DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Maker: Taking A Closer Look

DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Maker: Taking A Closer Look
I love coffee, plain and simple. But when it comes to espressos, I really didn’t care much since I thought it was just another coffee variant. After I heard about espressos being the base for my favorite Starbucks beverages such as their Mocha Frappuccino and Cafe Mocha, I decided to know more about espressos and the machines that produce them.

First of all, I’d like to provide a brief background about espressos and espresso makers. Prior to this review, I really don’t know that much about espressos and I haven’t really tried one (or so I thought). After all, I was already satisfied with my morning cup of coffee at home and other coffee concoctions I order from Starbucks. With some diligent researching, I learned that there are two basic coffee styles, the first being the regular (non-espresso) brewed coffee we sip every breakfast, while the other is espresso.

Regular, non-espresso coffee is usually intended to be a “serve-at-home” drink, from a medium-strength blend and may be brewed using different methods, of which the most common equipment used are the standard-drip and French Press coffee makers. An espresso, on the other hand, is a concentrated derivative of coffee, albeit a different brewing method is used, generally by forcing hot water under pressure through coffee that has been ground finely.

As compared to regular coffee, the method of brewing espresso results to a coffee that has a thick texture, with more intense and concentrated flavor. It also has a distinct brown foam known as “crema”.
The general types of espresso machines are as follows:
Steam-driven – one of the earliest forms of espresso machines which utilize the power of steam in order to forcefully push water through coffee beans.
Piston-driven – this type of espresso involves relies on a large lever to push properly heated water through coffee beans in order to produce a “shot” as opposed to using steam and pressure.
Pump-driven – the most popular type of espresso maker and the ones we see more often in coffee and espresso bars such as Starbucks and Seattle’s Best. It makes use of a motor-driven pump to push water through to coffee beans.
Stove top – this is the first form of espresso machine which also harnesses the power of steam and pressure to produce a nice shot of espresso. They are commonly found in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese households.

Now that we’ve had a good dose of Espresso 101, it’s now time to visit our product spotlight: The DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Maker. Our product spotlight is essentially a pump-driven espresso machine and, from what I have learned, pump-driven machines are preferred by more coffee lovers as it is able to produce the ideal amount of pressure necessary to drive nearly boiling water into compressed coffee. It also is very convenient to use and produces consistent espresso quality.
Through my diligent research, I have learned about some of the few factors to consider in buying an espresso machine, particularly in the pump-driven category. These are:
Overall built quality of the espresso machine
Thermostats for steam and water temperatures
Power output
Extraction pressure
Filter quality

Can you take the pressure?
Brewing of espresso requires the right amount of pressure – around 90 to 130 lbs per square inch of pressure in order to produce the perfect espresso. For espresso machines, pressure is measured by “bars”, in which the recommended is around 8 to 10 bars. The DeLonghi EC155 is capable of generating 15 bars of pressure, guaranteeing you a perfect cup of espresso everytime.
The DeLonghi EC155 is also made with a durable stainless-steel boiler, giving it the impression that it’s meant to last.

Two thermostats for water and steam pressure
Brewing espresso also requires the right combination of steaming and brewing temperature. Ideally, brewing pressure should be around 195 degrees, while steaming pressure at 260 degrees. The EC155’s separate thermostat control for water and steam pressure allows the user to make rich espresso or cappuccino at an ideal temperature.

Say goodbye to annoying start-up procedures
Espresso machines usually have what they call recovery time – the time it takes for the machine to regain ideal heating temperatures for brewing espresso. With the EC155’s self-priming operation working in tandem with its durable stainless-steel boiler, getting a shot of espresso is now faster than ever with almost no start-up requirements.

Dual-action filter
Easy-serve-pods or E.S.E. pods are small portions (6 to 7.5 grams) of tightly packed coffee wrapped in a paper filter which are placed into the part of espresso machines where coffee grounds are placed. E.S.E. pods were designed to make espresso making both quicker with less mess. The DeLonghi EC155 can accommodate not only fresh coffee grounds but also E.S.E. pods as well. When ground espresso is used, its dual-action filter also incorporates air into the brew which allows the production of an excellent caramel-colored “crema”, a signature characteristic of a perfect espresso shot.

Adjustable swivel jet frother, removable 35-ounce water reservoir and illuminated power “on-off” switch
The DeLonghi EC155 features an adjustable swivel jet frother for mixing steam and milk – the perfect combination for making a rich and creamy froth in cappuccinos. Its 35-ounce capacity water reservoir can also be conveniently removed to allow for hassle-free filling and cleaning, while its illuminated power switch makes it easier to manage the machine’s operation. It also comes with a removable dip-tray.

Power is everything
In addition to the required amount of pressure, creating a perfectly-brewed espresso also requires sufficient power to make the machine deliver its coffee-extracting duties. The DeLonghi EC155 features 1000 watts of pure espresso-making power.

Here are the technical details for the DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Machine:
* Power output: 1000 watts
* Pump or steam: Pump
* Maximum pump pressure: 15 bars
* Color: Black
* Water tank capacity: 4-3/8 cups
* Manufacturer: DeLonghi
* Country of manufacture: Italy
* Timer: No
* Coffeemaker attached: No
* Removable water tank: Yes
* Built-in grinder: No
* Steam wand: Yes
* Espresso pod adapter: Yes
* Self-priming pump: Yes
* Height: 11-1/8 inches
* Length: 9-1/2 inches
* Depth: 7-1/2 inches
* Weight: lbs

Warranty Information
The DeLonghi EC155 carries a one-year limited warranty.

Price range
An online search for DeLonghi EC155 prices reveal a figure of around $84.95 to $103.99, with the average price going at about $93.89. Amazon lists the DeLonghi EC155 at less than $100 in their website.

General consumer reviews
The DeLonghi EC155 received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars in the Amazon website and a perfect five-star rating at the website consumerreports.org.
Here are some of the impressions about the DeLonghi EC155 from Amazon customers:
“Great espresso, incredible price!”
“Awesome pump driven machine for the $$”
“Great product for the price”
“EC155 A Really good machine”
“Excellent and Easy To Use…”
“Best bang for the buck! Excellent espresso every time!”
“Great Value & Well Designed”

Critical reviews
Since the DeLonghi EC155 is a pump-driven machine, there are some customers who mentioned that the pump easily accumulates mineral deposits from the water. This is a minor problem that can easily be fixed by regularly cleaning the unit. Another minor complaint from one customer says that the spout only allows short coffee or espresso cups. He then immediately suggested a workaround by removing the perforated steel plate where your coffee cup is placed; this will then allow a good spot to place taller mugs and cups.

Where to buy
Grab the DeLonghi EC155 from Amazon (which has very affordable prices) and your espresso machine will be delivered right to your doorstep with their “Super Saver Shipping” promo. Now let the savings begin!

Where to get more reviews
What’s really neat about Amazon’s website is their “customer reviews” section where you get to read real reviews from real people who purchased the product. Save yourself time, money and effort by reading these reviews before making your purchase decision.