How to Choose an Espresso Coffee Machine Home
With a top-quality espresso maker, you can take your home-brewed coffee to a new level. How do you choose the best machine?
There's a lot to consider--from measuring and grinding your own beans, to pressing and tamping properly to get the perfect espresso shot. A lot of the work can be automated with semi-automatic, and sometimes fully automated machines.
Manual
If you'd like to to make the best espresso at home, you'll require good equipment. The most important part of the system is a well-designed, quality espresso maker that can handle pressure. Some manufacturers have stripped down the system to the bare minimum, making machines that don't use boilers and rely instead on hand-pressure for some pretty decent shots.
We've tested several of these and concluded that the Lelit Bambino Plus is one of the best. It's not cheap, but you're getting coffee machinery that will last for a long time, and has 35 years of Lelit service and support to stand behind it. It's a bit on the heavy side but that's expected due to its build. It also has a gorgeous retro-futuristic design that's sure to be a conversation piece.
Another good option is the Breville Smart Grinder EK835. It's not cheap, but it's a great grinder that will allow you to grind your own coffee beans. It's larger than other grinders we've examined however, it's due to its larger burrs as well as the fact that it can handle more than a standard burr set. It's easier to use than the other models we looked at and comes with a solid warranty.
There are four kinds: Manual/Lever (also called Automatic), Semi-Automatic (also called Volumetric), and Super-Automatic. Manual levers are more traditional design and are easier to use, but they require more skill and understanding to dial in and pull shots.
Semi-automatics let you do the grinding and tamping yourself but they have an electric pump that can provide the same flow and pressure. You can adjust the amount of espresso you pour into your cup by stopping the brewing process and most semi-automatics have steam wands that let you to create froth. Super-automatics offer the highest level of convenience, and come with grinders and tampers as well as brew cycles.
Semi-Automatic
The main difference between semi-automatic espresso machines (semi-automatic) and fully automated machines is how much control you would like over the coffee making process. Manual espresso machines depend on the barista to produce pressure and then pull the shot. This can be exhausting and requires a lot of practice. Fully automated machines can brew professional-quality espresso at the touch of a button. They are expensive to lease or purchase but they provide convenience.
A semi-automatic machine is the best option for those who wish to control their coffee brewing but don't have the time or the skills to become barista. This kind of machine takes the guesswork out of making a shot by grinding the beans, forming them into the shape of a hockey puck and then forcing hot water through them at the right pressure to make an espresso. This espresso maker also lets you to steam milk and create latte art.
These machines are more costly and require more maintenance than fully automatic machines. However, for those who don't have the money to purchase or rent an espresso machine that is fully automated, a semi-automatic espresso maker is an affordable option.
Fully automated espresso machines guarantee an even cup every time, and require minimal effort. They handle all the steps involved in making espresso from grinding the beans to pulling a shot and steaming the milk and all of it with just one push of the button. This is a popular choice for cafes that need to serve many customers in a short period and need ease of use. They are expensive and not suitable for all cafes. If you're interested in a fully automatic espresso machine for your business, you should consider purchasing or renting two to cover high-volume times and the other to cover the slower times.
Pods
With pod coffee machines, you can make espresso drinks at the touch of one button. They make use of disposable capsules of coffee that are filled with pre-ground coffee and milk powder to brew your beverage. The top espresso pod machines are simple, sleek and provide very consistently good results. Each shot is topped with a smooth layer of crema that is the signature of a top-quality espresso.
Pod machines might not have the same level control as bean-to-cup models, but they are an excellent option for those who prefer convenience over quality and prefer to avoid grinding and tamping beans themselves. While they may not have the same taste as freshly ground beans brewed with a high-quality coffee grinder, the advancements in pod technology and a wider variety of coffees have made these machines more efficient than ever before.
The kind of coffee pods utilized by these machines differs between manufacturers, but they generally have the same basic shape and design. They are typically small, covered in paper, they are similar to tea bags. They can be put into a portafilter to make brewing. Some are designed to be used with drip coffee makers while others are designed specifically for espresso machines. The former are called soft pods, while the latter are called are known as Easy Serving Espresso (E.S.E) pods.
It is essential to look through the list of compatible pods before buying a machine based on pods. These machines are available in a wide range of flavors and brands which means you can try them before settling on the one you prefer. Some brands also offer refillable pods for those who like to reuse their old ones.
It's important to consider the maintenance and cleaning requirements of your coffee machine regardless of its style. While many bean-to cup machines require manual cleaning, washing the grinder and brewing mechanisms and regularly descaling them, several pod-based espresso machines have built-in self-cleaning functions that reduce the hassle.
Water
Espresso machines are a powerful tool which uses high pressure to force coffee that is finely ground through an extremely tightly packed container. The espresso shot is concentrated and is ideal for making cappuccinos. The Europeans, specifically the Italians discovered this in the latter part of 1800 and used it to create an entirely new world of cafe drinks.
There are many ways to make espresso, but the principle is the same boil the water until it is to a temperature that is just below boiling, then push it through the tightly packed grounds of a portafilter. The water then flows into the container below the grouphead. This creates a strongly flavorful, dense cup of espresso in just two minutes.
Espresso machines operate in this way, but the specifics of each differ slightly. Some utilize pistons that require you to press down on the lever to create the required pressure (8 to 10 bar; 116 to 145 psi). Other machines use an electric pump to generate the necessary pressure. Other machines, especially the less expensive home-based machines, rely on water and heated temperatures to achieve the same result.
Whatever way your espresso machine works the quality of the ingredients you use is vital to a good cup of espresso. Start with Coffeee -quality dark-roasted, dark-roasted espresso beans. Test different grinds and tamping strategies to find the perfect recipe for home espresso machines.
Also, make sure you are using the correct water for your espresso machine. You should ideally use tap water with moderate mineral content. Minerals in water can assist you to make a smooth and balanced cup of espresso while also preventing the buildup of scale. La Marzocco has downloadable guidelines for coffee water that can help you determine the mineral content of the water you drink locally.
As you become more comfortable using your espresso machine, you should consider investing in additional accessories like portafilters or a stainless steel tamper. These tools can help you improve your brewing skills while developing an appreciation for the top-quality coffee you can now make at home.