A fancy cappuccino machine costs a lot of money, and not everyone can afford one. You can also find cheaper choices like the DeLonghi Stilosa, but what do they really offer? This review of the DeLonghi Stilosa will tell you everything you need to know.
The DeLonghi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine is one of the few espresso makers that stays this cheap at $86.99. For such a small purchase, no one is expecting all the bells and whistles. But should you spend your money on the Stilosa?
We’ll look at the DeLonghi Stilosa Espresso Machine’s features in more detail below, from how small it is to how the water tank can be taken off. In the next part of this DeLonghi Stilosa review, I’ll talk about my own experiences with this cheap machine. Let’s know Delonghi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine Review.
De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine Review Overview
Specifications
- Brand – De’Longhi
- Colour – Black and Stainless
- Product Dimensions – 5.59″D x 16.88″W x 12.79″H
- Filter Type – Reusable
The De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine is a sleek and user-friendly coffee maker. With its manual operation, it offers control over every cup. Its compact design fits seamlessly into any kitchen. The Stilosa boasts a powerful 15-bar pump for rich, authentic espresso. It’s steam wand froths milk to perfection, ideal for cappuccinos and lattes. The machine’s durable construction ensures long-lasting performance. Easy-to-use features make it suitable for beginners and experienced baristas alike. Whether you’re craving a quick espresso or indulging in a creamy latte, the De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine delivers quality and convenience.
What Makes The De’longhi Stilosa Special?
The stainless steel pot is what makes the De’longhi Stilosa stand out, and it’s also what made the EC155 my favourite coffee machine for beginners. Most machines in this price range don’t have boilers; instead, they have thermoblock heaters.
A boiler is better than a thermoblock because it keeps the brew temperature more stable and accurate. Some parts of coffee’s flavour can only be extracted at certain temperatures.
A few degrees of change might not seem like a big deal, but it’s what makes the difference between good and great espresso.
I used a thermocouple to keep an eye on the brew water temperature, and it stayed within 201 F, which is the best range for extracting coffee.
One thing to keep in mind is that a boiler takes longer than a thermoblock to heat up and stay stable. It takes about 3 minutes for the Stilosa to heat up, but I’ve found that waiting at least 5 to 10 minutes really makes the difference. This also gives the passive cup warmer on top a lot of time to warm up.
How To Use Delonghi Stilosa Espresso Machine
The Stilosa is what De’Longhi calls a manual espresso machine, but I think of it as semi-automatic since it has a 15 bar pump. You aren’t pulling the shot by hand with a handle, but you are involved in every other step.
This might not seem like the best choice for someone who is new to espresso, but I really like this style of machine for beginners. It’s as easy to use as turning a handle, but the level of control gives you room to improve your barista skills; it’s a learning tool.
Here is the process I’ve adopted:
- For 10 minutes, let the machine heat up after you turn it on.
- Use a burr grinder to grind 13 grammes of coffee into a fine powder.
- Warm up your coffee cup.
- Spread the ground coffee out evenly in the filter and tamp it down hard.
- Place the cup below the portafilter as you put it into the machine.
- The shot will begin when you turn the dial clockwise.
- Turn the dial back to the middle to stop the shot after about 30 seconds.
Frothing Milk With A Steam Wand
What if you want to use the Stilosa to make milk-based drinks? That’s right, the process is easy, but you can get better at it with practice.
Here is what I do:
- Put the milk of your choice into a bowl for foaming milk.
- On the switch, turn it anticlockwise to turn on steam mode.
- Just below the milk’s surface, put the steam wand into the jug.
- To open the steam pipe, flip the switch on the side of the machine.
- Change how steep the pitcher is until the milk makes a whirlpool.
- The milk should be between 140 and 150 F when you turn the dial back to the middle to stop.
I used a thermometer to make sure the milk was at the right temperature when I first started to use this machine. But it’s easy to know when to stop once you get the hang of it. Just trust your gut. You should be able to hold the milk pitcher even though the outside is hot.
Another part of this machine that works better with a heater instead of a thermoblock is the milk frother. It gives off stronger and drier steam, which makes it easier to make the smooth microfoam that a latte needs.
Design And Build Quality
In my opinion, the Stilosa has a nice modern look for being one of the newest manual machines from Delonghi. It comes in a sleek black plastic case with stainless steel parts.
The machine is small, so it won’t take up much room on your counter. It’s 8.07″ wide, 13.5″ deep, and 11.22″ tall, and the water tank can be taken out and used again. It also has a pretty high coffee cup space of 4.25 inches, which can be raised to 6 inches with the cup stand that can be adjusted. Another big improvement over the EC155, which couldn’t hold mugs much bigger than a demitasse.
Colours
Since this machine doesn’t have the stainless steel finish we’re used to seeing on espresso machines, I think the shiny black plastic has a classic look as well. This beauty will never go out of style and should go with any kitchen style. This machine still has stainless steel parts and features, but they’re not on the outside.
User Interface
The De’Longhi Stilosa coffee machine’s user interface is made to be easy to use and understand. The machine is easy for people of all skill levels to use because the settings are simple and easy to understand. With clearly marked buttons and knobs, it’s easy to choose the coffee options you want, change the settings for brewing, and use the steam wand to foam milk. There are also lights on the interface that let you know when the machine is ready to brew or when it needs repair, making sure that the brewing process is easy. The De’Longhi Stilosa coffee machine is beautifully designed to make making your favourite drinks easy and fun, no matter how much experience you have with coffee machines.
Removable Water Tank
The Stilosa’s 34-ounce (1-liter) water capacity is tiny for its compact form. If the water tank needs to be cleaned or filled, you don’t have to move the machine if there’s no washbasin nearby.
The machine’s left side has a water tank level indicator. For precision-seekers, the indicator lacks accurate readings, but the glass tube lets you observe the tank’s water level. Water level indication is visible from the front of the machine, making it easy to monitor.
Boiler
In general, it doesn’t take long for the Stilosa to heat up. It will take less than seven minutes for this manual machine to heat up, even if the tank is full. It will take even less time if you use less water for your espresso drinks.
Milk Foam
A lot of small manual espresso machines don’t come with a milk jug, and the Stilosa is no different. This is something you’ll need to buy separately if you want to use the steam gun.
It costs $19.94 to buy a DeLonghi milk bottle. There are, however, many other names on Amazon that will work just as well.
The DeLonghi Stilosa comes with a manual steam stick that you can use to foam milk. To get started, all you have to do is turn a knob. I was surprised by how well this Panarello wand works, even though it’s a genuine one. This steam stick can move all the way around, which is different from many cheap ones. Another thing I did well was make some great microfoam, which isn’t always possible with a Panarello stick.
Drip Tray
The drip tray that can be taken off is a useful feature, even though it comes with most espresso machines. There is nothing worse than having hot water or espresso run all over your machine.
I will say that the drip tray is pretty small. I guess that’s what you’d expect from a machine that small. Anyway, I think you should keep an eye on things to avoid any bad overflow.
Auto-Shutoff
It can be annoying to have to turn off your espresso maker by hand when you’re done using it. And if you’re used to leaving your coffee maker alone after it makes coffee, this could go horribly wrong.
For the most part, the Stilosa will turn itself off, which is good news. Now all you have to do is make your original speciality drinks.
Pannarello Steam Wand
It’s easy to make light milk foam for a cappuccino this way, but it takes a little more practice to get the silky smooth steamed milk you need for a latte. The Pannarello steamer, on the other hand, is a big step up from the EC155’s “swivel jet frother,” which I found very hard to use for making cafe-style lattes.
Does Delonghi Stilosa Use Pods?
Yes, the De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine can use both ground coffee and ESE (Easy Serving Espresso) pods. This flexibility allows users to enjoy their favourite coffee blends or conveniently use pre-packaged pods for quick brewing. Whether you prefer the traditional experience of grinding your own beans or the simplicity of pod brewing, the Stilosa accommodates both preferences, making it a versatile option for coffee lovers of all kinds.
What Drink Quality Can You Expect?
You can make high-quality coffee drinks that are just right for you with the De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine. Its 15-bar pump makes sure that the espresso is rich and tasty, with a smooth crema layer. The steam wand on the machine makes velvety microfoam that gives milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos the right texture. The Stilosa always makes the same great coffee, whether you want a strong espresso shot or a smooth latte. The Stilosa is reliable and flexible, so you can enjoy drinks that taste like they were made in a café from the comfort of your own home.
Read More: The 7 best Espresso Machines for home
Delonghi Stilosa Portafilter Size
Narrow 51-mm cups are usually used in De’longhi pump espresso machines, like the Stilosa. This makes their espresso taste worse, in my opinion, especially with lighter roast beans.
Most professional espresso machines have baskets that are 58 mm in diameter. For a double shot, specialty coffee shops today use 18 to 20 g of coffee. The Stilosa’s small espresso baskets can’t hold that much—I got about 14 grammes at most—so as the shot volume goes up, the flavour strength goes down.
You can only make a latte or an Americano that’s about 8 ounces in size. Any bigger than that and the coffee flavour gets weak.
Read More: How to clean the coffee maker with vinegar and other natural products
Don’t Buy The De’longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine If…
You want an espresso machine that you don’t have to touch as much: Do you always have a million other things going on while you make coffee in the morning? You probably don’t need a semi-automatic espresso machine. Instead, think about getting an automatic one like the Breville Bambino or the De’Longhi Dedica. Spend a lot of money on a one-touch latte machine like the Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista.
You know how to make espresso: If you already know a lot about espresso, an entry-level machine probably won’t do it justice. If you can afford it, get something a little more high-tech, like the famous Gaggia Classic Pro. It makes great coffee, has a 58-mm group, and a professional-style steam wand.
You value build quality: You value good building: It’s hard to stay away from plastic products without spending a lot of money. The Breville Cafe Roma is a cheap semi-automatic machine that looks like shiny stainless steel. Check out the manual Flair Classic if you want to try something new. It takes a little longer to learn, but it can last for decades.
Final Thoughts: De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine Review
This review of the De’longhi Stilosa should have answered all of your questions about this cheap espresso machine. I think it’s a beautifully made espresso machine that’s great for people who are just starting to drink espresso.
There isn’t a better way to try making coffee shop drinks like lattes and cappuccinos at home without spending a lot of money or time learning how to do it. You can use it right away, and it will teach you enough about being a barista that your drinks will get better as you use it.