How to Choose an Espresso Coffee Machine Home
A high-quality espresso machine can elevate your home's coffee-making to the next level. But how do you choose?
There are many things to consider including measuring and grinding your beans, to pressing and tamping the beans properly to getting a good shot of espresso. Fortunately, a lot of the tasks can be automated using semi-automatic machines and, in certain cases, fully automatic models.
Manual
If you want to to make the finest espresso at home, you'll have to invest in good equipment. The most important part of the system is a well-designed and high-quality espresso maker that is able to handle pressure. Certain manufacturers have stripped the system to a minimum, making machines that don't require boilers and rely on hand-pressure to get some pretty decent shots.
We've tested a number of these and we found the Lelit Bambino Plus to be one of the best in what it does. It's not cheap, but you're getting coffee machinery that will last for years and comes with 35 years of Lelit support and service to back it. It is a bit heavy however, which is to be expected considering its build. It has a retro-futuristic look that will surely spark conversations.
Another option that is worth considering is Breville's Smart Grinder EK835. It's not cheap, but it's very effective at what it does, and you'll be able to grind your own beans. It's bigger than other grinders we've examined however, it's due to its larger burrs as well as the fact that it's able to handle more than a standard set of burrs. It's a lot easier to use than some of the models we tested and comes with a dependable warranty.
There are four kinds of levers: Manual/Lever (also called Automatic), Semi-Automatic (also known as Volumetric), and Super-Automatic. Manual levers are the oldest and offer the most familiar design but they are the hardest to master and require more skill to dial in and pull shots.
Semi-automatics allow you to do the grinding and tamping yourself but they also have an electric pump that can provide the same flow and pressure. You can adjust the amount of espresso in your cup by stopping the brewing process, and most semi-automatics have steam wands that allow you to create froth. Super-automatics are the best in convenience, and come with grinders and tampers aswell as brew cycles.
Semi-Automatic
The main difference between semi-automatic espresso machines (semi-automatic) and fully automated machines is how much control you desire over the making process. Manual espresso machines require baristas to apply pressure and pull the shot, which can be tiring 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 buy or rent.
A semi-automatic machine is the best option for those who wish to control their coffee brewing but don't have time or the ability to be barista. This kind of machine eliminates the guesswork of brewing a shot by grinding the beans, forming them into a hockey puck shape and forcing hot water through them at just the right pressure to create an espresso. This espresso maker also lets you to steam milk or create latte art.
These machines are more costly and require more maintenance than fully automated machines. Semi-automatic espresso machines are a good option for those without the budget to purchase or lease an espresso machine that is fully automated.
Fully automatic espresso machines promise a consistent cup every time, and require minimal effort. They can handle all the steps involved in making espresso, from grinding the beans to brewing a shot, and steaming milk and all of it at the touch of a button. This is a very popular choice for cafes that have to serve many customers in a short period and want convenience. These machines are expensive and not suitable for all cafes. If you're looking to purchase an espresso machine that is fully automated for your cafe, consider purchasing or renting two. One for high-volume times, and the second one for slower times.
Pods
Pod coffee machines permit you to prepare espresso-based drinks with the touch of a button. They use disposable capsules of coffee that are filled with coffee ground in advance and milk powder to brew your beverage. The best espresso pods are sleek, quick, and offer very consistently good results. Each shot is topped with a smooth layer of crema that is the hallmark of a top espresso.
Pod machines might not have the same level of control as bean-to-cup models however they are a great alternative for those who value convenience over quality and want to avoid grinding and tamping beans themselves. Although they don't provide the same taste as freshly ground beans made from a high-quality coffee grinder, advances in pod technology and an expanding selection of coffee varieties make these machines better than ever before.
The kind of coffee pods used in these machines differs between manufacturers, but they generally have the same basic shape and design. They are typically small, paper-covered disks that resemble tea bags and can be placed into a portafilter for brewing. Some are specifically designed to be used with drip coffee machines, while others are made specifically for espresso machines. Soft pods are one of them and Easy Serving Espresso (E.S.E.) pods are the latter.
When shopping for an espresso machine that uses pods, it is important to check the manufacturer's recommended list of compatible pods. The machines are available in a wide range of flavors and brands and you can try them out before deciding on the one you like best. Coffeee sell refillable pods for those who prefer to reuse their old ones.
No matter what type of coffee maker you pick it is important to think about the cleaning and maintenance requirements. Many bean-to cup machines require manual cleaning and regular descaling of the brewing mechanism as well as grinder. However some espresso machines that are based on pods have built-in self-cleaning functions which reduce the hassle.
Water
Espresso machines are an extremely powerful device, which makes use of high pressure to force coffee that has been finely ground through a tightly packed container. The result is a concentrated shot espresso that is ideal to make lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. The Europeans particularly the Italians, figured this out in the late 1800s and utilized it to open an entire new world of cafe drinks.
There are many different ways to make a cup of espresso, but the basic principle is that you heat water to just below the point of boiling, then press it through the tightly packed grounds in a portafilter which then flows into an insulated container beneath the head of the group. This method produces a dense high-quality, highly flavorful cup of espresso within two minutes.
All espresso machines work like this, however the specifics of each one differ slightly. Some machines use a piston-style design that requires you to press a lever to create the required pressure (8 to 10 bars or 116 to 150 psi). Some machines use an electrical pump to generate pressure. Other machines, especially the less expensive at-home machines rely on heated temperatures and water to achieve the same effect.
No matter how your espresso machine performs the quality of the ingredients you use is crucial to a great cup of espresso. Begin with a premium dark-roasted espresso bean. Test different grinds and tamping strategies to find the perfect recipe for your home espresso machine.
Make sure you use the correct water for your espresso machine. You should choose tap water that has a moderate mineral content. The minerals in water can help get a smooth and balanced cup of espresso while helping to prevent the growth of scale. You can find out about your water's mineral content by reading La Marzocco's free coffee water guidelines.
As you get more comfortable with your espresso maker at home, it's recommended to invest in a few additional equipment, such as an espresso portafilter or a stainless steel tamper. These accessories will help improve your coffee making techniques and provide you with a sense of pride in the coffee you can now make at home.