My Thoughts on the Delonghi Coffee Machine | 'Bean to Cup'
For a while now, I have wanted a proper bean-to-cup coffee machine. For those not 'in the know', a bean to cup machine is basically where you fill the machine up with coffee beans, then they're ground and dispensed (together with filtered water) into a cup. This means you have the benefit of fresh coffee every single time. I used to have one which would only take coffee pods, which was good for a time, but I wanted to branch out more into the world of coffee machines, so I researched what else was out there.
My boyfriend has been a big help in the decision making process (in terms of what make/model I was wanting to go for), as he has this exact same machine and I have had many cups of coffee over at his and enjoyed every single cup, so it was a no brainer when it came to choosing the right model.
It's super easy to use and maintain and is pretty self-sufficient in comparison to other machines that are on the market. It gives you prompts such as when to fill the water tank, when to top your beans up, when to empty the grounds etc, so hopefully it will last for a long time to come! Anyway, here are my thoughts on the Delonghi bean-to-cup coffee machine.
Starting it up
Switching the machine on is a very simple process, so much so, all you have to do is press the button, put a mug under the dispenser, wait for the machine to clear itself out with fresh hot water, then get started! I like to select the strength of the coffee or espresso shot I would like, then froth the milk before dispensing the coffee into my mug. This way, the milk can be poured into the coffee from the jug, rather than dispensing the coffee into a mug of hot, frothy milk.
After switching the machine on and waiting for it to heat up, I'll press the 'steam' button and wait for that to heat up for a few seconds. Once ready, it'll tell you to turn the steam knob in order to froth the milk. If you'd rather have hot milk as opposed to frothy milk, then that can easily be done! After this, you're good to go! That's it really in terms of starting the machine up, how easy is that?
Making a brew
As my boyfriend taught me, frothing the milk is somewhat of an art, and it will sometimes do different things depending on the milk you're using. I only use skimmed milk (red top) when it comes to my hot beverages, semi-skimmed (green top) at a push! However my boyfriend has started using whole milk (blue top) to see if we can do some more sophisticated latte art with it (something which I'll keep you posted on).
Anyway, you start with the steam wand slightly submerged in the milk so it froths up to an adequate amount, but not too much. Then, you submerge it fully into the liquid and wait for it to heat up to an ideal temperature. You should be able to feel if the temperature is right by wrapping your hands around the jug, or you could use a thermometer if you're really into it! Once you've got the milk how you'd like it, leave it on the side while you make the espresso shot.
After the milk has been frothed, then put your chosen mug under the dispenser. You can decide to have either one shot of espresso or two - I always go with two! If you'd like one, press the button with one cup on it, if you'd like two shots, then press the button with two cups on it. The machine will then make a few noises and the display will change while it dispenses the fresh coffee. Once it's finished, the display will return to normal, and you'll have a mug of delicious coffee to add your milk to.
When it comes to turning the machine off, it's important that you wipe down the steam wand, ensuring it's free from milk and residue in general - it's something I always do! Then, put an old mug or container under the dispenser and turn the machine off. After you've pressed the button, water will then be expelled from the dispenser as the machine clears itself out one more time before shutting down entirely.
When on standby, it'll display the time, if you're likely to use it multiple times throughout the day, then keeping it on standby would be ideal, however if you're only using it once or twice in the morning, then switch it off at the wall when not in use and only after powering it down by pressing the 'off' button on the actually unit.
Maintenance
I always like to look after my appliances, from this to my Kenwood K Mix, I think that maintaining them to a high standard is key to their longevity, so in order to elongate their lifespan even further, I like to take special care both when they're in use and when they're being powered down.
Disposing of the coffee grounds
Once the coffee beans have been crushed and used, the machine will compress what was used into small cake-like things that collect in a tub towards the bottom of the machine. Once this tub is full, the machine will tell you to empty it. We like to mix our old coffee grounds into compost, so we tip the cakes into a bag for use later. Once the tub is out, and once it has been emptied, I'll clean the tub and the tray it sits in so not grounds are left in the machine at all! It's up to you how thorough you are with your cleaning of the machine, but I don't want small bits and piece clogging it up over a period of time.
Wiping down the steam wand
The steam wand is detachable, so once I've used it, I'll take it off and wash it in the sink with warm water. I'll dry it off with a soft tissue and reattach it to the machine. If I don't plan on using the machine for a while, I'll let it drip dry, then simply reattach it when needed later on.
Cleaning and emptying the tray
The tray your cup sits on when filling up with coffee collects water, and that water needs emptying when it gets to a certain level. This is identified by a small red rod which will begin to float when the water needs emptying from the tray. This is a simple task and can simply be poured down the sink as the water is clean and free from debris and residue.
Once done, I'll slide the tray back in and wipe the surface down with a clean tissue to remove any water marks. I will also do this after every use to ensure it's always clean and ready to be used once again.
Filling up the water tank
This is perhaps one of the most simple jobs to do. The tank smoothly slides out and you can fill it up using water from the tap. The tank comes fitted with a water filter so you'll be enjoying a coffee which has been made with fresh, clean water every single time. The machine will let you know when the filter needs changing, so it's always best to have a spare one, just in case!
Topping it up with beans
There's not much you can do by way of cleaning here, but it's always a god idea to check the bean level, just so you don't run out of coffee half way through dispensing a double espresso. This model comes with guard so you don't ever get fingers caught up in the grinder (ewww) which is a great safety feature I think!
You don't have to stick with coffee beans either. If you only have ground coffee, then you can use that, too! Simply lift the hatch on the top of the machine and scoop a spoonful of coffee grounds into it, then close the lid. For you to use ground coffee, you must set the machine to 'pre-ground' or it will try to grind coffee beans instead - just something to be mindful of!
To conclude...
This coffee machine is perfect for those on the go. It isn't too demanding when it comes to maintenance and a coffee can be made in a matter of minutes with the push of a button! From long blacks and espressos to lattes and flat whites, you can personalise settings and categories so it always makes the perfect coffee for you, made to your exact specifications. Whether you're rushing off out to an important business meeting or spending a relaxing Sunday morning in bed, you'll always find time to enjoy a coffee made by this machine! You won't be disappointed if you invest in a Delonghi bean-to-cup coffee machine.
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I hope you enjoyed this blog post. Do you have a coffee machine? If so, let me know which one you have, together with whether or not I have persuaded you to invest in a Delonghi bean-to-cup machine! I'll see you again really soon with a brand new blog post!
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This seems like something I should try out because maybe I can achieve a homemade latte. Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely no problem at all! I hope you enjoy whichever machine you decide to purchase, you'll have to let me know which one you go for :)
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