Basic Espresso Setup - DeLonghi Dedica - 2024 overview

DeLonghi Dedica (in my case EC685) is a very capable machine, if you upgrade the portafilter to use non-pressurized basket. 

In this article I'll explain what are the limitations and possibilities. And how to squeeze out the best results from what you have.

 

Basic Espresso Setup

You can get the whole setup in under $450. And it will be worth it.

Get a good grinder first. It's a foundation for any great coffee, especially espresso.

As for the manual grinder, I would start from Timemore C3 Esp. I've tried it with Delonghi Dedica when reviewed, there is enough of adjustments even for this machine.

Though, I prefer my stepless Kinu m47 since the burr is more reliable in a long term.

If you're planning to use it exclusively for espresso, then you can use Eureka Mignon as an electric coffee grinder option. Reliable workhorse. Or go with the Fellow Opus as a universal and stylish option which is pretty good for pour over too. And not that loud.

Delonghi Dedica. Well, there are different models. Usually they differ by the steam wand. We're not covering this today. But what I will say is that you can easily get used machine to save some budget.

Portafilter. That's the key to a great espresso with this machine. At least main one.

Dosing funnel. Simplify the process of distributing the coffee. Prevents from spilling it and makes the process faster.

WDT. Needles for distributing the ground coffee before tamping.

Tamper. Any 51mm tamper will do. 

Scale. This is necessary. Don't even try to make espresso without it. Even 0.5 g will affect your shot quality. You can use a regular jewelry scale or any other alternative.

Water. This is extremely important. Reverse osmosis + minerals or similar water is preferred. Like, water from vending machines etc.

List of gear:

DeLonghi Dedica - $219

Portafilter (bottomless) - $60

Portafilter ("regular", double spout) - $33

Tamper - $9

WDT, Dosing funnel, Puck Screen - $25

Timemore Coffee Scale Mini - $69 

Jewelry scale - $10

Manual Coffee grinders:

Timemore C3 Esp - $99

Kinu m47 - $219

Electric Coffeee Grinders: 

Eureka Mignon Notte Espresso Grinder - $329

Fellow Opus - $195

 

DeLonghi Dedica - Features

Overall it reminds me an automatic coffee machine. But you have way more control.

Compact and lightweight. You can literally take it with you in a backpack or shopper. And move within the house if needed (especially when cleaning the counter-top). 

Relatively fast heating time. Around 5 minutes and you can make coffee. Though, I will run some water through the system before making coffee to preheat it better. And usually wait around 10+ minutes till it is hot at the top.

Temperature modes (3 settings). I usually use the highest one, but it's nice that the settings are available. So that if you brew darker roast - you can decrease the temperature.

Programmable shots. Not sure it's a plus for me, but if you have a stable dose of coffee and a good grinder - you can program the dose once and then just brew by pressing the button, without holding it every time. But I prefer the maximum control and use the scale every time for predictable results.

Ability to use non-pressurized basket. That's the key. Because you can't go with the small enough grind size using a pressurized basket. It's possible only with professional machines which have powerful pump. 

DeLonghi Dedica - downsides

Can't turn off pre-infusion. It will pause for a few seconds at the beginning. Not a big deal, but I would prefer not to have this feature. The pump isn't that powerful, this helps to make the coffee better. 

It will choke if the grind size isn't good. It will try to work, but then it will turn off the pump. Safety feature. Though, you can wait a little in order to save the shot. And press the brewing again.

It doesn't heat up the portafilter unless you run water through it. Not a big deal, but good to know. It's all because of the group. Portafilter is inserted into plastic. That's probably why we have 3 "ears" instead of 2 like in other machines. 

But your espresso will still be hot and brewed properly.

Wait, there is more. The group, at least in my case, doesn't hold the portafilter securely enough (the one that I've bought, aftermarket bottomless portafilter). So that I need to hold it in order to be sure that it will not unlock and make a mess on the table. I've tried to change the basket (I got used machine, thought this is the issue). But still, the locking isn't strong. Portafilter slides out relatively easy compared to professional machines.

Drip tray is just terrible if you use it with scales or naked portafilter. But it's a double drip tray. I usually take off the upper one and keep the small one underneath. I just wiping it with the towel after making every shot.

For using the scales comfortably, I made a small table "scale holder". The height of the legs should be around 27-30 mm. And after brewing I just slide it away with the scales. So that I don't need to move them at all.

Make the best Espresso

Weigh the coffee. Grind it. I found that the 12 g dose is working well and it's easy to use because you have less mess when distributing. But up to 18 g is fine.

At this point, I highly recommend to add a paper filter for espresso before adding coffee. Then add the coffee, distribute it with WDT (needles), then tamp it. Ideally, place puck screen or paper filter at the top as well.

Then insert it into the machine, place the scales with the cup underneath and while holding the portafilter so it will not unlock during the brewing because of the pressure, hold the brewing button. And start the stopwatch if you have it on scales / phone. It could help to adjust the shot later.

In my experience, the best espresso is when the machine is almost choking (meaning, turning off the pump. On the edge). So that the 24 g shot is brewed in around 20 seconds (with 12 g dose). I stop the brewing at 20 grams and pressure built-up adds more liquid. Then I take out the cup when there is 24 grams of espresso. 

But it will depend on you coffee a lot. Espresso requires practice and knowledge.