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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 whole new level. But how do you decide? There's a lot to consider—from measuring and grinding your own beans, to tamping and pressing properly to get the perfect espresso. A lot of the work can be automated with semi-automatic or in some cases fully automatic machines. Manual You'll need top quality equipment if you wish to make the highest quality espresso at home. The most crucial element of the system is an espresso maker with well-designed and sturdy design that can handle pressure. Some manufacturers have stripped down the system to a minimum, creating machines that don't use boilers at all, and rely on hand pressure to make some decent shots. We've tried a few of them and found the Lelit Bambino Plus to be one of the best in its field. It's not a cheap machine, but you are getting a piece that will last for decades and 35 years of Lelit support and service. It's a bit heavy, but that's expected considering its construction. It also has a beautiful retro-futuristic design that's sure be a conversation-starter. Another good option is Breville's Smart Grinder EK835. It's not cheap, but it's a great performer in what it does, and you'll have the ability to grind your own beans. It's larger than other grinders that we've reviewed, but it's because of its larger burrs as well as the fact that it's capable of handling more than a standard set of burrs. It's also a bit simpler to operate than some of the other grinders we reviewed and comes with a solid warranty. There are four kinds: Manual/Lever (also called Automatic) Semi-Automatic (also known as Volumetric) and Super-Automatic. Manual levers are the most traditional and offer a more familiar design, however, they are the most difficult to master and require more expertise to dial in and pull shots. Semi-automatics let you perform the grinding and tamping yourself However, they also 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 allow you to create foam. Additionally, there are super-automatics that can take care of all the work for you, and come with built-in grinders, tampers, brew cycles and much more. Semi-Automatic The difference between semi-automatic machines and fully automated machines comes down to the degree of control you wish to have 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 a lot of practice. Fully automated machines can do everything for you, making professional-quality espresso at the touch of an button. However this convenience comes with a price and these machines can be expensive to rent or purchase. Semi-automatic machines are the best option for those who like to control some aspects of their coffee making but don't have the time or the skills to be a professional barista. This type of machine removes the guesswork out of brewing shots. It grinds the beans into a hockey-puck shape, then compresses them and then pushes hot water through the puck at the right amount of pressure. This espresso maker also lets you to steam milk and create latte art. These machines are more expensive and require more maintenance than fully automatic machines. Semi-automatic espresso machines are a great alternative for those who do not have the budget to purchase or rent a fully automated espresso machine. Fully automatic espresso machines are the newest innovation in the world of espresso makers and they promise an even cup of coffee each time with little effort. They can handle all the steps required to make espresso, from grinding the beans to brewing a shot, and steaming milk, and do it all at the touch of an button. This is a preferred option for cafes that must be able to serve a variety of customers in a short amount of time and are looking for ease of use. These machines are expensive 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 peak times and the other to cover the slower times. Pods With pod coffee machines, you can make espresso drinks at the touch of the button. The capsules contain pre-ground coffee and powdered milk that is used to make the beverage. The best espresso pods are simple, sleek and provide very consistent results—shot after shot comes out with a creamy layer of crema that is the hallmark of a top-quality espresso. While pod machines may not provide the same level of control as bean-to-cup models however they are a great option for those who want to skip grinding and tapping their own beans and who value convenience over quality. Although they don't have the same taste as freshly ground beans brewed with a high-quality coffee grinder, advancements in pod technology and an increasing selection of coffee varieties have made these machines more efficient than ever before. The type of coffee pods used by the machines varies from manufacturer to manufacturer however, they all have the same basic shape and design. They are typically small, paper-covered disks that are similar to tea bags. They can be inserted into a portafilter for brewing. Some are designed for use with drip coffee makers and others are specifically designed for espresso machines. Soft pods are one of them, 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 list of recommended by the manufacturer of compatible pods. Many of these machines have a variety of flavors, so you can test different flavors and brands before you decide on your favorite. Some brands offer refillable pods to those who want to reuse their old ones. Regardless of which style of coffee machine you choose, it's essential to consider cleaning and maintenance requirements. 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 pod-based espresso machines have built-in self-cleaning capabilities that ease the burden. Water The espresso machine is an extremely powerful device, which uses high pressure to push coffee that has been finely ground into an extremely tightly packed container. The result is a concentrated shot espresso that is perfect to make lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. The Europeans particularly the Italians came up with this idea in the late 1800s and used it to create an entire new world of cafe drinks. There are a variety of ways to make espresso but the fundamental principle remains the same heating the water to just below boiling, and then press it through the densely packed grounds of a portafilter. The water is then poured into the container, below the grouphead. This process creates a highly delicious, rich cup of espresso in just 2 minutes. All espresso machines operate in the same manner, but their specifics differ. Some utilize piston designs that require you to press down a lever to generate the necessary pressure (8 to 10 bar or 116 to 145 psi). Certain machines utilize an electric pump to produce pressure. Others, particularly the inexpensive at-home machines rely on heated water and high temperatures to create the same effect. The quality of the ingredients is vital regardless of how the espresso machine is working. Start with a good-quality, dark roast espresso bean. Try different grinds and tamping strategies to find the ideal recipe for your home espresso machine. Finally, use the right water in your espresso machine. Ideally you should choose tap water that has a moderate level of minerality. The minerals in the water can help create a smooth and balanced cup of coffee while also helping to prevent the buildup of scale. Coffeee can find out more about the water supply in your area's mineral content by reading La Marzocco's free coffee water guidelines. As you become more familiar with your espresso maker at home It's an excellent idea to purchase other accessories, such as an espresso portafilter or a stainless steel tamper. These accessories will help improve your coffee making techniques and will give you a sense of pride in the coffee you're able to make at home.