How to Choose an Espresso Coffee Machine Home
A high-end espresso machine can elevate your home's coffee-making to the next level. What are the best ways to choose the right machine?
There's a lot to consider--from measuring and grinding your own beans to pressing and tamping correctly to get the perfect shot of espresso. A lot of the work can be automated with semi-automatic or in some cases fully automatic machines.
Manual
You'll require top-quality equipment if you wish to make the highest quality espresso at home. The most important part of the system is a well-designed, high-quality espresso maker that is able to handle pressure. This is where some manufactures have really stripped it down, making machines that don't even have boilers, instead relying on hand-pressure to create pretty decent shots.
We've tested several of these and concluded that the Lelit Bambino Plus is one of the top. It's not a cheap machine, but you're getting a machine that will last for a long time and 35 years of Lelit support and service. It's a bit heavy however, which is to be expected considering its construction. It has a retro-futuristic look that will surely spark conversation.
Breville Smart Grinder EK835 is a suitable option. It's not expensive, but it's a great grinder that lets you to grind your own coffee beans. It's bigger than the other grinders that we've reviewed, but it's because of its larger burrs as well as the fact that it's capable of handling more than a standard set of burrs. It's more user-friendly than some of the models we reviewed and comes with a long warranty.
There are four types that are available: Manual/Lever (also called Automatic), Semi-Automatic (also called Volumetric), and Super-Automatic. Manual levers are the most common and provide an easier design, but they are also the most difficult to master and require more experience to dial in and pull shots.
Semi-automatics let you perform the grinding and tamping yourself but they have an electric pump that gives constant flow and pressure. You can alter the amount of espresso in your cup by stopping the brewing process and most semi-automatics have steam wands that let you to make froth. Super-automatics offer the highest level of convenience, with built-in grinders and tampers, as well as brew cycles.
Semi-Automatic
The difference between semiautomatic espresso machines (semi-automatic) and fully automated machines is the degree of control you want over the making process. Manual espresso machines rely on the barista to generate pressure and pull the shot, which can be exhausting and requires a lot of practice. Fully automated machines take care of everything for you, brewing professional-quality espresso at the push of an button. These machines are costly to lease or purchase, but they offer convenience.
A semi-automatic machine is the ideal alternative for those looking to control their coffee brewing but don't have time or the skills to become barista. This kind of machine eliminates the guesswork of making a shot of espresso by grinding the beans, compressing them into an hockey puck shape, and pushing hot water through them with just the right pressure to create an espresso. This espresso maker also allows you to steam milk and create latte arts.
These machines are more expensive and require more maintenance than fully automatic machines. However for those who don't have the budget to buy or rent a fully automatic espresso machine, semi-automatic espresso makers are an affordable solution.
Fully automated espresso machines guarantee an exact cup every time, with minimal effort. They can handle all the steps needed to make espresso from grinding the beans to pulling a shot and steaming milk and all of it by pressing a button. This is a popular choice for cafes who need to serve a lot of customers in a short period and need convenience. These machines are costly and are not suitable for all cafes. If you're interested in a fully automatic espresso machine for your business, think about purchasing or renting two, one to cover peak times and the other to cover the slower times.
Pods
Pod coffee machines permit you to make espresso-based drinks at the press of a button. The capsules are made of coffee and powdered milk that are used to make the beverage. The best espresso pod machines provide consistently good results, are neat and quick, and create shots with a layer of crema.
While pod machines may not provide the same level of control as bean-to-cup machines however they are an excellent choice for those who wish to do away with grinding and tapping their own beans and who prefer convenience over quality. While they won't produce the same flavor as fresh ground beans from a good coffee grinder, advances in pod technology and an increasing selection of coffee varieties have made these models better than ever before.
The kind of coffee pods used in the machines varies from manufacturer to manufacturer however they usually have the same basic shape and design. The majority are covered in paper, they resemble tea bags and can be put into a portafilter to brew. Some are specifically designed to work with drip coffee makers, and others are specifically designed for espresso machines. These are referred to as soft pods, and the latter are known as Easy Serving Espresso (E.S.E) pods.
If you are shopping for an espresso machine that uses pods, it is important to check the list of recommended by the manufacturer of compatible pods. A lot of these machines come with many different flavors, so you can try out various flavors and brands before buying your preferred. Some brands offer refillable pods to those who want to reuse their old pods.
It is crucial to think about the cleaning and maintenance needs of your coffee maker, regardless of the design. A majority of bean-to-cup machines require manual cleaning as well as regular descaling of the brewing mechanism as well as grinder. However, some pod-based espresso machines have built-in self-cleaning functions which reduce the hassle.
Water
The espresso machine is a powerful instrument that uses high pressure to force water through finely packed, tightly ground coffee. The result is a concentrated shot of espresso that is ideal to make lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. This was discovered by the Europeans in the late 1800s, and specifically the Italians. They used this to create a new range of café drinks.
There are many ways to make espresso, but the principle is the same: heat the water just below boiling, then push it through the densely packed grounds of a portafilter. The water then flows into the container below the grouphead. This creates a strongly delicious, rich cup of espresso in less than 2 minutes.
All espresso machines function in the same way, however their details vary slightly. Some utilize piston designs that require the user to press down on a lever to generate the necessary pressure (8 to 10 bar or 116 to 145 psi). Certain machines utilize an electric pump to produce pressure. Others, particularly the inexpensive at-home machines rely on heated water and high temperatures to generate the similar effect.
The quality of the ingredients is important regardless of how well your espresso machine works. Start with a top-quality dark-roasted, dark-roasted espresso beans. Try different grinds and tamping methods to discover the perfect recipe for your espresso machine at home.
Finally, use the right water for your espresso machine. You should updated blog post ideally use tap water with moderate mineral content. Minerals in water can assist you to extract a smooth and balanced cup of espresso while also preventing the formation of scale. You can find out more about the water supply in your area's mineral content by referring to La Marzocco's downloadable coffee water guidelines.
As you get more comfortable using your espresso machine, it's worth investing in additional equipment such as portafilters or a stainless steel tamper. These tools can help you improve your coffee-making skills and develop confidence in the premium coffee you can now make at home.