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My Favorite Espresso Machine: The De’Longhi EC155 Reviewed!

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De'Longhi EC155 Espresso Machine

De’Longhi EC155 Espresso Machine (click to enlarge)

De’Longhi is a well-known name in the coffee industry. Based in Treviso, Italy, De’Longhi makes some of the best home and commercial espresso brewers on the market. That’s why I was so excited to try out the EC155 for myself. This is a great entry-level espresso maker that won’t break your budget – but will give you a fantastic shot of espresso. Let’s dive right into the details and take a closer look at this model in my review.

Small But Sturdy

The EC155 is small, but sturdy. It can literally fit in any small area within your kitchen or office. With silver metallic accents and a solid black plastic body, this machine is extremely well-built. De’Longhi is well-known for producing high quality coffee makers, and this brewer is a testament to that claim.

Click here to get the price of the De’Longhi EC155 Espresso Machine

Become Your Own Barista

With the EC155, you can become your own barista – no experience necessary. Not only can you brew espresso, but other coffeehouse drinks as well, like lattes and cappuccinos.

Here’s a rundown of this machine’s features:

  • Swivel jet frother, so you can make cappuccinos and lattes like a pro.
  • Dual function filter holder lets you brew ground coffee or pods.
  • Self-priming operation for easy start-up.
  • Two separate thermostats that control steam pressure and water separately, so your espresso is always brewed at the perfect temperature.
  • 15 bar pump pressure and stainless steel boiler.
  • water tank.
  • Cup warmer.
  • Brews two cups at a time.

The self-priming feature is really great because you don’t have to wait around for the boiler and element to reach the right temperature.

Easy to Keep Clean

Some espresso machines are a pain to clean, but the EC155 is quick and easy. The water tank and drip tray are both removable, so you can clean and descale with ease. I never had any issues disassembling and reassembling the machine either. The entire process was so quick and painless.

Enjoy Espresso For Years to Come

The De’Longhi EC155 is an espresso machine that will give you many years of use. The boiler is made from top quality stainless steel, which is resistant to rust. De’Longhi is a common appliance brand in Italy, and the company is known for its quality.

Excellent Value

Semi-automatic espresso machines (which is what the EC155 is) come in various price ranges, but most are pretty pricey. That’s not the case with the EC155.

What I Love About the De’Longhi EC155

  • 15 bar pump pressure and water temperature control for the perfect shot of espresso.
  • Is compatible with both ground coffee and coffee pods.
  • Swivel jet frother allows you to make cappuccinos, lattes and other coffeehouse drinks.
  • Durable stainless steel boiler will give you years of use.
  • Self-primer function eliminates wait time, and lets you start brewing as quickly as possible.

What Could Have Been Better

  • The knob control is a little confusing.

The machine’s main control knob is a little confusing at first mainly because it uses symbols rather than text to describe each function. This really isn’t a big deal. Just make sure you read the instruction manual to learn how to control each setting.

If you’re tired of spending $4 on coffeehouse drinks, start brewing at home with the De’Longhi EC155. It’s easy to use, quick to brew and makes one mean shot of espresso.

Click here to get the price of the De’Longhi EC155 Espresso Machine
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A Strong Contender: The Cuisinart DCC-1200 Coffee Maker Reviewed!

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Cuisinart DCC-1200 Coffee Maker

Cuisinart DCC-1200 Coffee Maker (click to enlarge)

Convenience is one thing I really look for when searching for a good coffee maker, and the Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central is the definition of convenience. Want to schedule your coffee to brew in the morning? Done. Want a machine that cleans itself? Done. The Brew Central has a lot to offer, and I’ll cover its great features in my review below.

Solid Construction

Cuisinart is a brand that’s known for producing high quality appliances, and the Brew Central is right on par with the brand’s other products. It’s sturdy, features brushed chrome accents, and its heating plate is scratch-resistant. There are no delicate parts to worry about either.

The Brew Central has over 5,000 customer reviews online – and the overwhelming majority are more than happy with this machine.

Click here to get the price of the Cuisinart DCC-1200 Coffee Maker

Convenient Features with a Sleek Design

What I really love about the Brew Central (and I think you’ll love too) is its convenient features. Cuisinart went the extra mile to make sure you get a great pot of coffee whenever you want and in a hassle-free way. Just take a look at some of this machine’s great features:

  • Programmable brew: With the Brew Central, you can schedule your brew up to 24 hours in advance.
  • Automatic shutoff: The machine’s automatic shutoff can also be programmed for 0-4 hours after brewing.
  • Flexible cup options: Brew an entire pot of 12 cups, or brew one or four cups at a time.
  • Brew pause: Pause mid-brewing cycle to pour yourself a cup of coffee.
  • Charcoal filter: Removes the impurities from your water that alters the coffee’s flavor.
  • Permanent filter: A permanent gold tone filter eliminates the paper filter taste and saves you money.
  • Adjustable heater plate: Choose from low, medium or high to keep your coffee hot and fresh.
  • Easy-pour carafe: With an ergonomic handle, the carafe is easy to pour and won’t drip.
  • Showerhead design: Completely saturates the coffee grounds for optimal extraction.
  • Ready tone: The Brew Central will beep five times after the brewing cycle is complete.

On top of all these great features, this coffee maker looks great. With a stainless steel exterior and black plastic accents, this machine looks great in any kitchen.

Self-Cleaning

Hate the idea of cleaning your coffee pot by hand? Cuisinart’s Brew Central has its own Self-Cleaning cycle that will keep your pot free of calcification in the water reservoir. The brushed chrome exterior wipes clean with a damp towel or sponge.

A Coffee Maker That Will Last

Who wants to invest in a coffee maker that will need to be replaced in a year or two? The Cuisinart Brew Central is a brewer that will provide you with years of use. I have many friends who have used this coffee maker for years, and it still runs as good as new.

Budget-Friendly

The Cuisinart Brew Central offers plenty of great features with a great price tag. That’s a fantastic deal considering this model has programmable brewing, automatic shutoff and a host of other convenient features.

Pros

  • 24-hour advance brew
  • Programmable automatic shutoff
  • Charcoal water filter and permanent coffee filter included
  • Can brew 1-4 cups, or 12-cups
  • Carafe is easy to pour and virtually dripless
  • Adjustable heater plate

Cons

  • A little heavy

The Brew Central is a little on the heavy side at 6.8 pounds, but it’s sturdy and well-made.

If you’re looking for a coffee maker that offers programmable features, a sleek design, a great quality brew and an affordable price, the Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central is a smart choice.

Click here to get the price of the Cuisinart DCC-1200 Coffee Maker