Espresso Automatic Coffee Machine

**TL;DR:** DF54 v3 grinder sounds great until you own one. Mine clogs constantly even with the improved declumper. Daily teardown is basically mandatory. If you want a low-maintenance grinder, it ain’t the DF54 v3. So I got a DF54 v3 after my Smeg all-in-one died (terrible machine, 3/10). I only do light roasts. I’d seen the usual love/hate for the DF54 online. Did my research on Reddit, FB groups, deep dive, the whole thing. Apparently, the V3 fixed the clogging issues that plagued earlier versions. The declumper opening is bigger, so clumping shouldn’t happen, right? Bought from Grind Logic (top-tier Aussie retailer, highly recommend due to customer service with my unit). First 5 weeks were bliss. Weigh beans - RDT - feed - bellow till nothing comes out. Coffee was awesome. Then, one morning… little coffee came out… then nothing. Clogged. My routine for 1.5 weeks has been a daily tear apart to find the chute clogged again. I had prepped for this during the research phase, so I took it apart. Chute was completely blocked. The star plastic declumper piece had such a tiny hole I was like… how is this supposed to help? Found Teo’s Take on YouTube and apparently, this little star piece in v3 upgrades can cause clogs. Removed it after a week of cleaning after each use. Worked for… two days. Then clogged again. Same story, just less plastic in the way. This would mean the chute it self is causing the issues for me. Way too narrow. At two months old, I honestly don’t know what so many of you are glazing this thing. If you love taking your machine apart weekly (in my case daily), fine. If you expect to grind - walk away - repeat, maybe look at a different machine. \-Pictures show blockage build from the star declumper \-Last picture shows blockage starting without the star declumper. Retention seems to be the issue here

Hi all. I'm newer to espresso making. I recently switched from the 51mm pressurized basket which comes standard with the SMEG, to a basketless portafilter rated for 18g. I have wire brush, leveler, and tamper. I'm also using the Baratza Encore ESP grinder. It's the retro SMEG machine. Don't ask, my wife really liked the design and she was the chief coffee maker for the longest time. The machine is automatic for 1 or 2 shots. I've been dialing between 16-18g and the 10 setting on the Baratza grinder (middle of the espresso grind recommendation 1-20, so it can go finer). The SMEG is struggling to get a good extraction and often just gives up. I tamp fairly hard so it's pretty compact. I'm not sure if I should use less beans or more, and maybe ease up on tamping pressure. I can get a decent extraction if I really just keep pressing the double shot button when the machine quits and eyeballing the yield. The puck will usually have some water on it and be puffy instead of fully compact. When I dump it, it comes out as a puck, but not quite as compact as it could be. My main question if it anyone has experience with the SMEG or De'Longhi (same exact internal components from what I understand) and figured out the best approach for a smooth extraction.

Actually, this machine and corresponding Smeg machine and many other similarly designed machines are produced by Chinese Tumbow company. Coffee tastes good (compared to 5500) but they have reliability issues. Just keep in mind that they are all the same except their outermost shell.

I currently use a Smeg BCC02 machine and I'm wanting a new machine to get better tasting espresso. I've looked into the Bambino Plus but I'm unsure it's suitable as I need the machine to make quick milk drinks as I make the missus one before I go to work in the morning. Would a automatic or super automatic be better for me?

We got the SMEG just over four weeks ago when they were clearing them out for $399 CAD at Costco. Pull 6-8 espresso shots daily and so far so good. Same beans we’ve used before and tastes better than I expected. Quite happy. Puck dispenser needs clearing out frequently and sometimes it takes a minute to recognize its emptied. It does work quickly. From turn on to making a shot it’s just over a minute. It goes through a set up including purging some water to ensure it’s clean. Subsequent shots take around 40 seconds after you press the button. Remember it grinds fresh beans for every drink. Hopefully it stays reliable longer term.