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Whereas the DeLonghi Magnifica S ECAM 22.110.B has to make more compromises in terms of preparation and the cup results, the Melitta Caffeo Solo achieves even better coffee thanks to its unflinching focus on the essentials. A fully automatic coffee machine cannot make filtered coffee, and a regular coffee machine cannot make espresso. Not only because of the pressure required but also because of ‘incidental’ things like filters. In other words, the Melitta Caffeo Solo and a modern Moccamaster cannot effectively replace one another. You’ll spare yourself a few quid and bar user error, you will be able to make some sensational foam. It’s also easy to clean, and you can stow it in the cupboard when not in use.
When you think about what’s involved, you’ll see that keeping the Melitta Caffeo Solo clean will not be a problem. Besides, by not having a means to froth milk, the steps it takes to clean the machine are minimal. Adjust the grinder to its finest setting. Note that it’s important to do this while the machine is turned on. Melitta Caffeo Solo are a respected manufacturer and have a great build qaulity, so they require little maintenance on your part. Although they don’t supply one, they are compatible with “Claris water filters” and I would strongly urge you to use one to limit limescale build up. As this is sold as a fully automatic coffee maker, there are high hopes from users about the ease of use with the espresso making process. There are plenty of options here to ensure that users get the type of drink that they want, such as the height adjustable spout, the adjustable temperature and the adjustable brew strength. Even so, it is designed to be easy to use with the simple controls and component.The fact that this is seen as a cheaper entry level model is interesting. On the negative side, there are those longevity risks, the cheaper materials and the sense that this doesn’t really do as much as some of the more expensive models. At the same time, it is still quite adjustable and smart for a cheaper option in terms of its programming, energy efficiency and brewing process. One caveat, though, is that these machines are no longer in the category of ‘fully automatic coffee machines for individuals’ like the Melitta Caffeo Solo has been designed to serve. Cleaning the Melitta Caffeo Solo: You’ll Notice That Something Is Missing and Be Glad About It By the way, I love the fact that the Melitta Caffeo Solo does not include a ground coffee compartment, directly eliminating a ‘laziness trigger’, as well as a source of dirt. The Solo is a true bean-to-cup coffee machine, not a pre-ground shortcut maker that has lost all flavor.
While the factory presets are sometimes helpful, you will definitely notice a difference in the results if you set the grinder to its finest setting. Besides, coffee and espresso come out with a fuller body from beans that have been better extracted.The small Krups EA811K040 (UK) / Krups EA8150 (USA), which I chose as a sparring partner for the Melitta Caffeo Solo during my first review in 2016, is more proof of how many compromises you have to make to design an affordable fully automatic coffee machine that wants to be able to do everything at once. See for yourself in the comparison video: ‘A Comparison of Fully Automatic Coffee Machines — Krups EA8108 or Melitta Caffeo Solo’. Note: This video is in the German language. This leads to a general sense that this is a cheaper model, and this is also seen in the amount of noise made and the inconsistency in the release of the beans. Neither are a big problem, but they showcase the fact that this is a more affordable, entry-level model. Let’s move on to one of the elephants in the room: the question of whether this light version of a fully automatic coffee machine can deliver excellent espresso in your cup? If it doesn’t, this category of machine makes no sense at all. That’s why the Melitta Caffeo Solo is perfect for individuals who live alone or who simply don’t need the luxury of frothed milk. Straightforward buttons and a rotary dial make it easy to adjust with little effort on the Melitta Caffeo Solo.
If you enjoy Cappuccinos or Latte Macchiatos almost every day, you’re better off with alternatives like the Melitta Caffeo CI or the feature-rich Melitta Caffeo Barista TS Smart anyway. Of course, I also know that these subtle nuances really only matter for me during testing. In everyday life, coffee doesn’t always have to be a full-bodied sensation. It should simply taste good. Firstly on all 3 models you have an automated cleaning and descaling program. This is pretty standard nowadays, and I certainly would never buy one without this. When I look at the volume of comments that appear under a review, it’s a pretty good indication to me of whether you are really interested in a machine or not. In addition to the automatic programs, you need to consider how easy is the manual clean? This generally boils down to how easy is it to get to the parts you need to clean. Well the Melitta Caffeo solo is great in this regard.As one would expect, the stainless steel cone grinder on the Melitta Caffeo Solo has been set on too coarse of a setting at the factory. Still, my experience testing many Melitta fully automatic coffee machines has shown me that this factory setting continues to have value. For those that don’t fancy mastering the art of milk frothing, then the best option for you will be the “& Perfect Milk” model. This comes with the companies “cappuccinatore” or milk foaming system. Upon activating the 0 watt switch, the Melitta SOLO ®disconnects from the mains. And of course, your personal settings are kept. This on/off feature is also programmable and the appliance can be set to disconnect from the mains at the desired time automatically.
However, its successor, the Purista, shows that a ‘dedicated’ brew group is a better choice for the ultra-compact class of coffee machines. In this case, the Solo is reaching a bit, which, in turn, produces somewhat of an inferior coffee. That brings me to my next point. In my opinion, the Solo is quite loud, but not unbearably so. Melitta admits in the product data that this grinder is definitely not ‘whisper quiet’. Yet another reason why it’s ideal for people who live alone! The Knobs & Buttons You can also adjust the amount of coffee you get up to 220ml, and with the option of brewing two cups at the same time. You can fill a large mug How Big is the Melitta Caffeo Solo? Quality is a very important factor when it comes to buying any product, but it’s particularly important with Coffee machines. It’s never going to be easy to get a real feel for the quality of a product without being able to see or even test it.The Melitta Caffeo Solo has three settings to choose from, this is less again than other bean to cup coffee machines. 3 grind options X 3 strength options means you have 9 possible settings. When you think the Sage Barista Express has a possible 180 different combinations, you can see this is not the most customisable machine. The Melitta Caffeo Solo brews nice coffee and has a functional, space-saving design. Sure, you could, of course, still buy a ‘complete’ machine. However, the question is: do you really want that? The spout height is fairly standard at a maximum of 13.5 centimetres (5.31 inches). No need to worry, though, practically all of your cups will fit under the coffee nozzles without a problem. Another interesting selling point with this model is the fact that this is relatively good for the environment. As green appliances become more and more desirable in the home, any attempt to save energy is welcomed. This is an Energy Class A product with a series of energy saving features.
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