
"The ECP3420 has a smart, subtle design which reflects how seriously De’Longhi take creating perfect coffee. ."
The ECP3420 from De’Longhi is an affordable, top-quality coffee machine, that gives you commercial coffee at a fraction of the price. The ECP3420’s design makes it a great-value coffee machine that is perfect for aspiring aficionados. With its easy-to-use controls, if you’re looking for your first professional coffee machine, the De’Longhi ECP3420 is the one for you. At the cost of between $110 and $130, you can rest assured that you’ll be getting a fantastic return on your investment with the ECP3420.
Design
The ECP3420 has a smart, subtle design which reflects how seriously De’Longhi take creating perfect coffee. This stylish espresso machine would even suit a commercial setting, but its modern, sleek black and steel finish make it versatile enough to suit any domestic kitchen. The ECP3420 also has the added benefit of being fairly compact, meaning it doesn’t take up too much room on your kitchen countertop. The De’Longhi ECP3420 is a professional style coffee machine with an integrated handle, steam wand, and water reservoir; giving you a more authentic coffee making experience.
Machines like the ECP3420 give you much more control over the coffee you’re making and teach you more about the coffee-making process in general. You are sacrificing some time as they require a little more effort, however, if you value great quality coffee, the De’Longhi ECP3420 is one of the best coffee machines on the market. Some of its great features include a handle that can serve two separate cups at once, which is something you don’t find in all home espresso machines. There is also a drip tray which is an important feature when it comes to keeping mess at a minimum.
Coffee Customisation
The De’Longhi ECP3420 puts quality first, with a commercial standard 15-bar pump pressure. While this is not quite as high as some of its competitors, it is still easily enough power for superb flavor extraction. The ECP3420 also has double wall filters which help to produce very high-quality crema. If you’re looking for a top-quality coffee machine which allows you to make professional coffee at home, look no further than the De’Longhi ECP3420. You can make either single or double espressos, as well as having the option of lattes and cappuccinos thanks to the integrated steam wand. If you’re worried about creating your own perfect-consistency milk, don’t worry; there is a selector which allows you to choose between a hot milk or cappuccino setting. This does some of the work for you, so that you can have a little more control over how the milk comes out.
One particularly great feature about the De’Longhi ECP3420 is the fact it is able to maintain boiler temperature very well. This means that you do not have wait between brews if you’re making multiple coffees. Unlike lots of other espresso machines, the ECP3420 is also self-priming, so you don’t have to wait for ages for it to warm up. This makes it one of the best-value coffee machines on the market, especially if you’re entertaining or if you just like a couple of coffees in the morning.
Ease of Use
For a professional standard espresso machine, the De’Longhi ECP3420 has a surprising number of features designed to make it easy to use. This makes it an ideal coffee machine for beginners. First of all, the ECP3420 requires very little set up, making initial installation unintimidating. The integrated water reservoir has a 37oz capacity, which really saves you time running back and forth to top it up all the time. The water tank also has a clearly visible water line, so you know when it needs to be topped up. The water tank is removable for easy cleaning, just like the drip tray and filter storage compartment. They’re even dishwasher proof, making this one of the easiest coffee machines around. Unfortunately, the steam wand does not have any removable parts however, it is pretty easy to just wipe clean with a cloth. Lastly, you can buy special pods which contain already measured amounts of coffee. Not only do these make it even easier to use this machine, they also help to cut down on mess.
When it comes to build quality, De’Longhi have had to sacrifice some of their usual high standards, by using plastic to construct most of the ECP3420. However, considering the fact they have tried to keep the price lower for this model, this is an understandable change. It also has little effect on the quality of the coffee the machine produces, which is the important thing. Also, the boiler is still made of stainless steel which makes it really durable.
De’Longhi have used very simple controls on this great-value coffee machine, consisting of a simple dial. This is another way in which they have made this coffee machine suitable for beginners. The coffee measurer and tamper come included in the price, which is a bonus. They too are unfortunately made of plastic rather than a more attractive steel, but they still do the job perfectly well. Lastly, the ECP3420 has been carefully designed to accommodate a range of drink sizes, from small espresso cups to taller latte glasses. All you need to do is adjust or remove the drip tray to fit.
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Final Thoughts
As well as being straightforward to set up and maintain, De’Longhi have made sure the ECP3420 is a commercial standard coffee machine. This makes it perfect for those wanting an authentic coffee making experience without the hassle. With its 15-bar pump pressure and stainless-steel boiler, you’re getting a coffee machine you can really rely upon. You’ll be hard-pressed to find such an affordable coffee machine that gives you such bang for your buck.