An Overview of the DeLonghi Magnifica ESAM3300 Super Automatic Espresso Machine
Do you love a great cup of coffee? Have you been searching for a top-quality espresso machine that does it all, and is easy to use?
If you answered yes to either of those questions, then you’re going to love our detailed DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica super automatic espresso coffee machine review. As you’ll see in the sections below, this is an amazingly full-featured machine with a lot to recommend it.
We’ll paint a complete picture of everything this machine can do, and point out its few flaws, so you’ve got all the information you need to make an informed purchasing decision. That said, let’s get right to it!
Form Factor and Footprint
The first thing to note about the DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica espresso machine is its compact size. It measures a scant 15”x11”x14”, and weighs 28.1 pounds, which is quite modest.
That matters because most people don’t have an abundance of kitchen or countertop space, so the small footprint makes the Magnifica attractive to a much broader share of the market compared with other super automatics, which can be significantly larger.
While it isn’t a feature in the proper sense of the word, if you don’t have a lot of room in your kitchen to add another device, then this is likely to be one of your favorite aspects of the machine.
Aesthetic
In addition to being compact, the DeLonghi Magnifica ESAM 3300 is also quite a beautiful machine, with a silver, metallic front face and molded black plastic sides and top. It’s got sleek, modern lines, and makes an excellent addition to most home kitchens.
Reservoir Size
Our DeLonghi ESAM3300 super automatic espresso/coffee machine review wouldn’t be complete without calling special attention to the reservoir size. It’s huge, holding a hefty sixty ounces of water.
This makes the Magnifica kind of the best of both worlds.
Consider: On the one hand, this machine is not designed to brew a pot of coffee at a time, but rather, brews by the cup. On the other hand, the controls on the front panel allow you to adjust the cup size to a maximum of 8 ounces, and then you can order a “double shot” which will double it to a maximum of 16 oz.
While that’s obviously not as much coffee as a pot holds, it still means that this machine is capable of satisfying the appetites of even the most hardcore power coffee drinkers without having to continuously refill the reservoir, and that’s huge.
Best of all, where most super automatic machines have a back-loading reservoir, the Magnifica’s is accessible from the front of the machine, meaning you don’t have to move it to refill it, making it all the more convenient to use.
Some people just like a single cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Others are power drinkers who want coffee on demand throughout the day. If you fall into this latter category, the generous size of the reservoir will probably wind up being your favorite feature.
Integrated Grinder
One of the hallmarks of super automatic espresso machines is that they are “beans-to-brew” systems, and the DeLonghi Magnifica ESAM3300 is no exception. It is designed to use medium-roast coffee beans (oily beans are not recommended as they may clog the system), grind them fresh, and brew the perfect cup of your favorite specialty coffee drink.
Regarding the grinder itself, the bean hopper holds up to 7 ounces of coffee beans, accessed via the top of the machine.
The grind setting dial is located next to the hopper and can be used to adjust the coarseness of your grind.
This is one of the keys to making an excellent cup of coffee. If you don’t get the grind right, you’re going to have a substandard cup of coffee.
Where brewing is concerned, there are two main factors to consider:
Everyone’s tastes and preferences are different, so finding the right balance between the right grind setting, which is adjusted via the grind setting knob, and the optimal contact time, adjusted via the strength setting knob on the front of the unit, is the single most important aspect to brewing the perfect cup of coffee for you.
We would be remiss in our DeLonghi ESAM3300 review if we didn’t mention the one drawback of this unit, and that is the fact that the grinder is a bit loud.
All grinders make noise, of course, but the DeLonghi ESAM 3300 makes somewhat more than usual. It’s not a huge deal, but if you have small children who are sleeping close to where the machine will be situated, it could be the factor that tips the scales against this model.
Being a full-featured machine, the ESAM3300 Delonghi doesn’t limit you to just beans, however. If for whatever reason, you want to use ground coffee, you can do that too, thanks to the presence of the bypass doser. This is located on top of the machine, beneath a lift-up hatch located between the bean hopper and the warming tray.
Delonghi has even provided a scoop, and a built-in spot for holding it between uses, so it’s as easy as scooping your grounds into the hopper, dialing in your preferred settings, and pressing the brew button.
Double Boiler System
Delonghi has developed a patented double boiler system that, thanks to its stainless-steel construction and compact size, heats quickly and evenly, which lowers your wait time between cups. Coupled with its fast re-heating capabilities, and it means that you’ll never have to wait long for your next cup, and it’ll always be at the ideal temperature.
Telescoping Coffee Spigot
A small-but-important feature that adds a feeling of polish and refinement to the device.
It allows you to quickly and easily adjust the height of the dispenser to accommodate a variety of cup sizes to suit your tastes and preferences, so bring your favorite coffee cup and get ready for a taste of caffeinated heaven!
Cappuccino System
The cappuccino system is designed such that it is capable of rotating 180 degrees, allowing it to accommodate a milk container of virtually any size.
The manual frother is easy to use but doesn’t work quite as fast as some other models on the market. This is not usually a deal breaker for most people, but it is worth mentioning.
Note: If you want more cream and less foam, just place your milk container such that the nozzle is closer to the bottom of the container. For more foam, position it, so it’s closer to the surface. Also note that although the DeLonghi Magnifica 3300 utilizes a double boiler, it’s not possible to froth or steam and brew, simultaneously.
Espresso
Let’s talk about espresso for a moment.
In addition to finding the right grind and strength, another important consideration for a great espresso is pressure.
Pressure is measured in bars (1 bar = atmospheric pressure at sea level). You need at least 9 bars to make a good espresso. The DeLonghi 3300 Magnifica offers fifteen, so absolutely no problems in that department. You will not be disappointed!
Cup Warming Tray
This also sits atop the unit and is functionally similar to the cup warming trays on professional-grade espresso and cappuccino machines. It’s crucial to a great specialty coffee because even if you get everything else right, nothing will ruin your drink faster than dispensing it into a cold up.
If you’re looking for absolute coffee perfection, you’re going to want to use a pre-warmed cup, every time. Fortunately, the Magnifica makes that easy to do!
Easy to Use, Easy to Clean
Another crucial aspect of our DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica super-automatic espresso/coffee machine review is how easy the machine is to use.
With the exception of the grinder setting dial, all the controls are located on the front of the unit, and are an even mix of push buttons and rotary knobs. Significantly, the Magnifica does not utilize digital controls.
While these are nice and even appropriate on some appliances, it’s just one more thing that can potentially break. We regard the use of non-digital controls here to be an excellent design decision.
The controls themselves are simple, intuitive, and clearly labeled. Among other things you can:
If you want a coffee with a creamier consistency, it’s as simple as adjusting the height of the coffee spigot such that it’s lower and closer to the cup.
The manual is very well written, and while there is a slight learning curve, the DeLonghi Magnifica ESAM3300 is easy to master. You can pull it out of the box, set it up and plug it in, and be enjoying your first cup of coffee in a matter of minutes.
Even better, the Magnifica is “smart,” and will remember your preferred settings, enabling you to quickly and easily reproduce your favorite specialty coffee drinks to perfection, every time you use it.
The reservoir, drip tray, and brewing system are all removable and easy to clean, and the unit comes with a descaling program you should run periodically to eliminate buildup that inevitably happens over time.
Pros & Cons of the DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica
As you can see from our DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica review to this point, there’s a lot to like about this machine. In our view, these are the best features and strongest points of the design:
As good as it is, there are two small drawbacks to the machine. They are:
Neither of the Magnifica’s negatives are deal breakers.
Delonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso Coffee Machine Review Conclusion
The Delonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super Automatic certainly lives up to its name. It is a magnificent machine by any reckoning. Considering its feature set, it’s modestly priced, too, and it is well served by the addition of non-digital controls and Italian design.
If you’re a serious coffee drinker, who loves specialty coffee drinks and you’ve been looking for a machine that’s both easy to use and incredibly capable, then the Magnifica won’t disappoint! Highly recommended.
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