Back to the basics

The DeLonghi ESAM 2900 is a coffee machine, which is limited to the essentials. Instead of a variety of coffees, there are only espresso as the base drink and you can by means of the steam nozzle produced milk foam for cappuccino.
This reduction of the coffee supply does not mean that you have to compromise on taste must make. On the contrary, the ESAM 2900 scores here with a very good full coffee flavor, which can be individually adapted to his preferences. Advantage of this concept is that the ESAM 2900 makes do with a straightforward compared to other coffee machine technology, which greatly simplifies operation and maintenance. In addition, the ESAM 2900 is therefore much cheaper than big coffee machine.

Anyone interested in more details, here the evaluation are as follows:

The ESAM 2900 is a relatively compact coffee machine that fits well in a small kitchen. For this price, there is of course no flashing steel but a plastic body, which can be wiped off very well.
Located on top of the machine next to a shelf for cups a compartment for coffee beans and another compartment for ground coffee. Practical detail the coffee trade: Here is mounted in a holder compartment for the included Portionierungslöffel.
It is also very convenient that the water tank (1.8 L) is located on the side and is pulled forward. In my Saeco the tank must be removed from above, which under a cabinet is not very easy when positioning the machine. This is dissolved significantly better in the ESAM 2900.
All controls are within easy reach, as well as the emptying of the drip tray and the pulp container are very simple. Simply fold away the front of the machine and is good all the internal components such as reach the brewing unit.
The beverage outlet is adjustable in height, so that one can assume large cups.
Overall, the design is not spectacular, but complacent. The machine makes a robust and high-quality appearance and is processed very neat.

You can brew coffee using coffee beans or ground coffee, of course, the taste with freshly ground beans is better. But well, that both alternatives are offered.
Although the mill is Silence, but is not yet quiet. Here gives the name to great expectations, this volume during the grinding process is just normal. I do not find disturbing.
On the front page you can by infinitely variable switch set the coffee and water quantity per cup and so adapt to their individual taste. The flavor can regulate additionally by adjusting the grind.
At the front you can then choose whether you want to brew 1 or 2 cups of espresso.
Overall, the operation is self-explanatory and therefore to rule quickly ..

Assessing the quality of taste, I always find very subjective because etc. playing alongside the machine will also find coffee places, individual taste a role. The ESAM 2900 provides, if you have time found the perfect individual setting, a very aromatic coffee with a full taste and a good solid crema. Me and my wife he has just as good as the taste of our Saeco. The only complaint I have is subjective on my part that the coffee could have been a little hotter quiet (see my wife, for example, not so). The manual recommends that the brewing unit to rinse beforehand with hot water, which I too cumbersome.

With the fold-frother can easily produce very nice milk froth. The controls for this purpose can be found on the front of the machine. Not as comfortable as in an integrated milk system, but for occasional cappuccino drinkers sufficient.

The technique is of course much easier than with a correctly expensive fully automatic. Here there is no display with information as to whether the water or coffee bean container is empty. Since just lights up a red light, which indeed is quite sufficient as a warning function.
Abandoning many coffees, operation via the display and the remaining electronic bells and whistles, of course means that the technique significantly less susceptible to faults and maintenance is easier. Automatic rinsing and descaling programs facilitate this as well as the well-removable and easy to clean brewing unit.
Fisselig I found cleaning the steam nozzle for frothing milk. This is, I find, in almost all such systems, a weak point. One must be very careful so as no milk residues remain in it. Because of the ease of cleaning, I prefer such steam nozzles in general (not just at the ESAM 2900) a separate milk frother before.

Positive the manual I noticed. Firstly, it is in paper form and you have not downloaded and printed only. Secondly, it is very compact and easy to read with numerous illustrations.

Last point is the energy consumption, where the ESAM is classified in 2900 quite well in the energy efficiency class A. The unit has a stand-by function, but can be turned off by power switch also complete, which I find very important.

The ESAM 2900 is a coffee machine, which provides a very good coffee quality with easy operation and maintenance. So if you can do without a wide selection of coffees, digital displays, integrated dairy systems and user profiles, etc., can find an affordable alternative to the big fully automatic.