De’longhi EC680M Review
- Launch Date : 07/15/2014
- Product Dimensions : 12.99 x 5.9 x 12.99 inches
- Item Weight : 9.3 pounds
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Color : Metallic, Black, Red
- Manufactured in : Italy
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Instruction PDF
Looks
Blending power
Easy to use
Price
Easy to clean
Like so many fellow coffee lovers around the world, I always like to start my day with a steaming hot cup of fresh espresso. There are those days that might even require one or two additional espresso shots just to get me going. And on most days, I drink coffee throughout the day. I am by far definitely not a one-cup-a-day person.
For this reason, I’ve decided it might be time for me to invest in my very own espresso maker. Not only will I avoid long queues at my favorite coffee shop, but I’ll be able to have a cup any time of the day.
One of the quality home espresso machines I’ve been looking at is the elegant De’longhi Dedica Pump Espresso EC680M. Join me as I explore the reasons why this particular home espresso machine is so popular.
De’Longhi started in the small town of Treviso, Italy in 1902. Originally the company produced spare parts. The 1950s saw the company morph into the developed and world-recognized enterprise they are today. They are commonly known for their design and innovation skills in the small appliance category.
As a world-renowned brand, De’Longhi has a very remarkable range of coffee and espresso machines, coffee bean grinders, and coffee-related accessories. 2019 saw Delonghi receiving the brand of the year award which recognizes brand presence in an endlessly changing market.
The De’Longhi EC680M gains popularity because it offers coffee drinkers a traditional Italian espresso and cappuccino drink in a sleek, amazingly compact, slim 6” design. As an automatic espresso machine, the entire coffee-making process is automated, giving you a delicious, hot, fresh cup of espresso in a matter of minutes!
Pros
- Compact design
- Three-in-one-filter
- Taller cups
Cons
- Water hardness level not set correctly
- Cup warmer doesn’t heat up enough
Things to Consider Before Buying a
De‘Longhi Dedica Pump Espresso Machine
If you’re a coffee aficionado then you have probably given some considerable thought to whether or not it would be a good idea to invest in your own home espresso machine. The biggest advantage to owning your own coffee maker is that you’ll have a steaming, hot, fresh cup of your favorite coffee drink whenever I feel like it.
If you’re still on the fence about whether or not you really need a brew coffee maker, here are a few points to consider before making your final decision:
- How much coffee do you drink? Does your amount of coffee drinking justify the expense?
- Assess which coffee drink you prefer and check if the coffee maker can make it. Don’t assume all coffee machines can make any type of coffee.
- How easy will it be to maintain and clean? A machine that has its own self-cleaning features will be a plus. Alternatively, the parts should be easily removed and cleaned.
- What budget are you working with? Decide on a budget beforehand. This will eliminate searching through models you can’t afford. Your purchase should give you value for money and not just be another kitchen appliance gathering dust on the counter.
- Do you need any special features? Or do you simply need an item that will give you your single espresso shot every day?
- How much kitchen space can you dedicate to your coffee maker? No point in buying a large model if you have narrow countertops.
- Consider different brands. Do the research. Compare brands, features, cost, and warranties. The price you pay should match the features you’re getting.
Features & Benefits
Researching different coffee and espresso makers should involve reading up on the customer reviews as well. Espresso machine review will give you an indication of potential flaws that you might need to consider. Another important point to research is the features that make the particular model so popular.
When it comes to the De’Longhi EC680M, there are several impressive features to consider. Let’s have a look at some of them.
Design
When it comes to the De’Longhi EC680M’s design, it is remarkable. With its stainless steel compact design, it easily fits onto any kitchen countertop. Yes, it’s that narrow! Not only does it fit just about everywhere, but it also looks sleek and stylish.
In addition to its elegant aesthetic, there’s the built-in coffee cup warmer which is situated on the top of the machine. Simply put your espresso cups up there and the boiler will keep them as warm as you need.
Given that this model is such a compact machine, De’Longhi did a good job of adding rubber pads to the bottom of this unit. This prevents the espresso machine from moving around when you’re inserting or extracting the filter holder.
While the water reservoir, or water tank, is not the biggest I’ve seen on De’Longhi espresso machines, its 1L capacity suits the compact design. If you’re brewing a lot of coffee in your home you might feel like it falls a bit short in this department. Personally, I don’t think it’s an issue if you’re brewing a few espresso shots for your family.
I’ve included a great informative clip below to show you exactly how sleek and stylish the compact design is.
REVIEW THE PRODUCT
Features and Functionalities
Several features and functions make the De’Longhi EC680M the perfect espresso machine for home use. Whether you prefer a single or double shot of espresso, latte, or even a cappuccino, this machine does it all.
A manual milk frother easily mixes milk and steam to create the richest, frothiest drinks the way you prefer. Nothing quite like steaming milk on top of a shot of espresso! Since the milk frother is manual, it allows you to customize your milk-based drinks or even add some latte art to your favorite latte. With an input power of 1300W, this happens quite quickly.
An automatic Flow Stop feature allows the machine to dispense the exact amount of espresso required. This means there will be no need to guess when the right quantity is reached. A big plus is that this model accommodates taller latte glasses if you want to make a milky latte. This is possible because the double drip tray can be easily adjusted or removed to slot in the taller cups.
To show just how quick making an espresso shot is with this unit, here’s a video I found.
Brewing Capacity and Process
The average espresso maker requires a mere 9 bars of pressure for espresso extraction to happen. De’Longhi, however, ups the ante with their improved 15 bar pressure. This kind of performance puts all the De’Longhi models a cut above the rest.
Brewing options are slightly limited in that the Dedica can only brew pre-ground coffee or ESE-compatible coffee pods. You can’t however use fresh coffee beans. This doesn’t mean that you need to give up on the EC680M just yet. Simply buy a decent, high-quality burr grinder to complement your brewing process. Buying a separate grinder means you can also regulate the grind size of your coffee grounds.
Heating time is also quite impressive. This De’Longhi model uses what’s known as thermoblock technology. In short, the heater draws water from the reservoir into the heating coil. This process drastically reduces the heating time. It’s easy to see why this model has a high star rating!
If you’re a lover of frothy milk drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, you’ll be happy to know that this De’Longhi comes with a built-in steamer wand. This might present a bit of a learning curve will you get used to it. Although slightly basic, it gets the job done.
Below is a short clip to guide you in terms of the brewing capacity.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The secret to having your De’Longhi last a long time lies in how you maintain it. The bottom line is, a unit that is descaled and cleaned regularly will be less likely to leak and stop working. Everything from the water tank to the filter basket can easily be cleaned. Descaling can be done in a few simple steps, so there’s no worry that this will be a complicated process.
The machine will notify you when it’s time to descale. When the little orange light flashes, you know it’s time to start the cleaning process. It’s recommended that you only use De’Longhi’s own brand of descaler. This will ensure that the internal components aren’t damaged by acids from other products. The water tank should be emptied after which the descaler can be added. A water level indicator will show you the water that’s currently in the machine.
Simply press the on/off button and make sure the filter holder is not attached. Position a cloth under the cappuccino maker. Wait for the cup lights to come on. This will indicate that the descaling process can begin. Ensure the machine does a final rinse with hot water before your next use.
To show you just how simple the descaling process is, watch the video below.
Accessories and Add-ons
Some espresso makers come out with a whole range of handy accessories that make the coffee brewing experience a whole lot more fun. Unfortunately, this model is not one of those machines. The accessories included in the De’Longhi EC680M are a little disappointing.
The plastic coffee tamper isn’t the best. It can be difficult to get an adequate amount of pressure on the puck. You’ll be better off buying the stainless steel one if you’re a serious latte or cappuccino maker.
Since the unit has a built-in steam wand there is no additional milk frother. This is fine if you’re making espresso only. If you prefer super high-quality milk froth on your cappuccinos or lattes, you might want to purchase the stainless steel frother.
To see what you’ll get in your De’Longhi package, watch the video below.
Alternatives
As I mentioned before, it’s important to consider different options when shortlisting coffee machines. That way you’ll be sure to get the model best suited to your coffee drinking needs. Here are two alternatives to the De’Longhi EC680M espresso machine that you could consider.
De’Longhi EC685BK Dedica Deluxe Espresso Machine
A step up from the EC680M, the EC685BK enables you to brew barista-style drinks like a pro. It’s easy-to-use because quite simply, this espresso machine does all the work for you. This model features an Automatic Flow Stop feature that easily dispenses the correct amount of espresso. That means there’ll be no guessing about the right amount.
If you prefer a slightly larger beverage, you’re in luck. The double drip tray easily adjusts making it easy to fit taller latte glasses. An adjustable frothing wand allows you to customize steam and foam levels. With its compact design, it’s easy to fit on any kitchen countertop.
It’s available in black, red, metallic, and white.
Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker
With its sleek stainless steel construction, the Breville ESP8XL espresso machine boasts a 15-bar pump with thermoblock technology. It also sports a cup warmer and dual-wall filter system for amazing crema. A removable drip tray means you can add taller cups if you prefer a bigger cup of espresso or if you want to make a tall glass of latte.
Included in the package is a stainless steel frothing pitcher tamping tool as well as a measuring spoon and cleaning tool. While this model is slightly bigger than the De’Longhi EC680M, it’s still a popular choice among consumers.
Let’s review a few specifications for the two alternative models in comparison to the De’Longhi EC680:
Conclusion
Every coffee drinker who has invested in a home espresso machine will tell you that having your favorite coffee drink available all day is the ultimate luxury! Brewing up your favorite espresso, cappuccino or latte in your De’Longhi EC680M pump espresso machine will give you hot, frothy coffee drinks every time you need one!
With its compact design, and easy-to-use features you’ll be brewing your favorite coffee drink like a pro. Treat yourself to a De’Longhi EC680M espresso machine and never spend time in a coffee shop queue again!