Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker
A coffee and espresso machine is essential for any kitchen, whether you prefer a full pot or espresso. At Target we have an array of styles and features to suit your needs.
High pressure forces water into ground beans in just a few seconds. The grounds are then tamped to evenly compact them and interlock.
Features
There are a variety of aspects to take into account when purchasing a coffee and espresso maker. The features are what determine the machine's performance and suitability to your needs. Consider features that offer convenience, improve the quality of your drink and allow for customization of your drink.
Espresso and coffee makers can be simple. For example, the traditional Bialetti Moka Express is a non-electric brewer that uses the pot that slowly drips water over ground beans. Some models offer more sophisticated options, such as a dual boiler that allows you to make espresso as well as steam or frothed milk at the same time. Other features include digital displays that notify you when your water tank is low, when it's time to empty the grounds bin, or descale, as well as other maintenance tasks.
Most modern coffee and espresso makers utilize the same brewing method that involves pouring hot water over ground or pre-ground beans that sit in a filter. They're often designed to stop the brewing process at the appropriate time, allowing you to have an iced cup every morning. Certain models let you choose your preferred brew strength, and some have adjustable temperature settings for optimal flavor.
The highest-end of espresso and coffee machines is the super-automatic that is designed to do it all for you. They're typically equipped with a built-in grinder, so they can grind and brew your coffee using fresh beans. They'll usually also have a separate steamer to make lattes or cappuccinos. They might also have a menu that lets you select from a selection of drinks, including hot chocolate.
If you have small kitchen space, go for a compact model that doesn't take up a lot of counter space. If you have multiple people in your home who have their own coffee preferences look into a multi-cup device that can accommodate different sizes of cups. If you're a coffee or Espresso connoisseur then look for models that let you customize the brew intensity and water-to–coffee ratio so you can create the perfect cup each time.
A solid warranty and prompt customer service are also crucial aspects to take into consideration when buying the best espresso maker and coffee maker. Warranty terms vary between one and three years depending on the brand.
Easy of Use
You need more than a traditional drip-filter coffee maker to make a cafe style beverage at home. To make espresso, high-pressured water is pushed through finely ground coffee beans at high speed. Coffeee is a short "shot" of caffeine with a thick layer of crema on the top. The majority of espresso and combination coffee machines make use of a portafilter steaming arm and basket for this process, while others rely on pre-packaged pods or filters, or permit you to grind and measure beans by hand.
The type of machine you pick will depend on how hands-on you'd like to be and how much space you have available. Manual machines give you the most control however, it will require a lot of work: You'll have to grind the beans, then hand-tamp the coffee and then take your shots. Semiautomatic models take an extra step or two of the process, like grinding and tamping, but they require more work than an automatic machine. Fully automated coffee and espresso makers make a whole pot of drips or an entire cup of espresso at the push of a button.
You'll also want to consider whether you're brewing for one or a group of people. Some models, such as the Nespresso Vertuo Plus can brew three cups of espresso or coffee at a time. This is a great alternative for those who prefer making their own coffee in the morning, but it might not be ideal if are serving an entire group.
A coffee maker and espresso maker that has dual boilers lets you to simultaneously brew and steam milk, so you don't need to wait for one feature to cool before the other starts. This feature is especially useful for those who plan to make lattes or cappuccinos.
It is less likely that a espresso machine with a removable reservoir will accumulate mineral deposits. You'll need to clean your reservoir periodically but it will save you time as you don't have to drain and re-fill the entire pot of water. The hardness of the water can also contribute to mineral buildup. Harder water will produce more dissolved minerals, which can make your machine require more descaling. Soft or filtered filtered water is less damaging to your machine and will decrease the frequency of descaling.
Cleaning is easy
For many home owners the coffee or espresso machine is a major investment. It requires regular maintenance to ensure it performs at its best and lasts as long as possible. No matter if you use drip coffee maker or an espresso machine, proper cleaning of the carafe and other removable parts is an essential aspect of maintaining the machine. Using vinegar or a specialized descaling solution at least once a month is essential to maintain your machine and some models feature light-up sensors that notify you when it's time to clean.
While vinegar is fine for sinks and countertops however, the acidity can harm the rubber seals and other components of your espresso or coffee maker, which could limit the life of the machine. Many brands--including Lavazza and Smeg--also recommend that you do not use vinegar to clean your machine, since it could invalidate the warranty.
To clean your espresso maker or coffee maker, take out the portafilter from the group. Remove any dirt from the portafilter or basket with a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Rinse them thoroughly with hot water, and then dry them with a clean towel. Then, you can clean the brewing group by putting a cleaning tablet into the blind filter and running a backflush software. Alternatively, you can manually backflush your machine by placing the cleaning tablet into the portafilter, then turning on the brewing process and pausing it for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until you can see a steady flow of water. This indicates that the machine has been descaled.
The brew group mesh must be soaked up by the water as it flows through the espresso machine. The mesh can get filled with coffee residue when it gets dirty. This can negatively impact the extraction. To ensure that the mesh remains in good working order, Calatrello recommends unscrewing it once a month and cleaning it with a toothbrush and the overnight soak in hot water with the aid of a cleansing tablet that dissolves in it.
If you have a fully automated espresso and coffee maker, you can also clean the machine by removing the water reservoir and refilling it with fresh water, then adding a cleansing tablet and running a backflush application. It is also recommended to clean the inside of the pot and the water reservoir to remove any residue and staining. Before reassembling the appliance you'll need to wash and dry the carafe as well as the reservoir of water.
Easy Maintenance
If you want to make a quick cup of coffee or espresso on the go, look for an automatic model that doesn't require any intervention from you. These models usually use an insulated basket that holds ground coffee beans and water that has been heated to the right temperature before being released into the ground and brewed as a single shot.
These machines are great for those who like the process of making coffee but don't want hours learning the skills and techniques required to make the best tasting drinks. They are easy to operate and clean and the results are like those produced by a traditional drip coffee maker.
To keep your machine running ensure that you empty the grounds used up and clean the grouphead and portafilter after each use. Additionally, you'll have to backflush your machine on a regular basis--this is accomplished by locking the portafilter in the grouphead and running the brew cycle a few times until the water is clear. Coffeehouses will do this at the end each day, but home users can do it every few days, or once a week, with detergent, to give the machine a deeper clean.
You'll also have to clean your steam wand, milk reservoir and other components of the machine on a regular basis. We recommend cleaning them at least once a week. To do this, you just wipe the entire surface of the machine using a mixture of vinegar and warm soapy water (check the product manual beforehand as some manufacturers suggest against using vinegar). It is also recommended to change your filter often because hard water tends to accumulate more mineral residue than soft or filtered. This could make your espresso or coffee maker to stop working or have a distinct taste. To avoid this happening, you should purchase a coffee and espresso maker that has the test of water hardness.