DeLonghi ECP3420 Review – Best Espresso Machine for you

When trying to buy an espresso machine you are guaranteed to find DeLonghi items. Despite its almost unbelievable price, the reviews are overwhelming so here goes the DeLonghi ECP3420 review.

I’ve used a variety of machines in the past, so I chose to test the DeLonghi ECP3420. For anyone who wants an espresso machine for their house, I suggest the ECP3420. It makes good espresso and has a sleek design, a small footprint, and a quick heating time. The steam wand on the ECP3420 is weak, and the pump isn’t strong enough to handle fine grind sizes, so you should be mindful of that. This machine never steams a fine microfoam or brews espresso with the perfect crema that your local coffee shop can. The price is pretty reasonable, so if that’s okay with you, keep reading!

I will give an in-depth review of the DeLonghi ecp3420 15″ Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine Features, and how well it performed for me. I will also add a buyer’s guide so you can learn what to think about when buying your espresso machine.

Features Summary

It’s time to go further now that we are more aware of the situation. Let’s look closer at the features the DeLonghi ECP3420 will provide.

Overview of the DeLonghi ECP3420

The DeLonghi ECP3420 review will get more specific later on. Here is a quick overview of the most outstanding properties of this espresso maker.

First off, it should come as no surprise that this espresso maker has 15 bars of pressure to produce excellent espresso. Most of the manual espresso machines from DeLonghi run at pressures between 9 and 15 bars, which is the norm for pump espresso machines.

Besides the espresso machine press, there is a manual milk frother on the side so that you can froth milk for a cappuccino while the coffee and espresso are brewing.

There are two main functions for this machine’s removable drip tray. To begin with, it makes it simple to wipe any espresso or hot water that may have leaked out while the coffee was being brewed. Second, it allows you to utilize cups that are up to five inches tall (12.7 centimeters).

With this machine, you won’t have to wait around for your morning espresso. It boasts self-priming action and a stainless steel boiler, which reduces the amount of time you must wait while the DeLonghi preheats.

The water tank on this machine weighs 37 ounces, which is more than I had anticipated (1.1 liters). Filling it is not a chore as it is completely removable. With this espresso machine, there is no need to guess how much water to add if you are unsure. To ensure that the machine never runs out of water, the ECP3420 has a water level monitor.

So far, the ECP3420 appears like a good investment, especially when you take into account its cost. You won’t have complete control over the brewing process, as with higher-grade espresso makers. The DeLonghi ECP3420 is very simple to use and ideal for beginners.

Compact Design

It makes sense that the DeLonghi ECP3420 isn’t built of stainless steel because it’s a fairly priced appliance. Instead, sturdy ABS plastic was used to create this coffee machine. I liked the materials and the construction overall. It has a good feel.

It’s not fully constructed of stainless steel, but the materials and build are both rather solid. The coffee maker does have some accents made from stainless steel. These improve the machine’s appearance and let it blend in with any kitchen design.

But instead of plastic, I would much rather see stainless steel used for components like the tamper and portafilter. I don’t like the plastic tamper in particular. For the portafilter, I found that plastic tampers don’t produce a good, flat puck of coffee grounds, this is less relevant.

This coffee maker is lightweight, which is a benefit of the plastic body. It is simple to move around the kitchen because it only weighs 9 pounds. It will be useful when moving, redecorating, or even just cleaning up ground coffee near the machine.

Finally, the machine is small, measuring just 9.6 x 7.25 x 11.9 inches. This coffee maker can fit into any kitchen due to its compact size.

Colors

You’ll realize that the color options are often constrained if you read my espresso machine guide 2023. The ECP3420 is a rare exception, however. If you value history, you might opt to remain with the conventional stainless steel finish. Sleek black and red options, though, can just complement your kitchen decor. Even the white metal option for the ECP3420 will stand out in your kitchen, provided you don’t mind noticeable stains.

Performance and Quality of Espresso

The 15-bar pressure pump and pressurized portafilter on the DeLonghi ECP3420 are both features. It’s crucial to get an espresso machine with at least nine bars of pressure. To capture the full taste of the espresso and obtain a thick crema, the ideal pressure must be used.

The portafilter’s ability to serve as a 3-in-1 holder for single-shot, double-shot, or easy-serve coffee pods were very attractive to me.

Since it is a manual espresso maker, the pouring doesn’t stop on its own. Keep an eye on it and make sure the brewing process is stopped on schedule.

Less than a minute from the start, the DeLonghi ECP3420 heats up very quickly. Because of its quick warming method, it can quickly serve many espresso shots or convert to steaming in around 30 seconds. That is fairly quick, but it isn’t the same as a Breville Barista model.

This machine heats water to use a boiler system, but it isn’t very powerful. The water won’t flow if the coffee grinds are packed too tightly or ground too finely. You must be aware of what you possess because it is one of the key issues that reviews mention. With this machine, you can’t implement perfect ristrettos. To prevent the machine from being jammed, choose a medium-fine or medium-grind size.

Removable Water Tank

Once the water tank is full, you may start brewing espresso. The ECP3420’s detachable water tank may not seem like major news, but it’s really more useful than you may think.

A removable tank will quickly become tedious to fill unless your espresso machine is directly next to the sink. All you need to do to use the ECP3420 is pop the tank out, fill it, and put it back in. Not to mention that disassembling the machine or cleaning the water tank is made simpler.

Ease of Use Delonghi ecp3420 manual

Despite the fact that this espresso machine is largely manual, it is user-friendly. It’s a great option for new baristas because it’s easy to make an espresso shot. To make great espresso shots, turn the dial on this. To heat, turn the dial to “on,” then click “brew.” To make sure you receive the right amount, you’ll need to time the brew. To ensure that your espresso shots are consistent, I advise purchasing a scale or a two-ounce glass.

You may use either coffee beans or coffee pods in this machine, as I already said. You should be aware that the De’Longhi ECP3420 uses E.S.E soft capsules, such as those from Illy, rather than the Nespresso and Nescafe pods.

The machine has a self-priming setting, which is great if you’re short on time. It means that its DeLonghi ECP 3420 will be ready to use in just a minute, and you can begin brewing the espresso beans instantly. It is simple to get to the water reservoir.

Compared to high-end espresso makers, it only holds roughly 37 ounces or 4.5 cups. You’ll need to replenish it twice a week, but that’s still good enough. There is a detachable water tank that is simple to replenish.

You can remove the drip tray to reveal a second one beneath that can hold bigger cups of coffee. This is useful for making different coffee drinks.

Steam Wand

To froth milk and make espresso-based drinks, this DeLonghi machine has a steam wand. The DeLonghi ecp3420 bar pump espresso wand, in my view, is its major flaw.

The main problem is that the wand loses pressure after 30 seconds, which isn’t long enough to heat milk. A lot of pressure makes the machine start to steam, but the pressure drops quickly. It gets to the point where the steam is just warm enough for me to run my hand under it (don’t attempt this at home!).

When using the ECP 3420 to steam milk, you must steam it again because of the pressure time-out. To bring the machine to the required temperature of 150° F, turn off the steam, wait for the green “ready” light to turn on, and then restart the steam.

The nozzle is also too short to fit properly on a milk jug. The nozzle of the ECP 3420 has a plastic sheath that expands it, but it doesn’t fully immerse the milk for proper aeration. Use a small cup or add additional milk to a jug (which will make the already lengthy process much longer).

The nozzle then has a tendency to spit out water. This waters down the espresso drink and doesn’t cause microfoam. Not making a real latte, but you can make plenty of froth for a cappuccino. You don’t always get what you paid for.

Boiler

The ECP3420 has a stainless steel boiler, just like many other DeLonghi espresso machines. Unfortunately, this model doesn’t have a twin boiler, but the stainless steel construction is still a solid, long-lasting choice. The heat-up time for this coffee maker is also rather rapid, which is helpful if you routinely rush out the door in the mornings. You have five minutes or fewer, in my opinion. When compared to other manual espresso machines, some of which might take ten minutes or longer to warm, that’s rather quick.

DeLonghi ecp3420 tamper & tamper size

Let’s not forget the essential espresso tamper while we’re on the subject of portafilters. You will need to purchase a tamper if an espresso machine doesn’t come with one. Fortunately, the ECP3420 comes with a plastic tamper, so you don’t need to buy one separately.

Are plastic tampers liked by anyone, given that? They don’t make it as simple to produce enough pressure and aren’t as sturdy.

So, Delonghi espresso machines require a 51mm tamper.

DeLonghi is thus willing to let you get this combo for just $198.90 if you don’t mind spending a little more money. A professional-looking stainless steel tamper and the machine are included.

Portafilter

A 3-in-1 pressurized portafilter is another common part of De’Longhi espresso machines. That means what the heck? Your ability to make more than one espresso shot is the succinct answer. Instead, you may make doubles or, if you’d like, use Easy Serve Espresso (ESE) capsules.

No need to make your shots all at once because there is a two-cup function. The dual spout portafilter on this semi-automatic machine guarantees that you may brew for both yourself and a partner without having to wait longer.

Pod compatibility for ESE

You might not be familiar with ESE pods if this is your first experience with an espresso machine. If you don’t feel like grinding your own espresso beans, ESE pods work like the espresso equivalent of a tea bag.

These pods may not taste exactly like freshly ground espresso beans, but some people find them to be practical in a pinch. It’s important to keep in mind that, despite their name, these so-called pods don’t use single-use plastic as K cups do. They are much more ecologically friendly since filter paper holds them together instead.

However, you won’t be able to use the potential of your ECP3420 if you use ESE pods. You’ll likely be making espresso with stale grounds because the pre-ground coffee in ESE pods frequently stays on store shelves for months.

Milk Foam

The ECP3420’s manual steam wand should be able to create creamy milk froth. Additionally, with a little effort, you ought to be able to create latte art as well! It should come as no surprise that this low-cost appliance lacks a milk pitcher.

You can either pay $194.90 for a package that includes a pitcher or if you want to get the most out of your steam wand and milk, you can buy the pitcher separately for $24.95.

Cup Height

The ECP3420 doesn’t fall short when it comes to cup height as some espresso machines might—pun intended. Anything 5 inches (12.7 cm) and under will fit just fine under the spout, while extremely huge glasses might not fit.

I must say that during my review of the DeLonghi ECP3420, I really appreciated the adjustable cup tray. A typical demitasse cup will fit under the spout with ease, but if you need something a bit larger, you may expand the space by sliding the drip tray out.

Disposable Drip Tray

Speaking of the detachable drip tray, it comes in useful for catching hot water and espresso when used as intended. At some point, most espresso machines are bound to drip. This is particularly true if you want the stainless steel or white aluminum color options, where any stains would be quite noticeable.

Warranty

Are you concerned that the water reservoir may leak or that the self-priming setting won’t work properly? If you choose to buy this espresso machine, you may feel a bit more at rest knowing that it comes with a normal one-year guarantee for manufacturing flaws.

Frequently Asked Questions