Review: Delonghi Two Cup Espresso/Cappuccino Maker

Price: $39.99 on CSN Stores


What is Delonghi?

Delonghi products are known for their quality, convenience and function. All of Delonghi's coffee makers, toaster ovens, esspresso machines, ranges, wall ovens and other appliances include exclusive features and many also boast patented functions you can only get from Delonghi. All kitchen and home appliances are manufactured in the Italian tradition, keeping performance as the top priority. When you purchase a Delonghi kitchen or home appliance you are purchasing a reputable, quality and most notably, living innovation.  
Product features:

• 2-cup adapter allows you to make two espressos simultaneously
• Patented safety cup is steam-pressurized to ensure safe operation
• Swivel jet frother produces thick milk froth for authentic Italian cappuccinos and lattes
• 8.5 ounce heat-resistant glass carafe is highly durable, withstanding heat for optimum safety
• On/Off switch with indicator light allows for easy operation
• Large removable drip tray makes cleanup quick and easy
• Designed and engineered in Italy
• Overall Dimensions: 11" H x 11" W x 8.25" D

What a way to start off the morning with a nice, hot cup of espresso coffee or cappuccino for those looking for a sweet taste of Italy! With its many features, there is no going wrong to enjoy the deep, rich, and more satisfying experience for the avid coffee drinker.

What I think:
Please note that this is my first experience with an espresso machine so I can't really compare it with another.

Shipping: The shipping was pretty fast as I placed my order on June 30 and the day after, I received an email to let me know that it have been shipped out. When I came back from my vacations in Wilwdood on July 9, the espresso machine has arrived.

This is what the invoice looks like:

I live in Quebec, Canada, so I had to pay shipping fees ($7.95) and international fees ($13.19). The promo is the promotional code sent to me by CSN Stores. I personally hate having to pay for shipping, and even more for international fees. I totally kills me -_-

Product:
In the instructions booklet, you will find detailled steps on how to make a perfect espresso, a cappuccino, and how to clean and maintain the machine. The instructions come in English, French, Spanish and Italian. For this review, I'm going to show you how the machine performs when doing 2 cappuccinos. I'm following the guidelines from the instructions booklet provided with the machine:

The first step is to put water into the boiler according to the amounts shown in the table (shown above). You can use the carafe supplied to put the exact amount of water recommended:

Water level must coincide with steam symbol on the carafe.

After inserting the filter into the filter holder, use the provided measuring spoon to put the coffee evenly into the filter according to the amount shown in the table.

I use Cafe Copan 100% Pure Monduran Coffee.

To attach the filter holder to the machine, the instructions booklet recommends to place it under the heater faucet and then press the filter holder upwards while at the same time rotating counter-clockwise all the way. Let me tell you that it absolutely doesn't work. I have no idea how that thing works, but I'm almost never able to firmly set the filter holder in its housing. Seriously... take a look at that:

That's the best I can do!

Next, place the carafe (or a cup) under the filter holder. Using the table as a guide, pour the required amount of milk into the carafe. The best results will be achieved using whole milk (not skim), which would be at refrigerator temperature.

The instructions booklet recommend using maximum 1 carafe filled to the level 4.

Transfer the milk into a container (I use a simple glass). It is said that the container should be large enough to allow the milk to expand to triple its volume, but... anyway, you'll see for yourself.

Press the ON/OFF switch. When the coffee starts to drip from the filter holder, place the steam nozzle in the milk ensuring that the nozzle opening is just under the surface of the milk, and open the steam valve by turning the steam knob counter-clockwise. Move the container up and down under the steam nozzle (this is supposed to give maximum froth). Froth the milk until the steam in the boiler has been completely used up, then turn the steam knob in a clockwise direction.

This is my second complaint. Look for yourself:

 See how the milk frother wand is short and really close to the machine? It makes it really akward to use.

And this is the best I can do. Pretty disappointing.

The frother doesn't seem to be powerful enough; you barely get a hot cup of milk and very, very little steam. To get some extra steam, I have to run it through an extra cycle just for steam. What a waste of time!

 Final result.

I'm pretty disappointed, as my idea of the ideal cappucino looks more like this:

image from Google Images

They say to use milk at refrigerator temperature, but the frother doesn't heat it enough. When pouring it into the coffee, it only makes it cold, and I have to put it into the microwave. Maybe it's defective? As I said, this is my first epxerience with an espresso machine, so I absolutely don't know what a machine at such a low price can achieve.

Pros:

• inexpensive
• brews quickly
• easy to use
• easy to clean
• instructions are clear and simple
• large water container
• small and doesn't take a lot of place

Cons:

• looks cheap (plastic)
• makes lots of noise
• you have to use very small cups if you want the two of them to fit under the filter holder
• you cannot steam milk unless the coffee is brewing
• the milk frother wand is too short 
• the milk steamer doesn't seem to be powerful enough to make good steam (doesn't heat enough)
• the placement of the steam nozzle (too close to the machine) makes it akward to use

Recommend? no

Rating: ★★★★★
 

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review purposes, and the fact that it was "free" absolutely does not influence my opinion.