Delonghi's Best Budget Home Espresso Machines: Stilosa vs Dedica vs ECP 3420

Summary

In this video, the presenter compares three popular budget espresso machines: the DeLonghi Dedica, the ECP 3420, and the Stilosa. The analysis covers key features like brewing time, steam pressure, pre-infusion, and temperature stability. The ECP 3420 stands out for its superior espresso quality and stable temperature, while the Dedica is praised for its portability and ease of use. The Stilosa offers strong steam power but falls short in extraction consistency. Ultimately, the ECP 3420 is declared the best 'bang for your buck' for those prioritizing espresso quality and overall performance.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Stilosa, ECP 3420, and DeLonghi Dedica are three popular budget espresso machines compared in terms of performance and value for money.
• 😀 All three machines feature a 51mm brew group, but there are differences in the portafilter design, with the Dedica having three tabs and the other two machines having two tabs, making them incompatible.
• 😀 The ECP 3420 and Stilosa use a boiler heating system, providing better temperature stability, while the Dedica uses a thermal block, which heats water on-demand.
• 😀 The Dedica heats up faster, requiring only 30 seconds, compared to 1-1.5 minutes for the other two machines.
• 😀 The Dedica is a semi-automatic machine with volumetric dosing, allowing for programmed espresso shots, whereas the Stilosa and ECP 3420 are fully manual.
• 😀 The Dedica has an advantage in steaming, with limitless steam capability until the water runs out, whereas the other two machines will run out of steam after a while and require a refill.
• 😀 The Dedica includes a safety feature preventing shot pulling immediately after steaming, while the other two machines don't offer this restriction.
• 😀 The Dedica has a pre-infusion feature to improve shot quality, which the ECP 3420 and Stilosa do not.
• 😀 All three machines feature the same Uka pump, producing up to 12 bar of pressure, which is fine for espresso making as long as the correct grind and tamping are used.
• 😀 The ECP 3420 is preferred for making the best espresso shots, while the Dedica excels in ergonomics and is smaller, making it portable for travel.
• 😀 For the best overall value and performance, the ECP 3420 is considered the winner for both espresso quality and milk frothing, though the Dedica wins on ergonomics and portability.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The main purpose of the video is to compare different budget espresso machines, namely the Stilosa, ECP 3420, and DeLonghi Dedica, and determine which one offers the best value for money.

What is the significance of the 51 millimeter brew group in DeLonghi espresso machines?

The 51 millimeter brew group is a standard size for the portafilter, basket, and tamper in DeLonghi espresso machines, ensuring compatibility across various models in the DeLonghi line.

How does the boiler system in the ECP 3420 differ from the Dedica?

The ECP 3420 uses a boiler system, which maintains stable temperature for the brew group, while the Dedica uses a thermal block that heats water on demand, leading to differences in temperature stability.

Why is having a hot brew group important for espresso extraction?

A hot brew group helps maintain temperature stability throughout the extraction process, leading to better and more consistent espresso shots, reducing the chances of bitter or sour flavors.

What is the advantage of the Dedica's volumetric dosing feature?

The Dedica’s volumetric dosing allows users to set specific espresso shot volumes, making it more convenient by automating the dosing process for consistent shots every time.

How does steam performance compare between the three espresso machines?

All three machines require around 10 seconds to heat up for steaming, but the Dedica has an advantage due to its on-demand steam system, allowing it to continue steaming until the water runs out, unlike the ECP 3420 and Stilosa, which require refilling after steaming.

What unique safety feature does the Dedica have that the other two machines do not?

The Dedica has a safety feature that prevents immediate extraction after steaming milk. It requires a cooldown period for the thermal block before allowing you to pull a shot again, ensuring better temperature control.

How does the absence of a three-way solenoid valve benefit espresso extraction in the DeLonghi machines?

The absence of a three-way solenoid valve in the DeLonghi machines helps maintain the integrity of the espresso puck, allowing it to pop out cleanly after extraction without being disturbed by water, unlike machines with solenoids that can disrupt the puck's structure.

What is the key difference between the shower screens of the ECP 3420 and the Stilosa?

The ECP 3420 features a larger, higher-quality shower screen (50.7mm) that allows for better water distribution, whereas the Stilosa has a smaller (42mm) shower screen, which limits the water distribution area and may affect the espresso's quality.

Which machine performs best for espresso extraction and why?

The ECP 3420 is considered the best for espresso extraction due to its superior temperature stability and overall consistency in producing high-quality shots, providing a more balanced and flavorful espresso.