The De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus is a compact espresso machine designed for people who want café-style drinks at home without investing in a complicated setup.
Our Take
The Dedica Maestro Plus is a compact espresso machine with fast heating, automatic milk frothing, and flexible temperature controls.
Quick Specs
| Machine Type | Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine |
|---|---|
| Grinder | Requires separate coffee grinder |
| Capacity | 3.4 pounds |
| Water Tank | 54 fluid ounces |
| Milk System | Automatic steam wand |
| Milk Settings | 3 temperature and milk foam settings |
| Infusion Temperatures | 3 |
| Pump | 15-bar pump with 9-bar extraction |
Pros
- Compact stainless steel design
- Automatic steam wand
- 3 milk foam settings
- Fast Advanced Thermoblock heating
- Dishwasher-safe removable parts
Cons
- No built-in grinder
- Fewer temperature settings than larger models
- Limited control compared with more advanced machines
De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus Specifications
Before looking at its performance, here are the key specifications, including its heating system, temperature settings, water tank capacity, and milk-frothing options.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Machine type | Manual espresso machine |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar |
| Heating system | Thermoblock |
| Water tank | 54 oz (1.6 L) |
| Brewing temperatures | 3 settings |
| Milk frothing | Auto LatteArt with manual option |
| Filter baskets | Single-wall and double-wall |
| Dimensions | Approx. 13.6 × 8.15 × 12.9 inches |
| Built-in grinder | No |
The machine comes with a portafilter, a stainless steel tamper, and a milk jug. You will need a separate grinder or suitable pre-ground coffee.
What Drinks Can De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus Make?
The Dedica Maestro Plus is built around espresso rather than a long list of automatic drink programs. You can prepare espresso and double espresso, then use the steam wand to create milk-based drinks.
Popular options include:
- Espresso: A concentrated coffee shot with a layer of crema.
- Double espresso: A larger serving made with a double filter basket.
- Cappuccino: Espresso topped with steamed milk and a generous layer of foam.
- Latte: Espresso combined with steamed milk and a thinner foam layer.
- Flat white: Espresso with finely textured milk.
- Americano-style coffee: Espresso diluted with hot water from a separate source.
Unlike a fully automatic machine, it does not prepare every drink at the touch of a dedicated button. You control the coffee preparation and assemble each milk-based recipe yourself.
Coffee Dosing & Filter Baskets: How Much Control Do You Get?
One useful feature is the inclusion of both single-wall and double-wall filter baskets. They suit different experience levels and coffee preferences.
| Filter basket | Best for |
|---|---|
| Double-wall | Beginners and many pre-ground coffees |
| Single-wall | Fresher coffee, grinder users, and greater brewing control |
The double-wall basket is more forgiving when your grind size or coffee preparation is less precise. The single-wall basket gives you more room to refine extraction, but it also makes grind consistency and dosing more important.
The machine supports doses of up to 20 grams. However, the ideal amount depends on the basket and the recipe you are using.
Espresso Extraction: How Does the 15-Bar Pump Perform?
The machine uses a 15-bar pump, but the advertised pump pressure should not be confused with the pressure needed at the coffee puck during extraction. De’Longhi describes a brewing process that builds pressure during pre-infusion before reaching approximately 9 bar during extraction.
In practice, espresso quality depends on more than pump specifications. Coffee freshness, grind size, dose, tamping, and the amount extracted into the cup all influence the result.
Temperature Control: Which Setting Should You Use?
The machine has three brewing temperature settings, making it easier to adapt extraction to different coffee beans.
| Setting | Approximate temperature | Suggested use |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 92°C / 198°F | Dark roasts |
| Medium | 94°C / 201°F | Medium and medium-dark roasts |
| High | 96°C / 205°F | Light and light-medium roasts |
These are starting points rather than strict rules. Darker roasts often extract more readily at lower temperatures, while lighter roasts may benefit from hotter water.
Auto LatteArt Steam Wand: How Good Is the Milk Froth?
The Auto LatteArt steam wand is one of the machine’s main advantages. Instead of requiring you to master milk steaming immediately, it offers automatic temperature and texture settings.
You can choose from three milk temperatures:
- 60°C / 140°F: A gentler temperature that can suit plant-based milk.
- 65°C / 149°F: A useful setting for everyday dairy-milk drinks.
- 70°C / 158°F: A hotter option for drinks that need to stay warm longer.
The machine also offers different foam textures, including a fine microfoam option, thinner foam, and thicker foam. This makes it possible to adjust the result for lattes, cappuccinos, and other milk-based drinks.
Brewing Espresso: How Easy Is the Machine to Use?
The Dedica Maestro Plus is relatively approachable because it does not require navigating an extensive menu. Nevertheless, espresso preparation involves several hands-on steps.
A typical workflow looks like this:
- Choose the appropriate filter basket.
- Add the ground coffee and distribute it evenly.
- Tamp the coffee with the supplied tamper.
- Lock the portafilter into the machine.
- Select a brewing temperature and start the espresso cycle.
- Adjust the dose or extraction if the result needs improvement.
The machine offers programmable coffee volumes, so you can adjust the amount dispensed to suit your preferred recipe.
Thermoblock Heating, Water Tank & Countertop Space
The Thermoblock heating system helps the De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus heat water quickly, while three temperature settings let you adjust brewing to your coffee beans.
- Heating system: Thermoblock for quick heating.
- Water tank: Removable 1.6-liter capacity.
- Width: Approximately 8.15 inches, suitable for smaller kitchens.
- Maintenance: Removable drip tray and accessible brewing components.
Despite its compact design, leave enough counter space to refill the tank and position a milk jug. Regularly clean the portafilter, drip tray, and steam wand, and descale the machine as recommended by the manufacturer.
De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus Pros and Cons
The De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus offers a useful mix of beginner-friendly features and manual control. However, its compact design and automatic milk frothing come with a few limitations worth considering.
Pros
- Compact design that suits smaller kitchens.
- Automatic milk frothing with adjustable temperature and texture.
- Three brewing temperature settings.
- Single-wall and double-wall filter baskets included.
- Removable 1.6-liter water tank.
- Manual milk steaming available for more control.
Cons
- No built-in coffee grinder.
- Espresso preparation requires manual dosing and tamping.
- The single-wall basket takes practice to use consistently.
- No extensive one-touch menu for different coffee drinks.
- Requires regular cleaning and descaling.
Overall, the Dedica Maestro Plus is a good choice for beginners who want to learn espresso preparation without buying a large machine.
Is De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus Worth It?
The De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus is a practical choice for beginners who want to prepare espresso and milk-based drinks at home without investing in a bulky machine.
The Dedica Maestro Plus is a good fit if you want:
- A compact espresso machine for a small kitchen.
- Convenient milk frothing with adjustable settings.
- The opportunity to learn espresso preparation.
Consider another machine if you prefer:
- A built-in grinder for freshly ground coffee.
- Fully automatic, one-touch drink preparation.
- Minimal hands-on work and maintenance.
It is worth considering if you want to improve your home espresso skills and enjoy milk-based drinks without complicated equipment. However, the need for a separate grinder may increase the overall cost of your setup.