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binky
Reacher
Joined: June 06, 2009
Posts: 284
Location: JinShan, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
Nov 07, 2009 - 10:54 AM |
 
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| Post subject: Which Espresso Maker: DeLonghi EC155 or EC200CD? |
We are buying an espresso maker. Its for my office but, aside from me, it's not going to get a lot of use.
I had originally ordered a Can Kun 1817d, but it was dead on arrival, so back it went...decided to go with an Italian brand. 
The DeLonghi EC155 has many positive reviews, so we've almost decided to purchase it.
However, they also make a few very similar models: EC200CD (which I think is the Bar32?) and EC410. Aside from the case and water capacity, I can't figure out what the difference is.
1) Is DeLonghi a good choice, or can you recommend a better one?
2) Is there any reason to choose a more expensive DeLonghi over the EC155, and is the large price increase (~650 vs. 1100+ for ec200) justified?
Thanks! |
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CoffeeHawk_0
Board Deity
Joined: July 14, 2005
Posts: 17952
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Nov 07, 2009 - 10:19 PM |
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I've had 2 DeLonghi's and am very happy with them.
The 2 important things are temperature and pressure. The 1100~1300rmb models produce about 14psi (100kPa) which is what you need to squeeze everything out of the coffee. Ask them to pull the instructions out of the box and you can often see the pressure, and wattage (more wattage means higher pressure and temperature, for machines with the same features). From all the brands I looked at no one had a machine under 1000rmb that had this much pressure. Inversely, more expensive machines do not produce more pressure.
The ~1300rmb DeLonghi I bought last month was also significantly quieter than the older model at the same price. I'm not at home now so I can't tell you the model number. |
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TheJaguar
Squeeker
Joined: Nov 08, 2009
Posts: 11
Status: Offline
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Nov 08, 2009 - 11:52 AM |
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De Longhi is italian just in the name. It is owned by Philipps and I suppose what you can buy for 1300rmb is made not too far from here.
That said, the choice of a coffee machine is not an easy one. Which kind of coffee do you indent do brew with it? espresso?, americano? do you want to make cappuccino or latte?
If for office I will not suggest to start producing cappuccini or lattes as this involve the use of milk and (as we know, it is very easy to kill people with milk - suggestion: When i drink a cappuccino - before 12am - i like to see which brand of milk is used- being latte one espresso plus boiled milk same thing apply)
For office if you want to do espresso or americano (one espresso+boiling water) and you like quality: the trend is now into coffee pods (mind: not capusule.) They do a perfect coffee (same as the one in italian bar) and they are clean and enviromental sort of friendly (as made of paper). The pods should be E.S.E. (Easy serving espresso) certified.
Coffee Machine for pods: They are available , made in China, starting from 1000rmb. they make fantastic first 20 coffees, they they have a problem (You think of one, they will have it.)
These are made in 100% Italy www.lapiccola.it
Coffee Pods are available in different tastes and quality of coffee, from Espresso to 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain and price varies from 4rmb to 37rmb each pod.
Being the only true Coffee Merchant in Shanghai, www.apezzani.com we supply over 20 kinds of pods from various brands.
Welcome to the World of Coffee...ehehehehehehehehe |
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neverboring
LoopKicker
Joined: Nov 21, 2007
Posts: 921
Status: Offline
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Nov 08, 2009 - 12:59 PM |
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Check out the Saeco units. Don't know the pricing here in China but I've used several throughout the years (home and office) and they've been great. DeLonghi's are severely overpriced in the US in my book. |
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binky
Reacher
Joined: June 06, 2009
Posts: 284
Location: JinShan, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Nov 12, 2009 - 02:40 PM |
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We ended up getting the Delonghi ec155.
It brews a good cup, and it is 15bar.
The biggest problem is you need to use a smallish sized cup, and it is hard to find good coffee here in JinShan.
We will probably get some ESE pods. Metro unfortunately said they don't carry them anymore, but I guess Carrefour does...they are kind of expensive, but are easier. |
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mat
Shanghai Royalty
Joined: Apr 26, 2004
Posts: 9024
Location: Loooooooooooose!
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 12, 2009 - 02:50 PM |
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Get your coffee from the Jaguar. Espresso nation. Smart Direct deliver it. |
_________________
www.justbeer.cn Get a Blondie into you! |
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binky
Reacher
Joined: June 06, 2009
Posts: 284
Location: JinShan, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 12, 2009 - 03:07 PM |
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| mat wrote: |
| Get your coffee from the Jaguar. Espresso nation. Smart Direct deliver it. |
I just checked out smart direct's website. They had a lot of great coffee, but I couldn't find any ESE pods. Do I need to order it first from a different website, and then have smart direct deliver it? |
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mat
Shanghai Royalty
Joined: Apr 26, 2004
Posts: 9024
Location: Loooooooooooose!
Status: Offline
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Nov 12, 2009 - 03:31 PM |
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Ahhh, they deliver coffee, not those pod rubbish things  Try mylocalstore.cn |
_________________
www.justbeer.cn Get a Blondie into you! |
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binky
Reacher
Joined: June 06, 2009
Posts: 284
Location: JinShan, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Nov 13, 2009 - 04:36 PM |
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CoffeeHawk_0
Board Deity
Joined: July 14, 2005
Posts: 17952
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Nov 14, 2009 - 07:07 AM |
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I'm just saying this from experience not to be uppity or condenscending, but spend 300~400rmb on a grinder and grind you own beans. That's the only way to get truely fresh coffee WITH all the original oils from the bean. Pods and ground coffee are sans oil. You'll also have a much larger selection of coffees you can try. Also, most coffee shops/restaurants (UBC, Manabe, some bakeries, etc.) sell beans, they just don't advertise it much. |
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binky
Reacher
Joined: June 06, 2009
Posts: 284
Location: JinShan, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 14, 2009 - 07:58 AM |
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^ I agree with you in principal. The thing is that this is intended for office use, so it has to be easy for the receptionist to use and not messy. ESE pods are a compromise, and I'm sure the result will be far better than powdered instant. 
When we can afford it, perhaps we'll get one of those automatics that can grind the beans.  |
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TheJaguar
Squeeker
Joined: Nov 08, 2009
Posts: 11
Status: Offline
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Nov 14, 2009 - 09:27 AM |
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For a list of the ESE pods available (20 different kinds): info@apezzani.com.
ESE pods do have their 'oils' as they are packed in protected atmosphere immediately after grinding (the machine that does that costs around 100.000 euro) |
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binky
Reacher
Joined: June 06, 2009
Posts: 284
Location: JinShan, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Nov 18, 2009 - 08:40 AM |
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Hi Jaguar,
I sent you an E-mail but got no reply.
Actually, I went out and got some Illy ESE pods. Very disappointed!!! 
Although I am following all the directions as far as I can tell (pre-heating the machine and etc.), they produce a mediorcre cup of espresso with no crema at all!
As the saying goes: it's like kissing your sister (or your grandma, in this case.)
What's the deal? The coffee is strong and black, but no foam on top. Even if I pack in some local ground "shanghai coffee", I get some crema (although the coffee itself tastes like rubbish.  ) Given that Illy is supposed to be the best, this was a big (and expensive) disappointment.
Anyone want to buy some Illy ESE pods??? |
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formosa
Newbie
Joined: Sep 10, 2009
Posts: 4
Status: Offline
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Nov 18, 2009 - 09:34 AM |
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Instead of De Longhi I would give the Nespresso System a try.
I know they are not so easily available in Shanghai, but if you have a frequent visitor who could bring them from europe, you would really get a good espresso with crema
Everytime my CEO visits SHA i'll order 300-400 capsules for home use. Beside we have a Nespresso machine in company for guests as well. |
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binky
Reacher
Joined: June 06, 2009
Posts: 284
Location: JinShan, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Nov 18, 2009 - 09:39 AM |
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I wonder if there is something wrong with my machine? It seems to me that they would not advertise it is ESE compatible if it produces such poor coffee.
I will have someone contact Delonghi China.
Anyway, the coffee is perfectly drinkable: but it is more like strong filter coffee than espresso. |
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rocco72
Veejay
Joined: June 14, 2005
Posts: 2039
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Nov 18, 2009 - 09:45 AM |
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I have the Gaggia Titanium machine, a fantastic gadget, but expensive, makes a good coffee and I buy my beans from the Jaguar.
I have to agree with Formosa,
Lately though I have been trying the Nespresso machines and I have to say that I'm impressed, you can choose from many different types of coffees and once you've figured out which one you like, you stick with it. Great little machines they are, and some made by De Longhi as well.
I know there's a nespresso boutique in Bei Jing, not sure whether they have plans to open in shanghai, but am sure they will. If you go to HK, you'll find one in the Elements shopping Mall, kowloon train station (from airport), prices of the capsules are not so bad in HK, in Bei jing they're a bit more expensive.. |
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binky
Reacher
Joined: June 06, 2009
Posts: 284
Location: JinShan, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 18, 2009 - 10:08 AM |
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We just spoke to Delonghi, and they said that you cannot produce proper espresso with crema using ESE pods. That seems rather hard to believe--you'd think someone would have noticed this problem before me, right?
Anyway, they suggested that we bring the coffee maker to their repair shop in Shanghai to have it checked. The address, in case anyone is interested, is:
永兴路540号63566755，东长治路259号65410006 |
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binky
Reacher
Joined: June 06, 2009
Posts: 284
Location: JinShan, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 18, 2009 - 10:12 AM |
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You know, I'm starting to realize why everyone drinks tea here...   |
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chingiskhan
Low Seater
Joined: Apr 24, 2007
Posts: 3347
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 18, 2009 - 10:22 AM |
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Nespresso has perfect crema every time. I don't know why people mess around with ESE pods. |
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binky
Reacher
Joined: June 06, 2009
Posts: 284
Location: JinShan, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 18, 2009 - 10:25 AM |
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Does anyone know if ESE pods can produce crema or not? Delonghi's repair shop is also telling us that it is impossible to ever produce crema with those pods! |
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rocco72
Veejay
Joined: June 14, 2005
Posts: 2039
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 18, 2009 - 10:30 AM |
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| chingiskhan wrote: |
| Nespresso has perfect crema every time. I don't know why people mess around with ESE pods. |
Both my Gaggia Titanium and Nespresso machine produce very nice crema.... |
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binky
Reacher
Joined: June 06, 2009
Posts: 284
Location: JinShan, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 18, 2009 - 10:34 AM |
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| rocco72 wrote: |
| chingiskhan wrote: |
| Nespresso has perfect crema every time. I don't know why people mess around with ESE pods. |
Both my Gaggia Titanium and Nespresso machine produce very nice crema.... |
I can produce crema with store bought ground coffee, too.
But not with the ESE pods. Is it truly impossible, as Delonghi has said? If so, those pods are a total rip off, considering how much more expensive they are. |
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rocco72
Veejay
Joined: June 14, 2005
Posts: 2039
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Nov 18, 2009 - 10:37 AM |
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Call Illy, maybe they might help you out, they have an office in shanghai..... |
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binky
Reacher
Joined: June 06, 2009
Posts: 284
Location: JinShan, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 18, 2009 - 11:07 AM |
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Good suggestion! We did and, according to them, their pods should work just fine and produce crema. I'm inclined to believe them, as I'm sure someone on Amazon (for example) would have mentioned this problem before if Delonghi Shanghai was correct.
Soooo....yes, probably the lesson is: don't buy a Delonghi here.
To late for us, but hopefully others can benefit from our experience. |
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Ah Beng
Rocker
Joined: May 14, 2008
Posts: 768
Location: Shanghai Paradise
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 18, 2009 - 03:52 PM |
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3 in 1 instant coffeemix for the office. Hassle free, cheap, easy storage. Locals seems to love it...
Then you BYO from starbucks...  |
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