De'Longhi EC9155MB Espresso coffee machine: Full Review

The De'Longhi EC9155MB Specialista Espresso Machine is an impressive mid-range super automatic espresso maker that offers extensive customization options and produces cafe-quality espresso. This stainless steel machine has a classy appearance with a compact design that will add elegance to any kitchen counter. The integrated commercial-style burr grinder along with adjustable pressure profiles and control dials allow you to fully customize the espresso brewing process to get the perfect cup of coffee with a nice layer of crema every time. The milk frothing wand can automatically foam and texture milk to your preferred consistency. Overall, the EC9155MB is an excellent option for espresso enthusiasts who want the quality and control of a professional machine but with the convenience of automated functions and ease of use at home.

Design and Build Quality

The De'Longhi EC 9155 MB espresso machine features an elegant and modern stainless steel exterior housing. Weighing in at 20 pounds, it has a substantial feel and does not seem lightweight or flimsy.

The machine measures 9.5 x 13.4 x 17.5 inches, so it takes up a moderate amount of counter space but not an excessive amount. The stainless steel finish gives it an attractive, clean look that would fit well in most kitchen decors.

Inside, the EC9155MB has a dual stainless steel boiler system. The stainless steel is rust-resistant and durable, enabling precise temperature control for brewing espresso and steaming milk.

Other premium materials include the active vibration pump made of high-quality metal. The portafilter has a commercial-style 58mm chrome-plated brass grouphead for even heat distribution and durability.

Overall, the materials used in the EC9155MB give it a commercial-grade quality and feel. The design is elegant yet functional, with premium materials built to last.

Features and Controls

The De'Longhi EC9155 is a pump driven semi-automatic espresso machine, giving you control over the espresso extraction process while the machine takes care of the pressure. It features 15 bars of pressure for rich, creamy espresso.

The EC9155 has a built-in PID temperature control that allows you to adjust the boiler temperature in both brewing and steaming modes. This gives you more precision when dialing in the ideal temperature for your beans. The machine can heat up in just 60 seconds.

It comes with a professional style steaming wand that lets you manually froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes. The wand has two spout positions - one for steaming and one for hot water dispensing.

The portafilter has a commercial style 58mm size and the machine includes two baskets - a single shot and a double shot. The bottomless style portafilter allows you to monitor extraction and diagnose issues like channeling.

Other accessories include a tamper, measuring scoop, cleaning brush and water hardness testing strip. The drip tray is removable which allows you to use taller cups.

Ease of Use

The De'Longhi EC9155MB espresso machine is designed for easy, intuitive use right out of the box. The learning curve is quite minimal thanks to the intuitive controls and clear display panel. Within a few uses, most owners find they can create high-quality espresso shots and milk-based drinks with ease.

There are preset options for single and double espresso shots, allowing you to get your preferred shot volume with one touch. Beyond that, users have the ability to fully customize shot volumes, milk temperature, and more through the settings menu on the LCD display. This gives experienced baristas the flexibility to dial in their perfect shot.

Cleaning and maintenance are straightforward on this model as well. The drip tray, water reservoir, and milk frothing wand are all removable and dishwasher safe. The manual frothing wand makes cleaning easier than automatic milk frothers which can have small parts. The stainless steel construction and drip tray help keep splatters and spills contained. While backflushing and descaling should be done periodically, the machine gives alerts on the display so you know when it's needed.

Overall, De'Longhi designed the EC9155MB to deliver café quality drinks with simplicity and customization for beginners and experts alike. The thoughtful features and intuitive interface make this espresso machine easy to use and enjoyable day after day.

Espresso Quality

The De'Longhi Specialista delivers high-quality espresso with excellent extraction, crema, flavor, and temperature control.

The machine's professional-style 58mm portafilter with embedded magnet ensures even water distribution and optimal extraction. The pressure gauge allows you to monitor the 9-bar pressure during extraction, so you can adjust the grind to achieve the ideal flow rate. This results in espresso with a rich, persistent crema and complex aromas.

The brewing temperature is regulated between 196-204°F to bring out the best flavors from the beans. The thermoblock heating system ensures consistent temperatures across multiple shots. Each cup comes out piping hot.

The espresso has a balanced, nuanced flavor profile without excessive bitterness or acidity. Tastes of chocolate, caramel, and nuts come through nicely. The flavor remains consistent from the first to the last cup of the day. Many users comment that they get café-quality shots from this home espresso machine.

Milk Frothing

The De'Longhi EC9155MB is equipped with a manual frothing wand that makes it easy to texture and froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes. The stainless steel wand has a special design that creates a rich, creamy microfoam texture.

You can froth the milk directly in your pitcher or cup. The wand moves in all directions making it easy to position. It has a powerful steam output that heats and aerates the milk quickly. The steam pressure is strong enough to create a smooth, silky microfoam that is essential for making artisan-quality milk drinks.

One of the highlights of the frothing performance is the ability to heat milk evenly and consistently. The wand gets hot enough to bring milk to the ideal temperature range between 150-160°F. This prevents the milk from being too hot or scalded. Properly textured, frothed milk at the right temperature is what gives your cappuccinos and lattes that sweet, velvety texture.

Overall, the manual frothing wand on the De'Longhi EC9155MB gives you excellent control over texturing milk. With some practice, you can easily achieve cafe-quality, creamy microfoam to make delicious milk-based espresso drinks.

Customization

The EC9155M has a wide range of customization options that allow you to brew espresso exactly to your preferences.

Grind Settings

The integrated conical burr grinder has 15 adjustable grind settings, allowing you to dial in the perfect grind for your chosen coffee bean and desired flavor profile. Settings range from ultra-fine for lighter roasts to coarse for darker roasts. The burrs are designed to minimize grinding heat and protect the coffee's aromas.

Volume

Program how much coffee is dispensed with each shot. The manual buttons allow you to dispense between 1-2 ounces of espresso per shot. There are also two programmable shot buttons that you can customize to dispense single and double shots of your preferred volume.

Strength

Customize the strength and richness of your espresso shots. Choose between three pre-programmed taste settings for light, medium, and bold coffees. You can also experiment with varying the grind size and amount of coffee dispensed to create your own preferred strength.

Maintenance

The De'Longhi EC9155MB is designed for easy maintenance to keep it performing at its best. Here are some tips for cleaning, descaling, and part replacement:

Cleaning

• The portafilter, filter baskets, and brew group should be rinsed after each use. The portafilter can be washed with soap and water as needed.
• Wipe down the stainless steel surfaces regularly with a damp cloth to keep the machine looking its best. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
• Empty the drip tray frequently and wash with mild detergent.

Descaling

• hard water can cause mineral buildup and affect performance. De'Longhi recommends descaling every 200 coffees or 3-4 months.
• Use De'Longhi's branded descaling solution, following the instructions in the user manual. The descale cycle takes about 30 minutes.
• After descaling, run several fresh water brewing cycles to rinse thoroughly.

Part Replacement

• The water filter should be replaced every 2 months to keep water fresh and prevent scale buildup.
• Group gaskets may need to be replaced every 1-2 years with heavy use. This ensures a tight seal for optimal extraction.
• Other parts like the shower screen and brew group can be replaced as needed. De'Longhi sells replacement parts on their website.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Produces excellent espresso with good crema and rich flavor
• Rapid steam wand heats and froths milk quickly
• Precise pressure control allows customization of espresso shots
• Intuitive controls and display for ease of use
• Convenient automatic cleaning and descaling functions
• Attractive design and solid build quality

Cons

• Expensive price tag
• Requires some learning curve to master espresso techniques
• Smaller water reservoir requires frequent refilling
• Can be noisy while grinding beans and pulling shots
• Takes up substantial counter space

Conclusion

The De'Longhi EC9155MB Specialista Espresso Machine is an excellent choice for espresso purists looking for café-quality espresso drinks at home. With a durable stainless steel exterior, intuitive controls, and precise espresso extraction, it delivers exceptional espresso that rivals your favorite coffee shop.

The active temperature control, adjustable grind settings, and manual microfoam milk frother allow you to customize your drinks and achieve consistent results every time. While the Specialista is priced higher than entry-level machines, it's comparable to other prosumer models like the Breville Barista Express that offer similar barista-style customization.

For espresso enthusiasts seeking maximum control over every variable, the Specialista is a smart investment that will provide countless cups of café-worthy espresso for years to come. Its commercial-grade burr grinder, digital display, and user-friendly design make café-quality espresso and milk-based drinks attainable right at home. If you're looking to elevate your daily coffee routine, the Specialista is sure to satisfy.