UODATE. Still loving my machine. Uploaded a video to illustrate the excellent results and quiet operation as asked by another shopper.
LOVE this machine. Easy to use right out of the box. I have been a faithful Tassimo and Nespresso user for years. Like 15 years. I just got tired of paying out the nose for pods and weak cappuccinos which is my drink of choice. Many years ago, Starbucks made an espresso machine called the “Barista”. I owned one for years and loved it. This machine gives me the same results with much less effort. Some tips. I tried pre-ground espresso from Starbucks and several other beaneries. I was not satisfied with the flavor and the “pull” of my shot. The water went through too fast and my shot was not strong enough. I went ahead and bought a burr grinder and grind my own beans on the finest setting. The grinds look like powder but I am able to tamp the coffee really well and get a 15-20 second pull on my double shot. I also fill the filter in stages. One scoop, then tamp followed by another and tamp. I do this as much as I can to get a solid puck”. Since I am “girly”, (psst, I am a girl), it could be some of you stronger women and men don’t need to do this, but I am also 60! Anyhoo, this machine is so easy to use and consistently makes an excellent espresso. I will admit I don’t bother with frothing as I best my milk while I am making my shots and use my foaming wand to get a rich thick foam. With practice it all takes just a few minutes. Then I just run some water through the machine without the filter in, wipe it all down and, BAM! I’m caffeinated! It is a great buy and I have tried several Delonghi machines that just don’t come close. The grinder I bought is the Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill and you can find it on Amazon and the Milk Frother is the PowerLix Milk Frother. I highly recommend both. If you live in a part of the country that has an H-E-B , maybe just Texas? I highly recommend the Rita Maya organic coffee beans. The giant bag is about $14 bucks. I get the dark roast and it is AWESOME! If you don’t have an H-E-B, I am truly sorry.