How to Choose an Espresso Coffee Machine Home
With a high-end espresso maker, you can elevate your coffee-making at home to a new level. What are the best ways to choose the right machine?
There's a lot to think about, from measuring and grinding your own beans, to pressing and tamping correctly to get the perfect espresso shot. A lot of the work can be automated with semi-automatic and in some cases fully automatic machines.
Manual
You'll need some quality equipment if you wish to make the highest quality espresso at home. The most important component of the system is a well-designed and high-quality espresso maker that is able to handle pressure. This is where a few manufacturers have stripped it down, producing machines that don't even use boilers but instead rely on hand-pressure to produce some pretty decent shots.
We've tested a number of them and found the Lelit Bambino Plus to be one of the best in its field. It's not cheap but you're getting a piece of coffee machinery that will last for years and comes with 35 years of Lelit service and support to back it. It's a bit heavy however that's to be expected given its build. It's got a retro-futuristic design that is sure to spark conversations.
Another option that is worth considering is Breville's Smart Grinder EK835. Related Home Page 's not inexpensive, but it's a great performer in what it does, and you'll be able to grind your own beans. It's a bit larger than the other grinders we reviewed but that's due to the fact that it has a much larger burr set and can handle more than the average burr set could. It's a bit 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 known as Automatic) and Super-Automatic. Manual levers have a more traditional design and are more easy to use, but they require more skill and knowledge to dial in and pull shots.
Semi-automatics let you do the grinding and tamping by yourself but they have an electric pump that can provide constant flow and pressure. You can alter the amount of espresso that you put into your cup by stopping the brewing process, and the majority of semi-automatics come with steam wands that let you to make foam. There are also super-automatics that take care of all the work for you, with built-in grinders, tampers and Brew cycles, and much more.
Semi-Automatic
The difference between semi-automatic espresso machines and fully automatic machines comes down to the amount of control you desire over the coffee making process. Manual espresso machines require the baristas to apply pressure and pull the shot which can be tiring and requires lots of practice. Fully automated machines can brew professional-quality espresso with the press of a button. However this convenience comes at cost and these machines can be costly to buy or rent.
Semi-automatic machines are a great option for those who would like to be in control of the coffee they make, but don't have the time or the skills to be a professional barista. This type of machine removes the guesswork from brewing a shot. It grinds the beans into a hockey-puck shape, compresses them and then pushes hot water through the puck with the right pressure. This type of espresso machine also allows you to steam milk and make latte art.
These kinds of espresso machines are costly and need a higher level of maintenance than fully automated machines. Semi-automatic espresso machines are an excellent option for those without the budget to purchase or rent a fully automated espresso machine.
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 the milk and all of it with just one push of an button. This is a popular choice for cafes who need to serve many customers in a brief period and want convenience. These machines are expensive and are not suitable for all cafes. If you are interested in a fully automatic espresso machine for your business, consider buying or renting two, one to cover most busy times and the second to handle the slower periods.
Pods
With pod coffee machines, you can make espresso drinks at the touch of a button. They make use of disposable capsules of coffee that are filled with coffee ground in advance and milk powder to prepare your beverage. The best espresso pods are quick, neat and provide very consistently good results. Each shot will be crowned with a creamy layer of crema, which is the hallmark of a high-quality espresso.
The pod machines might not provide the same level of control like bean-to-cup machines however they're an excellent alternative for those who prefer convenience over quality and prefer to avoid grinding and tamping beans themselves. Although they don't have the same taste as freshly ground beans made with a top-quality coffee grinder, advances in pod technology and a wider variety of coffees have made these machines more efficient than ever before.
These machines use different coffee pods, but all have a similar basic design and shape. The majority are paper-covered disks that look like tea bags and can be placed into a portafilter to brew. Some are designed to be used with drip coffee machines, while others are designed for espresso machines. They are also known as soft pods, while the latter are called, Easy Serving Espresso (E.S.E) pods.
When you are looking for an espresso machine that uses pods, it is important to check the manufacturer's recommended list of compatible pods. These machines are available in a wide range of flavors and brands and you can try them before you decide on the one you like best. Some brands sell refillable pods to those who wish to reuse their old pods.
It is important to think about the cleaning and maintenance needs of your coffee maker, regardless of the design. While many bean-to cup machines require manual cleaning, rinsing the brewing mechanism and grinder and regularly descaling some pod-based espresso machines are equipped with self-cleaning functions that minimize hassle.
Water
The espresso machine is a powerful tool which uses high pressure to push coffee that has been finely ground into an extremely tightly packed container. The espresso shot is a concentrated and is perfect for making cappuccinos. The Europeans, specifically the Italians discovered this in the late 1800s and used it to open an entire new world of cafe drinks.
There are a variety of ways to make espresso but the principle is the same: heat the water 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 process produces a thick and highly flavorful espresso cup in less than two minutes.
All espresso machines function similarly, but the specifics of each one differ slightly. Some utilize piston designs that require you to press down the 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 cheaper home-based machines, rely on heated temperatures and water to achieve the same result.
The quality of the ingredients is crucial, no matter how your espresso machine performs. Start with a high-quality dark-roasted espresso bean. Then experiment with different grinds and tamping methods to find the ideal recipe for your home espresso machine.
Choose the right water for your espresso maker. Ideally you should use tap water that has moderate levels of mineral content. The minerals in the water will help create a smooth and balanced cup of coffee as well as helping to prevent the buildup of scale. You can learn about the water supply in your area's mineral content by looking up La Marzocco's free coffee water guidelines.
As you become more comfortable with your espresso maker at home, it's a good idea to purchase additional equipment, such as a portafilter and a steel tamper. These accessories will help improve the brewing process and give you a sense satisfaction in the coffee you're able to make at home.