FAQ
TL;DR: ECAM 22.110 weak large‑cup coffee? Statistic: seals every 2 years; "Seals should be replaced every two years." Start with brew‑group cleaning, lubrication, and a finer grind. [Elektroda, Sowa0101, post #17674376]
Why it matters: This FAQ helps DeLonghi ECAM 22.110 owners fix weak or watery “large cup/long” coffee quickly and confidently.
Quick Facts
- Factory volumes: approx. 40 ml (small) and 120 ml (large); two small shots often taste stronger than one large. [Elektroda, sc12, post #17273786]
- Dirty piston/brew unit can weaken coffee and misdirect grounds; clean plunger/strainer, check seals, apply food‑safe grease. [Elektroda, makowsk, post #17665162]
- On max aroma, brew a large cup and watch grind time; if it doesn’t lengthen, dosing/calibration may be off. [Elektroda, Misiek85, post #17902476]
- Encoder reset can restore grind‑time logic: ON/STAND‑BY + 1 ESPRESSO power‑on, run wash/heat, then power off. [Elektroda, rostex, post #20784090]
- Scattered pucks may also indicate broken door “regulators”; inspect/replace if damaged. [Elektroda, Misiek85, post #17902476]
Why is my DeLonghi ECAM 22.110 large‑cup coffee weak or watery?
The large program dispenses about 120 ml vs about 40 ml for small, so flavor dilutes. Many owners press the small‑cup button twice into one mug to keep intensity. If your large cup looks tea‑colored and smells faint, that’s normal for long volume. [Elektroda, sc12, post #17273786]
What should I check first to fix weak coffee on ECAM 22.110?
Start with brew‑group maintenance. Remove the infuser, wash it thoroughly, and lubricate moving parts. After this, the mechanism should reposition itself within about 10 coffees. A freshly serviced group improves puck integrity and extraction consistency. "Disassemble, wash and lubricate." [Elektroda, nioop, post #17584107]
How do I clean and lubricate the brew group and piston?
Disassemble the brewing unit. Remove the plunger with the strainer and clean both thoroughly. Old coffee oils can slow the piston and reduce compression. Check the seals, replace if worn, and apply food‑safe grease to moving parts. Reassemble and test. Weak or scattered pucks often improve immediately after this service. [Elektroda, makowsk, post #17665162]
What lubricant should I use and how often should I replace seals?
Use a food‑safe grease as advised in the thread, e.g., petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Lubricate when the mechanism starts moving harder. Replace seals on a two‑year interval for reliability. "Seals should be replaced every two years." This simple maintenance helps restore pressure and taste. [Elektroda, Sowa0101, post #17674376]
How do I reset the encoder/dosing on ECAM 22.110?
Use this 3‑step reset:
- Press and hold ON/STAND‑BY and 1 ESPRESSO.
- While holding, set the rear main switch to I.
- Turn the unit on, run a wash/heat cycle, then turn it off with ON/STAND‑BY and unplug.
This can restore normal grinding time behavior. [Elektroda, rostex, post #20784090]
After the reset, my grinder runs even shorter (<3 s). What does that mean?
This is an edge case reported by users. The grinder time dropped below 3 seconds post‑reset. Forcing a “too much coffee” error briefly raised grind time to about 6 seconds for only 1–2 cups, then it reverted. This pattern points to unstable dosing logic and needs service attention. [Elektroda, jar3ck1, post #20789019]
At max strength, should the grinder run longer on a large cup?
Yes. Set maximum taste and brew a large coffee while observing the grinder time and the pucks. It should lengthen. If it doesn’t, the machine may be using a different remembered setting or have a dosing issue. "Observe the discs and the grinding time... whether it lengthens or not." [Elektroda, Misiek85, post #17902476]
My coffee pucks crumble or scatter. How should I adjust the grind?
Make the grind finer (reduce the grinding grain). Lubricate the brewing unit and check the strainer for clogging. A finer grind and a smooth‑moving group increase compression, forming firm discs and improving taste. "Reduce grinding grain, lubricate the brewing unit, check the strainer." [Elektroda, Sowa0101, post #17674376]
Grounds are falling everywhere except the container. What’s the likely cause?
A dirty piston that doesn’t move smoothly can misdirect coffee grounds. Disassemble the brewing unit, clean the plunger and strainer thoroughly, check seals, and lubricate with food grease. Users report normal operation returning after this service. [Elektroda, makowsk, post #17665162]
What and where are the “regulators” that can break?
They are two movable plastic parts visible when you open the front door, on the left and right edges of the opening. Inspect them for cracks or misalignment. Damage here can affect puck handling and dosing alignment. Replace if faulty. [Elektroda, Misiek85, post #18539266]
Does lubricating help on ECAM 22.110, or not?
One expert cautions, "It’s not ESAM, so lubrication doesn’t help much here." That points toward grinder calibration memory or broken regulators instead. If lubrication doesn’t change grind time or puck quality, investigate dosing logic and hardware alignment. [Elektroda, Misiek85, post #17902476]
My grinder runs about 5 seconds on max strength and changes barely affect taste. What now?
Users report ~5 s grind at max strength with weak “big cup” and crumbling pucks. Document grind times and puck photos, and note any prior service (e.g., top microswitch replacement). Return the unit with this evidence so dosing control can be checked under warranty. [Elektroda, yarog, post #20153576]
What photos or data help diagnose weak coffee issues?
Share clear photos of coffee pucks after a good cup and after a weak cup. This reveals compression, crumble, and dose consistency. Techs can infer grind fineness and group condition from puck shape and integrity. [Elektroda, nioop, post #17275960]
Long coffee vs two small espressos: which gives stronger taste on ECAM 22.110?
Two small shots into one mug usually taste stronger. The large program dispenses about 120 ml versus about 40 ml for small, which dilutes flavor. Many owners use the two‑small‑cups method to match their preferred strength. [Elektroda, sc12, post #17273786]
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