Ten Espresso Coffee Makers That Really Make Your Life Better

An Espresso Coffee Maker Brings a Cafe-Like Experience to Your Home

An espresso coffee maker can bring a cafe-like experience into your home. These machines use high temperatures and pressure to create espresso, which is a concentrated beverage with lots of flavor that can be used to create drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.

Choose an espresso maker that offers the features you require. Some models include a built-in grinders, milk mixers and other features that increase the number of drink options you can create.

Making the Right Machine

The type of espresso machine that you choose in a cafe can have a significant impact when it comes to create drinks that your customers will remember. With all the options there it can be a bit difficult to determine which model is the best for your situation. When making your choice be sure to consider aspects like ease of use and maintenance needs in addition to any health regulations that could be applicable in your area.

The kind of machine you choose also will have a major impact on the flavor of the final cup of coffee. Different types of machines extract espresso flavors in different ways, which could affect the acidity, sweetness, and the body of the beverage. There are also variations in the ease of use and the cleaning particularly with regard to descaling and purging.

Another thing to think about is the amount of time you are able or willing to spend on cleaning the espresso machine every day. Hard water tends to build up mineral deposits faster than soft or filtered, which can affect the frequency with which you descale your espresso machine.

It is also important to look into any special features that an espresso coffee maker might have. Certain models come with programmable brewing settings and other electronic functions that will help you save time and energy over the long term. Others could be made to work with specific milk products, or come with grinders and steam wands.

Starting with Espresso

A good espresso machine can provide you with a cafe-quality cup of coffee at home. Espresso makes use of high pressure steam to force through the grounds, in contrast to pour-over and drip making. This is a further brewing variable to control and can create aromas and tastes that other methods aren't able to capture. But, espresso can be more difficult to prepare at home than other brewing methods.

The most crucial step to making a great shot is choosing the right beans, you'll also want to pay attention to the size of your grind and the timing of the extraction. The ideal grind is smaller than granulated sugar, and you should try to achieve an extraction time of around 25 seconds. If your shot is released too fast, you'll need to adjust the size of your grind and vice versa.

The color of the crema which is the dense layer golden foam that forms over a well-pulled cup of espresso, is an excellent indicator of the quality. A light-colored crema could mean that your coffee is old or you're not producing enough pressure during brewing. A dark or smoky crema could be a sign that the coffee espresso machine is burned or over-roasted as well, which can alter its flavor. If you see visible "channels" through the used grounds, it's because your grinder isn't tamping evenly which can be fixed with an improved grinder or increased tamping pressure.

Make Your Favorite Drinks

Espresso enthusiasts will appreciate the convenience of an small espresso machine maker at home. It allows them to create a variety of specialty drinks quickly and easily. Espresso coffee makers use high-pressure to push hot water through a bed of finely ground roasting beans, making the most robust and thicker drink than regular drip coffee.

A good espresso machine will let you fine-tune the quantity of water, the texture of the grind and dosage for perfect extraction every time. Find a machine with an intuitive display that is easy to read and provides you with clear directions for making the perfect espresso. A portafilter that can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of espresso glasses is also a nice feature.

Once you've made it a habit of making a great shot, you'll be able to experiment with other drinks like lattes, cappuccinos and even desserts that are indulgent like gelato or affogato. If you don't own an espresso maker, you can still make a lot of these drinks at home using an excellent coffee grinder and the container of cold brew or instant coffee.

A good espresso is the key in achieving the desired drink. An espresso machine that is well-made can produce shots that are rich, sweet, and smooth. Be aware that a perfect espresso only requires 9 bars of pressure. Companies that claim their machines can be brewed with 10 bars of pressure are flimsy. The additional 3, 6 or 10 bars will increase the chance of a disappointing outcome.

Keep Your Machine Clean

To make the best tasting coffee, you must have an espresso machine that is clean. A dirty machine will produce bitter tastes and can clog filters and drips, requiring frequent cleaning. The good news is, this process is simple and will extend the life of your machine. To get the most from your investment, it's essential to follow the manufacturer's guidelines.

Cleaning a basic espresso maker can be as easy as washing the filter basket and the water screen with warm, clear water. Depending on the amount you use it, some parts of the machine might need to be cleaned more frequently, for example, the portafilter and group head.

You should clean the water screen and group head with hot soapy water a every week, to wash off any coffee residue. It is also advisable to backflush your espresso machine every three to four weeks by filling up the water tank with white vinegar and cold water waiting for 2 hours before running hot water through the system to remove any remaining residue and vinegar.

To ensure a thorough cleaning, disassemble the espresso machine and clean all parts that are removable with soapy water and hot water. Be sure to wash the drip tray daily because it will collect spilt water and coffee grounds which can block drains and attract pests. Make sure you keep an appropriate damp rag is only used for wiping the steam wand to prevent cross-contamination.