Just a heads up that I’ve gleaned from some of the comments here! When you remove the panarello attachment on the steam wand and use it, it may be beneficial to zip-tie or ensure the rubber tip is secure with an alternative method. I haven’t personally experienced the tip coming loose while steaming but it seems like a not uncommon occurrence so use caution.

Finally a positive take on these cheaper options instead of the constant shit talking and critique that only makes people feel disdain towards the coffee and espresso world. Not everyone is interested in spending thousands of $ just to make a cup of coffee, but a lot of us want to make the best with what we've got. I appreciate this.

This is a day of “That being saids” and “Without further ados”

AAAAHHH that's my machine! I already upgraded my tamper, abandoned the single shot basket, and bought a 0.1g accuracy scale. I cracked up when you took the cover off the steam wand because that had been my instinct but then I got insecure and only did it that way once. going back to it asap now!!

I genuinely believe that coffee and espresso should be accessible to everyone. Fantastic video, Morgan!

As an owner of a (gift) De'Longhi EC155, I've struggled for ages trying to get decent milk foam from it. It never occurred to me that the tip was holding me back. Going to have to try this next morning!

Thanks for covering on these budget options! You're probably helping a lot of people reusing their machines properly instead of pressuring them thinking they should buy a >$1000 machine.

I have one like that Delonghi that I thrifted for like $10. I spent like $30 on a new portafilter but otherwise left the same. So excited for this

I love this! I firmly believe that coffee should be accessible, and so many folk (myself included) don't have the money to spend on really high end machines. Love that instead of judging, you just show how to make the best of what you have! Thank you! I actually have the DeLonghi machine, so I'll definitely be trying these tips out tomorrow morning 😊❤

As a person with only a cheap espresso maker, i would like to thank you for making this video. If you could, please make a video on cheap grinders for espresso. I have been looking for a cheap grinder, after having used pre ground coffee for almost a year

I have been working on my Hamilton Beach for over 5 years. For almost 4 years I used it as it came from factory, But until a few months ago I decided to make some adjustments... I bought two precision baskets, a proper tamper, a WDT tool, dosing ring and finally I cut the filter holder so that it was bottomless. It really changes the experience a lot. The steam wand does its job well when you know how to use it. And don't forget to clean the machine, unless you want a bad taste in your coffee

I've had a delonghi 3420 for 7 years now. Over the years, I've done several modifications starting with portafilter and holder. I now use a naked portafilter and have done away with the plastic attachment for the frothing wand. My machine has created many cups of tasty espressos. 😊

I've had this exact DeLonghi (used) sitting for almost two years now because I was overwhelmed by all the possible mods, gadgets, and reading about how it wasn't worth it to use a cheap machine. I think you may have just convinced me to pull it out and give it a try! I feel so much more confident that I can make it work now. Thank you, Morgan!!

Thank you so much for making this video. My son bought a cheap espresso maker and the coffee tasted so bad. We tried to make espresso but clearly we had no clue what we were doing. Your step by step instructions were very helpful.

Same day as Lance Hedrick. I'm happy that you guys are trying to open up espresso at lower price points.

okay, that last tip might be a game changer for me... i had my espresso pretty much down to where i liked it on such a machine, but the milk was the biggest issue

it’s so reassuring to know about the steam wand thing, I really thought I just sucked at it!! thank you sm for this no judgement and welcoming vid ❤

You did a perfect job making this video, i still remember when i bought my first espresso machine with no brand on it, and tune it by reading different articles and watching tutorials to make a decent cup of espresso ! Thanks 👍🏻👍🏻🤘🏻

I have an Oster Perfect Brew and I'm constantly strugling with consistency. Sometimes I get a great espresso, and the next one channels, even though I didn't change anything. I miss having the café espresso machine so I could tase a few more espressos before making my coffee. But I guess it's part of the process, one must kind of embrace inconsistency in cheap machines.. it's fun. Great video, definetly taking notes ♥

You said it Morgan. I’ve been waiting for you to do a video on grinders

A cheap 'upgrade' that really helped me with these is a puck screen. Helped me a lot with non-pressurized basked, reduced a lot of channeling and stops the group head becoming such a mess after each shot.

I have the machine you used, the exact model. I never thought to use a clean coin or take the panarello off. Even though it's just after four in the afternoon, I'm going to give these tips a try! 🎉 I'm sure I'll get more use out of my little machine that could!

This is the video i needed today!!! I recently found myself with a free, used, and pretty old delonghi espresso machine and when I looked up the model (EC140B) I found very little to go off of when figuring out technique. It appears to be the precursor to the stilosa, so it’s a similar build with some small differences. Same pressurized portafilter though! I already took care of a few problems by ordering a real tamp and a non-pressurized basket. However I will absolutely be trying that coin test when I get home from work! EDIT: the steam want on my machine is beyond help i’m afraid. one of the previous owners may have gotten ground coffee inside the water line and i managed to get it cleaned and descaled, EXCEPT the water coming from the steam wand is still…. slightly brown. yep.

I have the exact Delonghi. I also immediately tossed the single shot basket lol this was a great video for me!

This was fun! We've had the DeLonghi for a few years now. My wife asked what you said about it and I said "Morgan said it is terrible and we need to buy a $5,000 one!" :|

I appreciate this so much! And love how you explain everything so clearly. I’ve been considering getting an espresso machine but spending hundreds on something I will mostly use for myself a few times a week seems a bit much. So this really shed some positive light on maybe getting a cheaper machine to begin with!

3pm is when I start drinking coffee xD

This was great!! I’m excited to try the steam wand trick you showed, I would have never thought to remove the cover outside of just cleaning.

I have already done a lot of these things plus more mods. One point I would add (just for the steam wand tip) is to make sure to use a zip tie to keep the rubber nozzle on the base of that steam wand. If you don't zip tie it, the rubber nozzle will fly off at some point while you are steaming. This usually hits your steamed milk with a decent level of pressure and steamed milk goes everywhere.... I know, because it happened to me several times.... until I Zip Tied.

I used the same machine and replaced the filter and tamper plus a screen helped a ton.

Extremely grateful for this video, thanks a lot 🤩🤩

This is so helpful, thank you! ☕️

HOLY SMOKES I knew it wasn't just me with the steam wand! I've had a De'Longhi EC155 since Christmas 2022 and I've been recently trying to start learning how to do latte art. After a year and a half of using the machine and studying as much advice on milk frothing that I could, I was very frustrated that I could never get my steam wand to work how other wands seem to work, even those on other lower end machines. Every once in a while I could get a vortex going and I always treasure that beautiful, silky milk and lamented that I couldn't get it more often. I figured it was a combination of the less-powerful steam wand and the fact that I don't like being wasteful and usually only steam barely more than I need (I like 1:2 cappuccinos, so I usually only work with ~120ml of milk). It never occurred to me that the tip was what was holding me back! I will definitely be trying without the panerello on it tomorrow and hopefully the silky milk of my dreams will become reality!

This was an enjoyable episode

I have just been using the single shot. I be taking these tips on board!

Meanwhile, James Hoffmann is sipping million dollar espresso out of solid gold shot glasses today. 😂

Love these videos so much

I love the way this set looks more alive each time

i own a delonghi stillosa~ a step down version of what you presented~ and this tips i will take it to heart for my next set of brew~

I have that same machine and after some trial and error I've been able to pull good espressos, mostly abandoning the idea of making milk based drink until today!!! I'm really grateful for this video, finally I'll be able to enjoy something that doesn't resemble a cappuccino 😆

I love you!!!! This video was so informative! 😂

That’s a beautiful Vandola you have on the shelf!

this is such a useful video! thank you!

Thanks for the tips

As someone with a small apartment and limited funds, I thank you for this video ❤

I have a machine similar to this - the Delonghi Dedica - and you can buy metal ‘covers’ for the rubber steam wand! It was cheap, easy to put on, fits perfectly, and has never come off. With that and swapping the pressurised portafilter out for a cheap bottomless portafilter, I have so much more control over my brew and milk and don’t feel any need to upgrade my machine any time soon!

Nice Job! Articulate explanations… and yes thank you for the lack of snobbery..subscribed!

I think Morgan just gave us permission when we need our espresso to hit people away with the portafilter.

Thank you for sharing I have that very one and now I know what am doing wrong ❤

I LOVE THESE

This is sooooooo helpful 👌🏻😊

A new MDC video? Oh yeah! Love your tutorials and tip videos

great vid!

Used to try these, not up to quality with better machines, but they are much better than pod coffee which is why I see this is preferable for a lot of people.

Thank you for this!! I love my cheap lil Mr coffee espresso machine but I like… KNOW that I can do more with him (that said if ur in the market for cheap but reliable coffee stuff i love Mr coffee!)

If you already have one of these, you can definitely make good espresso on it (hint: best modification you can make is a dimmer on the pump for flow control). If you don’t already have a machine, there are very good starter machines for around $300 that include a digital thermometer and a pressure gauge.

Another tip for steaming milk is to cool it first, basically just put the milk & pitcher inside a freezer while you make the coffee. Reducing the milk's temperature give you more time to find the best angle & depth for the wand and to whisk the milk after (as these machines boil at lower pressure than more expensive ones) Just don't freeze the milk or you might be making an affogato instead

With the DeLonghi, I've had great results by pre-heating it, then pressurizing it to pull the shot. Then I just let it pressurize again and froth the milk. Leave the glass under the filter to catch the drips this forces out.

You give a new meaning to late art... LOL 😊

learning about the problems with these steamers is so reassuring, you have no idea. im NOT irredeemably bad at steaming milk! just moderately bad with a cheap steamer 😊

I've been having fun with my Mr Coffee "espresso machine" that I got on clearance at Target for $25. I don't have a grinder capable of an espresso grind. (instead a blade grinder with a fine setting). I'm sure what I'm making isn't espresso, probably more similar to what you'd get from a Moka pot. But it does taste good! It even says to tamp lightly in the instructions, so again, more proof to me that this machine is meant for coarser ground coffee and not true espresso. I was thinking of upping my game but on the cheap. My current plan is get a cheap hand grinder capable of espresso (timemore, kingrinder, etc) and a Picopresso. From everything I've seen, (included it being featured in a James Hoffmann video) it seems legit. I like the ability to travel with it. I don't mind the lack of a milk steamer since I only drink my lattes iced. I'd be really curious if it meets your standards as well.

The way I paused, went over to my DeLonghi and wrestled the tip off, then stood there staring in disbelief that it was that easy this entire time. And yes, zip tie that thing- mine popped off in the milk two or three times.

I have a DeLonghi ECP and a Timemore C2, and my milk coffee (somewhere between cappuccino and latte in terms of proportions) is often better than I get in local cafes, to my taste. For black coffee, I use anything else, like a v60 or an aeropress. Be careful with taking off the "metal" part of the steamer though, as the rubber one can pop off

Thank you, thank you

Would you have any recommendations for a cheap grinder that does espresso grinds really well? I had a bodum one (not that great) but it broke. Btw love your videos✨✨✨

I'm looking into buying my first at home coffee grinder and I would love to hear your thoughts on grinders that work well for espresso!!

Hi Morgan, I love listening to your videos. I’m totally glad as you may remember thank you so much for describing everything you do in your videos. This is sounds like a very interesting video and I’m looking forward to listening to it all the way through but wanted to write you now because I know usually when your videos first come out you read and respond to comments. Hope you have an awesome weekend Say hello to your husband and cats for me No

Cheap can be tasty too

I can verify that Alma has a lot of great roasts.

Thank you so much! Is a Lelit Espresso Machine you have in the background?

OK….Something new! You haven’t done a Phen Vietnamese pour over as yet (I don’t believe) I do use the little filter papers… I think they’re good. With a Phen you get a nice espresso shot or you can dilute. Theres an electric Moka Pot. What I love is that I can see as soon as the coffee is ready exactly without it overheating. The top is see through and the bottom metal (typical Moka pot style sitting on a base). Lift off electric base and pour when done.

Thank you for the lovely video Miss! 😊 Now, I know you didn't go into it, but I have since bought a bottomless portafilter for the exact same machine you were showing here. I will there was a way to jam more coffee in there so that more could be extracted, but although another video here showed a fellow putting 18 grams of finely ground coffee easily in his, if I try to put that much in mine, even really tamping it, it is SO full it won't fit on the machine! I am grinding it really fine too with a Baratza Encore set at '8', which is pretty dang fine. I sure don't know how he gets that much in there. I'd LIKE to be able to extract more coffee for drinking in the morning, but I guess the amount of the 'shots' is pretty limited. Any thoughts or suggestions sure would be very much appreciated, thank you!

Also if you have an extra sewing needle lying around that can make for a great diy wdt tool

As someone who's been making latte art off these for years, don't forget to zip tie the rubber tip! It will shoot off without it when it gets hot enough 😅

I have a similar DeLonghi machine and that metal cover for the steam wand is also a real pain to clean.

In case your resin part of the wand comes off when you start steaming without panarello - you can easily keep it in place using cable tie around the connection point! It's like easiest upgrade you can make :D

I kind of like the thicc foam milk you get with the metal thing-a-ma-gig. I'm keeping mine on.

Now I understand why my milk is so frothy and latte art isn’t possible. Thanks for your last tip. It will change my coffee experience. Another thing I realised, why my double shot coffee is much much better than single shot. In fact I kept that single shot basket aside.

I think a really good use for pressurised baskets is when you struggle to grind lighter roasted coffer on a cheaper grinder. My sage grinder struggles with it and I feel like the presssurised basket works well for it

For manual water pumps and dialing in, do you track the grams of water when you turn off the pump or the weight after the last of the coffee drips through?

I have a delongi and it’s perfect for me. But you BLEW my mind about the steam wand. I gasped. I was wondering what I was doing wrong

have you every though about doing local coffee house tours? Oregon has a ton of unique places to see.

Delonghi's got another model of stilosa(230bk) with a proper basket as stock and single hole steam wand(non-panarello though a bit short). I use it stock and it's decent for espresso and latte art. This woud cut the hassle of modding the steam wand or compromising taste. Also for the De'Longhi, the picopresso(52mm) tamper is apparently a snug fit for the portafilter as compared to the plastic /proprietary tamper.this would eliminate the need for double tamping. But overall, you don't need to splurge too much on the machine for good coffee.

idk how I missed this when it came out, but I'm here specifically for the spoon monologue referenced in the latest video...

The one on the left looks like a white label of the same model as the Philco 15 Bar, a very common machine in Brazil. There are a ton of mods possible for it. Dimmer, PID, manometer... It's like a poor home barista (me included) GCP.

This is my machine! So many questions now that I’ve seen you tackle it properly.. I see you’re weighing the shot which I’ve also been doing but I’m still not sure how much is ideal. I’ve been shooting for about 38-40g? I like cappuccinos but I’m struggling with balancing how much milk to use. Mine all seem so milky! Also, we do have a general grinder which we had it before we got this machine. My fear is it may be too coarse for a machine like this. Is there a work around without breaking bank? Thanks so much for making this video! I feel more legit!

I got a machine like that as a black friday special from Walmart. My machine specifically recommends using medium grind, and/or pre ground coffee in the machine vs a fine espresso grind. Thoughts?

Perfect timing I just found a cheap espresso machine on the curb near my house 😅😅 and it works but not exactly anything fancy. But what can you expect from the machine your neighbour throws away

18:19 as someone who owns this exact kind of espresso machine, the thing that i hate the most about the rubber steamer tip is that sometimes it just... pops off the steamer while it's being used. and milk goes everywhere :')

i have a different delonghi model and took off the steam wand like you suggested and the rubber part popped off while I was steaming and sprayed milk everywhere! 😂 any suggestions on how to stop that happening other than replacing the panarello?

If the steam nozzle under the panarello is too short to use, a slightly more tricky and not quite as good method is to put the air hole of the panarello right at the surface of the milk. That way instead of pulling in air, it's swirling the milk around.

I need to drink a coffee after this video

Thx? Helpful. That's my machine, the DeLonghi

I own the delonghi .. and after many trial and error.. i follow the same things you mention. however, i've been always curious. Did you use extremely fine coffee? i usually grind it at around 2.5 (from 1 to 10, 10 being coarse), since i once tried very fine coffee and it kinda got a slight burnt flavour.. also, if i double tap sometimes i get the slight burnt flavour, so now i just tap once and not that hard . Right after starting the process of extracting the coffee, it takes about 6 seconds for the coffee to start coming out. Is that a good time or should i tap harder? Thanks for your videos . Greetings from Mexico :)

You can get a single walled basket for these. And that alone makes a huuuuge difference.

Very informative video thanks

Is there a specific scale you recommend?

Do you have a link to these machines? (: Also, is cleaning a cheap espresso machine the same as cleaning a regular espresso machine?

Excellent for the next generation of coffee drinks to remove the training wheels, venture out, upgrade in the De’Longhi line since they do make a sold product. 3 year warranty after you register with the De’Longhi too.

Have this Delonghi. I use the single shot in PM😂