Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker
A coffee and espresso machine is essential in any kitchen, whether you prefer a full-sized pot or espresso. At Target we have an array of styles and features to suit your preferences.
High pressure pushes water into ground beans within seconds. The grounds are then tamped in order to make them compact and then interlock.
Features
There are a number of factors to consider when buying an espresso maker and coffee maker. The most important are the features that determine its function and suitability to your needs. Find features that are easy to use, improve your brew's quality and allow you to customize your beverage.
Espresso and coffee makers can be quite simple, like the classic Bialetti Moka Express non-electric coffee brewer that makes use of an oven to heat water that drips slowly over ground beans. Some models offer more sophisticated options, like a dual boiler that allows you to make espresso as well as steam or frothed the milk simultaneously. Digital displays will also inform you when your tank needs to be topped up, when it is time to clean or descale the grounds bin, and when other maintenance tasks are due.
Most modern coffee and espresso makers use the same brewing method that involves pouring hot water over ground or pre-ground beans that are placed in filters. Many are designed to stop brewing at the appropriate time so that you can take a fresh cup of coffee every morning. Some models allow you to select your preferred brew intensity, and others have adjustable temperature settings to ensure the most flavorful brew.
The top tier of espresso and coffee machines is the super-automatic model that is designed to do everything for you. They're typically equipped with an integrated grinder, which means they can grind and brew coffee using fresh beans. They'll also come with a separate steamer to make lattes or cappuccinos. You may also choose from a selection of beverages, including hot chocolate on their menu.
If you live in small kitchens, you should consider smaller models to save counter space. If you have several people in your home who have different preferences in their coffee, consider getting a multi-cup machine that is able to accommodate different sizes of cups. If you're an espresso enthusiast, search for models that let you adjust the strength of the brew and water-to-coffee ratio so that you can have the perfect cup every time.
A good warranty and responsive customer service are also important aspects to consider when buying an espresso maker and coffee maker. The warranty period varies from one to three year depending on the brand.
Easy of Use
You require more than a standard drip-filter coffee maker to make a cafe style beverage at home. Espresso is made when water pressured to high is pushed at high speed through finely ground beans. The result is short "shots" of caffeine that have a thick, creamy crema that is topped with. Most combination coffee and espresso machines employ a portafilter, steaming arm, and basket to accomplish this, whereas others rely on pre-packaged coffee pods or filters, or permit you to grind and measure beans by hand.
The type of machine you choose depends on how hands-on you want to be as well as the space you have. Manual machines provide the most control, but require a lot of effort: you'll have to grind the coffee beans, hand-tamp it, and then take your shots. Semiautomatic machines skip several steps, including grinding and tapping. However they will require more effort than automatic machines. Fully automatic coffee and espresso makers make a whole pot of drips or an entire cup of espresso at the touch of the button.
It is also important to think about whether you're brewing for just one or more people. Certain models, like the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, can brew up to three cups of espresso or coffee simultaneously. This can be a convenient way to keep up with your morning coffee requirements however it might not be the ideal choice when you're serving crowds.
A coffee and espresso maker with dual boilers allows you to simultaneously steam and brew milk, which means you don't need to wait for one process to cool before the other one starts. This feature is particularly useful for those who plan to make cappuccinos or lattes.
It is less likely that a coffee or espresso machine that has an adjustable reservoir will build up mineral deposits. It is necessary to regularly clean your reservoir, but it will also save you time since you don't need to drain and re-fill the entire pot of water. The hardness of the water may be a factor in the buildup of minerals. The harder water will create more dissolved minerals, which will cause your machine to require more descaling. Water that is soft or filtered is easier to use and decreases the frequency of descaling.
Ease of Cleaning
Coffeee or espresso maker is a major purchase for a lot of homeowners and requires regular maintenance to keep its performance and durability at maximum levels. Whether you use drip coffee maker or an espresso machine, regular cleaning of the carafe as well as other parts that are removable is an essential element of the maintenance process. Use vinegar or a descaling solution once a week to maintain the appliance. Some models have sensors that light up when it's cleaning time.
While vinegar is a great option for countertops and sinks but the acidity could damage the rubber seals and components of your espresso or coffee maker, which could limit the life of the machine. Numerous brands, including Lavazza and Smeg, advise against use vinegar to clean your coffee maker because it may invalidate the warranty.
To clean your espresso machine or coffee maker, first you must remove the portafilter as well as the basket from the group. Dislodge any ground from the portafilter and the basket using a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Both should be thoroughly rinsed with hot water, then dried using a clean cloth. Next, clean your brewing group. Insert a cleaning tablet in the blind filter. Do a backflush. You can also manually backflush the machine by placing an empty cleaning tablet inside the portafilter, then turning on the brewing cycle and pausing it for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until the water flow is steady. This means that your machine has been descaled.
As water flows through the espresso machine, it needs to pass through the mesh of the brew group. This mesh can become filled with coffee residue when it is dirty. This can adversely affect the extraction. To ensure that the mesh is always in good working order Calatrello recommends removing it once every month, cleaning it with a brush and soak it overnight in hot water using the aid of a cleansing tablet that dissolves in it.
If you have a fully automated coffee maker and espresso maker, you can also clean the machine by removing the water reservoir, then filling it with fresh water, putting in a cleaning tablet and running a backflush programmer. It is recommended to wipe the inside of the pot and water reservoir to remove any traces and staining. Before reassembling the appliance, you'll need to clean and dry the carafe as well as the reservoir of water.
Maintenance Ease
If you're looking to make a quick espresso or coffee on the go, opt for an automatic model. It doesn't require any intervention from you. These models use an insulated basket that contains ground coffee beans, water heated to the right temperature and then released into the grounds.
These machines are perfect for those who love the process of making coffee, but don't want to invest much time learning the techniques and skills needed to create the best tasting drinks. They are easy to use and clean and the results are similar to those of a traditional drip coffee maker.
To maintain your machine make sure you dump the grounds that have been used and clean the portafilter and grouphead after each use. Additionally, you'll have to flush the machine back regularly. This is done by locking the portafilter into the grouphead and running the brew cycle for a few times until the water is clear. This is a task that coffeehouses complete at the end of each day but that home users can easily do every few days or alternatively, once a week using detergent to give it better cleaning.
Lastly, you'll need to clean the steam wand as well as the milk reservoir regularly--we recommend this once a month. To do this, simply clean all the parts of the machine using a mix of vinegar and warm soapy water (check the manual prior to doing so as some manufacturers advise against using vinegar). Also, you should change your filter regularly, as hard water tends create more mineral residue than soft or filtrated. This can cause the coffee and espresso maker to become clogged and taste different or stop running altogether. Purchase a coffee and Espresso maker that has a water-hardness tester to prevent this.