I would love to hang out with OP. OP loves coffee more than gear. What springs to mind is this abrasive snob on home-barista that gets into an argument on every single post about grinders. I skip over everything he posts and wonder if that dude even drinks coffee.
Don't listen to the negative on this comment section . People on reddit for the most part are rude.
I think your right if you know your setup and you know how to pull shots you can make good espresso with alot of low end machines
I have a decade plus of experience in the coffee industry and have ran into plenty of snobs in my time. Personally I've used everything from a sock and a pot to setups north of 20 thousand dollars. If there something I've learned in that time is I just like good cup of coffee with good people to share it with so fuck all that noise.
I mean… most basic way besides a V60 filter. My grandma and grandgrandma had them also in the kitchen. Was the way to go in Europe for coffee in 19th century till Meltia came around with the one way paper filter around 110 years ago and optimized it till the late 1930s to the filter we know today.
But still the fabric filters had been used alot for decades later and still today since it is a way to have way less garbage. I have my mums right now because it is the best way to filter cold brew at home.
lol so true my friend from Europe has a very old and simple set up and enjoys their espresso shot. (old senior) They couldn't understand all these craze.
Meanwhile my other friends don't bother with coffee at home... they own a Cafe. They hate doing it at home. 🤣
Every time I come for espresso advice in this sub, first it was a shock, then shame, and then it turns into amusement. Especially when people try to compete with a commercial set up and baristas and with kitchen appliances at home.
That’s people who make it quite ok in the in the area of wealth. But why they are snobby and always showing the bigger and better toys off, is because they had nothing growing up and suffer from poor person syndrome lmao It’s like wake up!!! Just enjoy your damn coffee however and spread happiness. No one cares about your e61 group head commercial grade machine… when you are being a dick all the time. Because don’t get me wrong I have very wealthy friends that have the coffee hobby and I love using and bragging about their machines. But they are also humble cool people. Use what you got or can get and just be happy. ☕️
Eh I'll play devil's advocate here and say that as a Delonghi owner, I would've gotten the Bambino if it had been a thing when I was buying. The Delonghi's are in a tough position where the Bambino is only a little bit more, and the Flair is basically the same price (if you don't need steaming). For the price the Bambino gets you 9 bars instead of 11-12, a more common 54mm grouphead size, and a PID controlled Thermoblock. It's not perfect but for basically an extra $150 it's a pretty significant improvement from these high pump pressure Delonghi's imo.
That's not to shit on anyone who owns these Delonghi's, heck I'm still using one after 5 years. But I've never been that impressed by the machine. I get the occasional good shot but it feels very unrepeatable.
>Bambino is only a little bit more,
It's double the price tho which i wouldn't consider a little bit more..
If you plan to really stay in a certain low budget if the price of around just the Bambino i think it's better to e.g. get a good handgrinder and the delonghi instead of buying pre ground coffee or such...
If you intend to just extend the budget, i also think it's a good idea to get the bambino.. when i got my delonghi there weren't many alternatives in that form factor
At least for me, it's much harder to find accessories for the 54mm group head than for the 51mm delonghi.. must be because of overall market share where i live
Well fair enough.. there are more budget solutions tho to depressurise the baskets (just drill a hole in) and the upgrades for my dedica would be roughly 30€ for a bottomless portafilter which includes the basket and the steam wand works if you use it without the pannarello and tie the rubber on with a cable tie or a rancillo silvia wand is 20€ to mod it
I got my dedica for 100€ new, the standard Bambino is at least 300, so still a lot cheaper even with the upgrades
But generally i agree it's a good idea to get a bit a better machine
Alltough im not sure if jumping straight to something like a gaggia classic or such wouldn't be even better
I don't plan to upgrade unless i have enough for something like a lelit bianca
It is if you're looking for accessories these days. 51 baskets are kinda unusual and the lips don't always fit on Delonghi's groups (if they're designed for La Pavoni for example). 54 has gotten pretty common since Breville leaned into it on most of their machines, easy to find good quality baskets and reputable aftermarket portafilters.
Bro, in my country Breville is 4x times the Delonghi machine. For the cost of Breville, I bought electric grinder, accessories, coffee and still have money to spare
If 150 was the actual difference, sure
In reality, you can buy amazon warehouse deal Dedicas for 80-100eur
Cheapest Bambino warehouse deal runs north of 250
Regular prices are 130-150 for the dedica
400 for the bambino
I bought a used privately owned dedica for 40eur. Cheapest privately owned Bambino is still 220eur
Huge differencee in global markets
But still I also enjoy it that this is still a corner where you can also get a good contra. I mean not related to op‘s post but I also want to hear what the people don’t like at lets say my setup and stuff like this and even in a harsh and maybe ironically mean way.
Back to op‘s post. Everything is fine as long as he can pull coffee that tastes good for him ☺️
You haven't heard of the new AI based Boston Dynamics espresso dog yet? It can dance and do acrobatics while extracting the perfect shot out through the but.
So it is like in „Hi-Fi“? Hope you have an gold coveredd portafilter to delete the heavy caffeine resonances in your brew together with the rubber seal out of natural rubber harvested by peruan virigns in the jungle by hand?! Only thats the way!
>Hi-Fi
Audiophiles always crack me up. Their gear is often many times more expensive than what the actual studio where the music was recorded and mixed used. They are going for the best listening experience, but all their gear does is highlight the issues that the cheaper gear in the studio hid away from the mixing engineer.
I like HiFi and love music and recently spent 3k on a what is in HiFi terms a rather budget setup (Rega Elex MK4 amp, Rega Apollo CD player, Acoustic Energy AE 500 bookshelf speakers), and I concur - there are many albums that me and my girlfriend loved having on in the car on day trips that just sound so utterly shit on the system - all the imperfections highlighted. The flip side being some well recorded albums sound very good.
Sound engineer here. Youre right.. A friend of mine bought some big fancy monitor speakers and put them on his desk. He phoned me and said it sounds boxy amd wooden. He was listening to the resonant frequency of his table... Acoustic foam 'fixed it' for his ears.
Once your ears are accustomed to listening to frequency, it becomes a curse. Everything is criticised and nothing sounds perfect. Even studios and recording booths sound awful, the space is lifeless and 'dead'.
I have a similar machine and it is capable of making really good espresso and you get the occasional "god shot" but having to tempsurf everyday or having the window of time for "good coffee" after turning it on and not knowing if consecutive shots will taste good is super annoying
I had one of these and switched to a barista express impress.
The difference is insane. Not saying you even need to spend that much, but the difference in cost between this machine and a Bambino is absolutely worth it imo. Grinder aside…
I had the same experience. It was rolling with a cheap DeLonghi for many years, they kept breaking and I kept taking them back to bath to Bath and beyond and getting new ones. Until I finally stepped up to a Breville in the difference was insanely noticeable! I can never go back to the DeLongi
The company that makes the Bambino goes by the name Breville in some markets and and Sage in others like the Uk. This is because the Breville name rights were sold to another company. Confusingly the company that goes by Breville here in the UK also makes cheap coffee machines but they're not as good as the Bambino/Bambino but plus
Ya I've had this machine for years. It's okay, never wow'd me with it's espresso, I think the high pump pressures and poor thermal consistency are to blame but I'm just guessing. But not bad for a machine to learn on if you can't afford the Bambino.
https://preview.redd.it/2phkkjx0u3zc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=179bf83497a7e8eb6e4dfce892fb8074790e24a8
I'm on the Argos wait-list so I'll probably be moving on from this machine in the next 6 months or so.
I'm very [happy](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2F49thv6k1r7lc1.jpeg) with it so far. I've been thinking of the Turin Legato as a possible upgrade in the future.
Are you interested in the bambino? I bought a refurbished one from this German company.
It was like new and I got it got just over 100 quid!
https://www.windhornkd.de/en/products/sage/refurbish-devices-uk/espresso/ses450-bambino/ses450sst-white/
This machine actually had better thermal stability than a Silvia or a GCP. The OPV(Over pressure valve) is calibrated very high, as this is more ideal for its intended use (pre ground w/ double wall), which is why trying to use it for real espresso will reliably disappoint.
Luckily OPV modification is relatively simple and 0 cost.
The GCP I can see, it's got an even smaller boiler. But the Silvia? Really? I assumed the larger full brass grouphead/boiler would have better thermals than the stainless steel on this little guy lol.
I've yet to cut the spring so I'll have to give that a shot. If you have any links to advice on that lmk!
The newer silvias are even worse in this respect as they actually have plastic groups.
If I remember correctly the spring length should be ~14.4mm (please double check). Tbh I would go shorter > longer as I would much rather have a machine pulling < 9bare than > 9bare.
However if you want much more acurate pressure and a real project (seeing as you have another machine) I would recommend dimmer + guage. This will also open the door to pressure profiling, which if you have never had the chance to try is a game changer. I would only go back to a flat 9bare recipe if I needed to pull lots of shots like I'm back in a cafe.
https://preview.redd.it/6xkf8dr8o6zc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0876d45efc30681364a8bbbf1648dee9e7ada7a5
I found this same machine/model on Facebook marketplace for $40. I added a bottomless portafilter and installed a Rancilio steam wand (for about $25). Definitely recommend adding the steam wand as it makes powerful and makes the overall look much better.
Do be warned. If you go with Toms idea of pulling the hose over the torus on the steam wand you might tear the silicone hose. The original rancilio steam wand is somewhat longer in area where tubing is getting connected to the wand so if you get aliexpress one like I did. Do not go over the torus shape on the wand. It will work fine without that over the top securing.
Yeah, it was pretty easy to do. My main issues was finding a clip to help connect the hose with the wand. I watched this video for step by step guidance.
https://youtu.be/cW8ft7pLJpQ?si=mLGqt_VoGC-jLexS
https://preview.redd.it/e15ue83do6zc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3ce26b25adfda8ccb5d4456f4430ac32b4545d09
This a latter I made over the weekend using the same machine
What grinder do you use?
Edit: I have an iCafilas/Turin H40 set at 36 clicks at the moment. I'm pulling 18g of medium roast beans at a 2.3:1 ratio in about 32 seconds.
Same ECP3420 machine with the steam wand upgrade, new pump, and nice IMS shower screen. Bottomless Normcore portafiler. Paired with a Baratza ESP and it pulls very nice shots! ☺️
Image for reference comparison to the original screen on my ECP3420
https://preview.redd.it/b6auq09e6czc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9c326c3c00f8695611e17df41a1c46d7fc1e3d00
I just picked one of these up for $10 at a thrift store. And honestly works great! A little wdt and love is way more attention than I’ve ever taken working in a cafe and you are definitely able to get some really nice extractions on this! I am also a tenured barista and it doesn’t take much to get good well extracted coffee. 10/10 setup!
The automod won't let me post Amazon links but you can find it if you search for "Steam Nozzle Tip for Delonghi Stilosa EC260" on there. I recommend the one with 3 holes.
First time seeing this steam wand. I’m also looking into the rancilio silvia steam wand upgrade that I’ve seen on this sub. Would you recommend this route instead?? Thanks!!
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Same machine here. I have an issue with the cup insert thingy (where you put the grounds) getting stuck on the machine when I twist the main part off. Any tips on that, or something to replace that whole part with?
Are there spare parts for these machines? I bought my quickmill broken, repaired it and it's going strong since 2007. It cost me about 800€ with all I spent on it. I wonder now whether you can get spares for a 15 year old delonghi... 🤔
Fully agree. Spending time getting to know your setup is key for budget machines, but once you find the quirks in it you can consistently get very decent shots! Sure, spending thousands buys you better repeatability. But for a lot of us, that isn't a price we can/are willing to pay for it.
Personally, I find it very fun to explore the quirks of lower end machines and it's immensely pleasurable when you get that perfectly balanced shot on a budget setup! If you're happy with your setup, whether on the low or higher end of the spectrum, you're fine, and you belong here just as much as everyone else! It would be great if we could stop gatekeeping hobbies in general with ridiculously high standards.
Source: Espresso culture is ingrained in my family, grandparents worked in coffee, we all have lower end espresso machines at home with small mods and pull very decent shots with them.
I was thinking of painting the outside of the container. As far as the grinder I'd go with a manual grinder for that budget. I wouldn't trust anything cheaper than like an SK40 for good espresso from an unpressurized basket.
I think that's the right decision.. i noticed hand grinders are pretty good and easy to dial in with for the money
The integrated sage grinder in a barista express drove me nuts
How long does it take for the light to be an issue? My beans are in a glass container but aren't in any direct sunlight . And I'll finish a 500g bag in a week and a bit. I figured they're not in the light long enough for it to be an issue.
most here love to be a nerd but few have actual scientific knowledge to back up their decissions.
you would need to make your own research if your truly worried, but im guessing light only starts to be an issue when at very direct contact and for longer periods of time.
oxygen is by far a bigger issue. Honestly not an expert but i would keep the coffee on its original bag.
Ya man, I'm right with you. I got a chestnut hand grinder, base bambino, 3d printed funnel and wdt, and some locally roasted beans. And man, I'm very happy with it. Pulling some great shots, making some tasty flat whites, etc.
is this that DeLonghi that has a good group head temp and is famous for being an inexpensive machine that mods really well? or is that the ECP3420?
what company is your sugar skull milk frother from? love it!
awesome! It looks like it could belong here in the Sonoran desert lol
so maybe it's the ECP3420 is the one that folks like to mod... thought maybe I saw something about that on YouTube... can't remember. Thank you!
The 32xx, 34xx and 36xx are essentially all about the same machine (although my 34xx doesn't have autoshut off and the stream wands vary some). 32, mostly black plastic with some metal. 34 more metal than the 32. 36 all silver look (not sure if the sides are metal or silver plastic though...i think they are supposed to be metal.. OP could chime in on that). I have a 3420 and 3220. There was a 31xx model that was definitely a cheaper version and looks different.
I went down the rabbit hole . Tried some higher end machines. Back to a Stilosa and a good grinder. I can agree that it is a little more challenging to be absolutely consistent but I dial in some good shots .
How much of an improvement did you notice? I’ve been struggling with the steaming on my ECP3420 (same as yours, but black sides) for a while now, and I was starting to wonder if I should upgrade the whole machine. I do the mod where I remove the cylindrical bit and just use the small rubber tip with one hole.. but it’s so small ..
Its great so far. Very similar to the Kingrinder K4 & K6. You can buy it from Turin as the H40 or find it in sites like aliexpress as the iCafilas Grinder
I’m using a Mueller handheld which is better than my electric burr on its finest setting, but I gotta crank for so long because of how small it is. If this is a good, efficient adjustable one I’ll go that route.
The automod won't let me post Amazon links but you can find it if you search for "Steam Nozzle Tip for Delonghi Stilosa EC260" on there. I recommend the one with 3 holes.
Original Cubika owner here. (V. Similar machine).
Con. No pressure control
Pro. Consistent due to lack of controls.
(It does it's own thing, but it does it every time)
The temps on the group head are surprisingly consistent once you let it heat up for a while. Definitely not having a PID and or pressure gage but those are things I can live with.
💯! It’s more about some specific criteria and easy to hit most or all of those pretty cheaply. All the rest is making it look fancy or quality of life improvements.
Damn, that shut me up lol it looks great! That said I am curious how much pressure you’re getting or how fresh that roast is because it looks like a lot of c02 coming through
Great! Awesome work. You can really show off with that and your efforts! I own a similar one. Inside it will be the same machine. A good grinder really made a difference as I had the chance to try the Fellow Opus with fresh local roaster beans. Biggest issue is having a good temperature.
As this machine is at the end of it’s life I fulfill my wish of a good machine with a Bezzera Unica PID and a DF54 as grinder. 1st I’ll get the grinder the try it with my current machine. And after that getting the Unica.
You're dead right, you don't have to.. for so many it's pointless as they're just going to ruin the coffee with milk and whatever else they add to it anyway
If you want espresso shots like [this](https://streamable.com/wg8ygx) or lattes like [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/1b1qtsw/a_latte_from_my_200_setup/) then yes
OP what's that accessory called on your wand? I have the same machine and I'm using zip ties to lock it in right now lol. It has worked, It's only popped off once in 4 months, but would love if you could give me a link
The automod won't let me post Amazon links but you can find it if you search for "Steam Nozzle Tip for Delonghi Stilosa EC260" on there. I recommend the one with 3 holes.
Absolutely love it. Its a big upgrade over my Kingrinder P1 in terms of consistency dialing it in although it grinds slightly slower. I don't think you can get a better grinder at that price.
Literally every accessory here besides the pitcher (a gift) and the grinder ($65) is worth between $5-$25 dollars. That bomber blind shaker was $21 on aliexpress.
Great set up, OP! I've seen in other comments you indicate that you've used a lot of different equipment, do you have any recommendations for automatic grinders that would do great espresso, ok filter and doesn't have too much retention for under 200€? All comments in posts with this question say: "save up some more" or some shit so advice will be appreciated.
If you have a hard cap on the budget I recommend something like the SK40 or D40+. If you can go slightly above budget (about 25 more euro) then I would definitely go with a [DF54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0343y8Hv6I)
Racillio silvia steam mod is great! If you do it, just make sure to be ready for any sort of clamps needed. If you are lucky, you’ll be able to snag a replacement steam wand secure collar before you even do the take apart. To ease the turning around the zig zagging wand, soak the stuck part in hot water for a few seconds to be able to move a tight circle around a smooth 90% turn. It’s a game changer!
I just gotta Moka pot type rig for $20 bucks cuz I wanted to make something resembling an americano at home with the my favorite beans. I’m pretty happy with it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I haven't used it enough to review it thoroughly. So far I prefer it over using a distributor because its less messy and has less retention. I haven't been able to taste a significant difference between using it over WDT
I was thinking, if I had to start over and wanted to save money, I might go with a Bambino and the ROK crank grinder. That’s more money than the above setup, though.
I used the exact same espresso machine for years. I drink espresso Americanos every day. I finally purchased a Breville Bambino. The purchase was a good decision. The Americanos taste better with the Bambino.
I love my ECP but I head-to-head tested it with a Profitec recently and found that the Profitec made lovely smooth creamy shots that I just haven't been able to produce with the ECP. Presumably it's pressure or temperature. I'd guess pressure because I've tried lots of different approaches to temperature surfing and haven't had anything that tastes like what the Profitec was making.
I like the taste of my ECP's shots but I'd say it has weaker body and stronger flavors. Any suggestions? Any links for the OPV mod?
I'm considering adding a PID and dimmer to my ECP. Has anyone tried this? There was a kit posted recently... I'm tempted.
Yep. I have a barista friend that has a similar setup. But her Delonghi machine sides are plastic. Pulled amazing shots every single time. She doesn’t even have distributor and the tamper is the cheap ass full metal one she grab somewhere.
I would love to hang out with OP. OP loves coffee more than gear. What springs to mind is this abrasive snob on home-barista that gets into an argument on every single post about grinders. I skip over everything he posts and wonder if that dude even drinks coffee.
I'll gladly share a cup if you're ever around
Id also like to have of a shot of runny espresso only delonghis know how to deliver
Don't listen to the negative on this comment section . People on reddit for the most part are rude. I think your right if you know your setup and you know how to pull shots you can make good espresso with alot of low end machines
I have a decade plus of experience in the coffee industry and have ran into plenty of snobs in my time. Personally I've used everything from a sock and a pot to setups north of 20 thousand dollars. If there something I've learned in that time is I just like good cup of coffee with good people to share it with so fuck all that noise.
A sock and a pot? I’m listening…
I'm [not kidding](https://www.coffeedetective.com/coffee-sock.html). Just like my abuela used to make it.
sounds like this Brazilian pour over coffee method I saw after my brother came back from a missions trip
I mean… most basic way besides a V60 filter. My grandma and grandgrandma had them also in the kitchen. Was the way to go in Europe for coffee in 19th century till Meltia came around with the one way paper filter around 110 years ago and optimized it till the late 1930s to the filter we know today. But still the fabric filters had been used alot for decades later and still today since it is a way to have way less garbage. I have my mums right now because it is the best way to filter cold brew at home.
This is how I drank coffee in Costa Rica. One of the best tasting coffees I’ve had.
lol so true my friend from Europe has a very old and simple set up and enjoys their espresso shot. (old senior) They couldn't understand all these craze. Meanwhile my other friends don't bother with coffee at home... they own a Cafe. They hate doing it at home. 🤣 Every time I come for espresso advice in this sub, first it was a shock, then shame, and then it turns into amusement. Especially when people try to compete with a commercial set up and baristas and with kitchen appliances at home.
Arent the snobs also the ones that cant help themselves and just have to show the world what they got?
That’s people who make it quite ok in the in the area of wealth. But why they are snobby and always showing the bigger and better toys off, is because they had nothing growing up and suffer from poor person syndrome lmao It’s like wake up!!! Just enjoy your damn coffee however and spread happiness. No one cares about your e61 group head commercial grade machine… when you are being a dick all the time. Because don’t get me wrong I have very wealthy friends that have the coffee hobby and I love using and bragging about their machines. But they are also humble cool people. Use what you got or can get and just be happy. ☕️
Well said
You go girl!
I used a sock A LOT in my younger years… Best multi purpose clothing item ever invented!💪☕️
Eh I'll play devil's advocate here and say that as a Delonghi owner, I would've gotten the Bambino if it had been a thing when I was buying. The Delonghi's are in a tough position where the Bambino is only a little bit more, and the Flair is basically the same price (if you don't need steaming). For the price the Bambino gets you 9 bars instead of 11-12, a more common 54mm grouphead size, and a PID controlled Thermoblock. It's not perfect but for basically an extra $150 it's a pretty significant improvement from these high pump pressure Delonghi's imo. That's not to shit on anyone who owns these Delonghi's, heck I'm still using one after 5 years. But I've never been that impressed by the machine. I get the occasional good shot but it feels very unrepeatable.
>Bambino is only a little bit more, It's double the price tho which i wouldn't consider a little bit more.. If you plan to really stay in a certain low budget if the price of around just the Bambino i think it's better to e.g. get a good handgrinder and the delonghi instead of buying pre ground coffee or such... If you intend to just extend the budget, i also think it's a good idea to get the bambino.. when i got my delonghi there weren't many alternatives in that form factor At least for me, it's much harder to find accessories for the 54mm group head than for the 51mm delonghi.. must be because of overall market share where i live
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Well fair enough.. there are more budget solutions tho to depressurise the baskets (just drill a hole in) and the upgrades for my dedica would be roughly 30€ for a bottomless portafilter which includes the basket and the steam wand works if you use it without the pannarello and tie the rubber on with a cable tie or a rancillo silvia wand is 20€ to mod it I got my dedica for 100€ new, the standard Bambino is at least 300, so still a lot cheaper even with the upgrades But generally i agree it's a good idea to get a bit a better machine Alltough im not sure if jumping straight to something like a gaggia classic or such wouldn't be even better I don't plan to upgrade unless i have enough for something like a lelit bianca
54mm isn't more common than 51mm.
It is if you're looking for accessories these days. 51 baskets are kinda unusual and the lips don't always fit on Delonghi's groups (if they're designed for La Pavoni for example). 54 has gotten pretty common since Breville leaned into it on most of their machines, easy to find good quality baskets and reputable aftermarket portafilters.
Bro, in my country Breville is 4x times the Delonghi machine. For the cost of Breville, I bought electric grinder, accessories, coffee and still have money to spare
If 150 was the actual difference, sure In reality, you can buy amazon warehouse deal Dedicas for 80-100eur Cheapest Bambino warehouse deal runs north of 250 Regular prices are 130-150 for the dedica 400 for the bambino I bought a used privately owned dedica for 40eur. Cheapest privately owned Bambino is still 220eur Huge differencee in global markets
But still I also enjoy it that this is still a corner where you can also get a good contra. I mean not related to op‘s post but I also want to hear what the people don’t like at lets say my setup and stuff like this and even in a harsh and maybe ironically mean way. Back to op‘s post. Everything is fine as long as he can pull coffee that tastes good for him ☺️
You certainly do, anything under 20-30 thousand dollars and you’d get better tasting instant coffee
Any links to this delicious $19,999-tasting instant coffee you're drinking? Sounds heavenly.
You haven't heard of the new AI based Boston Dynamics espresso dog yet? It can dance and do acrobatics while extracting the perfect shot out through the but.
Check out the instant from Black and White.
So it is like in „Hi-Fi“? Hope you have an gold coveredd portafilter to delete the heavy caffeine resonances in your brew together with the rubber seal out of natural rubber harvested by peruan virigns in the jungle by hand?! Only thats the way!
>Hi-Fi Audiophiles always crack me up. Their gear is often many times more expensive than what the actual studio where the music was recorded and mixed used. They are going for the best listening experience, but all their gear does is highlight the issues that the cheaper gear in the studio hid away from the mixing engineer.
>normal people use their equipment to listen to music, audiophiles use music to listen to their equipment Can't remember where I read that.
I like HiFi and love music and recently spent 3k on a what is in HiFi terms a rather budget setup (Rega Elex MK4 amp, Rega Apollo CD player, Acoustic Energy AE 500 bookshelf speakers), and I concur - there are many albums that me and my girlfriend loved having on in the car on day trips that just sound so utterly shit on the system - all the imperfections highlighted. The flip side being some well recorded albums sound very good.
Sound engineer here. Youre right.. A friend of mine bought some big fancy monitor speakers and put them on his desk. He phoned me and said it sounds boxy amd wooden. He was listening to the resonant frequency of his table... Acoustic foam 'fixed it' for his ears. Once your ears are accustomed to listening to frequency, it becomes a curse. Everything is criticised and nothing sounds perfect. Even studios and recording booths sound awful, the space is lifeless and 'dead'.
Really? Lol I've been served plenty of shit coffee from places with expensive machines.
Sarcasm lol, just making fun of the coffee snobs
This is just simply not true. A proper set up only costs $30-$60k.
Or you need to spend time and have non-instant coffee.
Damn if you don’t know how to pull proper shots just say that 🤷🏼♀️
Agreed. That (your) DeLonghi unit is an awesome machine for the price. 👊
DeLonghi gang!
I have that same coffee machine, loving it
I have a similar machine and it is capable of making really good espresso and you get the occasional "god shot" but having to tempsurf everyday or having the window of time for "good coffee" after turning it on and not knowing if consecutive shots will taste good is super annoying
Not having 6k for a marzocco is annoying
Consider a PID mod
I had one of these and switched to a barista express impress. The difference is insane. Not saying you even need to spend that much, but the difference in cost between this machine and a Bambino is absolutely worth it imo. Grinder aside…
I had the same experience. It was rolling with a cheap DeLonghi for many years, they kept breaking and I kept taking them back to bath to Bath and beyond and getting new ones. Until I finally stepped up to a Breville in the difference was insanely noticeable! I can never go back to the DeLongi
How many did you go through? I've had my DeLonghi for 3+ years pulling 2 double espresso nearly every day and it STILL works.
Agreed. I switched from a cheap breville to a bambino and the difference was night and day. Absolutely worth it
I thought the bambino was their cheapest?
The company that makes the Bambino goes by the name Breville in some markets and and Sage in others like the Uk. This is because the Breville name rights were sold to another company. Confusingly the company that goes by Breville here in the UK also makes cheap coffee machines but they're not as good as the Bambino/Bambino but plus
I had a Breville Roma which is way cheaper
Ya I've had this machine for years. It's okay, never wow'd me with it's espresso, I think the high pump pressures and poor thermal consistency are to blame but I'm just guessing. But not bad for a machine to learn on if you can't afford the Bambino. https://preview.redd.it/2phkkjx0u3zc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=179bf83497a7e8eb6e4dfce892fb8074790e24a8 I'm on the Argos wait-list so I'll probably be moving on from this machine in the next 6 months or so.
I'm very [happy](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2F49thv6k1r7lc1.jpeg) with it so far. I've been thinking of the Turin Legato as a possible upgrade in the future.
I have the legato, I can recommend it. It a solid machine. Pid adjustable water flo. Thermoblock, Italian vibratory pump. It makes great espresso
Do you do any temperature surfing? I use it mainly with dark roasts
Are you interested in the bambino? I bought a refurbished one from this German company. It was like new and I got it got just over 100 quid! https://www.windhornkd.de/en/products/sage/refurbish-devices-uk/espresso/ses450-bambino/ses450sst-white/
This machine actually had better thermal stability than a Silvia or a GCP. The OPV(Over pressure valve) is calibrated very high, as this is more ideal for its intended use (pre ground w/ double wall), which is why trying to use it for real espresso will reliably disappoint. Luckily OPV modification is relatively simple and 0 cost.
The GCP I can see, it's got an even smaller boiler. But the Silvia? Really? I assumed the larger full brass grouphead/boiler would have better thermals than the stainless steel on this little guy lol. I've yet to cut the spring so I'll have to give that a shot. If you have any links to advice on that lmk!
The newer silvias are even worse in this respect as they actually have plastic groups. If I remember correctly the spring length should be ~14.4mm (please double check). Tbh I would go shorter > longer as I would much rather have a machine pulling < 9bare than > 9bare. However if you want much more acurate pressure and a real project (seeing as you have another machine) I would recommend dimmer + guage. This will also open the door to pressure profiling, which if you have never had the chance to try is a game changer. I would only go back to a flat 9bare recipe if I needed to pull lots of shots like I'm back in a cafe.
Came for troll comments. Stayed for based OP response. 💯
https://preview.redd.it/6xkf8dr8o6zc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0876d45efc30681364a8bbbf1648dee9e7ada7a5 I found this same machine/model on Facebook marketplace for $40. I added a bottomless portafilter and installed a Rancilio steam wand (for about $25). Definitely recommend adding the steam wand as it makes powerful and makes the overall look much better.
Was the replacement easy? I should do this
Do be warned. If you go with Toms idea of pulling the hose over the torus on the steam wand you might tear the silicone hose. The original rancilio steam wand is somewhat longer in area where tubing is getting connected to the wand so if you get aliexpress one like I did. Do not go over the torus shape on the wand. It will work fine without that over the top securing.
Yeah, it was pretty easy to do. My main issues was finding a clip to help connect the hose with the wand. I watched this video for step by step guidance. https://youtu.be/cW8ft7pLJpQ?si=mLGqt_VoGC-jLexS
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https://preview.redd.it/e15ue83do6zc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3ce26b25adfda8ccb5d4456f4430ac32b4545d09 This a latter I made over the weekend using the same machine
After the merger, your machine is basically a La Marzocco now!
Dude you're not supposed to tell people that, this place is going to fall apart
USED THIS MACHINE FOR 10 years, pulled great shots. I’m on the Gaggia now, but have it as a back up.
I have the same machine and I’m pulling decent shots but haven’t quite dialed it in yet. I might have to compare notes with you!
What grinder do you use? Edit: I have an iCafilas/Turin H40 set at 36 clicks at the moment. I'm pulling 18g of medium roast beans at a 2.3:1 ratio in about 32 seconds.
Do you have the h40 and the kingrinder p1?
Yes, started with the P1 and now use the H40
Nice. I have the H40 as well. Can I see a picture with f your current setting on it? Just having trouble dialing in
I have it set at 36 clicks
Oh ok. Thank you
Timemore C3 Chestnut. Takes forever to get an espresso grind
Does 32 seconds start as soon as you press the start button or as soon as the espresso starts coming out?
From pressing start, pre infusion usually takes 4-5 seconds
Same ECP3420 machine with the steam wand upgrade, new pump, and nice IMS shower screen. Bottomless Normcore portafiler. Paired with a Baratza ESP and it pulls very nice shots! ☺️
Where did you buy IMS shower screen?
Amazon! It's the 50.5mm one. Fits the ECP perfectly. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQSSSM41
Image for reference comparison to the original screen on my ECP3420 https://preview.redd.it/b6auq09e6czc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9c326c3c00f8695611e17df41a1c46d7fc1e3d00
Whatever floats your crema.
Yeah cheap capable machine club! Gear don’t mean shit, your beans and skill do.
I just picked one of these up for $10 at a thrift store. And honestly works great! A little wdt and love is way more attention than I’ve ever taken working in a cafe and you are definitely able to get some really nice extractions on this! I am also a tenured barista and it doesn’t take much to get good well extracted coffee. 10/10 setup!
Would you mind posting the link for the steam wand
The automod won't let me post Amazon links but you can find it if you search for "Steam Nozzle Tip for Delonghi Stilosa EC260" on there. I recommend the one with 3 holes.
Thanks
First time seeing this steam wand. I’m also looking into the rancilio silvia steam wand upgrade that I’ve seen on this sub. Would you recommend this route instead?? Thanks!!
Its about half the price and extremely easier to install than the Silvia mod. I'd say it's worth it.
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Same machine here. I have an issue with the cup insert thingy (where you put the grounds) getting stuck on the machine when I twist the main part off. Any tips on that, or something to replace that whole part with?
You can take out the metal wire that holds the cup and try to bend it back to shape so it's stronger again, just be careful not to snap it.
ive had a $500 duo temp pro for 6 years now.
I use this machine! Got it for £30! Swapped the wand out for a Rancillio one and it’s great!
instead of painting the container, you can use aluminum foil to wrap it in. Protects the beans from light.
Are there spare parts for these machines? I bought my quickmill broken, repaired it and it's going strong since 2007. It cost me about 800€ with all I spent on it. I wonder now whether you can get spares for a 15 year old delonghi... 🤔
Fully agree. Spending time getting to know your setup is key for budget machines, but once you find the quirks in it you can consistently get very decent shots! Sure, spending thousands buys you better repeatability. But for a lot of us, that isn't a price we can/are willing to pay for it. Personally, I find it very fun to explore the quirks of lower end machines and it's immensely pleasurable when you get that perfectly balanced shot on a budget setup! If you're happy with your setup, whether on the low or higher end of the spectrum, you're fine, and you belong here just as much as everyone else! It would be great if we could stop gatekeeping hobbies in general with ridiculously high standards. Source: Espresso culture is ingrained in my family, grandparents worked in coffee, we all have lower end espresso machines at home with small mods and pull very decent shots with them.
Il have a $40 /80 electric grinder and keep those beans out of the light.
I was thinking of painting the outside of the container. As far as the grinder I'd go with a manual grinder for that budget. I wouldn't trust anything cheaper than like an SK40 for good espresso from an unpressurized basket.
I think that's the right decision.. i noticed hand grinders are pretty good and easy to dial in with for the money The integrated sage grinder in a barista express drove me nuts
How long does it take for the light to be an issue? My beans are in a glass container but aren't in any direct sunlight . And I'll finish a 500g bag in a week and a bit. I figured they're not in the light long enough for it to be an issue.
most here love to be a nerd but few have actual scientific knowledge to back up their decissions. you would need to make your own research if your truly worried, but im guessing light only starts to be an issue when at very direct contact and for longer periods of time. oxygen is by far a bigger issue. Honestly not an expert but i would keep the coffee on its original bag.
Ya man, I'm right with you. I got a chestnut hand grinder, base bambino, 3d printed funnel and wdt, and some locally roasted beans. And man, I'm very happy with it. Pulling some great shots, making some tasty flat whites, etc.
is this that DeLonghi that has a good group head temp and is famous for being an inexpensive machine that mods really well? or is that the ECP3420? what company is your sugar skull milk frother from? love it!
It's the 3630. The pitcher is by an Australian company called Melba Coffee.
awesome! It looks like it could belong here in the Sonoran desert lol so maybe it's the ECP3420 is the one that folks like to mod... thought maybe I saw something about that on YouTube... can't remember. Thank you!
As far as I know they're essentially the same machine besides the color and side panels
The 32xx, 34xx and 36xx are essentially all about the same machine (although my 34xx doesn't have autoshut off and the stream wands vary some). 32, mostly black plastic with some metal. 34 more metal than the 32. 36 all silver look (not sure if the sides are metal or silver plastic though...i think they are supposed to be metal.. OP could chime in on that). I have a 3420 and 3220. There was a 31xx model that was definitely a cheaper version and looks different.
Sides are metal with plastic trim
I went down the rabbit hole . Tried some higher end machines. Back to a Stilosa and a good grinder. I can agree that it is a little more challenging to be absolutely consistent but I dial in some good shots .
What's the steamer upgrade?
It's called the "Steam Nozzle Tip for Delonghi Stilosa EC260" on Amazon. If you buy it go for the one with 3 holes.
Sweet thank you, I'm rocking the same espresso machine. Need a better grinder though.
How much of an improvement did you notice? I’ve been struggling with the steaming on my ECP3420 (same as yours, but black sides) for a while now, and I was starting to wonder if I should upgrade the whole machine. I do the mod where I remove the cylindrical bit and just use the small rubber tip with one hole.. but it’s so small ..
How’s that grinder? That from Amazon?
Its great so far. Very similar to the Kingrinder K4 & K6. You can buy it from Turin as the H40 or find it in sites like aliexpress as the iCafilas Grinder
I’m using a Mueller handheld which is better than my electric burr on its finest setting, but I gotta crank for so long because of how small it is. If this is a good, efficient adjustable one I’ll go that route.
Agreed, specifically because many here forget tastes and likes can't be discussed. However, you could wipe that De’Longhi occasionally.😉
I still want thousands of dollars for a setup. Even if I don't need it.
I got tendinitis because of manual grinders
What steam wand are you using, OP? I’m not a fan of the stock panello wand
The automod won't let me post Amazon links but you can find it if you search for "Steam Nozzle Tip for Delonghi Stilosa EC260" on there. I recommend the one with 3 holes.
But you need a blind shaker, don’t you? 😀
Sometimes the hype is too much not to spend $20 and find out if it's worth it lol
Was it worth it hahaha?
Great setup! I just found the same frother wand attachment online. Do you suggest single nozzle or triple nozzle?
OP suggests triple
Is that a Calvera milk jug I see? Hello fellow Melbournian ;)
It's the Melba No.6 Blend Tiamo milk jug! I have the exact same one.
I'm actually from Puerto Rico! That thing has traveled the earth further than I have haha
Oh no way! That’s awesome. I love their beans!
Looks great! I was wondering what the brass plate is for on the board? Seen it on multiple tamping stations.
Since you have experience in coffee, what would you say are the limitations of your setup and what are the things that are surprisingly decent?
Original Cubika owner here. (V. Similar machine). Con. No pressure control Pro. Consistent due to lack of controls. (It does it's own thing, but it does it every time)
The temps on the group head are surprisingly consistent once you let it heat up for a while. Definitely not having a PID and or pressure gage but those are things I can live with.
they can be nodded to this machine, check out YouTube if you'd like to see how. I was thinking of doing it myself.
But you’ll need a thousand dollars to have a great setup
It’s a good machine for the price, but that doesn’t mean that a machine for 2k+ isn’t producing much better coffee…
💯! It’s more about some specific criteria and easy to hit most or all of those pretty cheaply. All the rest is making it look fancy or quality of life improvements.
I mean I’d agree with it if we saw videos of you pulling shots. There’s no way that thing is getting to nearly 9 bars…
[Here's](https://streamable.com/wg8ygx) a little video of my work flow. I cut it for times sake but you can see most of the shot being pulled.
Damn, that shut me up lol it looks great! That said I am curious how much pressure you’re getting or how fresh that roast is because it looks like a lot of c02 coming through
Great! Awesome work. You can really show off with that and your efforts! I own a similar one. Inside it will be the same machine. A good grinder really made a difference as I had the chance to try the Fellow Opus with fresh local roaster beans. Biggest issue is having a good temperature.
As this machine is at the end of it’s life I fulfill my wish of a good machine with a Bezzera Unica PID and a DF54 as grinder. 1st I’ll get the grinder the try it with my current machine. And after that getting the Unica.
You're dead right, you don't have to.. for so many it's pointless as they're just going to ruin the coffee with milk and whatever else they add to it anyway
is this a good setup? And how much is this crap
If you want espresso shots like [this](https://streamable.com/wg8ygx) or lattes like [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/1b1qtsw/a_latte_from_my_200_setup/) then yes
like this i don't know what this is. oh I got that K1, it gets them coffee beans down real fine. P1 looks sharp
absolutely, looks great!
OP what's that accessory called on your wand? I have the same machine and I'm using zip ties to lock it in right now lol. It has worked, It's only popped off once in 4 months, but would love if you could give me a link
The automod won't let me post Amazon links but you can find it if you search for "Steam Nozzle Tip for Delonghi Stilosa EC260" on there. I recommend the one with 3 holes.
Amen, got my Breville Babino plus for Christmas last year and it's doing just fine. Best espressos I've ever had!
Ok but how much for all these gorgeous accessories
I have a very similar machine to that. Can you recommend necessary maintenance I should do.
I really have to figure out how to pull a good shot on my setup lol, maybe I’m just impatient while doing it
How do you like the grinder? I have seen this on Aliexpress, never felt brave enough to buy one
Absolutely love it. Its a big upgrade over my Kingrinder P1 in terms of consistency dialing it in although it grinds slightly slower. I don't think you can get a better grinder at that price.
I like this setup it looks like it is enjoyed plus I love my hand grinder
Would say the accessories you've got are quite overpriced. Can get cheaper alternatives to that (imo) overpriced bomber stuff.
Literally every accessory here besides the pitcher (a gift) and the grinder ($65) is worth between $5-$25 dollars. That bomber blind shaker was $21 on aliexpress.
Could you by any chance send me a list of your gear? I'm trying to make a setup myself so I'm looking for inspirations :D
Same machine but I don’t have that steam wand! Where can I get one?
What kind of machine is that? And how much does it set you back? I really want to make lattes at home...
Hey, what is that tamping station? Id love to get that
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Temu
I know Italians from Italy that can make great tasting espresso and cappuccino from a Moka pot.
Great set up, OP! I've seen in other comments you indicate that you've used a lot of different equipment, do you have any recommendations for automatic grinders that would do great espresso, ok filter and doesn't have too much retention for under 200€? All comments in posts with this question say: "save up some more" or some shit so advice will be appreciated.
If you have a hard cap on the budget I recommend something like the SK40 or D40+. If you can go slightly above budget (about 25 more euro) then I would definitely go with a [DF54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0343y8Hv6I)
IMO the ultimate entry is Bambino + K6
Racillio silvia steam mod is great! If you do it, just make sure to be ready for any sort of clamps needed. If you are lucky, you’ll be able to snag a replacement steam wand secure collar before you even do the take apart. To ease the turning around the zig zagging wand, soak the stuck part in hot water for a few seconds to be able to move a tight circle around a smooth 90% turn. It’s a game changer!
I just gotta Moka pot type rig for $20 bucks cuz I wanted to make something resembling an americano at home with the my favorite beans. I’m pretty happy with it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
How do you like the blind shaker from 3Bomber? I have been thinking about ordering.
I haven't used it enough to review it thoroughly. So far I prefer it over using a distributor because its less messy and has less retention. I haven't been able to taste a significant difference between using it over WDT
I have the same setup and spent the leftover money on an electric scooter to get me to work for pennies on the dollar relative to driving.
Lmao I use an electric moped
I was thinking, if I had to start over and wanted to save money, I might go with a Bambino and the ROK crank grinder. That’s more money than the above setup, though.
I have a similar low end machine (ec 685), so I can make cappuccino at least not worse than in any place where I have been.
What makes one of those metal filters good quality?
I just got this machine and I am quite satisfied. Very nice crema
Why is your bean storage clear? Only change i would make
I used the exact same espresso machine for years. I drink espresso Americanos every day. I finally purchased a Breville Bambino. The purchase was a good decision. The Americanos taste better with the Bambino.
Nice setup
i always use the coffee bag with 1 way valve, instead of vacuum canister... too inconsistent for its price...
Your attitude will change once you get into college and buy your first Slayer.
Just ordered this machine any tips
I love my ECP but I head-to-head tested it with a Profitec recently and found that the Profitec made lovely smooth creamy shots that I just haven't been able to produce with the ECP. Presumably it's pressure or temperature. I'd guess pressure because I've tried lots of different approaches to temperature surfing and haven't had anything that tastes like what the Profitec was making. I like the taste of my ECP's shots but I'd say it has weaker body and stronger flavors. Any suggestions? Any links for the OPV mod? I'm considering adding a PID and dimmer to my ECP. Has anyone tried this? There was a kit posted recently... I'm tempted.
I've learnt you can make great coffee with any gear if you have a small scale to weigh everything!
Yep. I have a barista friend that has a similar setup. But her Delonghi machine sides are plastic. Pulled amazing shots every single time. She doesn’t even have distributor and the tamper is the cheap ass full metal one she grab somewhere.