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    Delonghi Dedica EC685 - Test, Erfahrungen und Tipps

    Delonghi Dedica EC685 - Review, Experiences and Tips

    Written by Benjamin Hohlmann (Gründer, CEO, Kaffee-Experte) am 08. November 2021
    We test and write everything ourselves. We buy all equipment independently to ensure neutral, unbiased reviews. Our team of German and Swiss coffee professionals has won multiple national and international coffee championships. We run our own cafés and, through our testing and Home Barista courses, are familiar with the majority of espresso machines and grinders on the market.
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    The DeLonghi Dedica EC685 is considered one of the most popular entry-level espresso machines for home use. No wonder: for as little as 150 euros, you get a sleek portafilter with a short heat-up time and the promise of "real" espresso – and indeed, the Dedica range is one of the best-selling in this class. But can such a compact machine really deliver good espresso? In this comprehensive guide, we take a critical and humorous look at the Dedica 685, give you tips on espresso quality (especially temperature!), show you worthwhile upgrades, remind you about cleaning and descaling, compare it with other Dedica models, and answer frequently asked questions in our troubleshooting section. Have fun and let's dive into the world of Dedica!

    Further articles and videos about the DeLonghi Dedica from us:

    Temperature tips for DeLonghi Dedica EC685

    When the DeLonghi Dedica is used straight out of the box, it tends to overshoot the target brewing temperature. To prevent this, we've developed a temperature surfing profile for you. The desired target temperature for an espresso machine is 93 degrees Celsius. We explain how the profile works exactly in our new video at minute 15:19 as well as below the temperature curve in the text.

    Temperature profile DeLonghi Dedica

    First, we recommend setting the DeLonghi Dedica temperature to the lowest temperature level. This is the right choice for most coffees. This setting only needs to be made once.

    Temperature adjustment

    • Press the steam button for 10 seconds until all buttons flash twice.
    • Press the left button once to activate the temperature setting.
    • Press the left button again to select the lowest temperature. This is what we use in the temperature example above.

    Temperature surfing with the DeLonghi Dedica EC685

    There are two ways you can use the machine. You can pull the first espresso "too" hot and make an espresso. To do this, use the espresso machine without much preamble and directly. The overshooting temperature rise compensates for the temperature loss caused by the cold portafilter. However, the espresso is less balanced and in many cases doesn't taste soft and pleasant. That's why we recommend the second option, which should always be preferred when pulling multiple espressos (since the portafilter is already hot then).

    • To do this, first perform an empty shot. The portafilter is locked in, but no coffee is filled. This brings it up to temperature.
    • The portafilter is unlocked and set aside.
    • Start the pre-infusion twice. Press the left button briefly until water starts to flow. Then stop. Then repeat the same procedure again. (Tip: Place the milk pitcher underneath so the water doesn't drip onto the small drip tray.)
    • Now grind the coffee and prepare the portafilter. You have one minute for this. Then lock it in and start the extraction.

    In this way, we have consistently achieved good temperature curves in the range between 92 and 94 degrees Celsius. This is very good for espresso preparation.

    Bottomless portafilter for DeLonghi Dedica EC 685 now available from us

    We were repeatedly asked about a suitable portafilter for the DeLonghi Dedica EC 685. Unfortunately, there were also many poor versions distributed by various manufacturers. That's why we looked for a good model and added it to our range.

    We offer two portafilters that are equipped with a single-wall basket and are compatible with various Dedica models.

    We recommend this portafilter to you for getting started. You can use it to pull two espressos directly or brew into a cup. Plus, it never splashes, which sometimes happens with bottomless portafilters.

    This portafilter is especially useful if you want to check whether the espresso is extracting cleanly and flowing from the portafilter. For this to work, the coffee must be distributed evenly in the basket.

    SiebtraegerhalterDedica5 1920x

    Further accessories for the DeLonghi Dedica

    One of the most important tools for making better coffee with the DeLonghi Dedica is a single-wall basket. The baskets supplied with the Dedica are so-called double-wall baskets or "pressurized baskets". They build artificial pressure in the portafilter by first letting the espresso run through many small holes, then forcing all the liquid through a tiny hole. This constriction creates artificial crema artificially, even if a coffee is actually already older or pre-ground. The extraction may look nice, but the coffee doesn't become better because of it. Our 2-cup portafilter developed for the Dedica series as well as our bottomless portafilter are also equipped with a professional single-wall basket.

    A practical tool is the portafilter holder. You can attach this to your Dedica and hang a portafilter on it.

    One of the best upgrades for your Dedica is our 51mm tamper. With it you tamp straight and comfortably, and above all it's also very elegant with its beautiful wooden handle.

    What experiences have you had with the DeLonghi Dedica?

    Help us in the comments to gather everything interesting about the DeLonghi Dedica EC685.

    Which upgrades were worthwhile for you?

    Which coffees taste best to you with the Dedica?

    We collect your experiences and consolidate them to expand with our tips and tricks.

    Thank you for your support!

    Warmly,

    Benjamin

    Our videos about the DeLonghi Dedica EC685

    Frequently asked questions about the DeLonghi Dedica EC685

    Which portafilter fits the DeLonghi Dedica and doesn't require any modification?

    We now have a solution for you and have added such a portafilter to our range. It comes with the appropriate 17.5 gram basket. You can now get the portafilter here (while supplies last).

    Is modification of the steam wand necessary to froth good foam?

    No, absolutely not. The modification is only worthwhile if you want to get everything out of the machine. But even with the existing steam wand, you can create good latte art foam.

    What do you think?
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      Sign up for our newsletter and receive monthly updates on new coffees, exciting blog articles, and brewing tips.
      Datenschutz
      Italian Espresso a la Kaffeemacher
      Do you want to try the coffee from our videos? Click here to go directly to the shop.
      Coffee Knowledge
      Auf der Suche nach Kaffee-Themen? Die maximale Übersicht findest du auf dieser Seite.
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