DeLonghi ECP3420 Coffee Machine Review (2021)

Every morning you wake up with an idea to drink a cup of refreshing cappuccino right after getting out of bed and not on your way to work. Also, you promise to stop wasting money on expensive coffee drinks from coffee houses. Does it sound familiar to you?

With a personal coffee machine at home, all your dreams will come true. Read the DeLonghi ECP3420 review about a budget and multifunctional model that will make every morning desired. Let your day start with pleasant moments.

Design and Main Parts of DeLonghi ECP3420

Please note that your would-be kitchen companion comes with the following technical parameters. Before reading about the coffee maker in detail, see this table to get the specific information first.

Design

This model will steal your attention thanks to an elegant design and small size. With a narrow footprint, the machine is ideal for a small kitchen with limited countertop space. It is rather durable since the manufacturer uses high-quality materials like stainless steel and ABS plastic. The combination of colors is traditional (silver and black), but it looks very attractive.

Water reservoir

The ECP3420 comes with a 37 oz. water tank, which is hidden inside the machine. This container is removable for easy refilling and cleaning. There is a transparent narrow window on the front side of the housing, which allows users to control the level of water. The lid of the water tank also serves as a holder for 2 coffee filters.

Drip tray

Actually, the device integrates a double-layer drip tray. It is removable, which is great for cleaning procedures. With an upper-tier tray detached, users can accommodate larger cups. This clearance is enough to place mugs that are 3.5’’-5’’ high.

Heating and brewing systems

The coffee machine features a stainless steel boiler system and includes a 15-bar pressure pump, which is rather powerful. It pushes hot water through the ground coffee for the best flavor extraction.

The portafilter comes with 2 filters for making a single or double espresso shot (or 2 single at a time). For easy identification, these filters come with special markings. They feature images of one and 2 scoops respectively.

Milk frother

The machine is equipped with a milk frothing system. This is a manual frother, which means users have to hold a cup with milk while the nozzle is making a tasty crema.

How to Use DeLonghi ECP3420 Espresso Maker?

The maintenance of this model is as simple as its design. It can be called a beginner-friendly espresso machine. The front panel features a rotary dial with 2 illumination lights, which operates the device. The dial offers 4 options: Steam, OFF, ON, and Brew. It is great for a newbie to have fewer variables in order to master the coffee maker faster.

To make espresso, put ground coffee in the portafilter choosing the right filter. The accessory set includes a plastic scoop that can be used to measure the right amount of ground coffee and to tamp it. As you remember, a filter with a one scoop image is suitable for making one espresso shot. Turn the dial to the ON position and wait until the red light turns into green. Then, turn the dial to the rightmost image meaning “Brew.” The device will deliver coffee into the cup. Turn the knob to the OFF position when your cup is full.

If you prefer milk-based coffee beverages, the frothing system is another function to master. Rotate the main dial to the “Steam” position. Insert a frothing wand into the cup with cold milk. For your convenience, the wand can be pivoted. Turn the knob on the right side of the machine and froth the milk until the consistency you like.

It should be mentioned that the device heats up water very fast due to the self-priming operation. You can make multiple cups with no delay.

How to Clean This Coffee Machine?

The cleaning procedures are as simple as the machine maintenance since most of the parts are dishwasher-safe. If you are an ultra-careful person, you can consider its daily cleaning. In fact, the elements of the machine that require regular sanitation are the following:

The water tank requires a weekly cleanup. If you don’t use the machine often, don’t leave water in the reservoir, or change it before the next use.

This DeLonghi model allows using a water filter. This eliminates the need for regular machine descaling. If no filter is used, the manufacturer recommends carrying out this procedure after 200 cups of coffee made. Use a special descaling solution and follow the instruction manual about how to perform the cleanup.

Wipe the exterior with a wet non-abrasive sponge if there are coffee spills on the housing.

Other Key Features of DeLonghi ECP3420

This budget model comes with a number of useful functions. Still, there are some more features about the machine that you should know.

The ECP3420 works with both ground coffee and ESE pods. These easy-to-serve pods look like round teabags but have ground coffee inside. Place them in the coffee filter and enjoy your favorite flavor without messy coffee powder.

If your family members prefer tea to coffee, the machine can deliver hot water for their non-caffeine beverages.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Regarding all the mentioned characteristics and performance of this bar pump espresso and cappuccino machine, let’s sum up all the pros and cons of the model.

DeLonghi ECP3420 Troubleshooting Tips

This list shows possible malfunctions that may occur during machine operation. These troubleshooting tips may help eliminate minor problems prior to contacting a service center.

Contact customer service if the problem cannot be solved as described above.

Where to Buy Delonghi ECP3420 Coffee Machine?

The ECP3420 is available for sale on the DeLonghi official website. This model can also be found at various online stores like Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Walmart that sell household appliances. Huge vendors like Amazon and eBay offer hundreds of coffee machines including the DeLonghi ECP3420.

Final Thoughts

Let’s summarize all the information from the above post. This coffee machine is a great variant for beginners who adore coffee and have no desire to master extremely complicated super-automatic devices. This appliance is equipped with all the necessary functions to make a decent espresso and (what is important) comes with a ridiculous price tag. The thing is solidly built and easy to operate. With so many benefits, this machine is a real bargain and worth every cent spent.

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