I have had this espresso maker for a week now and it is everything I have wanted in a coffee machine. I have owned 2 other super automatics in the last 5-7 years a Saeco which cost about half this one and a Jura/Capresso which cost more than twice as much. I think the Magnifica so far is the best of the three for my needs.
The Saeco made good coffee, but was messy and difficult to clean. I splurged on the Jura thinking I would like all the electronic control over the process. I liked its automatic cleaning process and thoroughly enjoyed the machine until it broke. With no user access to its mechanism, I could not repair it.
The Magnifica is a perfect compromise, and the compromise is in price only. I don't miss the electronic LCD readout of the Jura one bit. The signal lights of the Magnifica provide the same information. And I actually find the manual adjustments for coffee amount and strength to be much easier to use and change compared to the electronic settings on the Jura.
The Magnifica has all the features of the Jura, including the automatic rinse on startup and closeout. The main difference is that the brewing mechanism will need to be cleaned regularly. I actually see that as an advantage since I will have access to it and can maintain it.
I have never used the frothing mechanism on any of the machines so I can't draw any conclusions about them. But if you want a machine that automatically brews great coffee with a minimum of fuss, and doesn't cost $2K, this is the machine for you.
This machine, in my opinion, is the best machine for the money. I compared and researched for two months, compared to Saeco, Jura or Solis the Magnifica line is well built and designed to last. I inspected the insides of all the machines and it seems that the advantage to Delonghi's late introduction to the "super-automatic" market was an improved brewing system.
The grinder is fast and efficient; the grinds are deposited directly into the brew system for brewing. In other machines, the grinder is far from the brew system, and the grinds are sent through a long tube before getting to the brew system. With ground coffee that sits in the tube, you are not brewing your cup of coffee, but the coffee the person before you requested. That defeats the whole purpose of freshly-brewed espresso.
The espresso is perfect on this machine, great color, texture and of course crema. The frothing is a no-brainer; just use a cold stainless steel pitcher with cold milk and you will create rich micro-foam. Make sure you use a large enough pitcher as the milk will double and even triple in volume. As other people have said, the frother might be too good, it would be nice to have some control on the frothing. For simplicity, the frother is very productive.
The Magnifica is so easy to clean; the inside of this machine is kept so clean all on its own. Just remove the drip tray and used coffee container to wash, then rinse the compact brew system under hot water.
The operation of the machine is a little tricky. READ THE MANUAL!! Many of the problems users encounter can be resolved by going through the manual. The espresso comes out hot, but with such a small amount of liquid (1-2 oz) in a cold cup, it will definitely cool down. Warm up the brew system by pressing the Decalcification button once before brewing, this will release some hot water. Also warm up your cups!! This is a must for any espresso machine. Also, if you need to brew again after frothing it will take some time to cool down the machine to the proper temperature for brewing. But as the user manual states, release some hot water through the frother while waiting for the brew lights to stop flashing. It takes me only 10-15 seconds to go from frothing to brewing again.
Anyways, my only dilemma now is trying to find the right blend of beans. After all the espresso doses I have had, I am starting to get very picky. The Magnifica comes with a can of Illy, and I find myself comparing every other blend to Illy, it is that good. But, I can't afford to spend $16 (CAN$) per can, which is more than triple the cost of other brands. I recommend finding a local roaster and trying their fresh blends.
My research included contacting two previous Magnifica reviewers that have had the machine for over a year now. They both stood by their 5-star reviews, and were completely satisfied with their machines. Thanks for your responses, Stephen and James.
If you are looking for a reliable good quality espresso machine, the Magnifica EAM3200 can deliver.
UPDATE (AUG. 5, 2008):
ALMOST 3 YEARS NOW AND STILL WORKING JUST AS NEW. I HAVE NO REGRETS AND WOULD RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR AN AUTOMATIC MACHINE. FRESH COFFEE BEANS IS A MUST, AND ONLY THEN CAN YOU ENJOY THIS MACHINE TO ITS FULLEST. ONLY CON IS THE GRINDER SETTINGS, I DON'T SEE MUCH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANY OF THE SETTINGS, SO TRYING TO MAKE A STRONGER ESPRESSO WITH CERTAIN BEANS IS DIFFICULT.
5 STARS AND HOLDING STRONG!!!
Buy DeLonghi EAM3200 Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine Now
This was the best price point I could find for a super-automatic espresso maker. It was also among the most highly rated by other customers. The unit has been great! I've had it for 4 months. My friends are always amazed by the quality of the espresso and they all want one of these machines too, now.
A few tips:
DeLonghi does a factory test to make sure everything works right, so don't be surprised if you open the package and see a drop or two of water in the water reservoir and/or a few coffee grinds.
The frothing wand doesn't swing out as far as I would like (it extends about 1.5" away from the unit, so you need to buy a milk frothing pitcher with a relatively small diameter so you can move the frother around in the pitcher with ease. I bought a 20oz pitcher (so I could froth enough for 2 lattes at a time) with about a 4" diameter and it's a bit of a challenge moving the frother around evenly.
milk frothing takes some getting used to -buy a gallon of milk and just practice.
since the unit takes both whole beans and pre-ground, it's easy to switch between decaf and regular by just keeping pre-ground decaf on-hand and regular whole beans (or vice versa :-) ).
April 2011 update 5.25 years later the machine works great. Two observations: 1) on-off knob broke. it is plastic. steamer cannot function now so I need to buy a new handle. appears to be easy to replace once I source the part $5 or so. The steamer seems to leak a little water now when making espresso. doesn't seem to affect its operation though.
Read Best Reviews of DeLonghi EAM3200 Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine Here
After doing the math on the milk, coffee, and even the syrup shots -and realizing that I can make for $.50 under $1.00 (size and shots depending) what I have been readily paying more than $3.00 for this quickly became a no-brainer.
I was concerned at first about the manual knobs (I'm a gadget kind of person) vice the electronic display... but I don't miss it one bit, and I like how quickly I can switch the quantity and strength of the coffee using the knobs instead. Speaking of "quick"... to reiterate what someone else already said, after stoping the steam function, simply open the steam valve for a few seconds (literally) and you will be ready to make more espresso right away -there is NOT a long wait between making drinks when using this method, and it is definately pointed out in the manual.
I did "have" to play quite a bit, and drink up some of the savings initially to figure out certain things: such as how many ounces of espresso would be coming out with the water quantity knob settings, etc. I had a quite a caffeine buzz the first full day after bringing the machine home. Actually... right out of the box it makes terrific espresso drinks -it is more a testiment to the quality that lead to all of the experimenation. We were so impressed with the quality that we now basically have a full coffee bar right in our kitchen! Syrups, sprkinles, you name it! My wife and I don't miss famous-name coffee house one bit! And so, I am still finding myself experimenting with various recipes for old favorites and inventing new ones.
Some tips from my useage so far:
Get 2 or 3 shot glasses with Oz measurements, helpful for measuring espresso output, syrups, and even the milk. Keeping track of how you make each drink, and making only one change at a time will get you on track with your personal favorites quicker.
If you think of it more like an exact art, like baking a cake versus making a stew or a chili, you'll get better results. I have my shots at about 1.5oz for a single shot, and 3 oz for a double shot. I've been using 0.5 oz of syrups (and never more than 1.0 oz if combining syrups), and then for milk I use anywhere from 2.0 oz to 6.0 oz depending on whether I am making a cappucino or a latte, and of course cup size.
Practice, practice, practice! Get to learn how to make "microfoam" froth -anyone can make big sloppy bubbles... go for a velvety smooth froth and you won't be disappointed! Do research online.. there are a ton of sites with great hints! The only "negative" thing I can say about the frother on this system is that there is no option use only a steam wand, vs. the plastic frothing attachment. On the upside, you can make "decent" froth without even doing anything... litterally just stick your frothing pitcher underneath -no need for any fancy gyrations at all... just stand there and breathe. Again, due to the quality of the coffee though, in striving to make absolutely you-know-what-retentively perfect foam I wish I could try my hand at doing it the "hard" way. Be sure to start with a cold frothing pitcher and cold milk, and get one of those frothing thermometers that clips to the pitcher -get your milk over 145, but under 170 (or you may scald the milk). Others who complain about drinks not hot enough, may be eliminating this part and adding relatively tepid milk to their coffee.
The Illy coffee costs, like that which comes in the box, costs about twice as much as other brands, but it has such an awesome flavor I find that I can use half as much.
Be sure to preheat your shot glasses and/or cups by using the hot water nozzle -in my experience the "warmer" tray doesn't really warm up the cups at all (even after exceeding the 15-20 minute wait suggested in the manual). It does however make a great place to set your shot glasses and/or cups while waiting to brew.
My unit seems to use the same amount of coffee for a single or double cup (or "pull"), even though the manual says that the waste ground removal tray can hold up to 14 single cups, or 7 double cups. (I got pretty sientific on this, weighing the tray, grouds, etc. before and after various pulls); Either way though, the expense, even is it using the double amount, is still WAY under what your costs are at the coffee house.
Be sure to allow the machine to come completely to a "stop" after first turning it on, before placing a cup under the pour spouts -it sends an initial flow of hot water to clean and heat the elements.
Also... Read the Manual!! Watch the Video! Then read the manual again!! I have a hunch that most people who are having issues with their machines didn't read the manual.
Cleanup is SOOOO simple! You will love this machine... even if you hate to clean your other appliances, you will be able to handle this one. Everything comes off/out so easily for a quick rinse ... no fuss, no muss.
The coffee, milk, and drinks, have all been wonderfully hot and delicious! With our new "coffee bar" (even in our small kitchen), I can hardly wait for our guests to come over this holiday season and share our passion for great coffee drinks.
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After doing the math on the milk, coffee, and even the syrup shots -and realizing that I can make for $.50 under $1.00 (size and shots depending) what I have been readily paying more than $3.00 for this quickly became a no-brainer.
I was concerned at first about the manual knobs (I'm a gadget kind of person) vice the electronic display... but I don't miss it one bit, and I like how quickly I can switch the quantity and strength of the coffee using the knobs instead. Speaking of "quick"... to reiterate what someone else already said, after stoping the steam function, simply open the steam valve for a few seconds (literally) and you will be ready to make more espresso right away -there is NOT a long wait between making drinks when using this method, and it is definately pointed out in the manual.
I did "have" to play quite a bit, and drink up some of the savings initially to figure out certain things: such as how many ounces of espresso would be coming out with the water quantity knob settings, etc. I had a quite a caffeine buzz the first full day after bringing the machine home. Actually... right out of the box it makes terrific espresso drinks -it is more a testiment to the quality that lead to all of the experimenation. We were so impressed with the quality that we now basically have a full coffee bar right in our kitchen! Syrups, sprkinles, you name it! My wife and I don't miss famous-name coffee house one bit! And so, I am still finding myself experimenting with various recipes for old favorites and inventing new ones.
Some tips from my useage so far:
Get 2 or 3 shot glasses with Oz measurements, helpful for measuring espresso output, syrups, and even the milk. Keeping track of how you make each drink, and making only one change at a time will get you on track with your personal favorites quicker.
If you think of it more like an exact art, like baking a cake versus making a stew or a chili, you'll get better results. I have my shots at about 1.5oz for a single shot, and 3 oz for a double shot. I've been using 0.5 oz of syrups (and never more than 1.0 oz if combining syrups), and then for milk I use anywhere from 2.0 oz to 6.0 oz depending on whether I am making a cappucino or a latte, and of course cup size.
Practice, practice, practice! Get to learn how to make "microfoam" froth -anyone can make big sloppy bubbles... go for a velvety smooth froth and you won't be disappointed! Do research online.. there are a ton of sites with great hints! The only "negative" thing I can say about the frother on this system is that there is no option use only a steam wand, vs. the plastic frothing attachment. On the upside, you can make "decent" froth without even doing anything... litterally just stick your frothing pitcher underneath -no need for any fancy gyrations at all... just stand there and breathe. Again, due to the quality of the coffee though, in striving to make absolutely you-know-what-retentively perfect foam I wish I could try my hand at doing it the "hard" way. Be sure to start with a cold frothing pitcher and cold milk, and get one of those frothing thermometers that clips to the pitcher -get your milk over 145, but under 170 (or you may scald the milk). Others who complain about drinks not hot enough, may be eliminating this part and adding relatively tepid milk to their coffee.
The Illy coffee costs, like that which comes in the box, costs about twice as much as other brands, but it has such an awesome flavor I find that I can use half as much.
Be sure to preheat your shot glasses and/or cups by using the hot water nozzle -in my experience the "warmer" tray doesn't really warm up the cups at all (even after exceeding the 15-20 minute wait suggested in the manual). It does however make a great place to set your shot glasses and/or cups while waiting to brew.
My unit seems to use the same amount of coffee for a single or double cup (or "pull"), even though the manual says that the waste ground removal tray can hold up to 14 single cups, or 7 double cups. (I got pretty sientific on this, weighing the tray, grouds, etc. before and after various pulls); Either way though, the expense, even is it using the double amount, is still WAY under what your costs are at the coffee house.
Be sure to allow the machine to come completely to a "stop" after first turning it on, before placing a cup under the pour spouts -it sends an initial flow of hot water to clean and heat the elements.
Also... Read the Manual!! Watch the Video! Then read the manual again!! I have a hunch that most people who are having issues with their machines didn't read the manual.
Cleanup is SOOOO simple! You will love this machine... even if you hate to clean your other appliances, you will be able to handle this one. Everything comes off/out so easily for a quick rinse ... no fuss, no muss.
The coffee, milk, and drinks, have all been wonderfully hot and delicious! With our new "coffee bar" (even in our small kitchen), I can hardly wait for our guests to come over this holiday season and share our passion for great coffee drinks.
I had a Tassimo. The pods were expensive and I had the pods that exploded and sprayed you with hot water. Then the T-disks became hard to find.
