Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker
Whether you like a full pot of drip coffee or an espresso, a coffee maker and espresso maker is a must for your kitchen. At Target, we have many different designs and features to meet your preferences.
High pressure pushes water into ground beans in a matter of seconds. The grounds are then compacted to an even degree and then interlock.
Features
When buying an espresso maker or coffee machine, there are many things to take into account. The features determine the machine's functionality and suitability for your needs. Consider features that offer convenience, improve the quality of your beverage and allow for customization of your drink.
Espresso makers and coffee makers can be simple. For example the classic Bialetti Moka Express is a non-electric brewer which uses a pot that slowly drips water over ground beans. Certain models come with more advanced features, for instance, a double boiler that allows you make espresso and frothed or steamed milk at simultaneously. Digital displays can also alert you when your tank is in need of topping up, when the time is right to clean or descale the grounds bin, and when other maintenance tasks are due.
Most modern coffee and espresso makers utilize the same brewing method that involves pouring hot water over pre-ground or ground beans that are placed inside filters. They're typically designed to automatically stop brewing at the appropriate time, so that you can take a fresh cup every morning. Some models also allow you to select the strength you prefer and some come with adjustable temperature settings for optimal flavor.
The most expensive model of coffee and espresso machines is the superautomatic, which is designed for you to do everything. They're usually equipped with an integrated grinder, meaning that they can grind and brew your coffee with fresh beans. They'll typically include an additional steam wand that can be used for making cappuccinos and lattes. They may also have a menu which lets you choose from a selection of drinks, including hot chocolate.
If you have a smaller kitchen, choose an ultra-compact model to reduce counter space. You should consider a multi-cup machine that can accommodate various cup sizes if you have many people in your home who have different preferences in coffee. If you're a coffee or espresso lover, look for models that allow you to alter the strength of your brew and the ratio of water to coffee, so you can get the perfect cup every time.
A good warranty and responsive customer service are also important aspects to consider when shopping for a coffee and espresso maker. Depending on the manufacturer the warranty will vary from one to three years.
Easy of Use
If you want to create an espresso-like drink at home, you'll require more than a simple drip filter coffee maker. For espresso, water under high pressure is pushed at high speed through finely ground beans. The result is a quick "shot" of caffeine, with a thick layer crema on the top. For this process, most espresso machines that combine coffee and espresso make use of a portafilter basket as well as a steaming arm. Other machines depend on pre-packaged pods and filters, or allow you to measure and grind beans manually.
The kind of machine you select will depend on how involved you'd like to be and the amount of space you have available. A manual machine will give you the most control, however, it will require a lot of work: You'll have grind the beans, hand-tamp the coffee, and then pull your shots. Semiautomatic machines take out several steps, including grinding and tapping. However they will require more effort than automated machines. Fully automated coffee and espresso makers make a full pot of drips or an entire cup of espresso at the touch of a button.
You'll also want to consider whether you're making coffee for one or a group of people. Certain models, such as the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, can produce up to three cups of espresso or coffee at the same time. This is a convenient option for those who like making their own coffee in the morning, but may not be ideal if you are serving a large group.
A coffee and espresso maker that has dual boilers allows you to simultaneously brew and steam milk, so you don't have to wait for one process to cool before the other one starts. This feature is especially useful if you're planning on making lattes or cappuccinos.
A coffee maker with an adjustable reservoir for water is less likely to accumulate mineral deposits than one that doesn't. It's still necessary to clean the reservoir periodically but you'll save some time by not needing to pour out and replace a whole pot of water. Another factor that contributes to the buildup of minerals is the hardness of the water you drink: The harder water will produce more dissolved minerals and causes your machine to need descaling more frequently. Soft or filtered filtered water is less harsh on your machine and can reduce the frequency of descaling.
Cleaning is easy
For many home owners who own a coffee or espresso machine is a significant investment. It requires regular maintenance to ensure it is operating at its peak and lasts for as long as it is. No matter if you use a drip coffee maker or an espresso machine, the proper cleaning of the carafe and other parts that are removable is a crucial aspect of maintaining the machine. Use vinegar or a descaling solution once every week to keep your appliance. Some models have sensors that illuminate when it's cleaning time.
While vinegar is a great option for countertops and sinks but the acidity could damage the rubber seals and components of your espresso and coffee maker, thereby limiting its lifespan. Many brands -- including Lavazza and Smeg--recommend that you don't use vinegar to clean your machine, as it could invalidate the warranty.
To clean your espresso maker or coffee maker, first you must remove the portafilter and the basket from the group. Remove any dirt from the portafilter or basket with a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Rinse them thoroughly with hot water and then dry them with a clean towel. Next, sanitize your brew group. Put an empty cleaning tablet into the blind filter. Do a backflush. You can also manually backflush your machine by placing a cleaning tablet solution into the portafilter and turning on the brewing program and then pause for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until you notice an even flow of water. This signifies that the machine has been properly descaled.
As the water flows through the espresso machine, it needs to go through the brew group mesh. The mesh may become filled with coffee residue if it's dirty. This could negatively affect the extraction. To ensure that the mesh is in good shape, Calatrello recommends unscrewing it every month, cleaning it with a brush, and the overnight soak in hot water, using an anti-bacterial tablet that is dissolved in it.
If you have a fully automatic coffee and espresso machine cleaning it by removing the water reservoir and filling it with fresh water by adding cleaning tablets and running a backflush process. It is also recommended to clean the inside of the water reservoir and pot to get rid of any stains and residue. It is essential to wash and dry both the carafe and the water reservoir before you reassemble the appliance.
Maintenance Ease
For those who want to make an instant espresso or cup of coffee at the go, search for an automatic model that doesn't require any intervention from you. These models typically have baskets that contain ground coffee beans as well as water that's heated to the proper temperature, then poured into the grounds and brewed as one shot.
These machines are great for those who love the process of making coffee but don't have much time to learn the skills and techniques that make the best-tasting drinks. These machines are easy to use and clean. The results are similar to a drip coffee maker.
To keep your machine running make sure you dump the grounds used up and clean the portafilter and grouphead after each use. Additionally, you'll have to backflush the machine on a regular basis--this is accomplished by locking the portafilter in the grouphead and running the brew cycle for a several times until the water runs clear. This is a job that coffeehouses do at the end of every day but that home users can do every few days or alternatively, once a week using detergent to give it a deeper clean.
Finally, you'll need to clean the steam wand and the milk reservoir frequently, which we suggest once a month. It's as easy as cleaning all the parts of your machine using a vinegar-soapy mixture of water (check the instructions before starting since some manufacturers do not recommend vinegar). Also, smeg espresso machine should change your filter frequently since hard water tends to create more mineral residue than soft or filtered. This can cause your espresso and coffee maker to stop working or have a different taste. Get a coffee maker and espresso maker that has a water-hardness tester to prevent this.