| Savor a burst of true Italian flavor at home with this DeLonghi espresso and cappuccino maker. With a durable stainless-steel boiler, two thermostats (for water and steam), 35-ounce water reservoir (which removes for easy filling and cleaning), and two nozzles, this self-priming pump machine brews up single or double shots of espresso in just minutes. As for taste, the machine’s ‘sempre crema’ filter holder produces a perfect, caramel-colored crema, the essence of great espresso. Before brewing, a built-in tamper levels and presses the grounds before use; some practice is usually required to tamp at just the right pressure. After brewing, a lever on the filter holder flips up to hold the metal basket in place in order to knock out the used grounds. Three switches make the entire brewing process intuitive: on/off, espresso/water delivery, and steam: the machine preheats cups and filter holder with hot water and also froths milk for cappuccino using a swivel steamer and adjustable steam control knob. An "OK" light illuminates when the machine is fully heated and ready to go. A drip tray under the nozzles holds two espresso shot glasses or cups (not included), and removes for dishwasher cleaning. The machine measures 11-1/2 by 8-1/2 by 7-1/4 inches, and is covered by a one-year warranty against defects. --Ann Bieri |
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 AVOID THIS MACHINE! |
| Review Date: February 18, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Jeff Moco, Brooklyn, NY |
I got this product at a ridiculously cheap price, so I thought I might as well try it since I had had an inexpensive Krups machine years ago and was pretty impressed with it at the time. Currently I use a pretty good mid-level Solis machine, but figured it might work out to have this back up for whenever my current one died.
First of all, I was completely disappointed with the quality of espresso. There was no crema on top, which is the hallmark of any pump-driven espresso machine. The espresso was also weak and watery. In addition, and I think this is INEXCUSABLE, there is nothing in the instruction book that warns you to prime the pump before use, which basically can fry your machine if you don't do. Luckily I knew this from owning previous makers, and called their support line to verify that it needed to be done. And the woman who I spoke to seemed barely to care!
WORTHLESS! |
Better than starbucks :)
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| Review Date: December 9, 2009 |
| Reviewer: C. Quigley, |
I love having my own homemade espresso machine. We get the pre-ground espresso ground beans from local grocery stores. I've had the machine for about a year and we probably use it once a week or more. You'll want to get a spoon if you plan to make lattes/cappucinos (or if you use the steaming option for drinks). We didn't want to spend $1000 for one of the nicer machines because we might as well go to a coffee shop twice/day every day for that money and not have to clean up after ourselves.
Honestly, I think this machine makes better lattes than the generic coffee shops. Homemade is almost always better. I don't drink straight espresso. I have made lattes, cappucinos, americanas, and used the steamed milk for hot chocolate. It's all gonna depend on your espresso beans, but (to me) they all tasted great! The machine works better with fattier milks (its harder to use skim milk for the froth). |
Review from Italian user (born and raised in Italy)
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| Review Date: September 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: A. Bronzini, Sparta, NJ United States |
Although the latest trend in Italy is oriented to the fully automated computerized espresso makers (EVERYBODY needs to have one in Italy) I really didn't want to spend well over $ 1,000 for a coffee maker (call me cheap, but with a thousand dollars, plus the money you need to add for a good coffee bean, you can buy 5 years of daily espresso at any bar in Italy).
I saw this unit on sale for $ 79.00 at a local Target and because of the excellent reputation of De Longhi I gave it a shot.
Considering the ridicolously low price, I obviously didn't expect much from this unit but - still - I decided to try. What a surprise! This machine makes excellent espresso, with a thick, delicious, consistent crema.
I have a pair of full-glass Bodum double body espresso cups and everytime I make an espresso, the crema is so thick and rich that it looks like a micro pint of Guinness.
Fantastic machine, excellent quality/price ratio.
Only a few cons: you have to be EXTREMELY careful with selecting the right quality of coffee: if it's too coarse, you don't get enough crema, if it's too fine you'll end up clogging the filter and the pump is not strong enough to overcome the pressure.
I would recommend (in general, for all machines) to always make ONE cup per espresso and forget the two-cup option.
In Italy they sell coffee specifically ground for domestic pump machines... in the U.S. is not easy to find them.
You can stick with Illy or Lavazza, or - even better - go to my very dear friend Robert (importer of Jolly coffee: a blend from Florence, made of twelve 100% arabica beans).
Important maintenance reccomendations: NEVER wash the filter with soap (only water), NEVER put it in the dishwasher.
Once every 4-6 months, disassemble the filter and (with A LOT of patience... it takes approximately 10 to 15 min) unclog each hole with a needle.
I had this machine for 3 years now, I use and abuse it every day (average of 3-4 espresso/day) and NEVER had an issue. Great product. I would recommend it over an over. |
Do not buy the EC 140B
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| Review Date: September 12, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Diederik J Thiers, Sag Harbor, NY United States |
I have been using a Delonghi BAR 140 F for about 6 years, about 10 espresso's each week no latte's (don't like them), so no experience with that). That was a splendid machine, simple construction, good crema, and little maintenance. I was very happy with it. Last week the pump stopped working so I ordered an EC 140 B Execution: C, which on the surface looked like the same machine. Why change when you are on to a good thing. Right? BIG MISTAKE!
I used it for the first time this morning and it is a disaster! The problem is the Filter Holder design.
Some smart engineer decided (as they are wont) to improve the Holder and Creamer design. Instead of the old simple two-piece assembly and rubber disk, it now has 5 parts with a difficult to clean complicated screw-together assembly and a rubber gasket, which is bound to fail. On top of that IT DOES NOT MAKE ESPRESSO.
When handle is normally tight, it runs (i.e. dribbles) very slowly. When tightened lightly to have the coffee run normally, steam escapes on side of Filter Holder. Coffee looks like drip i.e. no crema. Filter is full of coffee/water sludge when you take it off i.e. not the nice dry "puck" I got on the old machine.
I am really disappointed and to rub it in, Delonghi has changed the diameter of the holder attachment so I cannot use the Filter Holder of the old 140 F.
I am returning the EC 140 B. Does anyone have a lightly used 140 F that I can buy?
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DeLonghi EC140B Expresso & Cappuccino Maker
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| Review Date: August 22, 2009 |
| Reviewer: S. Whitworth, Texas |
I just received this item promptly yesterday and began using it this morning. I am on my second shot of expresso and am loving the simplicity of it all. This is the first machine of this type I have owned, so I can not impart a comparison of any sort, but can say this machine is easy to use and makes a nice cup of expresso with ample crema. It also steams milk like a little champ. The unit is small and will not take up a lot of space on your counter. My expresso bean of choice is Lavazza.
Update: 11/22/2009 This little champ is still going strong and I have no complaints. Be sure to have a good grinder. When this machine goes to expresso maker heaven, I will buy another DeLonghi!
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