DeLonghi La Specialista Review: Tips and How To Dial In Espresso (EC9355 Prestigio)

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In this DeLonghi La Specialista review, I’ll walk through the Prestigio model (EC9355M). I was interested in this model since it has an integrated tamper, which makes brewing espresso a lot easier. But, the DeLonghi La Specialista is tricky to use because the grind settings are limited, and the interface is confusing.

I’ll brew three espressos and explain tips to dial in the espresso for the best taste on the DeLonghi La Specialista espresso machine. The key is buying a new portafilter basket, using a lower dose on fine settings, and tweaking the water temperature. You can get a good shot if you think a little more broadly than “grind finer” and instead use a lower dose on finer settings, and increase the water temperature for coarser settings.

The new La Specialista steam wand is great, and you can froth a nice milk if you hold to pitcher on an angle. The angled water spout is also great for Americanos. Some pros to this espresso machine if you’re willing to figure it out.
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Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:35 Design, grinder, and interface
1:43 how to brew espresso (shot #1)
3:58 dialing in espresso (shots #2 and #3)
6:30 portafilter discussion
7:43 new portafilter and more dial in tips
9:28 Steam wand and milk frothing
11:48 Drink options and programming
12:39 Final Thoughts

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[jessicamines]

I finally got to Optimal level thanks to this video, I did the courser and hotter and it worked! thank you. will but the portafilter next.

[Abomshary]

Thank you very much for your kind effort.
I have 3 holes steaming nozzle, I could not make the milk gets velvety snd foamy, I tried tens of times but unfortunately no use🤕 when I pour the milk after steaming to my espresso it goes down and not floating. I decided finally to change the 3 holes nozzle to one hole nozzle, hopefully it works.

Best regards

[JulieCarboni-my]

Thankyou I found your video very good and easy to understand. I have struggled a little but feel more confident now! Ours does not have the Americano dial as we are in Australia 🇦🇺 how ever all the other components are the same! I will also get the extra wand for a better puk.
😊☕️🥳

[Roodsteam]

what i found usefull i pre fill 18 gramm containers since we drink about 2-4 coffes a day. i singledose the grinder (thats also nicer for cleaning) and then i do tamp myself because i like to sometimes wdt or level. With 18 grams the presetting of the delonghi is quite nice.

[Gombi]

Thank You for the Tutorial, we were very lost before finding this video.

[shaneconrad-davis]

Objective and helpful video! Good stuffff! Thanks bru!

[zaneslocombe]

I find the La Specialista does not grind fine enough for light/medium roasts and have resorted to using my 1Zpresso hand grinder for my favourite coffees. It is fine for darker roasts.

The Neouza portafilter does look a better portafilter to the one I bought which also claimed compatibility with this machine but the three lugs are tapered on mine which does not seem to provide enough friction to hold the portafilter in place when experimenting with finer grinds and the pressure builds. I have had a couple of messy explosions when I never noticed the portafilter rotating loose when I was focused on the pressure gauge and reading the flow volume on the scales. The lugs on the Neouza appear to be more similar to supplied portafilter and are flat/parallel top and bottom. Think I may purchase this portafilter. Thanks.

[ChrisJ-tz]

If you turn the "Dose" dial to the portafilter picture all the way to the left, the Presitgio won't grind, allowing you to tamp without more dosing, read your manual. In addition, I have a significantly different experience with my 9355. My crema, and brew time are different than yours.

[ekinaygen]

question! once you adjust the machine once, do you need to keep readjusting every day? I want to waste the least amount of espresso beans as possible!

[cbrunnkvist]

"It does 60-70ml" - the reviewer seems to have missed the "x2" button which is used for toggling between double and single shot. The flow sensor seems quite accurate in my experience, it does not vary that much.

[abamina]

Great video! Thanks! Purchasing my portafilter now. Do you recommend a puck screen? im new to all this...

[AnnaMaria-qh]

can u share what’s the best ratio for ground coffee and duration for espresso extraction? also, is it normal to have wet pucks? we have the same espresso machine

[kieranhooper]

What happens if you adjust the grind setting without it grinding? For example, if it was on 5, moved to 3 and then grind. What happens? If nothing, how do you then ensure what grind setting you’re on and how to adjust it properly?

[rickg-eb]

I have been trying to dial in with a the bottomless portafilter you're using with my la specialista and am seeing sporadic results. Wondering if you have any ideas... Mainly using lighter to medium roasts from our local shops...tried coffee that is freshly roasted and coffee that has a little more time on it. Grind settings between 2-3 and using 15-15.5 grams. timing is 25 seconds or so...Any more weight seems to see too much channeling and spraying from portafilter. Not getting close to 1 o'clock or 8-9 bars....still in the pre extraction zone....thanks in advance

[EricLiu-cijo]

Hi, I just get this new porter filter same as yours, how much coffee do you put in?

[caliraisedexotics]

Is that after market portafilter u recommend compatible with the built in tampering system this machine has..just bought this same machine a couple weeks ago and am thinking about changing to the one u recommended

[andrewcox]

I noticed on the 3rd dose the pressure gauge maxed out. Do you take much notice of the pressure?

[KomlaAholu]

Bonjour Msr montre moi le charbon qui donne le courant de broyeur

[ducttaperulestheworl]

Slightly annoyed that our unit doesn't really tamp well. Just messy and the tamper is tiny compared to the portafilter. Making a wall of coffee grounds around the portafilter basket.
Yours seemed fine.

[fayewarren]

My new Delonghi La Specialista machine isn’t registering any pressure at all? Not sure if it is broken or I am doing something wrong. Can anyone help?