Delonghi BCO430 Review: Espresso or Drip Today?

If you love espresso but enjoy different brewing methods, a regular espresso maker might just not cut it.

Enter the Delonghi BCO430. This unique brewer manages to cram an espresso and coffee machine into one unit, giving you the option to pull a shot or brew a pot of drip coffee instead.

Below, we dive into this dual coffee maker in our Delonghi BCO 430 review:

Delonghi BCO430 Review 2024

This unique brewer combines a coffee maker, espresso machine, and milk frother all into one unit. Housing a 15 bar espresso machine and drip coffee maker with each having its own dedicated brewer, settings, power button, and even water reservoir.

The BCO430 is perfect if you enjoy espresso but also want the ability to brew pots of coffee without forking out for another brewer.

Made from ABS plastic and a stainless steel exterior, it’s durable and functional. This model has an LCD display, making it easy to use, regardless of whether you want to pull a shot or brew an entire pot. Just load the brewer with ground coffee, and off you go!

With a dual water reservoir its the perfect machine for small households and if you drink multiple cups of regular coffee throughout the day.

Other useful features include 24 hr programmability time management system and other accessories such as a carbon filter, glass carafe, dedicated water filter, and different sized espresso filters (with filter holder) to ensure you pull the perfect shot.

Backed with a 12-month warranty, the Delonghi BCO 430 model is the perfect addition to the home of any coffee lover.

Overall, If you’re serious about getting into the intricacies of pulling shots but also need to make pots of coffee, this espresso and coffee maker from Delonghi is a worthy investment.

Delonghi Brewing Standards

As we mentioned, The Delonghi BCO430’s centerpiece is that it houses both an espresso machine and a drip coffee machine side by side. Yes, it’s a coffee espresso machine intertwined in one.

First off, the espresso side is situated at the left, and it includes a non-removable 40 oz. Water tank, frothing wand, drip tray, and the group head. With 15 bars of pressure, this side can easily and quickly have you pulling shots.

It also includes two filters, which can accommodate a single or double espresso, respectively. The model includes a plastic tamper, which can help if you’re in a pinch. Nonetheless, we’d recommend grabbing a heavier tamper, preferably one made from steel, for you to fully compress your grounds and dial in your shot to your liking.

Moving on to the other side of the machine, the drip coffee maker has its own separate 47 oz. water reservoir which can brew a pot of coffee directly into the included glass carafe, enough for 10 cups per batch.

A unique feature with the Delonghi BCO 430’s coffee maker is its patented “Flavor Savor Brew System” that saturates the coffee grounds slowly, leading to a more intense flavor and aroma, kind of like a pre-infusion process. You can toggle the system through the dedicated “1-4” button on the coffee settings.

One thing to note is that the intense flavor feature functions at half capacity when you brew coffee and can take more or less six minutes to brew.

Build Quality & Size

The Delonghi BCO430 has a relatively small footprint for a dual home coffee machine, measuring around 14.5″ x 11″ x 12.8″ inches and weighing 13.89 pounds. As a result, you won’t have any problems rearranging your setup with this espresso and coffee maker.

This model has a polished, clean look with an intuitive interface. Everything you’ll need is right there with this front loading brewer.

To be lightweight, the machine is constructed using hard ABS plastic, which can withstand frequent use without worrying about breakage. But, It’s accented with brushed stainless steel, which can take a few dents too.

The brewer is also equipped with a cup warmer situated at the top of the machine. The surface is heated from the residual heat off the aluminum-lined boiler keeping your cups warm and ready to go. It’s also ribbed, so no need to worry about your cups sliding when the machine is turned on.

Take note that machines in this price range are not as durable compared to expensive models, but with care and maintenance, the Delonghi BCO430 can last you for years.

The Dual Coffee Maker

What makes the Delonghi BCO430 a coffee lovers’ dream is that you can practically brew anything you want. On the left side, it’s all in one cappuccino maker, and the right brews pots of drip coffee.

You can make a variety of drinks with ‘spro as your base thanks to the machine itself and the steaming wand. Whether you want an espresso cappuccino to something exotic like a Bicerin, this Delonghi combination machine can do it, but it’ll need you to act as the barista.

Unlike many automatic coffee makers, the BCO430 gives you control over adjusting your brewing parameters. You can adjust the dose and yield when you make an espresso, letting you have the option to brew a ristretto, which is perfect for milky drinks, or lungo for a long black.

Prefer a lighter roast and want to fully appreciate the coffee’s acidity and flavor? The second half of the BCO430, the drip machine, can extract the inherent sweetness of your favorite coffee beans.

Take note that the Delonghi BCO430 uses the same one-boiler system, which means you can’t brew with both sides simultaneously. This also includes the steaming wand, so you’ll have to wait for the machine to stabilize before you can froth your milk.

With that said, switching between brewers will only take a few seconds, so you can brew your favorite drinks quickly regardless of the single boiler system.

Milk Frothing Wand

As aforementioned, this brewer has a built-in steaming wand. You can brew any milky coffees just like any barista in your favorite cafe with the jet frother.

Most coffee makers with the same caliber as the DeLonghi BCO430 combo brewer use an auto-frothing system that steams with preset settings. What makes this machine unique is i’s frothing wand that gives you complete control over the quality of your foam.

 You can choose the ratio and amount of microfoam and steamed milk, allowing you to make a variety of milk drinks from a flat white to a dry espresso cappuccino.

The steam wand can also light that signals if it has the right amount of pressure, ready to be used in a few seconds. It’s easy to use and difficult to master, but you can make drinks like a pro-barista with practice.

Simply turn the steamer’s control knob, wait for the signal letting you know it’s ready for use, position the wand into your milk pitcher, and froth according to your preference.

One caveat with this model is that it doesn’t include a milk jug for the frother, so make sure to purchase one beforehand to enjoy making your milky coffee and perfecting your latte art.

Ease Of Use

In a nutshell, most manual or semi-automatic machines are easy to brew with but challenging to master, and the same can be said with the pressurized side of the BCO430.

To make an espresso shot, all you need is to fill up it’s water tank, place your coffee grounds in the bundled portafilter, attach it to the brew head, and push the button.

It sounds easy enough, like I said, but to get great tasting coffee, you’ll have to factor in the different brewing parameters associated with making espresso. These factors can range from the dose and its grind size to your shot volume and even how much pressure you’ll use when tamping.

You might find steaming milk as a challenge if you’re a first timer as well, especially if you want to get the correct texture and foam for your drink.

On the other hand, the Delonghi drip machine is much simpler to brew by just adding water and coffee to their respective containers and pressing the brew button. You can play around with different grind sizes to brew your preferred coffee, but all in all, it’s a one touch operation.

Some of the features of the brewer compliments the coffee brewer making for one convenient cup as well. The Delonghi has a programmable timer that can save you time if you’re in a hurry or want to brew a pot ready for when you get up for work. 

You can also take advantage of the 1-4 button, which can also apply to your automated brew making for a stronger brew when you’re groggy in the morning.

Cleaning The Coffee Machine

This Delonghi model is similar to other semi-automatic machines in terms of cleaning. You’ll have to be meticulous in taking care of this all-in-one cappuccino, espresso, and coffee machine.

The group head and the steam wand need to be cleaned after every use, which is the standard practice for any coffee making equipment. You’ll have to ensure that there is no loose ground coffee left on your portafilter to avoid any build-up.

Ensure to wipe and purge the machine’s steaming wand to avoid any residual milk that can spoil quickly.

There are other parts to maintain and clean regularly, including the filters, filter basket, drip tray, and water tank. But these require less frequent care and are easy to clean.

As an additional feature, each water tank features an active carbon filter, which removes unneeded minerals from your water. It can also reduce your need to clean them frequently.

When the need arises, just pop in a descaling tablet, let the machine run for a few brewing cycles, and it’s as simple as that. Delonghi still recommends deep cleaning the BCO 430 after brewing 300 cups to ensure your machine’s longevity.

Other Interesting Features

If you’re after a quick cuppa during the mornings, you’ll be pleased to know that this semi-automatic double brewer has a time management system that allows you to set the time for your machine to heat-up and automatically brew. Setting the system up is simple, and you can get your preferred settings in just under a minute.

Its programmable timer can be set up to 24 hours before your preferred date to enjoy your coffee whenever you want it. Just make sure to fill up the water tank and coffee filter beforehand to have a completely automatic coffee experience.

The Delonghi BCO430 also features an auto-shutoff system, so no need to worry if you’ve left the machine turned on once you’re out the door.

Sometimes you need to brew coffee quickly, and in this case, the brew-pause function can be helpful. Instead of waiting for the brewing process to complete, you can sneak a cup without interrupting the cycle.

Other features include a heat plate that keeps the optimal temperature for your brew, and its water filter will filter out any undesirable compounds from your water whether you’re pulling a shot or brewing a regular pot.

Is The Machine Worth The Money?

With the features listed above and it’s capability to brew café-styled coffees, the BCO 430 is undoubtedly a buy for many coffee lovers.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find another combination coffee machine within the price range of the Delonghi BCO430. Some machines with a similar performance tend to go a couple of hundred bucks more while cheaper options have fewer features and tend to be built using more inexpensive components and lack a stainless steel exterior.

Personally, as an ex-barista, the BCO 430 is a great deal, especially with a manual approach to making espresso, and it’s versatile milk frother.

To sweeten the cherry on top, this Delonghi model comes with extra features like its 24-hour programmable timer and brew-pause functions that make coffee brewing easy and convenient.

As with anything coffee related, its value depends on your needs. Nonetheless, this Delonghi brewer is a decent investment if you prefer different drinks for your daily caffeine fix.

The Delonghi BCO430 Isn’t For You If…

As tempting as the Delonghi BCO430 sounds, it’s not for everyone. There are some factors you have to consider if this machine is the perfect one for your home.

You want the machine to do all the work

This unique coffee and espresso machine utilizes a manual approach in brewing your cup of joe. It’s a good choice for coffee fans that enjoy tinkering with their brewing parameters, but if you’re the type who just wants a brew without any hassle throughout the day, the BCO430 might not be for you. Instead check out our favorite SCAA Drip coffee makers for something more suitable.

You don’t need the dual functionality

If you prefer making espresso regularly but don’t need the dual brewing functions, this isn’t for you. The unique selling point of this brewer is its ability to switch between pulling shots and brewing pots.

You want a cheap and cheerful machine

The fact of the matter is, the Delonghi BCO430 is quite expensive for its class due to it’s multi-purpose setup. There are cheaper machines that can brew coffee, so it’s best to research what’s the best coffee maker within your preference and price range.

One other thing to consider if this machine is the right one for you is its design. The BCO 430 may have an intuitive interface, but its stainless steel utilitarian design might dissuade you if you’re looking for a coffee maker with a little more pizzazz. 

There are other dual coffee machines on the market that are more aesthetically pleasing and can brew a regular cup of coffee at a lower cost, so take note on what you want and enjoy.

You want something compact and space-saving

Other automatic coffee machines also feature a dedicated grinder built-in, making for a more streamlined coffee experience. But for the DBCO430, having a decent separate burr grinder is essential as it can only brew with ground coffee.

This can take up additional space as well, which is a deal-breaker if you have a small kitchen or generally prefer a more portable coffee machine.

While you can brew with pre-ground coffee if you’re in a pinch, but the fact of the matter is, nothing can beat the flavor and aroma of freshly ground beans, whether it’s for a base of a latte or a regular brew.

The Final Verdict

With its boatload of functions, it’s no wonder why the Delonghi BCO430 is one of the most popular dual brewers in the market. This all-in-one cappuccino, espresso, and coffee machine is great for any coffee lover who wants to switch up their caffeine fix.

It might be pricey, but you get what you pay for and what you’re getting is a good and solid machine that allows you to brew specialty drinks right in your home.

Overall, it all depends on if this espresso and coffee maker fits your specific needs. Regardless, keep on brewing my friend!