Coffee beans · For DeLonghi machines
Best coffee beans for DeLonghi automatic machines
Short answer: dry, freshly roasted, medium to medium-dark whole beans – an espresso blend or Brazil for milk drinks, a Colombian or Peruvian for black coffee. A DeLonghi Magnifica, Dinamica or Eletta pulls a lighter shot than a Jura, so a bean with body and sweetness matters more, and it needs to be dry: oily and flavoured beans clog the grinder chute and the brew unit, which is the most common DeLonghi fault we see. Never use caramelised, flavoured or supermarket pre-ground coffee.
- DeLonghi automatics dose 7–11g through a continuous-flow pump, so the shot is thinner than a Jura’s pulsed extraction. Beans with body compensate.
- The grinder has 13 settings on most models. Adjust only while it is running, one notch at a time.
- Oily beans are the number one cause of grinder blockages, empty-beans errors and sticky brew units on DeLonghi machines.
- DeLonghi’s own guidance excludes caramelised and flavoured beans because they gum up the grinder. It is right.
What a DeLonghi wants from a bean
Every automatic wants dry beans, and DeLonghi machines are less forgiving than most: the grind chute between the grinder and the removable brew unit is narrow and clogs with oily grounds, and the plastic brew unit collects sticky residue. The machine also doses on the small side and extracts with a continuous pump rather than pulses, so a thin or bright bean tastes weak and sour. The answer is a bean with sweetness and body – medium to medium-dark, chocolate and nut rather than florals – that is dry to the touch.
| Bean | In a DeLonghi | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso blend, medium-dark, dry | Full, chocolatey, comes through milk; fills out the shot | Best for flat whites, lattes, cappuccinos |
| Brazil São Silvestre | Nutty, sweet, heavy body | Best single origin for milk |
| Colombia Supremo or Peru Cusco | Smooth, balanced, gentle | Best for long blacks |
| Ethiopia Yirgacheffe | Bright and floral; can read sour through the continuous pump | Black coffee for enthusiasts; set strength high, grind finer |
| Dark oily roast | Bitter; clogs chute and brew unit | Avoid |
| Flavoured or caramelised beans | Coats everything; excluded by DeLonghi | Never |
Settings that make a DeLonghi taste better
- Grind finer. Most DeLonghi machines ship on a mid setting. Two or three notches finer, adjusted while the grinder runs, gives a slower, fuller shot. If the machine strains or the shot drips, go back one.
- Strength up. Use the strongest bean setting for milk drinks so the coffee is not lost.
- Two short shots for a long black. A double espresso topped with hot water beats one long-volume shot, which over-extracts and goes thin.
- Temperature high for milk drinks.
- Pre-ground chute for the occasional decaf only – never pour ground coffee into the bean hopper.
Freshness matters more than the machine
A DeLonghi with fresh beans beats a Jura with supermarket beans. Fresh beans still hold the carbon dioxide that gives a shot its body and crema; beans that are months old gush through thin whatever the setting. Buy 250g or 500g at a time, keep the bag sealed and cool, and only fill the hopper with a few days’ worth – how long do coffee beans last?
Keeping the machine healthy
- Rinse the brew unit under the tap weekly and let it dry before refitting.
- Wipe oil out of the hopper when it is empty.
- Run the descale when prompted, or fit and change the water filter.
- If the grinder goes noisy or the machine reports empty beans with beans in the hopper, the chute is clogging – switch to dry beans and, if it persists, book a service: DeLonghi repairs Melbourne.
If you outgrow it
DeLonghi machines are typically replaced at five to eight years. When yours reaches that point, a refurbished Jura for the same money as a new DeLonghi gets you fuller extraction, quieter grinding and a machine that is serviced rather than scrapped – Jura vs DeLonghi.
Dry medium roasts that suit a DeLonghi
Melbourne-roasted espresso blends and single origins, whole bean, shipped fresh. Free shipping on orders over $60, 15% off with the Roasters Club.
Frequently asked questions
What beans should I use in a DeLonghi Magnifica?
Dry, fresh, medium to medium-dark whole beans – an espresso blend for milk drinks, Colombian or Peruvian for black. Never oily, flavoured or caramelised beans.
Why does my DeLonghi say it is out of beans when it is full?
Oily beans bridging in the hopper or clogging the chute. Empty and wipe the hopper, switch to dry beans, and book a service if it continues.
Why does my DeLonghi coffee taste weak?
Stale or bright beans, a coarse grind, or a low strength setting. Fresh medium-dark beans, two notches finer, strongest setting.
Can I use pre-ground coffee in a DeLonghi?
Only through the pre-ground chute, one cup at a time. Never in the bean hopper.
Can I use dark roast in a DeLonghi?
Only if the beans are dry. Oily dark roasts are the main cause of grinder and brew-unit faults.