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I like coffee, but I love espresso drinks. You can’t get that rich, deep flavor from a drip coffee maker. With a drive-through coffee shop a couple of blocks away, it was too easy to grab a latte on my way. Or, honesty, make a trip just to go get the latte and drink it at home. Soon, we were spending hundreds of dollars every month on coffee!
I knew we had to trim our budget, but I did not want to go back to mere drip coffee. Plain coffee with milk does not compare to the silky-smooth sweetness of espresso with steamed milk.
That’s when I discovered home espresso machines like the DeLonghi Magnifica. At first, the super-automatic machines seemed too expensive. Then, I calculated how much we were throwing away at the café. I realized that the machine would pay for itself in no time.
The DeLonghi ESAM3300 is a super-automatic espresso and cappuccino machine. It's for people who take coffee seriously and demand the best. It takes all the guesswork out of making a perfect espresso at home. The powerful steam wand lets you froth and foam milk how you like it.
This machine has earned its place among the elite super-automatic espresso machines. Its precision Italian engineering means that it will outlast many cheaper machines. To top it off, the Magnifica usually costs much less than some of its competitors like Breville and Saeco models.
The Magnifica is easy to use. At the touch of a button, the Magnifica will grind the beans, tamp the grind, and pull the shot (or shots). It features multiple adjustments to let you fine-tune your beverage. The machine then memorizes your preferences.
All the models in the DeLonghi line of espresso machines are for those with exacting standards. This particular model is for those who prefer a little control over the frothing process. The manual steaming wand lets you create as much or as little foam as you want.
But it may not be for everyone. While there is no replacement for the human touch, some may want a little more automation. If you love lattes and cappuccinos but don't want to hassle with frothing the milk yourself, it may not be a good match. It also may not be a good choice if you don't use steamed milk in your espresso drinks. Why pay for features you won't use?
Features of this machine include a hot water spout, 15 bar pressure pump, and a cup warmer option. Below, we detailed some of the other benefits DeLonghi’s Magnifica offers.
With coffee, freshness is critical to a good tasting brew. You should use coffee immediately after grinding. The Magnifica ESAM3300 makes that easy. It features a stainless-steel burr grinder to ensure a uniform grind. The patented Tubeless System helps the delivery.
The bean hopper holds 8.8 ounces of whole coffee beans. Inside the hopper, you’ll find a dial with 13 grind settings. You can fine-tune the grind size to be able to use any type of coffee bean. The conical shape helps even the flow of beans. The silent grinder is a plus when making coffee in the morning before others in the house wake up.
The built-in grinder works best with beans that don’t have a lot of oil on the surface. They recommend using medium roast coffee.
You can also use pre-ground coffee with this cappuccino maker. Fill the grounds container, then simply press a button to by-pass the grinder. The machine does the rest.
This machine offers five pre-programmed drink options. With the touch of a button, you can have an espresso, cappuccino, latte, Americano, or hot water for tea or hot chocolate. The push-button controls are clearly marked for easy operation. You can choose a single or double shot. Light indicators confirm your choices.
Are you picky about your espresso? Having your own espresso machine means you can customize your drink. You can adjust settings for strength and volume with easy-to-read dials.
You can set the volume for each shot anywhere from 0.5 ounces to 6 ounces. This setting adjusts how much water passes through the grinds, which also affects extraction time. Then you have the setting for how much coffee grounds to use. For stronger espresso, you would use more grounds. Whenever you use a new type of coffee bean, you may want to fine-tune these settings.
Don’t worry if these adjustments feel like too much. The beauty of this machine is that you can use the preset single or double espresso shot.
With some cappuccino makers, you have to pull the shot and then may or may not have enough pressurized hot water to steam your milk. The double boiler system fixes that. One heater is dedicated to pulling the shots, and the other is dedicated to the steam wand.
This assure that you’ll have enough hot water for both functions. It also allows you to steam your milk while making the espresso. No more standing around waiting for the espresso to finish!
The stainless-steel steaming wand has a panarello-style plastic cover. That means that the wand has an air-intake hole to inject air into the milk. Some feel that this makes a better foam. But if you don’t like it, you can always remove the plastic cover and use this as a traditional steam wand.
You know the saying, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This machine features an automatic rinse cycle to keep things clean. You can also use the rinse button for extra cleaning.
For deeper cleaning, you can remove the brew chamber. Pop it out and run it under water to clear any build-up.
A removable drawer holds the used coffee pucks. If you tend to forget things like emptying the container, no worries. A light will come on to remind you to dump the grounds.
If you have hard water, you may need to descale more often than in other areas. Don’t worry, you don’t need to do any math. DeLonghi included a water hardness test strip. Use that to program your machine. Then, you will get an alert when it’s time to descale the machine.
The price of the DeLonghi ESAM3300 super-automatic is comparable to other brands’ semi-automatics. But It has features that compete with the most expensive super-automatics for way less money.
Another cost-saving feature is the auto-off. Many higher-end machines keep the water warm so you can have a piping hot espresso in a minute. Yet, that can make operating cost skyrocket. This machine automatically turns off after three hours. Water will stay hot for two or more espresso drinks throughout the morning, but you’re not wasting energy keeping the water hot all day.
If you want expertly made espresso drinks at home, the Magnifica may be a good fit for you. No more wasting money or time at the coffee shop queue. But it’s not for everyone.
While this model is not the biggest cappuccino machine out there, it does make a sizeable footprint. Plus, it’s over 20 pounds, so you’re won’t want to move it around. You can find super-automatic machines that take up much less space.
This machine does not enable you to tinker with the water temperature. Some people want their coffee blistering hot while others want it at almost room temperature. If you prefer one of these extremes, you might want to find an espresso maker that has variable temperature settings.
To make the Magnifica affordable, it is missing some of the features of the more expensive models. One of these is the grinder. The Magnifica does have a high-quality burr grinder. But it is not ceramic. Ceramic burr grinders last longer, and they are featured on top-of-the-line espresso machines.
The Magnifica is for people who want no-fuss espresso but also want some control over the process. This model offers lots of customization, and once set, the machine remembers your settings. It makes pulling shots effortless yet allows you to finesse the foam. Ultimately, you have to ask yourself how much are you willing to do.
Everyone has different needs. So it makes sense that no one espresso machine would work for everybody. Here are three alternatives to the Magnifica that might be a better choice for some people.
If you love coffee in all its varieties, consider the Mr. Coffee All-in-One Occasions. The 15-bar pump is powerful enough to correctly extract espresso. It has an on-board steam wand. If you have company, you can brew a traditional drip pot of coffee. It can also brew K-cup style single-serve coffee. One machine gives you all the diversity you need.
This semi-automatic cappuccino machine confirms that good things can come in small packages. If you have a small space or a small budget, check out the Gevi espresso machine. Operating this affordable machine is so easy. As a semi-automatic, you need to fill and tamp coffee in the portafilter. Then secure it in its slot. With the touch of a button, the machine pulls the shot. If desired, you can use the steam wand to make all the specialty drinks you'd expect at a coffee shop.
For the ultimate in luxury and ease, look into the Gaggia Anima Prestige Automatic Coffee Machine. With the touch of a button, the machine can deliver two sizes of espresso, a cappuccino, or a latte. No learning curve. No-fuss. Just a delicious cup of espresso and steamed milk as easy as getting it from a barista.
For 1-touch operation, this espresso machine can deliver one or two shots of espresso. Using the dial, it can deliver between 0.5 and 6 ounces of espresso.
The Magnifica has an auto-rinse cycle after every use. You can also activate the rinse cycle with the touch of a button. For deeper cleaning and regular maintenance, consult the manual.
Yes! Put the grounds in the pre-ground coffee bypass compartment from the top of the machine. One press of a button and the machine bypasses the grinder and uses the pre-ground coffee.
If you find yourself spending way too much money-grabbing espresso drinks, it may be time to invest in an at-home cappuccino maker. With a 15 bar pressure pump, The Magnifica ESAM3300 has the power to deliver consistent espresso shot after shot. The automated process ensures professional results with the touch of the button. And the steam wand lets you create as much frothy milk and foam you want. If you’re ready to take the plunge, check out the Magnifica today!
