What you mean exactly ? I'm having issues reaching optimal zone :/

@@burghyr You see the grinder has a coarseness adjustment, right. With all the numbers 1, 2, 3... 1 is the highest. If you adjust the coarseness when the grinder is _not_ operating (when it is stopped) then it has little effect. You must set the coarseness when the grinder is operating (when it is actually grinding) and then it works.

If you had read the user manual you would have notice this fact 🙂

​@Jose E. Marchesi wow you are right! They need highlight that.

An optimal extraction pressure assure a better taste, a better crema. That's why Delonghi (!) bothers with the optimal level gauge.

Check out our video on reaching optimal zone on our page...also make sure beans are fresh and NOT oily...Starbucks is not best

Beauty by Kaur even the guy in the video did not show the coffee he got, I wanted to see how much crema he had had got. Yes his first video had very small level too, not happy

The finest setting.. and it is not too hard but you have to play with it a few times.

Make sure the machine is level on the counter. You get this when the portafilter is not horizontal in relation to the Earth, so more water goes on one side.

Hi Brett! It sounds like your over pressurized... We would recommend making your grind size coarser. You will have to adjust your dose amount as you increase your grind size. Let us know how this works for you! Happy brewing :)

The grind may be too fine and the water cannot get through the coffee

G'Day! So the best way to go about it would be to start with the grind amount. Try increasing that and see if you can get it where you want it. Once you find the 'sweet spot' for the amount, you can fine tune it with making the grind finer. "The line" is more of a suggestion, you can go above it, or below it. (Probably above it) As long as it still easily fits on the machine, you should be good.

Thanks for the advice!

@@tanamite I got this machine a few days ago after your review. I'm also in Australia. Having trouble getting a nice cremer. What been are you using @tanamite?

Try some beans with Robusta in them..also make sure you use a bit more coffee than recommended in the portafilter

pklifter I’m using Gesha “The Singing Rooster” roasted in Perth mate. I’ve tried Oomph “Java Jo” from Tassie but Gesha comes out real nice, consistently. Grinder is at setting 2.2. Have a crack! Hooroo from WA.

We have the grind on the finest setting. And yes, use less milk. :)

@@ecscoffeeinc thanks! once I got a hang of it, this machine is way too convenient....

Hi .. and thanks for this video .. I tried everything and could not reach the optimal pressure! any tips please?

@@sara-qn7zm After full year did you get good results? Now I'm in your boat.

@@alexgoriatchenkov Actually,, It depends on the beans type.. So never mind if the pressure is not high enough.

Hi Benji, Oily beans tend to cause a buildup of oil in your machine which requires added maintenance and can lead to issues down the road. You can still use then just keep in mind you will need to clean your grinder more frequently.

Just hold the milk under the wand for longer to get it hotter. If it gets too foamy or starts to overflow, just switch the wand to the FLAT setting for the remainder of the heating.

You can use ESE pods if you have the basket. Try this video for help kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMecY7yo1Kyygps.html

Hey, I experience same like you. Could you find a good setting to go over 2 and not bitter?

No I think it’s less bitter on a smaller grind. I just read this back, I don’t do 7 now. Crazy! That was based on some erroneous info online that said if bitter you need it coarse. I have it on around 2-3, and brought temp down to 2. I just changed my beans though and can’t get optimal anymore, so may change to 1 grind. Incidentally the ESE pods give me perfect optimal pressure, I need to work out why that is.

@@jodyw8713 Thanks for reply. I also found out that it has to do with beans used. I tried some different brands and got good results with 5 to 7.

Try this video. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMecY7yo1Kyygps.html

Honestly so long ago I am not sure. Try this video to help out. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMecY7yo1Kyygps.html

Don't overthink it. If the coffee is great then you got it right! Look at the volume, make sure you are not using oily beans

Try to make your grind finer.

@@ecscoffeeinc oh wow, thank you. I have the same issue. Mr Google says if coffee is too bitter, it's over-extracted because the coffee is too finely ground and packs together too closely not allowing the water to get through, and the suggested fix is to grind it coarser. My instincts said otherwise, so I tried a coarser grind (7/8) anyway, but while tasting better than my Delonghi Dedica machine where you can't control a thing, it's still not amazing. Thank you for your expert opinion. I will try it.

Sorry we do not.

Gabriel Chingolani Hi, have you had any luck since this post?

Sorry cannot help for Europe

Try this video kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMecY7yo1Kyygps.html

Hi Maria, Did you buy a non pressurized basket yet?

@@kynhi2002 no not yet. But coffee is good.

Try this video to help kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMecY7yo1Kyygps.html

Yes , too much coffee and I can't turn it .

We like hotter

Hi! It does sound like the machine needs to be descaled. We recommend using DeLonghi descaler, or reaching out to DeLonghi directly for some help :)

They wont say oily, but when you open them they have a shine on them like they are wet

Hi Lou, The instruction for adjusting the temperature settings are in the manual under section 5.1 . I have included them below. 5.1 Coffee temperature To change the temperature of the water used to make the coffee, proceed as follows: 1. Press and hold the (B3) and (B7) buttons together for at least 3 seconds to access the menu. The (B15) and (B16) lights alternate; 2. Turn the mode selection dial (B8) to the ESPRESSO position. The light (B11) remains on steadily; 3. Press the button corresponding to the desired selection: Normal : x2 button High : Rinse Button 4. To exit the menù, press the (B1) button. (If the appliance is left idle for about 1 minute, it exits automatically from the settings menu and is ready for use again).

Yes but make sure the beans are not oily or get the coffee pre ground and bypass the grinder

That happened to me. I realised the hot water container wasnt sitting in the back properly and once i readjusted it, it was good to go again.

We have not experienced any issues but we will go try it on the machine and get back to you

Hi! Sorry to hear you are having trouble getting into the optimal zone. What dose and grind adjustments have you made?

Tough one to figure out on youtube. I would give Delonghi a call directly and hope they can help you out. Sounds like too much pressure is keeping the portafilter in. Be careful

This may help kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMecY7yo1Kyygps.html

Could you fix it? i have the same trouble.

Hi Hochang! How are your espresso shots tasting? If your espresso is tasting, smelling, and looking good then we would recommend reaching out out to Delonghi to see if it is an issue with the machine. If your espresso is watery, and light then we would recommend making your grind size finer and adding more espresso ground coffee to your portafilter. Happy brewing!

Have a look at our page and review of the machine as well as the review comparing to the Breville. There are pros and cons to each.

You can use pre-ground coffee if it is ground for espresso, but the beauty of this machine is freshly ground coffee! You would just turn your dosing dial all the way to the scoop to be able to use the tamping handle.

It is going to be a bit tough using a scale each time given the built in tamper. If you do choose to do so to get into the optimal zone, I would spend some time doing it once to get the grind and amount correctly. It may be too messy doing this over and over again. How to do it? Grind your amount after you tare the portafilter, weigh, extract and check your shot. Then adjust until you get optimal. On each grind you could do this again, but you should not have to unless you change out the bean.

Touch is more expensive. We prefer it here but the Specialista outsells the touch right now.

Try this video. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMecY7yo1Kyygps.html

We very rarely change the water output on a machine, but we definitely played with the grind size and grind amount!

Try the tips in this video kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMecY7yo1Kyygps.html

No. You will have similar issues. Look at a Superautomatic instead.

I disagree with the company. I had one for two years. You can adjust the grind size to get you a more watery extraction. Just a little larger grind will establish this. Once you know what works for her you can change for each one. I did decaf for my wife and regular for me and worked just fine.

Go to our channel and look for the newest video. Dialing in Delonghi

Check out our new dialing in video for Delonghi

Unlikely if brand new. Make sure the hopper is in properly would be the first indicator. Other than that sounds like a warranty issue

Remove the bean cannister from the top and have a look. That is weird.

Watch this video kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMecY7yo1Kyygps.html

If you only used them for a short time, just add the new beans. If it was for over 100 cups get a grinder cleaner tablet and clean the grinder first. It is more long term damage from the oils that cause the problems.

@@ecscoffeeinc wow that was a quick reply, thank you ! I went ahead and bought stumptowm hair bender. Before that I cleaned the machine as much as possible, remove the top and vacuum. Now my issue is that this new coffee is kind if acid… taste good but it’s acid. In the last 2 days I probably had 2 gallons of coffee !!!

Bean quality definitely has an impact on how your shot will pour! We would recommend picking up some freshly roasted medium roasted espresso for optimal flavour!

thank you - bought some fresh beans and pressure now optimal :D @@ecscoffeeinc

The grinder is not going to get you fine enough..that is what they don't sell the non pressurized with the machine. On newer models they have changed the gauge to not even have pre infusion bit just optimal...best bet is to gauge it on your personal taste vs the gauge...if you like it...it's good!

@@ecscoffeeinc i have one of the new machines where there is no infusion zone, just optimal zone and red zone. Does that mean the 10 o'clock area is then the middle of the optimal zone?

I asked Delonghi about it. They said 10 O'clock area is normal. I am just wondering why they make the zone then....🤔

I bought a 1zpresso hand grinder that can grind fine enough for a non-pressurized basket. Then went for a better stand-alone electric espresso grinder so that making a coffee was not a muscle building workout. So this machine is a waste for non-pressurized baskets.

If it goes to a very high-pressure rating but doesn't give any coffee, my best guess would be that there is some sort of blockage in your portafilter. Perhaps it is a physical blockage, or maybe the quantity of coffee you are putting in when paired with the bean type you are using, the size of your grind, and the pressure you use to tamp creates an impenetrable layer of grinds in the portafilter. I'd try to troubleshoot a bit by using a smaller quantity of coffee, at a coarser grind, while tamping more gently, and perhaps switching bean types to a less oily bean and then go from there! But first, make sure to check that the hole in the bottom of your portafilter isn't clogged.

@@ecscoffeeinc I have this issue too, but only with the 2x filter. I've tried poking a thin needle through the holes to clean them. Then I tried the rinse setting with the filter attached to the machine, but water still doesn't go through the filter, it just creates high pressure on the machine & the water sits there. I've been having this issue since I got the machine so maybe I got a faulty filter? It's weird because it did work one time, but only that time.

Try some food grade lubricant for the portafilter. It needs to be tighter to ensure there is pressure to create the crema you need vs simply grinding. They have removed the pre-infusion since this video and now optimal starts pretty much at the beginning. The big question is...are you getting good espresso? If so, don't worry too much about the zones.

If you are finding it takes a lot of pressure to insert the portafilter into the coffee port, it sounds like you have too much coffee in the portafilter which is preventing you from being able to raise the portafilter up into the coffee outlet port. Try: 1. Ensuring the portafilter and cup attachment are both completely dry 2. Lowering the dose 3. Set the grind to the finest setting (you *must* do this while it's actively grinding, can't do it before hand) 4. Tamping an extra 1 or 2 times (make sure you pull all the way down on the handle so the black indicator arrow is pointing to the third level, so its the strongest tamp setting) 5. If you've checked all the above, try manually removing a couple of millimetres of coffee from the top, retamping it 2-3 times. Then try reinserting the portafilter into the coffee outlet. Should be good to go from here.

Don't worry about the gauge too much. Look for the flow of espresso. It should look like a Rat tail..I know gross but it makes sense...also think of a flow of honey. You can watch Wendy dial in an espresso on her new Arte video. And we have a dialing in video for Delonghi coming soon.

@@ecscoffeeinc Thanks very much for the reply 🙂 I can stop obsessing over that now 🤣 I'm looking forward to the video when it's out

The regular la specialist has auto purge which will put water into the drip tray after steaming or brewing to cool down. It is normal. If there is a lot you may want to contact Delonghi

Thank you!

Try this video for tips kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMecY7yo1Kyygps.html

If your needle id not rising enough we would suggest making your grind size finer, and yes the wait time is normal!

@@ecscoffeeinc Changed to grind 2 - no effect...!

@@eBikeCompany it can take a couple of shots to calibrate, make sure you portafilter is filled the whole way as well!

Don't overthink it if you like the coffee. I don't like these gauges on machines and Breville is moving away from them. If you like the coffee, you are good. Just try use the freshest beans possible and see if that helps.

I have the same issue 😂😂😂 waste so many beans, but the coffee tastes pretty good

@@rryyhen6654 had the same issue. Go a little above the line or right on it and try the finest setting, on (1)

My setting is at around the 2 o'clock mark

@@dannyspiegel3308 yes I have dose set on about 2 O'clock as well, if that's what you mean, and it's filling to the line exactly on 2x setting using double filter basket. Seems quite a lot more than they showed in the video, but I'm not using beans roasted 3 days ago, and apparently it varies depending on the beans. Also they used the finest grind possible, when I ramped mine right up after believing what I read on the internet about bitter coffee. I'm going to try finest grind now, but I think dose setting is pretty individual, just for a start aim for the line on the filter like it says in the instruction manual, then maybe adjust upwards if not getting the pressure. I'm no expert but that's my very amateur home barista (2 weeks into self training) approach.

We have not heard of that Kim. Where is the squeak coming from?

Look for Trucillo or Lavazza from Italy. They are the best..Italians know how to blend for espresso better than most

@@ecscoffeeinc @Joe Estrada or go to roastmarket. Its a German shop. They sell from german roasteries, which is a really big trend right now. My favourite is SUPREMO Palermo and Der Pate from ERSTE KAFFEERÖSTEREI TEGERNSEE :)

They will look wet, as if they have been soaked. Also they will feel oily and not look dry.

Same problem

First , just do one at a time lol Second try tamping 3 or 4 times and try different grind settings to get it into the optimal zone Btw the guy said any questions etc leave comments below he’s happy to help , obviously his response time is over a month lol Good luck and don’t worry about the optimal zone , concentrate more on the quality of your pour / coffee

I disagree with those that state don't worry about optimal zone. I have had my own machines 6 years. When not in the zone, if you look at the extraction time of being less than the optimal of twenty to thirty seconds for a double, you end up with watery espresso. If you can try one at between almost 3/4 to optimal top end and half you will notice quite a difference in your extraction (the continue caramel colour)

@@oldfaithfuliii5997, there is definitely something wrong when you are not able to pull two singles at the same time. The only reason that should be an issue is if there is build up in your screen.

Hi Sara1 , Have you tried adjusting the amount of coffee you are using? You could have too little or too much coffee in the portafilter. To get the best possible espresso you need to find the right balance of grind setting, amount of coffee used and an even tamp.

@@ecscoffeeinc thanks for replay yes i tried it .. i just bought the machine yesterday and there is no (pre-infusion) mark on the pressure place .. it starts from the begining with optimal zone and at last there is a red line .. is it a new version ?

I had same problem, fixed it by using finest grind setting and filling coffee a bit above the filling line ( my coffee amount dial is at around 1 o’clock) and then using a hand held Tampa after using the inbuilt Tampa using the maximum pressure setting (3) then I take it out and use a metal 50mm Tampa push down on the coffee with a medium/firm pressure then twist it to polish the coffee top, then I put it into the machine and I’ve managed to get it to the middle of optimal zone. I use a folded tea towel on kitchen bench to steady the porta-filter and not damage the bench when using the Tampa. Hope that works for you too! p.s I also run hot water through the machine and empty portafilter then dry it well before grinding coffee into it, if the metal is preheated you can get a better crema and taste. This is The tamper I use Apexstone Espresso Coffee Tamper,Espresso Tamper,Coffee Tamper 51mm www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07526PWWK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.b7XEbBNBA2Q2

Honestly so long ago I cannot remember, check out our updated video on getting it right. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMecY7yo1Kyygps.html

Are you getting any espresso out into your cup?

@@ecscoffeeinc yes, but not a lot of crema.

Try this video for tips. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMecY7yo1Kyygps.html

@@ecscoffeeinc this video didn't really cover why I'm having this issue with the La Specialists Art bacause I have the grind settings set to 5 and the dosage set to bout 18 secs and when I was extracting the gauge was hitting the middle of the optimal zone now the only thing I have changed is the pre extraction pause from one second to two seconds and it's just passing the optimal zone.

Hmm. try a different bean. And try adjust volume for starters

Did you get this working? I got my machine yesterday and my guage hasn't moved at all no matter what I do

@@kfdizzy08 hi yes. I have thankfully. You may have to open up the back and make sure the tube is not disconnected

Check out this video we just launched. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMecY7yo1Kyygps.html

Tough to answer as a lot will depend on the bean. Go as fine as possible and add in a little more coffee to the portafilter. Also ensure the coffee is fresh. If that is too much work backwards.

Hi! Sorry to hear you are experiencing low pressure with your steam nozzle. Has this issue been happening for a while or is it new?

Sounds like a machine issue

Also in NZ, I just won the machine a couple of weeks ago. Unlike my other Delonghi machine that I gave up and bought a Nespresso milk frother, and just used the Delonghi to make the coffee, this machine I can actually get a decent foam. Did you sort it? I found it takes a wee while to start coming out of the steam wand, and like the instructions say I point it into the grille first to get rid of condensation before I put it into milk. I swirl it around the surface, then put into the milk and continue swirling. I now swirl with wand parallel to the angled sides of the jug, rather than perpendicular to the top of the jug if that makes sense, and it works better. That's with soy or oat milk as I make my toddler a fluffy from the top and he's allergic to cows milk, so I must be doing something right if I can foam non-dairy milk to 3x the volume. And hand on bottom of jug so I don't burn the milk, once it's too hot to touch I stop. Maybe buy the sun latte milk or whatever it's called if still available. Used to be Gisborne Milk but they sold recipe to Auckland company. Anyway it's ultrafiltered to remove fat. I don't know what equivalent is if it's not there. I've heard Anchor light blue works fairly well too. Anyway I'm meant to be doing my (IT) coursework so I gotta go. Any more questions, just reply to this message.

I just had a major breakthrough. Was doing some cleaning and I saw in the instructions about the 3 holes in the steam wand. And I remembered the instructions for steaming milk said put it on the surface then plunge in creating a vortex. I had read this as you need to create the vortex. Like with the less sophisticated coffee machines I’d used before with only one hole in the steam wand, and never being able to foam milk with them. So the other day, cleaning completed, I put the wand on the surface and then plunged it into the milk. No manual swirling. The milk got so frothy, and it was so much quicker than it had ever been before, under 30 seconds. I couldn’t believe it.

May need to talk to Delonghi about this.

Same

Check out our video that we just launched...dialing in your Delonghi

Likely stale beans, not enough coffee or wrong grind :). Just some thoughts

@@ecscoffeeinc have you ever considered how many grams for 1 shot espresso ?

@@vietanhpham1655 Most people buying at this price point will not scale and weigh their coffee so we try to make our videos for the anticipated user to keep it simple for them.

Hi, I’m having the same issue. I’ve tried every grind size/setting. I’m using Lavazza Super Crema which I purchased directly from them. I’ve gone through 1/2 bag trying to get to the ideal zone, nothing has worked ☹️.

@@nelly_8888 same here…no optimal zone can’t reach

You are either overdosing, grinding too fine, or tamping too hard. Get the dose right without tamping, do not tamp too hard, and then adjust the grind size to coarser, if required. You can come from the other side - start too coarse and then grind finer to get in the optimal zone. At least then you get a coffee for each attempt.

Hi Feistygee, There could be a couple different factors impacting the "gluggy" texture of your coffee grinds. I would suggest adjusting your grind finer and adjusting the dose down slightly. The freshness of the beans you use could also be a factor as well as the tamp. The tamping feature built into these machines does not apply a lot of pressure because it is often not needed with the pre-pressurized filters provided. You could also try doing the tamp manually and see if that gives you different results, Hopefully one of these options help you out.

Your grinds swell gradually after pulling a shot, rising in the portafilter. The amount is dependant upon the coffee, the time, and whether you tamped the coffee to below the ridge in the basket. If it swells a lot, you can get the coffee puck sticking to the group head screen. If it swells very little you can get a puddle. You can fix all of this by using a cheap screen on top of the coffee. This will help with getting an even extraction and pre-infusion.

Try these tips. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMecY7yo1Kyygps.html

Thanks for sharing

No oily beans are just roasted darker and the moisture screws up the grinders

This can happen with the second shot if the portafilter was not heated for the first. We recommend putting the empty portafilter into the group head and running some hot water through it to heat it up. This is make sure that your first and second shot pull the same but it may mean that you need to adjust your grind size. Happy brewing!

@@ecscoffeeinc thanks for the tip, I’ll give it a try :)

Grind finer and/or more coffee.

@@3sss3sss3 I’m using position 1 I can’t be more finer and I just on the perfect mark it’s strange

@@vincefrommenton The roast of the coffee matters too. In my experience, the darker the harder to grind good. Try to put coffee above the mark if you can't go finer. As a plan B, in your manual you will find that there is a procedure to "tighten" the grinder blades, but it would be used once the blades get worn out and the grinding isn't fine enough. I don't think it would do much harm to try and calibrate it. However, try adding more coffee at first, above the mark. Or, before you start and fidget with the device, try switching to a medium roast coffee.

It has been a finicky gauge since the get go and they since changed it.

@@ecscoffeeinc if the machine cannot use single wall baskets should not call itself espresso machine and is way over priced

See Lounge I am a barista of almost 10 years and do coffee training. Iv never use this machine but what we do teach is that no matter who is tamping everyone should tamp to roughly the same even pressure. Not too much not too little. We often suggest a manual hand tamp that has a spring so that once the spring is pushed down there is no need to further tamp. In the video he taps it to remove loose grinds which is a big no no after tamping as this will shift and create pockets under the surface and effect your pour. I think this machine was designed in the “idea” that it remove the human error which we always see when we get called out to assist in problems within a cafe business when they can’t reach that optimum range or shots are running inconsistent... human error meaning it’s often not the machine or grinder but the way the operator is working. The most important thing with reaching this regardless of the machine is effective dose and grind with the same pressure tamping every single time. Often if u had 2 different baristas with different tamping styles and pressures the pour will often be effected. So I do think this is how delonghi has responded to trying to take the human error out of the mix. Perhaps try the Brevil barista express or touch with the manual tamp, still a great machine and rated very highly. Feel free to ask any other questions. I hope you find the perfect machine for your lifestyle Regards Zen

Thank you for the note🤙

It really depends on the sort of coffee you use. I got some troubles at the beginning to find the settings to reach the optimale zone. I used Lavazza Oro coffee. For this sort, I had to go to set grind to the finest setting and the amount of coffee at about 2 to 3 oclock (I used tap water with no problem at all, cause our water is not hard) Now I use Lavazza Gusto & Crema coffee. Grind sets to 4, coffee amount at 11 O'clock. I will try 2 others sorts of coffee and probably will have to change the settings. If you don't reach the optimal zone, increase the amount of coffee. If still not reach, decrease the grind settings until it works. It can take until 5 coffee brewings before seeing a difference. So don't give up !

Can I ask how much coffee beans put on the basket? I’ve used 15g and twice tamped of course grind to finest 7-8 then espresso not comes, and it so overheat. Our double shots basket cannot afford over 15g? My barista school teaching me 19g-20g