PLEASE NOTE: If you want to try the Gaggiuino on this, you will need to do it largely on your own. The Discord works only with Silvia and GCP. So, while it is possible, there are lots of things you will need to do on your own as the two found out who completed it. Even without it, there are great kits you can find online to add a PID controller and other fun additions that are more straightforward. Thanks for watching! Make sure to hit that like and sub ;) Cheers!
Where would you suggest someone look for guidance on doing that mod? I got gifted this machine with a screen, decent tamper, and a few other accessories. I haven't modified the machine itself yet but I would love to make it a better machine. I already depressured the stock baskets, but it also was given by my brother with a decent portafilter that is all I've used anyway. I feel like I have friends that could make me a brass tube for the steam. hhhmmmmmmm...
I’ve done the mod. The spring limits the low limit to pressure. The spring is the spring and plug above the portafilter. Removal of it leads to a lot of dripping out of the boiler. I’ve also taken one and just added a pot I.e. dimmer to the pump and a xmt7100 pid. I think that is the best and cheapest/quicker. Edit: I did the mod back in beginning of 2023 using the older arduino. Nothing in the code depended on solenoid at that time. You can mount ssr on sheet of AL at bottom of machine. There is as noted tight spaces, but you can get the components in there. I’ve not followed things since move to stm processor, so code changes were minimal under arduino, but sounds like not the case now if can find the older code. As I said xmt pid is way to go imo since I didn’t find watching pressure a big deal and sourcing all the fittings and transducer probably wasn’t worth it…other than just something to do.
Where I come from, remarking that someone is 'looking healthy ' is a back handed complement that means you're still looking fat but appear to have lost weight. 😃
Honestly, thank you Lance for making a video for the very large number of us people who are running cheap setups and are aiming for "serviceable" espresso without breaking the bank. $500+ on coffee gear is definitely not something easy to justify when you are getting started. I hope you find a gem cheap grinder too, hand grinding is the way to go on a budget but it IS very annoying when it's your only option. I run 1 modded Delonghi ECP 3630 (basically the same internals) with an AliExpress naked portafilter and a super cheap Kingrinder P2 and get much better espresso/espresso based drinks than most of my local cafes. For those interested, the Rancilio steam wand, dimmer switch and pressure gauge mods are super easy/cheap to do and there's tons of tutorials out there. I feel like it will be impossible to get a better machine for less than $500+. The money will be better spent on upgrading your grinder.,
Care to show where to find the tutorials? also have you changed the opv to 9 bar similar to the mod i gaggia classic? Never opened the machine but i always thought the first and easiest mod would be adjusting the opv.
Got the same machine and a xeoleo hand grinder. Together with a new basket I am very happy with the results. How much did the dimmer switch and pressure gauge improve your shots? Would love to try that out
@@daylight31415 Honestly in terms of pure espresso, not that much, it's just additional control. But I love to experiment and try new things so it's great for that. If you love long café crema type shots or drip type coffee, you can get the water to drip through a coarse puck and have fun new flavor profiles.
You could try and buy a bottomless or spouted stain less steel portafilter and not drink off plastic anymore. For me it’s done a big change when it comes to cleaning after use, and the espresso looks better in my eyes. Taste is similar but still better.
@@makerl1fe388 Could also saw off the bottom of the portafilter (like I did :) , though I'm not sure what the Dedica portafilter is made from, I assume aluminum as well).
I just bought an ECP3420 about a month ago for $100 here in the states, and I absolutely love it. A few upgrades are needed for sure but I still came out under $300. I got the Kingrinder K6 for my grinder. Got bottomless portafilter, tamper, puck screen, timer/scale and magnetic funnel. The only thing left to do is add the better wand. You can still steam by taking off the tip of the panerello wand leaving just the rubber nozzle, putting a zip tie on it so it doesn't fly off. I was happily surprised how good the espresso is. Also for anyone wondering the K6 is a super easy to use hand grinder. It really surprised me how easy it grinds.
Same story here, had been waiting until I could gradually save up for a pricier espresso machine but saw a 3420 on deep enough discount in a pre-Black-Friday sale that I figured I'd give it a try as something that hopefully I could make something resembling espresso with while I saved up for the "real thing", and with a decent grinder, a handful of aftermarket accessories and a bit of practice I've been kinda surprised at what tasty and consistent espresso I'm able to get out of this thing (especially as I'd sort of bought in to all the internet espresso people insisting you're wasting your time on any machine south of half a grand), I'm sure there're upgrades somewhere down the line in my future but for now I'm pretty impressed by this machine at its price point
Love it. This video is empowering those of us who don't dare share their setups or even worse, don't even get started becaue they think they can't afford it. Wonderful take, honey.
I really appreciate these types of videos. Even though I am fortunate enough to have a fairly good midrange endgame machine, I only became that fortune very recently. However for a solid 20 years of my life, I was always making due with budget options, so I totally remember how much I always loved watching people review the more affordable side of espresso machines/grinders. Plus this gives me another amazing option to recommend to my friends who can't really afford more expensive gear. Amazing work!
Can you make a video next on upgrades to this machien? Considering this is such a cheap machine and is highly popular on Amazon, there's likely a lot of people who'd love to mod it.
Your closing note is something I've been embracing with my Breville. I've been using it for just over 2 years and kept blaming the machine. But I've been putting the work in, buying better beans, refining my process, refining my skills. Let me tell you. The quality is incredible. Great latte art, amazing crema, delicious shots.
Same here, getting awesome shots with my Bambino Plus. Hours of TH-cam videos, freshly roasted coffee delivered to the doorstep from the local roaster, decent IMS basket along with a Normcore naked portafilter, and ultimately 1Zpresso J-Ultra is what it takes 😅
How long already there is Dedica on the market and barely ever taken into account by serious reviewers is so unbelievable... and shots coming out from Dedica for that price point, better than 90% of average cafes... glad you did this review of Stilosa!
What a moment when we get this kind of I don't know how to call it, enlightenment or something, when all the hard stuff about espresso goes to the corner and you just pull great shot from machine like this. Once again big bravo for this video! 🎉
@@alexthomson7465 exactly the same experience... and I tried numerous of 1-2k eur machines and Dedica won over them every time. I just couldn't accept truth that 200 eur machine is making better shots and new machines in that 2k range is coming to the market and still do not make better espresso and we are all buying them constantly...
"don't let the snobs tell you that you can't get good espresso from this machine" Lance the closing statement is great. You are the robin hood of coffee!
I bought on of these 3 years ago with full intentions of replacing it if I enjoyed home espresso. Well, long story short I did enjoy espresso very much but fell in love with the simplicity if this machine. I did buy a naked porta filter that fits it and a IMS basket and puck screen (as well as a matching sized tamp) but my home brewed espresso is better than I ever expected.
I absolutely love this as a starting thing as almost a proof of concept for my family and friends who are buying things to try to short cut espresso and unhappyily realizing you cannot.
definitely. and, best part is, it doesn't have to just be a starter. it is starter price, but the quality, if taken care of, is enough to last a long time. I genuinely love the coffee I make with it!
great video for baristas on a budget! I have a delonghi dedica thats a few years old now. With the addition of a new basket, screen, needle distribution tool, and a decent cheap grinder, i pull some really good shots with it and my friends and family love when i whip them up some lattes with it. I've replaced the pump on it once, but it has been serving me well.
Nice to see a review on a low cost machine. It looks like my US version ecp3630. Works fine with a DF54 grinder. Actually with the DF54 I'm getting more consistent shots than I did with a Rancillio Silvia and Rocky grinder. I'd love to put on a Rancillio steam wand. Hoping you'll demonstrate how to make that change.
I just bought one of these from Goodwill for $40 to give to a friend (literally arrived today lol). A descale and a wipe down and it’s good to go. I’ve only ever used a Europiccola and was impressed with what it could do.
Lest louts lapse their listening, Loquacious Lance’s lexicon lends a luxe laxity to Delonghi learning. (My other impulse was to try to make something of “The Lance of Delongainus” but decided to spear you the pain.)
Thanks for this. This was literally going to be my next machine to buy, along with a Flair Flex, so I'm glad you like it. I'm worried now that the demand and price will go up because you made this video. I'm going to pick it up soonish just to be safe. Thanks again.
Just a warning on the depressurisation step at 4:00 - I did exactly this a while back, and I destroyed one of the bottom plates due to a choked pull, it bowed down enough such that it won't seal in the basket any more. I had grounds forcing itself around the rubber gasket! Removing that plastic piece below the bottom plate also removes important structural support that keeps the whole thing together. I ended up removing the inner spring and valve from the plastic piece, and then assembled the whole thing together again, and that seems to work much better now.
Same here, I’m more of a pour over guy buy i wanted to scratch an espresso itch so bought mine a couple of years back for £30 off some guy on facebook with a half decent tamper. Quick ranchillio mod, new IMS basket, and cut the bottom off of the stock portafilter so it’s bottomless. I use it daily now for my wifes caffeine hit while my filter is drawing down! Now if only my water wasnt so insanely hard here!
I’ve got the cheaper plastic version of the 3420 for about 2 years. $35 used delivered. Cut off bottom to make it bottomless, Hugh basket and pulled thousands of shots. Total cost for KinGrinder K4, scale, stainless tamp, WDT, milk pitcher, Silvia wand … everything is well under $200. BTW the 3420 series also has IMS shower screens available. Great shots at an incredible cost. Only issue I’ve had is gasket for water tank leaks if the tank is more than half full. I chuckle when people say you need $$$$ to make good espresso and lattes. Glad to see some love for these
was seriously considering to buy Gaggia classic but it was going out of my budget. But just placed order for Stilosa after watching this video. thanks mate
I have one of these and always felt like the shot was bitter... so I haven't used it in a while.. I will get back to it with better beans! The soaking method where you soak in the beans in the portafilter first then pull the shot is I think going to change it for me. You have encouraged me. I just found you on YT and I'm interested in watching more of your videos! Thank you, Thank you...
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My first machine was ECP 3420(a copy of Stilosa) and it was awesome machine for the money, only 100EUR, fast heating boiler, easy access to insides, etc. I added 9 bar OPV, PID, IMS shower screen, IMS basket, dimmer... and all of that for just 240 euros total. This allowed me to dedicate 600 for the good Eureka grinder, and make a better coffee, than most of coffee shops in Portugal. Then I moved, sold everything and bought Gaggia Classic. For me, the only advantage of Classic is the 58mm group head, which gives you more accessories available on the market, but I would say, this is changing, and more and more things become available....
@@chrys0gonus the pump has a valve on the output. It is not meant to be regulated, but it actually has a spring inside, that is allowing no more than 15 bar. If you disassemble that valve and cut the spring, you will get your desired 9 bar. What I did was purchasing a new valve(to avoid messing with the original one if anything goes wrong), a pressure gauge, and a blind basket from aliexpress. I was cutting bit by bit from the purchased valve spring, until I got 9 bar on the gauge. The PID I do not remember... I think I purchased a used PID with dimmer on a local marketplace. The rest was purchased on Spanish Amazon and aliexpress.
Just got a Casabrews machine from amazon, think it was 120 dollars. Have to say I am impressed. A little playing around with it ,and its pulling some nice shots. not bad steam as WELL, Lance as always you are the man. thanks
Thank you so much for this! As a coffee enthusiast with not a lot of money rn this is huge for us enthusiast with low budget I can now save up for this and df54!
I was asking myself for so long how is that possible that Tom's channel is the one of few that is filming Dedica, I couldn't find answer on that and it's so long on the market...
@sgc603 definitely! I was going to get that instead but the main differences are steel panels instead of plastic and a slightly bigger reservoir (3.7 instead of 3.4L). I saved the money and went cheaper since the internals are the same
I know you are hearing it a lot lately and all that, but congratulations on the results of your hard work. Kudos, sir. I'd wager that you feel amazing, too. This machine intrigues me. I may have to recommend it to a family member who is looking to make espresso at home.
Hey Lance! Where i live, the DeLonghi ECP 35.31 "3420" and the HiBREW H10A is exactly the same price, which one would you recommend? i really can't decide 😥 + I'm going to get the Fellow Opus and i like medium to darker roasts if that helps.
For roughly 7 months I have to had a DeLonghi machine. It is an ECP series, a seamlessly popular one. After 5 months, I got myself a Kingrinder P2. Best deal ever! My friend who got a gaggia pro and he is jealous. Definitely a decent machine. Soo glad to see you review one of them.
Ran one of these for 3 yrs, decent grinder, bottomless, and a good bag of beans... then i found a dedica for $20 at my local thrift store... sometimes its nice to not have to monitor the output precisely...LOL the water dosing of the dedica is pretty darn accurate, as long as your grind size is correct...
dude! I have been a believer in the cheapies for years now. So much value in Delonghis and cheap old Gaggias. So glad the attention is bringing brought to these.
Thanks for the video, have wanted espresso at home for a while even though I really enjoy pour overs and a batch brew on the weekend. I always thought I would need to get something much more for worthwhile espresso. I picked one of these up the day you posted this after watching for less than a hundred nzd and fixed some piping and it works great now using a virtuoso grinder and good beans. I got the bottomless portafilter for it and a better tamp. Mine came with a metal steam wand that doesn’t seem too different from the rancilio I picked up but ima swap it anyhow since I already took it off.
Thank you for this video! I got a Delonghi machine to make my wife lattes and rapidly fell into the espresso rabbit hole. I decided to focus on up-skilling rather than spending multiple car payments worth of money on a hobby I might fizzle out on. I’ve gradually upgraded my kit since then, purchasing a Baratza Sette 270 grinder, bottomless portafilter, IMS basket, WDT tool, a quality scale, and some other accessories. Now that I’ve been on this path for two years, I feel like it’s about time to upgrade, or at least modify my Delonghi. But the machine has been a great way to get into espresso on a budget, and your video has given me ideas to use it better.
I received this machine as a wedding present last May, and it was my gateway to coffee obsession. Since then I've found your channel and so it's great to see you showcase this machine! I'm still learning the ins and outs of coffee, but my experience with this machine has been really good! Have pulled some fantastic shots, even as a newbie. One thing to note, if you are making multiple lattes at once, I've found that steaming milk in-between shots causes variation in flow-rate. Usually my second shot will take 14 seconds to start dripping out, and then flow much faster than the initial shot did. I assume doing an empty pull after steaming and before pulling my next actual shot (I have yet to try that) would solve this, but I usually pull both shots before steaming milk because I've found more consistency. I'll have to try that blooming method! Still experimenting and learning, but it's been fun, and so inexpensive compared to what's out there!
Cool review on this amazingly cheap machine, I was gifted the ecp3420 based on your recommendation this Xmas and finally have my machine dialed in to my liking. 😊 thanks for the tips, and also look fit mannn! Keep up the progress! 🤘🏼
I’ve literally picked one of these up for £15 pre-owned. Good clean and descale, new basket and great results! I picked up another to repair as it had a leak, it turned out that the o-ring that seals the 2 halves of the clamshell assembly boiler had failed due to over heating, likely caused by low water level in the boiler (user error). Worth being aware of this, as the boiler design means it could be less resilient to overheating. There is a thermal fuse on top of the boiler but I believe that element would cook the o-ring before the fuse blows. That aside, the repair cost less than £1 in parts and took about an hour. The machine has been in regular use for almost a year since! I wondered about fitting an aftermarket OPV so I can dial the pressure in accurately…
My Guy! Holy Geez, you look GREAT Lance! keep up the hard work. Love the content! you got me into modding for my coffee XD albeit i think modding was in my future anyway as a PC builder enthusiast lol. Thanks again for all the SOLID info and findings you provide.
I started on a De’Longhi ECP 35.31, sort of the same machine, but the Stilosa has the smaller shower screen. I loved making espresso on it! The only reason I was tempted to upgrade was the workflow when making milk drinks. I am now running a dual boiler
I have a similar Sunbeam machine, which has been going strong for almost 10 years. No repairs needed. It does have a solenoid valve though, and a metal steam wand.
Nice video Lance. I made plenty of good espressos with a $100 machine in the past but the lack of solenoid is something you have to watch out for. One Christmas morning I made a cappuccino for someone which I don’t usually do and forgot to wait for it to de-pressurise and the portafilter shot out and hot coffee gave me some nasty burns on my hand. Felt like it was on fire for a week and the scar lasted over a year.
i had a similar model from delonghi and it served me for many years i installed a pid and a few other modifications you mentioned in the video. These machines are really underrated, and you can make excellent coffee, especially if you're just starting out the hobby.
Absolutely! And can be your final machine with how well constructed the insides are. Especially if you spend the extra 20 bucks or so for the 3420 with stainless paneling
On the subject of the shower screen, you can buy a gasket and shower screen for the ECP 3420 and swap them in. Works wonders. I bought a used one of these for $25, and pulled better shots on it than I have on a Gaggia classic pro that I was given. I love this little machine so much.
Dumb question: does the replacement shower screen come WITH the gasket? I've found multiple sites with the shower screen for sale but no luck with the gasket.
Thanks for the video! I’m actually surprised you were able to pull a tasty shot from a light roast with this setup. It’s Funny also to compare your Video to the one from Hoffman with the Aldi machine.
I used to had a Gaggia Viva with bottomless portafilter,IMS basket,puck screen and a 53mm motta tamper. I also used a 3d WDT and a motta leveller. I had an 10 euros scale.I always bought specialty coffee from my 100 years old coffee roaster down town where I live. I hit very good extractions using poor man’s temperature surfing all the time. I used an 1zpresso Jmax hand grinder. All the costs were about 130 for machine,180 for grinder and and 100 for the rest. I loved my coffee. Everyone who came to my home for coffee loved it. After 2-3 years I was ready to go to Gaggia Classic while I was saving money. Now and after 1 1/2 years I make the best espresso I had for my 44 years old life. Everybody, learn,check your wallet and then go for a little more. No much more. You will be happy after those you’ve learned. Remember that coffee is a journey. Lans stay healthy and happy new year to everybody. Ps: sorry for my English.
Almost same road, but I started with a flair pro 2, used, and build my own Accessoires. On those cheaper machines you really need to lock in and understand espresso to have tasty shots. Once you're there more expensive machines will just be a ease of life type Situation
I have ECP3630 which is just a Stilosa with a stainless body, but the chassis and internals are identical. I have been pulling daily shots for about a year now. I got bottomless portafilter, IMS precision basket, and use the Normcore puck screen. And I've been making some delicious shots out of this little thing. I do the pressure profiling by pulsing the switch on and off. Usually run the pump for 5 seconds to get the bloom started and then just burp the switch one pulse a second till about the 15 second mark and then go full pressure. Then, when I get about 5-10 gram from my target dose I start pulsing the switch again to bring the pressure back down slowly. A local Tarrant County TX roaster called Avoca makes a Costa Rican single origin they call the "Puro Tico". It is just soooo gewd. Like I go to bed and I'm already looking forward to waking up and pulling a shot. It's just so syrupy with this nice thick foam. And it's got this nice touch of sweetness with milk chocolate and little hint of nuttiness. I make a latte and I have to fight the urge to just pour the whole thing down my throat.
This Delonghi reminds me of the earlier Saeco home machines (like the Rio Vapore, the Via Veneto, or even the Maestro). Good but affordable build quality, stainless boilers, solid performers when paired with a decent grinder. Thanks for the review Lance!
I’ve had this machine since 2022 I think it’s an older model of it, but I’ve made some mods and use a bottomless portafilter and it’s been a really great machine for under 100 dollars. I would recommend this machine to anyone just starting their journey in coffee. It’s a really fantastic espresso machine.
First off, thanks for the vid, Lance! I have an E61 double boiler machine that gives me great espresso but I needed a travel machine that is compact and will fit in a bag on the go, so I bought this one from OfferUp new for $20, and let me tell you. 😄 Best $20 I spent. I got better baskets, a tamper and a naked portafilter. I watched the wand mod vid someone has on YT and chickened out on modding it with a Rancilio wand, so I got the $7 steel replacement piece instead. I just had to remove the rubber steaming stick and installed that tip in. Sure, it takes 20-30 seconds for stretching milk, but hey. This thing gives espresso that’s almost as good as my $3k machine. It also made me realize that beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to espresso. Excellent, nifty little machine that could, and I don't have to forgo good espresso when traveling. You’ll find me rec to everyone online because for espresso of this quality it is inexpensive and truly a great gift for the espresso beginner.
I've been using the Delonghi Stilosa for a year. Great for small footprint in a small kitchen with limited counter space. Makes a descent latte. Only complaint i have is that there is not much space for a coffee cup. Have to remove the spill tray to fit my coffee cup lol.
I have a Delongi for my coffee bar. I have been looking for perfection. I removed the pressurized filter and now I want to change the steam wand for a Rancilio type.
Can you explain how the solenoid and pressurized basket effects the watery consistency of the puck after extraction. Lots of conflicting information from people all over the internet. Essentially, my question is - is my puck wet and hard to knock out because my delonghi machine lacks a solenoid and I'm using a pressurized basket, which seems to needs pressure to push water through the tiny hole and when the machine stops the coffee extraction, the water stay in the portafilter? I get that there's at least 3 other factors in play, grind size, dose size and tamping consistency. But say that's all fine and I still get a wet puck, is it the machine and basket?
Wow great timing! I just bought a “like new” resale ECP3630 which is basically the same as this with the stainless steel boiler. I got it for $85 with Prime. I already put a better basket and bottomless pf and so far the shots have been pretty good. I use a Niche grinder and also have a Lelit MaraX so I can compare the shots between those two machines and so far not a huge difference. Still playing with it. I maybe I need a precision basket. Thanks Lance for these type of videos!
Love the latte art tee! But definitely stay for the content. I'll admit to being quite intimadated to open up my breville back when I had it. Got into my miicoffee apex to do the board swap for the newer firmware though. Probably would have done the OPV mod as well if I could have figured out what tubing to buy. Keep up the great work, man.
GOLD content!!! I'd really like to go into espresso but when I read reddit post when someone asks abiout cheap grinder and half the comments reccomed DF64 Gen 2 and other half somthing more expensive or 300USD hand grinder... So...I'll be waiting for more guides on cheap espresso:)
Great video, Lance. Wish it had been around back when I had my Stilosa. Though I think you could have spent more time on the steam wand. Making milk drinks was always a hassle with this machine as the boiler is too small to steam for very long, so I would always have to interrupt the steaming to let it heat up again. Combined with the pannarello wand it was the biggest reason I upgraded to a Bambino. Curious if there's anything that can be done to improve the situation there.
Delonghi have so many machines it's very difficult to go near them with any kind of certainty so it's great to get a demo of a Delonghi that can actually give good results.
PLEASE NOTE: If you want to try the Gaggiuino on this, you will need to do it largely on your own. The Discord works only with Silvia and GCP. So, while it is possible, there are lots of things you will need to do on your own as the two found out who completed it.
Even without it, there are great kits you can find online to add a PID controller and other fun additions that are more straightforward.
Thanks for watching! Make sure to hit that like and sub ;)
Cheers!
Where would you suggest someone look for guidance on doing that mod? I got gifted this machine with a screen, decent tamper, and a few other accessories. I haven't modified the machine itself yet but I would love to make it a better machine. I already depressured the stock baskets, but it also was given by my brother with a decent portafilter that is all I've used anyway. I feel like I have friends that could make me a brass tube for the steam. hhhmmmmmmm...
thanks for the nice video. what size is the basket? are the recommendations on your amazon storefront?
@@vizzo7 It's a 51mm portafilter and it has a single and double shot pressure basket included.
Without the solenoid Gaggiuino won’t work. Machines without solenoid are not compatible at all without code editing like you mentioned
I’ve done the mod. The spring limits the low limit to pressure. The spring is the spring and plug above the portafilter. Removal of it leads to a lot of dripping out of the boiler. I’ve also taken one and just added a pot I.e. dimmer to the pump and a xmt7100 pid. I think that is the best and cheapest/quicker.
Edit: I did the mod back in beginning of 2023 using the older arduino. Nothing in the code depended on solenoid at that time. You can mount ssr on sheet of AL at bottom of machine. There is as noted tight spaces, but you can get the components in there. I’ve not followed things since move to stm processor, so code changes were minimal under arduino, but sounds like not the case now if can find the older code. As I said xmt pid is way to go imo since I didn’t find watching pressure a big deal and sourcing all the fittings and transducer probably wasn’t worth it…other than just something to do.
Dude! Looking so healthy! Let’s go!!!
Been working hard! Thank you!
@@LanceHedrickIt shows!!!
great work! And great video! Watching from Argentina 🇦🇷
Where I come from, remarking that someone is 'looking healthy ' is a back handed complement that means you're still looking fat but appear to have lost weight. 😃
@@TheMcspreadertouch grass
Lance, I haven't watched the video, but you look awesome dude. You should be proud of all the hard work you've been putting in.
Thank you so much!
What about all the hard work maintaining that regal AF mustache? Bring back the Mo Lance!
Yeah, this was my first thought too. Literally I said to myself "Lance looking great"
he is the same big guy?
Honestly, thank you Lance for making a video for the very large number of us people who are running cheap setups and are aiming for "serviceable" espresso without breaking the bank. $500+ on coffee gear is definitely not something easy to justify when you are getting started. I hope you find a gem cheap grinder too, hand grinding is the way to go on a budget but it IS very annoying when it's your only option.
I run 1 modded Delonghi ECP 3630 (basically the same internals) with an AliExpress naked portafilter and a super cheap Kingrinder P2 and get much better espresso/espresso based drinks than most of my local cafes. For those interested, the Rancilio steam wand, dimmer switch and pressure gauge mods are super easy/cheap to do and there's tons of tutorials out there.
I feel like it will be impossible to get a better machine for less than $500+. The money will be better spent on upgrading your grinder.,
Care to show where to find the tutorials? also have you changed the opv to 9 bar similar to the mod i gaggia classic? Never opened the machine but i always thought the first and easiest mod would be adjusting the opv.
Got the same machine and a xeoleo hand grinder. Together with a new basket I am very happy with the results. How much did the dimmer switch and pressure gauge improve your shots? Would love to try that out
@@daylight31415 Honestly in terms of pure espresso, not that much, it's just additional control. But I love to experiment and try new things so it's great for that. If you love long café crema type shots or drip type coffee, you can get the water to drip through a coarse puck and have fun new flavor profiles.
It’s super motivating seeing you getting more and more in shape. I wish I would be as consistent as you are!
Thank you! You can do it! Each time I upload, make it a point to hit the gym! Baby steps
@@LanceHedrick you look so young now dude congrats on your progress! :)
Great! I have a Delonghi for two years. This is the first time I have an espresso using your "un-pressurized" setup. A big change . Thanks!
You could try and buy a bottomless or spouted stain less steel portafilter and not drink off plastic anymore. For me it’s done a big change when it comes to cleaning after use, and the espresso looks better in my eyes. Taste is similar but still better.
@@makerl1fe388 Could also saw off the bottom of the portafilter (like I did :) , though I'm not sure what the Dedica portafilter is made from, I assume aluminum as well).
I just bought an ECP3420 about a month ago for $100 here in the states, and I absolutely love it. A few upgrades are needed for sure but I still came out under $300. I got the Kingrinder K6 for my grinder. Got bottomless portafilter, tamper, puck screen, timer/scale and magnetic funnel. The only thing left to do is add the better wand. You can still steam by taking off the tip of the panerello wand leaving just the rubber nozzle, putting a zip tie on it so it doesn't fly off. I was happily surprised how good the espresso is. Also for anyone wondering the K6 is a super easy to use hand grinder. It really surprised me how easy it grinds.
Same story here, had been waiting until I could gradually save up for a pricier espresso machine but saw a 3420 on deep enough discount in a pre-Black-Friday sale that I figured I'd give it a try as something that hopefully I could make something resembling espresso with while I saved up for the "real thing", and with a decent grinder, a handful of aftermarket accessories and a bit of practice I've been kinda surprised at what tasty and consistent espresso I'm able to get out of this thing (especially as I'd sort of bought in to all the internet espresso people insisting you're wasting your time on any machine south of half a grand), I'm sure there're upgrades somewhere down the line in my future but for now I'm pretty impressed by this machine at its price point
What bottomless portafilter did you buy?
Love it.
This video is empowering those of us who don't dare share their setups or even worse, don't even get started becaue they think they can't afford it.
Wonderful take, honey.
I really appreciate these types of videos. Even though I am fortunate enough to have a fairly good midrange endgame machine, I only became that fortune very recently. However for a solid 20 years of my life, I was always making due with budget options, so I totally remember how much I always loved watching people review the more affordable side of espresso machines/grinders. Plus this gives me another amazing option to recommend to my friends who can't really afford more expensive gear. Amazing work!
Lance! HOLY SHIT! I had this machine lying around without any use! Thank you for showing me this and giving it another life (at my friends' house)!
beans, not machines! Love the look Lance and thank you for another great video for budget espresso lovers
Great video. Love the perspective for budget items. I'm past this now but this is absolutely how to bring more people into this world.
Can you make a video next on upgrades to this machien? Considering this is such a cheap machine and is highly popular on Amazon, there's likely a lot of people who'd love to mod it.
Great video! My wife surprised me with this machine yesterday. Looking forward to learning and upgrading parts over time.
Your closing note is something I've been embracing with my Breville. I've been using it for just over 2 years and kept blaming the machine. But I've been putting the work in, buying better beans, refining my process, refining my skills. Let me tell you. The quality is incredible. Great latte art, amazing crema, delicious shots.
Same here, getting awesome shots with my Bambino Plus. Hours of TH-cam videos, freshly roasted coffee delivered to the doorstep from the local roaster, decent IMS basket along with a Normcore naked portafilter, and ultimately 1Zpresso J-Ultra is what it takes 😅
How long already there is Dedica on the market and barely ever taken into account by serious reviewers is so unbelievable... and shots coming out from Dedica for that price point, better than 90% of average cafes... glad you did this review of Stilosa!
I'm honestly embarrassed it took me this long tbh
What a moment when we get this kind of I don't know how to call it, enlightenment or something, when all the hard stuff about espresso goes to the corner and you just pull great shot from machine like this. Once again big bravo for this video! 🎉
I have a dedica and it honestly gives me better coffee than all the chains in my town (London) and I haven't got bottomless filter etc yet.
@@alexthomson7465 exactly the same experience... and I tried numerous of 1-2k eur machines and Dedica won over them every time. I just couldn't accept truth that 200 eur machine is making better shots and new machines in that 2k range is coming to the market and still do not make better espresso and we are all buying them constantly...
Dedica has too low brewing temp. I have both, Dedica and the ECP. The ECP is much better
Thank you so much for this ... I have just bought it ... and this was a wonderful video ... esp as I am a complete novice ... thank you
"don't let the snobs tell you that you can't get good espresso from this machine" Lance the closing statement is great. You are the robin hood of coffee!
I bought on of these 3 years ago with full intentions of replacing it if I enjoyed home espresso.
Well, long story short I did enjoy espresso very much but fell in love with the simplicity if this machine. I did buy a naked porta filter that fits it and a IMS basket and puck screen (as well as a matching sized tamp) but my home brewed espresso is better than I ever expected.
Heck yeah! The capability of slowly upgrading it and knowing it'll last is incredible.
Which portafiler and basket did you buy? I want to make sure it fits.
I think quite a few ppl would like which portafilter fits this.
I absolutely love this as a starting thing as almost a proof of concept for my family and friends who are buying things to try to short cut espresso and unhappyily realizing you cannot.
definitely. and, best part is, it doesn't have to just be a starter. it is starter price, but the quality, if taken care of, is enough to last a long time. I genuinely love the coffee I make with it!
Bro I’ve only watched your recommended videos from years prior and wow dude you’ve had an insane glow up. Congrats
Thank you so much!
great video for baristas on a budget! I have a delonghi dedica thats a few years old now. With the addition of a new basket, screen, needle distribution tool, and a decent cheap grinder, i pull some really good shots with it and my friends and family love when i whip them up some lattes with it. I've replaced the pump on it once, but it has been serving me well.
Nice to see a review on a low cost machine. It looks like my US version ecp3630. Works fine with a DF54 grinder. Actually with the DF54 I'm getting more consistent shots than I did with a Rancillio Silvia and Rocky grinder.
I'd love to put on a Rancillio steam wand. Hoping you'll demonstrate how to make that change.
That sassy "yes, I can" about light roasts earned my sub.
Been using a stilosa and slowly upgrading parts for a year now, a great little machine
I just bought one of these from Goodwill for $40 to give to a friend (literally arrived today lol). A descale and a wipe down and it’s good to go. I’ve only ever used a Europiccola and was impressed with what it could do.
2:29 “As a brief excursus…” you can take the boy out of academia but you can’t take the academia out of the boy. Love you man ❤️
Hahaha! I apparently said a priori in another video recently. Can't stop it lol
Lest louts lapse their listening, Loquacious Lance’s lexicon lends a luxe laxity to Delonghi learning.
(My other impulse was to try to make something of “The Lance of Delongainus” but decided to spear you the pain.)
Thanks for this. This was literally going to be my next machine to buy, along with a Flair Flex, so I'm glad you like it. I'm worried now that the demand and price will go up because you made this video. I'm going to pick it up soonish just to be safe. Thanks again.
Just a warning on the depressurisation step at 4:00 - I did exactly this a while back, and I destroyed one of the bottom plates due to a choked pull, it bowed down enough such that it won't seal in the basket any more. I had grounds forcing itself around the rubber gasket! Removing that plastic piece below the bottom plate also removes important structural support that keeps the whole thing together.
I ended up removing the inner spring and valve from the plastic piece, and then assembled the whole thing together again, and that seems to work much better now.
Hey, thats my machine.. lol. 86 bucks,, shes a beast.
It's seriously no joke. Why didn't anyone tell me sooner?!?!?!?!
Same here, I’m more of a pour over guy buy i wanted to scratch an espresso itch so bought mine a couple of years back for £30 off some guy on facebook with a half decent tamper. Quick ranchillio mod, new IMS basket, and cut the bottom off of the stock portafilter so it’s bottomless. I use it daily now for my wifes caffeine hit while my filter is drawing down! Now if only my water wasnt so insanely hard here!
@@LanceHedrick @TomsCoffeeCorner told you but you didnt listen 😉
I’ve got the cheaper plastic version of the 3420 for about 2 years. $35 used delivered. Cut off bottom to make it bottomless, Hugh basket and pulled thousands of shots. Total cost for KinGrinder K4, scale, stainless tamp, WDT, milk pitcher, Silvia wand … everything is well under $200. BTW the 3420 series also has IMS shower screens available. Great shots at an incredible cost. Only issue I’ve had is gasket for water tank leaks if the tank is more than half full. I chuckle when people say you need $$$$ to make good espresso and lattes. Glad to see some love for these
Another happy 3420 owner here ✌️ Which IMS screen do you use? The DL200NT? TIA
was seriously considering to buy Gaggia classic but it was going out of my budget. But just placed order for Stilosa after watching this video. thanks mate
I have one of these and always felt like the shot was bitter... so I haven't used it in a while.. I will get back to it with better beans! The soaking method where you soak in the beans in the portafilter first then pull the shot is I think going to change it for me. You have encouraged me. I just found you on YT and I'm interested in watching more of your videos! Thank you, Thank you...
My first machine was ECP 3420(a copy of Stilosa) and it was awesome machine for the money, only 100EUR, fast heating boiler, easy access to insides, etc. I added 9 bar OPV, PID, IMS shower screen, IMS basket, dimmer... and all of that for just 240 euros total. This allowed me to dedicate 600 for the good Eureka grinder, and make a better coffee, than most of coffee shops in Portugal. Then I moved, sold everything and bought Gaggia Classic. For me, the only advantage of Classic is the 58mm group head, which gives you more accessories available on the market, but I would say, this is changing, and more and more things become available....
How did you do the 9 Bar OPV mod?
Dude how did you get opv 9bar? I have a stilosa
greetings fellow 'tuga' :-) Can you give some details about those mods?
tell us about the mod
@@chrys0gonus the pump has a valve on the output. It is not meant to be regulated, but it actually has a spring inside, that is allowing no more than 15 bar. If you disassemble that valve and cut the spring, you will get your desired 9 bar. What I did was purchasing a new valve(to avoid messing with the original one if anything goes wrong), a pressure gauge, and a blind basket from aliexpress. I was cutting bit by bit from the purchased valve spring, until I got 9 bar on the gauge.
The PID I do not remember... I think I purchased a used PID with dimmer on a local marketplace. The rest was purchased on Spanish Amazon and aliexpress.
Just got a Casabrews machine from amazon, think it was 120 dollars. Have to say I am impressed. A little playing around with it ,and its pulling some nice shots. not bad steam as WELL, Lance as always you are the man. thanks
Wow. I bought a machine, knowing very little about what's good and what's bad and...it was this one. You just made my day, .
Thank you so much for this! As a coffee enthusiast with not a lot of money rn this is huge for us enthusiast with low budget
I can now save up for this and df54!
Great video…Tom’s coffee corner has been preaching this for years! 🤓 Lance send him some luv
I have in a previous video! And I invited him to collab.
I was asking myself for so long how is that possible that Tom's channel is the one of few that is filming Dedica, I couldn't find answer on that and it's so long on the market...
Tom is a big ECP 3420 proponent, which is another great machine and similar to the Stilosa.
@sgc603 definitely! I was going to get that instead but the main differences are steel panels instead of plastic and a slightly bigger reservoir (3.7 instead of 3.4L). I saved the money and went cheaper since the internals are the same
@@LanceHedrick The 3420 advantage is that it is taller, and the shower screen is bigger. IMS makes a shower screen for the 3420.
That white is beautiful. I can't seem to find any for sale in Canada with that finish.... Is it new?
I know you are hearing it a lot lately and all that, but congratulations on the results of your hard work. Kudos, sir. I'd wager that you feel amazing, too.
This machine intrigues me. I may have to recommend it to a family member who is looking to make espresso at home.
Awesome. Looking forward to the repair/restoration video. And yes, invest in great beans over fancy machines
Hey Lance!
Where i live, the DeLonghi ECP 35.31 "3420" and the HiBREW H10A is exactly the same price, which one would you recommend? i really can't decide 😥
+ I'm going to get the Fellow Opus and i like medium to darker roasts if that helps.
For roughly 7 months I have to had a DeLonghi machine. It is an ECP series, a seamlessly popular one. After 5 months, I got myself a Kingrinder P2. Best deal ever! My friend who got a gaggia pro and he is jealous. Definitely a decent machine. Soo glad to see you review one of them.
Ran one of these for 3 yrs, decent grinder, bottomless, and a good bag of beans... then i found a dedica for $20 at my local thrift store... sometimes its nice to not have to monitor the output precisely...LOL the water dosing of the dedica is pretty darn accurate, as long as your grind size is correct...
Lance this make me feel good that I have options and not aim for really expensive machine. Thank you for being awesome
Excellent video thanks so much for doing the hard work.
Currently eyeing some ECP models on ebay to do a shitload of mods to. Love seeing these machines get some love!!
dude! I have been a believer in the cheapies for years now. So much value in Delonghis and cheap old Gaggias. So glad the attention is bringing brought to these.
also shoutout @tomscoffeecorner for steady putting everyone onto these!
Thanks for the video, have wanted espresso at home for a while even though I really enjoy pour overs and a batch brew on the weekend. I always thought I would need to get something much more for worthwhile espresso. I picked one of these up the day you posted this after watching for less than a hundred nzd and fixed some piping and it works great now using a virtuoso grinder and good beans.
I got the bottomless portafilter for it and a better tamp. Mine came with a metal steam wand that doesn’t seem too different from the rancilio I picked up but ima swap it anyhow since I already took it off.
Thank you for this video! I got a Delonghi machine to make my wife lattes and rapidly fell into the espresso rabbit hole. I decided to focus on up-skilling rather than spending multiple car payments worth of money on a hobby I might fizzle out on.
I’ve gradually upgraded my kit since then, purchasing a Baratza Sette 270 grinder, bottomless portafilter, IMS basket, WDT tool, a quality scale, and some other accessories.
Now that I’ve been on this path for two years, I feel like it’s about time to upgrade, or at least modify my Delonghi. But the machine has been a great way to get into espresso on a budget, and your video has given me ideas to use it better.
I received this machine as a wedding present last May, and it was my gateway to coffee obsession. Since then I've found your channel and so it's great to see you showcase this machine! I'm still learning the ins and outs of coffee, but my experience with this machine has been really good! Have pulled some fantastic shots, even as a newbie. One thing to note, if you are making multiple lattes at once, I've found that steaming milk in-between shots causes variation in flow-rate. Usually my second shot will take 14 seconds to start dripping out, and then flow much faster than the initial shot did. I assume doing an empty pull after steaming and before pulling my next actual shot (I have yet to try that) would solve this, but I usually pull both shots before steaming milk because I've found more consistency. I'll have to try that blooming method! Still experimenting and learning, but it's been fun, and so inexpensive compared to what's out there!
Love the video, watched it for the knowledge as I already have a good espresso machine but still learning on many levels
We helped my mum get one of these last year
Definitely need to look into these
DAMNNNN i LOVE the new Lance !!!!!
Cool review on this amazingly cheap machine, I was gifted the ecp3420 based on your recommendation this Xmas and finally have my machine dialed in to my liking. 😊 thanks for the tips, and also look fit mannn! Keep up the progress! 🤘🏼
I’ve literally picked one of these up for £15 pre-owned. Good clean and descale, new basket and great results! I picked up another to repair as it had a leak, it turned out that the o-ring that seals the 2 halves of the clamshell assembly boiler had failed due to over heating, likely caused by low water level in the boiler (user error). Worth being aware of this, as the boiler design means it could be less resilient to overheating. There is a thermal fuse on top of the boiler but I believe that element would cook the o-ring before the fuse blows. That aside, the repair cost less than £1 in parts and took about an hour. The machine has been in regular use for almost a year since! I wondered about fitting an aftermarket OPV so I can dial the pressure in accurately…
Oh - and thanks Lance, great content as always!
Awesome community service. Many can't put the insane amounts of money to the machines, but this machine can carry them.
My Guy! Holy Geez, you look GREAT Lance! keep up the hard work. Love the content! you got me into modding for my coffee XD albeit i think modding was in my future anyway as a PC builder enthusiast lol. Thanks again for all the SOLID info and findings you provide.
This is it! (been Waiting for this). Thank you Lance for the great review. God bless you man!
Do you have a video of you doing the ranchilio wand mod?
nice to see cheaper setups working well too, well done!
I started on a De’Longhi ECP 35.31, sort of the same machine, but the Stilosa has the smaller shower screen. I loved making espresso on it! The only reason I was tempted to upgrade was the workflow when making milk drinks. I am now running a dual boiler
Looking amazing dude! Keep up the work
Yes man, that's the way, this is powerful video!!! And you are looking GREAT!
Love this vibe. Down to earth, relatable, and kind. 🙏
Hey! I have one of these, I got it as my intro level espresso machine last year. Thanks for the mods and the review! Lookin' good as well. Peace.
I haven't watched a video of yours for a few months and was surprised to see what you look like now!
I have a similar Sunbeam machine, which has been going strong for almost 10 years. No repairs needed. It does have a solenoid valve though, and a metal steam wand.
Nice video Lance.
I made plenty of good espressos with a $100 machine in the past but the lack of solenoid is something you have to watch out for. One Christmas morning I made a cappuccino for someone which I don’t usually do and forgot to wait for it to de-pressurise and the portafilter shot out and hot coffee gave me some nasty burns on my hand.
Felt like it was on fire for a week and the scar lasted over a year.
Where can you buy the white version of the stilosa?
i had a similar model from delonghi and it served me for many years i installed a pid and a few other modifications you mentioned in the video. These machines are really underrated, and you can make excellent coffee, especially if you're just starting out the hobby.
Absolutely! And can be your final machine with how well constructed the insides are. Especially if you spend the extra 20 bucks or so for the 3420 with stainless paneling
Here in Italy (maybe Europe) comes with non-pennarello wand and non-pressurized basket... so ready to go.
Lance at his best! Love the content, brother!
On the subject of the shower screen, you can buy a gasket and shower screen for the ECP 3420 and swap them in. Works wonders.
I bought a used one of these for $25, and pulled better shots on it than I have on a Gaggia classic pro that I was given. I love this little machine so much.
Dumb question: does the replacement shower screen come WITH the gasket? I've found multiple sites with the shower screen for sale but no luck with the gasket.
Thanks for the video! I’m actually surprised you were able to pull a tasty shot from a light roast with this setup. It’s Funny also to compare your Video to the one from Hoffman with the Aldi machine.
YOOOO LOOKING GREAT MAN!!
I used to had a Gaggia Viva with bottomless portafilter,IMS basket,puck screen and a 53mm motta tamper. I also used a 3d WDT and a motta leveller. I had an 10 euros scale.I always bought specialty coffee from my 100 years old coffee roaster down town where I live. I hit very good extractions using poor man’s temperature surfing all the time. I used an 1zpresso Jmax hand grinder. All the costs were about 130 for machine,180 for grinder and and 100 for the rest. I loved my coffee. Everyone who came to my home for coffee loved it. After 2-3 years I was ready to go to Gaggia Classic while I was saving money. Now and after 1 1/2 years I make the best espresso I had for my 44 years old life. Everybody, learn,check your wallet and then go for a little more. No much more. You will be happy after those you’ve learned. Remember that coffee is a journey. Lans stay healthy and happy new year to everybody. Ps: sorry for my English.
Almost same road, but I started with a flair pro 2, used, and build my own Accessoires. On those cheaper machines you really need to lock in and understand espresso to have tasty shots. Once you're there more expensive machines will just be a ease of life type Situation
I have ECP3630 which is just a Stilosa with a stainless body, but the chassis and internals are identical. I have been pulling daily shots for about a year now. I got bottomless portafilter, IMS precision basket, and use the Normcore puck screen. And I've been making some delicious shots out of this little thing. I do the pressure profiling by pulsing the switch on and off. Usually run the pump for 5 seconds to get the bloom started and then just burp the switch one pulse a second till about the 15 second mark and then go full pressure. Then, when I get about 5-10 gram from my target dose I start pulsing the switch again to bring the pressure back down slowly. A local Tarrant County TX roaster called Avoca makes a Costa Rican single origin they call the "Puro Tico". It is just soooo gewd. Like I go to bed and I'm already looking forward to waking up and pulling a shot. It's just so syrupy with this nice thick foam. And it's got this nice touch of sweetness with milk chocolate and little hint of nuttiness. I make a latte and I have to fight the urge to just pour the whole thing down my throat.
I got mine for around 69 dollars at the secondhand market as my first espresso machine, one of my best purchases✨
This Delonghi reminds me of the earlier Saeco home machines (like the Rio Vapore, the Via Veneto, or even the Maestro). Good but affordable build quality, stainless boilers, solid performers when paired with a decent grinder. Thanks for the review Lance!
Your cut is going phenomenal the change on a weekly basis is so clear!!!
thank you!!! still a long way to go.
Lance you look amazing! and thank you for the content as always
Could you change the whole portafilter to a higher quality bottomless one?
Great vid Lance. I'm sure this will appeal to many
Where'd you get the white one?
I’ve had this machine since 2022 I think it’s an older model of it, but I’ve made some mods and use a bottomless portafilter and it’s been a really great machine for under 100 dollars. I would recommend this machine to anyone just starting their journey in coffee. It’s a really fantastic espresso machine.
First off, thanks for the vid, Lance!
I have an E61 double boiler machine that gives me great espresso but I needed a travel machine that is compact and will fit in a bag on the go, so I bought this one from OfferUp new for $20, and let me tell you. 😄 Best $20 I spent.
I got better baskets, a tamper and a naked portafilter. I watched the wand mod vid someone has on YT and chickened out on modding it with a Rancilio wand, so I got the $7 steel replacement piece instead.
I just had to remove the rubber steaming stick and installed that tip in. Sure, it takes 20-30 seconds for stretching milk, but hey. This thing gives espresso that’s almost as good as my $3k machine.
It also made me realize that beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to espresso.
Excellent, nifty little machine that could, and I don't have to forgo good espresso when traveling.
You’ll find me rec to everyone online because for espresso of this quality it is inexpensive and truly a great gift for the espresso beginner.
Great to see this type of machine in your videos. 🎉
I've been using the Delonghi Stilosa for a year. Great for small footprint in a small kitchen with limited counter space. Makes a descent latte. Only complaint i have is that there is not much space for a coffee cup. Have to remove the spill tray to fit my coffee cup lol.
I have a Delongi for my coffee bar. I have been looking for perfection. I removed the pressurized filter and now I want to change the steam wand for a Rancilio type.
Can you explain how the solenoid and pressurized basket effects the watery consistency of the puck after extraction. Lots of conflicting information from people all over the internet.
Essentially, my question is - is my puck wet and hard to knock out because my delonghi machine lacks a solenoid and I'm using a pressurized basket, which seems to needs pressure to push water through the tiny hole and when the machine stops the coffee extraction, the water stay in the portafilter? I get that there's at least 3 other factors in play, grind size, dose size and tamping consistency. But say that's all fine and I still get a wet puck, is it the machine and basket?
Wow great timing! I just bought a “like new” resale ECP3630 which is basically the same as this with the stainless steel boiler. I got it for $85 with Prime. I already put a better basket and bottomless pf and so far the shots have been pretty good. I use a Niche grinder and also have a Lelit MaraX so I can compare the shots between those two machines and so far not a huge difference. Still playing with it. I maybe I need a precision basket. Thanks Lance for these type of videos!
Love the latte art tee! But definitely stay for the content. I'll admit to being quite intimadated to open up my breville back when I had it. Got into my miicoffee apex to do the board swap for the newer firmware though. Probably would have done the OPV mod as well if I could have figured out what tubing to buy.
Keep up the great work, man.
As someone with “gear acquisition syndrome” I’m loving the tone in Lance’s videos lately.
GOLD content!!! I'd really like to go into espresso but when I read reddit post when someone asks abiout cheap grinder and half the comments reccomed DF64 Gen 2 and other half somthing more expensive or 300USD hand grinder...
So...I'll be waiting for more guides on cheap espresso:)
Great video, Lance. Wish it had been around back when I had my Stilosa. Though I think you could have spent more time on the steam wand. Making milk drinks was always a hassle with this machine as the boiler is too small to steam for very long, so I would always have to interrupt the steaming to let it heat up again. Combined with the pannarello wand it was the biggest reason I upgraded to a Bambino. Curious if there's anything that can be done to improve the situation there.
Great to see more budget friendly machines coming on!
I have this exact machine and it'd be awesome if you could link to the upgrades that you used
I had one of these machines as my first. I loved it, sleeper for sure. I honestly regret throwing it away. I've debated getting one for the office.
Delonghi have so many machines it's very difficult to go near them with any kind of certainty so it's great to get a demo of a Delonghi that can actually give good results.