30.9.2017

Espresso coffee is a simple concept but difficult in practice. It consists of passing hot water at a precise temperature and pressure through precisely ground coffee to get all the complexity and subtlety out of the coffee. It also needs to supply steam at a higher temperature to create the foam for cappuccino.In commercial machines, temperature is kept constant by having large boilers, a lot of substantial metal and sometimes advanced electronics. Hot water also runs through the walls of the group (the part that delivers the coffee to the cup) to maintain temperature. The most sophisticated actually adjust temperature and pressure during the course of the delivery.Steam is created either in a separate boiler or by a thermosyphon that maintains the temperature differential.The reason I’ve mentioned all this to explain why it is really difficult to recreate the espresso you get in a commercial coffee shop at home. The most sophisticated domestic and prosumer espresso machines use commercial parts and principles and can produce fantastic coffee, but they cost in the region of £1000. The very simplest some espresso machines are ‘cold boiler’ machines, basically an electric version of stove-top devices like the Bialletti and the Moka - water is boiled and the pressure forces water through the coffee (no pump is used). The problem with this method is that the water is above ideal temperature and the coffee is scalded.The DeLonghi Dedica is in the middle category of domestic espresso machines - it is what is known as a thermoblock device. Just enough water for a cup of coffee is pumped through a small-capacity boiler - a little like a car radiator in reverse. For steam, the thermoblock is heated to a higher temperature. The advantage of this method is that it is quick to deliver coffee and relatively simple to manufacture. The disadvantage is that there is a delay between making the espresso and making the foam - you have to wait for the boiler to heat up. It is also difficult to maintain really precise and constant temperature with this system. Despite these disadvantages, some very successful home espresso machines like Rancilio Silvia and the Gaggia Classic use this method, and the coffee can be pretty good.The Dedica is a slim and elegant machine, the sides of which are brushed stainless steel. The base of the machine, however, is black plastic and the top is silver coloured plastic, so it is not as substantial as it first looks. The portafilter (the part you put the coffee into) has three inserts: one each for single and double espressos using ground coffee and one for using coffee pods. I didn’t try it out with coffee pods as these are a very expensive way of buying coffee as well as being an environmental abomination.Three illuminated buttons on the top select a single shot or a double shot (around 30cc and 60cc respectively) to the steam function. These buttons also function as indicator lights. The steaming ‘wand’ has a collar with two positions - one just for heating milk up and one to foam it. A tap on the side of the machine releases the steam as required once the correct temperature has been reached. Water is held in a plastic reservoir at the back of the machine. You can take the reservoir out and fill it under the tap (it has a valve in the bottom to prevent it leaking water when you remove it) or by simply filling it up with a jug. One useful feature of the machine is that the drip tray is removable to reveal a lower level drip tray, enabling you to use larger coffee cups. The top of the machine is also functions as a warming tray for your coffee cups.The three buttons on the top also allow control other functions; through a slightly fiddly technique of pressing the buttons in particular combinations you can adjust water temperature, water hardness and auto-switch off time. The temperature adjustment is a sophisticated addition for a machine at this price level, but when I measured the temperature of water produced they seemed very close (roughly 3º C in the cup between the lower and highest setting) and I would not be confident that they maintained this temperature from cup to cup. I decided to leave on the highest setting as this seemed to produce the tastiest coffee.All in all it is a neat looking machine. But, crucially, what was the coffee like? Actually, surprisingly good. The machine heats up quickly, and switching to steam function for cappuccino only took a few seconds (switching back to coffee delivery required a rather longer wait to allow the machine to cool down). Espresso was pretty good - not up to the standards of a commercial machine but perfectly acceptable. The steam wand is easy to use to create cappuccino foam, but one that is rather frothier than the denser foam you get in a high street coffee shop. Although the system of adjusting functions via the three buttons is rather more complicated than it needs to be, this is a simple machine to operate and it produces decent espresso and cappuccino. I do worry how robust this machine would be if it was in daily use - there is rather too much plastic in its construction - but other than that, it represents good value for money. If you are a coffee aficionado who wants to compete with the local coffee shop you are going to need to spend a lot more money, but in its price range it can be recommended.

23.7.2018

Mine arrived today, and I've just spent about an hour making my first cup. This is my first experience with anything other than a fully-automated machine (I'm replacing my Nespresso due to environmental concerns over the pods). The instruction manual is brief and seems correct, but every word in it counts, so extremely close attention to every detail is required. I got better instructions from YouTube. You'll need several vessels to catch variously hot water, splatters and squirts, and a damp cloth to mop up everything that goes over the side.Here are a few tips for other complete newbies:1. First problem: the 3-pin plug doesn't go fully into my 2-plug wall outlet,which none of the other things I've plugged in have done. This means that the lights would only come on if I pressed hard on the plug to fully engage it. It works fine in the other side, so problem solved.2. Be sure to take all the bits out of the box. I've just located my 1-cup filter (tucked into the styrofoam insert) after mistakenly using the coffee pod filter for my first cup. The machine came with the 2-cup filter inserted. The attached photo shows all 3, with 2 removable rubber-ringed inserts. The filters fit tightly into the base (filter holder), held in by 3 side springs, so use some force to pull them out and push them in until they click. There is a little notch in the filter base that you can use with your fingertip to pull out the filter.3. I'm still mystified about why the 1-cup and 2-cup buttons sometimes flash 3 times rapidly, pause, and repeat. The manual shows this could be caused by 4 different things. Eventually they go on solidly.4. I'll wait until later to fiddle with the programmable settings, as I got myself into blinking-light-purgatory and had to turn the whole thing off for awhile. There are settings for coffee temperature (low-medium-high); water hardness (soft-medium-hard), which presumably affects how often the descaling reminder light comes on; and the time until the machine turns itself off (9-30-180 min). You can also programme the volume of coffee delivered, which I'll try later.Once I had managed making the first cup, it took another hour to figure out how to heat the milk.1. The manual says to press the steam button, and 'the light flashes', but it doesn't seem to do so each time I tried it; sometimes it comes on solid straight away. It is supposed to flash until it is ready to dispense steam and then go solid, so I'll have to figure out how that all works; otherwise the rest of the exercise is futile because I got a bit of hot water and then nothing else.2. There is a mystifying icon on the 'cappucino maker selection ring' which points upwards for 'hot milk' and downwards for 'cappucino'. The whole metal stem/black plastic icon ring also rotates about an eighth-turn anti-clockwise to enable you to pull the whole thing downwards and remove it for cleaning. The black plastic ring with the icons on it is meant to be pushed towards the sky for hot milk, and towards the ground for frothing, sliding up and down around the metal cylinder. I know this seems stupid to have to describe, but if I didn't understand it maybe you don't either.3. Once you finally get all the stars in alignment, you turn the steam dial (A11 on the diagram) to the steam position, and let it purge water and air into an empty vessel for a few seconds. Steam dial up, get your milk container (I use a Pyrex 1-cup measure with 100ml milk), then down again, and-- at last-- you hear a rhythmic clunking from inside (the 'thermoblock') and you'll get all the steam you need to heat up the milk and/or make it froth.4. Then you wipe the milk off the metal stem, until it's time to disassemble the entire works for cleaning for the day.Final step is to go back on Amazon to buy that 500-gram 51-mm diameter coffee tamper you apparently just must have, and you might as well go for the kit and get the thermometer for the milk and the stainless steel jug. While drinking your new environmentally-friendly, thickly-frothed, 15p-per-cup cold espresso/cappucino/still wondering what a latté is, look up more videos on YouTube!25 July update: I'm getting along much better with it, although I still get two blinking lights in bursts of 3 after I finish steaming the milk. I can get my morning cups made in about 3-4 minutes. The coffee really is delicious, much better than the Nespresso-- and I'm not even a coffee snob. I'm using a bag of beans bought from M&S for £2.50, and it tastes like hot chocolate!

4.11.2019

This is my response to global warming, ditching my old and dying capsule espresso maker and stop paying three times for the coffee inside a capsule. It turned into much deeper trip into coffee culture than I expected. It also showed you don't need to spend £000 to get a top notch espresso.My first goal was to reproduce coffee as good as capsules, nothing more. I managed to go well beyond that but the setting takes a few tweaks. Mine are easy and shouldn't void your warranty.The machine itself is great, and an espresso "only" needs water at 90-93C and 9 atm pressure to deliver 25cl of black gold. Sure you should not be paying as much as your gas boiler to get a coffee!To get the right water temperature,you need to set this machine to "high". Also, you need to first run a couple of double espressos without coffee, just to warm up. Otherwise, you get 70C and not 90C coffee, which means very poor extraction and watery taste.Pressure is fine, the pump can deliver 15atm so 9atm is no issue.The machine comes with "pressurised" baskets. These make it easier to get a good-looking result, but you will not get more than weak espresso with these. Buy for £3 a non-pressurised basket here on Amazon, and check plenty of videos on youtube. You will need to unscrew a plastic bit in the portafilter to fit it, and I put a small bolt to close the remaining hole in the portafilter. Non-pressurised is less forgiving, so you will need some attempts, but it gives the only acceptable results. If you want to look stylish, go for a naked portafilter - though it adds nothing to the taste.Coffee you get in supermarkets is months old. If already ground, it will hardly have any CO2 left inside so little or no "crema". So buy the delonghi cheap KG79 burr mill, and buy freshly roasted beans (also available online and in lots of qualities and prices). By the way, Robusta coffee has much more CO2 and so makes much more crema than Arabice, whose taste though is preferred by most.Freshly ground beans have a lot of CO2 which slows the flow of water. So possibly the KG79 will mill fine enough for a good, slowly dripping espresso. If not, I did the following: twist out the top burr from the mill, as if for cleaning; unscrew the metal burr; add a very thin plastic spacer (thick like one or two sheets of paper) making sure the hole in the middle of the burr remains fully unobstructed otherwise coffee beans will get stuck; screw back the burr; set the mill grinding finesse at several steps less than the finest level to avoid the burrs touching; give it a go!With finely ground, fresh beans, I need very little tampering. With supermarket, preground coffee I needed to tamper like hell and got a 51mm metal tamper which now I hardly use. 51mm turns out to be too wide and gets stuck in the non-pressurised portafilter. So I can't use that tamper, nor do I need it.End of story: this machine can deliver a great espresso. It is designed to give results for everyone, but if you want a seriously good espresso you need to tweak it. Once that's done, and if you buy the right beans and a burr grinder, you'll get fantastic results.Enjoy!

1.12.2019

Why oh why do manufacturers think no one wants to drink coffee from a MUG?? Well, hats off to De'Longhi for this cracking wee machine. It does have an add-on platform for the wee espresso cups, but that's relegated to the back of a cupboard for me.It also comes with 3 filters - for a 2 cup, a 1 cup, and one to take coffee pods - personally I detest the environmental profligacy associated with pods, but each to their own - but it's an option with this machine!This a smart wee machine - you can choose between 3 heat setting for the coffee (Low/Med/High) - default id medium and I've left it at that - you can also set the water hardness through a menu, and a wee bonus,the machine is supplied with a descaler pack.Coffee making - there is some useful info in the instructions that will help you to make coffee to your particular taste. For me, I use Lavazza coffee after trialing many others, and I like my coffee strong - this machine delivers!It gives a measured amount of water for the filter size you are using - Tip - if you want to extract more, just run it again, but I recommend you don't - the machine does a great job of stopping at just the sweet spot for the extraction of the best part of the coffee, leaving the bitter 'tails' behind.Space wise, the machine is nice and slim, so takes up minimal space, and the water reservoir is a really good, big size, and easy to see the fill level as it's external.Now, the milk steamer - personally I don't use it - but if you do, it creates plenty, plenty of steam! I know this because the set up instructions ask you to run 5 measures through the filter, then switch to steam and run until the reservoir is empty - well frankly my kitchen was resembling a sauna before the reservoir was even half empty! So I did choose ignore the request to continue until empty...Cleaning - my last coffee machine lasted me many, many years, but had 1 weakness and 1 avoidable weakness..The coffee filter had a plate with many very fine holes, with a void behind that, and then the filter base base had one small hole leading to the spouts that deliver the coffee. Over time, the coffee solids built up behind the fine plate and blocked it - this machine has a removable filter plate - easy to maintain - brilliant!The 2nd issue with my old machine was the water distribution plate in the machine that the coffee presses up against once the filter holder is inserted into the machine - that plate should be periodically removed and clean behind it - on my old machine that needed a socket set and I left it too long resulting in pressure build up which burst a hose fitting on the high pressure side of the pump - this one just needs a Phillips screwdriver - easy - but don't ignore this for occasional cleaning, especially if you live in a hard water area.Overall then, a very smart machine, takes up minimal worktop space, is very functional, takes pretty much all mugs up to 12-13cm high (the taller ones you can probably manipulate in) and easy to clean. Love it!

28.9.2017

Delonghi coffee makerIn the box::::::::::::::::::::Instruction bookletGuarantee leafletCoffee machine3 filters- 1 cup, 2 cup, ESE podFilter holderMeasuring spoon with coffee tamper baseSmall bottle of specialist descaler.Machine:::::::::::::This is a sleek and shiny stainless steel machine; it looks modern, clean and impressive, but it does show every fingerprint.The water tank on the rear of the machine is removable, making cleaning and filling a lot easier, the lid to this is a flip lid, so it shouldn’t get lost.The drip tray is also removable for washing and has a full indicator.Under the drip tray is a glasses/mug tray for larger coffees.Positioning:::::::::::::::It is small enough to sit on your kitchen work top until needed without taking up all the space.In use the machine gives off heat and steam and so needs to be positioned with at least 3cm clearance around all sides and the rear and with a free space of at least 15cm above the machine. The lead is around a metre in length so it needs to be near a power point too.In use:::::::::::This is incredibly easy to use, it is designer for home use by people who like coffee, so you do not need to be a barista to get the most from this machine, if I can create a mini coffee shop in my kitchen, believe me, anyone can!The basic functions of the machine are;EspressoHot waterHot milkSteamed /frothy milkWhilst this doesn’t seem a lot it is all you need to make ; Espresso, espresso grande, Americano, Lungo, flat white, cappuccino etc etc etc.Personalise.::::::::::::::::The machine has a few other tricks up its sleeve. It is programmable and allows you to set the temperature to how you like it, the water hardness to suit your area and even how long you want it to stay on before going into standby mode.Not something I would have expected to see on a domestic machine in this price bracket.Instructions:::::::::::::::::These are refreshingly clear and easy to understand.They guide you through everything from set up to programming and cleaning the machine. They explain the most popular types of coffee and explain how to make them with this machine.Should you require anything more complicated than that which is mentioned in here there is a website with more recipes and hints and tips and troubleshooting videos. There is also a helpline where you can get advice.My thoughts on the machine::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::I think this is an excellent domestic machine, it is easy to use and gives great results. It can produce a quick shot of espresso to start the day quickly and efficiently or if you have more time it can provide you with a fancy pants drink that will impress.The size is great because I can leave it out on my worktop, which means it will get used and not forgotten about.Five stars because I love it.

15.8.2019

I bought this machine as a present for my partner. Their coffee addiction was burning a hole in our wallets, so I figured why not learn to make our own. I did my research quite thoroughly, and eventually set my sights on this beauty. Almost a year on and we both love this machine. It's not perfect but it's perfect for two coffee snobs who were keen to brew their own, exactly the way we want it.Now first off I want to warn anyone considering buying this machine or really any other of a similar class. You must, and I mean absolutely must, know what you're doing or be prepared to learn. There is a learning curve with this machine which requires a minimum skill level to use.

14.6.2018

I've enjoyed good coffee for a few years now, mainly filter using either my V60 or Aeropress. However, I began to want to enjoy espresso at home so I spent some time researching what would be a good home espresso machine. Speak to any 'coffee guru' and they'll tell you that unless you spend upwards of £1000+ then don't bother. But you and I know that must be boll***s. I accept that temperature and consistency of the heat, pressure etc. is essential for brewing that 'perfect', but again you and I know that we don't have the taste buds to notice that 0.01% difference in taste.So, after reading several sites one of the leading contenders was this one. So I found a good Amazon Warehouse deal and got it.It looks great,

11.7.2020

It was easy to use first time, just make sure you read the manual instructions, cause you will have to clean the machine pre-use with a descaler (don't worry, it's inside the box). Box also included 3 filters (2 inside little bags and 1 in the portafilter, not sure if it's meant to bring 3 or if it was a mistake haha!), a spoon for the coffee and instructions manual. The finish of the machine is mate like (for the red one), in the picture looks very vibrant almost orange-like, but it's a darker wine red! everything else looks like metal/aluminium, and the bottom is plastic. It looks (and tastes) good so far, the steamer bit is detachable so it makes it very easy to clean props to that.

19.4.2018

I've had this machine for a couple of months now, and I've used it every single day! It's my first coffee machine, and I'm thrilled with the coffee it makes. I normally make a cafe latte, but occasionally have an espresso or an americano. They all turn out beautifully.PROS:1. Great pressure from the machine. It's 15 bar, which is what's needed to make espresso. It comes out really nice with crema on top.2. Milk frother is very efficient. It heats up and froths the milk in less than a minute. The frother has some play in it so that you can adjust it when putting placing it in the pitcher.3. Space saving design. The machine is narrow so that it doesn't take up a huge amount of space on the worktop.4.

2.12.2017

I give this machine 5 stars for 99% of the time. Having used this for a couple of months or so, using it more than once a day, and a design engineer of consumer products, I can confirm that this machine is made of stainelss steel and high grade plastics and its really, really good. The coffee that comes out of it is, to me (and other guests who I have served) the best I have ever had. The milk steamer will heat 240ml to 70 degrees, frothed or not according to preference, and the espresso maker creates a dose in no time at all. It is easy to keep clean and fits in well with other stainless steel equipment in the kitchen.So why only 4 stars? The machine comes with a built-in descaling program,

17.10.2018

The machine works really well, but only because I worked out how to use it despite the instruction manual being incorrect and missing out vital information!I’ve just come off the phone to customer services who agreed the manual isn’t right. So here’s the trick: if you’re using either of the filters that are for loose, ground coffee you need to add in the little removable drive-like piece with the black rubber round the outside.If you don’t add this, then the coffee grains will get stuck in the single hole st the bottom of the filter and the machine will stop pumping.Both the manual and the YouTube video don’t tell you this...

29.7.2018

This is a great entry level espresso machine. I am by no means a barista or coffee expert I just like a good espresso/latte/mocha etc. I learned all I needed from watching the odd youtube video and was making drinks as well as coffee shops do from day one. You can refine or "dial in" your perfect brew using different amounts of ground coffee and tamp pressure The single shot will take 8-9 grams for a stronger brew if you don't want to go all the way to a double shot drink. Get yourself a good 51mm tamper though as the plastic one from the box isn't great. Although I've set my brewing temperature to "hot" I still feel like the drink comes out slightly cool for my taste even when steaming the milk to around 82c and heating my mug.

9.7.2020

This machine is good for the price point for home use and I've been using it for over a year. It's probably the best machine I've owned up to now. It's never going to be the same as a commercial espresso machine as they can cost thousands and are way better suited to espresso brewingThe only issue is the pressurized filter basket. Delonghi designed this machine to be able to extract at un-uniform grind size and that's fine if your not fussed about it but from a coffee drinker point of view. Non pressurized filter baskets are way better for extraction. This machine can be simply modified to adapt non pressurized basket.For coffee Enthusiast, My main recommendation for this machine is to make a small and simple modification to the porterfilter.

22.4.2019

Pros1. Price to value ratio for this product is very high. I purchased this for ~ £120.2. Quick start up time. Great quality coffee in less than 2min.3. In my experience, it works best for single espresso shots or with ese pods.4. I only make espresso or americano and I am very happy with the results from this little machine.5. Can accommodate various size cups.6. Very small footprint. This is totally what sold it for me.7. I have successfully used several different types of beans with the unit - very happy with the results.Cons1. Tricky to use for double espresso shots. It might be just me, but if you don't get the right amount (you need less than 2 full scoops using the provided scoop),

20.4.2019

Me and my partner decided to purchase this De’Longhi after extensive research on coffee machines and we do not regret our choice. Beautiful design, shiny chrome finish, operating the machine is quite intuitive and it features a coffee tamper and 3 different filters 2 of which are for ground coffee and 1 for ESE coffee pods. I particularly love the fact that the coffee filter has 3 buds and I don't have to look underneath to mach them to the machine, it goes in pretty easily. We also enjoy the benefit of being able to adjust the machine settings, such as the quantity for each espresso or adjusting the water hardness - the instructions on how to do this are easy to follow.

De'Longhi Dedica Style EC 685 - Reviews

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