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    Delonghi Dedica EC685 - Test, Erfahrungen und Tipps

    Delonghi Dedica EC685 - Review, experiences and tips

    Written by Benjamin Hohlmann am 08. November 2021
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    The DeLonghi Dedica EC685 is considered one of the most popular entry-level espresso machines for the home. It's no wonder: For €150 or more, you get a slim portafilter with a fast heat-up time and the promise of "real" espresso—and the Dedica series is indeed one of the best-selling in its class. But can such a compact machine really deliver good espresso? In this comprehensive guide, we take a critical yet humorous look at the Dedica 685, give you tips on espresso quality (especially temperature!), highlight useful upgrades, remind you about cleaning and descaling, compare it with other Dedica models, and answer frequently asked questions about troubleshooting. Have fun, and let's explore the world of the Dedica!

    Further articles and videos about the Delonghi Dedica from us:

    Temperature tips for Delonghi Dedica EC685

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

    Temperature profile Delonghi Dedica


    First, we recommend setting the temperature of the Delonghi Dedica to the lowest setting. This is the right choice for most coffees. This setting only needs to be adjusted once.

    Setting the temperature

    • 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. We'll use this in the temperature example above.

    Temperature surfing with the Delonghi Dedica EC685

    There are two ways to use the machine. You can make the first espresso "too" hot and then use it as an espresso. To do this, you use the espresso machine directly and without much pre-processing. The excessive temperature rise compensates for the temperature loss caused by the cold portafilter. However, the espresso will be less balanced and often taste less smooth and pleasant. Therefore, we recommend the second option, which is always preferable when making multiple espressos (since the portafilter will already be hot).

    • To do this, first perform an empty brew. The portafilter is clamped in place, but no coffee is added. This allows the coffee to reach the desired temperature.
    • The portafilter is removed and placed to the side.
    • The pre-infusion process will begin twice. Briefly press the left button until the water initially starts flowing. Then cancel. Repeat the same process. (Tip: Place the milk jug underneath to prevent the water from dripping onto the small drip tray.)
    • Now grind the coffee and prepare the portafilter. You have one minute to do this. Then clamp it in place and start the extraction.

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

    Bottomless portafilter for Delonghi Dedica EC 685 new in our shop

    We were repeatedly asked for a suitable portafilter for the Delonghi Dedica EC 685. Unfortunately, there were many poor versions available from various manufacturers. Therefore, we searched for a good model and added it to our range.

    We offer two portafilters equipped with a single-wall sieve and compatible with the various Dedica models.

    We recommend this portafilter for your starter. It allows you to make two espressos at once or brew them into a single 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 being extracted cleanly and flows out of the portafilter. To achieve this, the coffee must be evenly distributed in the portafilter.

    Portafilter holder Dedica5 1920x

    Additional accessories for the Delonghi Dedica

    One of the most important tools for brewing better coffee with the Delonghi Dedica is a single-walled basket . The baskets supplied with the Dedica are so-called double-walled baskets or "pressurized baskets." They build artificial pressure in the portafilter by first allowing the espresso to flow through many small holes, then forcing the entire liquid through a tiny hole. This constriction creates artificial crema, even if the coffee is actually older or pre-ground. While the extraction looks beautiful, it doesn't improve the coffee. Our double-portafilter and bottomless portafilter, developed by us for the Dedica series, are also equipped with a professional single-walled basket.

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

    One of the best upgrades for your Dedica is our 51mm tamper . It allows you to tamp straight and comfortably, and above all, it is very elegant with its stylish wooden handle.

    What are your experiences with the Delonghi Dedica?

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

    Which upgrades made sense?

    Which coffees do you like best with the Dedica?

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

    Thank you for your support!

    Heartfelt,

    Benjamin

    Our videos about the Delonghi Dedica EC685

    Frequently asked questions about the Delonghi Dedica EC685

    Which portafilter fits the Delonghi Dedica and does not require any modification?

    We've now added a portafilter to our range. It comes with the matching 17.5 gram sieve. The portafilter is now available here (while supplies last).

    Is it necessary to modify the milk lance to produce good foam?

    No, absolutely not. The conversion only makes sense if you want to get the most out of the machine. But you can also make good latte art foam with the existing milk frother.

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      Looking for more reading material?
      Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about new coffees, exciting blog articles, and special offers. You can unsubscribe at any time.
      Data protection
      Try our coffee
      Want to try the coffee from our videos? Click here to order directly in Germany, Switzerland and Austria and the EU.
      Germany + EU Switzerland
      Coffee Knowledge
      Looking for coffee topics? The maximum You can find an overview on this page.
      All topics
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