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The ultimate guide book to picking out an espresso machine
1. The Complete Guide To Choosing An Espresso
Machine
By Coffee Lovers 101
Before you figure out which would be the best espresso maker for your
home, you need to figure out what type of espresso maker you are. There are
two main types of home coffee makers; those who want to make the best
coffee and those who just want to make a coffee quickly and easily.
In this article we are going to look at all the types of espresso makers on the
market today and discuss some of the good and bad points of each so that by
the end, you can have a good idea of what type of machine would be ideal for
you.
Before We Begin
Before we jump in to the specifics of each type of coffee machine, here are
some basic questions that you will also need to answer:
Are you a “one-button” coffee maker or a “great cup” coffee maker?
How much money do you want to spend on your machine?
How much space do you have in your kitchen?
How many espresso’s will you be making at once?
Fully Manual Espresso Machines
Manual espresso machines work via a handle that you need to pump in order
to push the hot water through the coffee grind. Other machines apply steam
pressure but with a manual machine you have full control over the speed and
pressure at which the coffee is made.
They are still very popular in Italy and are used widely in cafe’s around the
country as it is seen as the authentic way to make an espresso.
The Good:
Full control over the brewing process
Can produce the best tasting espresso
Pump pressure won’t burn the coffee like steam pressure might
You can feel pride in your pure coffee making skills when you make a
good one
The Bad:
Very easy to mess up as everything has to be perfect, from the grind to
2. the pull
Not the quickest method of making an espresso
Who is it for?
Manual espresso machines still have a place in many peoples hearts. The
purist coffee maker will enjoy the art and science that goes into pulling the
perfect espresso, so this is recommended for people who enjoy the whole
process of making and drinking a coffee.
Single-Serve Pod & Capsule Espresso
Machines
Single-serve machines like this are incredibly quick and easy to use and don’t
take up much space. They are a reasonably modern invention and have been
made fashionable by recent celebrity endorsements. They are more than just
a fashion statement though as can be found when we look at the pro’s and
con’s here:
The Good:
Very quick to make an espresso
Extremely easy to use, just load the pod or capsule and then press a
button
Easy to keep clean and there is no mess made when making a cup
They produce a very consistent espresso every time
Very small and will fit on any kitchen worktop
The Bad:
Variety of coffee may be limited as you will have to buy the same brand
as your coffee machine
Capsules and pods will not be as fresh as freshly ground coffee beans
Takes the art out of making coffee
Pods and capsules work out slightly more expensive per cup than
coffee beans
Not all models include a steam wand
Who is it for?
Single-serve espresso makers are ideal for anyone who either just wants a
quick and easy way to make a decent coffee at home, or anyone who doesn’t
have the space available for a larger coffee machine. You could also use one
of these types of machine in your RV, boat, caravan or other holiday home.
3. Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines
These are one of the most popular styles of espresso machines around and
give a great balance between control and convenience. You control the flow
of water with each brew which means you can make any adjustments along
the way, like letting the water pour for longer if it’s coming out too slow. This
can however also mean that there is more that you can mess up!
Here are some of the things you should consider to see if this could be the
one for you:
The Good:
Regulated pump pressure will result in a more consistent coffee
Temperature is maintained for a good brew
Some may grind the coffee beans for you
Can take ground coffee and some types can use pods too
Can be used to steam your milk
The Bad:
The more control you have, the more can go wrong
Lots of practice needed to make the perfect espresso
You might need a separate grinder
Most models have a single boiler for both the brewer and the steamer
so temperature will need to be reset after using steamer
Who is it for?
Owners of a semi-automatic espresso maker will need quite a large space
available on their kitchen counter and many hundreds of dollars to spend to
buy their machine. These machines are great for coffee drinkers who like to
take pride in the brewing of their coffee and who like a hands-on approach.
Semi-Professional Espresso Machines
Prosumer espresso machines are similar in function to semi-automatic
machines but have a few differences that take them up a level towards being
more of a professional level machine.
The Good
4. Programmable cup sizes
Some machines can be plumbed in for more of a permanent solution
You can brew and steam at the same time
A larger boiler than other consumer machines
Solid construction
The Bad
Can get very expensive
Can be overkill for the average coffee drinker
Who is it for?
Prosumer espresso machines are great for hardcore coffee fans who will get
lots of use out of their machine. Alternatively, someone who needs to be
constantly making great coffee for a lot of people all day but do not require a
fully professional system would be wise to consider a prosumer.
Super-Auto Espresso Machines
The super auto is exactly as it sounds. From grinding your beans, to heating
the water, brewing the shot and frothing your milk, it does everything at the
press of a single button!
The Good
Complete automation of every aspect of making your coffee, from
grinding to seaming and brewing
Programmable functionality, like cup sizes and timers etc
Advantage over single-serve machines because you can choose your
own beans
The Bad
The coffee might not be quite as bold and full bodied as a more manual
method
The machines are very complicated and there’s more that can go wrong
with them than other types
They will generally have a shorter lifespan than other coffee machines
You have no control over how your coffee is made
Who is it for?
5. Super-auto espresso machines are definitely NOT for the purist coffee maker,
someone who likes to “make” their own coffee and appreciate the end to end
process.
The people who will enjoy this type of machine are those who want a decent
cup of coffee and don’t have the time to mess around making it and
potentially getting it wrong. If you’ve tried making coffee in the past and just
don’t seem to be able to get the hang of it, then this might be the right type of
machine for you.
These machines can be rather large so you will need a big space available in
your kitchen and they can also run into the thousands of dollars to buy.
Maintenance costs are also something that you will need to consider as
things may malfunction from time to time.
So, What Is The Best Espresso Maker For
Your Kitchen?
As you can see, there are a lot of options to consider when you are in the
market for a home espresso maker. As mentioned at the top, it comes down
to a few main decisions that you will need to make.
Do you want convenience or quality? (Arguably, even the most
automated espresso makers still produce a great espresso!)
Do you need to save on space?
How much money do you want to spend?
How often will you use your home espresso maker?
If you are currently thinking about investing in a new machine then hopefully
this article will have helped you get a step closer to figuring out which is the
best espresso maker for you.
Via: Coffee Lovers 101