De’Longhi Dedica Espresso Machine with Manual Milk Frother, 15-Bar Pump & Adjustable Tray - Home Barista Coffee Maker for Espresso, Latte, Cappuccino & Iced Coffee - Italian Stainless Steel Design

I have been using this machine for about nine months, and it has become an essential part of my day. My initial rating would have been four stars. As some reviewers have noted, there is a bit of a learning curve with this machine. This is a single boiler espresso machine, where the more expensive and larger machines would be double boiler machines. Do not expect the same "workflow" from this machine as you would from one of the larger machines. However, I've found that if you are willing to learn the machine's quirks, it produces a fine espresso, as would a more expensive and larger machine. That's why I give it five stars now that I've been using it for a while. In particular, contrary to shop practice, it's necessary to pull the espresso shot before steaming the milk. As a remedy, I bought some of the double walled glasses, which keeps the coffee fresh while the milk is steaming. I'm very happy with the quality of the coffee the Dedica makes. Almost all the beans I've used produce a good to excellent crema.You will want to purchase a knock box and better quality tamper than comes with the machine. Otherwise, everything is included. In my case, one of the filters was missing. I contacted De'Longhi and they rush delivered a replacement, hassle free. I've seen some reviewers complaining about customer service. My experience with De'Longhi customer service was overwhelmingly positive.The machine takes 45 seconds to prepare. The biggest complaint that I have about this machine is that it does not have a pressure gauge! I really don't know why it was left off because it wouldn't take up much room, even if it had to be placed on the side. I appreciate the sleek design of the machine, and it looks better than any other compact I've seen. But I don't see the reason for omitting this piece of essential equipment. When the machine starts, the lights blink until it is ready. If you are only pulling a shot, you won't have a problem. However, if you use some hot water from the steam valve to warm your glass or get the water for an Americano, nothing on the machine tells you to wait to let it build up pressure again. The still lights indicate that it is ready to pull the shot. Here's my workaround: after opening the water valve, power the machine off and then on again (the button needs to stay in off position for a few seconds--another quirk). Doing so will reactivate the blinking lights, which will go still when it has enough pressure to pull a shot.I only make coffee for myself, which works well for this machine. If you are making multiple drinks in a session beyond simple espresso shots or americanos, this machine is probably not for you. Anytime you use the steam function to froth milk, the machine will need to cool down before pulling another shot of espresso. This is accomplished by waiting a few minutes, or by opening the valve and allowing the excess steam to vent. Be sure to vent the valve before frothing milk as you would on any espresso machine.This machine replaced my other coffee maker. Americano is so much better than drip coffee, that it's all I want now. I enjoy the little ritual of tamping the coffee and puling the shot. It only takes a minute and is more environmentally friendly than individually packaged coffee. If you want prepackaged coffee, get a Keurig. Get or order some fresh espresso from a roaster near you and have them grind it for you. As a barista friend taught me, home coffee grinders will wear out grinding espresso, and aren't necessary because the freshness of coffee mostly comes from the proximity to the date it was roasted rather than the period between it being whole bean and ground. If you want to grind your own coffee, you probably need to upgrade to a machine that includes a grinder on top.

I used to be a barista and when I came back from Italy this year I decided I needed to splurge and get an espresso machine to make myself some cappuccinos! All the $100 dollar (or around there) machines I've used at friends' houses have always let me down, mostly because the steamer was incredibly lacking in power and/or not movable. This is why I decided to search high and low for a machine that looked good, had the power, had good reviews, and seemed like it would actually last longer than 6 months (this was the complaint for many other machines out there, but most reviews I read state that this machine has lasted awhile without losing power or falling apart. I've only had it for about 2 months so I can't speak to that yet).Pros:-Steamer is movable and has lots of power, comes apart for thorough cleaning-Suggestion: before steaming your milk, turn on the steamer and let it warm up (with cup underneath) because for the first few seconds it pours out some hot water, but it only takes about 10 seconds for the hot steam to begin, then you can start.-Small enough not to take up your whole counter top, great for someone like me who is already lacking in space! Also very good-looking.-Get some great espresso shots out of it without having to get anything perfect in the set-up.-I read a lot of people complaining about the tamp that comes with the product, however, I feel they are just snobs honestly because it really ISN'T THAT HARD to get a good tamp. You want the grounds to be firmly pressed down and uniform but you don't want to smash it down. Basically don't over think it.-I mostly make cappuccinos and I get a great, thick foam like I want, EVERY time. Of course it comes a bit easy to me since I've been trained in how to make one, however I believe a beginner could simply look up some YouTube videos and learn how to pretty quickly with some practice.Cons:-There is no "cup warmer," it's just a spot you could put cups if you wanted, barely gets warmer than room temperature. I don't think this is a big deal, however, and I just put hot water in my cup until I've prepared most of the stuff I need. Walah, warm cup.-I was confused while looking through the product book because there was a pic of a water filter, then I realized that it wasn't included and you are supposed to order it separately. This also isn't a big deal for me because I have a Brita filter in the fridge anyways, so I just fill up the back of the machine with water from that.Overall, I was really worried that this machine wasn't going to live up to my expectations since I'm used to a very expensive machine at the coffee shop I used to work at, but for a home model I really couldn't imagine needing anything more. If you are an Americano fan, the steam wand will also put out steaming hot water instead of steam. Lattes and mochas can easily be made. It gives you a superb cappuccino. Even if you just like shots of espresso, you get it all!Great looking machine, works great every time, basically a really great product if you take coffee seriously. :-)