De'Longhi EC9155M Espresso coffee machine: Full Review

The De'Longhi EC9155M is a premium semi-automatic espresso machine designed for espresso aficionados or specialty coffee lovers who want to recreate the cafe experience at home. This sleek, sophisticated model offers commercial-grade components in a compact, kitchen-friendly package.

With professional-style features like a digital display, dual stainless steel boilers, adjustable manual controls, and patent-pending automated milk texturing technology, the Specialista allows you to personalize your espresso and milk drinks with extensive customization options for the grind size, water temperature, pre-infusion, and more. This versatility makes the Specialista a top choice for discerning home baristas who want to craft cafe-quality espresso and milk beverages with nuanced flavors and just the right texture.

Design & Build Quality

The De'Longhi Specialista has an elegant, yet modern design with a mix of matte black plastic and stainless steel construction. The machine feels very sturdy and durable thanks to the metal used in key areas like the portafilter, steam wand and drip tray.

The attention to detail in the design is apparent, with neat flourishes like the metal backlit icons on the control panel and the stainless steel steam wand that rotates 180 degrees for easier access. The plastic outer housing seems thick and solidly made as well with no creaking or weak spots.

Overall, the Specialista has a premium look and feel you'd expect for a semi-prosumer espresso machine in this price range. The mix of plastic and metal strikes a good balance between an elegant aesthetic and keeping the weight manageable. All components seem built to withstand daily use and last for years of service.

Programming & Customization

The EC9155M allows you to fully customize your espresso experience with its easy-to-use programming options and digital display. This machine features three programmable shot buttons that you can set for single or double shots at your desired strength and volume. Once programmed, you can get your perfect personalized shot at the touch of a button.

The EC9155M also has an adjustable manual mode so you can manually control the water temperature and volume for each shot. The temperature can be set between 104-212°F while the pre-infusion and extraction pressure is adjustable up to 10 levels. This allows you to dial in the exact pressure profile you want for any type of bean.

This espresso machine features DeLonghi's self-priming system that automatically primes the heating system when powered on. This simplifies start-up and ensures the machine is ready to brew without any complicated prep. The boiler maintains consistent temperatures throughout use for back-to-back shot pulling.

Grinder & Beans

The built-in conical burr grinder is one of the highlights of the De'Longhi EC9155M. It allows you to grind beans right before brewing for optimal freshness and flavor. The burrs are made of steel and the grinder has 13 adjustable settings, allowing you to dial in the perfect grind size for your beans and desired flavor profile.

The bean hopper holds about 8.8 ounces of beans, which is a decent capacity that limits how often you need to refill. An integrated air seal helps maintain bean freshness. You can easily adjust grind settings via a knob on the side of the machine. Settings range from extra fine for espresso up to coarse for drip coffee. The grind adjustment is stepless, so you can really fine tune the size.

The burr grinder does a great job with uniform grinding and minimal clumping. The grounds drop right into the portafilter for effortless dosing. Having a built-in grinder is much more convenient than using a separate grinder, and it allows you to grind beans immediately before extraction for rich flavor.

Brewing

The EC9155M offers both one and two cup brewing options. For a single shot, it uses the preset parameters to extract around 1-1.5oz of espresso. The extraction is controlled by the machine's advanced microfoam technology which regulates 9 bars of pressure. This results in rich, thick crema known as "De'Longhi's Best Crema System".

When making a double shot for two cups, the EC9155M doubles the amount of coffee grounds used and extracts approximately 2-3oz of espresso while still maintaining 9 bars of ideal pressure. Many reviewers highlight the smooth and balanced flavor profile from the double shot option. The extra crema produced helps bring out the espresso's aromatic oils.

Overall, the brewing process for both one and two cups is straightforward with the EC9155M's digital settings and advanced technology. Users report achieving cafe-quality crema and espresso with each cup. The machine makes it easy to customize your preferred shot volume and strength.

Steam Wand

The steam wand on the De'Longhi EC9155M is one of its standout features. This machine comes with a manual frothing wand that allows you to texture and steam milk to create creamy foam and microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos.

The wand is made of stainless steel and has a special nozzle design that makes it easy to plunge deep into the milk to create rich, velvety texture. Unlike automated milk frothers, the manual wand gives you control over the consistency and texture of the frothed milk. It can produce silky smooth microfoam that is ideal for latte art.

Operating the steam wand is simple - just lift the knob on the side of the machine and position the wand over your pitcher of milk. You can adjust the steam knob to fine-tune the pressure. It heats up quickly in about 10-15 seconds. The ample length of the wand makes it easy maneuver your pitcher to achieve your desired foam texture.

With some practice, you'll be able to master the art of steaming and frothing milk with this wand to make cafe-quality milk foam for your espresso drinks. The manual control allows you to customize the milk to your taste every time. Overall, it's a high-performing steam wand that makes it easy to go from milk to microfoam.

Ease of Use & Cleanup

The De'Longhi EC9155M has a bit of a learning curve but becomes easy to use with practice. The digital display and programming options allow you to customize drink options, so dialing in the perfect shot does require some trial and error. However, once programmed, brewing your favorite drinks is simple. The manual steaming wand also has a learning curve, requiring you to master the technique of steaming and frothing milk manually.

Daily use of the De'Longhi is quite easy. The portafilter cleanly locks into place, the steam wand swivels smoothly, and the buttons are intuitively located. The drip tray is easy to remove and holds a decent amount of liquid. The water reservoir is simple to access and fill.

Descaling and cleaning the De'Longhi is straightforward. There are detachable parts that can go in the dishwasher, like the drip tray, portafilter, and water reservoir lid. The stainless steel exterior can be wiped down. De-scaling involves mixing a solution and running it through the brewing system. The machine prompts you when a de-scaling cycle is needed after extensive use. Overall, the cleanup process is simple and makes maintaining the De'Longhi manageable.

Size & Storage

The De'Longhi EC9155M has a compact footprint, measuring 9.5 x 13.8 x 17.5 inches. It weighs 23.8 pounds, making it substantial without being too bulky.

The machine features a removable 35oz water tank, providing enough capacity to pull several shots before needing a refill. The tank has a handy water level indicator, so you can easily check the fill level at a glance.

For easy cleanup, a removable drip tray with a 14 cup capacity is included. The drip tray has a level indicator to show when it needs to be emptied.

The De'Longhi also comes with a convenient storage tray located on top of the machine to hold tampers, cleaning tools, beans, or anything else you need quick access to when making coffee.

Overall, the size is perfect for most home kitchen counters, and the storage and water tank capacity provide convenience during daily use.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Powerful 1600W thermoblock heating system provides fast warm up time and recovery between shots
• Dual stainless steel boilers allow simultaneous brewing and steaming
• Digital display with shot timer helps dial in the perfect pour
• Adjustable telescopic coffee spouts accommodate different cup sizes
• Large 2.1L removable water tank for convenient filling and cleaning
• Grinder has 13 adjustable settings to fine tune grind size

Cons

• Expensive compared to other home espresso machines
• Requires learning curve to master grinder and machine settings
• Tall height may not fit under some kitchen cabinets
• Single boiler version may be better value for home use
• Steam wand has plastic sleeve that may degrade over time

Conclusion

Overall, the De'Longhi EC9155M Specialista Espresso Machine is a high-end home espresso machine that produces excellent espresso and milk froth. It has a sleek, modern design with stainless steel accents and a digital display. The burr grinder is conveniently built-in and allows you to adjust grind size. Programming options like pre-infusion and adjustable temperature provide flexibility and customization for your brew.

The machine produces rich, full-bodied espresso with thick crema. The steam wand makes smooth, creamy milk froth for cappuccinos and lattes. Ease of use features like auto-cleaning and descaling programs simplify maintenance. The size is compact enough for most kitchen counters.

For the price, the Specialista delivers professional-quality espresso and milk drinks. It's a great option if you want more advanced programming than a beginner model. The built-in grinder also adds value and consistency. Overall, it's an excellent home espresso machine for espresso aficionados or specialty coffee lovers who want cafe-quality drinks.