Ensure the milk tank is securely connected to the stand, the lid is properly closed, and there’s enough milk to froth. Sometimes, even a small amount of milk can be insufficient to initiate the frothing process. To get the best tasting coffee you should grind the coffee beans yourself just before brewing but if that sounds like too much hassle then you can buy pre-ground coffee. If that also sounds like too much hassle and a bit messy then easy serve espresso pods are the simplest and most convenient way to make a coffee with this machine.

With a generous 1.4 litre reservoir and a 2-in-1 filter holder, the De’Longhi Scultura ECZ351 simplifies the process of making coffee through intuitive design and easy handling. To help you find the best espresso coffee machine, we’ve tested top models from all the major brands including De'Longhi, Smeg and Breville.

How easy is it to use?

The easy-to-understand control panel gives you simple options to choose from; you have an “on” button, a button to adjust steam temperature, a button to turn on steam or hot water (depending upon the current setting), and a button for dispensing water. Inspect grinder and grinding settings: In super-automatic machines with integrated grinders, the grinder’s condition and settings can impact coffee output. Make sure the grinder is functioning correctly and set to an appropriate fineness level for your desired coffee strength. It helps that you can use ESE pods or ground coffee which means you have two options – easy or easier.

Both these machines have the option, so you can choose just how easy you want your morning drink to be. Both Are Smaller MachinesLubrication: Apply grease to moving internal components such as the brewing group or the auger in superautomatic coffee machines. This can help reduce friction-related noise.

On manual (portafilter) Delonghi espresso machines, the two coffee-making buttons (the 1-cup and 2-cup buttons) usually flash simultaneously to warn of one of the following circumstances: There are 3 buttons on the front which controls the operation of the entire coffee machine. The first is the on/off button, secondly the water/coffee delivery button and finally the steam button. The 1.4 litre water tank is more than big enough and we would recommend only filling it halfway and keeping the water as fresh as possible. Taste: there should be a balance of tones, like you’d find in a good wine. An initial sweet acidity should be followed by richer, more mellow tones.It may take you a little while to figure out how to get your froth where you want it with this machine, so factor in a little bit of a learning curve as you’re developing your cappuccino skills. Once you get it how you want it, you will definitely see how well the consistency of the froth holds. This coffee machine is an average size measuring in at 30.5cm wide, 24.2cm deep and 38.2cm tall. Functionality 7/10 If these tips haven’t solved the problem, you may need to dismantle your Delonghi machine and conduct further research into the components involved in preparing the milk foam. Issue 8: The filter holder doesn’t fit properly