De'Longhi15 Bar Pump Espresso Machine with Advanced Cappuccino System, Compact Stainless Steel Espresso Maker with Premium Milk Frother for Lattes, Single & Double Espresso, Tamper Included

**** UPDATE AFTER 4 YEARS OF USE****Well it's May 2020 now, and I purchased this machine back in 2016. It has now been through 2 apartment moves, and STILL works like a dream... but recently it developed an inconsistent leak. I've woken up twice now to it having leaked on the countertop overnight. Not too much, and it hasn't done it every night. But still enough to be worried I'll someday have to replace it. For $100 or so dollars though, and especially after being used almost every single day for 4 years, this machine has STILL been one of the best and most reliable things I have ever purchased in my life.I still have to get my coffee beans ground at 1 notch more corse than espresso, however I've had a trusty coffee/spice grinder that gets a perfect grind every time (and its also cheap and over 8 years old).I'm pretty sure my last move (across 3 states) was the reason it has now started to leak, and I'm sad that I will one day have to part with it... but I'm writing this review because I truly just can't recommend this product enough. I have not been paid or given anything to write this or any reviews, I just want the amazon world to know it's a great machine for the price.Happy coffee making, espresso drinkers out there!______________________________________________________________I never write reviews for anything I purchase on Amazon (yet I read reviews for everything I purchase), and I'm so glad I chose this machine when looking for a new espresso maker. Personally, I am really hands on with my coffee in the mornings. I am not a "push a button and go" kinda girl, so if you are looking for that, maybe look elsewhere? This machine can be a bit finicky at times.It's so easy to use, and relatively mess free. It is a bit loud, but that doesn't bother me. It works like a breeze, and produces consistently great pours with beautiful crema markings. The milk frother works wonderfully with any type of milk (I only use almond or coconut milk). Being a barista years back I learned some milks are really hard to get a nice velvety foam, and this machine does just that with almond milk! It's not latte art quality, but juuuuust close enough that it could be.Here's my advice after owning this machine for a few months now...1. Start off with some Illy ground espresso in the can (like a previous reviewer had mentioned) so that you can have good tasting espresso while you get used to how your machine works. Tamp your espresso lightly!! Don't cram it in there or it will ruin the flow!2. Once you get used to how the Illy grounds work with your machine, then you can move on to local coffee shop beans. The reason being that the coffee grounds have more oils in them and are ground a bit more fine so it doesn't come out in a flow, but more of a drip. I typically put my cup right where the drip comes out, and it flows evenly for a perfect crema. Ask your barista for their particular choice in espresso beans when you go to your local roaster. I prefer Peet's Coffee or Philz Coffee's Aromatic Arabic, but make sure you ask them to grind 1 step more coarse then the typical espresso grind to make it a little easier on yourself..3. Always wipe your machine after use. I know I can be busy at times and forget to take out the tamp and empty the used espresso out, but try to always wipe the milk frother after use, and wipe down your machine. It comes apart easily so you can really get in there. At least 3 days I do a full rinse of the machine. I know I should do it after every single use, but I have had no problems thus far.4. Last but not least, make sure you get a ***small*** milk pitcher and tamp (I bought mine from the seller New Star Foodservice since it was priced right and well made). I know you get a 2 in 1 scoop and tamp with this machine, but look for something slightly heavy and stainless steel.

Updated review 1/10/25The pump won't pump. We tried descaling but still it won't work. We did leave for a long trip, and the machine was not in use for about 30 days.... could that be the reason? Very disappointed because we really liked the machin, so now I must deduct a couple stars. Even though this was not an expensive machine, I still thought I would get more than a year's use from it....We did not want to get an expensive espresso machine that we thought might have features we would not need, such as the water filteration, since we have a system for our water already. We didn't need a machine with a coffee grinder since we have a good electric burr coffee grinder. So we settled for this De'Longhi Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Machine, 15", Stainless Steel, on sale for $111.00. Now that we have used the machine, I will tell you what is great about it.... 1. It is a simple machine, easy to use, not complicated. 2. There is no involved cleaning regiment required. 3. It is quick and easy to do 2 delicious coffees quickly in the morning. 4. This machine produces beautiful crema on our espresso shot.The things I wish this machine came with, but for the price, we can work around it... 1. I am not real happy with the frother wand. I now know those that come with 3 holes and on a ball joint are most desireable . 2. This one would have been one of the best, but it is 6 x higher in price, it is the Breville Barista Express Impress, Stainless Steel at $699.00. It does have the better frother wand, the automatic tamper on the side of the machine, and grinder grinds right into the portafilter.But after it is all said and done, we are pretty happy with the results we get from this machine, where we really enjoy each cup of coffee, whether it be an espresso, a long coffee, or a cappuccino. But to tell you the truth, the coffee is so good only because of whom I share it with. <3