Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker
A coffee and espresso machine is a must-have for any kitchen, whether you prefer a full-sized pot or espresso. At Target we offer an array of designs and features that will meet your needs.
High pressure forces water into ground beans in just a few seconds. Then the grounds are compacted to an even degree and then interlock.
Features
There are many aspects to take into account when purchasing an espresso maker and coffee maker. The most important are the characteristics that determine its purpose and its suitability for your needs. Look for features that are simple to use, enhance the quality of your beverage and allow you to customize your drink.
Espresso and coffee makers can be simple, like the classic Bialetti Moka Express non-electric coffee brewer that uses a pot to heat water that slowly drips over ground beans. Some models offer more advanced features, such as a double boiler that lets you to make espresso and froth or steamed milk at the same time. Other features include digital displays that let you know when your water tank is low or when it's time 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 are placed inside the filter. They're usually designed to stop the brewing process at the appropriate time, so you can enjoy an iced cup every morning. Some models let you select the level of brew you prefer while others allow you to adjust temperatures to give you the most flavorful brew.
The highest-end of coffee and espresso machines is the super-automatic model, which is designed to handle everything for you. They are typically equipped with a built-in grinder that allows them to grind and brew coffee with fresh beans. They will also usually come with a separate steamer to make cappuccinos and lattes. You might also choose from a range of drinks including hot chocolate on their menu.
If you have smaller kitchens, consider an ultra-compact model to reduce counter space. You should consider a multi-cup machine that can be used with different sizes of cups if you have many people in your home 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 water-to–coffee ratio so you can make the perfect cup each time.
A good warranty and responsive customer service are also crucial aspects to take into consideration when choosing a coffee and espresso maker. The warranty period varies from one to three year depending on the manufacturer.
Easy of Use
You need more than a basic drip-filter maker to create a coffeehouse style beverage at home. To make espresso, highly pressurized water is forced through finely ground coffee beans at high speed. The result is short "shots" of caffeine, with a thick, creamy crema that is topped with. For this process, most combination coffee and espresso machine make use of a portafilter basket as well as a steaming arm, whereas others rely pre-packaged pods, filters, or let you measure and grind beans by hand.
The kind of machine you pick will depend on how accessible and spacious you'd like to be. Manual machines offer the most control, but they take a lot of work grinding the coffee beans, then hand-tamp it and pull your shots. Semiautomatic machines skip several steps, like grinding and tapping. However they are more labor-intensive than automated machines. Fully automated espresso makers and coffee makers can make a full pot of drip coffee or even an entire espresso cup at the click of a button.
You'll also want to consider whether you're brewing for just one or several people. Some models, like the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, can make up to three cups of espresso or coffee simultaneously. This is a great option for those who prefer making their own coffee in the morning, but it might not be the best choice if you are serving large numbers.
Dual boilers let you prepare coffee and steam milk simultaneously to ensure that you don't need to wait until one process cools down before starting the other. This feature is particularly useful when you're planning to make cappuccinos or lattes.
A coffee and espresso maker with an adjustable reservoir for water is less likely to build up mineral deposits than one that doesn't. You'll have to wash your reservoir regularly but it will save you time since you don't need to empty and re-fill the entire pot of water. The hardness of the water may also contribute to mineral buildup. Harder water will produce more dissolving minerals, which will cause your machine to require more descaling. Soft or filtered filtered water is less harsh on your machine, and will decrease the frequency of descaling.
Cleaning is easy
For many homeowners who own a espresso or coffee maker is a major investment. It requires regular maintenance to ensure it performs at its best and lasts as long as possible. If you have drip coffee maker or an espresso machine, the proper cleaning of the carafe as well as other parts that are removable is a crucial aspect of maintaining the machine. Use vinegar or a descaling solution at least once every week to maintain your equipment. Some models have sensors that light up when it's cleaning time.
While vinegar is ideal for counters and sinks however, its acidity may cause damage to rubber seals and other components of your coffee and espresso machine which can reduce the life of your machine. Many brands, including Lavazza and Smeg--recommend not to use vinegar to clean your machine since it could invalidate the warranty.
To clean your espresso maker or coffee maker, you must remove the portafilter from the group. Remove any dirt from the portafilter or the basket with a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Both must be thoroughly cleaned with hot water, then dried using a clean cloth. Next, sanitize your brew group. Place a cleaning tablet into the blind filter. Do an automatic backflush. You can also manually backflush the machine by placing a cleaning tablet in the portafilter, turning on the brewing process and then pause it for 10 seconds. Repeat this procedure until the flow of water is constant. This indicates that your machine has been descaled.
When water flows through the espresso machine, it needs to soak through the mesh of the brew group. When this mesh is dirty, it could get blocked by coffee residue and negatively affect the extraction process. Calatrello suggests that you unscrew the mesh once every month and clean it using a toothbrush. Then, soak it in hot water overnight with a cleansing tablet.
If you have a fully automated coffee and espresso maker, you can clean the machine by removing the water reservoir, then filling it up with fresh water, adding a cleaning tablet and running a backflush application. You should also wipe the inside of the pot as well as the water reservoir to remove any traces and stains. Before reassembling your appliance, you'll need to wash and dry the carafe as as the water reservoir.
Easy Maintenance
If you're looking to make a quick cup of coffee or espresso at the go, search for an automatic model that doesn't require any intervention from you. They typically use an insulated basket that holds ground coffee beans and water that's warmed to the ideal temperature, then poured into the grounds before being brewed as one shot.
These machines are ideal for those who enjoy the process of making coffee but don't have much time to learn the techniques and skills that create the best tasting drinks. They are simple to clean and operate and produce results similar to those from the traditional drip coffee maker.
To maintain your machine ensure that you empty the used grounds and scrub down the portafilter and grouphead after every use. You'll also need to flush your machine on a regular basis. This is accomplished by locking the filter in the grouphead and then running the cycle of brewing several times until the water is clean. This is something that coffeehouses complete at the end of every day, but one that home owners can do every few days or alternatively, once a week using detergent to give it a deeper clean.
You'll also need to clean your steam wand, milk reservoir and other components of the machine regularly. We recommend cleaning them at least once every week. To do this, you simply clean all the parts of the machine using vinegar and warm soapy water (check the manual for your product prior to cleaning as some manufacturers suggest against using vinegar). You should also change your filter regularly since hard water tends to build up more mineral residue than soft or filtering. espresso machines for home can cause your espresso and coffee maker to stop working or have a distinct taste. Buy a coffee and espresso maker that has a water-hardness tester to prevent this.