De’Longhi ECP3420 Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine, 15″, Black

I never write reviews for anything I purchase on Amazon (yet I read reviews for everything I purchase), and I’m so glad I chose this machine when looking for a new espresso maker. Personally, I am really hands on with my coffee in the mornings. I am not a “push a button and go” kinda girl, so if you are looking for that, maybe look elsewhere? This machine can be a bit finicky at times.

It’s so easy to use, and relatively mess free. It is a but loud, but that doesn’t bother me. It works like a breeze, and produces consistently great pours with beautiful crema markings. The milk frother works wonderfully with any type of milk (I only use almond or coconut milk). Being a barista years back I learned some milks are really hard to get a nice velvety foam, and this machine does just that with almond milk! It’s not latte art quality, but juuuuust close enough that it could be.

Here’s my advice after owning this machine for a few months now…

1. Start off with some Illy ground espresso in the can (like a previous reviewer had mentioned) so that you can have good tasting espresso while you get used to how your machine works. Tamp your espresso lightly!! Don’t cram it in there or it will ruin the flow!
2. Once you get used to how the Illy grounds work with your machine, then you can move on to local coffee shop beans. The reason being that the coffee grounds have more oils in them and are ground a bit more fine so it doesn’t come out in a flow, but more of a drip. I typically put my cup right where the drip comes out, and it flows evenly for a perfect crema. Ask your barista for their particular choice in espresso beans when you go to your local roaster. I prefer Peet’s Coffee or Philz Coffee’s Aromatic Arabic, but make sure you ask them to grind 1 step more coarse then the typical espresso grind to make it a little easier on yourself..
3. Always wipe your machine after use. I know I can be busy at times and forget to take out the tamp and empty the used espresso out, but try to always wipe the milk frother after use, and wipe down your machine. It comes apart easily so you can really get in there. At least 3 days I do a full rinse of the machine. I know I should do it after every single use, but I have had no problems thus far.
4. Last but not least, make sure you get a ***small*** milk pitcher and tamp (I bought mine from the seller New Star Foodservice since it was priced right and well made). I know you get a 2 in 1 scoop and tamp with this machine, but look for something slightly heavy and stainless steel.

The De’Longhi ECP3420 15″ Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino machine works very well. I have been making lattes for several years with various machines. I started with a very cheap machine that made passable lattes and then got a De’Longhi EC702 and now the ECP 3420. All three would not be termed expensive or high end espresso machines.
This new machine, the ECP3420, is about 3/4 of the cost of my earlier machine and is much easier to use. There are less settings so that slight changes in the strength and flavor are not easily made, but the ease of making a latte makes up for it. The flavor quality is about the same. My favorite vanilla lattes come from a regional coffee place (Caribou Coffee) and I find that the De’Longhi approaches their quality, but does not quite get there. It could be the beans, the pressure or something else, or me.
One thing that I noticed about this new machine is that even if I pack the ground espresso very hard, it does not seem to impede the pump action. The flow of the espresso is very dark and even. There is not an overabundance of foam in the espresso itself. The milk “frother” works very well and makes a nice even froth.
I have always ground my own beans at the time of making the espresso so that I can get the fineness of the grind that I find the best. The ECP 3420 handles any of the grinds. The water tank is very handy and easy to add water. The unit will also take the prepackaged espresso packets.
One thing to note is the instruction booklet…It is in color, has clear pictures and written directions. It is extremely clear and concise. This might be the best instruction booklet I have ever used. Especially if you are new to making espresso, you will have not problem with this machine and the instructions. The is good moderately priced machine.
September 30, 2015 I regret to have to revise my review of this machine. After only one month of use, the pump stopped working rendering the machine useless. I really liked this unit and the flavor of the espresso, but alas, it doesn’t work after only about 35-30 espressos.

October 2015 – Running the risk of loosing review credibility, I must revisit the review of this product for the third time. I do this in fairness to De’Longhi as well as this product. As covered in my previous review – The reason that the pump was not working is that the water storage container was not completely seated in the bottom of the unit. If it is up even a 1/16 of an inch it will not function. The water tank must be firmly pushed down into the unit. I discovered this really by accident.
I found this out when I had decided to try to find out why it didn’t work prior to disposing of it. I am now using it again without any problem. Sorry De’Longhi.