Ownership of the brand’s automatic coffee machine Delonghi It opens wide horizons for fans of the invigorating drink, but many users, out of habit or necessity, prefer to use already ground coffee. This may be due to a desire to try a rare variety of specialized roasting or simply a lack of grains on hand. Unlike grain models, where the process is fully automated, working with ground product requires an understanding of the specifics of the brewing unit and the correct dosage.
The main difference between preparing a drink from ground raw materials is to bypass the built-in coffee grinder. The mechanism of the machine should receive a clear signal that the finished product is loaded into a special compartment, otherwise you can damage the millstone or get a drink with floating particles. The correct sequence of actions ensures that pressure will be optimal, and the extraction will be evenly, revealing all the facets of taste.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions for various models, including series of actions. Magnifica, Primadonna and Dinamica. You will learn how to adjust the degree of grinding (if your product is used), how to avoid typical ramping errors, and why the cleanliness of the ground coffee bay is critical to the durability of your device.
Preparation of coffee machines and choice of raw materials
Before you start the cooking process, you need to make sure that the machine itself is ready to work. This includes having water in the tank and having enough fluid in the pallet to collect the drops. If you are planning to use your ground coffee, it is crucial to check its fraction. Too small, “dust-like” grinding can clog the mesh of the brewing block, and too large will lead to the fact that the water passes through the tablet too quickly, and the drink will turn watery.
The best option for automatic coffee machines Delonghi It's a grinding of espresso levels. If you buy coffee in specialty stores, check with the barista whether the fraction is suitable for automatic carob or capsule systems. It is also worth paying attention to the freshness of the product: old coffee has lost its aromatic oils and can give excessive bitterness or sourness, which the machine will not be able to compensate for.
⚠️ Warning: Never put ground coffee directly into the bean funnel! This will lead to breakage of the grinder and require expensive repair service center.
An important stage of preparation is the heating up of the system. Even if the car only stood for a couple of hours, it is recommended to pour some hot water through a cappuccinator or group without coffee. This stabilizes the temperature of the internal nodes, and the first drink you cook will have the right temperature, and will not go into the cold walls of the brewing unit.
Activation of the ground coffee regime
The key point in the process is to switch the machine to the appropriate mode of operation. The control panel of most models Delonghi There is a special button, often marked with a spoon symbol or the inscription “Ground Coffee”. Pressing this button tells the electronics that the grinder does not need to be involved. In some models, such as Magnifica SPress and hold the cup volume select button or a separate function key until the indicator lights up.
After activation of the mode, the machine usually emits a characteristic sound, and the corresponding LED lights up. This is a signal that the mechanism is ready to take a portion of the ground product. If you forget to press this button and fill the coffee in a special compartment, the machine will still try to grind the grains (which are not there), and then let the water through, which will result in just hot water in the cup.
It is worth noting that in some advanced models of the series Primadonna The mode of operation with ground coffee can be programmed to a specific cooking program through the settings menu. In this case, when selecting a user profile, the machine itself will go into the desired mode. Check the instructions for your specific model to understand the logic of the interface.
Dosage and product bookmarking
The bookmarking process requires accuracy and accuracy. The ground coffee compartment is usually located next to or below the bean hatch and is closed with a special cover. When you open the lid, you will see a small hole. This is where you need to fill your coffee. The standard measuring spoon, which comes with the machine, is designed for one serving of espresso (about 5-7 grams).
It is strictly not recommended to pour coffee "with a slide" or use large tablespoons. Excess product will lead to the fact that when closing the lid or in the process of brewing, part of the coffee gets into the mechanism, which will cause contamination of the internal nodes. If you need a double espresso, it’s better to cook two cups in sequence than try to push a double dose into one brewing cycle.
☑️ The correct dosage of ground coffee
After the coffee is poured, it does not need to be heavily rammed with your fingers or press, as is done in carob coffee makers. In automatic machines. Delonghi The block will press the tablet at the beginning of the cycle. Your task is simply to carefully distribute the powder inside the compartment so that it does not wake up at the edges.
Setting the strength and volume of the drink
Even with ground coffee, you retain full control over the characteristics of the drink. The adjustment of the fortress in this context depends on two factors: the amount of product used (as discussed above) and the amount of water spilled. The control panel usually has volume selection buttons: a small cup (espresso) and a large cup (lungo).
If your coffee seems too weak, try reducing the amount of water for the same serving of the powder. Conversely, if the drink is too concentrated and bitter, enlarge the strait. Some models allow you to program these volumes. To do this, you need to press the volume selection button and release it at the moment when the cup will have the ideal amount of liquid.
| Parameter | Recommendation for ground coffee | Effect on taste |
|---|---|---|
| Water volume | 25-30ml for espresso | A smaller volume gives a denser body and cream foam |
| Temperature. | Medium or High. | High temperature better extracts ground coffee |
| Number of servings | 1 cup per cycle | Ensures the correct pressure and quality of the foam |
| Pre-installation | Aroma mode (if any) | Increases the time of contact of water with coffee |
It is also worth paying attention to the Pre-infusion function if it is available in your model. For ground coffee, this is especially useful as it allows the tablet to swell in front of the main strait under pressure, which improves extraction.
Starting the extraction process
After laying the coffee and selecting the parameters, you can start the process. The machine will begin to draw water, heat it and feed it into the brewing unit. At this point, you will hear the characteristic noise of the pump. It is important not to open the service door or try to interfere with the process until the machine has finished the cycle.
During extraction, pay attention to the trickle of coffee flowing from the dispenser. It should be uniform, dark brown in color, with the formation of a thick foam (cream) on the surface. If the coffee is poured too quickly and the color is light, the grinding is too large or the pressure is low. If it drips in drops, grinding is too small or the compartment is clogged.
Why can coffee be poured unevenly?
The uneven distribution of ground coffee in the bay or the presence of lumps in the product can create channels through which water will pass faster, bypassing the bulk of the coffee. This phenomenon is called the “channel” and worsens the taste of the drink.
After the cycle is completed, the machine can perform a short washing strait to clear the dispenser of the residues of the coffee mass. This is a normal procedure to ensure the hygiene of the device. Don’t forget to empty the drip pan if the corresponding indicator catches fire.
Cleaning the compartment after use
Hygiene is the key to the long service of the coffee machine. After each use of the ground coffee mode, the compartment must be thoroughly cleaned. The remains of wet coffee are an ideal environment for the reproduction of bacteria and the appearance of mold, which will inevitably affect the taste of future drinks. In addition, dried coffee can prevent the lid from closing tightly next time.
For cleaning, use a dry soft brush, which usually comes with a kit, or dry fabric. Do not use wet wipes or water to clean the compartment itself inside the machine, as moisture can get into electronic components or cause contact oxidation.
⚠️ Warning: If you rarely use ground coffee mode, be sure to wipe the compartment with a dry cloth before each new use to remove dust and old crumbs that may have gotten there.
Once a month, it is recommended to carry out a deeper cleaning using special tablets for decalcination and cleaning of coffee oils. This will help to maintain the permeability of the channels and the quality of brewing at a high level.
Typical errors and their solution
It is a common mistake to ignore the car’s indication. If the indicator “no grains” or “open compartment” lights up, the machine will not start brewing coffee. In the mode of ground coffee indicator of absence of grains should not burn if properly activated mode spoon. If the machine writes about an error, check if the lid of the ground coffee compartment is tightly closed.
Another problem is the water entering the ground coffee compartment during washing. This happens if the edges of the compartment are contaminated and the cover does not fit tightly. The regular cleaning mentioned above will solve this problem. Also, make sure that there are no large particles of coffee on the edges.
If you are switching from one type of ground coffee to another with a very different flavor (such as coffee with additives on pure espresso), rinse the brewing block by making 2-3 cups of coffee without adding a new product to wash the residue of the oils.
If the coffee stopped pouring at all, do not try to clean the dispenser with sharp objects. Remove the removable nose of the dispenser (if the design of the model allows) and rinse it with warm water. Blockages often form there due to dried residues.
Comparison with cooking from grains
Using ground coffee has its pros and cons compared to the standard grain regime. The main advantage is the ability to brew coffee that cannot be ground in a home grinder (for example, very soft or, conversely, burnt beans), as well as decaffeinated options, which are often sold only in ground form.
The disadvantage is the loss of some of the flavor, as ground coffee oxidizes faster than whole grains. In addition, you lose the ability to quickly adjust the degree of grinding through the machine menu, since the physical grinding has already been made by the manufacturer or in the store.
Using ground coffee in Delonghi is a great way to diversify the menu, but for daily use, the beans are preferred because of the freshness and aroma.
However, knowing how to brew ground coffee properly makes you more flexible and allows you to avoid being left without your favorite beverage even if there are no beans on hand.
Can I use ground coffee for cappuccino?
Yes, you can. First, make an espresso from ground coffee using the instructions described, and then beat the milk with a capcinate (automatic or manual). The sequence of actions does not change.
How many grams of coffee does the compartment hold?
The standard capacity of the ground coffee compartment in Delonghi machines is about 5-7 grams (one scoop). Exceeding this amount is not recommended.
What if the car is still grinding grain?
So you didn’t activate the ground coffee mode (spoon button) before filling the product, or you activated it too late. In this case, the cycle must be interrupted, clean the compartment and start again, strictly following the sequence.
Is it harmful to use ground coffee regimen often?
No, it is not harmful to the mechanism, if you follow the rules of hygiene and clean the compartment. However, for the quality of the drink, it is better to use fresh grains, since ground coffee quickly exhales.
Is coffee suitable for a Turk?
No, the Turkish coffee (the grinding "into the dust") is too small for the Delonghi coffee machine. It will pass through the filter of the brewing unit, get into the pump and can disable the car. Use only grinding for espresso.