How to Choose an Espresso Coffee Machine Home
With a high-end espresso maker, you can take your coffee-making experience at home to a new level. But how do you decide?
There are many aspects to consider including measuring and grinding your beans to pressing and tamping your beans correctly to pulling an espresso shot that is perfect. Fortunately, many of the tasks involved can be automated with semi-automatic machines and, in some cases, fully automatic models.
Manual
You'll need top quality equipment if you wish to make the finest espresso at home. The most crucial element of the system is an espresso maker that has a good design that can handle pressure. Some manufacturers have stripped down the system to a minimum, making machines that don't have boilers at all and rely on hand-pressure to get some pretty decent shots.
We've tested a variety of them and found that the Lelit Bambino Plus is one of the best. It's not cheap, but you're getting a piece of coffee equipment that will last for a long time and comes with 35 years of Lelit service and support to stand behind it. It's a bit heavy however that's to be expected given its construction. It also has a beautiful retro-futuristic style that's sure to be a conversation piece.
Breville Smart Grinder EK835 is another worthy candidate. It's not cheap, but it does a great job at what it does and you'll have the ability to grind your own beans. It's a bit bigger than other grinders we reviewed but that's due to the fact that it has an incredibly large burr set, and it's able to handle more than the standard burr set can. It's a little easier to operate than some of the other models we examined and comes with a solid warranty.
There are four kinds of espresso machines: Manual/Lever, Semi-Automatic, Volumetric (sometimes called Automatic) and Super-Automatic. Manual levers are the oldest and provide the most familiar design but they are also the most difficult to master and require more skill to dial in and pull shots.
Semi-automatics allow you to do the grinding and tamping yourself but they have an electric pump that gives the same flow and pressure. You can alter the amount of espresso you pour into your cup by stopping the brewing process and the majority of semi-automatics come with steam wands that allow you to create froth. There are also super-automatics that can take care of all the work for you, and come with built-in grinders, tampers and Brew cycles, and more.
Semi-Automatic
The main difference between semi-automatic espresso machines (semi-automatic) and fully automated machines is the degree of control you would like over the brewing process. Manual espresso machines require the baristas to push the button and pull the shot which can be exhausting and requires lots of practice. Fully automated machines can brew professional-quality espresso with the push of a single button. These machines are costly to buy or rent however they are a great way to save money and time.
A semi-automatic machine is the ideal option for those who wish to control their coffee making but don't have the time or the ability to be barista. This type of machine removes the guesswork of making shots. It grinds the beans into a hockey puck shape, compresses them and then pushes hot water through the puck with the perfect amount of pressure. This espresso maker also allows you to steam milk or create latte arts.
These machines are more expensive and require more maintenance than fully automated machines. Semi-automatic espresso machines are an excellent alternative for those who don't have the money to buy or lease an espresso machine that is fully automated.
Fully automated espresso machines ensure an exact cup every time, with minimum effort. They handle all the steps needed to make espresso from grinding the beans to brewing a shot, and steaming the milk and all this at the touch of the button. This is a popular choice for cafes who need to serve a large number of customers in a brief period and want ease of use. These machines are expensive and are not suitable for all cafes. If you're looking to purchase a fully-automatic espresso machine for your cafe, consider purchasing or renting two. One to cover the peak times, and the second one for slower times.
Pods
With pod coffee machines, you can create espresso drinks with the click of the button. They make use of disposable capsules of coffee that are filled with coffee ground in advance and milk powder to make your beverage. The top espresso pod machines are sleek, quick and give consistent results--shot after shot comes out with a smooth layer of crema, which is the signature of a top-quality espresso.
The pod machines might not provide the same level of control like bean-to-cup machines, but they are an excellent alternative for those who value convenience over quality and prefer to avoid grinding and tamping beans themselves. Although they don't have the same flavor as freshly ground beans from a good coffee grinder, the advancements in pod technology and an increasing selection of coffee varieties have made these machines more efficient than ever.
The type of coffee pods utilized by these machines differs between manufacturers however, they all have the same basic shape and design. They are typically small disks with papers that resemble tea bags. They can be put into a portafilter to make a brew. Some are designed to be used with drip coffee machines while others are made specifically for espresso machines. They are also known as soft pods, and the latter, Easy Serving Espresso (E.S.E) pods.
It is important to check a manufacturer's list of compatible pods before buying a machine based on pods. Many of these machines come with several options of pods, which means you can test out various flavors and brands before buying your favorite. Some brands also sell refillable pods for those who like to reuse their old ones.
No matter what type of coffee machine you choose it is important to think about cleaning and maintenance requirements. While many bean-to cup machines require manual cleaning, rinsing the brewing and grinder mechanisms and regularly descaling them, several pod-based espresso machines have built-in self-cleaning functions that minimize hassle.
Water
The espresso machine is a powerful tool that makes use of high pressure to push water through finely packed, tightly ground coffee. The result is a concentrated shot espresso that is ideal for making cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos. The Europeans particularly the Italians, figured this out in the late 1800s and utilized it to create an entire new world of cafe drinks.
There are several different methods to make a cup espresso, but the basic principle is to heat water to just below the point of boiling, then press it through a tightly packed coffee grounds in a portafilter, that is then transferred to an insulated container beneath the head of the group. This creates a strongly flavorful, dense cup of espresso in under 2 minutes.
All espresso machines work like this, however the specifics of each one differ slightly. Some utilize a piston design that requires you to press down on an lever to create the required pressure (8 to 10 bar; 116 to 145 psi). Others use an electric pump to generate the necessary pressure. Others, particularly the low-cost at-home devices rely on heated water and high temperatures to produce the same effect.
No matter how your espresso machine performs the quality of your ingredients is essential to making a good cup of espresso. Start with a top-quality dark-roasted, dark-roasted espresso beans. Explore different grinds and tamping techniques to find the perfect recipe for your home espresso machine.
Make sure you use the correct water for your espresso maker. smeg espresso machine should ideally choose tap water that has moderate mineral content. Minerals in water can assist you to get a smooth and balanced cup of coffee while also preventing the formation of scale. You can find out about your water's mineral content by looking up La Marzocco's coffee water download guidelines.
As you become 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, while also fostering a an appreciation for the premium coffee you can now produce at home.