The ESAM4200 is one of Delonghi’s lower priced bean to cup machines and from looking online one of the most popular, possibly because of the price and how good it is.
The machine is easy to use and gives a great espresso. It has a manual frother rather than some of the more expensive ones which do this automatically for you. If you like to froth your own milk and be your own barista then this is the more fun style to have, although it can take some practice if you’re new to it.
The ESAM4200 has three adjustable settings to help you make a coffee to your own taste (this will obviously also depend on the beans you are using as that’s where the flavour comes from!).
Settings:
1, Coffee bean grind setting 1-7 (going up in halves) for fine to coarse/ strong to weak.
2, Amount of ground coffee per cup.
3, Amount of water per cup.
Numbers 1 and 2 do not take effect if using pre-ground coffee only with the beans. Numbers 2 and 3 can be easily adjusted for each individual drink. Changing the grind setting is simple to do but is a bit time and bean consuming especially if you are making a big change as it can only be adjusted 1 ½ of a number while the grinder is in use. Although when you have it set to your own preference you aren’t likely to want to adjust it again.
The overall features on this model are limited, such as no pre programmed drinks, digital display, personalised drink options as with the more expensive digital models but at this price you cant expect too much.
As well as being simple to use the ESAM4200 is also very easy to clean as all the necessary parts, which isn’t many, come out for washing. It also lets you know when its time for it to be descaled, just make sure you set the machine to the correct water hardness level when you initially set it up. If you don’t know the hardness of your water don’t worry it comes with a test strip for you.
As with all of Delonghi’s bean to cup machines the ESAM4200 comes with a 2 year manufactures warranty. This model is also available in black and labelled as ESAM4000.B.
