Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker
A coffee and espresso machine is a must-have in any kitchen, whether you prefer a full pot or espresso. At Target we offer an array of styles and features to suit your preferences.
High pressure forces water into the ground beans within seconds. The grounds are then tamped to make them compact and lock them.
Features
When purchasing an espresso maker or coffee machine, there are a variety of aspects to take into consideration. The features are what determine the machine's functionality and suitability for your requirements. Find features that are simple and enhance the quality of your drink and allow you to personalize your drink.
Coffee- and espresso makers can be simple. For example the classic Bialetti Moka Express is a non-electric brewer that uses the pot that slowly drips water over the ground beans. Certain models have more advanced features, for instance, a double boiler that lets you make espresso and frothed or steamed milk at the same time. Digital displays can also notify you when your water tank is in need of topping up and when the time is right to clean or descale the grounds bin, and when other maintenance tasks are due.
Most modern coffee and espresso makers use the same brewing method that involves pouring hot water over pre-ground or ground beans that sit in a filter. They're often designed to stop brewing at the right time, so you can take each morning with a fresh cup. Certain models allow you to select your preferred brew strength and some models have adjustable temperature settings for optimal flavor.
The top of the line of espresso and coffee machines is the super-automatic model that is designed to do everything for you. They are typically equipped with a built in grinder so that they can grind and brew coffee with fresh beans. They'll usually also have a separate steam wand for making lattes and cappuccinos. You might also be able to choose from a selection of beverages including hot chocolate from their menu.
If you have a small kitchen, opt for a small model that doesn't take up much counter space. Consider a multi-cup coffee maker that can accommodate various cup sizes if you have many people in your home with different preferences for coffee. If you are a coffee or Espresso connoisseur then look for models that allow you to customize the brew intensity and the ratio of water to coffee so that you can create the perfect cup each time.
When looking to purchase the latest coffee and espresso machine, a dependable warranty and responsive service are crucial aspects to consider. Based on the manufacturer, warranties vary between one and three years.
Ease of Use
You require more than a standard drip-filter coffee maker to make a coffeehouse style beverage at home. For espresso, water pressured to high is forced at high speed through finely ground beans. The result is short "shots" of caffeine with an intense crema that is topped with. To achieve this, the majority of espresso machines that combine coffee and espresso make use of a portafilter basket as well as a steaming arm, while others use pre-packaged pods, filters, or let you measure and grind beans by hand.
The type of machine you choose depends on how involved you'd like to be and the amount of space you have available. A manual machine gives you the most control, but it requires lots of work: You'll need grind the beans, then hand-tamp the coffee, and then pull your shots. Semiautomatic models take a step or two out of the process, like grinding and tamping, however they require more effort than an automated machine. Fully automated espresso and coffee makers can make a full pot of drip coffee or even an entire espresso cup with just the push of a single button.
It is also important to think about whether you're brewing for one or a group of people. Some models, like the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, can produce up to three cups of coffee or espresso simultaneously. This is a great way to meet your coffee-drinking needs in the morning, but it may not be the best option when you're serving a crowd.
A coffee maker and espresso maker with dual boilers allows you to simultaneously steam and brew milk, so you don't need to wait for one process to cool before the other one starts. This feature is especially beneficial when you are planning to make lattes and cappuccinos.
It is less likely that a coffee and espresso machine with an adjustable reservoir will build up mineral deposits. It is still necessary to clean the reservoir periodically but you'll save some time by not needing to pour out and replace the entire pot of water. The hardness of the water may be a factor in the buildup of minerals. The harder water will create more dissolved minerals, which can make your machine require more descaling. Water that is soft or filtered is less stressful to work with and reduces the frequency of descaling.
Cleaning is easy
A coffee maker or espresso maker is a major purchase for many homeowners, and it requires regular care to ensure its performance and longevity at the highest levels. Whether you use drip coffee maker or an espresso machine, the proper cleaning of the carafe and other removable parts is an essential part of the upkeep process. Utilizing vinegar or a specially-formulated descaling solution at least once per month is a must to maintain your machine and some models have sensors that light up to alert you when it's time to clean.
While vinegar is fine for sinks and countertops, the acidity can damage the rubber seals and other components of your coffee and espresso maker, thereby limiting the life of the machine. Many brands -- including Lavazza and Smeg--recommend that you do not use vinegar to clean your machine as it could invalidate the warranty.
To clean your espresso maker or coffee maker, remove the portafilter from the group. Clean any dirt or debris from the portafilter and the basket with a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Both must be thoroughly rinsed with hot water, then dried using a clean cloth. Next, sanitize the brew group by inserting a cleaning tablet into the blind filter and running a backflush application. Alternatively, you can manually backflush the machine by placing a cleaning tablet in the portafilter, turning on the brewing cycle, and then pause it for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until you can see an even flow of water. This indicates that the machine is properly descaled.
When water flows through the espresso machine, it has to soak through the brew group mesh. If this mesh is dirty, it can get blocked by coffee residue, which can negatively affect the extraction process. Calatrello recommends that you take off the mesh once every month and clean it with a toothbrush. Then, soak the mesh in hot water for a night with a cleansing tablet.
If you own a full-automatic espresso and coffee maker, you can also clean your machine by removing the reservoir of water and refilling it with fresh water, then adding a cleansing tablet and running a backflush application. You should also wipe down the inside of the water reservoir and pot to get rid of any stains and residue. You'll need to rinse and dry both the carafe and the water reservoir before you put the appliance back together.
Ease of Maintenance
If you're looking to brew coffee or espresso in a short time at the go, select an automatic model. It doesn't need any effort from you. These models make use of an insulated basket that contains ground coffee beans, water that is heated to the correct temperature and then released into the coffee grounds.
These machines are great for those who like the process of making coffee, but don't want long learning the skills and techniques required to create the finest tasting drinks. They are simple to use and clean, and the results are similar to those of the traditional drip coffee maker.
To keep your machine running ensure that you empty the used grounds and clean the portafilter and grouphead after every use. Additionally, you'll have to backflush the machine regularly. This is done by locking the portafilter in the grouphead and running the brew cycle a few times until the water runs clear. Coffeehouses perform this task at the end of each day, however, home users can do it once every few days, or every week, using detergent, for a deeper cleaning.
Finally, you'll need to clean the steam wand as well as the milk reservoir on a regular basis, we recommend once a month. It's as easy as cleaning all areas of your machine using the vinegar-soapy solution (check the manual before starting as some manufacturers don't recommend vinegar). Lastly, you should change your filter frequently as hard water tends to accumulate mineral residue more quickly than soft or filtered water. This could cause your espresso and coffee maker not to run, or have a different taste. To avoid espresso machine pods happening, you should purchase an espresso maker and coffee maker with the test of water hardness.