Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker
If you prefer a large pot of drip coffee or an espresso, a coffee maker and espresso maker is essential to your kitchen. At Target we offer an array of styles and features to suit your needs.
With an espresso machine, high pressure forces water through ground beans in seconds. Then the grounds are compacted evenly and then interlock.
Features
When buying a coffee maker or espresso machine, there are many things to take into account. The features will determine the machine's functionality and suitability for your needs. Look for features that offer convenience, enhance the quality of your drink and allow for customization of your beverage.
Coffee- and espresso makers can be quite simple. For instance the traditional Bialetti Moka Express is a non-electric brewer which uses an insulated pot to slowly drip water over ground beans. Certain models have more advanced features, like a double boiler that allows you make espresso and frothed or steamed milk at the same time. Other features include digital displays that inform you when your water tank is empty or when it's time empty the grounds bin or descale, and other maintenance tasks.
Most modern espresso and coffee makers employ the same method of brewing that involves pouring hot, filtered water over ground or pre-ground beans. Some are designed to stop the brewing process automatically at the correct time so that you can have a fresh cup of coffee every morning. Some models allow you to choose the brewing intensity you prefer while others allow you to adjust temperatures to give you the most flavorful brew.
The top-tier model of espresso and coffee machines is the superautomatic, that is specifically designed to allow you to do everything. They're typically equipped with a built-in grinder, so they can grind and brew your coffee using fresh beans. They'll usually include an additional steam wand for making lattes and cappuccinos. They may also offer a menu that lets you select from a selection of drinks such as hot chocolate.
If you have a small kitchen, opt for a small model that doesn't occupy much counter space. Consider a multi-cup coffee machine that can accommodate various cup sizes if you have several people in your household with different preferences for coffee. If you are an espresso or coffee lover, then look for models that allow you to alter the intensity of your brew and the ratio of water to coffee so that you can create the perfect cup every time.
A good warranty and responsive customer service are other important factors to consider when choosing an espresso maker and coffee maker. Depending on the brand the warranty will range from one to three years.
Ease of Use
You will require more than a basic drip-filter maker to make a coffeehouse like beverage at home. For espresso, water that is under pressure is forced at high speed through finely ground beans. The result is a few "shots" of caffeine, with an intense crema that is topped with. Most combination coffee and espresso machines use a portafilter, basket and steaming arm for this process, whereas others use pre-packaged pods or filters or allow you to grind and measure beans manually.
The kind of machine you pick will depend on how hands-on you want to be and how much space you have. A manual machine gives you the most control however, it will require lots of work: You'll need grind the beans, then hand-tamp the coffee and then take your shots. Semiautomatic machines can be accomplished in several steps, like grinding and tamping. However, they require more work than automated machines. Fully automated espresso and coffee makers make a whole pot of drip or an entire cup of espresso with the touch of the button.
Take into consideration whether you are brewing for a single person or an entire group of people. Certain models, like the Nespresso Vertuo Plus can brew three cups of espresso or coffee simultaneously. This is a good option for those who like making their own coffee in the morning, but it might not be ideal if you are making for large numbers.
A coffee and espresso maker with dual boilers lets you to simultaneously brew and steam milk, which means you don't have to wait for one process to cool before starting the other. This feature is especially beneficial if you plan to make lattes and cappuccinos.
It is less likely that a espresso machine with removable reservoirs will accumulate mineral deposits. It is still necessary to clean the reservoir regularly however you'll save some time by not having to pour out and replace the entire pot of water. Another factor that can contribute to the buildup of minerals is the hardness of the water you drink: The harder water will produce more dissolved minerals, which causes your machine to need descaling more often. Soft or filtered water is less stressful on your machine and decreases the frequency of descaling.
Ease of Cleaning
For many home owners the coffee or espresso machine is a significant investment. It requires regular maintenance to ensure that it is operating at its peak and lasts for as long as it is. Cleaning the carafe, as well as other parts that are removable from an espresso machine or drip coffee maker is an essential part of maintaining. Utilizing vinegar or a specially-formulated descaling solution at least once per month is important to help maintain your appliance and certain models might have sensors that light up to alert you when it's time to clean.
While vinegar is ideal for counters and sinks but its acidity could cause damage to rubber seals and other components of your espresso and coffee machine, reducing its lifespan. Many brands--including Lavazza and Smeg--recommend that you don't use vinegar to clean your machine because it could void the warranty.
To clean coffee for espresso machine or coffee maker, first you must remove the portafilter and basket from the group. Utilizing an abrasive or scrubby pad, clean any grounds from the portafilter as well as the basket. Both should be thoroughly cleaned with hot water and then dried with a clean cloth. Next, clean your brewing group. Insert a cleaning tablet into the blind filter. Run a backflush. You can also manually flush your machine by placing a tablet of cleaning solution inside the portafilter, turning on the brewing program after which you will have to stop for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until you notice an even flow of water. This indicates that the machine has been properly descaled.
The brew mesh needs to be soaked by the water as it runs through the espresso machine. This mesh can become filled with coffee residue when it gets dirty. This can adversely affect the extraction. To ensure that the mesh is in good condition, Calatrello recommends unscrewing it every month cleaning it with a toothbrush and soaking it overnight in hot water, using an anti-bacterial tablet that is dissolved in it.
If you have an automatic coffee and espresso machine cleaning it by removing the water reservoir and filling it with fresh water, adding cleaning tablets and running a backflush program. You should also wipe the inside of the pot and water reservoir to remove any residue and stains. Before reassembling the appliance you'll need to clean and dry the carafe as as the water reservoir.
Easy Maintenance
If you're looking to make an instant espresso or cup of coffee on the go, look for an automatic model that doesn't require any effort from you. They typically use an insulated basket that holds ground coffee beans and water that's warmed to the ideal temperature and is then released into the grounds and made into one shot.
These machines are great for those who love making coffee, but don't have the time to learn the skills and techniques that create the best tasting drinks. These machines are simple to operate and clean. The results are similar to drip coffee maker.
To maintain your machine, make sure to remove the grounds that are used from the portafilter after each use, and clean the portafilter and grouphead. Additionally, you'll have to flush the machine back regularly. This is accomplished by locking the portafilter in the grouphead and running the brew cycle a few times until the water is clear. Coffeehouses perform this task at the end of every day, but home users can do it every few days, or once a week, with detergent for a deeper cleaning.
Lastly, you'll need to clean the steam wand and milk reservoir frequently, which we suggest every month. To do this, simply clean all the parts of the machine with a mixture of vinegar and warm soapy water (check the manual prior to doing so as some manufacturers suggest against using vinegar). It is also recommended to change your filter regularly because hard water tends to build up more mineral residue than soft or filtrated. This can cause your espresso and coffee maker to not run, or have a different taste. To keep this from happening, you should purchase an espresso and coffee maker that has an instrument to measure the water hardness.