If you have been thinking about making the leap from capsule coffee machines to super-automatic ones for a long time, we will show you the model with which the change will be easier and more satisfying: Philips 2200 LatteGo.
I include myself among the majority of users who like a good coffee, but do not want to complicate their lives, nor do they have much time for it. That is why he himself has been a user of coffee in capsules for many years. However, as a coffee lover (I just really like it, I don't understand much) of late I have been very attracted to "super-automatic" coffee makers. For those who are not very invested in this concept, they are those coffee makers in which you pour the coffee beans and they take care of everything by pressing a single button.
However, its price and its maintenance have thrown me back every time I wanted to buy one of these coffee makers. This has changed when I discovered the Philips 2200 LatteGo Super-automatic coffee machine, a very simple model but capable of preparing espresso coffee, long coffee and cappuccino and with a cleaning and maintenance system within the reach of anyone, comfortable and undemanding.
Design and Specifications
- Size 240x370x430 mm
- power 1500W
- 15 Bars
- Ceramic grinder with 12 grind settings
- Coffee beans deposit 275 grams
- Ground coffee tank
- 1,8 liter water tank (1,5 liters with the AquaClean filter)
- Detachable automatic skimmer
The design of the coffee maker is quite elegant, and although it cannot be said that it is small, if we compare it with other models it is quite compact. In addition to being pretty, its design has thought well where to place the tanks so that they are accessible and you do not have to move the machine every time you want to fill it with water or coffee.
The tray that collects the cleaning water or coffee that may fall is covered by a metal grill in a chrome finish, as well as the frame that surrounds the touch panel at the top with which we control the operation of the coffee maker. The chrome elements are also present in the spout that we can raise and lower to adjust it to the height of the glass or cup that we use.
In short, this is a small appliance that fits in any kitchen, both large and small. The fact that it does not need free space on the sides helps a lot when placing it, and its glossy black and chrome design means that it even contributes to decorating your kitchen. Fingerprints and splatters are noticeable, it's the price to pay, but with a damp cloth it cleans up quickly.
coffee tank
The place for pouring the coffee beans is in the upper part of the coffee maker, under a transparent plastic lid with hermetic closure to preserve the quality of the beans. Its capacity is 275 grams, which is slightly above average. Inside the tank we have the wheel to adjust the degree of coffee grinding. The grinder is made of teeth and ceramic, the best option when choosing a coffee grinder for the quality of the grinding and for the duration of the blades.
However, here we have to say something negative about this coffee maker, and that is that to change the degree of grinding, the coffee maker must be in operation, grinding coffee. You should try different degrees of grinding until you find the one you like the most., a very personal decision. In my case I have chosen number 11.
Just as personal is choosing the type of coffee you want to use. After reading many opinions, I decided to try the coffee machine with a Lavazza “Crema e gusto” coffee beans with an intensity of 7/10 (link). are a coffee not too intense, with a good aroma and golden cream, perfect for those of us who like a good espresso without sugar or any kind of sweetener.
And what if someone wants another type of coffee? And if you want a decaf? Well, luckily we have a solution to that problem, because there is a small tank where we can put already ground coffee in a single dose to prepare a coffee on time. It's perfect for if you ever run out of coffee beans, or if there's someone at home who wants decaf instead of coffee.
Operation
Preparing a coffee is very simple in this Philips 2230. You have a tactile front panel with light indicators where you can choose between the three types of coffee that you can prepare (cappuccino, espresso and long coffee)You can also choose only hot water for a tea. In the event that you choose between coffee or espresso, you can select whether you want a single cup or two cups at a time.
Once you have chosen the type of drink you want, you can choose the intensity and quantity. The selection buttons allow you between three levels each, and the last selections you have made are memorized, so if you are one of those who always uses the same intensity and quantity, you will not need to choose it more than once. The intensity selector is the one that allows you to choose the ground coffee tank by holding it down for a few seconds.
Without a doubt one of the best features of this coffee maker and that makes the difference with others is the LatteGo system. Something very simple but tremendously effective to heat the milk, generate foam and serve you a fantastic cappuccino. Just lift the lid, pour in to the one-cup mark, and select cappuccino on the front panel. And best of all, cleaning it is very simple, you can even use the dishwasher. Nothing to do with most other systems that other machines use.
We have talked about how easy it is to handle it, but we cannot forget that the fundamental thing is how you prepare the coffee. The three types of coffee that it prepares are of high quality, with an espresso with body, aroma and creamy, a less intense long coffee and perfect to combine with milk or ice, and a very rich cappuccino with a layer of foam of acceptable quality, not professional but more than decent.
The temperature at which the drinks are served is not adjustable, but it is perfect to drink immediately. The quantities of each drink can be modified as we indicated before, we can even customize the maximum levels of each drink if we believe that they are not suitable for our glasses. I use DeLonghi double-walled glasses for cappuccino, espresso and latte, and in addition to maintaining the temperature for a long time, and having a design that I love, they have the perfect capacities for each drink.
Cleaning
The machine has an automatic cleaning cycle that starts every time it is turned on or off. When you turn it on you will see how the lights on the front panel blink for a few seconds, during which time it will expel some water to clean the internal circuit. You should not put the cup under the spout until the lights are steady, with the blue AquaClean light on. Likewise, when turning off the machine, it does another similar cleaning cycle.
This means that the water used with each drink must be added to the water used in the cleaning cycles, so The water tank needs to be refilled frequently. (every two days in my case) and the water collection tray must also be emptied every two days. You have a red plastic indicator that tells you when the tray is full, and a light indicator on the front panel for when the tank runs out of water.
The other cleaning that must be done is the used coffee tank, which I usually empty every 3-4 days, depending on the use. You have a light indicator on the front panel that tells you when you should empty it.
Maintenance
The process of cleaning the machine after each use is very simple and requires minimal attention. To this must be added maintenance to keep the machine in top condition and get a coffee with the best flavor and a machine in perfect condition.
The heart of the machine is the infuser group, located under a cover that is revealed when the water tank is removed. Once a week you have to extract it and rinse it under the tap, and let it dry before putting it back on. Every month you have to clean the group with a degreasing tablet and every two months, in addition to doing the corresponding cleaning, you have to lubricate it.
You can buy a complete Kit with everything you need for this maintenance and also two AquaClean filters. These filters are placed in the water tank and filter it, reducing lime deposits in the machine circuit. Filters are not required but are recommended, and they last for about 5.000 cups, so they do not represent a significant outlay.
The most "laborious" process is the descaling of the machine, which if you use the AquaClean filter will be very rare. There is no set time when it should be done. only do it when the machine tells you to do so with the corresponding light signal. In the instructions it is perfectly detailed how to do it.
Editor's opinion
The Philips LatteGo 2200 super-automatic coffee maker is one of the best purchase options for those who want to enjoy a quality coffee without having to spend a large amount of money and with a very simple maintenance. Good temperature of the drinks prepared, a system for preparing hot milk with foam that you will not be too lazy to use, and the possibility of preparing a different coffee from the beans that you have placed in the tank are its strong points. On the downside, few drink customization options, such as not being able to change the amount of milk in the cappuccino, for which you'll have to go to higher and more expensive models. You can buy it on Amazon for €429 (link).
- Editor's rating
- Star rating
- Latte Go 2200
- Review of: Luis Padilla
- Posted on:
- Last modification:
- Integrated
- drink quality
- Driving
- Price quality
Pros
- Ease of handling
- easy maintenance
- Quality drinks and good temperature
- LatteGo system with good results and easy to clean
Cons
- few drink options