Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker
A coffee and espresso machine is a must-have for any kitchen, regardless of whether you prefer a full pot or espresso. At Target we offer an array of styles and features to suit your needs.
High pressure forces water into the ground beans in just a few seconds. Then the grounds are compacted to an even degree and then interlock.
Features
There are a variety of factors to consider when buying a coffee and espresso maker. The features are what determine the machine's capabilities and suitability to your needs. Find features that are easy to use, improve your brew's quality and allow you to personalize your drink.
Espresso- and coffee makers aren't difficult to make, such as the traditional Bialetti Moka Express non-electric coffee maker that makes use of an oven to heat water that slowly drips over the ground beans. Certain models come with more advanced options, such as a dual boiler that allows you to make espresso as well as steam or frothed milk at the same time. Digital displays can also notify you when your tank requires topping up, when it's time to clean or clean out the grounds bin and when other maintenance tasks are due.
Most modern coffee and espresso makers utilize a similar brewing process that involves pouring hot water over pre-ground or ground beans that are placed in filters. They're typically designed to stop brewing at the appropriate time, so you can take a fresh cup every morning. Some models also allow you to select your preferred brew strength and some come with adjustable temperature settings to ensure the best flavor.
The most expensive model of coffee and espresso machines is the superautomatic, which is designed for you to perform everything. These machines are usually equipped with a built in grinder that allows them to grind and brew coffee with fresh beans. They'll also include a separate steamer that is used to make cappuccinos and lattes. They may also have a menu that allows you to choose from a variety of drinks, including hot chocolate.
If you have a smaller kitchen, choose smaller models to make use of less counter space. Consider a multi-cup coffee maker that can accommodate various sizes of cups if there are many people in your home who have different preferences in coffee. If you're an espresso or coffee lover, then look for models that allow you to customize the brew intensity and water-to–coffee ratio so you can create the perfect cup each time.
A solid warranty and prompt customer service are other important aspects to consider when shopping for a coffee and espresso maker. Warranty periods vary from one to three years depending on the brand.
User-Friendliness
You need more than a traditional drip-filter coffee maker to make a cafe style beverage at home. Espresso is made when water that is under pressure is forced at high speed through finely ground beans. The result is a few "shots" of caffeine that have an intense crema that is topped with. For this process, most combination coffee and espresso machine use a portafilter basket and steaming arm, while others depend on pre-packaged pods and filters, or allow you measure and grind beans by hand.
The kind of machine you choose depends on how hands-on you want to be and the amount of space you have available. Manual machines offer the most control, but require a lot of effort as you'll need to grind the coffee beans, then hand-tamp it and pull your shots. Semiautomatic machines skip a few steps, such as grinding and tapping. However they will require more effort than automated machines. Fully automated espresso and coffee makers can make a full pot of drips or an entire cup of espresso with the push of the button.
You'll also need to consider whether you're making coffee for one or several people. Certain models, such as the Nespresso Vertuo Plus can brew three cups of coffee or espresso simultaneously. This is a convenient alternative for those who prefer to make their own coffee in the morning, but might not be ideal if are preparing for a large group.
Dual boilers let you prepare coffee and steam milk at the same time so that you don't have to wait until one process cools down before starting the next. This feature is particularly useful for those who plan to make cappuccinos and lattes.
It is less likely that a coffee or espresso machine that has a removable reservoir will accumulate mineral deposits. It is still necessary to clean the reservoir regularly but you'll save some time by not having to empty and replace a whole pot of water. The hardness of the water can also contribute to mineral buildup. The harder water will create more dissolved minerals, which can cause your machine to require more descaling. Water that is soft or filtered is less abrasive to your machine and will decrease the frequency of descaling.
Ease of Cleaning
A coffee maker or espresso maker is a major purchase for many homeowners, and requires regular maintenance to ensure its performance and durability at its peak. Whether you use drip coffee maker or an espresso machine, regular cleaning of the carafe as well as other parts that can be removed is an essential part of the upkeep process. Use vinegar or a descaling solution once a week to maintain your appliance. Certain models have sensors that flash when it's cleaning time.
While vinegar is fine for countertops and sinks but the acidity could damage the rubber seals and components of your espresso or coffee maker, which could limit its lifespan. Many brands -- including Lavazza and Smeg--also recommend that you don't use vinegar to clean your machine since it could invalidate the warranty.
To clean your espresso maker or coffee maker, first take the portafilter and the basket from the group. Dislodge any ground from the portafilter or the basket with a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Rinse both thoroughly with hot water and then dry them with a clean towel. Then, clean the brewing group by inserting a cleaning tablet into the blind filter and running a backflush program. You can also manually backflush the machine by placing the cleaning tablet into the portafilter, then turning on the brewing process and pausing it for 10 seconds. Repeat smeg espresso machine until you notice a steady flow of water--this signifies that the machine has been properly descaled.
As the water flows through the espresso machine, it has to soak through the brew group mesh. If the mesh is dirty, it may be blocked by coffee residue and negatively affect the extraction process. Calatrello suggests you remove the mesh every month and clean it using brush. Then soak the mesh in hot water for a night using a tablet for cleaning.
If you have an entirely automated espresso and coffee maker, you can clean it by disassembling the reservoir for water, filling it up with clean water, adding cleaning tablets and running a backflush process. You should also clean the inside of the water reservoir as well as the pot to remove any stains or residue. Before reassembling the appliance you'll need to clean and dry the carafe as well as the water reservoir.
Easy Maintenance
If you're looking to make coffee or espresso in a short time on the go, choose an automatic model. It doesn't require any action from you. They typically use baskets that contain ground coffee beans and water that has warmed to the ideal temperature before being released into the ground and made into a single shot.
These machines are ideal for those who love making coffee, but don't have the time to invest in learning the techniques and skills required to make the best-tasting drinks. They are easy to clean and operate and produce results similar to those of a traditional drip coffee maker.
To maintain your machine be sure to clean the used grounds from the portafilter after each use, and clean the portafilter and grouphead. Additionally, you'll have to backflush your machine regularly. This is accomplished by locking the portafilter in the grouphead and running the brew cycle a few times until the water runs clear. This is a job that coffeehouses complete at the end of every day but that home users can easily do every few days or, alternatively, once a week with detergent for better cleaning.
It is also necessary to clean your steam wand, milk reservoir, and other components of the machine regularly. We recommend cleaning them once a week. It's as easy as wiping down all parts of your machine with the vinegar-soapy solution (check the manual before you start as some manufacturers don't recommend vinegar). You should also change your filter regularly since hard water tends to create more mineral residue than soft or filtrated. This can make your espresso or coffee maker to not run or have a different taste. To prevent this from happening, buy an espresso maker and coffee maker that has the test of water hardness.