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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 pick? There's plenty to consider, from measuring and grinding your own beans, to tamping and pressing properly and obtaining the proper shot of espresso. Fortunately, many of the tasks that need to be done can be automated by semi-automatic equipment and, in certain cases, fully automated models. Manual If you want to be able to make the highest quality espresso at home, you'll need to invest in some top equipment. The most essential component of the system is an espresso maker that has an excellent design that is able to handle pressure. This is where a handful of manufacturers have taken it down, producing machines that don't use boilers, instead relying on hand-pressure to produce some decent shots. We've tried a few of these and found the Lelit Bambino Plus to be one of the top in its field. It's not cheap but you're getting a piece of coffee equipment that will last for decades, and has 35 years of Lelit support and service to back it. It's a little heavier than average, but that's to be expected due to its build. It also has a stunning retro-futuristic design that's sure to be a conversation piece. Breville Smart Grinder EK835 is a worthy candidate. It's not cheap but it's a great performer at what it does, and you'll be able grind your own beans. It's bigger than other grinders we've looked at however, it's due to its larger burrs and fact that it's capable of handling more than a standard burr set. It's a bit easier to operate than some of the other models we examined and comes with a solid warranty. There are four kinds of espresso machines: Manual/Lever, Semi-Automatic, Volumetric (sometimes known as Automatic) and Super-Automatic. Manual levers are more traditional design and are simpler to use, but they require more expertise and experience to dial in and pull shots. Semi-automatics let you perform the grinding and tamping yourself however they come with an electric pump that gives the same flow and pressure. You can control how much espresso you want in your cup, by stopping the coffee brewing. A majority of semi-automatics include steam wands that can create foam. Super-automatics are the best in convenience, with built-in grinders and tampers aswell as brew cycles. Semi-Automatic The distinction between semi-automatic espresso machines and fully automatic machines comes down to the amount of control you desire over the brewing process. Manual espresso machines rely on the barista's ability to produce pressure and then pull the shot. This can be exhausting and requires lots of practice. Fully automated machines can brew professional-quality espresso at the touch of a button. These machines are expensive to lease or purchase however they are a great way to save money and time. A semi-automatic machine is the best option for those who want to control their coffee making but don't have the time or skill level to be barista. This kind of machine takes the guesswork of making shots. It grinds the beans into a hockey-puck shape, compresses them and then forces hot water through the puck with the perfect amount of pressure. This type of espresso maker also lets you to steam milk or create latte art. They are more expensive and require more maintenance than fully automated machines. Semi-automatic espresso machines are a good alternative for those who do not have the funds to purchase or rent a fully automated espresso machine. Fully automatic espresso machines promise a consistent cup every time, and require 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 at the touch of the button. This is a popular option for cafes that have to serve a lot of customers in a short time period and want ease of use. However these machines can be very expensive and are not an option for all cafes. If you're considering a fully-automatic espresso machine for your cafe, consider purchasing or renting two. One to cover high-volume times, and another one to handle slower periods. Pods The pod coffee machines allow you to create espresso-based drinks with just the press of a button. The capsules contain pre-ground coffee and powdered milk which is used to make the beverage. The top espresso pod machines offer consistently good results, are neat and quick, and produce shots with a layer of crema. The pod machines might not provide the same level control as bean to cup models however they are an excellent alternative for those who prefer convenience over quality and want to avoid grinding and tamping beans by themselves. Although they don't have the same taste as freshly ground beans from a good coffee grinder, the advancements in pod technology and a wider selection of coffee varieties have made these machines better than ever before. The type of coffee pods utilized by the machines varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but they generally have the same basic shape and design. They are typically small disks with paper covers that resemble tea bags. They can be put in a portafilter to brew. Some are designed to be used with drip coffee machines while others are specifically made for espresso machines. Highly recommended Internet page are also known as soft pods, while the latter are called are called Easy Serving Espresso (E.S.E) pods. When shopping for an espresso machine that uses pods, it is important to check the list of recommended by the manufacturer of compatible pods. A lot of these machines have several options of pods, which means you can test out various flavors and brands before buying your preferred. Some brands sell refillable pods to people who wish to reuse their old pods. It's important to consider the maintenance and cleaning requirements of your coffee machine, regardless of the model. While many bean-to-cup machines require manual cleaning, washing the brewing and grinder mechanisms and regularly descaling them Some pod-based espresso machines are equipped with self-cleaning features that make it easier to clean. Water The espresso machine is a powerful tool that makes use of high pressure to force coffee that has been finely ground through an extremely tightly packed container. The result is a concentrated shot of espresso that is perfect for making cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos. The Europeans, specifically the Italians came up with this idea in the late 1800s and used it to open an entire new world of cafe drinks. There are a variety of methods to make espresso, but the principle is the same: heat the water to a temperature that is just below boiling, then push it through the tightly packed grounds of the portafilter. The water then flows into the container below the grouphead. This creates a strongly flavored, dense cup of espresso in less than two minutes. All espresso machines function like this, however the specifics of each one differ slightly. Certain machines utilize a piston-style design which requires the user to press a lever in order to create the required pressure (8 to 10 bars (116 to 150 psi)). Other machines use an electric pump to produce the required pressure. Others, particularly the cheaper home-based machines, rely on water and heated temperatures to achieve the same effect. The quality of the ingredients is important regardless of how well your espresso machine works. Start with a good-quality dark roast espresso beans. Try different grinds and tamping methods to find the ideal recipe for your home espresso machine. Finally, use the right water for your espresso machine. Ideally you should use tap water that has moderate mineral content. The minerals in the water can help create a smooth and balanced cup of coffee as well as helping to prevent the buildup of scale. You can learn about the water supply in your area's mineral content by referring to La Marzocco's coffee water download guidelines. As you become more comfortable with your espresso machine, you should consider purchasing additional equipment, such as a portafilter or a steel tamper. These accessories will help improve the brewing process and will give you a sense of pride in the coffee you can now make at home.