Great Value, Great Cappuccino

I love cappuccino and was ready to buy my own machine. There is nothing like waking up in the morning and not having to get dressed and drive to your local coffee house, besides, it's getting very expensive in this recession.

I didn't have much of a budget so it felt like I was buying a car! I did research for over 2 weeks on the internet to find the best machine for the money I was alloted to spend. I didn't  realize how many machines that were available out there. Besides just shopping prices, I read lots of reviews from other buyers of these products I was researching.

My final decision was made. I ended up purchasing the Delonghi EC155 machine. Not only does this machine do the job right but I found it on ebay for $35. The directions were a little confusing at first but I managed to figure it out by my 2nd cup.

It's pretty simple and this is how I make mine : I first turn the on/off button to on so by the time my coffee/espresso choice is in the coffee container it's ready to go. I fill the water reserve which contains two tubes that you must keep covered in water. I choose my flavored coffee pod ( I like senso vanilla or dark roast) and insert it into the pod holder. This machine also takes ground coffee and espresso but I prefer pods because it's less messy. I press the "brew" button and whaalaa, fresh hot coffee/espresso.

Frothing for cappuccino is a little more complicated because most people make mistakes and it doesn't come out thick. I'll share my secret for perfect froth. First, make sure you have a metal container. Some will try to convince you that you must have the "official frothing container" This will sound funny but I happen to use a martini mixer, you know, the ones that come with the lid with holes in it. I just take off the lid and use the bottom part. I fill only 1/3rd with low fat milk (you do not need whole milk). When you're ready to froth you press the steam button (a tiny bit of water may come out at first but goes away). Place the nozzle in just enough to cover the milk. Alot of people make the mistake of diving the nozzle in all the way. That will not work nearly as well as my way. As the nozzle is barely covering your milk, rotate your metal container and make sure the pressure steamer is NOT all the way turned. I just turn it on enough to make that noise we're all use to hearing at the coffee shop. When the milk rises to around 3/4th's full, your froth is ready. Just pour the desired amount of milk in your coffee/espresso and scoop out the froth. Your milk will bypass the froth without making it thin.

I think this machine is wonderful. Once you get in the groove it's one of the easiest makers to use and produces great coffee. It comes with a drip tray for easy clean up and has a little espresso cup warmer on top. This is also a dual machine so it makes 2 cups at a time. I personally just use one cup under both spouts.

This isnt just for coffee either. I sometimes remove the pod holder and just let hot water come out so I can enjoy tea ,hot chocolate, cup of soups or hot apple cider.

The only negative thing I can say about this product is that for me is that you need to use 2 pods instead of 1 otherwise it comes out weak. It could be the brand I use, Im still working on that. Maybe there are stronger pods out there so you just have to use one but I use 2 for now.

In closing, I don't find it necessary to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to get a great cappuccino. This little machine does the job for under $100. I would of spent more than $35 for sure but happen to get lucky on ebay.