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De'Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine, Latte & Cappuccino Maker, 15 Bar Pump Pressure + Milk Frother Steam Wand, Black / Stainless, EC260BK, 13.5 x 8.07 x 11.22 inches
Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | De'Longhi |
Color | Black and Stainless |
Product Dimensions | 8.07"D x 13.5"W x 11.22"H |
Special Feature | Milk Frother |
Coffee Maker Type | Espresso Machine |
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About this item
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew
- Brew lattes, cappuccinos and espressos in a comfort of your home
- Contemporary and Compact Design: The perfect addition to your modern kitchen countertop, without taking up too much space, plus it’s easy to clean
- 15 BAR Pump: The optimal pressure to extract a single or double espresso, so your coffee drink comes out perfectly rich.
- Manual Milk Frother: Texture your milk with ease to create an authentic cappuccino, latte or flat white..Stainless Steel Boiler. Auto shut-off
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From the brand
From the manufacturer
Introducing Stilosa by De’Longhi
Created for those embarking on their espresso journey, this elegantly designed machine allows you to easily craft authentic espressos, lattes and cappuccinos in the comfort of your own home.
-
Contemporary and Compact Design
The perfect addition to your modern kitchen countertop, without taking up too much space, plus it’s easy to clean.
-
Manual Milk Frother
Texture your milk with ease to create an authentic cappuccino, latte or flat white.
-
Stainless Steel Boiler
Robust design, durable construction of this boiler is engineered to last long and work for years with consistent performance.
-
Two level cup holder
Allows you to use a variety of cup sizes so you can have as much—or as little—espresso as you’d like.
De’Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine
Stilosa is an elegantly designed espresso machine that elevates your espresso experience at home. We’ve incorporated new features that let you easily craft authentic espressos, lattes and cappuccinos with ease, just the way you like them. With its compact, contemporary design, innovative features and streamlined process, the perfect espresso is more accessible than ever before with Stilosa by De’Longhi.
Product guides and documents
Videos
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HONEST REVIEW! Must watch before buying!
Brian & Camila's Must Haves
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Customer Review: Gets my Espresso done
🌟 FilipinaShopaholic 🌟
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Product information
Brand | De'Longhi |
---|---|
Color | Black and Stainless |
Product Dimensions | 8.07"D x 13.5"W x 11.22"H |
Special Feature | Milk Frother |
Coffee Maker Type | Espresso Machine |
Filter Type | Reusable |
Style | Espresso Machine |
Specific Uses For Product | Espresso |
Included Components | 33.8 fl.oz water tank, De’Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine, Accessories Included: Portafilter, Measuring Scoop/Tamper, single & double pod filter |
Operation Mode | Manual |
Voltage | 120 |
Model Name | Stilosa |
Number of Items | 1 |
Human Interface Input | Buttons |
Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
Item Weight | 9.48 pounds |
Manufacturer | De'Longhi |
ASIN | B08C96BG9H |
Country of Origin | China |
Item model number | EC260BK |
Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #4,444 in Home & Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home & Kitchen) #1 in Manual Espresso Machines |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | July 2, 2020 |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Product Description
Now you can incorporate delicious espresso drinks into your daily routine. Introducing Stilosa by De’Longhi. Created for those embarking on their espresso journey, this elegantly designed machine allows you to easily craft authentic espressos, lattes and cappuccinos in the comfort of your own home. The 15 bar pump creates the optimal pressure to extract a single or double espresso according to espresso brewing standards. An ergonomically designed portafilter has two filters, for single or double espresso. A separate tamper provides an additional control of even and consistent pressure for a better extraction. The two level cup holder accommodates taller cups. The heart of Stilosa – the durable Stainless steel boiler is engineered to last long and work for years with consistent performance, unlike the competition. The manual milk frother mixes steam and milk to create a rich, creamy froth for evenly textured lattes and cappuccinos just the way you like them. Stilosa’s sleek, refined design and stainless steel elements make this the perfect addition to your kitchen countertop, without taking up too much space. On top of that it’s simple to clean and maintain, to ensure your espresso machine lasts longer. Your at-home espresso journey starts now with Stilosa.
What's included:
Espresso Machine
Portafilter
Tamper
Filter for Single & Double Espresso
Measuring Spoon
Instruction Manual & Quick Start Guide
1 Year Warranty.
WARNING:
Compare with similar items
This Item De'Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine, Latte & Cappuccino Maker, 15 Bar Pump Pressure + Milk Frother Steam Wand, Black / Stainless, EC260BK, 13.5 x 8.07 x 11.22 inches | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | |
Price | -46% $84.99$84.99 List: $155.95 | $369.99$369.99 | -12% $139.99$139.99 Typical: $158.99 | $99.90$99.90 | -30% $159.99$159.99 List: $229.99 | $139.99$139.99 |
Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 3 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Flavor | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
Easy to clean | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
Blending power | 4.1 | 4.4 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 4.2 |
Easy to use | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.1 | — | 4.3 | 4.4 |
Value for money | — | 4.4 | 3.8 | — | 4.4 | — |
Sold By | Amazon.com | KaiHui Instrument Tec. | Laekerrt | Aeomjk Store | GEVI US LLC | CASABREWS |
capacity | 1200 milliliters | 2 liters | 35 fluid ounces | 34 fluid ounces | 1.2 liters | 34 fluid ounces |
material | Plastic, Stainless Steel | Plastic | Stainless Steel | — | Stainless Steel | Brushed Stainless Steel |
input interface | buttons | buttons | buttons | buttons | buttons | buttons |
voltage | — | 120 volts | 120 volts | — | 120 volts | 120 volts of alternating current |
wattage | 1100 watts | 1400 watts | 1350 watts | 1000 watts | — | 1350 watts |
model name | Stilosa | — | Espresso Machine 20 Bar Espresso Maker CMEP01 with Milk Frother Steamer | Coffee Maker | E418E-S | CM5418BC-UL |
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the ease of cleaning the coffee maker. They say it's easy to use and clean. They are also happy with ease of use, and value. However, some customers have reported issues with durability and water leakage. They mention that the coffee does not produce strong coffee and that the durability quality has decreased exponentially. Customers are mixed on quality, heat, and size.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are mixed about the quality of the coffee maker. Some mention that it produces great and smooth flavor, while others say that it hardly does much to tamp espresso. They also say that the water was too cold, making the shot sour, and that it's easy to over-brew the coffee.
"...I've had it for a week and I absolutely love the quality of the espresso it makes. I can't wait to have my coffee every morning...." Read more
"...4. It seems to be really well made and good qualityCONS1...." Read more
"...If you are new just buy it, I love it so far. Its basic and yes it comes with a closed bottom portafilter, but if you are new youll figure out how..." Read more
"...This is why. Lemon juice is disgusting! But pair it with sugar and you have probably one of the most popular drinks on the planet, lemonade...." Read more
Customers find the coffee maker easy to use. They mention it's convenient, cost-effective, and provides exceptional pressure. Some say it'll be easy to learn how to pack the portafilter and use the functions of the machine. They also appreciate the user-friendly controls and versatile brewing options. Overall, most are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.
"...I can't wait to have my coffee every morning. It is very easy to use and to clean. Quick heat up time. The steamer works well. Highly recommend it." Read more
"...I like the fact that it’s manual because when the glasses fill unevenly I can turn it off & remove the full one, then turn it back on to finish..." Read more
"...2. Very Basic Machine for beginners easy to understand how it works...plus there are youtube videos on how this machine works.3...." Read more
"...Out popped a really easy to work machine. Hubby is now hooked too...." Read more
Customers like the value of the coffee maker. They mention that it's an unbeatable price/function ratio, and is worth the investment.
"...Price/function ratio is unbeatable.* Good for everyone except those brewing commercial amounts of coffee...." Read more
"...1. Price Point is Great ..This will pay for itself within a year by making lattes at home instead of going to starbucks2...." Read more
"...It was a joke and the price was really good though. Now a.know why. It lasted a whole month before it bit the dust...." Read more
"...overall, that is my experience and I truly think this machine was worth the cost!!!PS.***** added this a week later!..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the size of the coffee maker. Some mention it's a nice size and fits very well on their counter without taking up much room, while others say that the size is too small and only short cups will fit.
"...It is also a nice size and fits very well on my counter without being overbearing...." Read more
"...The frother arm adjusts very easily & only the metal part at the top gets hot...." Read more
"...Original review: It's ok. Only short cups will fit, and the dial/selections are awkwardly done...." Read more
"...A fantastic value, a compact no frills machine that does what it was designed to do, and does it well. If you're on the fence don't be...." Read more
Customers like the cleanability of the coffee maker. They say it gets ready quickly, is not hard to clean, and is easy to use.
"...It is very easy to use and to clean. Quick heat up time. The steamer works well. Highly recommend it." Read more
"...I found that it’s super easy to clean & the removable water reservoir goes in & out easily & is very convenient...." Read more
"...Also, cleanup is NOT a breeze...." Read more
"...It can make it easier to clean and keep your steamer clear!..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the heat of the coffee maker. Some mention that it quickly heats up, and the milk frother/steamer heats the milk very well. However, others say that it needs to heat up, the coffee is never hot, and that the milk takes longer to get hot than it should.
"...of me steaming the milk, and turn back on again, so my milk isn’t steamed consistently. You have to time the espresso pulls yourself (25-30 seconds!)..." Read more
"...It is very easy to use and to clean. Quick heat up time. The steamer works well. Highly recommend it." Read more
"...And its a thermoblock with little thermal mass. That's the bad side.Now the good side -- it makes legitimate espresso...." Read more
"...It has a very flat and consistent pressure profile, its group head is heated, as is the top of the machine (for heating your cup), and the steaming..." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the water leakage of the coffee maker. They mention that it leaks a good amount of water underneath after every use, does not drip properly, and drips after use for hours. Some say that the basket drips and that the original device developed a leak above the espresso head. The replacement device also leaked all over and did not flow from the holding tank to the boiler.
"...What was normal pack is too tight for this machine and it just does not drip properly. Makes a great cup, but lacks power." Read more
"...It ran for 5 minutes and not a drop of water came out...." Read more
"...Things to note: the water must removed vertically or filled with a different container...." Read more
"...Update: It’s now 12/28/2022 and the unit drips after use for hours when totally turned off...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the durability of the coffee maker. They mention that it only brews cold and weak coffee, the longevity of this machine is really sucky, and the quality has decreased exponentially. They also say that the machine is made out of plastic and is very poorly made. Customers also mention that the taste was bitter and the machine seemed to struggle. They say that it died after 9 months and that it cuts off after a little while.
"...And I’d rinse off the steam wand as well, milk builds up, it takes just a few seconds but saves you time!..." Read more
"...and though it gets the job done, do note that it's not tremendously powerful or consistent." Read more
"...The tamper is flimsy and very low quality! It literally feels like it may snap at any minute...." Read more
"...and the milk takes longer to get hot than it should, consistency is really hard to achieve...." Read more
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* This espresso machine meets my exceptional standard.
* Price/function ratio is unbeatable.
* Good for everyone except those brewing commercial amounts of coffee.
Due to the length of this review and the sake of brevity, I will label each section for easy reference.
SUMMARY
Will this machine brew a cafe quality coffee drink right out of the box? Yes, but with major caveats.
WHY I BOUGHT THIS MACHINE
Money. Plain and simple. I wanted an espresso machine that wasn’t $500+. I just don’t have the money. I set out to buy what I thought was the very cheapest functional espresso machine to find out if it would in fact produce an espresso that was worth it. The Stilosa is it. You can’t go cheaper, once you do that, the machines offered don’t work at all, I mean, at all. They don’t have consistent pressures, temperatures and flow rates. So please, don’t waste your money on the $59.00 versions. At the time of posting, I bought the Stilosa at $99.00 on sale.
INTRODUCTION
When I purchased this, I knew nothing about espresso. I just wanted a good coffee drink without spending, what is now, $7.00 a cup. Since then, I have learned everything about espresso and have almost a 100 hours of study and practice in. Through lots of trial and error, I have taught myself the intricacies of espresso brewing, and believe me, it is far more intricate than you think! I also found out that many of the terms are vague and far from universal. With that said, most of what I will write aligns with as much of a community standard as one exists.
CAVEAT #1
The truth is simple. This machine will brew a cafe quality drink right out of the box because “most” cafes have horrible drinks. I have discovered that brewing espresso is a fine balance between science and art. The major chains actually have very expensive machines and they still brew disgusting coffee. I have read so many reviews, and the one thing that is consistent throughout all of them is this; purists (the French and Italians), and anyone who has had a good espresso, won’t even go to the major chains. This is why. Lemon juice is disgusting! But pair it with sugar and you have probably one of the most popular drinks on the planet, lemonade. Likewise, most of us hate extra dark chocolate, because it is really bitter, but blend it with milk, and surprise, you have one of the most popular deserts, milk chocolate! Sugar balances sour, and dairy balances bitterness. What this means is this. You could run sand through the Stilosa, and if you blend it with enough sugar and milk, it is difficult to differentiate between it and major chain’s coffees. It isn’t until you start drinking espresso straight that you notice how horrific most of it is. To test this, just go in and ask for a double shot, chances are it will be bitter or sour. If you don’t know, espresso is actually very balanced and often velvety and sweet on its own. So, will the Stilosa brew a really good espresso right out of the box with no other tools? No, but…… neither will a $5,000.00 machine. Which leads me to caveat #2.
CAVEAT #2
It doesn’t matter what machine you buy, none of them will take bad coffee and make it good. Again, I wanted to buy a machine as cheap as possible, with no accessories, and see if I could get a good espresso. Sorry, if you are on a budget, it’s not gonna happen. No matter what your budget is, you have to have a grinder. As soon as you are forced into buying pre-ground coffee roasted 10 weeks ago, you will only get what those products are able to deliver, regardless of the price of your espresso machine. My suspicion is, this is why major brands have such bad coffee. In the pursuit of supply chain uniformity, they lose freshness. Crema is a function of the release of CO2, once ground, these gases are escaping. It is simple science. Even with the best vacuum packaging, pre-ground coffee will lose its ability to create crema in a couple days (if not less). Combine that with stale beans and there is nothing you can do to make good coffee. Imagine trying to make a great sandwich with expired stale bread and cheese. Ingredients matter. You have to have a grinder. I didn’t want one, but I was forced to buy one, otherwise my espresso machine was just going to sit there, unused. This is of course if you don’t want to dump a bunch of sugar and milk in. I spent $50 on an Enzoo conical burr grinder, and it works great. You may say, “what about just grinding your beans at the grocery store?”. tried that, several times, it doesn’t work. First of all, those machines are all out of spec because nobody every maintains them. Second, every coffee is different and “dial in” needs to happen for each brand and roast of coffee. Third, you will buy a 8 or 10 oz bag of coffee and grind it all at once but you’ll never use it all at once. The next morning, your coffee is already starting to go stale.
The good news is this. If you have a $1000.00 espresso machine, you still need a grinder. So at least you can buy the Stilosa and have an overall lower financial commitment.
CAVEAT #3
It is impossible to get a fantastic espresso without adding some tools to the Stilosa. This is not so bad considering the price point of the Stilosa, because, once again, you will have to buy all that anyway regardless of the machine you purchase. This is only the case if you buy an espresso machine and not a bean to cup machine of course. If you don’t want to mask your espresso with sugar and milk, you will need the following things without exception;
Grinder = $50-$75
Kitchen Scale = $15-$35
Not necessary but very helpful and time saving;
WDT = $10-$30
Dosing Funnel = $10-$35
Tamping Tool = $10-$65
Espresso shot glasses Varies
Puck Polishers Blah blah
Non-pressure Portafilter $$$$ pricey
And the list goes on.
This is where espresso making turns into more of a hobby than just wanting a good cup. The accessories that come with the Stilosa will work, they don’t work great, but they will work. What you trade in money, you lose in time. You can still get a really good cup of coffee (this is only if you have a grinder and a scale) from the Stilosa with its accessories, but you will work for it. The last 5% of quality is always the hardest, and that’s where the upgrades come. If you want, budget a few things. Namely a bottomless, naked, Portafilter, with a non-pressurized filter basket. The Stilosa comes with a Portafilter and 2 pressurized filter baskets (7 gram + 14 gram). ~ Side Note Below ~
~ The Stilosa has a very unique and interesting pressurized filter basket. More often, to maintain pressure, a pressurized filter basket will only have one hole in the bottom. The Stilosa actually has a spring driven piston that really works very well. This is an industry upgrade and I think more and more economy machines will come with this feature. You can also “hack” the filter basket if you wanted. You can remove the spring piston assembly, place the screen back in the basket, and have a non-pressurized basket. I would NOT recommend this as it probably voids your warranty. ~
CAVEAT #4
The price to function ratio of the Stilosa is incredible. But that is a ratio. More expensive machines give you things that this just won’t. You will not be able to watch or change; temperature profiles or pressure profiles, and it doesn't have a PID (proportional–integral–derivative controller), and frankly a bunch of other things you probably have never heard of. But the Stilosa has fantastic features for the price point. It has a very flat and consistent pressure profile, its group head is heated, as is the top of the machine (for heating your cup), and the steaming wand is amazing. It is also a nice size and fits very well on my counter without being overbearing. Unless you are making 100+ cups a day, you really don’t need all that other stuff. Of course, those things are nice if you have found yourself turning espresso into a hobby, but as we all know, hobbies get kind of expensive. My only substantial complaint about the Stilosa is this, there is no way to grab and hold it as you install and remove the Portafilter. I am strong enough that this isn’t a problem, but for others out there, this may be a bit of a challenge.
SUMMARY
Five stars all day long. This is the single best entry machine you can buy. It is backed by a major espresso machine manufacturer and they hit the mark. It will consistently produce a “better than cafe” espresso, it will just make you work for it. Paired with a good grinder, you will be able to play with all your ratios and pull Ristrettos, Espressos, and Lungos without issue. It heats fast (a little over a minute on cold mornings), has a really nice upgraded spring piston pressurized filter basket. Consistently makes “better than cafe” micro foam for latte art (with practice). You can easily upgrade the Portafilter to a bottomless one without issue. No automatic timing, which is what you want for proper pulls (time is a measure, not a variable). It is advertised that it has an auto shut off……. I haven’t see that yet. I just turn mine off after use. I also fill it with filtered, bottled water, it’s so much easier than removing the tank and filling it. Considering I have less than $200.00 in the whole setup, I couldn’t be happier. With good coffee, a good dial in, and lots of practice, you will be able to make a really good cup of coffee, better than the major chains. I would buy again in a heartbeat.
THE “CATCH”
This will take you to a whole new level, but you are going to earn it. Lots of frustrating moments, but ultimately very rewarding. If you just want a fast cup of coffee, don’t buy this. Go buy a pod machine like Nespresso, LOR, or Lavazza. Remember, these aren’t espresso machines, and just because they call it that, doesn’t make it true. But with that said, their coffees are moderately good. For about the same total investment, you can get milk “frothers” and a pod machine that will make your drink in 20 seconds. Dump enough sugar and milk in and you won’t know the difference. But they will never dial into the perfect, pure, crema topped, 1-2 ratio, pressure pulled, espresso. And once you have had that, you’ll never go back.
Some helpful info:
51mm 2 ear Portafilter with a 7 gram and 14 gram filter basket.
~ most machines are 54mm or 58mm with 18 gram baskets. As a small side note, 7 grams was the original Italian single espresso, and can be very difficult to brew correctly. But less coffee means you can have more of it throughout the day!
Steaming wand with Pannello attachment.
Heated top for cup warming.
Heated grouphead.
33+ oz water tank.
~ Update
I stand by everything I have said. However, I decided to upgrade to a bottomless naked portafilter and that has changed everything. The dial in on a new coffee is so much easier and the crema and flavor of the coffee is so much easier to manipulate!
The other big thing I have discovered is the perfect coffee. Do yourself a favor and go get Tony’s Upland blend. Brew it to a 2.7 ratio at roughly 27 seconds. Oh…. My….. Gosh…..! You’re welcome.
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2023
* This espresso machine meets my exceptional standard.
* Price/function ratio is unbeatable.
* Good for everyone except those brewing commercial amounts of coffee.
Due to the length of this review and the sake of brevity, I will label each section for easy reference.
SUMMARY
Will this machine brew a cafe quality coffee drink right out of the box? Yes, but with major caveats.
WHY I BOUGHT THIS MACHINE
Money. Plain and simple. I wanted an espresso machine that wasn’t $500+. I just don’t have the money. I set out to buy what I thought was the very cheapest functional espresso machine to find out if it would in fact produce an espresso that was worth it. The Stilosa is it. You can’t go cheaper, once you do that, the machines offered don’t work at all, I mean, at all. They don’t have consistent pressures, temperatures and flow rates. So please, don’t waste your money on the $59.00 versions. At the time of posting, I bought the Stilosa at $99.00 on sale.
INTRODUCTION
When I purchased this, I knew nothing about espresso. I just wanted a good coffee drink without spending, what is now, $7.00 a cup. Since then, I have learned everything about espresso and have almost a 100 hours of study and practice in. Through lots of trial and error, I have taught myself the intricacies of espresso brewing, and believe me, it is far more intricate than you think! I also found out that many of the terms are vague and far from universal. With that said, most of what I will write aligns with as much of a community standard as one exists.
CAVEAT #1
The truth is simple. This machine will brew a cafe quality drink right out of the box because “most” cafes have horrible drinks. I have discovered that brewing espresso is a fine balance between science and art. The major chains actually have very expensive machines and they still brew disgusting coffee. I have read so many reviews, and the one thing that is consistent throughout all of them is this; purists (the French and Italians), and anyone who has had a good espresso, won’t even go to the major chains. This is why. Lemon juice is disgusting! But pair it with sugar and you have probably one of the most popular drinks on the planet, lemonade. Likewise, most of us hate extra dark chocolate, because it is really bitter, but blend it with milk, and surprise, you have one of the most popular deserts, milk chocolate! Sugar balances sour, and dairy balances bitterness. What this means is this. You could run sand through the Stilosa, and if you blend it with enough sugar and milk, it is difficult to differentiate between it and major chain’s coffees. It isn’t until you start drinking espresso straight that you notice how horrific most of it is. To test this, just go in and ask for a double shot, chances are it will be bitter or sour. If you don’t know, espresso is actually very balanced and often velvety and sweet on its own. So, will the Stilosa brew a really good espresso right out of the box with no other tools? No, but…… neither will a $5,000.00 machine. Which leads me to caveat #2.
CAVEAT #2
It doesn’t matter what machine you buy, none of them will take bad coffee and make it good. Again, I wanted to buy a machine as cheap as possible, with no accessories, and see if I could get a good espresso. Sorry, if you are on a budget, it’s not gonna happen. No matter what your budget is, you have to have a grinder. As soon as you are forced into buying pre-ground coffee roasted 10 weeks ago, you will only get what those products are able to deliver, regardless of the price of your espresso machine. My suspicion is, this is why major brands have such bad coffee. In the pursuit of supply chain uniformity, they lose freshness. Crema is a function of the release of CO2, once ground, these gases are escaping. It is simple science. Even with the best vacuum packaging, pre-ground coffee will lose its ability to create crema in a couple days (if not less). Combine that with stale beans and there is nothing you can do to make good coffee. Imagine trying to make a great sandwich with expired stale bread and cheese. Ingredients matter. You have to have a grinder. I didn’t want one, but I was forced to buy one, otherwise my espresso machine was just going to sit there, unused. This is of course if you don’t want to dump a bunch of sugar and milk in. I spent $50 on an Enzoo conical burr grinder, and it works great. You may say, “what about just grinding your beans at the grocery store?”. tried that, several times, it doesn’t work. First of all, those machines are all out of spec because nobody every maintains them. Second, every coffee is different and “dial in” needs to happen for each brand and roast of coffee. Third, you will buy a 8 or 10 oz bag of coffee and grind it all at once but you’ll never use it all at once. The next morning, your coffee is already starting to go stale.
The good news is this. If you have a $1000.00 espresso machine, you still need a grinder. So at least you can buy the Stilosa and have an overall lower financial commitment.
CAVEAT #3
It is impossible to get a fantastic espresso without adding some tools to the Stilosa. This is not so bad considering the price point of the Stilosa, because, once again, you will have to buy all that anyway regardless of the machine you purchase. This is only the case if you buy an espresso machine and not a bean to cup machine of course. If you don’t want to mask your espresso with sugar and milk, you will need the following things without exception;
Grinder = $50-$75
Kitchen Scale = $15-$35
Not necessary but very helpful and time saving;
WDT = $10-$30
Dosing Funnel = $10-$35
Tamping Tool = $10-$65
Espresso shot glasses Varies
Puck Polishers Blah blah
Non-pressure Portafilter $$$$ pricey
And the list goes on.
This is where espresso making turns into more of a hobby than just wanting a good cup. The accessories that come with the Stilosa will work, they don’t work great, but they will work. What you trade in money, you lose in time. You can still get a really good cup of coffee (this is only if you have a grinder and a scale) from the Stilosa with its accessories, but you will work for it. The last 5% of quality is always the hardest, and that’s where the upgrades come. If you want, budget a few things. Namely a bottomless, naked, Portafilter, with a non-pressurized filter basket. The Stilosa comes with a Portafilter and 2 pressurized filter baskets (7 gram + 14 gram). ~ Side Note Below ~
~ The Stilosa has a very unique and interesting pressurized filter basket. More often, to maintain pressure, a pressurized filter basket will only have one hole in the bottom. The Stilosa actually has a spring driven piston that really works very well. This is an industry upgrade and I think more and more economy machines will come with this feature. You can also “hack” the filter basket if you wanted. You can remove the spring piston assembly, place the screen back in the basket, and have a non-pressurized basket. I would NOT recommend this as it probably voids your warranty. ~
CAVEAT #4
The price to function ratio of the Stilosa is incredible. But that is a ratio. More expensive machines give you things that this just won’t. You will not be able to watch or change; temperature profiles or pressure profiles, and it doesn't have a PID (proportional–integral–derivative controller), and frankly a bunch of other things you probably have never heard of. But the Stilosa has fantastic features for the price point. It has a very flat and consistent pressure profile, its group head is heated, as is the top of the machine (for heating your cup), and the steaming wand is amazing. It is also a nice size and fits very well on my counter without being overbearing. Unless you are making 100+ cups a day, you really don’t need all that other stuff. Of course, those things are nice if you have found yourself turning espresso into a hobby, but as we all know, hobbies get kind of expensive. My only substantial complaint about the Stilosa is this, there is no way to grab and hold it as you install and remove the Portafilter. I am strong enough that this isn’t a problem, but for others out there, this may be a bit of a challenge.
SUMMARY
Five stars all day long. This is the single best entry machine you can buy. It is backed by a major espresso machine manufacturer and they hit the mark. It will consistently produce a “better than cafe” espresso, it will just make you work for it. Paired with a good grinder, you will be able to play with all your ratios and pull Ristrettos, Espressos, and Lungos without issue. It heats fast (a little over a minute on cold mornings), has a really nice upgraded spring piston pressurized filter basket. Consistently makes “better than cafe” micro foam for latte art (with practice). You can easily upgrade the Portafilter to a bottomless one without issue. No automatic timing, which is what you want for proper pulls (time is a measure, not a variable). It is advertised that it has an auto shut off……. I haven’t see that yet. I just turn mine off after use. I also fill it with filtered, bottled water, it’s so much easier than removing the tank and filling it. Considering I have less than $200.00 in the whole setup, I couldn’t be happier. With good coffee, a good dial in, and lots of practice, you will be able to make a really good cup of coffee, better than the major chains. I would buy again in a heartbeat.
THE “CATCH”
This will take you to a whole new level, but you are going to earn it. Lots of frustrating moments, but ultimately very rewarding. If you just want a fast cup of coffee, don’t buy this. Go buy a pod machine like Nespresso, LOR, or Lavazza. Remember, these aren’t espresso machines, and just because they call it that, doesn’t make it true. But with that said, their coffees are moderately good. For about the same total investment, you can get milk “frothers” and a pod machine that will make your drink in 20 seconds. Dump enough sugar and milk in and you won’t know the difference. But they will never dial into the perfect, pure, crema topped, 1-2 ratio, pressure pulled, espresso. And once you have had that, you’ll never go back.
Some helpful info:
51mm 2 ear Portafilter with a 7 gram and 14 gram filter basket.
~ most machines are 54mm or 58mm with 18 gram baskets. As a small side note, 7 grams was the original Italian single espresso, and can be very difficult to brew correctly. But less coffee means you can have more of it throughout the day!
Steaming wand with Pannello attachment.
Heated top for cup warming.
Heated grouphead.
33+ oz water tank.
~ Update
I stand by everything I have said. However, I decided to upgrade to a bottomless naked portafilter and that has changed everything. The dial in on a new coffee is so much easier and the crema and flavor of the coffee is so much easier to manipulate!
The other big thing I have discovered is the perfect coffee. Do yourself a favor and go get Tony’s Upland blend. Brew it to a 2.7 ratio at roughly 27 seconds. Oh…. My….. Gosh…..! You’re welcome.
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Reviewed in Mexico on March 6, 2024