De'Longhi ECC221.B Espresso Machine - Review 🏆

The De'Longhi ECC221.B is a pump espresso machine designed for home use. This model sits at the lower end of De'Longhi's range, making it an affordable option for espresso enthusiasts looking for traditional espresso without breaking the bank.

The ECC221.B features a compact, retro design with stainless steel accents that will look great on any kitchen counter. It's equipped with De'Longhi's patented dual function filter holder that allows you to use both ground coffee and convenient ESE pods. With 15 bars of pressure and a thermoblock heating system, the ECC221.B can produce authentic espresso with thick crema. The steam wand allows you to froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes.

Overall, the ECC221.B offers an accessible entry point into home espresso making. While it lacks some of the more advanced features and customizability of higher-end models, it provides solid espresso-making capabilities in an easy-to-use package. This review will take a more in-depth look at how the ECC221.B performs across key criteria.

Design and Build Quality

The De'Longhi ECC221.B has a sleek and elegant design that will look great on any kitchen countertop. The machine is made mostly of stainless steel, giving it a premium feel and excellent durability. The steel boiler and portafilter also ensure the machine can withstand daily use without any wear and tear over time.

Despite the steel construction, the De'Longhi still manages to look stylish with its rounded edges and chrome accents. The controls are neatly arranged and clearly labeled on the front panel. There is also a cup warming tray on top that gives the machine a polished look. Overall, the build quality is very impressive for the price.

The compact footprint, measuring only 11 x 8 x 11 inches, saves counter space without compromising performance. It's an ideal size for brewing directly into taller travel mugs. The De'Longhi may be small but still feels sturdy and stable during operation.

So in summary, the ECC221.B combines form and function beautifully. The durable steel body can handle heavy use while the chrome trim and curved lines provide visual flair. It's a well-designed, quality machine that looks as good as the espresso it makes.

Brewing Performance

The ECC221.B uses a 15-bar pump pressure system to extract rich, aromatic espresso shots with a nice crema on top. This is the ideal pressure range for brewing espresso. The thermoblock heating system maintains a consistent water temperature around 200°F (93°C) for optimal extraction.

I found the ECC221.B brewed very flavorful and balanced shots with each cup tasting just as good as the last. The pre-infusion function, which lightly wets the grounds before ramping up to full pressure, helps extract more evenly. This results in a balanced espresso with sweeter, fuller flavors. The brewing is very consistent, with no sour or bitter flavors in the cup.

Overall, the brewing performance of the ECC221.B is excellent. It uses proper pressure and temperature to coax out the best flavors from the coffee beans. The espresso always comes out with a rich, syrupy texture and complex sweetness.

Ease of Use

The De'Longhi ECC221.B espresso machine is designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind. The control panel is straightforward, with just two knobs - one for turning the machine on and off and controlling the steam, and one for selecting the amount of coffee.

The buttons are large and clearly labeled, making it easy to start and stop brewing with just a press. There are no complicated menus or settings to navigate. This makes the learning curve very gentle for beginners. Within just a few uses, most users will have the basic brewing process mastered.

The portafilter locks into place with a satisfying click, and the steam wand moves smoothly into position when needed. All the parts are shaped and positioned intuitively, so new users can figure out how to use them through experimentation. The water tank is easy to access and fill.

Overall, the De'Longhi ECC221.B offers exceptional ease of use and approachability. With its simple interface and well-designed components, making espresso is a stress-free process for users of all skill levels. It's an excellent choice for someone looking for their first semiautomatic espresso machine.

Customization and Flexibility

The De'Longhi ECC221.B offers a good amount of customization options given its compact size and entry-level price point. It comes equipped with a manual, adjustable grinder with 13 settings, allowing you to fine-tune the grind size for optimal espresso extraction.

While it only has two programmable cup size options for espresso and coffee, you can stop the brewing process manually at any time. This gives you more control over shot volumes. The manual brewing also allows you to pull longer shots for Americanos or ristrettos by adjusting the amount of water dispensed.

The steam wand provides the ability to texture milk into a creamy froth for making cappuccinos and lattes. It can take some practice to master the technique, but the results can be quite good once you get the hang of it. The steam pressure is adequate for incorporating small amounts of air into the milk without too much sputtering. You'll be able to create the microfoam required for latte art.

Overall, the De'Longhi ECC221.B offers sufficient adjustability for crafting basic espresso-based drinks at home. While not as flexible as higher-end machines, it provides good customization potential considering its entry-level price point.

Milk Frothing

The De'Longhi ECC221.B comes with a panarello steam wand that makes frothing milk easy. The steam wand is easy to use and provides powerful steam to create creamy, rich foam.

The panarello attachment on the steam wand incorporates air into the milk to create microfoam. This results in smooth, velvety foam that is ideal for topping espresso drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. The consistency and texture of the frothed milk is excellent.

The steam wand delivers steam on demand, allowing you to froth milk to the desired temperature and texture. It only takes about a minute to froth enough milk for one drink. The frothing process is fast and efficient.

Overall, the steam wand on the De'Longhi ECC221.B performs very well for an entry-level espresso machine. It's simple to use yet effective at frothing milk to create the microfoam required for making specialty coffee drinks. The panarello attachment makes it easy for beginners to achieve high quality, creamy foam.

Maintenance

The De'Longhi ECC221.B espresso machine requires some regular maintenance to keep it operating at peak performance. Here are some key maintenance considerations:

Cleaning - It's important to keep the group head, portafilter, and drip tray clean after each use. The group head can be wiped down with a damp cloth. The portafilter and drip trays can be rinsed under running water. Backflushing the group head weekly with plain water will help keep it clear of coffee oils and residue.

Descaling - Hard water can cause scale buildup in the internal components over time. Descaling every 2-3 months is recommended to remove this deposit. De'Longhi sells a descaling solution specifically for their machines that can dissolve the scale. The descaling process involves running the solution through the brewing system according to the manufacturer's instructions. This will help prevent blockages or decreased flow.

Water Filters - Using filtered or bottled water can help reduce scale buildup and prolong the time between descaling. Installing a water filter on the water reservoir is a good preventative measure.

Gaskets & Seals - The gaskets and seals should be inspected periodically and replaced as needed to prevent leaking or loss of pressure. This basic maintenance will help keep the machine in good working order.

Value for Money

The De'Longhi ECC221.B espresso machine offers exceptional value for money given its build quality, performance, and feature set. Here is a look at some of the key factors that make this machine a budget-friendly option:

Price - The ECC221.B typically retails for around £100-150, making it very affordable compared to higher-end espresso machines that can cost £400 or more. For an entry-level semi-automatic espresso machine, this is a reasonable price point.

Warranty - De'Longhi provides a 2-year warranty on this model, which helps protect your investment. Many competitors only offer a 1-year warranty in this price range.

Cost of Ownership - With a sturdy stainless steel boiler and 15 bar pump pressure, this machine is built to last for years of regular use. The detachable water tank and drip tray are easy to clean and maintain. Aside from periodic descaling, you won't incur many additional costs beyond the initial purchase price.

Overall, the De'Longhi ECC221.B delivers tremendous value at its price point. You get commercial-grade espresso and a durable machine backed by a 2-year warranty. For espresso enthusiasts on a budget, it's hard to beat the value this model provides.

Pros and Cons

The De'Longhi ECC221.B espresso machine offers a solid brew for an affordable price, but has some limitations compared to higher-end models.

Pros:

• Compact, attractive design takes up minimal counter space
• 15-bar pump provides sufficient pressure for rich crema
• Easy to use control panel with just 3 buttons
• Quick heat-up time of under a minute
• Can brew double shots
• Includes 2 filters for 1 cup and 2 cup sizes
• Simple to disassemble and clean

Cons:

• All plastic construction feels less sturdy
• Small 26oz water tank requires frequent refilling
• No option to adjust brew temperature
• Steam wand produces mediocre milk frothing
• No automatic cleaning or descaling functions
• Can't brew larger coffee sizes like Americano

Overall, the De'Longhi ECC221.B provides delicious espresso and decent milk frothing considering its low price point, though lacks some of the customization and durability of higher-end models. It's a great budget choice for espresso lovers without a lot of counter space.

Conclusion

The De'Longhi ECC221.B Traditional Bar Pump Espresso Machine is an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate home baristas looking for an affordable, entry-level machine that can pull consistent, high-quality shots.

With its compact, durable stainless steel construction, 15-bar pump pressure, and manual microfoam milk frother, it provides the essential tools needed to make cafe-style espresso drinks at home. While it lacks some of the advanced features and customization of higher-end models, it delivers where it counts - extracting rich, aromatic espresso with thick crema every time.

The learning curve is gentle, making it accessible for novices, but advanced users will still appreciate the ability to fine-tune factors like grind size and tamp pressure to dial in their preferred flavor profile. The dual filters allow experimenting with single and double shots. With some practice, frothing milk for cappuccinos and lattes is easy with the pannarello wand.

Overall, the ECC221.B hits a sweet spot between affordability and performance. For home baristas seeking an uncomplicated, well-built starter machine capable of brewing cafe-quality espresso without breaking the bank, the ECC221.B is a recommended choice. It provides excellent value for money and will satisfy espresso aficionados on a budget.