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How to Choose an Espresso Coffee Machine Home With a high-quality espresso maker, you can take your coffee-making at home to a new level. But how do you choose? There's plenty to consider, from measuring and grinding your own beans, to tamping and pressing properly to get the perfect shot of espresso. Many of the tasks can be automated with semi-automatic and in some cases fully automatic machines. Manual If you'd like to be able to make the best espresso at home, you'll require good equipment. The most crucial component of the system is a well-designed, high-quality espresso maker that is able to handle pressure. Some manufacturers have stripped down the system to a minimum, making machines that don't have boilers at all, and rely instead on hand-pressure for some pretty decent shots. We've tested several of these and concluded that the Lelit Bambino Plus is one of the top. It's not cheap, but you're getting coffee machinery that will last for a long time, and has 35 years of Lelit service and support to stand behind it. It's a bit heavy however that's to be expected given its construction. It also has a beautiful retro-futuristic style that's sure to be a conversation-starter. Breville Smart Grinder EK835 is yet another worthy candidate. It's not cheap but it's an excellent grinder that will allow you to grind your own coffee beans. It's bigger than other grinders we examined, but that's because it's got a much larger burr set and can handle more than the average burr set can. It's a bit easier to operate than some of the other grinders we reviewed and is backed by a solid warranty. There are four kinds: Manual/Lever (also called Automatic), Semi-Automatic (also called Volumetric) and Super-Automatic. Manual levers are more traditional design and are more easy to use, but they require more skill and understanding to dial in and pull shots. Semi-automatics let you perform the grinding and tamping by yourself but they 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 let you to create froth. Super-automatics are the ultimate in convenience, with built-in grinders and tampers, as well as brew cycles. Semi-Automatic The difference between semi-automatic machines and fully automatic machines comes down to the amount of control you desire over the coffee making process. Manual espresso machines depend on the barista to generate pressure and pull the shot which can be exhausting and requires lots of practice. Fully automated machines can do everything for you, brewing professional-quality espresso at the touch of a button. However this convenience comes with a price and the machines can be expensive to rent or purchase. Semi-automatic machines are the ideal choice for those who would like to control some aspects of the coffee they make, but do not have the time or the skills to become a professional barista. This type of machine takes the guesswork out of making a shot of espresso by grinding the beans, forming them into an hockey puck shape, and pushing hot water through them at the right pressure to create an espresso. This kind of espresso maker also allows you to steam milk or create latte art. These machines are more expensive and require more maintenance than fully automated machines. Semi-automatic espresso machines are a good option for those without the money to buy or lease a fully automated espresso machine. Fully automated espresso machines ensure an exact cup every time, and require minimal effort. They handle all the steps involved in making espresso from grinding the beans to brewing a shot, and steaming milk and all this by pressing the button. This is a preferred option for cafes that must be able to serve a variety of customers in a short period of time and require user-friendly. These machines are costly and not suitable for all cafes. If you're interested in a fully automatic espresso machine for your business, consider buying or renting two to cover the peak times and the other to cover the slower times. Pods With pod coffee machines, you can create espresso drinks at the touch of one button. They use disposable coffee capsules that are filled with coffee ground in advance and milk powder to make your beverage. The top espresso pod machines provide consistent results, are neat and fast, and can produce shots that have a layer of crema. Pod machines might not have the same level of control as bean to cup models however they are an excellent alternative for those who prefer convenience over quality and prefer to avoid grinding and tamping beans themselves. Although they don't provide the same taste as freshly ground beans from a high-quality coffee grinder, advances in pod technology and a wide selection of coffee types make these machines more efficient than ever before. The machines make use of various coffee pods, but all share the same basic design and shape. Most are small, covered in paper, they resemble tea bags and can be placed into a portafilter to brew. Some are designed to be used with drip coffee machines, while others are made specifically for espresso machines. Soft pods are the first and Easy Serving Espresso (E.S.E.) pods are the latter. If you are shopping for a pod-based espresso machine, it is important to check the recommended list of compatible pods. They are available in a wide range of flavors and brands which means you can try them before settling on the one you prefer. Some brands also sell refillable pods for those who prefer to reuse their old pods. It's important to consider the cleaning and maintenance needs of your coffee machine regardless of its style. A majority of bean-to-cup machines require manual cleaning as well as regular descaling of the brewing mechanism as well as grinder. However some espresso machines that are based on pods have built-in self-cleaning capabilities that ease the burden. Water The espresso machine is a powerful tool that uses high pressure to force water through tightly packed, finely ground coffee. The espresso shot is a concentrated and is the perfect ingredient for cappuccinos. The Europeans particularly the Italians discovered this in the late 1800s and used it to open up a whole new world of cafe drinks. There are a variety of methods to make a cup espresso, but the fundamental principle is to heat the water until it is just below boiling, and then press it through a tightly packed coffee grounds in a portafilter which is then poured into a container below the group head. This process creates a highly flavored, dense cup of espresso in under two minutes. All espresso machines function in the same manner, but their details vary slightly. Some machines use piston-style designs which requires the user to press a lever in order to generate the pressure required (8 to 10 bars; 116 to 150 psi). Certain machines utilize an electric pump to create pressure. Others, particularly the low-cost at-home devices, simply rely on heated water and high temperatures to create the same effect. No matter how your espresso machine performs the quality of your ingredients is crucial to a great cup of espresso. Start with a good-quality dark roast espresso bean. Explore different grinds and tamping techniques to find the perfect recipe for your home espresso machine. Choose the right water for your espresso machine. You should use tap water that has a moderate mineral content. The minerals in the water can help extract a smooth, balanced cup of coffee, while also preventing scale buildup. La Marzocco has downloadable guidelines for coffee water that can aid you in determining the mineral content of the water you drink locally. As espresso machine coffee get more comfortable with the espresso machine at home, it's a good idea to invest in a few additional accessories, like a portafilter and a steel tamper. These accessories will help improve your coffee making techniques and give you a sense satisfaction in the coffee you're now able to make at home.