Unlike the US version (EC860), the European version (EC850) does not have the cup warmer unfortunately :/ Tray is there though, so cups might get a little bit warm with the heat of the machine anyway. Any tips on how to pre-heat it properly?
Yup!
Warmer tray is useless, so forget that. If your machine has a hot water dispenser, the first thing during preparation process fill the cup with hot water and let it sit while you grind, tamp, etc.
If it doesn't have a hot water dispenser, just put the cup under the shower screen and turn the machine to the extraction setting and fill the cup, then turn the the machine back to stand by, do your grinding, etc.
I suggest that if you want to continue this discussion, which I will be more than happy to do (I LOVE talking espresso
), let's take it over to the Espresso Enthusiast thread to which I gave you the link in my first post to you above.