A simple, step-by-step quick start guide to making great coffee with the De’Longhi Magnifica S (for instance model ECAM22.110.B). Covers setup, beans vs pre-ground, brewing, milk drinks, cleaning, troubleshooting, and pro tips for perfect coffee every time.

So, you’ve treated yourself to a new coffee machine, or perhaps inherited one, or maybe you’ve rocked up in Rome and the place you’re staying has one, and you aren’t quite sure where to start. If that machine happens to be the De’Longhi Magnifica S (for example, the sleek black fascia European model ECAM22.110.B), congratulations. You now own a capable bean-to-cup machine that can deliver proper café-style drinks from the comfort of your kitchen.

This quick start guide takes you through setup, everyday use, milk drinks, cleaning, troubleshooting, and a few pro tips to help you make the perfect coffee every time.

Contents

1. Setup (≈2–3 minutes)

1. Fill the water tank (left side — pull out and fill with fresh cold water).
2. Fill the coffee bean container (top — lift the lid and add beans).
3. (Optional) Add pre-ground coffee into the small ground coffee chute if you don’t want to use beans (see section below).
4. Plug in and press the ON/OFF button. The machine will run an automatic rinse cycle (≈30 seconds).
5. Wait until the rinse stops before brewing.

2. Beans vs Pre-Ground Coffee

Using Beans (default)

• Add beans to the hopper.
• Machine grinds fresh beans for every coffee.
• Best for flavour and crema.
• Grind fineness adjustable (hopper knob).

Using Pre-Ground Coffee (optional)

• Lift the small chute lid next to the bean hopper.
• Add one level scoop of pre-ground coffee.
• Select coffee as normal (1-cup or 2-cup).
  • Only one dose at a time – adding more can clog the machine.
  • Keep beans in the hopper — the machine prioritises pre-ground if present.

3. Making Coffee (≈1–2 minutes per cup)

1. Place 1 or 2 cups under the coffee spouts.
2. Adjust spouts to match cup height.
3. Turn the Aroma knob to set strength (clockwise = stronger, anticlockwise = lighter).
4. Press:
   • 1-cup button → one espresso/coffee (≈40–60 sec).
   • 2-cup button → two coffees (≈90 sec).
5. Machine grinds beans fresh each time and dispenses automatically.
6. After brewing, machine pauses briefly before it’s ready for the next coffee (≈10–15 sec).

4. Milk Drinks – Cappuccino / Latte (≈3–4 minutes)

1. Fill a jug with cold milk.
2. Place under the steam wand.
3. Press the steam button → light blinks (≈20–30 sec warm-up).
4. When the light stays on, turn the steam dial → froth milk (≈1–2 min).
5. Close dial and press steam button again to return to coffee mode.
6. Pour frothed milk into cup.
7. Brew espresso (≈40–60 sec) directly into the milk.
8. Always purge the wand with steam for a few seconds afterwards.

5. Daily Care (≈2–3 minutes)

• Empty the grounds container and drip tray when indicator shows (or every ~7–9 coffees).
• Rinse and refill water tank daily.
• Machine runs a rinse cycle each time you turn it on (≈30 sec) and off (≈30 sec).
• Descale when the warning light comes on (every 2–3 months, ~30 min process).

6. General Advice

• Finer grind = stronger coffee. Only adjust the grinder while it’s running.
• Store beans in an airtight container to preserve freshness.
• From cold start, allow ≈5 minutes total for a cappuccino.

7. “Perfect Coffee Every Time” Pro Tips

Want to look like you know what you’re doing? Try these:

• Warm your cup: Run hot water into the cup before brewing for better heat retention.
• Dial in strength: Use the Aroma knob and grinder setting together — medium grind + medium strength usually hits the sweet spot.
• Milk matters: Use full-fat or barista-style milk for richer froth.
• Clean as you go: A quick purge of the steam wand and a rinse cycle keeps flavours clean.
• Experiment: Different beans shine at different grind levels. Keep a note of what works best for you.

8. Quick Troubleshooting

Press ON and the lights don’t stabilise

• Check the water tank is filled and seated properly.
• Grounds container and drip tray must be inserted correctly.
• If still flashing, machine may be running rinse cycle — wait 30 sec.

Press ON then press 1-cup, but nothing happens

• Ensure beans are in the hopper OR one scoop of pre-ground coffee is in the chute.
• Check the brew unit is correctly seated (inside door, remove and reinsert).
• Look for warning lights (water, grounds, descale).

Weak or watery coffee

• Increase Aroma knob setting.
• Adjust grinder finer (only while running).
• Use fresher beans.

No steam / milk not frothing

• Wait for steam light to stay solid before turning dial.
• Purge wand before and after use.
• Descale if performance drops off.