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How to Choose an Espresso Coffee Machine Home With a high-end espresso maker, you can take your home-brewed coffee to a new level. How do you choose the right machine? There are many things to consider including measuring and grinding your beans to pressing and tamping your beans properly to getting the perfect espresso. Fortunately, many of the tasks that need to be done can be automated by semi-automatic machines and, in some cases, even fully automated models. Manual You'll need some quality equipment if you want to make the finest espresso at home. The most important element of the system is an espresso maker that has an excellent design that is able to handle pressure. Some manufacturers have stripped the system to the bare minimum, resulting in machines that don't use boilers at all and rely instead on hand-pressure for some decent shots. We've tried a few of them and we found the Lelit Bambino Plus to be one of the very best in what it does. It's not cheap but you're getting a piece of coffee equipment that will last for a long time, and has 35 years of Lelit service and support to stand behind it. It's not the most lightweight however that's to be expected given its build. It's got a retro-futuristic style that is sure to spark conversation. Another worthy candidate is the Breville Smart Grinder EK835. It's not cheap, but it's a great grinder that allows you to grind your own coffee beans. It's larger than other grinders that we've reviewed, but it's because of its larger burrs and fact that it's able to handle more than a standard burr set. It's a little easier to operate than some of the other grinders we reviewed and is backed by a solid warranty. There are four kinds of espresso machines: Manual/Lever Semi-Automatic Volumetric (sometimes referred to as Automatic) and Super-Automatic. Manual levers have a more traditional design and are easier to use, but require more expertise and experience to dial in and pull shots. Semi-automatics let you do the grinding and tamping by yourself, but they also have an electric pump that provides the same flow and pressure. You can adjust the amount of espresso that you put into your cup by stopping the brewing process and the majority of semi-automatics include steam wands that let you to create foam. Finally, there are super-automatics that do all the work for you, with built-in grinders, tampers and brew cycles and much more. 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 coffee making process. Manual espresso machines depend on the barista to generate pressure and pull the shot, which can be exhausting and requires lots of practice. Fully automated machines take care of everything for you, making professional-quality espresso with the click of the button. However, this convenience comes at a price and these machines can be expensive to purchase or rent. Semi-automatic machines are a great option for those who would like to be in control of their coffee making but don't have the time or expertise to be a professional barista. This kind of machine removes the guesswork from making a shot by grinding the beans, forming them into an hockey puck shape, and then forcing hot water through them with just the right pressure to make an espresso. This espresso maker also allows you to steam milk or create latte art. These machines are more costly and require more maintenance than fully automated machines. However for those who aren't able to purchase or lease an espresso machine fully automated, semi-automatic espresso makers are an affordable solution. Fully automatic espresso machines are the newest innovation in the world of espresso makers, and they guarantee the same cup of coffee every time, with minimal effort. They can perform all the steps of making espresso with just a touch of a button that includes grinding the coffee beans to pulling the shot and 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 are looking for ease of use. These machines are expensive and not suitable for all cafes. If you're looking to purchase a fully-automatic espresso machine for your cafe, think about renting or buying two. One for peak times, and the second one to manage slower times. Pods With pod coffee machines, you can create espresso drinks at the touch of one button. The capsules are pre-ground coffee and powdered milk which is used to brew the beverage. The best espresso pod machines offer reliable results, are sleek and quick, and produce shots that have a layer of crema. Pod machines may not offer the same level control as bean-to-cup models, but they are an excellent option for those who value convenience over quality and wish to avoid grinding and tamping beans by themselves. While they don't have the same taste as freshly ground beans made from a high-quality coffee grinder, the advancements in pod technology and an expanding selection of coffee types make these machines better than ever before. The machines make use of a variety of coffee pods, but all share the same basic design and shape. The majority are paper-covered disks that resemble tea bags that can be inserted into a portafilter to make brewing. Some are specifically designed to be used with drip coffee machines while others are made specifically for espresso machines. Soft pods are the former and Easy Serving Espresso (E.S.E.) pods are the latter. When shopping for a pod-based espresso machine it is important to check the recommended list of compatible pods. A lot of these machines come with many different flavors of flavors, so you can test different flavors and brands before you decide on your favorite. Some brands offer refillable pods for those who want to reuse their old ones. No matter what type of coffee machine you select it is important to think about cleaning and maintenance requirements. A majority of bean-to-cup machines require manual cleaning as well as regular descaling of the brewing mechanism as well as grinder. However certain pod-based espresso machines have built-in self-cleaning capabilities that reduce hassle. Water The espresso machine is an extremely powerful tool, that 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 to make lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. The Europeans, specifically the Italians came up with this idea in the late 1800s and used it to open up an entire new world of cafe drinks. There are a variety of methods to make a cup espresso, but the main principle is that you warm water until just below the point of boiling, then press it through a tightly packed coffee grounds in a portafilter which then flows into a container that is below the head of the group. This method produces a dense high-quality, highly flavorful espresso cup in less than two minutes. All espresso machines function this way, but the specifics of each differ slightly. Some machines employ a piston-style design which requires the user to press a lever to create the required pressure (8 to 10 bars or 116 to 150 psi). Others use an electric pump to create the required pressure. Others, including the more affordable home-based machines, rely on heated temperatures and water to achieve the same result. The quality of the ingredients is important regardless of how your espresso machine performs. Start with a top-quality dark-roasted espresso bean. Try different grinds and tamping techniques to discover the perfect recipe for your home espresso machine. Use the right water for your espresso machine. Ideally you should use tap water that has a moderate level of minerality. Minerals in water can help you extract a smooth and balanced cup of coffee while also preventing the formation 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 get more comfortable using your espresso machine, you should consider investing in additional equipment such as an espresso portafilter or a stainless tamper. espresso machines uk Coffeee will help you improve your brewing skills while developing a sense of pride in the premium coffee you can now produce at home.