De’longhi Ecam 23.460.s

Kitchen Equipment

De’longhi Ecam 23.460.s

Pros

  • Easy to operate
  • Fairly easy to clean
  • Relatively cheap for a fully automatic espresso/cappuccino machine
  • A separate milk container
  • LEDs on the front above a cup, so you can also make coffee in the dark
  • Easy to choose for ground coffee

Cons

  • The drip tray is just a little more difficult to clean
Delonghi Ecam 23.460.s NL Review

Introduction

Today something different; the De’longhi Ecam 23.460.s fully automatic espresso machine! After extensive testing of this machine – almost 7 months, it is time for a review. You can read my experiences here!

How nice it is to be able to test different products as a reviewer. I am certainly not a coffee connoisseur, but I do enjoy a good cup of coffee. And that too is relative, of course. A 1000 euro machine will generally make better coffee than a 449 euro machine like this one. But is that true? I put this to the test with the Ecam 23.460s.

Specifications

Dimensions (wxdxh) cm: 43.0×23.8×34.0
Weight (kg): 9
Mains voltage (V~Hz): 220/240~50/60
Power consumption (W): 1450
Color: Silver
Capacity beans container (g): 250g
Display: 2-line with icons
Coffee grounds container full after: 14
Coffee spout opening min/max (mm): 86-142mm
Pump pressure (bar): 15
Adjustable coffee strength: Yes
Acoustic signal: Yes
Automatic cleaning: Yes
Auto Power Off: Yes
Cappuccino system cleaning indicator: Yes
Use of ground coffee: Yes
Cup holder: Yes
Coffee spout lighting: Yes
De’Longhi LatteCrema System: Yes
Descaling and cleaning program: Yes
Energy-saving mode: Yes
Coffee grinder with 13 grinder settings: Yes
On/off button at the rear: Yes
Auto power-on: Yes
Adjustable water hardness: Yes
Removable drip tray: Yes
Removable infuser: Yes
Removable water tank: Yes
Selection for 1 cup: Yes
Selection for 2 cups: Yes
Standby function: Yes
Water filter: Yes

Unpacking

Time to unpack the Delonghi / De’longhi (I will continue to write it as Delonghi in this review)!

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

The Ecam 23.460.s. is available in as many as 5 colors. In this case, we have chosen the silver-colored version.

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

DeLonghi supplies e.g. with the coffee machine, filter, cleaning tablets, scoop, and manuals.

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

The lid is transparent, which is nice. This way you can always see how many beans you have left in your machine. The opening is there to put ground coffee into the machine, but I’ll get to that later!

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

Once unpacked, it’s time to look at the machine. And I must confess that I think it’s quite a neat machine. Yes, it’s made of plastic. But it is solid.

The milk container can be attached by removing the left spout (from which hot water comes out).

The bottom tray can be pushed forward. This is the drip tray where all the excess water is deposited. This can hold quite a bit, too. Inside this large tray is a small container in which the coffee ‘pucks’ are deposited. When using the machine, it is also indicated when the drip tray for the coffee ‘pucks’ is full.
The disadvantage of this drip tray is that no special coating has been added to it that easily removes the sludge or other dirt. On the other hand, an extra polish is done in no time.

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

On the right side is the water tank that can be easily pushed forward – and filled. The great thing about this tank is that it can also hold a water filter.

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

The rear isn’t very exciting but included for the curious reader. 😛
The same goes for the left side, by the way.

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

Top of the machine: The front (right) has space to put cups on. At the rear of the machine is the (250g) bean container (left).

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

At the bottom left is the grinding adjustment dial, which has 13 settings. So in that respect, you can set it completely to your liking.
In the middle right there is a lid for putting ground coffee into the machine. Yes, also for the Dutchman who has regular visitors, and does not want to spend his expensive coffee beans on others. 😛
I’ve seen it happen several times, opening the lid because visitors came by. Then a pot came out of the cupboard. And whoppaaaa. You get cheap crap!

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

The infuser is accessible on the inside right of the machine – when the water tank is removed.

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

This ‘relatively’ small part is used to press in the coffee beans (after grinding). An x number (machine should work at 15 bar) bar is then blown through the ‘coffee cake’ in this. The component then scoops the coffee off the infuser into the collection tray (at the bottom of the drip tray). It’s a great system.
The advantage of this infuser is that it is easy to clean. And that’s great.

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

What annoys me personally tremendously is that I have a coffee machine (Siemens EQ.6 700) that was twice as expensive as this machine. The infuser from Siemens (right) is gigantic. Not only in size, but also in job size to clean it properly. There are so many crevices and spaces in it that coffee gets in everywhere – what will mold and the like.
For a ~1000 euro machine (when I bought it at the time) I hoped and expected more. The Delonghi is perfect in this case!

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

The infuser of the Delonghi can be filled quite far. For the very strong coffee drinker, or for two cups of coffee!

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

This is not an advertisement for Australian coffee beans, I find them delicious. Australian call me! 😛

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

Exactly what he says!
Anyway, time to turn on the machine and set the language. Of course, you can scroll through the languages with the rotary knob. For convenience, I’ll set it to Dutch this time.

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

By default, the machine flushes itself when starting up and shutting down the machine. The machine also has two small LEDs that illuminate the cup in the dark. Because I use reasonable lights to take photos, it is probably difficult to see. At a later moment, I took a photo with my iPhone to show these LEDs.

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S
DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

Once warmed up, it’s time to choose what you want. Hot water can be poured into a cup by pressing the button at the bottom right. When the left part is replaced with the milk container, a cappuccino can be made. The bottom left is to rinse the machine. P is used for the menu. The top right and the one below is clear.
Then we have the middle button. This is important in two ways; it can be rotated – small cup, normal cup, large cup, extra large cup. In addition, there is also a possibility to adjust the strength in pre-ground, extra mild aroma, mild aroma, normal aroma, strong aroma, and extra strong aroma.

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

Time for a regular cup of coffee!

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

Still too little, let’s just double this!

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

The milk container has several settings. From a ‘little’ foam to a ‘muuuuuuuch’ foam. This is easy to play with. Turning the knob all the way clockwise activates the ‘clean function’. This rinses the remaining heated milk from the milk container.

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

The only drawback of the milk reservoir is that the milk spout is just not long enough in my opinion [and this was my mistake. The sprout can be pulled so it becomes longer]. In this case, it is best to use a wide/large cup. In many cases, I just grab a small cup, and then it’s a bit of aiming. In that case, you need to put the milk spout in its place, otherwise, the milk will just run past it, into your drip tray. And you don’t want to leave that for too long either.

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

After making your delicious cappuccino, you need to rinse the milk container (by turning the rotary knob clockwise). It is not necessary to put such a large container under it. One cup is more than enough! 🙂

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

Possibilities

The Ecam 23.460.s has plenty of options for a good cup of coffee/ristretto and cappuccino. Yet the machine is easy to adjust to your liking. This way you can make a mild large cup of coffee or a very strong small cup. Everything is possible. You can also choose a small, medium, and large (or extra large) cappuccino. How do you like your milk? Just normal, or extra foam?
Cup of tea? That too is no problem at all.

Just less than 7 months have passed since my wife and I were able to make quite a few cups. Everything you need can be adjusted. From grinding degree to the strength of the cup! 🙂
The small display also provides the necessary information. You can even access a menu via the buttons.

A nice option is the water filter in the water tank. At least it ensures that little to no limescale gets into the machine.

I’m very satisfied with the options that Ecam 23.460.s offers. And especially for the asking price, with which it slides across the counter.

Conclusion

You just have to test some devices very extensively before you can give an opinion about them. This was such a case with the Delonghi. I was able to use the Ecam 23.460.s for about 7 months – with quite a few cups of coffee.
The Ecam 23.460.s still works properly, as if it came out of the box yesterday. Compared to the previously purchased Siemens EQ.6 700, which was twice as expensive, I had a lot of problems during that time. Eventually, it had to be sent back for repair.

Back in the day… (I feel old when I write this) I had a fully automatic espresso machine in my dorm room. Yes… a Delonghi.
My neighbors came in daily with big mugs to pour a lot of cups of coffee. Thinking back on those good times, with good coffee I also enjoy drinking a cup from this new machine.
Yet time has changed things. For the better. Where the Delonghi used to have a spout on the machine to froth the milk, the Ecam 23.460.s has a whole unit to easily froth the milk and store it in the refrigerator.

When I compare the Delonghi Ecam 23.460.s with the Siemens EQ.6 700, I feel I get better results (especially with the cappuccinos) than with the Siemens. And I find that remarkable for a machine that is/was half the price. In the end, it’s not all about the extra gadgets and options on the machine. Yes, the Ecam 23.460.s (nice catchy name too :D) indeed has fewer gadgets, and that is reflected in the price. If you only drink coffee/cappuccino, I would still recommend checking the Ecam 23.460.s.
The frothed milk with the Ecam 23.460.s is very good, and soft. You can put a spoon on it and the foam remains intact, even with semi-skimmed milk. With really good cappuccino milk you already have a party. Then you can quietly do an errand to get something to nibble on for coffee. When you come back there will be a nice foam mustache on your face. No, I think it is fine!

Cleaning the machine is also very easy. The moving parts are much finer. Where you remove a bizarrely large infuser (almost milk carton size) from the machine with the Siemens, it is a small infuser with the Ecam 23.460.s. And that’s just nice. Also saves on cleaning. The only drawback is that the drip tray just lacks a special coating to easily ‘release’ the slurry/coffee. You have to brush a little harder for that. But hey, that eventually becomes a habit.
Quite honestly, I’m so happy with the ‘cheaper’ 23.460.s that I even got rid of the Siemens… Really! And that was a machine with a LED and all the features. The 23.460.s just overcame it for me.

Of course, some things are just a bit inconvenient. The spout is sometimes just a bit too short [this was an error from my side, there is an possibility to just pull it and make it longer]. Or you should place it more diagonally, almost against the spout where the coffee comes out.
The advantage of a separate milk container is that you never pour too much milk. Not everyone chooses to put a spout in a milk carton. In short, pour it into a cup… Well, when do you have enough? That’s pretty much the same as making pasta and rice. Or too much… or way too little. Through the LatteCrema system, you get exactly what you need, and you have the choice to choose how you want your foam. Ideal! The only downside to such a milk container is that you cannot leave your milk in that container for a week. Eventually, it turns sour.

The Delonghi Ecam 23.460.s sells for about €449. I think that’s a hoot, given the features/options and quality of the coffee/cappuccino.
As far as I’m concerned, this machine – certainly in terms of price/quality – is worth 5 stars. A topper, for a more than excellent price!

In the meantime, I’ll grab one more… Have a nice day! 🙂

DELONGHI ECAM 23.460.S

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