How to Choose an Espresso Coffee Machine Home
With a top-quality espresso maker, you can take your home-brewed coffee to a whole new level. But how do you decide?
There's a lot to consider--from measuring and grinding your own beans to pressing and tamping properly and obtaining the proper shot of espresso. Many of the tasks can be automated using semi-automatic and in some cases fully automated machines.
Manual
If you'd like to to make the best espresso you can make at home, you'll have to invest in good equipment. The most important component of the system is an espresso maker with well-designed and sturdy design that can handle pressure. Some manufacturers have stripped down the system to the bare minimum, resulting in machines that don't use boilers at all and rely on hand pressure to make some decent shots.
We've tried a few and found that the Lelit Bambino Plus is one of the best. It's not a cheap machine, but you're getting a machine that will last for decades and 35 years of Lelit support and service. It's a little heavier than average, but that's to be expected due to its build. It has a retro-futuristic look that will surely spark conversations.
Breville Smart Grinder EK835 is yet another worthy candidate. It's not expensive but it's an excellent grinder that allows you to grind your own coffee beans. It's larger than other grinders we've examined however, it's due to its larger burrs and the fact that it's able to handle more than a standard burr set. It's more user-friendly than the other models we reviewed and comes with a long warranty.
There are four types of levers: Manual/Lever (also called Automatic), Semi-Automatic (also called Volumetric), and Super-Automatic. Manual levers are more traditional design and are simpler to use, but they require more skill and understanding to dial in and pull shots.
Semi-automatics let you do the grinding and tamping yourself but they also have an electric pump that can provide constant flow and pressure. You can control how much espresso you want in your cup by stopping the brewing. Most semi-automatics also have a steam wand to create froth. There are also super-automatics that complete the job for you and have built-in grinders, tampers and the brewing process and more.
Semi-Automatic
The distinction between semi-automatic espresso machines and fully automatic machines is the amount of control you desire over the making process. Manual espresso machines rely on the barista to generate pressure and pull the shot which can be exhausting and requires a lot of practice. Fully automated machines can make professional-quality espresso with the push of a button. However, this convenience comes at cost and these machines can be costly to rent or purchase.
Semi-automatic machines are the best option for those who would like to be in control of the coffee they make, but don't have the time or expertise to be a professional barista. This type of machine eliminates the guesswork of making a shot. It grinds the beans into a hockey-puck shape, then compresses them and then forces hot water through the puck with the right pressure. This kind of espresso maker also allows you to steam milk and create latte art.
These machines are more expensive and require more maintenance than fully automatic machines. However, for those who aren't able to purchase or lease an espresso machine that is fully automated, semi-automatic espresso makers can be an affordable alternative.
Fully automated espresso machines are the newest innovation in the world of espresso makers. They promise the same cup of coffee every time, with minimal effort. They handle all the steps needed to make espresso starting from grinding beans to brewing a shot, and steaming milk and all of it with just one push of the button. This is a popular option for cafes that need to serve a lot of customers in a short time period and want ease of use. However, these machines can be expensive and may not be an option for all cafes. If you're looking to purchase a fully-automatic espresso machine for your cafe, consider hiring or purchasing two. One machine to handle peak times, and the other one for slower times.
Pods
Pod coffee machines permit you to create espresso-based drinks with just the push of the button. They make use of disposable capsules of coffee that are filled with coffee ground in advance and milk powder to prepare your beverage. The top espresso pods provide consistent results, are neat and fast, and can produce shots that have a layer of crema.
The pod machines might not provide the same level of control like bean-to-cup machines however they are an excellent option for those who value convenience over quality and want to avoid grinding and tamping beans themselves. While they may not have the same flavor as freshly ground beans from a good coffee grinder, advances in pod technology and an increasing variety of coffees have made these machines more efficient than ever.
The machines make use of different coffee pods, but they all have the same basic design and shape. The majority of them are small disks that have paper coverings that look like tea bags. They can be inserted in a portafilter to brew. Some are designed to be used with drip coffee makers and others are specifically designed for espresso machines. They are also known as soft pods, and the latter, Easy Serving Espresso (E.S.E) pods.
When shopping for a pod-based espresso machine, it is essential to look over the manufacturer's recommended list of compatible pods. A lot of these machines have a variety, so you can try out different brands and flavors before settling on your preferred. Some brands sell refillable pods to those who want to reuse their old ones.
Regardless of which style of coffee machine you choose, it's essential to consider cleaning and maintenance requirements. While many bean-to cup machines require manual cleaning, rinsing the brewing mechanism and grinder and regularly descaling, several pod-based espresso machines come with built-in self-cleaning features that make it easier to clean.
Water
Espresso machines are an extremely powerful device, that makes use of high pressure to force coffee that has been finely ground into a 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 discovered this in the late 1800s and used it to open up an entire new world of cafe drinks.
There are a variety of ways to make a cup espresso, but the main idea is to heat water to just below the point of boiling, then press it through the tightly packed grounds in a portafilter, which then flows into a container below the head of the group. This produces a richly flavorful, dense cup of espresso in just 2 minutes.
All espresso machines work this way, but the specifics of each one differ slightly. Some machines use a piston-style design, which requires you to press a lever in order to generate the pressure required (8 to 10 bars; 116 to 150 psi). Others use an electric pump to create the necessary pressure. Others, particularly the inexpensive at-home machines, simply rely on heated water and high temperatures to generate the similar effect.
Whatever best espresso machine performs the quality of the ingredients you use is vital to a good cup of espresso. Begin with a premium dark-roasted, dark-roasted espresso beans. Test different grinds and tamping techniques to find the ideal recipe for your home espresso machine.
Make sure you use the correct water for your espresso machine. It is recommended to use tap water that has moderate mineral content. The minerals in the water help to make a smooth, balanced cup of coffee while also stopping the buildup of scale. You can find out about your local water supply's mineral content by reading La Marzocco's downloadable coffee water guidelines.
As you become more familiar with using your espresso machine at home, it's an excellent idea to invest in a few additional accessories, like an espresso portafilter or a stainless steel tamper. These accessories will help improve your coffee making techniques and provide you with a sense of satisfaction with the coffee you're able to make at home.