How to Use DeLonghi Coffee Machine - Illustrated Guide & Video Tutorial

DeLonghi

DeLonghi is an Italian brand, with high-end models made in Italy and some lower-end models produced in Romania. Italy is the birthplace of coffee drinking.

Now, to the point. Fully automatic coffee machines fall into two types: manual milk frothing or automatic milk frothing.

Pay attention here, and remember these two concepts.

Manual milk frothing means that when making drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, you first use the fully automatic machine to make the coffee, then pour milk into the cup, extend the cup under the machine's steam wand, and froth the milk by hand. Once frothing is done, pour the freshly made coffee into the milk foam, and you have a latte or cappuccino. This type of machine, which produces espresso with one touch and Americano with one touch, belongs to the more affordable category.

There is another type of fully automatic machine that handles one-touch specialty coffee, meaning you simply press one button and the machine automatically froths the milk, first producing milk foam and then flowing coffee. This type, with a milk container, belongs to the higher-end category and costs more.

Editor's Hands-On Review

Although fully automatic coffee machines are very convenient, you still need to study the manual before using one. When FrontStreet Coffee opened the manual, the manuals were in Italian, German, and English, and reading in a non-native language is truly uncomfortable. Fortunately, FrontStreet Coffee tracked down an English manual, and it was worth the effort.

In terms of size, appearance, and performance, the ECAM 22.110.B coffee machine suits home and office use and includes all the necessary functions. It can make coffee from both coffee beans and pre-ground coffee. It can make 1 or 2 cups of small espresso, and 1 or 2 cups of large espresso. The product features a modular design, with the water tank and the coffee grounds container easily pulled out, making cleaning very convenient. The ECAM 22.110.B package includes the main coffee machine, one bag of cleaning solution, one water softening filter, a coffee scoop, and a multi-language manual.

The DeLonghi ECAM 22.110.B allows for several adjustments. According to the manual, you can adjust the coffee bean grind size in the grinder compartment, and you can also select the coffee strength on the selection knob, getting progressively stronger from left to right. FrontStreet Coffee's hands-on testing confirmed that the coffee becomes stronger as you move to the right. As for making coffee with pre-ground coffee, remember to turn the knob all the way to the left before pouring in the grounds, otherwise they will go straight into the waste container.

About the Water Filter

This deserves special mention. The water filter helps soften water quality. Before installation, first fill the filter with water to activate it, then place it in the water tank. The 12 numbered markings on the filter head represent months, and you adjust them manually so you can clearly see how long you have been using the filter, which makes replacement convenient. After using this filter, you can technically use tap water to make coffee. If you feel that is not safe, you can also use bottled water from a dispenser, though the dispensing speed is another matter. The ECAM 22.110.B package also includes a test paper kit to check your current water quality. The coffee machine defines four levels of water hardness, from soft to hard, and you can set the matching hardness level for brewing according to the manual's instructions. FrontStreet Coffee, however, could not find this test paper in the package.

About the Milk Frothing Function

Many people online say this milk frothing function is terrible. FrontStreet Coffee would say there is no simpler milk frothing function than this one; you can only blame yourself for not knowing how to use it. The black handle on the left side of the coffee machine is the steam wand. When using it, do not worry about anything and do not remove the handle cover. Simply turn on the steam function, then turn the knob in the upper left corner all the way to drain water until continuous steam comes out, then close the knob. Place the container with the poured milk in position, insert the wand into the milk, then open the knob again. At this point, use the steam to froth the milk. Generally, froth the milk to three times its original volume. The steam is very hot, so be careful when using it. FrontStreet Coffee wasted two cartons of milk before figuring out how this milk frothing function works. It really is very simple.

Other Functions

The DeLonghi ECAM 22.110.B does not have many other functions beyond those above. There is only a cleaning button below the strength adjustment knob that uses hot water to flush out residual liquid from the coffee machine's water pipes. For deep cleaning, use it together with cleaning solution. The coffee machine also automatically flushes with hot water every time it starts up, which is quite user-friendly.

About Coffee Taste

FrontStreet Coffee has not drunk many high-end coffees, so we will not comment on that here. The coffee taste is completely determined by the quality of the coffee beans. For heavy bean users like us, any discounted coffee beans for twenty or thirty yuan will do. FrontStreet Coffee also loves black coffee, and adding milk and sugar is just weak. So when we first got the machine to demonstrate it to colleagues, FrontStreet Coffee drank 4 cups of coffee in one go, and as a result could not sleep until 3 AM that day. If you have the means, you can also consider purchasing peripheral products like coffee machines, French presses, milk frothing containers, and filter paper.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

A machine like the DeLonghi ECAM 22.110.B makes the espresso base, but the cup itself still depends on the beans. FrontStreet Coffee's Classic Blend is built for espresso and milk drinks, with traditional mamba-style blending and standout crema that holds up beautifully beneath the machine's steam-frothed milk. FrontStreet Coffee's Black Cocoa Blend is a 100% Arabica option with generous crema and a rich, mellow body for everyday lattes and cappuccinos. If you want a fruit-forward milk drink, the Strawberry Candy espresso blend adds berry, rose, raisin, and fruit candy aromas, while the Granada Gesha SOE, natural processed and medium roasted, brings berry, orange, and persimmon that turn to toffee once milk is added.