DeLonghi ESAM5500M Perfecta Digital Super-Automatic Espresso Machine, Metallic Blue
Great Machine!
I am surprised that I am the first reviewer of this great machine. I just received mine yesterday. I bought it from another vender, but since I typically do most of my shopping via Amazon I thought I would share my experience thus far. Overall, this Super-Automatic is simple to use and makes great coffee, lattes, and cappuccino's. My advice though....WATCH THE DVD BEFORE USING!!! I thought I had this thing in the bag.. how difficult could it be to use??....Well it isn't difficult to use, but there are a few things I did that had I watched the video all the way through I would not have done. For example, when setting how fine or coarse you want the beans you have to adjust the dial one notch at a time while the grinder is running (still doesn't make sense to me). I paused the video before waiting for the lady to finish talking on the topic and just moved it a few notches towards fine...oops! Oh well, doesn't seem to have adversely effected anything, but now I know. Contrary...
Great and few problems
My wife and I have been making 6-8 cups a day for 6 months. We only ever make cappuccino and the 'fire and forget' button is priceless. The froth is good albeit with slightly larger bubbles than from conventional froth. We always place the milk container in the fridge and so far we have had no problems with the seal. And, the milk container can be purchased separately at a reasonable price (so my wife says).
One slight niggle we have had lately is that sometimes the door opens during the coffee making process. I have cleaned several times but to no avail. And it is difficult to find out what is pushing on the door from the inside (it is closed :-). But I guess we eventually will figure it out.
Some reviewers have complained about the coffee being too cold. I currently live in Australia and previously lived 6 years in Italy where they serve the genuine cappuccino. Outside Italy I have often had the opposite problem, where inexperienced barista's make the coffee...
Good and not so good
The Good - This espresso machine is very easy to use but can be intimidating at first. My husband and I use it several times a day and we have had no problems with it since we bought it at least 6 months ago.
The Bad - It doesn't make a hot cup of coffee. It makes a warm cup of coffee. I take coffee with me to work every day in a travel cup and by the time I get to work (15 minutes) I have to heat it in the microwave because it is cold. My last cheap espresso maker would make a cup of coffee so hot that I could savor it for an hour. Very frustrating to me.
Brew cafe-quality espresso, cappuccino, latte, and more with this super-automatic home espresso machine. The unit’s user-friendly control panel with digital programmable menu settings allows for choosing from five coffee-strength settings--extra-mild, mild, regular, strong, and extra strong, as well as the cup size, from small (ristretto) to large (American coffee). The electronic control panel also makes it easy to adjust the start time, one- to three-hour automatic shut-off, clock, temperature of the coffee, and water hardness. In addition, an integrated lower-pitch conical burr grinder offers 13 grind settings for adjusting the fineness for all types of beans, and the beans grind right before brewing to ensure consistently fresh, aromatic espresso or coffee. The unit's Direct-to-Brew System with Thermoblock technology ensures excellent heat distribution, while its 15 bars of pressure and double boiler with espresso boiler means no waiting between frothing milk and brewing espresso. Adjust the height of the coffee spout for brewing directly into espresso, demitasse, or 12-ounce cups.
For perfect cappuccino and latte, simply place the included 25-ounce milk container under the nozzle and press the button for quick frothing or steaming. The amounts of frothed/steamed milk and coffee can be adjusted, and the milk container can go in the refrigerator for storing leftovers. The espresso machine's removable 60-ounce water tank with a water-level indicator fills easily at the sink, and its removable used-coffee container and drip tray offers convenient cleaning and easy disposal of coffee waste (14 single espresso or 7 double espresso). Other highlights include a built-in water filter, an instant reheat function, a hot-water spout, a 7-ounce coffee-bean container, and a warming plate on top for preheating cups, as well as an automatic-decalcification indicator light, an automatic push-button cleaning function, and dishwasher-safe parts for quick cleanup. The 1350-watt espresso machine measures 17-1/2 by 11-1/7 by 14-7/8 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.
From the Manufacturer
 | Capable of preparing espresso, coffee, cappuccino, latte drinks, and more, De’Longhi’s Perfecta digital super-automatic 1,350-watt espresso machine provides an array of convenient features. Height-adjustable coffee spouts make it easy to brew directly into espresso, demitasse, or 12-ounce cups, and its instant reheat function keeps the machine at an ideal temperature, no matter how long the interval between cups. The unit's easy-to-use control panel with digital programmable menu settings allows you to adjust start time, auto shut-off and clock. You can even adjust the temperature of the coffee and water hardness. Plus, there are five settings for coffee strength: extra-mild, mild, regular, strong, and extra strong. The rotary control panel allows you to easily choose the size of cup you want from small (risretto) to large (American coffee). In addition, the espresso machine offers a unique direct-to-brew system that includes an integrated burr grinder with adjustable fineness settings that automatically grinds coffee beans right before brewing for exceptionally aromatic espresso. The unit also comes equipped with a patented single-touch cappuccino/latte system, which includes a 25-ounce milk container and a detachable container and lid. It can easily froth milk for cappuccinos or steam milk for lattes. Place the cup under the nozzle and press just one button, the unit will automatically deliver a perfect cappuccino or latte every time. The amounts of frothed/steamed milk and coffee are adjustable, and the entire container is detachable, so it can easily be placed in the refrigerator. A unique automatic cleaning function cleans with the push of a button and dishwasher-safe parts provide quick cleanup. Another unique feature is the statistics function that displays lifetime use of the machine: how many coffees have been brewed, cappuccinos made, liters of water used, how many times you have decalcified the unit. Other highlights include a cup warmer, a 7.1-ounce bean container, 60-ounce removable water reservoir with a water-level indicator, 1-3 hour adjustable automatic shut-off, a hot water spout for tea or hot chocolate, and decalcification system indicates when it’s time to clean the machine. Designed and engineered in Italy, the espresso machine measures 15 by 11 by 14 inches and carries a two-year warranty. Features & Specifications
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Brewing Unit: The "Heart" of Perfecta
 | The Perfecta features the smallest removable brewing system available on the market. Because DeLonghi’s new stainless-steel double boiler is so compact, the excellent heat distribution guarantees a perfect espresso at the ideal temperature every time. And, thanks to the removable brew unit, cleaning the inside of the machine is easy. Even areas normally difficult to reach can be easily cleaned. And because regular maintenance helps prolong the life of the machine, DeLonghi’s reliability is second to none. Direct-to-Brew System One of the secrets to making a high-quality espresso is using freshly ground coffee beans. Because of the direct-to-brew system, the Perfecta offers you coffee that has a delicious aroma. The coffee is freshly ground and no traces are left in the machine. Perfecta is the only super-automatic machine that delivers the freshest results. |
- Patented "Single Touch" hot milk system. Simply slide the milk tank onto front of the machine. Clean button makes it easy to maintain.
- Easy-to-use digital control panel with programmable menu settings
- Grinds beans instantly with the patented "Direct-to-Brew" system. Brewing system is compact and removable for easy cleaning.
- No waiting between preparing espresso and cappuccino with the double boiler system
- Professional-quality conical low-pitch burr grinder. Grind settings allow you to adjust the fineness for all types of beans.
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