![]() Consistent and reliable temperature is crucial in brewing a good espresso or coffee drink, and in this comparison, I found that the Breville Barista Express has the better heating system. Few machines in the EP3221’s price range have the ability to grind beans and brew espresso without a hand-held portafilter.One of the most important factors of any coffee machine is the heating system. But this is actually a steal compared to other automatic espresso makers, many of which surpass the $1,000 mark. It starts around $600, and some retailers list it higher than that. The most rigorous cleaning process would be descaling the machine, but if your purchase includes an AquaClean water filter, it will take 5,000 cups before you need to descale.īy itself, the price for the Philips EP3221 Series 3200 Espresso Machine may seem high. Users should also remove and rinse the brew group once a week (don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds). This may be tedious if you make multiple lattes and cappuccinos a day, but the few added seconds are worth it to avoid dried milk clogging the frother. Philips recommends cleaning the frothing wand after every use. It takes around 12 espresso shots until the coffee container is full, and emptying the drip tray depends on how frequently you turn the machine on and off. Philips makes the process even easier thanks to a light-up sensor that notifies you when the drip tray and coffee container need to be emptied. I typically discarded the used espresso pucks while doing this because the coffee grounds container and drip tray are connected. The one I had to do most often was empty and rinse the drip tray, which takes very little time. The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose Cleaning: Frequent but simpleĪ few routine cleaning tasks are required for this espresso/cappuccino machine, but most are quick and easy. As for using pre-ground beans, I had to consult the instruction manual to understand the sequence of buttons that activate the setting. It took me a while to figure out where to turn the knob for a finer or coarser grind, and you can only adjust the grinder while it's in use, which I found odd. The only two design features I found confusing were adjusting the grinder and brewing with pre-ground beans. Another detail I really appreciate is the removable, front-facing water tank it’s much easier than having to fill a cup with water, carry it to the brewing device, and pour it into the back, often risking a mess. The touch-screen control panel was easy to understand right away, and it makes brewing and customizing drinks effortless. Once I started using the espresso machine, I found it convenient and largely intuitive. You can also remove the bean hopper lid, which saves space under the cupboards. Measuring 17 x 9.6 x 14.6 inches (depth by width by height), the Philips EP3221 can’t exactly be called compact, but it is surprisingly narrow and, as a result, won’t overwhelm your countertop. The setup isn’t particularly enjoyable, but it’s straightforward, and the length of time is on par with that of other automatic espresso makers. All in all, it took me 30 minutes to flip through the instruction manual, complete the setup process, and brew my first espresso shot (more on that to follow). Philips also recommends rinsing the machine and adjusting the water hardness before brewing. The only parts to put together are the milk frother, which takes less than a minute, and, if your purchase includes it, the AquaClean water filter, which takes around five minutes. Setup Process: A few to-dos but nothing difficultīefore unboxing the Philips EP3221 I worried the setup process would be tricky and time-consuming-this sophisticated machine must have dozens of parts to assemble, right? Thankfully, it comes almost fully assembled out of the box. ![]() Each section is detailed one by one below to help you decide if the Philips is right for you. I focused on its setup process, overall design, maintenance, and performance, and I compared it to other automatic espresso machines. But is it an overpriced headache that will sit idly on your counter? Or is it a worthwhile investment that will transform your coffee routine for years to come? I tested the item to figure this out. The Philips EP3221 can grind coffee beans, steam milk, and brew a variety of drinks in minutes to pour into a good espresso cup. They combine several coffee accessories into one machine for a café-quality experience right from home. Keep reading for our full product review.Īutomatic espresso makers like the Philips EP3221 Series 3200 Espresso Machine are among the most advanced brewing devices available today. We purchased the Philips EP3221 Series 3200 Espresso Machine so our reviewer could put it to the test.
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