How to Choose an Espresso Coffee Machine Home
A high-end espresso machine can take your coffee-making at home to the next level. But how do you choose?
There are a myriad of things to consider, from measuring and grinding your beans to pressing and tamping your beans correctly to pulling an espresso shot that is perfect. A lot of the work can be automated using semi-automatic and in some cases fully automated machines.
Manual
You'll need top quality equipment to make the finest espresso at home. The most important part of the system is a well-designed and quality espresso maker that can handle pressure. Certain manufacturers have stripped the system to a bare minimum, making machines that don't require boilers and rely on hand-pressure to get some pretty decent shots.
We've tried a few and found that the Lelit Bambino Plus is one of the top. It's not cheap, but you're getting a piece of coffee equipment that will last for years, and has 35 years of Lelit support and service to back it. It's a bit heavier than average, but that's to be expected given its build. It also has a gorgeous retro-futuristic design that's sure to be a conversation starter.
Breville Smart Grinder EK835 is another worthy candidate. It's not inexpensive but it's an excellent 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 able to handle more than a standard set of burrs. It's a little easier to operate than some of the other models we looked at 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 are the most common and have a more familiar design, but they are the hardest to learn how to use and require more experience to dial in and pull shots.
Semi-automatics let you perform the grinding and tamping by yourself but they have an electric pump that provides constant flow and pressure. You can adjust the amount of espresso that you put into your cup by stopping the brewing process, and most semi-automatics have steam wands that let you to make froth. Super-automatics are the ultimate in convenience, featuring built-in grinders and tampers as well as brew cycles.
Semi-Automatic
The main difference between semi-automatic espresso machines (semi-automatic) and fully automatic machines is the degree of control you desire over the making process. Manual espresso machines require the baristas to push the button and pull the shot which can be exhausting and requires a lot of practice. Fully automated machines can do everything for you, making professional-quality espresso at the push of an button. These machines are expensive to buy or rent but they provide convenience.
Semi-automatic machines are the best option for those who would like to have some control of their coffee making but do not have the time or skills to become a professional barista. This kind of machine takes the guesswork out of brewing a shot. It grinds the beans into a hockey puck shape, compresses them, and then forces hot water through the puck with the right pressure. This kind of espresso machine can also allow you to steam milk and make the latte art.
These machines are more expensive and require more maintenance than fully automatic machines. Semi-automatic espresso machines are an excellent alternative for those who don't have the budget to purchase or lease an espresso machine that is fully automated.
Fully automated espresso machines are the most recent technology in espresso makers, and they guarantee a consistent cup of coffee each time with little effort. The machines can complete all the steps of making espresso with a single push of a switch, from grinding the coffee beans, to taking the shot and then steaming the milk. This is a preferred option for cafes that must be able to serve multiple customers in a short amount of time and require simplicity of use. They are expensive and are not suitable for all cafes. If you are interested in a fully automatic espresso machine for your business, you should consider purchasing or renting two, one to cover the peak times and the other to manage the slower times.
Pods
The pod coffee machines allow you to create espresso-based drinks with just the touch of the button. They make use sell of disposable capsules filled with pre-ground coffee and milk powder to make your beverage. The top espresso pod machines are quick, neat and provide very reliable results. Every shot is topped with a creamy layer of crema, which is the hallmark of a high-quality espresso.
While pod machines won't give you the same level of control that bean-to-cup models do, they are still an excellent choice for those who prefer to skip grinding and tamping their own beans, and who prefer convenience over quality. Although they don't have the same taste as freshly ground beans from a good coffee grinder, advances in pod technology and a wider variety of coffees have made these models better than ever.
The kind of coffee pods used by the machines varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but they generally have the same basic shape and design. The majority of them are small disks that have papers that resemble tea bags. They can be placed into a portafilter to make a brew. Some are specifically designed to be used with drip coffee machines, while others are designed for espresso machines. Soft pods are the first and Easy Serving Espresso (E.S.E.) pods are the latter.
It is crucial to review a manufacturer's list of compatible pods before buying a machine that is based on pods. These machines are available in a wide range of flavors and brands and you can try them out before deciding on the one you like best. Some brands sell refillable pods to people who wish to reuse their old pods.
It is crucial to think about the cleaning and maintenance needs of your coffee machine regardless of its style. Many bean-to-cup machines require manual cleaning and regular descaling of the brewing mechanism as well as grinder. However certain pod-based espresso machines have built-in self-cleaning capabilities which reduce the hassle.
Water
The espresso machine is an extremely powerful device, which makes use of high pressure to force coffee that has been finely ground into an extremely tightly packed container. The result is a concentrated shot of espresso that is ideal for making lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. The Europeans particularly the Italians came up with this idea in the late 1800s and used it to open an entire new world of cafe drinks.
There are several different methods to make a cup of espresso, but the main principle is that you heat the water until it is just below boiling, and then press it through the tightly packed grounds in a portafilter which is then poured into a container that is below the head of the group. This process creates a highly flavored, dense cup of espresso in under two minutes.
All espresso machines function in the same way, however their specifications differ slightly. Some machines employ a piston-style design, which requires you to press a lever in order to create the required pressure (8 to 10 bars or 116 to 150 psi). Other machines use an electric pump to create the necessary pressure. Some, including the low-cost at-home devices, simply rely on heated water and high temperatures to generate the same effect.
No matter how your espresso machine performs the quality of your ingredients is vital to a good cup of espresso. Begin with a premium dark-roasted espresso bean. You can then experiment with different grinds and tamping methods to discover the perfect recipe for your home espresso machine.
Finally, use the right water for your espresso machine. It is recommended to choose tap water that has a moderate mineral content. The minerals in the water can help extract a smooth, balanced cup of coffee, while also stopping the buildup of scale. La Marzocco has downloadable guidelines for coffee water that will assist you in determining the mineral content of the water you drink locally.
As you become more familiar with the espresso machine at home It's recommended to invest in some additional equipment, such as the portafilter and a stainless tamper. These accessories will help improve the brewing process and give you a sense pride in the coffee you can now make at home.