Brew Strong Coffee With Delonghi Magnifica S

Quick Answer

• Adjust the coffee strength setting to the highest level on your Delonghi Magnifica S.
• Use a finer grind setting for your coffee beans.
• Increase the amount of coffee grounds used per brew.
• Ensure you are using fresh, high-quality coffee beans.
• Clean your machine regularly, especially the brew unit.
• Experiment with different coffee-to-water ratios to find your preference.

Who This Is For

• Owners of the Delonghi Magnifica S who find their current coffee not strong enough.
• Coffee drinkers looking to maximize the flavor intensity and caffeine kick from their automatic espresso machine.
• Beginners to the Magnifica S who want to understand how to customize strength settings.

What to Check First

Brewer Type and Filter Type

Your Delonghi Magnifica S is an automatic espresso machine. It uses an internal brew unit and grinds beans on demand, so there’s no separate filter paper to consider in the traditional sense. The machine handles the “filtration” internally.

Water Quality and Temperature

The water you use significantly impacts flavor.

Good: Filtered water or good-tasting tap water is ideal. This helps avoid mineral buildup and ensures a clean coffee taste.
Bad: Hard water or heavily chlorinated water can lead to off-flavors and scale the machine.

The Magnifica S heats water to optimal brewing temperatures for espresso, typically between 195-205°F (90-96°C). You generally don’t need to adjust this manually, but ensuring the machine is fully heated before brewing is important.

Using filtered water is crucial for optimal flavor and machine health. Consider a reliable water filter to ensure your Delonghi Magnifica S brews the best possible coffee.

Grind Size and Coffee Freshness

For espresso machines like the Magnifica S, grind size is crucial for extraction.

Good: A fine grind, similar to table salt or slightly finer, is usually recommended for espresso. Freshly ground beans offer the best flavor.
Bad: A coarse grind will lead to weak, watery coffee. Stale beans will result in flat, less intense flavor.

Always grind your beans just before brewing for the freshest taste and aroma.

Coffee-to-Water Ratio

The amount of coffee grounds relative to the amount of water determines brew strength.

Good: For a stronger cup, you’ll want to use more coffee grounds for the amount of water the machine dispenses. The Magnifica S has settings for this.
Bad: Using too little coffee will always result in a weaker brew, regardless of other settings.

Experimentation is key here, but a common starting point for a double espresso might be around 14-18 grams of coffee.

Cleanliness/Descale Status

A clean machine is essential for good-tasting coffee.

Good: Regularly clean the brew unit, drip tray, and rinse the machine as prompted. Descale when the machine indicates it’s necessary.
Bad: Coffee oils and mineral buildup can clog the system and impart bitter or stale flavors. A dirty machine will struggle to produce a good extraction.

Refer to your Magnifica S manual for specific cleaning and descaling instructions.

Step-by-Step: Brewing Strong Coffee with Your Delonghi Magnifica S

1. Fill the Water Tank:

• What to do: Remove the water tank, fill it with fresh, filtered water to the MAX line, and reinsert it securely.
• What “good” looks like: The tank sits firmly in place with no leaks.
• Common mistake: Not filling the tank sufficiently, or leaving it slightly ajar, which can cause the machine to not operate or display an error.

2. Fill the Bean Hopper:

• What to do: Open the lid of the bean hopper and fill it with your desired whole coffee beans. Close the lid.
• What “good” looks like: The hopper is filled with beans, and the lid is properly sealed.
• Common mistake: Using pre-ground coffee in the bean hopper. The Magnifica S is designed for whole beans; using pre-ground coffee can clog the machine. If you must use pre-ground coffee, use the separate bypass doser (check your manual for location and usage).

3. Turn On and Heat Up:

• What to do: Press the power button. Allow the machine to go through its initial heating and rinsing cycle.
• What “good” looks like: The machine is ready to brew, indicated by a stable light or display message. A small amount of water may dispense during the rinse.
• Common mistake: Trying to brew immediately after turning the machine on, before it has reached optimal brewing temperature. This results in weak, lukewarm coffee.

4. Select Coffee Strength:

• What to do: Locate the coffee strength button or dial on your Magnifica S. Rotate or press it to the highest setting (often indicated by more coffee bean symbols or a darker color).
• What “good” looks like: The strength indicator clearly shows the maximum setting is selected.
• Common mistake: Leaving the strength setting at its default or lowest level, which will produce weaker coffee regardless of other adjustments.

5. Select Coffee Volume/Length:

• What to do: Choose the desired cup size or coffee volume. For a stronger brew, you might select a smaller cup size if your machine allows for this adjustment separately from strength.
• What “good” looks like: The selected cup size is clearly indicated.
• Common mistake: Selecting a large cup size when aiming for a concentrated, strong espresso. This dilutes the coffee.

6. Adjust Grind Setting (if applicable):

• What to do: If your Magnifica S has an adjustable grinder, locate the grind adjustment knob (usually inside the bean hopper or on the side of the grinder). Turn it to a finer setting.
• What “good” looks like: The knob is set to a finer grind, typically indicated by a lower number or a symbol suggesting finer grounds.
• Common mistake: Setting the grind too fine, which can clog the brew unit and lead to bitter, over-extracted coffee or error messages. Start with a fine setting and adjust if needed.

7. Place Cup(s):

• What to do: Place your espresso cup or mug under the coffee spout(s).
• What “good” looks like: The cup is positioned correctly to catch the coffee without splashing.
• Common mistake: Forgetting to place a cup, which will result in hot water dispensing directly into the drip tray.

8. Initiate Brew Cycle:

• What to do: Press the brew button for your desired coffee type (e.g., espresso, lungo).
• What “good” looks like: Coffee begins to flow from the spout in a steady stream, with a nice crema forming on top.
• Common mistake: Pressing the wrong button, or not pressing it at all, leading to no coffee being brewed.

9. Monitor Extraction:

• What to do: Observe the flow of coffee. For a strong espresso, it should be a relatively quick flow, not a slow drip.
• What “good” looks like: A rich, reddish-brown stream that gradually lightens.
• Common mistake: Letting the brew run too long for an espresso, which can lead to over-extraction and bitterness. The machine usually stops automatically based on your volume setting.

10. Discard Used Coffee Puck:

• What to do: After brewing, the machine will eject the used coffee grounds into the internal grounds drawer. Empty this drawer and the drip tray regularly.
• What “good” looks like: The grounds drawer is emptied, and the drip tray is clean.
• Common mistake: Not emptying the grounds drawer frequently enough. This can lead to odors and prevent the machine from brewing properly.

Common Mistakes (and What Happens If You Ignore Them)

Mistake	What It Causes	Fix
Using stale or old coffee beans	Weak flavor, lack of crema, bitter taste	Use freshly roasted beans and grind them just before brewing.
Grind size too coarse	Water flows through too quickly, weak, watery coffee	Adjust grinder to a finer setting (closer to table salt consistency).
Grind size too fine	Water flows too slowly, bitter, burnt taste, clogs	Adjust grinder to a coarser setting. If machine errors, it’s likely too fine.
Incorrect coffee-to-water ratio (too little coffee)	Diluted, weak, flavorless coffee	Increase the amount of coffee grounds used per brew by adjusting the strength setting or bean dose.
Machine not fully heated/rinsed	Lukewarm coffee, poor extraction, weak flavor	Allow the machine to complete its startup heating and rinsing cycle before brewing.
Not cleaning the brew unit regularly	Bitter, stale flavors, reduced coffee flow	Remove and rinse the brew unit weekly, and run a cleaning cycle as recommended by the manual.
Using hard or poor-quality water	Off-flavors, scale buildup, machine damage	Use filtered or bottled water. Descale the machine regularly according to manufacturer instructions.
Selecting a large volume for a strong shot	Diluted flavor, less intense coffee	For a strong espresso, select a smaller volume setting or use the manual brew function to stop earlier.
Using pre-ground coffee in the bean hopper	Clogs the grinder and brew unit, machine damage	Use whole beans in the hopper. Use the bypass doser for pre-ground coffee if available and necessary.
Not adjusting the strength setting	Coffee consistently weaker than desired	Always ensure the strength setting is dialed up to your preference before brewing.

Decision Rules for Brewing Strong Coffee

• If your coffee tastes weak and watery, then check the coffee strength setting and increase it because this is the primary control for brew intensity.
• If the coffee still isn’t strong enough after increasing the strength setting, then try a finer grind setting because a finer grind extracts more flavor and body.
• If the coffee tastes bitter or burnt after adjusting to a finer grind, then coarsen the grind slightly because the grind might be too fine, causing over-extraction.
• If you are using the pre-ground coffee bypass, then ensure you are using the correct amount recommended for your machine and that it’s fresh because the bypass can be finicky.
• If the crema is thin or non-existent, then check the freshness of your beans and the grind size because these are key factors for good crema.
• If the machine is making unusual noises or the brew seems slow, then check the cleanliness of the brew unit and consider descaling because buildup can impede proper operation.
• If you want a stronger flavor but a smaller volume of coffee, then select a smaller cup size setting if available, or manually stop the brew earlier because a shorter brew time with the same amount of grounds yields more concentrated flavor.
• If you’ve tried all other settings and still want it stronger, then consider using slightly more coffee beans than the machine dispenses by default (if your machine allows for manual dose adjustment or by using the bypass doser) because a higher coffee-to-water ratio is fundamental to strength.
• If the coffee tastes “off” or dull, then check your water quality and ensure the machine is descaled because impurities can significantly affect taste.
• If you want to understand the machine’s limits, then consult your Delonghi Magnifica S user manual for specific recommendations on strength, grind, and volume settings because each machine has optimal parameters.

FAQ

Q: How do I make my Delonghi Magnifica S coffee stronger?

A: To make your coffee stronger, increase the coffee strength setting to its maximum, use a finer grind setting, and ensure you’re using fresh, quality beans. You can also experiment with using slightly more coffee grounds if your machine allows for it.

Q: What is the best grind size for strong coffee on the Magnifica S?

A: For strong espresso from the Magnifica S, a fine grind is generally best, similar to table salt or slightly finer. Too coarse will result in weak coffee, while too fine can lead to bitterness or clogs.

Q: Can I use pre-ground coffee to make my coffee stronger?

A: The Magnifica S is designed for whole beans. If you must use pre-ground coffee, use the bypass doser (check your manual for its location and how to use it) and use a grind suitable for espresso. Using pre-ground coffee in the main hopper can cause damage.

Q: How often should I clean my Magnifica S to ensure strong coffee?

A: Clean the brew unit weekly, rinse the machine daily or as prompted, and descale it when the indicator light comes on. Regular cleaning prevents coffee oils from going stale and affecting flavor.

Q: What does the coffee strength setting on my Magnifica S actually do?

A: The strength setting typically controls the amount of coffee beans the grinder grinds for each brew cycle. A higher setting means more grounds are used, resulting in a stronger, more intense cup of coffee.

Q: My coffee is strong but tastes bitter. What could be wrong?

A: Bitterness often indicates over-extraction. This can happen if your grind is too fine, your water temperature is too high (though this is less common with automatic machines), or you’re brewing for too long. Try a slightly coarser grind or a shorter brew time.

Q: How can I get a better crema on my espresso?

A: Good crema is primarily a result of fresh coffee beans (roasted within the last few weeks) and the correct fine grind size. Ensure your machine is clean and heated properly.

Q: Is it okay to use flavored coffee beans?

A: You can use flavored beans, but they may not produce as strong a traditional coffee flavor. The flavoring oils can also build up in the grinder and brew unit, so clean your machine more frequently if you use them.

Q: What if I want a strong coffee but not a very large volume?

A: Select the smallest cup size option available on your machine. If your machine has a manual brew option, you can also stop the flow of coffee early to achieve a more concentrated shot.

What This Page Does Not Cover (and Where to Go Next)

• Detailed troubleshooting for specific error codes or mechanical failures. Consult your user manual or Delonghi support.
• Recipes for milk-based coffee drinks like lattes or cappuccinos. Explore guides on frothing milk and drink preparation.
• Comparisons of different coffee bean origins or roast levels for brewing strength. Research coffee tasting notes and roast profiles.
• Advanced espresso extraction theory beyond basic grind and ratio adjustments. Look for resources on dialing in espresso.
• Information on cleaning and descaling products. Refer to your machine’s manual for approved cleaning agents.