Customer Ratings & Reviews
- Model:
- EC9255M
- |
- SKU:
- 6573737
Customer reviews
Rating 4.7 out of 5 stars with 106 reviews
(106 customer reviews)Rating by feature
- Value4.5
Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Quality4.7
Rating 4.7 out of 5 stars
- Ease of Use4.7
Rating 4.7 out of 5 stars
Expert reviews
See all expert reviews(1)Rating 3 out of 5 stars with 1 review
Customers are saying
Customers are delighted by the La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine with Cold Brew for its ease of use, cold brew capability, and steam wand. Many users appreciate how simple it is to operate, even for beginners, and they rave about the delicious cold brew it produces. The steam wand is also a hit, with users praising its power and ability to create silky micro-foam. However, some customers have expressed concerns about the grinder, with a few reporting issues after only a short period of use. Additionally, some users have mentioned that there is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to using the machine, especially for those who are new to manual espresso machines.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
- Pros mentioned:Easy to use
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Love DeLinghi
||Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I love this espresso machine, first time I ever purchased one and the DeLonghi brand works perfect and is very easy to use and it’s a lot of fun, making espresso and Americana and love the cold brew.
I would recommend this to a friend - Pros mentioned:Cold brew
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Compra verificada
||Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.100% recomendado, hasta ahora ningún problema me gusta el gusto del café en grano acabado de moler
I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 stars
LOVE THIS MACHINE!!
||Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.If your looking for a beginner coffee machine you should go with this one. I am slowly getting better at making super good ice coffees. I also love that this machine lets you grind your beans, it really makes your espresso shots taste fresh.
I would recommend this to a friendRated 4 out of 5 stars
At home coffee shop....with practice and time!
||Posted . Owned for 2 months when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.A very sleek and delightful product. This style of espresso machine takes TIME to master. Very happy with this purchase and have grown to making my own syrups rather than purchasing store bought. Plenty of resourceful videos on the internet to help you dial in your De'Longhi La Specialista unit!!
I would recommend this to a friend- Pros mentioned:Easy to use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
My Delonghi coffee maker
||Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I love our new Delonghi Machine It is easy to use and makes real espresso I even drink coffee more than twice a day now.
I would recommend this to a friend Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Purchase- Great Quality
||Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Excellent purchase- we love the quality of the machine and works very smoothly. Enjoying making lattes and espressos on a daily basis.
I would recommend this to a friendRated 4 out of 5 stars
Excellent quality coffee
||Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Machine work amazing; once the owner knows the exact ground label depending on the coffee bean they are using, the machine will hit the optimal zone always and will give you the nicest crema on top of your expresso. The milk steamer is also good quality the only things is that it takes practice to get a good silk consistency in the milk. This is my first machine with all this feature, but Iam very please with how it’s working till now. Always read the instruction so you can program yours to your liking.
I would recommend this to a friendRated 5 out of 5 stars
Delonghi la specialista arte evo
||Posted . Owned for 2 months when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.This is a very good machine! Id recommend for sure.
I would recommend this to a friend- Pros mentioned:Price
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Delonghi coffe machine
||Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I love it. It is the best coffee machine. It is worth every penny.
I would recommend this to a friend - Cons mentioned:Flow power
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Nice, but doesn’t work that nice
||Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.It looks nice but it doesn’t have enough power to make a perfect expresso, if you apply 30 pounds of pressure then the machine doesn’t flow very nice or doesn’t flow at all, to be able to reach the optimal zone you need right amount of coffee and apply a very tiny pressure, in my opinion I would try another brand with more flow power
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from DeLonghi Customer Care
Posted .Hello,
Thank you for leaving your review. We try very hard to make every customer’s experience enjoyable, and we regret not being able to meet your expectations this time. We take every concern into consideration when designing our units or creating our policies, and we will be sure to note your observations for future reference.
Thank you.
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best machine ever purchased
||Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Excellent choice of mine. Enjoying fresh brew espresso every morning. Good job DeLonghi!
I would recommend this to a friendRated 5 out of 5 stars
DeLonghi Là Specilista
||Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.So far so great! Love how it comes with an attachment to help tamp! Everything’s works great! Best investment so far!
I would recommend this to a friend- Pros mentioned:Cold brew, Steam wand
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Classy, precise, and easy: what you need in the AM
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.My experience in brewing coffee has spanned decades, from Chemex pour overs, a variety of filter drip lookalikes, through Keurig pods (until the landfill guilt caught up with me), to most recently a semi-automatic espresso-coffee maker. That last model, which I have owned for over a year now, has been quite compelling, balancing out convenience with quality of the brewed product. To “move up” to a dedicated manual espresso machine, I was at first a bit hesitant. I knew it adds the steps of grinding the beans, tamping the brew chamber, locking the loaded wand in place, then brewing the elixir. This is followed by manually clearing the spent grounds and rinsing the filter baton. The semi-automatic was appealing in that it “automatically” merged those steps into fewer steps. The machine would do them for you. Your periodic chores include emptying a reservoir of spent little coffee ground pucks about every 8 to 10 brews, emptying the drip tray a the same time, and a monthly removal of the brew chamber inside the machine with a rinse off in the sink every week or so. A more detailed interior wipe down and grease application to interior moving parts happens less often, about every 6 months. So yes, indeed, there is a bit more daily hands-on effort for the DeLonghi, but the trade off is the lack of disassembly for cleaning of the insides of the machine every several months. After using the DeLonghi for a week, I feel that it becomes easy to flow through the steps needed to prepare the brew, and the quality of end product I feel is well worth the minute or two of prep and clean up. One capability that is unique for this machine, to my knowledge, is the ability to create a Cold Brew coffee! Whereas my prior experience with cold brew involved an 8-12 hour room temp or refrigerator overnight brewing of coarse grounds through a filter screen, the DeLonghi accomplishes the brew in 5 minutes, a cup at a time. Where the De'Longhi excels is with the degree of customization of brewing parameters. These exist with the Specialista Arte Evo, but are lacking in the semi-automatic. Having such options allows you to vary most attributes of the brew: infusion water temperature, amount of coffee ground (the "dosage"), 8 levels of fineness of grind from coarse to powder, and a 4 selection dial to dispense espresso, Americano, Cold Brew, or hot water. A single button chooses one or two for volume of beverage to be produced. Up front in the center is a visual circular dial of pressure (stated to be up to 15 bar pressure). The circular dial with a rotating needle is reminiscent of a gauge from a sports car of the 1960s! Knowing that pressure is what makes an espresso “special” to squeeze the most flavor from the beautiful beans makes seeing the needle register the amount of pressure being applied is surprisingly rewarding. Everything needed (except coffee beans, perhaps a sample bag could have been toss in?) is included, with a series of tools and equipment for everyday use. Also a few extras for infrequent use: a declogging pin for the froth nozzle, a slightly stiff brush to clear grounds from surfaces, and water hardness tester. All of these tools felt and appeared to be of very high quality and precision. Two filter cups, for one or two servings of the espresso, are easily changed out with a gentle prying a table knife tip in a small indentation at the edge (see the photo). It was a little too tight to wrestle it loose with a fingernail, but might loosen up with a bit of use. A generous on board water reservoir runs the back of the machine. If the machine is pushed back against the wall of the counter, it might be a bit of a trick to refill. The machine weighs about 25 lbs, so not that easy to slide back and forth for frequent fills. My semi-automatic machine had an optional replaceable cartridge water filter that sits in the water reservoir, which is lacking in the DeLonghi. Our refrigerator has a water filter built into the water dispenser, but a Britta or similar would work as well. I choose to use filtered water to lessen the frequency of the need for decalcification. De'Longhi includes a de-calc package for use after perhaps a year’s usage, depending on your water hardness. Cleaning the brew wand chamber of the compressed coffee grounds I quickly found to be quite easy with the use of a mini-spatula, which I happened to have. This handy little tool, which we use to get the last bit out of a jar of preserves, works fabulously for quickly sweeping the grounds into the kitchen counter compost container. Coffee grounds are quite favorable for gardens! The recent resurgence of interest in Cold Brew in the past few years harkens back to my college days, when I was introduced to the Toddy refrigerator cold brewing of coffee (1970s). This was, and is still available, a method of extracting a concentrated almost syrupy coffee elixir that we would mix with boiling water for morning beverage. What the DeLonghi accomplishes is a 5 minute Cold Brew delivery, either small or larger glass size, for the summer time enjoyment of iced coffee. You can use just room temp water, with a little purge using the cold setting to cool down the interior pipes of the machine, or fresh cold water if preferred. How they manage to get a full body brew with cold water in only a few minutes is a mystery to me, but it was quite tasty. Mixed with a bit of a flavored syrup, a splash of oat milk (I’m basically a non-dairy consumer) and a single ice cube, I think I have discovered a new summer favorite. It is so much less time and effort than my other experiences with cold brew, which required a special brewing device to extract the finished drink. The coffee burr grinder sitting atop the espresso machine worked perfectly. The reservoir is just the right size, holding enough beans for several cups, with an air tight seal to preserve freshness. But not so large that the beans are there overly long, for oxygen is the enemy of roasted beans. It is easy to adjust the fineness of the grid (8 different levels), which you should vary with the darkness of the roasting. Guidance suggestions are given in the manual, with permission to change to fit your tastes. The steam wand was easy to use. I confess that I had used that feature seldom with my prior machine, since my preference has been to drink all my coffee without sugar or dairy. However, the choice of a cappuccino was compelling, and the drink was actually easy to assemble. Again the La Specialista Arte Evo seemed to be the perfect solution. There is a drip tray, completely dishwasher safe, for flecks of coffee ground spillage and water drips. It is easy to remove and rinse, and I think trips through the dishwasher will be seldom required. Daily cleaning is straightforward and far from burdensome. I originally thought this was going to live in the vacation abode, for occasional use. After just a week’s use, I am a convert, and it will stylishly replace my “semi-automatic” coffee machine with a glamorous piece of Italian art!
I would recommend this to a friend - Pros mentioned:Cold brew, Steam wand
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
All in One Now Includes Cold Brew
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.So far so good for this De'Longhi Espresso Machine. I’ve been using it for about a week now and have tried a few different brews it has to offer, including the new Cold Brew feature. I’ll admit, it took some trial and error to get everything dialed in the right way, if you’re new to espresso machines, this may take a while, but once you get it, you’ll be all set. I’m not usually one to comment on the boxing/unboxing of products, personally I don’t understand the obsession, but this time I will note, the boxing was kinda strange. If you’re one to just rip the cardboard up and not care, this will be easy, but if you’re like me and try to save the packaging in case you need to return it, you may struggle a little. It doesn’t open like a normal box, it’s more like open the two sides and push the product out. It’s kinda hard to explain, but I did notice a bit of a struggle to get the machine out of the box safe and clean. Not much, but hey, it’s something. Packaging aside, once I got the product out, it was pretty easy moving forward. I got all the accessories out and cleaned them and while they dried, I read through both the quick guide and the full manual. They mostly say the same thing, just more details and less color in the manual, but one big thing to note is they both say the drip tray is dishwasher safe, (as does the Best Buy listing.) HOWEVER there is a sticker on the metal cover that says do NOT put in dishwasher. This is obviously misleading and I apologize I didn’t take a picture of it before the sticker was balled up and unable to read. In the end, I don’t think it’s a huge deal and it’s just a chunk of metal (probably gets too hot in the dishwasher potentially) but honestly, a quick rinse in the sink and maybe some soap and your drip tray will be clean. Seems like a waste of dishwasher space, but maybe every couple cleanings you run it through the dishwasher. Honestly, I think the “dishwasher safe parts” is more of a selling gimmick than practical. MAKING ESPRESSO The main point of this machine is to make a delicious espresso right? So how did it do? Well I was very happy with the results after some trial and error. First I used pre ground espresso beans, which I THOUGHT were ready to go, but the espresso was way too bland, 0 pressure used and took about 2 seconds to finish. Luckily the quick guide tells you how and what to adjust based on the results and I realized it was way too coarse of a grind. I made adjustments, tried again and the pressure needle almost went into the red and it was thick and dark coffee; too fine, make adjustments. Then just like Goldielocks, I got it just right for my specific beans and made a decent little espresso shot…unfortunately I ran out of water at that point and it didn’t completely finish. The amount of espresso I had drank at this point meant testing had to be over or I’d never sleep again, so I waited for the next day to try again. This time I had much better results out the gate and had everything dialed in pretty much perfect. The included tools for tamping and grinding help make the process more smooth and quick. I just wish it came with more filters but of course, you can buy those for more money if you need them. This is great for a person who lives alone but as soon as you need to start making drinks for everyone, it can be a bit tedious. But the drinks you get are worth the work. The attached steam wand worked really well for me as well. It takes maybe 1 second to get warm and fires right up. This is another learning curve for those not used to using it, you may have a wee bit of cleanup to do after if you shot milk everywhere, but with practice you can get the perfect steamed milk to add to your drink. With the included tools, you can clean the wand of any gunk as well which will come in handy I’m sure. Like the steam wand, the attached coffee grinder is a must have add on to make this machine worth it. I love that it has a thick rubber seal to keep your beans fresh (even if the instructions tell you to only use the amount of beans you need and not store beans in the hopper.) But hey, if they didn’t want us to, they wouldn’t make it able to hold so many beans or add a rubber seal. So I like that they know we’re all gonna do it and they take steps to make it stay fresh. Same goes for the water tank. It’s quite large when you consider how small an espresso shot is. Again, the instructions say only use fresh water and don’t leave it sitting in the tank, yet the tank holds more than my K-cup machine. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a complaint, I’m happy I don’t need to keep adding water each time, but if you want the “best and freshest coffee” I guess you’re supposed to add water as you need it. Speaking of adding water, the only time I might stick to using new fresh water is with the added new Cold Brew setting. Using cold water vs room temp water might make a difference, although for my testing, I used the room temp water from the tank and I STILL got a great cold brew coffee. It takes about 5 minutes but somehow they make a cold brew coffee with no pressure (according to the gage) and it still tastes great. I do like the convenience of a quick cold brew vs making it in the fridge overnight, but again, if you live with someone else and THEY want a cold brew too, now you have to clean out the filter (or buy more) and make two, vs grabbing the pitcher from the fridge and pouring out more. BUT obviously not everyone has a cold brew pitcher or maybe you’re between pitchers right now so this option is definitely a welcomed setting to have. OVERALL Overall we’re really happy with this machine. It works like a pro level machine, the parts are all robust where they need to be and everything seems to work as advertised. The Cold Brew option is really handy to have and so quick to make, it’ll definitely come in handy on hot summer days. Options to have espresso, doubles, or americano (also as a double) is fantastic. There’s so many options, you can get just about whatever drink you want. This morning I made a double americano and some frothed milk added and had a full mug (about 10 oz) of beverage from an espresso machine you’d typically expect just a shot from. The versatility of this machine means less clutter in the kitchen and more caffeine pumping through the body, what’s not to like?!
I would recommend this to a friend - Pros mentioned:Cold brew, Easy to use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Absolutely love the cold brew function, so smooth!
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.We've been a fan of De'Longhi coffee machines for several years now, and adding this cold brew version to our coffee bar has been a great decision. This machine is beautiful to look at, finished in stainless steel and black with a centralized pressure dial looking almost like a speedometer! Gives it that steampunk vibe for sure! On top is the coffee bean grinder/container, and that encompasses 8 grind levels. Once you pour some beans in there, it confidently grinds the beans to your setting, without hesitation. The instructions were well laid out, and there are several online videos you can watch if this is your first foray into this type of machine. My wife is the avid coffee lover in the house and every morning has an espresso or a latte. So she is very familiar with the operation, alongside her other coffee machines, as mentioned, also De'Longhi. They key thing that draws us to this one is the cold brew option. This allows you to create a nice, smooth, ice cold coffee in under 5 minutes. She commented, not only does it look great in the glass, but it is oh so smooth. Adding some creamer to it and it was like an icy treat on a hot summer day. Absolutely delicious and so smooth. In order to get her glass in there to make the cold brew, she did have to remove the drip tray so that her glass would fit in there. When not making cold brew, the steamer has an accompanying vessel which is neatly engraved with 'De'Longhi'. We did notice that this machine was a little louder overall, compared to our other machines, with regards to the heat cycle. It sounded a little more 'mechanical' when heating up, and slightly higher pitched than our current machine. Foam was made quickly and with a great heat, and the whole thing cleans up nicely - as long as you clean it right after you've used it. Once that milk gets dried on the rubber portion of the nozzle, it is a little harder to clean off and not leave white residue. If you want to save time, there are 4 presets for your coffee/water options, including espresso, Americano, the cold brew function and as hot water. Yes, this machine will also heat up just water, if you are wanting to make a cup of tea with it as well, making it very versatile indeed. There is also a dosing and tamping guide along with a tamper and tamping mat. The drip tray has a red indicator on it that pops up if there is too much liquid in the drip tray indicating that it needs to be emptied. Overall, as mentioned, the most interesting factor on this machine, was the cold brew, that is what drew us to it, and that part of the machine is absolutely superb. Love it! Creating espressos, lattes, etc is very simple, and this machine does a great job of making you feel like a professional barista. Thoroughly enjoy using this machine! Highly recommend it, De'Longhi make great products and we love our coffee 'suite' now!
I would recommend this to a friend - Pros mentioned:Steam wandCons mentioned:Learning curve
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent - you get what you pay for
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.It is an expensive machine, but in this case, you do get what you pay for. A hefty machine weighing almost 30 lbs. It even looks expensive and nice on my countertop. I am not a barista so there was a learning curve for me. I read instructions in the manual and also watched some videos with tips and tricks. If you are new to this type of coffee maker you could benefit from that as well. Still, it was pretty simple to get started. There are 4 drink presets: Espresso, Americano, Cold Brew and hot water. Lots of high-end features are included: Built in grinder with 8 settings Steam Wand Barista kit with tamper and dosing funnel The Active Temperature Control has three temperatures to bring out the optimum extraction for your type of coffee bean. For me it was trial and error for the best taste. It really comes with everything but the beans. You will probably want some smaller mugs/cups/demi-tasse for the Espresso. Or make the mistake I did when I was in my twenties and order a triple espresso, in Italy, in a large cup. Black. My ex wanted it when we were driving and drank the whole thing. He was twitchy for hours. I didn’t know what espresso was back then. The steam wand is a very nice feature. I used the hot water to make a pack of hot chocolate with extra chocolate and then used the steam wand for some milk. Just messing around with ideas. You can dish wash most components (except the drip trays) but I always hand wash them. My son started using the machine too. He normally purchases 2 cups per day at Starbucks so it has been saving him money. Everyone likes to try it and my friend said it makes her feel like a barista.
I would recommend this to a friend - Cons mentioned:Learning curve
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Almost Perfect Machine Makes Perfect Drinks
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.For the money, the La Specialista Arte Evo (Arte Evo going forward) is an almost flawless mostly “manual” espresso (and more…more on that later) machine. I would have given it a perfect “five stars” but-for the flimsy and wobbly feel of the grinder’s plastic handle coupled by the inability to either easily clean or unclog the grinder. It’s an odd departure from the premium feel of the rest of the machine which is mostly metal with touches of high-end plastic where appropriate. To be clear, the 8-level burr grinder mechanism and its grinds is excellent. It’s the user-interface fit and finish aspects here that turn me off. So I had to subtract one of the five stars for this even though the drinks it makes do have a “five stars” taste. My appreciation for espresso drinks started with an Original Line Nespresso machine. It gave me all the flavor (or so I thought) with speed and no mess. But in the past year I started wanting to control more of the process like barista. After researching top brands and features, this Arte Evo excited me. It offers so much – affordable price, good brand, and the kicker for me – it’s ability to also make Americanos and true(ish) cold-extracted brews. BUILD QUALITY, DESIGN, and “IN THE BOX” As noted, the build-quality, aside from the flimsy plastic grinder setting handle, is top-notch and mostly metal. The buttons have a confident tactile click and the dials turn with precision. The control panel is logically organized and intuitive and its lights alight bright and even. To remove any confusion, the temperature setting is only for hot coffee drinks and is disabled for cold brew, hot water, and milk steaming. If there is a complaint for the control panel it’s that with no alpha-numeric LCD info panel changing internal menu settings, such hardness of local water, is like driving in fog. Fortunately, these options are set it and forget it so once you do set them you are unlikely to ever revisit this function. The box contains almost everything needed to get started except for coffee beans and maybe a scale if you, like me, don’t want leftover beans in the hopper to go scale. Delonghi provides an excellent starter-barista kit with a 51mm portafilter, single wall (non-pressurized) single and double dose baskets, tamper, funnel, and tamper mat. Non-pressurized baskets produce better flavor, so this is a plus. The supplied portafilter rests even and stable on the countertop so I tamp without the tamper mat but do find the mat a nice home for accessories when not in use (see attached picture). The funnel is the hero in this bundle. It attaches to the portafilter ahead of grinding for a cleaner grinding and tamping process, literally and figuratively. The one thing missing (at least I didn’t find it in my kit) was a basket removal tool. I use the blunt tip of a dinner knife for now. Also included is a metal pitcher for milk steaming. The 2.6 quart water tank sits on the back of the machine. A hand grip is incorporated on it to make removal and installation smooth and easy. Similarly, the drip trip also has a grip on the bottom to easily release it for cleaning. I recommend rinsing out daily after use. MY EXPERIENCE MAKING DRINKS I have now pulled many espresso shots with the Arte Evo as well as other drinks and my taste buds absolutely prefer it over my Nespresso. (I’m keeping the Nespresso for when I’m in a rush). As a newbie to manual machines, I didn’t expect such a learning curve or trial and error, but I can say it’s totally worth the effort. My first few pulls were frustrating as I could not get enough pressure for a decent shot. I sacrificed many grams of innocent beans in the process. Patience, and a conceptual understanding of the process, is necessary here. Otherwise, I recommend a fully automatic machine. But if you dedicate some time with this machine you will be rewarded. Tip: before my unit arrived I watched a lot of YouTube videos on how to make a proper espresso (generically, not specific to the Arte Evo). I credit this from keeping me from going off the rails. So here is my experience (as a newbie) with the machine and making all three of its drink types: espresso, Americano, and cold brew. To be clear, you can make any kind of coffee drink a coffee shop sells, but those are all subsets of these three drinks. (Espresso) I started with a standard espresso double shot using Stumptown “Hair Bender” medium roast beans. On advice from the Arte Evo’s “quick start” advice, I set the grinder to 4 (out of 8, 1 being the finest, 8 being the coarsest), dose knob to 10, and temperature to medium. The process in a nutshell from here is dial in dosing and select single or double shot, add beans, set the portafilter under the grinder to activate the grinder, when grinder stops remove portafilter to evenly tamp, attached to machine and press “OK”. The extraction started and almost immediately I knew it would be a bad pull because of my YouTube “education”. It was coming out very fast and the pressure was low. I decided to try a finer grind and got a tad more pressure. Then I went to grind size 1, the finest available. No go. So the next variable was to adjust dosing. I went from the recommended 10 to 15. Bingo! Pressure was perfect 9 bar and 25 seconds to extract. I was well rewarded for this “work” at first sip. And hugely more flavorful, intricate, and potent than any Nespresso pod I’ve ever had. The point here is the process of making an espresso with the Arte Evo isn’t difficult, and I actually find fun, but it is work but then a reward for it. It has the ability to pull an amazing shot, but it depends on the user finding the right “recipe” for the particular beans used. I’ve also learned every bean is unique, even of the same roast level, so “trial and error” is required with every new bean you buy. I started noting my recipes for specific beans for later reference so if I buy particular beans again I won’t need to experiment. (Americano) Making an Americano was similar to making an espresso. As the “quick guide” recommends, a coarser grind is necessary. I also found I had to increase the dose level too, so for this particular bean, I went from the 15 I used for the espresso to 20. The Arte Evo does an A+ job here. At first sip it tasted watery, but that was my ignorance. After a delicate stir to mix the espresso with the water it was terrific. This machine has a separate waterspout for the process (see attached picture). (Cold Brew) Last, the start of the Arte Eve, a cold brew. This is special because it’s a true cold brew extraction using cold water, very different from machines that brew hot “over ice.” I kept the grind 3 level I used for the Americano. The process does not use much pressure so the meter will barely reach 3. Since it’s a slow drip process it takes about 5 minutes, which seems like a long time, but consider cold brews usually take 12 hours or longer, so it’s actually pretty quick with zero taste difference. (Milk steamer & hot water) I’m not a huge fan of milk-based drinks, but the Arte Evo has a barista-class milk steamer wand capable of making thick, paint-like “latte art.” I no artist, but I can attest the steamed milk, made correctly (there is a right and wrong way here too) is thick and luxurious – even skim and plant-based milk. So if you do like milk drinks I think you’ll be ecstatic with this aspect of the machine. The temperature level is not automatically adjustable, but you can manually regulate the end temperature of your milk by the amount of time the steam wand is on. Last, I briefly noted the Arte Evo has a separate water dispenser when making Americanos. This dispenser can also be used to for hot water, for example tea or hot chocolate. Just turn the drink dial to “hot water” and press “OK.” The water temperature burns to the touch but not quite boiling. BOTTOM LINE and WHO IS IT FOR? Bottomline here is I’m really thrilled with the Arte Evo aside from the plasticky, mushy feel of the grinder handle. From its features to its precision and overall build quality I’m confident I’ll not only get many years of enjoyment from it. It will take some time I think before I outgrow it – if ever. So who is the Arte Evo for? It’s an outstanding choice for anyone who enjoys the slightly time consuming, hands-on process of pulling a “perfect” espresso shot but also enjoys cold brew and Americanos. It’s a true DIY espresso machine. On the other hand, if one-push simplicity is more your lifestyle it’s not for you. Look at “automatic,” or “super-automatic” machines instead.
I would recommend this to a friend - Pros mentioned:Cold brew
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Svelte and Svunctionally delicious!
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.De'Longhi - La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine with Cold Brew - Stainless Steel Summary: Svelte and Svunctionally delicious! Pros: * Svelte. The design and form factor of this unit are top notch. Not solid metal, but it is crafted exquisitely. * Functional. This unit has everything you need to make espresso or a cold brew - minus the water and beans. * Controls. Thoughtfully placed and just the right amount of controls. May seem overwhelming, but every button and knob is used. * Reservoir. The unit's water reservoir is surprisingly large. * Easy. I've owned other espresso makers including another De'Longhi combination coffee maker. The precision of control and the fresh grind truly make a difference. La Specialista truly makes a more authentic coffee-shop espresso accessible. * Cold Brew. Generally, multi-function devices fall into a mediocre rating for whatever they do. This unit does cold brew a little different. I have a dedicated cold brew machine. But it is noisy, it is leaky, and its a lot of work. This unit uses the same physics as other machines, except it uses the same equipment to extract coffee deliciousness from beans using room-temperature water. * Delicious. I know the beans are what make the coffee. But this unit truly makes a delicious beverage. I never cared to use the other espresso (combo) machines, or my cold brew so I gave it all up. I've now made several of each since getting this unit. It's fun, easy, and delicious. * Accessories. The accessories are all useful and look and feel premium. My other combo espresso/coffee maker came with a cheap-o tamper and scoop. This unit features a nice stainless steel press and a rubber fitted mat to hold it and the portafilter while tamping down the grind. The portafilter even has an attachment collar that allows you to ensure no grind spillage. * Automated Grinder. The collar for the portafilter allows you to insert the portafilter into the grind cubby. Pushing the portafilter inwards firmly once kicks off an automatic grind of the beans - and just enough for the cups selected. You can add/stop it manually by pressing the portafilter inwards multiple times. But just pushing it once will grind precisely enough coffee. It's lovely and results in minimal mess and cleanup of coffee grind dust. * Value. A premium appliance with a great value and well known brand. Cons: * Reservoir. The reservoir is in the back. Thankfully it is slim, so it allows for relative ease in removing/replacing it in between water refills. But, depending on your upper cabinet depth, it might be annoying. It also makes the unit take up more counter depth. I'll be placing this on a sliding tray designed for heavy small appliances like coffee makers, and stand mixers. I think a side reservoir would probably have been a more welcome feature. * No-hard-plumbing. Given the heft of this appliance (it isn't light and isn't easily moved), I truly feel these sort of appliances should offer an option for connectivity to hard plumbing. I can retrofit the unit with one, that isn't a concern, but it would have been awesome built-in and for such a small cost/impact to design. Use: Simple. We make morning espressos and lunch cold brews. We enjoy every sip, too! I recommend buying a counter sliding tray for small appliances. That will allow you to push the unit as far back as possible while allowing easy access to the unit if accessing the reservoir is too tight of a fit for your kitchen.
I would recommend this to a friend - Pros mentioned:Cold brew
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine?
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.The first thing you notice is that this machine is quite the showstopper. It’s compact and has a sleek design that’ll make your kitchen feel like a trendy café. Plus, it’s smaller than the previous model, so it won’t take up much of your counter space. The De'Longhi - La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine has an integrated grinder with eight levels of fineness. You can play around grind and the dosage level to get your coffee just right. Simply attach the dosing funnel to the filter handle, then insert into the slot under the grinder. A slight push in on the handle and the grinder will dispense the ground coffee into the filter at the grind level and dosage that you have it set at. Once you start the brew, the pressure guage has an "optimum" range that helps let you know when you have it right. For times you are in a hurry to get out the door in the morning, there's an Americano setting that brews in one shot, adding water from a seperate dispenser. Oh, and did I mention it can whip up a cold brew in under 5 minutes? That’s thanks to its Cold Extraction Technology, which actually extracts the flavor without using hot water, which is why it takes several minutes. If you’re into latte art, you’ll love the commercial-style wand. It gives you that smooth micro-foam you need. The steam is strong and can heat milk in just a minute or two. Oh, and did I mention it can whip up a cold brew in under 5 minutes? That’s thanks to its Cold Extraction Technology, which actually extracts the flavor without using hot water, which is why it takes several minutes. It also comes with a “barista kit” which includes a froting cup, dosing funnel, tamper, and a rubber holder for tampeing the coffee. These tools make the coffee-making process a breeze and keep your kitchen clean. While it’s not exactly cheap, it does compare favorably to other machines in it's class.Considering its features and performance, it’s a pretty good deal, particularly if you’re a coffee lover. There are a few things to keep in mind though. The machine requires hands-on tamping, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea. It’s also a bit too short for tall latte and coffee mugs, so you should use the accessory stand designed for shot glasses. I also feel the frother could use more clearance from the machine, but those are very minor complaints, and it does allow for the nicely compact design resulting in requiring little counter space. I have been using a fully automatic De'Longhi - Dinamica Espresso Machine, and while it's preprogrammed menu and generally single touch brewing process has spoiled me to some degree, the one thing I did not like was the milk was not much more than luke warm, requiring the use of a seperate milk frother to heat it up to temperature. No problem with the La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine. And frankly I have enjoyed the more "hands on" approach required for using a semi-automatic machine. I've found I have actually missed playing the role of a barista. So, if you’re someone who enjoys the process of making coffee and doesn’t mind a bit more of a hands-on approach, this machine should be a great fit for you. I've reviewed well over 100 products on Best Buy, but this is only the second product I've given a 5-star review, and despite some minor short comings it is well deserved as it pulls a great espresso. But if you’re looking for one-button simplicity, you will need to consider other, much more expensive options.
I would recommend this to a friend - Pros mentioned:Price
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Elevate Your Espresso Level
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.This is a machine that makes it possible for those wanting to buy an espresso machine without forking over thousands of dollars. The best part? You’ll smile while it’s getting ready. Or in our case, brewing. I’d say it’s a fantastic intro piece. There are four brewing (americano, espresso, cold or hot water) options that can satisfy your coffee cravings no matter the weather. The first few uses will be a learning experience, but you will master this device. The quality and craftsmanship is very well made and flashy in the best way. It’s a conversation starter and surely to motivate anyone to channel their inner barista. The only thing you’ll have to ask is, do you want it hot or iced? For the price, you can’t beat it. Some machines like this can easily be over $1000. If you’re looking for an espresso machine and wanting to spend south of $1,000 look no further. I have an authentic Italian espresso machine my mother brought back from a trip, so I set my coffee bar high. It’s not quite at that level, but I was pleasantly surprised with the strength and quality of how my espresso tasted. I have another machine I purchased here in the states and I was disappointed with the strength of the espresso. Gosh am I happy with this DeLonghi product! I can confidently make an espresso knowing it’ll be great as long as I use nice quality beans. Something I want to bring light to is that this can make ice coffee. Something I love is having an iced coffee on a warm day. It was just 85 degrees where I live and I was craving caffeine, but not hot. I turned on the iced coffee setting and it was a perfect brew. I even used the hot water feature and made some delicious tea! I don’t plan on doing this often, but it was cool knowing this machine does hot water. Call me strange, but I think it’s really cool to see the beans on top of the device. There are 8 different grinding settings. I found the one that I enjoy because I love strong espresso. Experiment and find what’s best for your pallet. Use the quick guide to make the adjustments in strength. Cleanup isn’t that hard. I like to make sure everything is clean and optimal for each use, so I discard the ground coffee after each use. Pros: Coffee Iced coffee Price 4 coffee settings (americano, cold, espresso and hot water) Dishwasher safe parts (but please, hand wash to preserve!!) 8 grind settings to satisfy any person Cons: Could make a little more Crema Froth can be a little denser Overall: So far I’m super happy with this. It’s a touch of elegance and elevates my coffee/espresso game. I was a bit disappointed with the amount of crema it produced. Also, I wish the froth came out denser and stiffer. Maybe the next model can make more? I do recommend this product if you’re looking to up your game without breaking the bank.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rating 3 out of 5 stars with 1 review
(1 Review)- WIREDRating, 3 out of 53.0JAINA GREY on May 8, 2024
Review: De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Machine With Cold BrewThe cold-brew feature is a letdown, but this De'Longhi makes great espresso—if you help it out a little.
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