Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker
If you are looking for a big pot of drip coffee or espresso, a coffee maker or espresso maker is a must for your kitchen. At Target we have an array of styles and features to suit your preferences.
High pressure forces water into the ground beans in a matter of seconds. Then the grounds are compacted to an even degree and then interlock.
Features
When purchasing an espresso maker or coffee machine, there are numerous factors to consider. The features will determine the machine's performance and suitability for your requirements. You should look for features that are easy to use, improve your brew's quality and allow you to customize your beverage.
Espresso and coffee makers can be quite simple, like the traditional Bialetti Moka Express non-electric coffee maker that makes use of a pot to heat water that slowly drips over ground beans. Some models offer more sophisticated options, such as dual boilers that allow you to make espresso as well as steam or frothed milk at the same time. Other features include digital displays that inform you when your water tank is low or when it's time empty the grounds bin or descale, and other routine 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 in the filter. Many are designed to stop brewing at the correct time so that you can enjoy a new cup of coffee each morning. Some models also let you choose the strength you prefer and some models have adjustable temperature settings to give you the best flavor.
The top model of coffee and espresso machines is the superautomatic, which is designed for you to perform everything. These machines are usually equipped with a built in grinder, which allows them to grind and brew coffee using fresh beans. Coffeee 'll usually also include a separate steamer that is used to make cappuccinos and lattes. You might also be able to choose from a variety of beverages including hot chocolate from their menu.
If you have a smaller kitchen, choose smaller models to save counter space. If you have multiple people in the household who each have their own preferences for coffee look into a multi-cup device that can accommodate different sizes of cups. If you are an Espresso or coffee connoisseur, then look for models that allow you to customize the brew intensity and water-to-coffee ratio so that you can create the perfect cup each time.
A good warranty and responsive customer service are also important aspects to consider when buying an espresso maker and coffee maker. Depending on the brand, warranties vary between one and three years.
User-Friendliness
If you're looking to create a coffeehouse-like beverage at home, you'll need more than a basic drip filter coffee maker. Espresso is made by putting water under high pressure is pushed at high speed through finely ground beans. The result is a few "shots" of caffeine with an intense crema on top. For this process, most espresso machines that combine coffee and espresso make use of a portafilter basket as well as a steaming arm. Other machines depend on pre-packaged pods and filters, or allow you to measure and grind beans by hand.
The kind of machine you choose depends on how hands-on you want to be and the amount of space you have. A manual machine gives you the most control, but it requires an enormous amount of work: You'll need grind the beans, hand-tamp the coffee and then take your shots. Semiautomatic models can take a step or two out of the process, like grinding and tamping, however 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 touch of a button.
Think about whether you are making coffee for one person or an entire group of people. Certain models, like the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, can make up to three cups of espresso or coffee simultaneously. This is a great way to meet your coffee-drinking needs in the morning but it might not be the ideal choice if you're making for crowds.
A coffee maker and espresso maker that has dual boilers allows you to simultaneously steam and brew milk, so you don't have to wait for one feature to cool before starting the other. This feature is particularly useful for those who plan to make lattes and cappuccinos.
A coffee and espresso maker that has an adjustable reservoir for water is less likely to accumulate mineral deposits than one that doesn't. You'll need to clean your reservoir periodically but it will save you time since you don't need to drain and re-fill the entire pot of water. Another factor that contributes to the buildup of minerals is the hardness of the water you drink: The harder water will produce more dissolved minerals, which causes your machine to need descaling more often. Filtered or soft water is less harsh on your machine, and will decrease the frequency of descaling.
Ease of Cleaning
For many homeowners who own a coffee or espresso machine is a large investment. It requires regular maintenance to ensure it is operating at its peak and lasts as long as is possible. Cleaning the carafe along with other components that can be removed from an espresso machine or drip coffee maker, is an essential part of maintaining. Using vinegar or a specialized descaling solution at least once a month is a must to maintain your appliance and certain models might have light-up sensors that alert you when it's time to clean.
While vinegar is great for sinks and counters however, its acidity may harm rubber seals as well as other components of your espresso and coffee machine which can reduce the life of your machine. Many brands -- including Lavazza and Smeg--recommend that you don't 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. Clean any dirt or debris from the portafilter or the basket by using a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Rinse them thoroughly with hot water, and then dry them with a clean towel. Then, clean the brewing group by inserting a cleaning tablet into the blind filter and running a backflush software. You can also manually flush your machine by placing a cleaning tablet solution in the portafilter and turning on the brewing software and then pause for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until you see a steady flow of water--this means that the machine is properly descaled.
As water flows through the espresso machine, it needs to go through the mesh of the brew group. The mesh may become filled with coffee residue when it is dirty. This can adversely affect the extraction. To ensure that the mesh is always in good condition, Calatrello recommends unscrewing it every month cleaning it with a toothbrush and soak it overnight in hot water, using an anti-bacterial tablet that is dissolved in it.
If you have a fully automated coffee maker and espresso maker, you can also clean your machine by removing the reservoir of water and filling it with fresh water, adding a cleaning tablet and running a backflush program. It is also recommended to clean the inside of the pot as well as the water reservoir to remove any traces and staining. You'll need to wash and dry both the carafe and the water reservoir prior to reassemble the appliance.
Easy Maintenance
If you want to brew up an instant cup of espresso or coffee at the go, search for an automatic model that doesn't require any action from you. These models make use of an insulated basket that contains ground coffee beans, heated water to the right temperature and then released into the ground.
These machines are perfect for those who love the making of coffee but don't want much time learning the skills and techniques required to make the best tasting drinks. They are easy to operate and clean. The results are similar to those of a drip coffee maker.
To keep your machine in good condition, be sure to dump the grounds used up and scrub down the grouphead and portafilter after each use. In addition, you'll need to flush the machine back every so often. This is done by locking the portafilter into the grouphead and running the brew cycle for a several times until the water is clear. This is a job that coffeehouses perform at the end of each day, but which home owners can easily do every few days, or alternatively, every week using detergent to give it an even more thorough clean.
It is also necessary to clean your steam wand, milk reservoir and other parts of the machine on a regular basis. We recommend cleaning them at least once every week. To do this, you just wipe the entire surface of the machine with vinegar and warm soapy water (check the product manual beforehand as some manufacturers suggest against using vinegar). Lastly, you should change your filter regularly--hard water tends to accumulate mineral residue more quickly than soft or filtered water. This can cause your coffee and espresso maker to stop working or have a different taste. To prevent this from happening, you should purchase an espresso and coffee maker that has a water hardness tester.