I did so much homework on these machines...
... I wanted to let others know what my experience was, and maybe save them some time and effort. I looked at just about every automatic/superautomatic machine under $1200, and for my purposes, this one was the best choice. My selection criteria were: had to be from a reputable company with a successful history and decent customer service record; had to go from whole bean to single cup and be able to make a variety of drinks, including a 'long' - regular - cup of coffee; had to be attractive to the eye and fit on my counter top without taking over; and had to be relatively easy to clean and maintain. We are not espresso fanatics, so although there may be other brands and models that render a more perfect espresso shot, that wasn't a make-or-break feature for me. I purchased this machine in December, and it took a brief period of tinkering to figure out what settings were best for me (you can adjust coffee strength, fineness of grind, temperature, volume of coffee for a 'long' coffee, interval between descalings, and timer for shutting off the machine automatically). Once I settled on the settings that are right for me, I've had an awesome experience with this machine. After reading some criticism, i.e. the flushing function when you turn it on and off, beans getting stuck and clogging up the machine, loudness, and cleaning, I had some apprehension about making the purchase, but in the almost 6 months I've had it, I haven't had any trouble with those issues. Yes, the machine does flush/self-clean when turning on and off, putting out 2-3 oz. of water each time, but that process helps keep the machine clean and running smoothly. All that is needed to avoid water on the countertop is to keep a cup under the spout during start up and after making your coffee, and there's no mess whatsoever. I use distilled water only, and the kind of filter that came with the machine. As for clogging and sticking, I use only medium roast, less oily, unflavored coffee beans, and haven't ever had beans get stuck. This type of machine does require some regular maintenance, but the commitment of time/effort required to keep it running smoothly is minimal, and definitely worth my time, considering the cost of the thing. As for loudness, I haven't used other machines of this type, so I don't know if it's especially loud or quiet, but the noise lasts for such a short time, for me it's inconsequential. So the Delonghi ecam 23120SB - Magnifica S Express silver checked all of my boxes: Delonghi is a long-standing company with a good reputation, this machine grinds beans and makes a single cup of a variety of drinks, including cappuccino for me and long coffee for my husband. It's attractive and fairly compact, as these machines go, and it is easy to take care of. Full endorsement - a great choice and worth the money! Read more
