I also had problems reaching a proper pressure in the gauge... until I realized that the adjustment of the coarseness in the grinder must be done _while the grinder is operating_. Otherwise it has very little effect, if any. Hope this helps.
@@leordeansg You see the grinder has a coarseness adjustment, right. With all the numbers 1, 2, 3... 1 is the highest. If you adjust the coarseness when the grinder is _not_ operating (when it is stopped) then it has little effect. You must set the coarseness when the grinder is operating (when it is actually grinding) and then it works.
Wait please explain- are you saying move it to number 4, which is the one I use during grinding, when it starts up, TO grind? Like just turned the gauge to 4:00 while it's running?
I bought this machine and love it ! Reading the comments makes me wonder however why delonghi would bother with the optimal level gauge lol I concentrate more on the bean and the quality Good luck everyone and enjoy
Hi, i just purchased this machine m i its my first espresso machine so im new to making espressos. Even if i set the grind to finest and grind level to highest the optimal zone is still not reached. Any tips or tricks? ✌️ thank in advance!
Hi, i do not get the pressure to optimal zone (grind 3, volume 1 o’clock). And: is it normal, to wait around 5-7sec. before getting steam in the milk ?
How I fixed the pressure problem: 1. Make sure the portafilter basket is dry. 2. Set grind to finest setting. 3. Set the amount of coffee to be ground to 11 o'clock. 4. Get a coffee tamper and use this as the inbuilt one isn't perfect. 5. Use filtered water. My machine's pressure dial is now at 12 o'clock and the coffee is soooo much better!
It really depends on the sort of coffee you use. I got some troubles at the beginning to find the settings to reach the optimale zone. I used Lavazza Oro coffee. For this sort, I had to go to set grind to the finest setting and the amount of coffee at about 2 to 3 oclock (I used tap water with no problem at all, cause our water is not hard) Now I use Lavazza Gusto & Crema coffee. Grind sets to 4, coffee amount at 11 O'clock. I will try 2 others sorts of coffee and probably will have to change the settings. If you don't reach the optimal zone, increase the amount of coffee. If still not reach, decrease the grind settings until it works. It can take until 5 coffee brewings before seeing a difference. So don't give up !
Can I ask how much coffee beans put on the basket? I’ve used 15g and twice tamped of course grind to finest 7-8 then espresso not comes, and it so overheat. Our double shots basket cannot afford over 15g? My barista school teaching me 19g-20g
Thanks (from Australia) for the vid. I’m still trying to understand if I should make the grind finer and keep the grind amount at or just above “the line” or just increase the grind amount overall?
G'Day! So the best way to go about it would be to start with the grind amount. Try increasing that and see if you can get it where you want it. Once you find the 'sweet spot' for the amount, you can fine tune it with making the grind finer. "The line" is more of a suggestion, you can go above it, or below it. (Probably above it) As long as it still easily fits on the machine, you should be good.
@@tanamite I got this machine a few days ago after your review. I'm also in Australia. Having trouble getting a nice cremer. What been are you using @tanamite?
pklifter I’m using Gesha “The Singing Rooster” roasted in Perth mate. I’ve tried Oomph “Java Jo” from Tassie but Gesha comes out real nice, consistently. Grinder is at setting 2.2. Have a crack! Hooroo from WA.
Not sure if there's something wrong with my machine. I have to set the coffee dial at minimum otherwise I get too much coffee. You reckon could be the grinder is not working properly? Also feel the tamping is not really compressed. Looks pretty coarse and the grinder is set as 2. Could also be the beans (they're fresh)? Thanks!
Hi Neil, I have the Specailista the issue I'm having is the dial goes into the halfway in the red then just fails to do any coffee and just goes back to zero. My settings are : level around 10 o'clock and grind on 2, darkish beans and roasted 4 days ago (as at 10th feb) using double shot
Hi Brett! It sounds like your over pressurized... We would recommend making your grind size coarser. You will have to adjust your dose amount as you increase your grind size. Let us know how this works for you! Happy brewing :)
No problem reaching Optimal Zone with double shot, but how about singe shot. Pressure gauge never goes above 9:30-10 position, and after being ON HOLD with DeLonghi for more than an hour last week, and them seeing via video call how the machine was operating, they recommended returning for repair. Interestingly, they NEVER suggested trying a double shot, adjusting fineness or amount of grind! Your explanation is much better then DeLonghi’s, but I’d like to get your thoughts on my problem with single shot.
You can use pre-ground coffee if it is ground for espresso, but the beauty of this machine is freshly ground coffee! You would just turn your dosing dial all the way to the scoop to be able to use the tamping handle.
The large basket, is that 20g? I cannot seem to get 18g of ground to fit into the machine after tamping, it's driving me nuts. Any idea? If I go below 18g I can, but then the extraction is 35s~ which isn't the expresso range?
I am just getting like a shot of black coffee with this machine on espresso settings - no crema hardly at all and its not hitting the optimal pressure zone - its 3 days old. Not sure what to try. Would bean quality have that kind of impact?
Bean quality definitely has an impact on how your shot will pour! We would recommend picking up some freshly roasted medium roasted espresso for optimal flavour!
Perfekt coffee machine. If anybody have PROBLEM with PRESSURE . Only clean with NEEDLE this small holl on filter basket. Then look barometer when you make next coffee. 👍 investition.
I just got one of these machines and my grinder does not work at all - I'm wondering if it is because my beans might be oily ? or ??? not sure what it could be - any ideas
Water does not come out from the coffee part,and pressure is not,but it works with tea,and it goes into descale mode after coffee pressure doesnt work, i have done this a few times and its not fixing it, please did i say anything that makes you understand and May help me?
How do you guys know what oily beans are? I bought the "Lavazza Espresso Aromatico, Arabica and Robusta Light Roast Coffee Beans" it doesn't say anywhere it's "oily". Are those oily beans?
Hello, I bought the machine but the buttons are not working the only one with the light on is the cup of tea the hot water, it doesn’t even make hot the water, what can I do?
I know this is an older video but everyone seems to have issues getting to the optimal zone. I have issues going way past it. At best I’ve been able to get the gauge to about 2.30-3oclock or right into the over pressure area. Can’t seem to drop it any lower.
Out of the blue, when trying to grind, the grinder turns but no beans are being ground? I have cleaned it out and the burr but still no beans being ground?
Hi there, Thanku so much for informative videos. I bought this machine after watching ur review 2weeks who.I don’t get any crema at all using Starbucks medium roast atm.also I notice after brewing when I take portafilter out it always have little bit of water puddle.it never come out as solid like I have seen the videos.my grinder is on level two and it have tried level one as well results are still the same. Thanx
Beauty by Kaur even the guy in the video did not show the coffee he got, I wanted to see how much crema he had had got. Yes his first video had very small level too, not happy
Hi there, we just bought this machine today and we cant get the pressure gauge to move at all!!!! Are we doing something wrong or could it be a machine issue?
Questions : Does any owner of the La Specialista reached the optimal zone with the grinder set more than on the finest coarseness (1) ? I tried 3 differents coffee beans. Brown roasted, dark-brown roasted and light brown. Except for the temperature adjustments, I always did have to use the finest setting of the grinder. to reach the optimal zone, with a coffee dose between (11 oclock and 3 oclock on the dial) I wonder if it's my grinder which is defect or anything else. By following the settings according to the roasting, I couldn't reach the optimal zone. Also, on the tamping it seem we can put more or less pressure. According to the user manuel, it seem that we don't have to pull all the way down, for every sort of coffee. Does anyone don't press this temper all the way down, each time ? Is there a noticeable difference by pressing, once, twice, three times, how long do you keep the tamper down ? As soon as i reach the max pressure, I relieve the pressure. Thank you in advance :-)
Hi, I could not get the optimal zone even thought I have tried to adjust the dose and the fine-coarse grinding. Do you have any idea what I may do wrong, please? Thank you.
Hi Hochang! How are your espresso shots tasting? If your espresso is tasting, smelling, and looking good then we would recommend reaching out out to Delonghi to see if it is an issue with the machine. If your espresso is watery, and light then we would recommend making your grind size finer and adding more espresso ground coffee to your portafilter. Happy brewing!
I have had Specialista Arte for almost a year now and my coffee is getting worse and worse. Watery. bitter no crema. I have tried all means different coffee brands, grind size, tamping force, dose.... the latest fails is low pressure.. so frustrated. I called the warranty service and soon will be sending it their way.
Ok let’s say i screwed it up using oily beans …. In the maestro manual has oily beans as an option to use. Should I clean this machine madly now before using a different bean not oily or just add the new beans ? Please advise
If you only used them for a short time, just add the new beans. If it was for over 100 cups get a grinder cleaner tablet and clean the grinder first. It is more long term damage from the oils that cause the problems.
@@ecscoffeeinc wow that was a quick reply, thank you ! I went ahead and bought stumptowm hair bender. Before that I cleaned the machine as much as possible, remove the top and vacuum. Now my issue is that this new coffee is kind if acid… taste good but it’s acid. In the last 2 days I probably had 2 gallons of coffee !!!
Hi there, thank you very much for the informative video, I recently bought the machine and enjoying it quite a lot. Also, more than usual I find it hard to reach the optimal zone thank to you so now I learn the trick however, can you share the level of the grinder in the video? and other thing is sometimes the milk frosting make so much bubble and increasing level until spill over before being heated up, what should i do to prevent that? less milk ?
Hi guys ! I have just bought this machine few days ago. My problem is that when I make two espressos at the same time into two different cups the level of the coffees are not the same in the two cups.The difference is large. What should I do ? And I always reach just the beginning of the optimal zone. How can I reach at least 12'o clock ? Thank you
First , just do one at a time lol Second try tamping 3 or 4 times and try different grind settings to get it into the optimal zone Btw the guy said any questions etc leave comments below he’s happy to help , obviously his response time is over a month lol Good luck and don’t worry about the optimal zone , concentrate more on the quality of your pour / coffee
I disagree with those that state don't worry about optimal zone. I have had my own machines 6 years. When not in the zone, if you look at the extraction time of being less than the optimal of twenty to thirty seconds for a double, you end up with watery espresso. If you can try one at between almost 3/4 to optimal top end and half you will notice quite a difference in your extraction (the continue caramel colour)
@@The_Trinity_Effect, there is definitely something wrong when you are not able to pull two singles at the same time. The only reason that should be an issue is if there is build up in your screen.
Thank you. I just won one of these machines, using a Delonghi Dedica before, so it's a bit of a learning curve. I have only been able to get about a 2 on the gauge thus far. I had quite bitter coffee too, so I put the grind right up to 7 to counteract this. It tastes better but no pressure, and I think extraction is still a bit long. 4-5 seems like a better texture and extraction time imho. However I always rinse the filter, or run hot water through right before I make coffee, so I will try drying it first. Just curious, can I use ESE pods in this machine? I have lots.
No I think it’s less bitter on a smaller grind. I just read this back, I don’t do 7 now. Crazy! That was based on some erroneous info online that said if bitter you need it coarse. I have it on around 2-3, and brought temp down to 2. I just changed my beans though and can’t get optimal anymore, so may change to 1 grind. Incidentally the ESE pods give me perfect optimal pressure, I need to work out why that is.
Hi there, I have the same machine but the amount of espresso I get from into the cup is very little. I did not touch any settings. Any suggestions? Please help
Bonjour, peut être que ça aurait été évident de voir le résultat du café, je viens d'acheter cette machine et le manomètre ne fonctionne pas, et aucun crémeux en surface
I have got this machine and had the dial in the middle of the optimal zone and now for some reason it is dialing just past the optima zone! Would you know what would be happening?
@@ecscoffeeinc this video didn't really cover why I'm having this issue with the La Specialists Art bacause I have the grind settings set to 5 and the dosage set to bout 18 secs and when I was extracting the gauge was hitting the middle of the optimal zone now the only thing I have changed is the pre extraction pause from one second to two seconds and it's just passing the optimal zone.
I’ve recently bought new coffee beans to use with this machine and the pressure goes past the half way point, the coffee is basically dripping and it takes ages to make a normal cup, problem that I didn’t experience with another kind of coffee I was using previously. Someone knows what the problem is?
Hi, I’m looking at purchasing a machine but having had problems in getting the right grind and amount with Barista Express I wasn’t sure whether I am going to have the same problem. Firstly, I don’t use fresh ground beans, it’s a fact of life. My wife like watery coffee, I like a normal strength but both single shot. We generally drink cappuccino. Will this be the right machine for me? Thanks, Steve
I disagree with the company. I had one for two years. You can adjust the grind size to get you a more watery extraction. Just a little larger grind will establish this. Once you know what works for her you can change for each one. I did decaf for my wife and regular for me and worked just fine.
I bought this machine not too long ago. Everything was working fine, but now, the portafilter is stuck and so is the temperature gage, it's stuck in the black zone. It also gives me a warning light that there isn't water in the tank. The tank is assembled correctly and there is no blockage or leaking. I keep searching for help on this, is there any way you could help me figure it out? I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
Tough one to figure out on youtube. I would give Delonghi a call directly and hope they can help you out. Sounds like too much pressure is keeping the portafilter in. Be careful
We just bought this today. Our Breville barista we've had for 6 years died on us. So using a non pressurised basket and tamping ourselves with the Breville, we have been experiencing with the grind amount. Yes if it's too much its harder to click into place. Another video (not yours) mentioned you can get a non pressurised basket for la specialista, would this work and still be able to do the smart tamping?
Interesting buy no one taster never demonstrate small filter...even manufacture learning movies... Was hopping with this machine makes less strong espresso for latte for my wife. In my experience with small filter always not strong foam on top... But, Im new to coffee prep.
Hi, nice vid, thank you! What if you never reach the optimal zone? I tried different coffees and different grinds, doesn't matter if I use the single or double basket. Pressure always stays a bit under the zone ... Coffee tastes nice but I think I can expect more for that price.
Don't overthink it if you like the coffee. I don't like these gauges on machines and Breville is moving away from them. If you like the coffee, you are good. Just try use the freshest beans possible and see if that helps.
@@dannyspiegel3308 yes I have dose set on about 2 O'clock as well, if that's what you mean, and it's filling to the line exactly on 2x setting using double filter basket. Seems quite a lot more than they showed in the video, but I'm not using beans roasted 3 days ago, and apparently it varies depending on the beans. Also they used the finest grind possible, when I ramped mine right up after believing what I read on the internet about bitter coffee. I'm going to try finest grind now, but I think dose setting is pretty individual, just for a start aim for the line on the filter like it says in the instruction manual, then maybe adjust upwards if not getting the pressure. I'm no expert but that's my very amateur home barista (2 weeks into self training) approach.
I am a novice and loathe to spend thousands the first time out. I like the idea of a semiautomatic machine. I had settled on the Delonghi Specialista, but have seen some horrific reviews. I would like some reassurance?
I just got this machine today I'm using La Colombe Corsica dark roast. It seems I get too much grind if I go beyond the minimum grind setting. The pressure gauge doesn't even move. I descaled the brand new machine and reset to factory settings. Can someone help?
Hi, I just got my Specialista and was little disappointed cuz the steam doesn't work as I expected. I used Jura automatic and even Jura's steam works better. Milk is not hot enough. Is there any tips??
Just hold the milk under the wand for longer to get it hotter. If it gets too foamy or starts to overflow, just switch the wand to the FLAT setting for the remainder of the heating.
Hi, I was wondering if anyone is getting alot of water in their drip tray. I always keep a container underneath when I am done to catch the few drips after I remove my coffee cup but everyday I get alot of water in the drip tray. Wondering if my machine has a leak from the water tank
The regular la specialist has auto purge which will put water into the drip tray after steaming or brewing to cool down. It is normal. If there is a lot you may want to contact Delonghi
I just got this machine, been trying to dial it in. Tried everything from dosage, grind, and descaling and Im still no where close to the optimal level. Gauge pressure stays towards the bottom 15%. How can I get this to the optimal? I’ve also noticed that it takes a lot of force to place the portafilter under the espresso pour whereas the portafilter clicks right in smoothly for the smart tamp.
Try some food grade lubricant for the portafilter. It needs to be tighter to ensure there is pressure to create the crema you need vs simply grinding. They have removed the pre-infusion since this video and now optimal starts pretty much at the beginning. The big question is...are you getting good espresso? If so, don't worry too much about the zones.
If you are finding it takes a lot of pressure to insert the portafilter into the coffee port, it sounds like you have too much coffee in the portafilter which is preventing you from being able to raise the portafilter up into the coffee outlet port. Try: 1. Ensuring the portafilter and cup attachment are both completely dry 2. Lowering the dose 3. Set the grind to the finest setting (you *must* do this while it's actively grinding, can't do it before hand) 4. Tamping an extra 1 or 2 times (make sure you pull all the way down on the handle so the black indicator arrow is pointing to the third level, so its the strongest tamp setting) 5. If you've checked all the above, try manually removing a couple of millimetres of coffee from the top, retamping it 2-3 times. Then try reinserting the portafilter into the coffee outlet. Should be good to go from here.
Any recommendations on a non-pressurized basket? Bought one from Amazon and could not get anywhere close to the optimal zone, even on the finest grind.
The grinder is not going to get you fine enough..that is what they don't sell the non pressurized with the machine. On newer models they have changed the gauge to not even have pre infusion bit just optimal...best bet is to gauge it on your personal taste vs the gauge...if you like it...it's good!
@@ecscoffeeinc i have one of the new machines where there is no infusion zone, just optimal zone and red zone. Does that mean the 10 o'clock area is then the middle of the optimal zone?
I bought a 1zpresso hand grinder that can grind fine enough for a non-pressurized basket. Then went for a better stand-alone electric espresso grinder so that making a coffee was not a muscle building workout. So this machine is a waste for non-pressurized baskets.
Hi when I brewed espresso in 2x (Double cup) the extracted dose volume in both cups are not equal and the strength of the espresso is varying with each other. Should I need to do any changes in setting?
Make sure the machine is level on the counter. You get this when the portafilter is not horizontal in relation to the Earth, so more water goes on one side.
Great breakdown of how to get to the optimal zone! I've been using a dark roast with oily beans with my machine but I'm just learning about espresso. Why don't you recommend using oily beans?
Hi Benji, Oily beans tend to cause a buildup of oil in your machine which requires added maintenance and can lead to issues down the road. You can still use then just keep in mind you will need to clean your grinder more frequently.
hi, i have the prestigio and i’m wondering why my coffee might still taste bitter if the pressure says below optimal zone when pouring the shot? will adding more grind to get into the optimal zone make it more bitter due to over extraction?
@@ecscoffeeinc oh wow, thank you. I have the same issue. Mr Google says if coffee is too bitter, it's over-extracted because the coffee is too finely ground and packs together too closely not allowing the water to get through, and the suggested fix is to grind it coarser. My instincts said otherwise, so I tried a coarser grind (7/8) anyway, but while tasting better than my Delonghi Dedica machine where you can't control a thing, it's still not amazing. Thank you for your expert opinion. I will try it.
@@vietanhpham1655 Most people buying at this price point will not scale and weigh their coffee so we try to make our videos for the anticipated user to keep it simple for them.
Hi, I’m having the same issue. I’ve tried every grind size/setting. I’m using Lavazza Super Crema which I purchased directly from them. I’ve gone through 1/2 bag trying to get to the ideal zone, nothing has worked ☹️.
Mine changes all the time. I use the same amount of coffee, tamp it with the machine etc and make my coffee. One will be great and the next one will taste like crap and the pressure gauge will be in a completely different place. What gives?
This can happen with the second shot if the portafilter was not heated for the first. We recommend putting the empty portafilter into the group head and running some hot water through it to heat it up. This is make sure that your first and second shot pull the same but it may mean that you need to adjust your grind size. Happy brewing!
I just bought one based on TH-cam reviews. I can't get this into the optimal zone no matter what I do. even grinding on the finest setting it falls short of getting to that zone. any ideas or tips? I've been through 2 bags already
Don't worry about the gauge too much. Look for the flow of espresso. It should look like a Rat tail..I know gross but it makes sense...also think of a flow of honey. You can watch Wendy dial in an espresso on her new Arte video. And we have a dialing in video for Delonghi coming soon.
Hi guys, great videos, thank you for doing these! Question for you...my wife loves her Starbucks morning coffee, and I know that I can’t use oily beans, but I have not found a dry bean that has a similar softer taste as the SB ones. I know there are hundreds of variations out there, but are there a set of beans you’d recommend for people less inclined to go bold in the morning? Thank you!
@@ecscoffeeinc @Joe Estrada or go to roastmarket. Its a German shop. They sell from german roasteries, which is a really big trend right now. My favourite is SUPREMO Palermo and Der Pate from ERSTE KAFFEERÖSTEREI TEGERNSEE :)
Hi .. and thanks for the amazing video .. I tried everything and could not reach the optimal pressure and a good crema! any tips please? i tried three type of coffee beans and different setting ... all with same result... the pressure stayed below the optimal and in same place at each trail
Hi Sara1 , Have you tried adjusting the amount of coffee you are using? You could have too little or too much coffee in the portafilter. To get the best possible espresso you need to find the right balance of grind setting, amount of coffee used and an even tamp.
@@ecscoffeeinc thanks for replay yes i tried it .. i just bought the machine yesterday and there is no (pre-infusion) mark on the pressure place .. it starts from the begining with optimal zone and at last there is a red line .. is it a new version ?
It is going to be a bit tough using a scale each time given the built in tamper. If you do choose to do so to get into the optimal zone, I would spend some time doing it once to get the grind and amount correctly. It may be too messy doing this over and over again. How to do it? Grind your amount after you tare the portafilter, weigh, extract and check your shot. Then adjust until you get optimal. On each grind you could do this again, but you should not have to unless you change out the bean.
Hello I have followed you recommended setting but the pressure don’t go to 12 o’clock I stamp 3 time full pressure but nothing change? Did u have any other recommendations?
@@vincefrommenton The roast of the coffee matters too. In my experience, the darker the harder to grind good. Try to put coffee above the mark if you can't go finer. As a plan B, in your manual you will find that there is a procedure to "tighten" the grinder blades, but it would be used once the blades get worn out and the grinding isn't fine enough. I don't think it would do much harm to try and calibrate it. However, try adding more coffee at first, above the mark. Or, before you start and fidget with the device, try switching to a medium roast coffee.
Hi guys, could it the machine have any problem ? I have one and no matter what setting I try I have the needle in the same spot over and over, even with the basket empty with no coffee at all, I tried 3 types of coffees, I tried all the grind settings from 6-1 and the needle goes always to the same line barely in the optimal zone, and not really happy with the results :/ I need suggestions
My machine makes this squeaky sound only during pre infusion when I make espresso shots which lasts approx 5 secs. Could this be a fault in the machine or just something that goes away after using it for a while?
Hi Lou, The instruction for adjusting the temperature settings are in the manual under section 5.1 . I have included them below. 5.1 Coffee temperature To change the temperature of the water used to make the coffee, proceed as follows: 1. Press and hold the (B3) and (B7) buttons together for at least 3 seconds to access the menu. The (B15) and (B16) lights alternate; 2. Turn the mode selection dial (B8) to the ESPRESSO position. The light (B11) remains on steadily; 3. Press the button corresponding to the desired selection: Normal : x2 button High : Rinse Button 4. To exit the menù, press the (B1) button. (If the appliance is left idle for about 1 minute, it exits automatically from the settings menu and is ready for use again).
Expresso brings are ok but no matter what setting, it does not have crema. No matter what grind setting etc. It never gets in the optimal zone. Thinking about taking it back
I had same problem, fixed it by using finest grind setting and filling coffee a bit above the filling line ( my coffee amount dial is at around 1 o’clock) and then using a hand held Tampa after using the inbuilt Tampa using the maximum pressure setting (3) then I take it out and use a metal 50mm Tampa push down on the coffee with a medium/firm pressure then twist it to polish the coffee top, then I put it into the machine and I’ve managed to get it to the middle of optimal zone. I use a folded tea towel on kitchen bench to steady the porta-filter and not damage the bench when using the Tampa. Hope that works for you too! p.s I also run hot water through the machine and empty portafilter then dry it well before grinding coffee into it, if the metal is preheated you can get a better crema and taste. This is The tamper I use Apexstone Espresso Coffee Tamper,Espresso Tamper,Coffee Tamper 51mm www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07526PWWK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.b7XEbBNBA2Q2
Hi. In my La Specialista I see no pressure at all - hand of the clock doesn’t move at all. In addition after coffee brewing some amount of ground coffee left sticked in the machine. What should I do to fix it?
Purchased this machine a few days ago and were not satisfied with the espresso,I have been playing with the amount of coffee and the level setting of the grinder but I’m not there yet,what wild be the recommend level on the grinder for a short espresso with lots of creama on the surface?
Tough to answer as a lot will depend on the bean. Go as fine as possible and add in a little more coffee to the portafilter. Also ensure the coffee is fresh. If that is too much work backwards.
If it goes to a very high-pressure rating but doesn't give any coffee, my best guess would be that there is some sort of blockage in your portafilter. Perhaps it is a physical blockage, or maybe the quantity of coffee you are putting in when paired with the bean type you are using, the size of your grind, and the pressure you use to tamp creates an impenetrable layer of grinds in the portafilter. I'd try to troubleshoot a bit by using a smaller quantity of coffee, at a coarser grind, while tamping more gently, and perhaps switching bean types to a less oily bean and then go from there! But first, make sure to check that the hole in the bottom of your portafilter isn't clogged.
@@ecscoffeeinc I have this issue too, but only with the 2x filter. I've tried poking a thin needle through the holes to clean them. Then I tried the rinse setting with the filter attached to the machine, but water still doesn't go through the filter, it just creates high pressure on the machine & the water sits there. I've been having this issue since I got the machine so maybe I got a faulty filter? It's weird because it did work one time, but only that time.
My machine goes around to the red zone!! Then the red triangle and the red jug appears and and the machine stops and refuses to pump through Things I have done per trouble shooting manual; -change the grind to 5, from 3 -lowered the amount of grinds to the smallest quantity -flushed through the water (for the long black function) I’ve done everything, I got it yesterday and I’ve only made 2 coffees Is the pump already broken?
You are either overdosing, grinding too fine, or tamping too hard. Get the dose right without tamping, do not tamp too hard, and then adjust the grind size to coarser, if required. You can come from the other side - start too coarse and then grind finer to get in the optimal zone. At least then you get a coffee for each attempt.
Hi, I just bought this machine last week (I’m in New Zealand) but the steam wand seems to barely work at all. Seeing your video where the milk almost foams out of the jug made me realise just how little (or barely any) I’m getting. It also makes a very loud screeching when it’s steaming. Is this likely a fault with the machine or is there something I can do differently?
Also in NZ, I just won the machine a couple of weeks ago. Unlike my other Delonghi machine that I gave up and bought a Nespresso milk frother, and just used the Delonghi to make the coffee, this machine I can actually get a decent foam. Did you sort it? I found it takes a wee while to start coming out of the steam wand, and like the instructions say I point it into the grille first to get rid of condensation before I put it into milk. I swirl it around the surface, then put into the milk and continue swirling. I now swirl with wand parallel to the angled sides of the jug, rather than perpendicular to the top of the jug if that makes sense, and it works better. That's with soy or oat milk as I make my toddler a fluffy from the top and he's allergic to cows milk, so I must be doing something right if I can foam non-dairy milk to 3x the volume. And hand on bottom of jug so I don't burn the milk, once it's too hot to touch I stop. Maybe buy the sun latte milk or whatever it's called if still available. Used to be Gisborne Milk but they sold recipe to Auckland company. Anyway it's ultrafiltered to remove fat. I don't know what equivalent is if it's not there. I've heard Anchor light blue works fairly well too. Anyway I'm meant to be doing my (IT) coursework so I gotta go. Any more questions, just reply to this message.
I just had a major breakthrough. Was doing some cleaning and I saw in the instructions about the 3 holes in the steam wand. And I remembered the instructions for steaming milk said put it on the surface then plunge in creating a vortex. I had read this as you need to create the vortex. Like with the less sophisticated coffee machines I’d used before with only one hole in the steam wand, and never being able to foam milk with them. So the other day, cleaning completed, I put the wand on the surface and then plunged it into the milk. No manual swirling. The milk got so frothy, and it was so much quicker than it had ever been before, under 30 seconds. I couldn’t believe it.
Hi, recently purchased this machine and for some reason it's always a messy task removing the portafilter handle after extracting the coffee....the coffee in the portafilter always has a "gluggy" texture and will sometimes stick to the boiler outlet. Surely this isn't normal? We previously owned a Breville Barista Express and never had this issue (coffee was always compact after extraction making it easy to empty into the knock box)....
Hi Feistygee, There could be a couple different factors impacting the "gluggy" texture of your coffee grinds. I would suggest adjusting your grind finer and adjusting the dose down slightly. The freshness of the beans you use could also be a factor as well as the tamp. The tamping feature built into these machines does not apply a lot of pressure because it is often not needed with the pre-pressurized filters provided. You could also try doing the tamp manually and see if that gives you different results, Hopefully one of these options help you out.
Your grinds swell gradually after pulling a shot, rising in the portafilter. The amount is dependant upon the coffee, the time, and whether you tamped the coffee to below the ridge in the basket. If it swells a lot, you can get the coffee puck sticking to the group head screen. If it swells very little you can get a puddle. You can fix all of this by using a cheap screen on top of the coffee. This will help with getting an even extraction and pre-infusion.
We have tried this machine and given it back. What sense does it make promoting always to use a certain tamper force if then to get to the optimal zone you need to crack up the amount of coffee poweder to a level where you are barley able to fit into the brewing position? And what sense would it make to have an "optimal zone" if then they say in the video, don't care about it? DeLonghi admits to a mis-engineered machine. We have tried two and returned them. Very disapointed.
See Lounge I am a barista of almost 10 years and do coffee training. Iv never use this machine but what we do teach is that no matter who is tamping everyone should tamp to roughly the same even pressure. Not too much not too little. We often suggest a manual hand tamp that has a spring so that once the spring is pushed down there is no need to further tamp. In the video he taps it to remove loose grinds which is a big no no after tamping as this will shift and create pockets under the surface and effect your pour. I think this machine was designed in the “idea” that it remove the human error which we always see when we get called out to assist in problems within a cafe business when they can’t reach that optimum range or shots are running inconsistent... human error meaning it’s often not the machine or grinder but the way the operator is working. The most important thing with reaching this regardless of the machine is effective dose and grind with the same pressure tamping every single time. Often if u had 2 different baristas with different tamping styles and pressures the pour will often be effected. So I do think this is how delonghi has responded to trying to take the human error out of the mix. Perhaps try the Brevil barista express or touch with the manual tamp, still a great machine and rated very highly. Feel free to ask any other questions. I hope you find the perfect machine for your lifestyle Regards Zen
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I just got this machine and after dialing it in I can honestly say that I've never tasted coffee this good in my life!
@@InvisiMan2006 did you get into the optimal Zone
I also had problems reaching a proper pressure in the gauge... until I realized that the adjustment of the coarseness in the grinder must be done _while the grinder is operating_. Otherwise it has very little effect, if any. Hope this helps.
What you mean exactly ? I'm having issues reaching optimal zone :/
@@leordeansg You see the grinder has a coarseness adjustment, right. With all the numbers 1, 2, 3... 1 is the highest. If you adjust the coarseness when the grinder is _not_ operating (when it is stopped) then it has little effect. You must set the coarseness when the grinder is operating (when it is actually grinding) and then it works.
If you had read the user manual you would have notice this fact 🙂
@Jose E. Marchesi wow you are right! They need highlight that.
Wait please explain- are you saying move it to number 4, which is the one I use during grinding, when it starts up, TO grind? Like just turned the gauge to 4:00 while it's running?
I bought this machine and love it ! Reading the comments makes me wonder however why delonghi would bother with the optimal level gauge lol
I concentrate more on the bean and the quality
Good luck everyone and enjoy
An optimal extraction pressure assure a better taste, a better crema. That's why Delonghi (!) bothers with the optimal level gauge.
Hi, i just purchased this machine m i its my first espresso machine so im new to making espressos. Even if i set the grind to finest and grind level to highest the optimal zone is still not reached. Any tips or tricks? ✌️ thank in advance!
Try this video for tips th-cam.com/video/Fal0YwoFNRg/w-d-xo.html
How to use the extra grind setting in dose level? When I tried it once, it poured me too much coffee grinds, exceeded the line. I just don't get it.
Hi, i do not get the pressure to optimal zone (grind 3, volume 1 o’clock). And: is it normal, to wait around 5-7sec. before getting steam in the milk ?
If your needle id not rising enough we would suggest making your grind size finer, and yes the wait time is normal!
@@ecscoffeeinc Changed to grind 2 - no effect...!
@@eBikeCompany it can take a couple of shots to calibrate, make sure you portafilter is filled the whole way as well!
How I fixed the pressure problem: 1. Make sure the portafilter basket is dry. 2. Set grind to finest setting. 3. Set the amount of coffee to be ground to 11 o'clock. 4. Get a coffee tamper and use this as the inbuilt one isn't perfect. 5. Use filtered water. My machine's pressure dial is now at 12 o'clock and the coffee is soooo much better!
Thank you for the note🤙
It really depends on the sort of coffee you use.
I got some troubles at the beginning to find the settings to reach the optimale zone.
I used Lavazza Oro coffee.
For this sort, I had to go to set grind to the finest setting and the amount of coffee at about 2 to 3 oclock (I used tap water with no problem at all, cause our water is not hard)
Now I use Lavazza Gusto & Crema coffee.
Grind sets to 4, coffee amount at 11 O'clock.
I will try 2 others sorts of coffee and probably will have to change the settings.
If you don't reach the optimal zone, increase the amount of coffee. If still not reach, decrease the grind settings until it works. It can take until 5 coffee brewings before seeing a difference. So don't give up !
Can I ask how much coffee beans put on the basket? I’ve used 15g and twice tamped of course grind to finest 7-8 then espresso not comes, and it so overheat. Our double shots basket cannot afford over 15g? My barista school teaching me 19g-20g
Thanks (from Australia) for the vid. I’m still trying to understand if I should make the grind finer and keep the grind amount at or just above “the line” or just increase the grind amount overall?
G'Day! So the best way to go about it would be to start with the grind amount. Try increasing that and see if you can get it where you want it. Once you find the 'sweet spot' for the amount, you can fine tune it with making the grind finer. "The line" is more of a suggestion, you can go above it, or below it. (Probably above it) As long as it still easily fits on the machine, you should be good.
Thanks for the advice!
@@tanamite I got this machine a few days ago after your review. I'm also in Australia. Having trouble getting a nice cremer. What been are you using @tanamite?
Try some beans with Robusta in them..also make sure you use a bit more coffee than recommended in the portafilter
pklifter I’m using Gesha “The Singing Rooster” roasted in Perth mate. I’ve tried Oomph “Java Jo” from Tassie but Gesha comes out real nice, consistently. Grinder is at setting 2.2. Have a crack! Hooroo from WA.
Thanks for the video what was the grind number you have used?
Honestly so long ago I am not sure. Try this video to help out. th-cam.com/video/Fal0YwoFNRg/w-d-xo.html
Not sure if there's something wrong with my machine. I have to set the coffee dial at minimum otherwise I get too much coffee. You reckon could be the grinder is not working properly? Also feel the tamping is not really compressed. Looks pretty coarse and the grinder is set as 2. Could also be the beans (they're fresh)?
Thanks!
Try this video. th-cam.com/video/Fal0YwoFNRg/w-d-xo.html
Hi Neil, I have the Specailista the issue I'm having is the dial goes into the halfway in the red then just fails to do any coffee and just goes back to zero.
My settings are : level around 10 o'clock and grind on 2, darkish beans and roasted 4 days ago (as at 10th feb) using double shot
Hi Brett! It sounds like your over pressurized... We would recommend making your grind size coarser. You will have to adjust your dose amount as you increase your grind size. Let us know how this works for you!
Happy brewing :)
No problem reaching Optimal Zone with double shot, but how about singe shot. Pressure gauge never goes above 9:30-10 position, and after being ON HOLD with DeLonghi for more than an hour last week, and them seeing via video call how the machine was operating, they recommended returning for repair. Interestingly, they NEVER suggested trying a double shot, adjusting fineness or amount of grind! Your explanation is much better then DeLonghi’s, but I’d like to get your thoughts on my problem with single shot.
We have not experienced any issues but we will go try it on the machine and get back to you
Do you have to grind each time. Can i use preground coffee.
You can use pre-ground coffee if it is ground for espresso, but the beauty of this machine is freshly ground coffee! You would just turn your dosing dial all the way to the scoop to be able to use the tamping handle.
My pressure dial its not working, any recomendation?
The large basket, is that 20g? I cannot seem to get 18g of ground to fit into the machine after tamping, it's driving me nuts. Any idea? If I go below 18g I can, but then the extraction is 35s~ which isn't the expresso range?
Try this video. th-cam.com/video/Fal0YwoFNRg/w-d-xo.html
I am just getting like a shot of black coffee with this machine on espresso settings - no crema hardly at all and its not hitting the optimal pressure zone - its 3 days old. Not sure what to try. Would bean quality have that kind of impact?
Bean quality definitely has an impact on how your shot will pour!
We would recommend picking up some freshly roasted medium roasted espresso for optimal flavour!
thank you - bought some fresh beans and pressure now optimal :D @@ecscoffeeinc
Hi, the pressure on my nachine doesn't get near the optimal zone. What do you suggest. Thanks.
Try the tips in this video th-cam.com/video/Fal0YwoFNRg/w-d-xo.html
Perfekt coffee machine. If anybody have PROBLEM with PRESSURE . Only clean with NEEDLE this small holl on filter basket. Then look barometer when you make next coffee. 👍 investition.
Thanks for sharing
I just got one of these machines and my grinder does not work at all - I'm wondering if it is because my beans might be oily ? or ??? not sure what it could be - any ideas
Unlikely if brand new. Make sure the hopper is in properly would be the first indicator. Other than that sounds like a warranty issue
Water does not come out from the coffee part,and pressure is not,but it works with tea,and it goes into descale mode after coffee pressure doesnt work, i have done this a few times and its not fixing it, please did i say anything that makes you understand and May help me?
Hi! It does sound like the machine needs to be descaled. We recommend using DeLonghi descaler, or reaching out to DeLonghi directly for some help :)
Hi cn you help me fix my coffee mchine the water is leaking nd the optimal zone is not moving
We would recommend giving DeLonghi a shout or taking your machine in for service! There are a lot of different reasons your machine would be leaking
How do you guys know what oily beans are? I bought the "Lavazza Espresso Aromatico, Arabica and Robusta Light Roast Coffee Beans" it doesn't say anywhere it's "oily". Are those oily beans?
They wont say oily, but when you open them they have a shine on them like they are wet
Hello, I bought the machine but the buttons are not working the only one with the light on is the cup of tea the hot water, it doesn’t even make hot the water, what can I do?
That happened to me. I realised the hot water container wasnt sitting in the back properly and once i readjusted it, it was good to go again.
I know this is an older video but everyone seems to have issues getting to the optimal zone. I have issues going way past it. At best I’ve been able to get the gauge to about 2.30-3oclock or right into the over pressure area. Can’t seem to drop it any lower.
Hi!
Sorry to hear you are having trouble getting into the optimal zone. What dose and grind adjustments have you made?
Out of the blue, when trying to grind, the grinder turns but no beans are being ground? I have cleaned it out and the burr but still no beans being ground?
Remove the bean cannister from the top and have a look. That is weird.
I have a red triangle. Flashing what can I do to fix it
Hi there,
Thanku so much for informative videos.
I bought this machine after watching ur review 2weeks who.I don’t get any crema at all using Starbucks medium roast atm.also I notice after brewing when I take portafilter out it always have little bit of water puddle.it never come out as solid like I have seen the videos.my grinder is on level two and it have tried level one as well results are still the same.
Thanx
Check out our video on reaching optimal zone on our page...also make sure beans are fresh and NOT oily...Starbucks is not best
Beauty by Kaur even the guy in the video did not show the coffee he got, I wanted to see how much crema he had had got. Yes his first video had very small level too, not happy
Hi there, we just bought this machine today and we cant get the pressure gauge to move at all!!!! Are we doing something wrong or could it be a machine issue?
Are you getting any espresso out into your cup?
@@ecscoffeeinc yes, but not a lot of crema.
having trouble reaching optimal zone. seems like no matter what I change, cant seem to get it much past 8 O'Clock. Can you help? Thanks
Check out our new dialing in video for Delonghi
did you use the factory settings for the espresso?
We very rarely change the water output on a machine, but we definitely played with the grind size and grind amount!
Questions :
Does any owner of the La Specialista reached the optimal zone with the grinder set more than on the finest coarseness (1) ?
I tried 3 differents coffee beans. Brown roasted, dark-brown roasted and light brown.
Except for the temperature adjustments, I always did have to use the finest setting of the grinder. to reach the optimal zone, with a coffee dose between (11 oclock and 3 oclock on the dial)
I wonder if it's my grinder which is defect or anything else.
By following the settings according to the roasting, I couldn't reach the optimal zone.
Also, on the tamping it seem we can put more or less pressure. According to the user manuel, it seem that we don't have to pull all the way down, for every sort of coffee.
Does anyone don't press this temper all the way down, each time ?
Is there a noticeable difference by pressing, once, twice, three times, how long do you keep the tamper down ?
As soon as i reach the max pressure, I relieve the pressure.
Thank you in advance :-)
Try this video to help th-cam.com/video/Fal0YwoFNRg/w-d-xo.html
Hi, I could not get the optimal zone even thought I have tried to adjust the dose and the fine-coarse grinding. Do you have any idea what I may do wrong, please? Thank you.
Don't overthink it. If the coffee is great then you got it right! Look at the volume, make sure you are not using oily beans
Do you know why my machine pressure gauge never moves?
Hi Hochang! How are your espresso shots tasting? If your espresso is tasting, smelling, and looking good then we would recommend reaching out out to Delonghi to see if it is an issue with the machine. If your espresso is watery, and light then we would recommend making your grind size finer and adding more espresso ground coffee to your portafilter.
Happy brewing!
I have had Specialista Arte for almost a year now and my coffee is getting worse and worse. Watery. bitter no crema. I have tried all means different coffee brands, grind size, tamping force, dose.... the latest fails is low pressure.. so frustrated. I called the warranty service and soon will be sending it their way.
Ok let’s say i screwed it up using oily beans …. In the maestro manual has oily beans as an option to use.
Should I clean this machine madly now before using a different bean not oily or just add the new beans ? Please advise
If you only used them for a short time, just add the new beans. If it was for over 100 cups get a grinder cleaner tablet and clean the grinder first. It is more long term damage from the oils that cause the problems.
@@ecscoffeeinc wow that was a quick reply, thank you !
I went ahead and bought stumptowm hair bender. Before that I cleaned the machine as much as possible, remove the top and vacuum. Now my issue is that this new coffee is kind if acid… taste good but it’s acid. In the last 2 days I probably had 2 gallons of coffee !!!
Hi there, thank you very much for the informative video, I recently bought the machine and enjoying it quite a lot. Also, more than usual I find it hard to reach the optimal zone thank to you so now I learn the trick however, can you share the level of the grinder in the video? and other thing is sometimes the milk frosting make so much bubble and increasing level until spill over before being heated up, what should i do to prevent that? less milk ?
We have the grind on the finest setting. And yes, use less milk.
:)
@@ecscoffeeinc thanks! once I got a hang of it, this machine is way too convenient....
Hi .. and thanks for this video .. I tried everything and could not reach the optimal pressure! any tips please?
@@sara-qn7zm After full year did you get good results? Now I'm in your boat.
@@alexgoriatchenkov Actually,, It depends on the beans type.. So never mind if the pressure is not high enough.
Hi guys ! I have just bought this machine few days ago. My problem is that when I make two espressos at the same time into two different cups the level of the coffees are not the same in the two cups.The difference is large. What should I do ? And I always reach just the beginning of the optimal zone. How can I reach at least 12'o clock ? Thank you
Same problem
First , just do one at a time lol
Second try tamping 3 or 4 times and try different grind settings to get it into the optimal zone
Btw the guy said any questions etc leave comments below he’s happy to help , obviously his response time is over a month lol
Good luck and don’t worry about the optimal zone , concentrate more on the quality of your pour / coffee
I disagree with those that state don't worry about optimal zone. I have had my own machines 6 years. When not in the zone, if you look at the extraction time of being less than the optimal of twenty to thirty seconds for a double, you end up with watery espresso. If you can try one at between almost 3/4 to optimal top end and half you will notice quite a difference in your extraction (the continue caramel colour)
@@The_Trinity_Effect, there is definitely something wrong when you are not able to pull two singles at the same time. The only reason that should be an issue is if there is build up in your screen.
Is the middle of the optimal zone 9bar or 19bar?
I got new beans but my machine can't get the espresso out,it only going into the red zone past the optimal zone
Watch this video th-cam.com/video/Fal0YwoFNRg/w-d-xo.html
Is anyone can help me?because my optimal zone doesn't work since i bought it..thanks for the help
Do you guys sell a bottomless portafilter that’s compatible with this machine
Sorry we do not.
I get just only low end optimal zone
Thank you. I just won one of these machines, using a Delonghi Dedica before, so it's a bit of a learning curve. I have only been able to get about a 2 on the gauge thus far. I had quite bitter coffee too, so I put the grind right up to 7 to counteract this. It tastes better but no pressure, and I think extraction is still a bit long. 4-5 seems like a better texture and extraction time imho. However I always rinse the filter, or run hot water through right before I make coffee, so I will try drying it first.
Just curious, can I use ESE pods in this machine? I have lots.
You can use ESE pods if you have the basket. Try this video for help th-cam.com/video/Fal0YwoFNRg/w-d-xo.html
Hey, I experience same like you. Could you find a good setting to go over 2 and not bitter?
No I think it’s less bitter on a smaller grind. I just read this back, I don’t do 7 now. Crazy! That was based on some erroneous info online that said if bitter you need it coarse. I have it on around 2-3, and brought temp down to 2. I just changed my beans though and can’t get optimal anymore, so may change to 1 grind. Incidentally the ESE pods give me perfect optimal pressure, I need to work out why that is.
@@jodyw8713 Thanks for reply. I also found out that it has to do with beans used. I tried some different brands and got good results with 5 to 7.
Hi there, I have the same machine but the amount of espresso I get from into the cup is very little. I did not touch any settings. Any suggestions? Please help
The grind may be too fine and the water cannot get through the coffee
Our machine is a few weeks old and the pressure gauge never worked at all! The needle doesn’t move the slightest bit.
May need to talk to Delonghi about this.
Same
Why there are no units on pressure gauge?
Mine is not even moving. Doesnt show the water pressure guage. How is this?
Try this video th-cam.com/video/Fal0YwoFNRg/w-d-xo.html
Bonjour, peut être que ça aurait été évident de voir le résultat du café, je viens d'acheter cette machine et le manomètre ne fonctionne pas, et aucun crémeux en surface
I have got this machine and had the dial in the middle of the optimal zone and now for some reason it is dialing just past the optima zone! Would you know what would be happening?
Try this video for tips. th-cam.com/video/Fal0YwoFNRg/w-d-xo.html
@@ecscoffeeinc this video didn't really cover why I'm having this issue with the La Specialists Art bacause I have the grind settings set to 5 and the dosage set to bout 18 secs and when I was extracting the gauge was hitting the middle of the optimal zone now the only thing I have changed is the pre extraction pause from one second to two seconds and it's just passing the optimal zone.
also, roughly how long should it take to pour a single shot? thanks
I’ve recently bought new coffee beans to use with this machine and the pressure goes past the half way point, the coffee is basically dripping and it takes ages to make a normal cup, problem that I didn’t experience with another kind of coffee I was using previously. Someone knows what the problem is?
Go to our channel and look for the newest video. Dialing in Delonghi
Hi, I’m looking at purchasing a machine but having had problems in getting the right grind and amount with Barista Express I wasn’t sure whether I am going to have the same problem. Firstly, I don’t use fresh ground beans, it’s a fact of life. My wife like watery coffee, I like a normal strength but both single shot. We generally drink cappuccino. Will this be the right machine for me? Thanks, Steve
No. You will have similar issues. Look at a Superautomatic instead.
I disagree with the company. I had one for two years. You can adjust the grind size to get you a more watery extraction. Just a little larger grind will establish this. Once you know what works for her you can change for each one. I did decaf for my wife and regular for me and worked just fine.
Has anyone had a issue if your turn your grind up it puts the coffee to high in it and it won’t lock into the pour
Yes , too much coffee and I can't turn it .
This or the breville touch? Hmmm. Any ideas?
Touch is more expensive. We prefer it here but the Specialista outsells the touch right now.
I bought this machine not too long ago. Everything was working fine, but now, the portafilter is stuck and so is the temperature gage, it's stuck in the black zone. It also gives me a warning light that there isn't water in the tank. The tank is assembled correctly and there is no blockage or leaking. I keep searching for help on this, is there any way you could help me figure it out? I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you.
Tough one to figure out on youtube. I would give Delonghi a call directly and hope they can help you out. Sounds like too much pressure is keeping the portafilter in.
Be careful
We just bought this today. Our Breville barista we've had for 6 years died on us. So using a non pressurised basket and tamping ourselves with the Breville, we have been experiencing with the grind amount. Yes if it's too much its harder to click into place. Another video (not yours) mentioned you can get a non pressurised basket for la specialista, would this work and still be able to do the smart tamping?
Hi Maria, Did you buy a non pressurized basket yet?
@@kynhi2002 no not yet. But coffee is good.
Interesting buy no one taster never demonstrate small filter...even manufacture learning movies...
Was hopping with this machine makes less strong espresso for latte for my wife. In my experience with small filter always not strong foam on top...
But, Im new to coffee prep.
My Delonghi Specialista does not reach the optimal zone, even after following this video. Any hints?
Check out our video that we just launched...dialing in your Delonghi
What grind setting were you on?
Honestly so long ago I cannot remember, check out our updated video on getting it right. th-cam.com/video/Fal0YwoFNRg/w-d-xo.html
Hi, nice vid, thank you! What if you never reach the optimal zone? I tried different coffees and different grinds, doesn't matter if I use the single or double basket. Pressure always stays a bit under the zone ... Coffee tastes nice but I think I can expect more for that price.
Don't overthink it if you like the coffee. I don't like these gauges on machines and Breville is moving away from them. If you like the coffee, you are good. Just try use the freshest beans possible and see if that helps.
I have the same issue 😂😂😂 waste so many beans, but the coffee tastes pretty good
@@rryyhen6654 had the same issue. Go a little above the line or right on it and try the finest setting, on (1)
My setting is at around the 2 o'clock mark
@@dannyspiegel3308 yes I have dose set on about 2 O'clock as well, if that's what you mean, and it's filling to the line exactly on 2x setting using double filter basket. Seems quite a lot more than they showed in the video, but I'm not using beans roasted 3 days ago, and apparently it varies depending on the beans. Also they used the finest grind possible, when I ramped mine right up after believing what I read on the internet about bitter coffee. I'm going to try finest grind now, but I think dose setting is pretty individual, just for a start aim for the line on the filter like it says in the instruction manual, then maybe adjust upwards if not getting the pressure. I'm no expert but that's my very amateur home barista (2 weeks into self training) approach.
Is it better to have water hotter or the colder setting ?
We like hotter
I am a novice and loathe to spend thousands the first time out. I like the idea of a semiautomatic machine. I had settled on the Delonghi Specialista, but have seen some horrific reviews. I would like some reassurance?
Have a look at our page and review of the machine as well as the review comparing to the Breville. There are pros and cons to each.
I just got this machine today I'm using La Colombe Corsica dark roast. It seems I get too much grind if I go beyond the minimum grind setting. The pressure gauge doesn't even move. I descaled the brand new machine and reset to factory settings. Can someone help?
Hmm. try a different bean. And try adjust volume for starters
Did you get this working? I got my machine yesterday and my guage hasn't moved at all no matter what I do
@@kfdizzy08 hi yes. I have thankfully. You may have to open up the back and make sure the tube is not disconnected
Hello, I keep getting around 15 seconds in double shot, how can I extend the time to get 25-30 secs?
Could you fix it? i have the same trouble.
Hi, I just got my Specialista and was little disappointed cuz the steam doesn't work as I expected. I used Jura automatic and even Jura's steam works better. Milk is not hot enough.
Is there any tips??
Just hold the milk under the wand for longer to get it hotter. If it gets too foamy or starts to overflow, just switch the wand to the FLAT setting for the remainder of the heating.
Hi, I was wondering if anyone is getting alot of water in their drip tray. I always keep a container underneath when I am done to catch the few drips after I remove my coffee cup but everyday I get alot of water in the drip tray. Wondering if my machine has a leak from the water tank
The regular la specialist has auto purge which will put water into the drip tray after steaming or brewing to cool down. It is normal. If there is a lot you may want to contact Delonghi
Thank you!
What was the grind set on, if I adjust the volume above the line it’s hard to get the grind into the dispenser
The finest setting.. and it is not too hard but you have to play with it a few times.
I just got this machine, been trying to dial it in. Tried everything from dosage, grind, and descaling and Im still no where close to the optimal level. Gauge pressure stays towards the bottom 15%. How can I get this to the optimal?
I’ve also noticed that it takes a lot of force to place the portafilter under the espresso pour whereas the portafilter clicks right in smoothly for the smart tamp.
Try some food grade lubricant for the portafilter. It needs to be tighter to ensure there is pressure to create the crema you need vs simply grinding. They have removed the pre-infusion since this video and now optimal starts pretty much at the beginning. The big question is...are you getting good espresso? If so, don't worry too much about the zones.
If you are finding it takes a lot of pressure to insert the portafilter into the coffee port, it sounds like you have too much coffee in the portafilter which is preventing you from being able to raise the portafilter up into the coffee outlet port.
Try:
1. Ensuring the portafilter and cup attachment are both completely dry
2. Lowering the dose
3. Set the grind to the finest setting (you *must* do this while it's actively grinding, can't do it before hand)
4. Tamping an extra 1 or 2 times (make sure you pull all the way down on the handle so the black indicator arrow is pointing to the third level, so its the strongest tamp setting)
5. If you've checked all the above, try manually removing a couple of millimetres of coffee from the top, retamping it 2-3 times. Then try reinserting the portafilter into the coffee outlet.
Should be good to go from here.
Any recommendations on a non-pressurized basket? Bought one from Amazon and could not get anywhere close to the optimal zone, even on the finest grind.
The grinder is not going to get you fine enough..that is what they don't sell the non pressurized with the machine. On newer models they have changed the gauge to not even have pre infusion bit just optimal...best bet is to gauge it on your personal taste vs the gauge...if you like it...it's good!
@@ecscoffeeinc i have one of the new machines where there is no infusion zone, just optimal zone and red zone. Does that mean the 10 o'clock area is then the middle of the optimal zone?
I asked Delonghi about it. They said 10 O'clock area is normal. I am just wondering why they make the zone then....🤔
I bought a 1zpresso hand grinder that can grind fine enough for a non-pressurized basket. Then went for a better stand-alone electric espresso grinder so that making a coffee was not a muscle building workout. So this machine is a waste for non-pressurized baskets.
Hi when I brewed espresso in 2x (Double cup) the extracted dose volume in both cups are not equal and the strength of the espresso is varying with each other.
Should I need to do any changes in setting?
Make sure the machine is level on the counter. You get this when the portafilter is not horizontal in relation to the Earth, so more water goes on one side.
Great breakdown of how to get to the optimal zone! I've been using a dark roast with oily beans with my machine but I'm just learning about espresso. Why don't you recommend using oily beans?
Hi Benji,
Oily beans tend to cause a buildup of oil in your machine which requires added maintenance and can lead to issues down the road. You can still use then just keep in mind you will need to clean your grinder more frequently.
hi, i have the prestigio and i’m wondering why my coffee might still taste bitter if the pressure says below optimal zone when pouring the shot? will adding more grind to get into the optimal zone make it more bitter due to over extraction?
Try to make your grind finer.
@@ecscoffeeinc oh wow, thank you. I have the same issue. Mr Google says if coffee is too bitter, it's over-extracted because the coffee is too finely ground and packs together too closely not allowing the water to get through, and the suggested fix is to grind it coarser. My instincts said otherwise, so I tried a coarser grind (7/8) anyway, but while tasting better than my Delonghi Dedica machine where you can't control a thing, it's still not amazing. Thank you for your expert opinion. I will try it.
How do you know if your beans are oily?
They will look wet, as if they have been soaked. Also they will feel oily and not look dry.
Hi, I just bought the machine but mine stops at the beginning of optimal zone. It doesn’t go over pre infusion. Is this a machine issue?
Likely stale beans, not enough coffee or wrong grind :). Just some thoughts
@@ecscoffeeinc have you ever considered how many grams for 1 shot espresso ?
@@vietanhpham1655 Most people buying at this price point will not scale and weigh their coffee so we try to make our videos for the anticipated user to keep it simple for them.
Hi, I’m having the same issue. I’ve tried every grind size/setting. I’m using Lavazza Super Crema which I purchased directly from them. I’ve gone through 1/2 bag trying to get to the ideal zone, nothing has worked ☹️.
@@nelly_8888 same here…no optimal zone can’t reach
Mine changes all the time. I use the same amount of coffee, tamp it with the machine etc and make my coffee. One will be great and the next one will taste like crap and the pressure gauge will be in a completely different place. What gives?
This can happen with the second shot if the portafilter was not heated for the first. We recommend putting the empty portafilter into the group head and running some hot water through it to heat it up. This is make sure that your first and second shot pull the same but it may mean that you need to adjust your grind size.
Happy brewing!
@@ecscoffeeinc thanks for the tip, I’ll give it a try :)
I just bought one based on TH-cam reviews. I can't get this into the optimal zone no matter what I do. even grinding on the finest setting it falls short of getting to that zone. any ideas or tips? I've been through 2 bags already
Don't worry about the gauge too much. Look for the flow of espresso. It should look like a Rat tail..I know gross but it makes sense...also think of a flow of honey. You can watch Wendy dial in an espresso on her new Arte video. And we have a dialing in video for Delonghi coming soon.
@@ecscoffeeinc Thanks very much for the reply 🙂 I can stop obsessing over that now 🤣 I'm looking forward to the video when it's out
Hi guys, great videos, thank you for doing these! Question for you...my wife loves her Starbucks morning coffee, and I know that I can’t use oily beans, but I have not found a dry bean that has a similar softer taste as the SB ones. I know there are hundreds of variations out there, but are there a set of beans you’d recommend for people less inclined to go bold in the morning? Thank you!
Look for Trucillo or Lavazza from Italy. They are the best..Italians know how to blend for espresso better than most
@@ecscoffeeinc @Joe Estrada
or go to roastmarket. Its a German shop. They sell from german roasteries, which is a really big trend right now. My favourite is SUPREMO Palermo and Der Pate from ERSTE KAFFEERÖSTEREI TEGERNSEE :)
Hi .. and thanks for the amazing video .. I tried everything and could not reach the optimal pressure and a good crema! any tips please? i tried three type of coffee beans and different setting ... all with same result... the pressure stayed below the optimal and in same place at each trail
Hi Sara1 ,
Have you tried adjusting the amount of coffee you are using? You could have too little or too much coffee in the portafilter. To get the best possible espresso you need to find the right balance of grind setting, amount of coffee used and an even tamp.
@@ecscoffeeinc thanks for replay
yes i tried it .. i just bought the machine yesterday and there is no (pre-infusion) mark on the pressure place .. it starts from the begining with optimal zone and at last there is a red line .. is it a new version ?
Recently purchase this machine. Would you recommend using a scale to achieve consistency? If so, how do you go about it... ? Thanks
It is going to be a bit tough using a scale each time given the built in tamper. If you do choose to do so to get into the optimal zone, I would spend some time doing it once to get the grind and amount correctly. It may be too messy doing this over and over again. How to do it? Grind your amount after you tare the portafilter, weigh, extract and check your shot. Then adjust until you get optimal. On each grind you could do this again, but you should not have to unless you change out the bean.
Hello I have followed you recommended setting but the pressure don’t go to 12 o’clock I stamp 3 time full pressure but nothing change? Did u have any other recommendations?
Grind finer and/or more coffee.
@@3sss3sss3 I’m using position 1 I can’t be more finer and I just on the perfect mark it’s strange
@@vincefrommenton The roast of the coffee matters too. In my experience, the darker the harder to grind good. Try to put coffee above the mark if you can't go finer. As a plan B, in your manual you will find that there is a procedure to "tighten" the grinder blades, but it would be used once the blades get worn out and the grinding isn't fine enough. I don't think it would do much harm to try and calibrate it. However, try adding more coffee at first, above the mark. Or, before you start and fidget with the device, try switching to a medium roast coffee.
I tried the same beans with other grinder and i reach the optimal zone without any problems. I think that the grinder is not correct.
My grinder continues, at the minimum setting, to send out far too much coffee. I cannot use the single basket at all.
Check out this video we just launched. th-cam.com/video/Fal0YwoFNRg/w-d-xo.html
Hi guys, could it the machine have any problem ? I have one and no matter what setting I try I have the needle in the same spot over and over, even with the basket empty with no coffee at all, I tried 3 types of coffees, I tried all the grind settings from 6-1 and the needle goes always to the same line barely in the optimal zone, and not really happy with the results :/ I need suggestions
Gabriel Chingolani Hi, have you had any luck since this post?
My machine makes this squeaky sound only during pre infusion when I make espresso shots which lasts approx 5 secs. Could this be a fault in the machine or just something that goes away after using it for a while?
We have not heard of that Kim. Where is the squeak coming from?
How do I change the water temperature setting?
Hi Lou, The instruction for adjusting the temperature settings are in the manual under section 5.1 . I have included them below.
5.1 Coffee temperature
To change the temperature of the water used to make the coffee,
proceed as follows:
1. Press and hold the (B3) and (B7) buttons together
for at least 3 seconds to access the menu. The (B15)
and (B16) lights alternate;
2. Turn the mode selection dial (B8) to the ESPRESSO position. The light (B11) remains on steadily;
3. Press the button corresponding to the desired selection:
Normal : x2 button
High : Rinse Button
4. To exit the menù, press the (B1) button. (If the appliance
is left idle for about 1 minute, it exits automatically from
the settings menu and is ready for use again).
Expresso brings are ok but no matter what setting, it does not have crema. No matter what grind setting etc. It never gets in the optimal zone. Thinking about taking it back
I had same problem, fixed it by using finest grind setting and filling coffee a bit above the filling line ( my coffee amount dial is at around 1 o’clock) and then using a hand held Tampa after using the inbuilt Tampa using the maximum pressure setting (3) then I take it out and use a metal 50mm Tampa push down on the coffee with a medium/firm pressure then twist it to polish the coffee top, then I put it into the machine and I’ve managed to get it to the middle of optimal zone. I use a folded tea towel on kitchen bench to steady the porta-filter and not damage the bench when using the Tampa. Hope that works for you too! p.s I also run hot water through the machine and empty portafilter then dry it well before grinding coffee into it, if the metal is preheated you can get a better crema and taste. This is The tamper I use Apexstone Espresso Coffee Tamper,Espresso Tamper,Coffee Tamper 51mm www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07526PWWK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.b7XEbBNBA2Q2
Hi. In my La Specialista I see no pressure at all - hand of the clock doesn’t move at all. In addition after coffee brewing some amount of ground coffee left sticked in the machine. What should I do to fix it?
This may help th-cam.com/video/Fal0YwoFNRg/w-d-xo.html
Why don't you recommend oily beans? Aren't oily beans fresher?
No oily beans are just roasted darker and the moisture screws up the grinders
now to tamp, i do 3
*does 4 tamps*
Still trying to make a good coffee, very hard to set!
Try these tips. th-cam.com/video/Fal0YwoFNRg/w-d-xo.html
Purchased this machine a few days ago and were not satisfied with the espresso,I have been playing with the amount of coffee and the level setting of the grinder but I’m not there yet,what wild be the recommend level on the grinder for a short espresso with lots of creama on the surface?
Tough to answer as a lot will depend on the bean. Go as fine as possible and add in a little more coffee to the portafilter. Also ensure the coffee is fresh. If that is too much work backwards.
it always goes higher than optimal zone for me and failure to drop the coffee does anyone know why please help !
If it goes to a very high-pressure rating but doesn't give any coffee, my best guess would be that there is some sort of blockage in your portafilter. Perhaps it is a physical blockage, or maybe the quantity of coffee you are putting in when paired with the bean type you are using, the size of your grind, and the pressure you use to tamp creates an impenetrable layer of grinds in the portafilter.
I'd try to troubleshoot a bit by using a smaller quantity of coffee, at a coarser grind, while tamping more gently, and perhaps switching bean types to a less oily bean and then go from there!
But first, make sure to check that the hole in the bottom of your portafilter isn't clogged.
@@ecscoffeeinc I have this issue too, but only with the 2x filter. I've tried poking a thin needle through the holes to clean them. Then I tried the rinse setting with the filter attached to the machine, but water still doesn't go through the filter, it just creates high pressure on the machine & the water sits there. I've been having this issue since I got the machine so maybe I got a faulty filter? It's weird because it did work one time, but only that time.
Can you use dark roasts on this machine?
Yes but make sure the beans are not oily or get the coffee pre ground and bypass the grinder
My machine goes around to the red zone!! Then the red triangle and the red jug appears and and the machine stops and refuses to pump through
Things I have done per trouble shooting manual;
-change the grind to 5, from 3
-lowered the amount of grinds to the smallest quantity
-flushed through the water (for the long black function)
I’ve done everything, I got it yesterday and I’ve only made 2 coffees
Is the pump already broken?
You are either overdosing, grinding too fine, or tamping too hard. Get the dose right without tamping, do not tamp too hard, and then adjust the grind size to coarser, if required. You can come from the other side - start too coarse and then grind finer to get in the optimal zone. At least then you get a coffee for each attempt.
Hi, I just bought this machine last week (I’m in New Zealand) but the steam wand seems to barely work at all. Seeing your video where the milk almost foams out of the jug made me realise just how little (or barely any) I’m getting. It also makes a very loud screeching when it’s steaming. Is this likely a fault with the machine or is there something I can do differently?
Sounds like a machine issue
Also in NZ, I just won the machine a couple of weeks ago. Unlike my other Delonghi machine that I gave up and bought a Nespresso milk frother, and just used the Delonghi to make the coffee, this machine I can actually get a decent foam. Did you sort it? I found it takes a wee while to start coming out of the steam wand, and like the instructions say I point it into the grille first to get rid of condensation before I put it into milk. I swirl it around the surface, then put into the milk and continue swirling. I now swirl with wand parallel to the angled sides of the jug, rather than perpendicular to the top of the jug if that makes sense, and it works better. That's with soy or oat milk as I make my toddler a fluffy from the top and he's allergic to cows milk, so I must be doing something right if I can foam non-dairy milk to 3x the volume. And hand on bottom of jug so I don't burn the milk, once it's too hot to touch I stop. Maybe buy the sun latte milk or whatever it's called if still available. Used to be Gisborne Milk but they sold recipe to Auckland company. Anyway it's ultrafiltered to remove fat. I don't know what equivalent is if it's not there. I've heard Anchor light blue works fairly well too. Anyway I'm meant to be doing my (IT) coursework so I gotta go. Any more questions, just reply to this message.
I just had a major breakthrough. Was doing some cleaning and I saw in the instructions about the 3 holes in the steam wand. And I remembered the instructions for steaming milk said put it on the surface then plunge in creating a vortex. I had read this as you need to create the vortex. Like with the less sophisticated coffee machines I’d used before with only one hole in the steam wand, and never being able to foam milk with them. So the other day, cleaning completed, I put the wand on the surface and then plunged it into the milk. No manual swirling. The milk got so frothy, and it was so much quicker than it had ever been before, under 30 seconds. I couldn’t believe it.
Hi, recently purchased this machine and for some reason it's always a messy task removing the portafilter handle after extracting the coffee....the coffee in the portafilter always has a "gluggy" texture and will sometimes stick to the boiler outlet. Surely this isn't normal? We previously owned a Breville Barista Express and never had this issue (coffee was always compact after extraction making it easy to empty into the knock box)....
Hi Feistygee,
There could be a couple different factors impacting the "gluggy" texture of your coffee grinds. I would suggest adjusting your grind finer and adjusting the dose down slightly. The freshness of the beans you use could also be a factor as well as the tamp. The tamping feature built into these machines does not apply a lot of pressure because it is often not needed with the pre-pressurized filters provided. You could also try doing the tamp manually and see if that gives you different results,
Hopefully one of these options help you out.
Your grinds swell gradually after pulling a shot, rising in the portafilter. The amount is dependant upon the coffee, the time, and whether you tamped the coffee to below the ridge in the basket. If it swells a lot, you can get the coffee puck sticking to the group head screen. If it swells very little you can get a puddle. You can fix all of this by using a cheap screen on top of the coffee. This will help with getting an even extraction and pre-infusion.
How can you not get pressure with double skin basket, grinder very poor
It has been a finicky gauge since the get go and they since changed it.
@@ecscoffeeinc if the machine cannot use single wall baskets should not call itself espresso machine and is way over priced
how to increase steam nozle power. its too weak
Hi! Sorry to hear you are experiencing low pressure with your steam nozzle. Has this issue been happening for a while or is it new?
I follow pretty much all of these rules and still far from optimal zone. My machine is new and my brothers machine as well we both get the same result
Dont worry too much if you are getting good coffee out of the machine. It is more of a guide.If you like it you are good!.
@@ecscoffeeinc how do I know if I'm getting good coffee out of the machine if I haven't tasted the perfect one 🙈
We have tried this machine and given it back. What sense does it make promoting always to use a certain tamper force if then to get to the optimal zone you need to crack up the amount of coffee poweder to a level where you are barley able to fit into the brewing position? And what sense would it make to have an "optimal zone" if then they say in the video, don't care about it? DeLonghi admits to a mis-engineered machine. We have tried two and returned them. Very disapointed.
See Lounge I am a barista of almost 10 years and do coffee training. Iv never use this machine but what we do teach is that no matter who is tamping everyone should tamp to roughly the same even pressure. Not too much not too little. We often suggest a manual hand tamp that has a spring so that once the spring is pushed down there is no need to further tamp. In the video he taps it to remove loose grinds which is a big no no after tamping as this will shift and create pockets under the surface and effect your pour. I think this machine was designed in the “idea” that it remove the human error which we always see when we get called out to assist in problems within a cafe business when they can’t reach that optimum range or shots are running inconsistent... human error meaning it’s often not the machine or grinder but the way the operator is working. The most important thing with reaching this regardless of the machine is effective dose and grind with the same pressure tamping every single time. Often if u had 2 different baristas with different tamping styles and pressures the pour will often be effected. So I do think this is how delonghi has responded to trying to take the human error out of the mix. Perhaps try the Brevil barista express or touch with the manual tamp, still a great machine and rated very highly. Feel free to ask any other questions. I hope you find the perfect machine for your lifestyle Regards Zen