When it comes to at-home coffee machines, the De’Longhi Eletta Explore stands out as a top contender. This innovative machine not only aims to rival the offerings of your local coffee shop but also promises a plethora of customizable options to satisfy every coffee aficionado’s needs. Priced at a substantial $1,800, this machine represents a significant investment. However, as we delve into its features and performance, it becomes clear why it might be worth every penny.
- Makes a wide range of drinks including espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, and iced coffees.
- Features a conical burr grinder with 13 settings and Bean Adapt Technology.
- LatteCrema Cool System for hot and cold milk froth, with adjustable froth levels.
- Large color touchscreen and support for four user profiles.
- Consistently produces excellent coffee, accentuating bean flavors.
- Removable parts, automatic cleaning, and descaling reminders.
- Expensive at $1,800.
- Grinder is somewhat loud.
- Wide array of features may be overwhelming for beginners.
- Large and heavy, requires ample counter space.
First Impressions
The De’Longhi Eletta Explore is a sleek, modern espresso machine that integrates a variety of advanced features. With its stainless steel conical burr grinder offering 13 adjustment settings and a large color touchscreen display, the machine immediately impresses with its user-friendly interface and aesthetic appeal. The attention to detail in its design, recognized by awards such as the Red Dot and iF design awards, sets it apart from many competitors in its price range.
Unpacking the Features
Versatile Drink Options
One of the standout features of the Eletta Explore is its extensive range of drink options. Beyond the typical espressos and cappuccinos, this machine can prepare lattes, flat whites, iced cappuccinos, iced lattes, americanos, doppios, and even hot water for tea. The inclusion of an iced drink function is particularly noteworthy, providing a refreshing option for those who prefer their coffee cold. This versatility means that no matter your preference, the Eletta Explore can likely accommodate it.
Customizable Grinding and Brewing
The machine’s conical burr grinder, equipped with Bean Adapt Technology, allows users to tailor the grind to their preferred bean type and grind size. This customization ensures that each cup of coffee is brewed to perfection, highlighting the unique flavors of the beans used. During testing, the grinder’s performance was effective, though it was noted to be somewhat loud, a common trait in DeLonghi machines. Despite this, the quality of the grind it produces is high, which is critical for achieving the best possible flavor extraction.
Milk Frothing Capabilities
The Eletta Explore excels in its milk frothing abilities. It features the LatteCrema Cool System, which can froth both hot and cold milk. This dual-function capability is a game-changer, especially for iced coffee enthusiasts, as it prevents the ice from melting too quickly and diluting the drink. The machine allows for varying levels of froth, from a light layer to a thick, creamy foam, catering to all preferences and compatible with various types of milk, including almond, oat, and skim.
The two separate attachments for hot and cold milk frothing ensure that each type is prepared perfectly. The cold milk frother, in particular, is a standout feature for those who enjoy iced coffee. By keeping the milk cold, it helps maintain the integrity of the drink, ensuring that it stays refreshing and flavorful for longer.
User Profiles and Interface
The machine supports up to four user profiles, enabling each user to save their preferred settings for different types of coffee. This feature is particularly useful in households with multiple coffee drinkers, ensuring that everyone’s favorite brews are just a touch away. The large touchscreen display makes navigating the numerous drink options straightforward and intuitive, enhancing the overall user experience.
The user interface is designed to be extremely intuitive. The 3.5-inch color touchscreen allows users to scroll through a wide range of specialty drinks and adjust settings with ease. The machine’s interface is not only functional but also visually appealing, adding a touch of sophistication to the user experience. Each user profile can store customized settings, ensuring that everyone in the household can have their coffee just the way they like it.
Practicality and Ease of Use
Setting up and using the Eletta Explore is straightforward, thanks to its user-friendly design. The machine guides users through the initial setup, including rinsing parts and setting water hardness, ensuring that even those new to espresso machines can get started with ease. Daily maintenance is simple, with the machine reminding users when it needs to be cleaned or descaled.
Travel Mug Friendly
One thoughtful design feature of the Eletta Explore is its ability to accommodate travel mugs. A section of the drip tray lifts to make room for taller cups, making it convenient for users who need their coffee on the go. This feature, while not groundbreaking, adds to the machine’s practicality and user-friendliness. It allows for a seamless transition from home to wherever the day takes you, ensuring that you can enjoy your favorite brew no matter where you are.
Performance and Quality
During testing, the Eletta Explore consistently produced high-quality coffee. The machine’s ability to accentuate the notes of chocolate and spice in the Coffeeness coffee beans was particularly impressive. The combination of customizable grind settings and adjustable brewing parameters allowed for a personalized coffee experience that rivaled that of many local coffee shops.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Maintaining the Eletta Explore is hassle-free. The machine’s design ensures that used coffee pucks are dry, reducing the risk of mold and making daily maintenance less burdensome. All removable parts, including the grounds bin, drip tray, and brew unit, are easy to rinse and clean. The milk flasks, designed for both hot and cold milk, can be taken apart and cleaned, with the option of using a dishwasher for thorough cleaning.
The machine’s intuitive design extends to its maintenance features. It provides reminders for when it needs to be descaled, ensuring that users can keep it in optimal working condition with minimal effort. The easy-to-clean design helps maintain the machine’s performance and longevity, making it a practical choice for everyday use.
How to Use the De’Longhi Eletta Explore
Using the DeLonghi Eletta Explore is an engaging experience that turns coffee preparation into a personalized ritual. The machine’s user-friendly interface guides you through each step, from initial setup to daily use.
Initial Setup
The initial setup involves rinsing all removable parts and setting the water hardness using the supplied test strips. The machine’s friendly interface makes this process straightforward, ensuring that even beginners can get started without hassle. Filling the water tank and adding coffee beans to the hopper are the final steps before you can start brewing.
Brewing Your Favorite Drinks
Preparing a drink with the Eletta Explore is as simple as selecting an icon from the touchscreen menu. You can adjust settings such as size, aroma, temperature, and milk amount to create your perfect cup. For iced drinks, the machine instructs you on the number of ice cubes needed, ensuring a consistently refreshing result.
Daily Use and Customization
The machine’s four user profiles allow you to save your favorite settings, making it easy to recreate your preferred drinks each time. This feature is particularly useful in households with multiple users, as everyone can have their own personalized coffee experience.
Conclusion
The De’Longhi Eletta Explore is a feature-rich, versatile espresso machine that offers a coffee shop experience in the comfort of your home. Its extensive range of drink options, customizable settings, and superior milk frothing capabilities make it a standout choice for coffee enthusiasts. While the price tag is steep, the machine’s performance, ease of use, and ability to cater to individual preferences justify the investment.
Whether you’re a fan of hot cappuccinos or refreshing iced lattes, the Eletta Explore is equipped to deliver a high-quality coffee experience that rivals your favorite coffee shop. Its user-friendly design, practical features, and impressive performance make it a worthwhile addition to any coffee lover’s kitchen. Investing in the Eletta Explore means investing in the joy of creating and enjoying your perfect cup of coffee every day.
Specifications of the De’Longhi Eletta Explore
The De’Longhi Eletta Explore is packed with advanced features and technical specifications that make it a standout choice among super-automatic espresso machines. Here are the detailed specifications of this versatile coffee machine:
General Specifications:
- Manufacturer: De’Longhi
- Model Number: ECAM45055S
- Product Category: Super Automatic Espresso Machine
- Color Options: Silver
- Housing Material: Plastic with stainless steel parts
- Weight: 24.6 lbs / 11.2 kg
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 15.1 x 10.2 x 17.5 in / 38.4 x 25.9 x 44.5 cm
Brewing Features:
- Pump Pressure: 19 bar
- Number of Boilers: 1
- Adjustable Coffee Temperature: Yes
- Pre-Infusion: Yes
- 2-Cup Function: Yes (non-milk drinks only)
- Pot Function: Yes
Grinder Features:
- Grinder Type: Stainless Steel Conical Burr Grinder
- Grind Adjustment Levels: 13
- Bean Hopper Capacity: 10.6 oz / 300.0 g
- Ground Coffee Bypass: Yes
- Bean Adapt Technology: Yes
Milk Frothing:
- Milk Frother: Integrated Carafe
- LatteCrema System: Yes (Hot and Cold)
- Adjustable Milk Foam Temperature: Yes
- Milk Foam Only Option: Yes
User Interface:
- Display Type: 3.5-inch Color Touchscreen
- User Profiles: 4
- App Connectivity: Yes (Coffee Link App)
Water and Waste:
- Removable Water Reservoir: Yes
- Water Reservoir Capacity: 60.9 fl oz / 1.8 L
- Grounds Discard Container Capacity: 14 pucks
- Water Filter: Yes
Additional Features:
- Maximum Cup Height: 6.7 in / 17.0 cm
- Minimum Cup Height: 3.2 in / 8.1 cm
- Hot Water Function: Yes
- Hot Milk Function: Yes
- Travel Mug Friendly: Yes (with adjustable drip tray)
- Power Consumption: 1250 W
Cleaning and Maintenance:
- Removable Brew Group: Yes
- Automatic Cleaning Programs: Yes
- Descaling Program: Yes
- Dishwasher Safe Parts: Selected parts
Included Accessories:
- 16 oz. Travel Mug
- Ice Cube Tray
- Carbon Filter
- Measuring Scoop
- Cleaning Supplies
- Removable Water Spout
- Milk Jug (Hot)
- Milk Jug (Cool)
- Instruction Manual & Quick Start Guide
Warranty:
- Standard Warranty: 2 years
- Extended Warranty: Additional 1 year if registered
