DeLonghi EC702 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Maker, Stainless

 

Product Features

• Use convenient pods or ground coffee with the patented dual function filter holder. It makes espresso preparation simple and fast
• Patented "Cappuccino System" frother which mixes steam and milk to create a rich, creamy froth for perfect drinks every time
• Eliminate annoying start-up preparation with the self-priming operation
• Always brew espresso or at the perfect temperature with two separate thermostats, which allow for water and steam pressure to be controlled separately
• Enjoy delicious espresso for years to come with the durable, high-quality stainless steel boiler and 15 bar pump pressure

 

Enjoy delicious espresso made your way with De'Longhi's pump espresso and cappuccino maker. You can choose to brew ground espresso or E.S.E pods with the unique patented dual filter holder. The Sempre Crema Filter, used with two measures of ground coffee, enhances the brewing process to produce a perfect crema. The E.S.E. (Easy Serving Espresso) Filter, used with pods or one measure of ground coffee, makes espresso preparation simple and convenient. Either way the choice is yours, making your espresso truly made to order. You can enjoy espresso or cappuccino without worry with two separate thermostats that control water and steam pressure, so you can make both espresso or cappuccino at the perfect temperature. If you prefer cappuccino you'll enjoy using the easy-to-use patented cappuccino frother, which includes a special chamber that mixes steam and milk to create a rich creamy froth achieving perfect drinks every time. Other highlights include self-priming operation to eliminate pesky start-up preparation, a unique no-drip design, so you don't have to deal with messy cleanup and a durable, high-quality stainless steel boiler to ensure many years of delicious espresso. 

Brew cafe-quality espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, and more from the comfort of home with this easy-to-use espresso machine. Thanks to its durable stainless-steel boiler and maximum pump pressure of 15 bars, each shot brews at the proper temperature and comes out with a thick layer of golden crema. The unit's dual-function filter holder can accommodate two separate attachments. Use the patented Sempre Crema Filter with two measures of ground coffee, or use the E.S.E. (Easy Serving Espresso) Filter with pods or one measure of ground coffee. In addition, the machine comes equipped with a self-priming system for quick start-up times, two separate thermostats for brewing and steaming at the perfect temperature, and an adjustable frother with a special chamber that mixes steam and milk to create a rich creamy froth for cappuccinos, lattes, or any other frothy milk-coffee beverage. Other highlights include a removable 44-ounce water tank with a water-level indicator, an on/off switch with indicator light, a storage tray for warm ready-to-use cups, and a large removable drip tray for quick clean-up. Designed and engineered in Italy, the espresso maker measures 12 by 8-1/5 by 12-4/5 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

By 

Viewfinder (Los Angeles, CA USA)

Excellent Machine and Value, May 14, 2010.

After purchasing and returning a cheap 15 bar Coffee steam espresso machine that produced nothing close to a real espresso, I decided to get serious about finding a solid "entry-level" espresso machine. I did an exhaustive (ie: ridiculous) amount of research, reading reviews at a myriad of sites, comparing prices, talking to friends who consider themselves "espresso experts", etc. What I found first is that you will never find 100% agreement on a given machine. Second, you have to establish your price range. It does seem that with espresso machines, the more you're willing to pay, the more you get, either in features, design, longevity or performance. For me, despite my friend raving about his newest $700 "it does everything except read the paper to you" machine, as a first time home machine buyer, I wanted to limit my first expenditure. So I set a max budget at $250 and learned about every possible option.

I won't go through the reasons I didn't buy other machines and it is possible that many I chose not to buy would have been perfectly good. What I will tell you is that thus far, about 3 months and 100+ espressos later, I am extremely happy with my DeLonghi EC702. The bottom line is that it produces a perfect crema with a rich taste. The steaming wand, though not perfectly designed, works well and I can make excellent Lattes. I feel it is important to add that like any machine, it takes some practice to produce the perfect espresso. There are so many human variables that come into play - how long to let the pump run, proper warm-up time, type of coffee, the grind, how much you compact/tamp 15 bar the coffee, etc. - that no two people will get the same results. However, the performance of this machine has been flawless. I have not experienced any leaks or problems. I have followed the instructions carefully from the first use, kept it properly cleaned and it has rewarded me with a great cup every day.

Some other positives:

- Very good clearance between the bottom of the filter holder and the base. I have a nice size cappuccino mug (in addition to standard espresso cups) and it fits perfectly. Apparently this is a problem with some other machines.

- Two size filters - one for single shot and one for double shot espressos.

- Filters also use the ESE pod system if you're into that. I don't use pods.

- Large, easily removable and cleanable water holder.

- It looks great. All silver, mostly metal. Doesn't have any of that cheap looking black plastic.

- Warming tray on top really works. I store my cups and filters on top and they are nice and warm after about 15 minutes, which is the recommended warm-up time. And BTW - this is not a problem. I get up, walk in the kitchen, turn it on. By the time I come back into the kitchen after getting the kids going, it is ready. Those people who complain because they have to wait a few minutes need to re-evaluate their addiction to coffee.

- Great price point. Under $200.

Some notes:

- Yes, it is somewhat noisy for the 15 seconds it produces the coffee - but it is a pump machine, which you must have. My kids running around in the morning make far more noise than the machine.

- Your first 5-6 cups will taste like battery acid. I was warned of this from an experienced friend. All new machines must be broken in to eliminate that metallic taste. So when you get it, after following the directions and running water through it a few times, then make several throw-away cups of coffee as well. I used a less expensive coffee for this instead of wasting my good stuff. Allowing the coffee flavor to permeate the filters will properly prep the machine.

Customer image from Turiya "O"

Customer image from Turiya "O"

- You must clean it at proper intervals. The machine even comes with a bottle of descaler.

- Buy an external tamper. It will make it much easier on you, help you be consistent in your tamping and will keep the machine cleaner. I bought the $8 Terry's Tamper on Amazon and it is the perfect size for the DeLonghi filter. Don't waste your money on expensive tampers.

- Make sure you use the proper very fine grinds meant for espresso machines. I took one bag of beans to a grinder at Trader Joe's and set it to the finest grind, which I thought was great. However, I later bought a can of Illy pre-ground for espresso (a fabulous coffee by-the-way) and learned that my public grinding was nowhere near as fine. So my espressos improved even further using a better grind.

So there it is. I actually purchased mine at Bed, Bath & Beyond as a 20% off coupon brought the price down to equal the generally better Amazon prices, but also allowed me an easy, walk-in no questions asked return policy if I wasn't happy.

I hope this helps people. I felt I owed a review as thanks to all those whose reviews I leaned on. My final thought is that once you get hooked on making your own espressos, even with a good machine like the DeLonghi, you do start to see the value in the really expensive machines that are fully automatic and even grind the beans like my friends $700 gizmo. But for the regular guy who doesn't mind a little manual labor and doesn't have $700 to drop, I highly recommend this machine. 

 

T. Pajak (Oakland, CA USA) 

Amazon Verified Purchase

Basically all of the negative reviews they did not read the instructions well enough. This thing kicks ass for a 15 bar espresso/cappuccino machine for under (...). Perfect crema, nice steam, cleans easily. Sexy stainless. Of course it doesn't have auto on-off... IT IS AN ESPRESSO MACHINE! The timing is different every time as the water pumps through, and how will it know if you are making a short, a double or if you want to turn it off early? If you are too lazy to push a single button to start and stop the pump, get a "Mr. Coffee" and quit whining that your appliance doesn't tie your shoes for you... The steam nozzle only leaks if you don't close it. If you don't put the lever back to the closed position all the way, yes, then water sprays out. When it is not in steam mode and the valve is open it sprays water, thats what it is supposed to do (for tea, etc.). It is not that complicated a machine, but common sense is uncommon to most people. It heats up fast, makes a delicious cup of cappuccino or espresso and cleans up easily. The warming rack on the top is designed well also. It makes me happy to turn this thing on in the morning. It prefers finely ground espresso, not espresso ground for drip machines or stovetops. If you are a "pod" person, you should be ashamed and really don't need this 15 bar machine. This 15 bar machine is for brewing a real cup with fresh grounds.

If you can work simple machinery and like espresso/cappuccino from freshly ground beans, get this machine and enjoy.

If you are a bit lazy and prefer everything to be automatic and are the type to use "pods", do not get this machine. 

Customer image from Philip F. Burch...

Customer image from Mark

Flat You Lent "Flat You Lent" (Brooklyn, NY USA)Amazon Verified Purchase

DeLonghi EC702 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Maker, Stainless

I have been making espresso at home for 30 years and have gone through 3 machines prior to purchasing 15 bar the DeLonghi. The first was purchased in Rome in 1978 when home-brewed espresso in the US was a rarity. That machine lasted 10 years before the pump blew out and looking back it just made 'acceptable' coffee. I next purchased a Krups (from Amazon) and ran that one to death in 10 more years. It was a fine machine but not surprisingly, it did wear out. A good value for the price and I got a lot of service from it. Then I got a Braun which was totally serviceable for yet another 10 years....do these things all last 10 years? I guess so. When it was time to purchase another espresso maker, I chose 15 bar the DeLonghi EC702. What a nice surprise! It heats up really quickly, and despite the owner's manual that says let it warm up for 15 minutes before you brew the first cup, I find you can get a perfect cup after only about 3 minutes of warm-up. Then, hit the 'milk steamer' button and in just one more minute it's hot enough to do the milk for a great cappuccino. The steamer nozzle is the first I've seen that can be EASILY dismantled (two small pieces to pull off) and rinsed. Former models had to be scrubbed with a scouring pad occasionally to scape off the residue left on the nozzle. This DeLonghi setup is far better and the steamer nozzle is always clean and ready for your next cappuccino. The drip tray (plastic with a metal grid) pulls off for easy cleaning too. Being a coffee-hound, I use the double-filter basket to make a single cup, although the photo shows two demitasse cups being filled side-by-side.