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How to Choose an Espresso Coffee Machine Home With a high-quality espresso maker, you can take your coffee-making experience at home to a new level. But how do you choose? There's a lot to consider—from measuring and grinding your own beans to pressing and tamping properly to get the perfect espresso. A lot of the work can be automated using semi-automatic and in some cases fully automatic machines. Manual If you want to be able to make the highest quality espresso at home, you'll need to invest in some top equipment. The most important element of the system is an espresso maker with well-designed and sturdy design that can handle pressure. Some manufacturers have stripped the system to a bare minimum, resulting in machines that don't require boilers and rely instead on hand-pressure for some pretty decent shots. We've tried a few of these and found the Lelit Bambino Plus to be one of the very best at what it does. It's not cheap but you're getting a piece of coffee machinery that will last for years, and has 35 years of Lelit service and support to back it. It's not the most lightweight however, which is to be expected considering its build. It's got a retro-futuristic design that will surely spark conversation. Another good option is the Breville Smart Grinder EK835. It's not expensive, but it's a great grinder that lets you to grind your own coffee beans. It's a bit bigger than the other grinders we reviewed but that's because it's got a much larger burr set, and it's able to handle more than the standard burr set could. It's also a bit simpler to use than the other models we looked at and comes with a solid warranty. There are four types: Manual/Lever (also called Automatic) Semi-Automatic (also known as Volumetric) and Super-Automatic. Manual levers are more traditional design and are simpler to use, however they require more skill and knowledge to dial in and pull shots. Semi-automatics let you perform the grinding and tamping yourself, but they also have an electric pump that can provide consistent pressure and flow. You can adjust how much espresso you'd like in your cup by stopping the brewing. Most semi-automatics also have a steam wand to create froth. Super-automatics offer the highest level of convenience, and come with grinders and tampers aswell as brew cycles. Semi-Automatic The distinction between semi-automatic espresso machines and fully automatic machines comes down to the degree of control you wish to have over the brewing process. Manual espresso machines rely on the barista to generate pressure and pull the shot. espresso coffee machines can be exhausting and requires lots of practice. Fully automated machines do everything for you, brewing professional-quality espresso at the push of a button. However this convenience comes with cost and these machines can be costly to buy or rent. A semi-automatic machine is the ideal option for those who want to control their coffee making but don't have time or the ability to be a barista. This kind of machine removes the guesswork from making a shot of espresso by grinding the beans, compressing them into the shape of a hockey puck and then forcing hot water through them at just the right amount of pressure to make an espresso. This espresso maker also allows you to steam milk and create latte art. These kinds of espresso machines are costly and require a higher maintenance level than fully automated machines. However for those who aren't able to purchase or rent an espresso machine fully automated, semi-automatic espresso makers are an affordable option. Fully automated espresso machines guarantee an even cup every time, and require minimal effort. They can perform all the steps required to make espresso with a single push of a switch from grinding the coffee beans, to pulling the shot and steaming the milk. This is a popular option for cafes that need to serve a large number of customers in a brief period and want convenience. However, these machines can be very expensive and are not an option for all cafes. If you're interested in a fully-automatic espresso machine for your cafe, think about renting or buying two. One machine to handle 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 brew your beverage. The best espresso pod machines offer reliable results, are sleek and quick, and create shots that are topped with crema. Pod machines may not offer the same level of control as bean-to-cup models, but they are an excellent option for people who prefer convenience over quality and prefer to avoid grinding and tamping beans themselves. Although they don't produce the same taste as freshly ground beans made from an excellent coffee grinder, the advancements in pod technology and a wide variety of coffees make these models better than ever. These machines use a variety of coffee pods, but all share the same basic design and shape. The majority are paper-covered disks that are similar to tea bags. They can be inserted into a portafilter for brewing. Some are designed to be used with drip coffee machines, while others are specifically made for espresso machines. The former are called soft pods, while the latter are called, Easy Serving Espresso (E.S.E) pods. It is crucial to review a manufacturer's list of compatible pods before purchasing a pod-based machine. These machines are available in a wide range of flavors and brands and you can try them before you decide on your favorite. Some brands offer refillable pods for those who want to reuse their old pods. Whatever type of coffee maker you pick, it's essential to consider cleaning and maintenance requirements. Many bean-to cup machines require manual cleaning as well as regular descaling of the brewing mechanism as well as grinder. However some espresso machines that are based on pods have built-in self-cleaning capabilities that ease the burden. Water The espresso machine is a powerful tool 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 espresso that is ideal for making cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos. This was discovered by Europeans in the latter part of the 1800s, and specifically the Italians. They utilized this technique to create a new range of café drinks. There are a variety of ways to make espresso, but the principle is the same: heat the water just below boiling, then press it through the densely packed grounds of a portafilter. The water is then poured into the container below the grouphead. This process creates a highly delicious, rich cup of espresso in just two minutes. Espresso machines operate in this way, but the specifics of each differ slightly. Some use pistons that require you to press down the lever to create the necessary pressure (8 to 10 bar; 116 to 145 psi). Others use an electric pump to generate the necessary pressure. Other machines, especially the less expensive at-home models, rely on heated temperatures and water to achieve the same effect. No matter how your espresso machine functions, the quality of the ingredients you use is crucial to a great cup of espresso. Start with a top-quality dark-roasted, dark-roasted espresso beans. Then experiment with different grinds and tamping techniques to find the ideal recipe for your espresso machine at home. Make sure you use the correct water for your espresso machine. You should ideally choose tap water that has a moderate mineral content. The minerals in the water help extract a smooth, balanced cup of coffee as well as preventing scale buildup. La Marzocco has downloadable guidelines for coffee water that can help you determine the mineral content of your local water supply. As you become more comfortable with the espresso machine at home, it's an excellent idea to invest in some additional accessories, like a portafilter and a steel tamper. These accessories will aid in improving your coffee-making skills and develop confidence in the high-quality coffee that you can now make at home.