fun and easy espresso machine

Author's Rating:

Pros: very easy to use and clean - especially with pods

Cons: noisy machine and the frothing delivery arm gets really hot!

The Bottom Line: 
This is a great, pump-driven espresso machine with a frothing attachment. Simple to use and easy to clean.

Author's Review
We received the Delonghi Retro Pump Espresso machine as a wedding gift several months ago. After carefully reading up on espresso machines, we selected this model for our registry. We selected it mainly because it uses a pump system, which seems to produce more authentic, effective espresso with good crema and because it comes with frothing attachment and 2 filter holders (one for espresso pods and one for ground espresso coffee).

It sat attractively on our counter for awhile - I was kind of intimidated to use it - the directions were pretty long and I was having trouble picturing myself reading and deciphering them for the first time some morning when I was barely awake. So, I decided to tackle the machine for the first time in midafternoon.

With all the wordiness of the directions, the actual operation of the machine was a breeze. Preheat (directions say to start this process at least 30 minutes before making espresso, but I found the machine had completed the preheating process in less than 10 minutes. Nice!), add coffee (either ground espresso with the ground filter holder attachment or espresso pods via the pod filter holder attachment). In order to be less messy and not involve the use of my (also brand new and daunting) coffee grinder, I decided to go with pods. I bought a tin of Illy regular roast espresso pods for about 10 dollars at Sur La Table (one tin has 18 pods, which seems to also be 18 servings - although I used one pod for two servings, and both were adequately strong for me).
After adding coffee, you turn the switch to espresso brew, the machine makes a loud noise sort of like a cross between a power saw and a fire alarm, and espresso drips out the dual dispensing nozzle/slots (I used one normal size coffee cup, but you could also put 2 espresso cups under the dispensing area and it would work fine). When the "OK" light goes out, you turn off the brewing, allow the machine to heat back up for a few seconds, then redispense if you want a larger serving. Presto! Super easy!

But I have also taken the extra step of making cappucino - which wasn't much more difficult. You take refrigerator temperature milk (directions say to use part skim, but I used skim with excellent results), place 3 oz. per serving of it in a glass or mug, barely submerge the nozzle, and turn the steam nob on. When the milk nearly doubles in size and frothiness, you briefly submerge the nozzle in the milk completely and heat until ready - about 30 seconds to a minute more depending on milk quantity. The machine really heats and froths the milk FAST! And the steam nob can be turned a little or a lot depending on how much and how quick frothing/heating you want. Then, just mix the espresso and the milk, add sugar or whatever you want, and there you have it! It was easy!

Cleaning is also quite simple (although I have yet to use ground coffee - which I'm sure is much messier). You clean the frothing attachment by unscrewing the froth nozzle itself from the delivery arm (which is really really hot - so use a pot holder or something if you clean it immediately after serving - which you should do to avoid the outlets becoming clogged). Then you rinse it out thoroughly in lukewarm water, making sure that the three pin sized outlets aren't clogged (which they never have been when I use it - probably because I clean it almost immediately after serving the capppucino). I just have to wipe down the delivery arm of the frother (again, it's still hot, so be careful!), remove the nylon/plastic tray from the bottom of the machine along with the tray underneath it, rinse them off, sponge off the edge of the machine, unattach the filter holder, and discard the espresso pod. All very very simple.

It is really noisy - and it doesn't sound noisy in the way espresso machines in Starbucks or other places are - more like sort of a cross between a quiet fire alarm and a power saw - it would definitely wake up anyone nearby. I also noticed that milk tends to get sort of cooked onto the frothing delivery arm and requires a little bit more vigorous sponging off than the directions would indicate, but that's really minor. The machine looks great on the counter, doesn't take up much room, and can make 2 espressos at once.

I definitely recommend this product!