Are you a fan of coffee who covets the possession of an espresso machine but can’t afford one? If you are, it could be due to the fact that they are typically quite pricey. In addition to this, you might also consider whether the complicated technique of brewing espresso makes it too expensive.
In point of fact, some professional coffee machines are so intricate and pricey that only highly trained baristas are able to get the most out of them.
On the other hand, in the market for home brewing, you may choose from a broad variety of espresso makers that are intuitive and user-friendly even for novices. A good example of this is the De’Longhi Dedica.
The Dedica is a lightweight and portable device that is ideal for novice users. When you first begin your trip into the world of coffee-making, this machine is an ideal choice to begin with because it allows you to experience the full process, including the foaming of milk.
The EC680 and the EC685 are the names of the two different De’Longhi Dedica machines. This article provides a comparison of the two, with a specific focus on the EC685, so that you may determine whether or not the Dedica meets your requirements when you begin preparing espresso at home.
De’Longhi Dedica Espresso Machine Review
The Quality Of The Design And Construction
The De’Longhi Dedica EC685 has a very small overall footprint, which is the first thing to point out about it. It’s one of the most compact De’longhi espresso machines, measuring only six inches across at its widest point. Although it is slightly bigger than the Nespresso Inissia, it is still rather small, making it an ideal choice for anyone who is short on space on their countertop.
The machine is not only quite small in size, but it also has a very contemporary appearance. Both variants have a finish that looks like polished stainless steel. On the other hand, the EC685 comes in a variety of extra color options. Nevertheless, regardless of whether you go with the black, white, or red variant, it will undoubtedly look stunning any way. The machine’s housing is made of steel, which gives it the reassuring impression that it is very durable.
The EC685 only has three buttons: one for a single shot, one for a double shot, and one for heating milk. On the other hand, an elegant-looking steam dial is located on the right, completing all that is required to produce beautiful coffee.
The top of the De’Longhi Dedica EC685 features a cup warmer that gives you the option of pre-warming either two mugs of a conventional size or three espresso cups of a more compact size. In addition, there is a removable water tank with a capacity of 36 fluid ounces located at the back of the machine, which is an impressive size for such a compact appliance. Last but not least, a detachable drip tray offers enough space to accommodate cups measuring up to 4.5 inches in height.
The Delonghi espresso machine gives the sense of being highly attractive and well-built as a whole. This is the general impression that one gets from using it.
What’s Inside This Mystery Box?
When you open the package containing the De’Longhi Dedica EC685, you will find a plastic tamper that has a scoop attached to the opposite end of it. If you don’t typically weigh your beans, this scoop is a good complement to have on hand. One of the problems is that the tamper is quite flimsy, so in order to achieve more consistent tamping, we recommend making use of a separate 51mm tamper. In addition, there is a bottle of descaler and a water harness test paper contained within the box.
The machine features a pressurized filter basket set consisting of three pressurized filter baskets and a 51mm portafilter. These are for single shots, double shots, and ESE pods, which stand for easy serving espresso pods. This is another evidence that the Dedica EC685 is a machine that is suitable for novices.
The bottoms of standard portafilters are drilled with a lot of holes. On the other hand, pressured baskets only allow a single hole to be pushed through by the coffee. Because of this, it is not necessary to have the ideal grind size in order to produce espresso that has a thick layer of crema. You won’t even need a separate grinder because you can accomplish this with coffee that has already been ground. In the meantime, the fact that ESE pods are compatible with your machine means that you may brew a cup of coffee quickly and easily.
Espresso Performance
The brewing temperature is brought up to the ideal level in the EC685 coffee maker by a Thermoblock heating system, which does so in just 40 seconds. Therefore, in order to prepare the coffee for brewing, first turn on the machine, then grind the beans, and last tamp the grounds.
In the meantime, despite the fact that the machine just has three buttons, you are still able to make adjustments to the brewing temperature, the volume of coffee, and the hardness of the water.
The De’Longhi Dedica has a pump pressure of 15 bars, which is comparable to that of many other household espresso machines. This is something that is common of machines that have pressured portafilters because a higher pressure results in crema that has a more powerful flavor and a richer appearance. On the other hand, you only need nine bars of pressure to pull off real shots of espresso.
On the other hand, shots of espresso derived from a pressurized basket are regarded as being of a worse quality than shots derived from a portafilter that does not require pressurization. It would be dishonest to compare it to a high-end machine, though, given that it is user-friendly for beginners and is sold at such a low price. Nevertheless, the following are some methods in which you can increase the overall quality of the coffee:
1. Start with freshly ground coffee beans and adjust the size of the grind as needed.
2. Take an empty shot and wait for the hot water to quickly preheat the portafilter and the cup before proceeding.
3. Decide on a high temperature for the water.
By according to the instructions presented above, the semi-automatic De’Longhi Dedica is capable of producing an espresso shot that is respectable and very consumable.
The fact that the machine’s steam wand can also be used to pour hot water for an Americano is another another perk of the device. Having said that, it is not a very rapid process.
You can use non-pressurized portafilters from third parties developed with the De’Longhi Dedica in mind if the quality of your espresso is still not meeting your expectations. These portafilters are compatible with the De’Longhi Dedica. To make the absolute best espresso possible, you will, however, require a burr grinder of a particularly high caliber in addition to freshly ground coffee if you use these.
The Performance of Milk Frothing
The Panarello wand that comes with the De’Longhi Dedica EC685 espresso maker gives users the option of producing either hot milk or cappuccino. The most notable distinction between the EC680 and the EC685 can be found in these available configurations.
When the Panarello wand is switched to the cappuccino setting, more bubbles are produced in the steamed milk, which is ideal for making cappuccino.
You might use skim milk or milk with a 2% fat content if you want your results to be even more impressive. Another useful piece of advice is to empty the steam wand of any water before using it to steam milk.
There are several restrictions imposed by the Panarello wand. For instance, it is quite challenging to produce microfoam that has a texture that is velvety enough to be used for latte art. On the other hand, the Panarello steam wands are simple to operate. All that is required of you is to submerge the frother in the milk. To put it another way, there is no requirement for you to be concerned with the angle or depth in order to generate an effective vortex.
Therefore, if making cappuccinos is your primary priority, or if you prefer to enjoy your coffee with some frothed milk, the Panarello wand that comes with the EC685 will be more than suitable for your needs. However, if you’re looking for a machine that can create latte art, it’s unlikely that this one would live up to your standards. Last but not least, a milk pitcher is not included with the machine; therefore, you will need to purchase one separately.
Ease of Operation
The De’Longhi Dedica is an espresso machine that is only semi-automatic, meaning that it gives you some control over the process of making coffee. There is a learning curve associated with this product, but it is well worth the effort for anyone just starting out in the world of espresso making who is looking to perfect their skills. Therefore, you will need to determine the best size grind for your coffee and the best way to tamp the coffee grounds so that they are equally distributed.
The De’Longhi Dedica EC685 contains a feature that stops the flow of water automatically and automatically adjusts the temperature and pressure of the brew, both of which are designed to assist coffee connoisseurs in perfecting their techniques and producing excellent coffee. This is still not as hands-off and convenient as a machine that is totally automatic. On the other hand, this indicates that producing high-quality coffee does not require a great deal of effort.
To begin, make sure the machine is turned on. When the lights on the De’Longhi Dedica stop blinking, it indicates that the machine is ready to create coffee. Next, select whether you would like a single shot or a double shot. The machine will automatically turn off once it reaches the desired volume level. You need to push the steaming button in order to get your milk to froth. As soon as it starts to flicker, move the steam dial to the position that says “steaming.”
Alternately, you can expel the water out of the milk after it has been steamed in order to improve the rate at which it cools. As soon as this is finished, you will be able to begin pulling your shot. The preparation of a latte macchiato using this procedure yields the greatest results.
As can be seen, using the De’Longhi Dedica to prepare tasty coffee is a simple and uncomplicated operation that nevertheless gives the user some agency over the preparation of the beverage. On the other hand, performing maintenance on the machine is not a difficult task. When the orange light comes on, it means that the machine needs to have the scales removed. In the meantime, the De’Longhi descaler is easily accessible on Amazon as well as in many other retail locations.
Value For Money
As was noted previously, the De’Longhi Dedica is a semi-automatic machine that is suitable for novice users. Having said that, it is not an especially inexpensive option. In spite of this, it is still more affordable than a luxury semi-automatic espresso machine or a beginner’s level super-automatic machine.
The De’Longhi Dedica makes use of smaller pressured portafilters, 15 bars of pump pressure, and a Panarello wand, all of which are common features found on a variety of other espresso machines that are more affordably priced. Because each of these was developed with inexperienced users in mind, the machine cannot reliably brew coffee or speciality drinks to the same standard as those found in coffee shops. Despite this, the machine is still capable of producing good coffee when used properly.
In conclusion, the build quality is superior to that of most other products, with an all-stainless steel casing and a conspicuous lack of plastic components.
Drawbacks
Do not be fooled by the fact that the casing of the De’Longhi Dedica is made of stainless steel because it gives the impression that the machine is handsome and durable. The device has a weight that is lower than 10 pounds. This portafilter’s small weight presents a challenge during the attachment process in the brew head. You will need to keep one hand on the machine to keep it steady while you use the other hand to insert the portafilter in such a way that it does not move.
During the brewing process, the machine’s small weight causes it to experience some vibration. This is yet another disadvantage of the machine’s portability. Because of this, any cups that are placed on the cup warmer while the pump is in use may cause the cups to wobble.
As was just indicated, crema with bubbles is produced by dual-wall baskets, but the larger bubbles produced by steaming milk are produced by steaming. This is not likely to be an issue with your first espresso machine, but as your skills improve and you upgrade to a higher-quality equipment, you may find that you desire crema of a higher quality.
Delonghi Dedica Deluxe Vs Dedica (DeLonghi Dedica EC685 VS EC680)
The EC685 has an adjustable switch for making hot milk or cappuccino with the steam wand, which is not present on the EC680. This is the principal difference between the two models. This implies that you can get a foam that is creamy for your cappuccino, or you can get a foam that is flatter for your flat white and latte. But the steam wand that comes with the Dedica EC680 doesn’t have a switch, so you’ll have to manually control how much steam comes out of it.
Additionally, the improved model comes with a double drip tray that can accommodate taller cups and provides 4.5 inches of clearance beneath the spout. This is helpful for specific recipes, such as latte macchiato, because it allows you to steam the milk first, and then you can position the larger cup beneath the spout to catch the drippings. Last but not least, you may finish off the layering effect by pouring double shots of espresso over the milk.
Last but not least, the EC685 comes in a wider variety of color options. It comes in a variety of colors, including white, black, and red, which, in comparison to the stainless steel finish of the EC680, look classier.
Aside from these distinctions, there is not a great deal that differentiates the two models; hence, we do not propose trading in an existing EC680 for the EC685 at this time. On the other hand, if you are new to brewing espresso at home, we recommend investing in the more advanced model.
De’Longhi Dedica Alternatives
Another machine suitable for beginners, the Breville Bambino features a space-saving design and is manufactured by Breville. In addition to that, it only has a few buttons and is constructed out of stainless steel. The key benefit is that it has an improved steaming wand, which produces microfoam of a higher quality, making it ideal for use in latte art and other milk-based espresso beverages. Additionally, the machine is offered at a price that is lower than that of the Dedica EC685. On the other hand, the Bambino Plus, which incorporates an automatic milk frother, is a significant amount more expensive.
Gaggia Classic Pro
The Gaggia Classic Pro is a semi-automatic coffee machine that is more advanced than its predecessor. It comes with a 58mm portafilter that contains filter baskets that are not pressured and a steam wand of a high grade. When it comes to brewing espresso using the Gaggia Classic Pro, there is a slight learning curve involved. In the meanwhile, you’ll also need a high-quality burr grinder that is designed just for espresso. On the other hand, if you perfect your method, you’ll be able to produce coffee that is on par with that served at a coffee shop. It should not come as a surprise that it is more expensive than the Dedica EC685.
Our Verdict
If you want to make espresso at home but don’t want to spend a lot of money on a high-end espresso machine, the De’Longhi Dedica EC685 coffee machine is a great option to consider. It’s available for a reasonable price.
The appliance has a sturdy construction and a contemporary appearance, and it is small enough to fit on kitchen countertops even in homes with extremely restricted amounts of free space.
You are going to need a more expensive machine in the future if you are serious about making espresso of professional quality or creating latte art for milk-based espresso drinks. Both of these activities require espresso.
On the other hand, the De’Longhi Dedica EC685 is a fantastic machine to begin with if you are looking for decent espresso that is simple to produce and that gives you some control over the process of brewing while still being simple to use.
