DeLonghi ESAM3500 Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso Machine Review

Are you looking for a super automatic espresso machine to make cappuccino and latte automatically with a touch of the button? Read the DeLonghi ESAM3500 Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso Machine Review. Find out why it is the right espresso maker for you.

DeLonghi ESAM3500 Magnifica Review: Who is it for?

Designed and engineered in Italy, DeLonghi ESAM3500 Magnifica Super Automatic espresso machine is ideal for cappuccino and latte lovers who wish to make them at home automatically with a touch of the button.

Quality is also important. You want higher quality coffee than those delivered by the entry-level espresso machines under $200.

At the same time, you want the cappuccino and latte to be made quickly. Anything that can save you hassle and time in the morning before work is good news.

In addition, you would like to have an easy time cleaning and maintaining the espresso machine.

DeLonghi ESAM3500 Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso Machine

Who it is not for?

Do you want to have more control over the espresso making process such as tamping coffee grounds, frothing milk texture or even create latte art? If so, take a look at the Delonghi semi automatic espresso makers such as Dedica EC680M, EC702 and EC155.

Key Features of DeLonghi ESAM3500 Magnifica Superautomatic Espresso Machine

Automatic Milk Frothing System

One of the key features of the DeLonghi ESAM3500 Magnifica is its patented single touch automatic milk frothing capability.

This capability makes it very convenient for you to make cappuccinos and lattes. Simply press a button and you get your cappuccinos and lattes prepared automatically.

The milk system comes with a milk container with a capacity of 25 ounces ( 0.7 litres ) and two removable lid covers. One is used for making frothy milk for cappuccinos. The other lid is for making steamed milk for lattes.

The system also comes with a cleaning function to clean the milk sprout automatically by the push of a button. This pushes a stream of hot water through the milk sprout to remove any milk residues.

The milk container is also detachable. Once you have made your coffee, you can easily store the remaining milk in the refrigerator.

Compact Brew Unit

Its brew unit is one of the smallest, if not the smallest brew unit, in the market. The brew unit will automatically adjust to brew one or double espresso shots. It is also detachable for cleaning.

Built-in Conical Burr Grinder

To make good espresso, it is important to start the espresso extraction as soon as the coffee beans have been grinded. This will prevent the loss of volatile flavours in the coffee to the surrounding air.

The DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica has a built-in conical burr grinder. With the grinder and brew unit inside the machine, Delonghi’s patented direct-to-brew system sends the coffee grinds directly to the brewing unit for tamping and brewing. This minimizes the time between grinding of beans to using the coffee grinds for brewing. The end result is a better tasting espresso.

The coffee bean container can hold 8.8 ounces ( or 250 grams ) of coffee beans, allowing you to make more cups of coffee per top-up of the container.

Using the regulator knob inside the coffee bean container, there are 13 levels of grind fineness for you to choose to match your preferred taste for your espresso.

Ground Coffee Funnel

There is also a ground coffee funnel for you to use ground coffee, decaffeinated coffee or any other specialty coffee powder you desire. To bypass the grinder, simply select the ground coffee option and pour exactly 1 scoop of coffee into the funnel with the measuring scoop provided.

Dual Boilers

The DeLonghi Magnifica comes with a dual boiler system made of stainless steel. Due to the compactness of these boilers, the heat distribution is excellent. Thus, you can be rest assured that the optimal brew temperature for making the perfect espresso is maintained.

Apart from ensuring optimal temperature, the DeLonghi Magnifica’s double boilers can each maintain the different temperatures for extracting espresso and steaming milk. This eliminates the wait time between making espresso and steaming milk.

In addition, the double boilers are detachable and can be accessed from the front of the espresso machine. This makes it easy to clean the boilers. With the boilers out of the way, it is also easy to clean the interiors of the machine.

Used Ground Coffee Container

After espresso extraction, the used coffee pucks are stored in the ground coffee container. This container have a capacity of up to 14 coffee pucks. If you are rushing for time in the morning, you can empty the container another time.

When it is full, the espresso maker will display a message on the digital control panel.

Large Water Tank

The Delonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica can hold up to 60 ounces ( or 1.8 litres ) of water. Hence you can make many cups of espresso per refill. The water tank is also removable and can be accessed from the front of the machine.

Other Features

Hot Water Spout – You can also have hot water for tea or chocolate powder by attaching the hot water sprout in place of the milk container.

Descaling Alert – The machine will alert you automatically via the indicator lights when descaling is required.

Height-adjustable Coffee Spouts – You can switch between using small cups and large mugs by adjusting the height of the sprout.

Cup Warmer – The warming plate on top of the machine can be used to pre-warm your cup to reduce the temperature gradient between your cup and espresso. This will produce better espresso.

Removable Drip Tray – The drip tray can be easily removed for cleaning. When the tray is full, the water level indicator will float up to prompt you to empty the tray.

Energy Saving Features – The espresso machine automatically shut down after a 1 hour of unuse. You can adjust the number of hours to a maximum of 3 hours using the digital control panel.

Auto-Start Function – Using the digital control panel, you can also set a timer for the machine to “wake up” for your use in the morning.

Other Digital Programmable Menu Settings – Besides the auto-shutdown and auto-start function, you can also change the pre-programmed clock, quantities of coffee for short, normal and long coffee options, quantities of coffee and milk for your cappuccino and latte drink options, amount of hot water from the hot water sprout, temperature of the coffee, and water hardness.

6 Benefits of DeLonghi Magnifica

1. Convenience in Making Espresso, Cappuccino and Latte

With the integrated grinder, direct-to-brew system and the automatic milk frothing capability, little effort is needed to make espresso, cappuccino and latte. All you need to do is pour in the coffee beans, insert the milk container and select some settings. The machine will take care of the rest and make your coffee drink automatically.

2. Excellent Heat Control

The combination of the compact double boilers and thermoblock heating technology allows excellent heat distribution in the water. Thus, the espresso machine is able to maintain the ideal temperature for extracting good espresso. The result is a high quality espresso every time.

3. No Wait Time Between Brewing Espresso And Steaming Milk

Apart from convenience and quality, you can get your drink fast, thanks to the Magnifica’s dual stainless steel boilers.

The dual boiler systems enables the two different temperatures for steaming milk and extracting espresso to be maintained at the same time. This means that there is no wait time between making espresso and steaming milk.

4. Ease of Cleaning And Maintenance

It is easy to clean the machine parts after use as the used coffee grounds containers, water tank, drip tray, brew group and boilers are detachable and easily accessible from the front. You can also easily clean the interiors of the machine after you remove the brew group and boilers.

Regular cleaning will ensure your machine remain in optimal condition, thus extending its lifespan and minimizing breakdowns. This will enable the machine to continue producing quality espresso consistently.

The machine runs a rinsing cycle automatically when you press the power down button or when the machine goes into a shutdown mode after the preset hours of idleness. This rinsing cycle will take care of cleaning the inside of the coffee sprout by running hot water through the sprout.

Cleaning milk residues from the interior of the milk sprout is also convenient. You just need to press a button to activate the machine to perform the rinsing cycle of the sprout.

When descaling is needed, indicator lights will prompt you to do so. The process of descaling is easy by following a few steps in the operation manual.

5. Compact and Able to Place Under Cabinet

This machine can also be a space saver. Its height is 14 inches ( or 36 cm ) and the parts which you will need access frequently can be reached from the front and top of the machine. Hence, this coffee maker is suitable for placing under the cabinet.

For daily preparation of espresso, you can access water tank from the front and the bean hopper, grind size regulator, ground coffee funnel from the top.

For cleaning purpose, you can access the used coffee grounds containers, drip tray, water tank, brew group and double boilers from the front.

6. Ability to Customize Your Coffee Drink

There are various options to vary your coffee drink. The machine provides 5 options for coffee strength from extra-mild to extra-strong and 3 drink volume options – short, normal and long. You also have the option to make 1 or 2 shots of espressos.

The preset drink volume, amount of frothed milk and the amount of hot water from the hot water sprout can be reprogrammed using the digital control panel.

To produce your preferred espresso taste, there are 13 grind size settings for you to adjust. You also have the option to choose between coffee beans or powder.

Potential Shortcomings

Noisy Grinder

The grinder is a little noisy. It is not ideal for use when other people in the apartment are still asleep.

Not Able to Use Oily Beans

Oily beans cannot be used in this machine as it will clog the grinder and brew unit. It is recommended to use medium espresso roasts instead.

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Delonghi ESAM 3500 vs 3300 – What’s the differences?

Delonghi ESAM 3300 is an earlier version of the Magnifica series.  That’s why ESAM 3500 and 3300 looks so similar. And indeed, both have a integrated burr grinder and double boiler system.

However, there are 2 important differences.

1. Automatic milk frothing capability

ESAM3500 is an automatic latte maker. All you need to do is to clip the milk container into place and hit the start button. And it starts brewing automatically.

2. Digital Controls with more options

With the digital controls, you can programme your ideal coffee, milk and even hot water volumes.  Don’t forget you can get to set a timer for this machine to start automatically at your preset time.

DeLonghi ESAM3500 Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso Machine Review – My Final Opinion

DeLonghi ESAM3500 Magnifica Super-Automatic espresso machine really takes all the work out of preparing cappuccino and latte with its convenient features.

The machine takes care of all the variables in the process of making quality coffee. Its integrated burr grinder and direct-to-brew system ensures fresh coffee grinds are sent to the brew unit for extraction in the shortest time.

Its double boilers and thermoblock technology ensures that the brew temperature of water remains stable at the optimal value for making espresso. The double boilers system also take away any wait time required between espresso extraction and steaming milk.

With this machine, you do not need to deal with coffee powder spilled over your table top. All you need to do is to pour some beans into the grinder and select your options. Then you are good to go.

Even better, its automatic milk frothing capability allows you to leave the making of cappuccino and latte to the machine. All you need to do is to stick the milk container into the machine and set your froth level.

Besides ensuring quality, providing convenience and being a time saver, this machine is a space saver too. With so many features, it takes a small space of 15 inches by 11 inches. With a height of 14 inches and parts required for frequent interaction accessible from the top and front of the machine, this also makes it ideal as a under cabinet coffee maker.

In addition, you can also have many ways to customize your coffee drink from adjusting grind size, coffee amount, hot water, milk amount and volume of coffee.

DeLonghi ESAM3500 Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso Machine

Check out DeLonghi ESAM3500 Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso reviews on Amazon and decide if it is the right machine for you.