DeLonghi Magnifica ESAM3300 Superautomatic Espresso Machine

My boss bought the magnifica for our work place about 3-4 years ago. I'm the coffee-snob in the office, so I take care of the machine. I do the decalicification whenever it calls for it. about every month. The thing is beyond this maintenance, the machine has operated flawlessly for all this time. We go through about 2 pounds of beans per week on this little workhorse, with no problems. Never counted, but Im guessing a dozen shots a day. The Crema is good, not the most amazing I've ever had, and the frother gets the job done. The place I buy my beans at here in Arlington, Barismo, puts recommended dwell times on each type of coffee bean they sell. You can adjust the grind to get the 27-30 seconds needed for a double shot. Length of shot, water volume, is also adjustable.

Some one had mentioned on another review about the seals on the steaming wand and wondering if they wear out--they don't. I was skeptical about all the plastic, but nothing has broken over the years, and I clean the drip tray and coffee grounds knock-out box once a week. I can see it going another 3 years. Love it so much I'm buying one for home.
Mark
Boston

(Posted on 5/19/13)

I've had this machine for 7 years and only needed service once-minor issue.

Love it!

(Posted on 5/8/13)

Easy to use, easy to clean and makes delicious perfectly
brewed expresso. The adjustments make it possible to adjust
coffee for each individual's taste.

(Posted on 11/8/12)

I have had many machines through the years - but none have ever compared to this, and this one does most all the work for you - including letting you know when it needs water, when the grounds are full, and when it is time for a preventative cleaning.

(Posted on 10/9/12)

My first espresso maker so I'm a newbie. However I like gadgets. This is a great machine. Just got back from Italy and this provides similar quality espresso and cappuccino. The only potential limitation I can envision is that the steam wand is three pieces with 2 "o" rings to seal. Would expect rubber "o" rings to deteriorate over time and become a problem. Would have preferred a solid metal on piece wand. Makes a great espresso with nice creama!

(Posted on 10/2/12)

I have to be astounded to give anything 5 stars. Overall makes terrific expresso and lattes after some tweaking of the settings to suit my tastes. Brewing with ground coffee has been disappointing--frequently fails, with the grounds just dropping into the waste tray. So I brew with top quality beans alone and can't believe I have been home brewing with a drip machine forever. Not ready to call myself a barista, but this thing is pretty awesome. Yes, cleans easy. Because its almost all plastic, be happy if I get more than 3-4 years out of it, but still strongly recommend.

(Posted on 7/6/12)

The coffee is hot and full of flavor. I use the spent coffee pucks to fertilize my roses and azaleas.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Commercial Grade, Quick Brewing, Easy To Clean, Great Taste, Best cup of coffee ever, Large Water Container

Cons:
Noisy

(Posted on 4/26/12)

I love this superautomatic...it's my best friend...I would buy anaother...

Pros:
Great Taste, Easy To Clean, Easy To Use

Cons:
Grinder noisy no big dea, Noisy

(Posted on 1/6/12)

I bought this about two months ago and I could not be happier. Many complain about the noise, buy my Mom's Jura is even louder. It makes a great cup of coffee, the steam wand works well, and it is easy to clean.

My only complaint is that I would appreciate automatic controls; however, the manual controls work well when you find the right settings and are one less thing to break.

Pros:
Great Taste, Easy To Clean, Easy To Use

Cons:
Manual controls

(Posted on 11/19/11)

I bought this machine with doubts at the beginning, "do I really need this pricey metal for a cup of coffee?" After using it a couple times, I'm completely satified with it and highly recommand those who demands for fine coffee!

Pros:
Great Taste, Easy To Clean, Quick Brewing, Easy To Use

Cons:
Noisy

(Posted on 8/25/11)

Our second Delonghi. It performs as advertised and brews excellent coffee.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Great Taste, Well thought out design, Easy To Clean

Cons:

(Posted on 12/31/10)

I purchased this machine to replace one that I had bought at another retailer several years ago. Compared to the manual one I had it is much quieter than my previous machine. I read the reviews about it being noisy and that was the general consensus from several customers but to me it seems quieter than what I had previously and the bonus is everything is in one machine which I like alot. It took a few tries to get the grind and other adjustments to where I liked but overall I am extremely happy with my purchase and am not disappointed.

Pros:
Great Taste, Easy To Use, Easy To Clean, Quick Brewing

Cons:

(Posted on 11/4/10)

My Saeco was leaking and was not functioning properly. It was also making more noise that the Delonghi. I had paid more for the Saeco than the Delonghi but this machine is so much better, it is almost unbelievable. The coffe also tastes bette. I will never buy a Saeco again but I would buy another Delonghi any time.

Pros:
Great Taste, Easy To Use, Easy To Clean

Cons:
Small Water Container

(Posted on 10/3/10)

compared to my previous machine which became unusable after a year this one seems like it will be more reliable. the self cleaning with each shut -off should help keep the insides happy and user cleaning is easy. The controls feel a bit flimsy but otherwise construction is decent. coffee is perfectly made. a bit noisy but most of these superautomatics are. happy after 3 weeks.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Large Water Container, Quick Brewing, Easy To Clean, Great Taste, Practical

Cons:
Noisy

(Posted on 8/11/10)

We like this machine. It does what it says it will...makes a good cup of coffee every time. It's easy to clean and maintain, and so far, after a month of use, we're quite pleased with it.

Pros:
Quick Brewing, Easy To Use, Easy To Clean, Great Taste

Cons:

(Posted on 7/20/10)

Fantastic machine; only downside is that it is a bit noisy. Not ideal to make a lot at one time as isn't super fast.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Great Taste, Large Water Container, Easy To Clean

Cons:
Noisy

(Posted on 7/14/10)

Ok, here's my story and we will see if review stands. First, I started my love for Super Autos with the Saeco Italia. Read the reviews. Like an Italian sports car... when it worked it was great. Most of the time however!!! Went through three before I got one that lasted three years. Even on that one, the brew group failed. After a long call to Saeco they sent new brew group for free.

It seems clear the Saecos are incredibly tempermental. See reviews and all have same hassles. What's worse is repairing them usually cost an average $300-$400. Call a service center and ask. I tried a Saeco Odea Giro. Failed in first week. Simply stopped working.

So finally, after reading, researching and frustration, I buy the DeLonghi 3300 from great people at Seattle Coffee Gear.

People, it is like magic! Finally, a logically designed reliable super auto! 2 year warranty and in home repair service from DeLonghi!

Machine has power control up front and you can see water level on the side. Steam wand tucks in out of the way. Controls on front for shot size and intensity are great. Bypass includes a spoon that sits in chamber. It even includes a water test strip for calcium so you can correctly set the descale interval alert based upon your water quality.

THIS IS THE MACHINE TO GET UNDER $1000. AVOID THE FRUSTRATION AND JOIN THE SATISFIED.

Pros:
Great Taste, Not a Saeco, Easy To Clean, Easy To Use

Cons:

(Posted on 5/24/10)

I use this everyday, it is easy to use, tastes great and I am very happy with it. I would recommend it to anyone. One thing, don't buy beans from [...], they are too oily. Buy your coffee beans from another source like Seattle Coffee Gear.

Pros:
Easy To Use

Cons:

(Posted on 3/19/10)