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I specifically did not buy one of the newer digital models figuring that that would just leave more of a chance for something to break. For the price I paid it was an awesome buy.
If you happen to be missing an o-ring or need a new one, go to a hardware store.I simply wipe the attachment down and run steam and water through it to clean it.The pre-ground bin leaves something to be desired but I dont really use it anyway. The frother does work well, just make sure that it is on correctly and that the o-rings are present.
I researched the superautomatics pretty well and went with this one. If it was either, I could not tell except for one small ding that is hardly noticeable.
The instruction manual is ok, it takes reading more than once to get certain things correct, something probably got lost in the translation.Overall this machine is the best toy Ive had in a long time. It is very easy to use and has plenty of settings to play with.
I purchased mine from a popular auction site, it was listed as "refurbished" or returned.
De Longhi has used cheap thin plastic everywhere. Each time the reason for the breakdown has been different:- stopped working during the decalcification cycle- stopped in mid-cycle when the mechanism jammed- no flow of coffee through the machine, even when thoroughly cleanedNot impressed.Update April 2009: The machine has finally broken down. Not that the preheater is any use - I warm my cups by first wetting them and then putting them in the microwave for 30 seconds.More seriously, I have had the machine for 16 months, and it has broken down twice, the first time after six weeks, and the second time last week. The coffee transfer path is not well isolated from the rest of the machine - as a result coffee powder had dropped into the moving motorised assembly at the back of the machine (I think this was the reason why the machine ultimately had failed). I think the problem is that the environment these machines have to work under is probably the most severe to be found in the home: high-pressure boiling water, grinding, and the transport of the coffee grains within the machine. I bought this machine in 2006 after an almost-endless trawl through the internet reading owners' reviews - after all, we are talking about the search for the perfect expresso here.The coffee quality is indeed great.
I couldn't find the power comsumption in the user manual when in "idle" mode, but I think it must be substantial since it keeps the cup preheater hot during this time. Since there appears to be no way to repair it, I decided to check out its internals for build quality (I'm an engineer). The only misgivings I would have about using it are that the knobs have no user markings, which means that if there are several people in the house using the machine, it is impossible to select the previously-selected individual settings. Maybe the build quality of the cheaper machines is such that they cannot cope.Update Nov 2008: The machine broke down again, for the third time. If this is Italian engineering at its best, then never again. Also, the time before the machine switches itself off is fixed at about three hours.
So far, it can be fixed under guarantee, but I fear that maintenence will be an expensive business when the guarantee runs out after two years.
User friendly. Saving money on lattes since I make them at home now. It's fast and convenient. Any one could learn to use this machine. Only bad thing is the machine is very noisy. Machine does everything for you. Instructional DVD was very helpful.
Finally, when it actually WAS over a year since I had received the machine, when I called to check on the status of my warranty claim, they said, "Your warranty has expired. A little over 10 months after I received it, it broke. I explained this numerous times. NO MORE DELICIOUS BREW.
THIS IS WAY TOO MUCH MONEY FOR A DISREPUTABLE MANUFACTURER THAT DOESN'T STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCT. You've had this product over one year. For a couple of months, the various people I talked to kept telling me they would "look into it", but they never called back. Although they are superb machines if they are functioning (and the espresso IS wonderful)., DeLonghi WILL USE ANY EXCUSE NOT TO HONOR THE WARRANTY IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG.
Since it had been over a year since I ORDERED it, they said the one-year warranty was expired, despite the fact I had proof I had received it less than a year before (I still had the shipping confirmation). There is nothing we can do." I highly recommend you find something from a manufacturer that stands behind their product. Here's my experience: When I ordered my coffee/espresso machine from DeLonghi, it was "backordered" and took over a month to ship. NO MORE FUNCTIONING.
Investment, yes. Spend the $.68 a gallon at Wally World. This was one of the best investments I have made. The wife has put away the drip coffee maker and uses the machine to make FRESH americano in seconds.A couple of words of advise. Purchased this item the beginning of Dec 06.
You can go cheaper buying a grinder and espresso machine but why. It takes about 4 minutes until you can make another shot of espresso.I have recommended this to a number of my friends and they love it as well. 1) Distilled water is a MUST. But buy a thermometer and use it until you get the hang of it.The only draw back I have for this machine is the need for the machine to cool down after frothing milk. Additionally, many of my friends have both lived or traveled to Italy and have fell in love with the taste of coffee.By no means am I a coffee connoisseur, but the taste is incredible. (Small price to pay for great coffee)4) Frothing is EASY. This machine brought the taste of Italy to my kitchen. After a week of drinking the coffee you will begin to taste a difference.3) Expect to take the time and clean the machine every day or so.
WOW. 2) Find the coffee you like and only open/buy what you will use in a weeks time. One push of the button does it all. If you like/LOVE coffee/espresso this is an investment.I spent a couple of months in Italy, and feel in love with the espresso there and have yet to really experience anywhere else. In the last 5 months, I have used about 13 lbs of Starbucks Espresso beans and the machine still kicks out GREAT coffee.
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