 "Review from Italian user (born and raised in Italy)" | 2009-09-18 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2ONL8Z780UYVE |
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. |
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 "Do not buy the EC 140B" | 2009-09-12 |
| - Reviewed By User: AVDK7H3CTRZED |
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" | 2009-08-22 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3UUTDX2WNVUS3 |
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.
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| "Extremely satisfied and surprised" | 2009-05-11 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2P8F8AY3D0RK9 |
| I have never owned an espresso maker so I will not be able to compare it with other models and the more expensive ones out there. All I know is that I love coffee (I even started roasting my own beans) and I am amazed at the quality of coffee this little inexpensive machine is producing. I can't believe I make my own cappuccinos and lattes so easily every morning. I did have to experiment for a few days with the size of the grind (I recommend a good grinder as other have stated) until I finally got it right. I have had no problems with making steamed milk and froth. I must admit that since I have never used this type of machine before, I did have to read the instructions a couple of times to make sure I understood how to use it, but after a few times, I can whip out coffee in no time. I have only had this for a couple of weeks and I use it daily (sometimes several time a day) so I hope it lasts me a long time. |
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| "WONDERFUL!!" | 2009-04-28 |
| - Reviewed By User: A26CZB9RL9K68Y |
| I have owned this espresso maker for about a year now and absolutely love it. It's easy to use and easy to clean.It makes a great cuppa. I lived in Sicily for 3 years where coffee is so important that there are signs on the highway that tell how many kilometers until the next cup. The espresso I am able to make with this machine is exactly like the espresso I had there. I highly recommend this machine and you can't beat the price. It can be found at Target. |
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 "pretty good for a year" | 2009-04-24 |
| - Reviewed By palesoftie |
I've been running this thing 2-3 times a day for a year and a half. I use bottled water or distilled water because of my highly mineraled water. One of ten drinks is perfect looking and perfect tasting. Usually that one comes right after I've wiped off the rubber gasket for a good tight fit. If you let it get good and hot, 15-20 minutes, there is a noticeable improvement in flavor and crema. It started making ugly chunky bubbling noises about two weeks ago and seemed to be less powerful with the steam. I can't get anything out of it today. I would love to buy a more expensive pump machine, and I might, but this one has served me well. It's easy to over-tamp if you use a v. fine to turkish grind. Run yesterday's water out of the wand before you stick it in the milk. I like to use whole or a little bit of half and half to get great tasting foam in a mini capp, so it take more time to foam than lite.
A year isn't very long, but it did the trick keeping me buzzed and happily far from spending $3.50 for capps. |
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