DELONGHI De'Longhi Espresso Machine ECP 31.21 | Filter Holder with Aluminium Finish | Milk Froth Nozzle | Filter for 1 or 2 Espresso Cups | Also Suitable for Pods | Black

This review is for model ECP 35.31 only. For 10 years, a cheap but reliable Cookworks brand filter machine served me coffee each morning, till it broke this month. So I was looking around, and was initially hesitant at buying an Espresso maker due to the device cost and never having owned one previously. After researching online, speaking with friends who own similar machines, I decided to try one. All I will say is that this is the best thing I have bought myself and majority of my housemates love it too. You get shop coffee at home, saving £3 a pop. It makes cappuchino and other variants, is easy to clean, has a removable tray that I have put away as I don't need. Mine has a 2 year warranty, so if it breaks, the manufacturer can fix it. We make 6 cups of coffee a day with this and it will take about 2 to 3 days before you get your technique right for the flavour you like and this depends on the coffee grind too. For myself, I find the black Lavazza Espresso packet (strength 5) is now my coffee of choice, I pull a shot or two for 30 seconds, then top it up with kettle boiled water, a splash of milk. For others in my house, instead of adding the water, they use the machine to froth milk to make cappuchinos. The coffee tastes delicious with the crema it creates and the machine is compact, sturdy, not loud and very easy to clean. Definitely impressed and would recommend this model for ease of use and build quality. Just read the instructions fully and don't pull the shot for longer than 30 seconds otherwise I am advised that the less desirable flavours of the grind will pour through and may taste bitter. But it's all personal preference, so experiment to your hearts content. One thing I will say is that if you are in a rush, and have no time, then Espresso makers are not for you as you need to spend a few minutes to make a lovely coffee.

Couldn’t justify spending £500 on the more expensive, highly regarded coffee machines but this kept appearing on various websites and YouTube videos etc, during my coffee deep dive!Spent ages researching “affordable” espresso machines and this has all the necessary features needed for making good quality espresso coffee.I’ve made a few alterations by adding affordable extra’s (steam wand and bottomless portafilta) with fantastic results but I’m still finding my way somewhat.The machine itself feels and operates like a decent quality machine and looks really nice and neat.Cleaning after each use makes maintaining easy.Highly recommend this machine.

I really like this coffee machine, it is simple and does the job. The internal storage for the separate filter units is a nice touch. The water container is a good size, you don't want to leave water sitting too long, I find that I am filling it at a reasonable frequency for my coffee habit. I don't use the steamer (I know - disappointing) but I did test it when setting the machine up and it does the job. My only grip is that when I fill the filter with coffee as per the measured spoon and tamp it down the unit is hard to get back on the machine. It is possible that I am using too much coffee but I have to hold the machine as I twist the handle with some force to get it on enough to use, even then the cups are at an angle on the drip tray to accept the nectar the machine produces. At the end of the day it is an affordable and compact unit for forcing hot water through coffee grounds, it can't do much wrong there.

I actually got my own one of these second hand from a social media Marketplace. I purchased this one as a gift for my parent who whenever they came round loved the coffee it made. They had a pod coffee machine at their house, the one marketed by a Hollywood A lister. And they preferred my coffee to their machine at their house.So I got them this for Christmas.The product itself is clearly built to last. The person i bought mine from only gmsold it as they purchased a bean to cup machine. I've had it for about a year and it is still going strong. It even copes well with the hard water.It produces the most wonderful crema. A beautiful coffee everytime.The milk frother is great. Super easy to clean. Two bits come off, leave in soak and rinse or just give it a quick scrub and reapply if you want another cappuccino. The milk frother is very easy to control too.The water reservoir has a big enough capacity for two large mugs. It is easy to loft out and fill and easy to put back in. I've never had a spill doing so.The only point to be aware of is that the drip tray doesn't leave a space big enough for oversized mugs. But I remove it for mine. As soon as the espresso is made I remove my mug and place a small jug underneath to catch drips.It is not hugely loud. I live in a three bedroom house. I work terrible shifts and often get up at three am. I come down and make a coffee with this. My wife who is a massively light sleeper is not disturbed by it and nor are my three kids.The handle gives a real professional feel. It is very strong and robust.This is a brilliant coffee machine. An absolute bargain for coffee shop results.

this coffee machine is good but while making double-shot coffee it does not work and the water starts leaking

Worked really well! Easy enough to use and clean. Would purchase another

Purchased in May 2000, now dead, lasted 10 months.I have enjoyed many many cups of coffee from this machine so I can’t be too critical given the price.Some things to be aware of:It keeps dripping and leaking between cups. The cut off is poorly designed. There is a fix for this which I did a few times which involves taking the head apart and replacing spring and little silicon stop.The coffee filter basket is frustratingly small, I would much prefer the option of making larger coffees in a single shot.Pump finally given out on this one now, just stalls and no water comes out.But... as I say... I have enjoyed many coffees from this. It can make a decent cup and the frother / water dispenser is very good.Now taking the plunge to purchase something more durable and expensive.