How to Use a De'Longhi Espresso Machine
To use a De'Longhi espresso machine, fill the tank, let it heat, dose and tamp the ground coffee, lock the portafilter in, then start the shot. Steam the milk last, and follow the first-use and cleaning steps in your model's manual, since the controls differ between models.
On this page (10 sections)
- Set up your De'Longhi before the first shot
- Grind and dose for a De'Longhi
- Pull a shot with the portafilter
- Steam milk with the wand
- Counter space and power for a De'Longhi
- Choose the right model for your routine
- Common first-week problems
- Keeping the machine ready between sessions
- Clean and descale your De'Longhi
- How to use a De'Longhi espresso machine every morning
This guide explains how to use a De'Longhi espresso machine, covering setup, a shot, milk and cleaning.
De'Longhi makes several home models, and the steps are close from one to the next. For the general process, see how to use an espresso machine, step by step.
The two models below show the range. The Stilosa has a manual steam wand, and the Classic Signature has an adjustable wand with preset shot recipes.
Both are semi-automatic, so the basics in what a semi-automatic espresso machine is apply to them too. The Classic Signature's presets run the shot volume for you, but you still dose, tamp and lock in the portafilter and steam the milk yourself.
Set up your De'Longhi before the first shot
Fill the water tank with fresh water, plug in the machine and turn it on. Wait until the machine signals it's ready before you start a shot.
Run the first-use steps in the manual before you make a drink. These usually include a water flush through the group and the steam wand.
How to use a De'Longhi espresso machine on day one
Use the first day to learn the controls and the sounds the machine makes. Read the manual for the light and button meanings, since De'Longhi models use different sequences.
Keep the drip tray in place and check the water tank is seated. A tank that isn't seated can stop the machine from brewing, so it's worth a quick check.
Grind and dose for a De'Longhi
De'Longhi espresso needs a finer grind than drip coffee, so set your grinder for espresso rather than a filter brew. Start with the grind you have, then adjust one step at a time.
Dose enough coffee to fill the basket without a mound, then level the top with the scoop. Tamp once, firmly and level, and brush any grounds off the rim before you lock the portafilter in.
Pull a shot with the portafilter
Put the ground coffee in the basket, level it with the scoop, then tamp it firmly. The Stilosa includes a measuring scoop that doubles as a tamper, and the Classic Signature comes with a scoop and a tamper.
Lock the portafilter into the group head by turning it until it stops. Then start the shot.
On the Stilosa, you start and stop the shot yourself. On the Classic Signature, the preset recipes can run a set shot size for you, which helps once you know the amount you like.
Steam milk with the wand
Purge the wand briefly before you steam, to clear water from the tip. Then place the tip just under the surface of cold milk in a jug.
Move the jug slowly to build a smooth swirl. Stop when the jug feels hot to the touch, since the milk is warm enough and further heating can scorch it.
The Classic Signature's wand has two settings, from silky steamed milk to a richer microfoam. Pick the setting that suits the drink you're making.
The Stilosa's wand is manual, so you move the milk by hand and watch the texture as it forms. Keep your hand clear of the steam, and wipe the wand after each use, since both the wand and the jug get hot.
If the milk looks thin and bubbly, the tip may sit too deep in the jug. Lower the jug slightly, then keep the tip near the surface until the milk swirls smoothly.
Counter space and power for a De'Longhi
De'Longhi models differ in width and height, so measure the spot before you choose. The Stilosa is about 9.5 inches wide, while the Classic Signature is about 14 inches wide, so that gap can decide the pick.
Check the cord length and the outlet position too. A short cord can limit where the machine sits, so plan the plug position first.
Keep the machine away from the wall edge where steam can reach the cabinets, and leave room for the drip tray to slide out.
Choose the right model for your routine
The Stilosa suits someone who wants to learn each step by hand. It takes more attention on every drink, which is part of its appeal for a first machine.
The Classic Signature suits someone who wants repeatable shots with less fiddling. Its presets, pressure gauge and adjustable wand give more consistency, at the cost of a larger footprint.
If you're leaning toward the Stilosa, the De'Longhi Stilosa review goes deeper on that model.
Common first-week problems
A weak shot usually comes from the dose, the grind or the tamp. Use enough coffee to fill the basket, grind a little finer if the shot runs fast, and tamp level.
If water leaks from the top of the portafilter, the basket may be overfilled or the portafilter may be loose. Reseat the portafilter and check the basket before you try again.
If the milk won't froth, the wand may be partly blocked. Purge it and wipe the tip, then try again with a cold jug.
Keeping the machine ready between sessions
Leave the drip tray and the portafilter dry between sessions, so the machine stays tidy. Refill the tank with fresh water each day rather than topping off old water.
If the machine sits unused for a long time, empty the tank and run a fresh cycle before the next drink, as the manual describes.
Clean and descale your De'Longhi
After each session, knock out the used puck, rinse the portafilter and basket, and wipe the steam wand. Empty the drip tray when it fills, and keep the water tank filled with fresh water.
Descale on the schedule in your manual. De'Longhi makes its own descaler, and it says the product works with other brands too.
Follow the bottle's steps for dilution and cycles.
Don't mix it with other products, and keep it out of reach of children and pets. For the full steps, see how to descale an espresso machine.
How to use a De'Longhi espresso machine every morning
The routine stays short once you know it: fill, heat, dose, tamp, shot, milk, then wipe. After a week, those steps feel automatic, and you can start adjusting the dose and the grind to suit your taste.
If a step keeps slowing you down, look at the setup before the drink. A tidy counter and a full tank usually fix most of the morning delays.
Keep a short note of the dose and the grind for each bag of coffee. That note makes the next bag quicker to dial in.
Note the preset or setting you used on the machine too, so the same shot is easy to repeat. If you switch beans, expect the shot to move, and adjust the dose before you change the grind.
Give each new bag three or four shots before you judge the setting, since the first shot can differ from the rest.
Before you buy, how to choose an espresso machine for home sets out the main decisions, and the home espresso machine guide covers the wider choice. Once you own one, the routine above is the part you'll repeat every day.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use a De'Longhi espresso machine for the first time?
Fill the water tank with fresh water, plug in the machine and let it heat up. Then run the first-use steps in your manual, which usually include a water flush through the group and the steam wand before your first drink.
Why is my De'Longhi espresso machine shot weak?
A weak shot usually comes from the dose, the grind or the tamp, so use enough coffee for the basket and tamp level and firm. Grind a little finer, change one thing at a time and taste each shot.
