De'Longhi BAR32 Retro 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker,BLACK

UPDATE AFTER OVER 1 YEAR OF USE:This machine is still working perfectly. The only issue is that the printed lettering for the logo and settings has worn off. nothing else.I'm still making exceptional coffees with this machine and every guest raves about the cappucinos at out house.However, a big part of this is the bean and grinder I use. I have a very high end imported Italian grinder (normally around $1500 but scored on eBay for $150). This has allowed me to get the perfect grind setting. It can go from very course to super fine dust that clogs the machine.The other factor is that I roast my own coffee beans and get good quality beans. I've played with blending as well and found a good Colombian and Brazilian mix that produces a great amount of crema and richness with this machine.My only gripe is still that the steam wand shoots out a lot of water at first. But not a big deal. you just need to clear it out then steam the milk.Since buying this, the price has dropped significantly. With a stainless steel boiler, and very reliable, and the new price below $75, I would recommend this to anyone.ORIGINAL REVIEW:I'm giving this a 5 star review based on a few things: Quality of the espresso, performance, and definitely price.I've had this machine for 3 months now and feel I've gotten a good system on how to use it, clean it, how it works best, etc. In these 3 months it has not had a single issue. No leaks, super fast heating, steam wand working perfectly, etc.One thing that was important to me was a stainless steel boiler, which this one has. It seems that this is a feature of all DeLonghi espresso machines which I feel is a mark of quality and integrity that the company is not willing to cut corners and put consumers health at risk by using cheap aluminum.It is somewhat hard to review the quality of your brew though because it is so dependent on the bean, and your grind, and density of your packing. I feel I have developed a good system to produce superb quality coffee using this machine.1.) I use the plastic tamper on the side. I hold the filter and coffee holder up to it and use both hands with my thumbs to pack the grinds pretty tightly. Not as hard as I can push, but very firmly. I have once packed it too hard, and it did effect the cup, though not as bad as not tight enough, which makes for a less rich, less crema filled brew.2.) Use freshly roasted beans. I roast my own beans in a popcorn popper to a dark roast which gives an incredibly thick crema. Using my super dark roast, pretty much the entire stream coming down is a rich, frothy crema. I have used Brazillian and Guatamalan for this, and both have worked well, though the Brazillian was definitely better.3.) Let it heat a few minutes past the green light. If you're in a hurry it is serviceable to hit the brew immediately after it turns green, but it is best to wait for a minute or so.4.) There is no indicator or automatic stop for the amount of coffee to drip down, so you'll need to know how much is enough to get the richness and consistency that you want. I like a really rich, thick cappuccino, so I use a small cappuccino cup and only let it fill about 3/4th of the way before stopping. I'm sure letting more pour out would be acceptable for most people, or for a latte.5.) The steam wand works great. Doesn't take a genius there, just wait for the light to turn green, and open the valve, it gets a really nice micro foam.I think following this method, especially using good quality beans is what makes this a winner. It also has great performance, has a fairly low profile, and can still take a regular size mug.Not a whole lot to not like. It heats up fast, and works fast, is pretty easy to clean and maintain. I really don't think you're gonna get much better of an espresso with a $1000 La Pavoni. I wish it looked as cool as a La Pavoni which would look nicer in my kitchen, but that's ok. I am planning on upgrading to one of DeLonghi's stainless steel models eventually, because I am sold on this company's quality and value for espresso machines.

First, thanks to those that reviewed this, as I based my decision in large part of those that took the time to do this. So, thought I would return the favor for those considering this.This is my first pump driven espresso maker, and I've just had it a few days. I have been using a Krups steam espresso machine for years, as my morning coffee has been an Americano, and it seemed to work just fine for that. However, it's starting to have some issues so I decided to step it up a notch. I have been drinking espresso and espresso drinks for years, mostly from a local shop that puts Starbucks to shame, have a friend with a really high end machine that makes great expresso, and have experienced great coffee in Europe. So I figured I would know pretty quickly if the Retro was any good, and with Amazon's return policy, decided to go ahead and give it a try.Before purchasing, I considered many machines ranging from $100 to $700. I decided I didn't want to jump in with both feet with a machine that would require significant expense and possible repair and maintenance costs. So the list quickly narrowed to this brand and a few others in the lower price range. In addition to these reviews, I checked out reviews and options on different coffee and expresso related sites, and also looked at the De'Longhi site.The most important consideration was quality of espresso. I am quite surprised by this machine's quality....it's really good!! I follow the pre-heat method from the booklet, turning it on, running water into my cup twice, and find it's fast enough to not be a hassle. A little experimentation and I seem to have found the sweet spot for tamping to get a great coffee. I have a plastic tamper, but picked up the metal tamper that was linked to the machine on Amazon. It fits perfect. I tried the one that comes on the machine, and found it worked fine too. I needed to put my thumb on the top to steady it and get an even pressure. It is a little awkward, so I just use the tampers I own. Applying the right pressure for your grind is the most important thing, regardless of what you use. I've made both single and double shots and find both work great. I just keep an eye on the color of the crema coming out and turn the machine off when it lightens up. As far as the quantity of coffee, I find just about one scoop for single, and a little shy of two for the double work great. And I like the storage spot for the second filter on the back. Very convenient.I get my beans ground at my local coffee shop, and it seems to be more than adequate. I love their espresso, so buy the same beans they use in theirs, request expresso grind, and let their top of the line grinder do its thing. With the coffee I buy, I find a light-medium pressure gets the perfect result. Coffee tastes exceptional, and the crema is awesome. Obviously, I'm not a perfectionist, or I would have sprung the big dollars. But I couldn't be happier with the coffee from the Retro.My wife likes the frothed milk and this machine does a great job frothing. Actually, it's so good I'm enjoying that too. I bought the little silver pitcher that linked to the machine, and it fits perfectly. No clearance issue. I was also concerned about the cup clearance but it is fine for the cups I use, which are larger than than espresso cups, but smaller than a full size coffee mug. I have been unscrewing the plastic end piece of the frother to wash out the residue after each use, as the instructions indicated. I am a little concerned that doing so day in and day out may eventually damage the plastic part, as it screws on to the metal tube, so I am being careful and use a light touch. Not sure why they didn't make the end cap metal, but it is what it is.I read a few reviews about the tank leaking. I did see water after I moved the machine on my counter by pulling it holding the tank. It quickly became obvious that the seal moved at the bottom of the tank when I did that. So I just move the machine by holding the base and fill the water without removing the tank. Guess time will tell if a problem develops down the road with that seal. Figure leaving it alone most of the time will reduce the chances of a problem.Overall, I am really happy with the purchase so far, and hope to get a few years of service out of it. Sure, there's a lot of plastic. You get what you pay for. But it looks good, doesn't take a ton of counter space, works quickly, and when my wife told me that the drink I made her was amazing, I was satisfied. I'll post an update if I run into any issues, but fingers crossed.