Tamper is just the right size for this espresso filter and tamps the coffee much better than the (rather fragile) plastic tamper that comes with the machine. I have just about perfected the "press-and-turn" tamping technique to get the coffee tightly-compressed in the filter, using this tamper.
The only slight drawback with this machine is that you have to wait for the milk steamer to warm up, after you've made your espresso, as it only has a single heater. Most of the machines in this price range are like this - it is not a big deal. You press the steamer button and wait for it to light up (takes about 1-2 minutes, max). If you leave the coffee in a little brew jug under the spout, it is kept warm by the metal plate underneath, which was already heated by the initial warmup process. I have made espresso for 4 people with this machine in the same run and each came out beautifully. The water reservoir holds 35oz, which is enough for more coffee and steam than I am likely to need ...
I have not had any problem with turning the filter holder unless I really overfilled the espresso filter basket - it can be quite tight if you get too ambitious with the amount of coffee you can pack in there! I agree with the reviewer who observed that the machine is not as heavy as it looks and you have to hold onto the top of the machine, as you insert the filter holder. But at least this makes it easy to carry.
Overall the machine is really easy to use and to clean. The espresso filter holder is nicely designed with a flip-up arm that allows you to knock the grounds out easily. I have made way more coffee with this machine than I expected, because it is so good and so easy. I thought that this would be a weekend indulgence and was afraid that I might not use it enough to justify the cost. In fact, I make espresso every morning and I don't know how I lived without it for so long!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
Delonghi EC270 Espresso Machine., June 10, 2009
This review is from: DeLonghi EC270 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine, Black and Stainless (Kitchen)
Have used this machine for a week now, and am hooked on its operation. It's a solid, quality unit and is easy to use. It's warm up time is in minutes and you're ready to make espresso. The milk frother is excellent; it makes a very creamy froth in little time. Can't see any negatives at all on this machine. Is it wrong to love your coffee maker?
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Insane Leaks!!!, October 21, 2009
This review is from: DeLonghi EC270 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine, Black and Stainless (Kitchen)
We had high hopes for this machine, and it was well reviewed and very reasonably priced. The first time we filled the water reservoir a few minutes later we were stepping in water (oh, it leaks.) We cleaned up, filled it up again, and this time carefully ensured it was seated properly. Then we waited. Yep, it leaked again.
After a couple of additional attempts (push it firmly in, gently rest it in place) I decided to turn on the machine...maybe running a cycle or two would fix things. As it warmed up, water started leaking out of the steam nozzle! (first time it was ever used) followed by leaking from the water reservoir.
The manual says nothing about troubleshooting leaks. I think we got a dud, and I'm very disappointed.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Good Machine for Beginners, November 11, 2009
This review is from: DeLonghi EC270 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine, Black and Stainless (Kitchen)
The DeLonghi EC270 is my first espresso machine. I was looking into home espresso machines and really couldn't afford the price of many mid-high level machines, but this one looked like it would do great.
The first thing I noticed, as I was unpacking the machine, was it's weight - not incredibly light, though not very heavy. And most of that weight is top-heavy, so you'll need to have an extremely firm grip on it when connecting the portafilter.
Next, and something purely aesthetic, the stainless steel areas are not brushed. They have a polished, mirror-like finish. So I guess that is good if you like watching yourself make espresso.
I didn't use the machine right away. I waited until I had distilled water and some nicely ground coffee. *Note*-You do not have to use distilled water, but I would recommend it over other types of water because it is completely free of impurities and will prolong the life of your machine. Also, be sure to never operate the machine with less than two inches of water in the reservoir so as not to ruin the pump.
The included scoop/tamper is handy, since the scoop lets you know exactly how much coffee to use. Though the tamper is very flimsy, so you'll need to buy a different tamper - 53mm! Tamping the coffee is essential and it can take some practice to perfect the task. I'm pretty sure I haven't gotten it down correctly, yet.
I haven't seen any machines with a heavy duty portafilter is this price range, this machine included. A brass portafilter would be nice, although it is not essential to make espresso.
The machine heats up fairly quick, gets pretty hot, and will stay surprisingly warm long after you're done and have unplugged the cord. Though the cup warming feature only works if you turn it on about 15-20 min prior to using it. I prefer to just run a blank shot or two to warm the cup (the manual recommends running 1-2 blank shots prior to pulling an espresso shot so as to create espresso at the right temp). So far my espresso has only come out very bitter with very little crema. I'm not convinced it is the machine at fault here. I may need to try different coffee, tamping method, brew time, etc.
The steaming feature is the only drawback for me with this machine. I have used it several times, and it takes me a good 3 tries, nearly a minute each, to get about 6oz of milk steamed. The end result only has about 25% froth. I carefully followed the manufacturer's instructions (which state to not steam more than 3 consecutive times), and have also tried holding the steam wand at various depths into the milk. I've tried skim milk as well as 2%. I may call customer service about maybe replacing the machine if this issue does not improve. I thought the machine just might not be capable of doing a good steam job, but I see some other reviewers do not have the same problem.
I do wish that the manual was a bit more helpful. Although it is easy to read and comprehend and it shows you how to properly use the machine, I just felt like it was missing something. Maybe some capuccino and latte recipes, recommendations on what types of coffee to use. I definitely would like to have seen instructions on how to properly tamp.
All in all I'm pretty happy with the DeLonghi EC270. It seems to be of good quality and it performs almost as good as advertised. While it is no Rancilio Silvia, I think it is a great espresso machine for beginners and it is there to serve you as you develop your barista skills.
UPDATE (2/24/2010):
I've been using the machine a few times a week for a couple months now. The one thing that happened was it started leaking! The first couple times, it leaked quite a bit. After doing some investigating, I determined the leak to be coming from the steam wand. The machine now leaks on a regular basis, although only a couple drops each day (I keep a napkin underneath the steam wand). The leaking has not affected the overall performance of the machine. I'm still trying to decide whether or not to contact customer service.
Anyway, I got myself a nice tamper. It's a Rattleware 53-mm round-handled tamper, long. IT IS TOO BIG! I measured very carefully, but this tamper just won't fit. I'm going to see if I can somehow file it down to fit....I'll try to remember to post an update on that.
I also purchased the Krups XS5020 20-ounce milk frothing pitcher. Who knew going from a plastic cup to a stainless steel pitcher would make all the difference when it comes to frothing milk? I can now easily froth my milk in 60-80 sec and achieve a large amount of nice micro-foam. And I'm glad I purchased the 20-ounce size versus the 12-ounce. They are both the same height, just different diameters. The 20-ounce size gives you more versatility. *Note* - After some hesitation, I recently started mixing flavoring syrup with the milk prior to frothing. It does not affect the milk's ability to froth, and it gives the micro-foam a very nice flavor. Not to mention, it also fills the room with an enticing aroma while frothing.
The coffee I've been using is ILLY Espresso Coffee: Medium Roast, fine grind. It is okay. I don't have much to compare it to but it is definitely better than the junk you get out of the bulk bins at the grocery store. I'm interested in trying a few other brands/roasts so I'll try to keep you posted.
I've been reading Espresso: From Bean to Cup by Nick Jurich. It is a bit dated but still enjoyable. I also have The Chocolate and Coffee Bible (Catherine Atkinson, Mary Banks, Christine France & Christine McFadden). I've yet to read the latter, but by glancing it looks as though it goes more into detail and offers some pretty appealing recipes. There are also several other books out there that I'd like to read, many of which are offered here on amazon.
I'll conclude with my Skinny Vanilla-Hazelnut Latte recipe (using the DeLonghi EC270):
-Turn on the machine and let it warm up for 10-15 min. Meanwhile, in your frothing pitcher, mix 1 ounce (2 Tbsp/30ml/3 pumps) Torani Sugar-free Classic Hazelnut syrup with about 4-6 ounces skim milk (these are not exact proportions, I usually just eyeball it...adjust to your own liking). Stir in 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract. Refrigerate the milk mixture until needed.
-Once the machine has gotten warmed up, pull your espresso shot. If pulling a single, remember the 25 second rule!
-Press the steam button. I find the frothing procedure to go by easier and much less noisy if you wait a couple minutes after the little green light has lit up so as to further ready the machine.
-Froth your milk, keeping the steam wand submerged 1/8" to 1/4" below the surface of the milk.
-Pour your espresso into a serving cup. Add steamed/frothed milk. Stir, if you'd like.
Enjoy!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Good machine, some issues and more issues, October 17, 2009
This review is from: DeLonghi EC270 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine, Black and Stainless (Kitchen)
I hate to rain on the positive review parade - but this machine isn't worth 5 stars (maybe 4, depending on the price you get it for). I'd like to note that I'm not a coffee snob - I use milk and some form of sweeter in every coffee I make. I've been making my own mochas at home for about 2 years now and just purchased this machine to replace my Breville Ikon - great machine, but the seals on it were shot from not always using purified water and it was cheaper to buy a new machine than to get mine fixed. The DeLonghi isn't a Breville (doesn't have the price tag either) but it does make a good cup of mocha!
My 2 issues with this machine are:
1) Although it is heavy in weight, that weight is fairly top heavy making it very difficult to turn the filter holder into the head. I'm used to placing and turning - maybe the model I got is tighter than most, but I honestly turned the whole machine and ended up awkwardly putting a strangle hold on it to get the filter into place properly.
2) The steam wand is exclusively a frothing wand. With my Breville I could CHOOSE to use the frothing attachment or use a more barista style approach - we like milky coffee and could care less for foam so we did without it. With this machine 8ozs of milk turns into 16 oz of milk and foam in about 60 seconds. I tried to remove the frothing attachment (without double checking the instructions first) and the steam wand came apart in my milk (great for easy cleaning, obviously not meant to be used without the attachment that holds it together). With the amount of foam it creates and the relatively short wand it has to be held and monitored while the milk is heating and it will only heat enough milk for one drink at a time, unless you enjoy cleaning milk from your counters.
All in all the coffee was good, it is just going to take some getting used to (and maybe some 3M strips to attach it to my counter top). For the price, the function of the machine is excellent and it looks good too.
UPDATE:
I've had this machine for 2 months now and it has started leaking like CRAZY!! I only use highly filtered water in it so this shouldn't be a problem. I'm going to attempt to contact customer service but based on previous reviews I'm not highly optimistic.
UPDATE 2:
It has been 8 months now - we've just dealt with the leak issue, but now the steam function has quit working exclusively - it still pulls a decent shot of espresso, but as I said we put milk and sweetener in every drink we make, so I'm looking to just replace it. Even a low end $140 machine should last longer than 8 months!!! I am very disappointed in this purchase and the company!
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Low quality, November 12, 2009
This review is from: DeLonghi EC270 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine, Black and Stainless (Kitchen)
The water tank was leaking big time right out of the box. Overnight it was completely empty. I thought this machine was made in Italy, but I was wrong. China 'quality' made.
Returned.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Amazing, but there must be a quality control issue, February 8, 2010
This review is from: DeLonghi EC270 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine, Black and Stainless (Kitchen)
First, the machine makes a perfect espresso, and steams milk for cappuccino exactly right. As should be obvious from various reviews, there is a quality control issue - the first one I got started leaking randomly after a few days. No pattern, just we would wake up to the tank 2/3 empty, water all over the counter. Amazon sent another one, I returned the original, and problems seem to be solved. DeLonghi should deal with this, but if you're willing to take the chance that you might have to return one to get a good one, you will not find a better espresso. A friend of mine has one of those $800 fully automatic machines, grinds the beans and tamps them etc, and this makes much better espresso than his. If I based the stars on the quality of the coffee, it would get 6.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent cup of Espresso!, January 31, 2010
This review is from: DeLonghi EC270 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine, Black and Stainless (Kitchen)
I haven't tasted a cup of espresso like this since I came from Italy on a 3 month vacation. You have the choice to make your cup shorter (stretto) or Long (lungo), the difference being the shorter cup is more flavorful and concentrated like the ones in the Espresso bars in Italy. I'm sure some of the $1000+ dollar machines can make a better cup, but the margin for better is very small. The brew on this machine is very creamy and rich. Unfortunately, in this country you have a hard time finding a good barista that can make the espresso as it should be (in my opinion, stretto). I believe I got my money's worth already and Ive only had this machine 2 months. I hope it lasts, as it is not commercial quality, but if it lasts a year with the amount I use it, I will buy another one. One piece of advice, try to find a good quality espresso, I used to use lavatsa, but I found a local Italian coffee roaster that blows it away.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Leaking on 3rd Use-Very Disappointed!, December 25, 2009
This review is from: DeLonghi EC270 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Machine, Black and Stainless (Kitchen)
We received this Espresso maker as an early Christmas gift. My husband and I were so delighted the first time using the unit. It was so easy to use! AND extremely fast in making a cup of espresso. The espresso was fantastic in taste and the steam arm made perfectly frothed milk in a matter of seconds. We were very impressed and were looking forward to many more enjoyable cups of espresso. The 3rd time we used the machine we found that it was leaking water everywhere. The piece that controls the water flow between the water reservoir and the tank is defective. We are very disappointed that we have to return this and look for something different.
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