Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker
A coffee and espresso machine is a must-have for any kitchen, whether you prefer a full pot or espresso. At Target, we have many different designs and features that will meet your needs.
Espresso machines, high pressure forces water through the ground beans in a matter of seconds. Then the grounds are tamped to evenly compact and interlock them.
Here are a few examples of
When you are looking to purchase a coffee maker or espresso machine, there are a variety of factors to consider. The most important is the factors that determine its functionality and suitability to your needs. You should look for features that are convenient, improve your brew's quality and allow you to personalize your drink.
Espresso and coffee makers can be simple. For example the traditional Bialetti Moka Express is a non-electric brewer that makes use of a pot to slowly drip water over ground beans. Some models offer more sophisticated options, such as a dual boiler that allows you to make espresso and steam or frothed milk at the same time. Other features include digital displays that notify you when your water tank is low or when it's time empty the grounds bin, or descale, and other routine maintenance tasks.
Modern espresso and coffee makers employ the same method of brewing that involves pouring hot, filtered water over freshly ground or ground beans. Many are designed to stop brewing automatically at the appropriate time to allow you to have a fresh cup of coffee each morning. Certain models allow you to select the strength you prefer and some models have adjustable temperature settings to ensure the best flavor.
The top tier of espresso and coffee machines is the super-automatic, which is designed to do it all for you. These machines are usually equipped with a built-in grinder so that they can grind and brew coffee with fresh beans. They'll usually also have an additional steam wand for making 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 small kitchen, opt for a compact model that doesn't take up a lot of counter space. If you have several members of your household who have their own preferences for coffee, consider getting a multi-cup machine that can accommodate different sizes of cups. If you are an espresso or coffee lover, then look for models that allow you to customize the brew intensity and the ratio of water to coffee so that you can make the perfect cup each time.
When shopping for the latest coffee and espresso machine, a good warranty and prompt service are crucial factors to consider. Warranty periods vary from one to three years dependent on the brand.
User-Friendliness
If you're looking to make an espresso-like drink at home, you need more than a basic drip filter coffee maker. Espresso is brewed when highly pressurized water is pushed through finely ground coffee beans at high speed. The result is a brief "shot" of caffeine with a rich layer of crema on the top. Most combination coffee and espresso machines employ a portafilter, steaming arm, and basket for this process, whereas others rely on pre-packaged pods or filters or allow the user to grind and measure beans by hand.
The type of machine you choose will depend on how spacious and hands-on you'd like to be. A manual machine gives you the most control however it does require an enormous amount of work: You'll have grind the beans, then hand-tamp the coffee, and then pull your shots. Semiautomatic models take a step or two out of the process, similar to grinding and tamping, but they require more work than an automatic machine. Fully automatic espresso makers and coffee makers can make a full pot of drip coffee or even an entire espresso cup with the click of a button.
You'll also need to consider whether you're brewing for just one or a group of people. Certain models, such as the Nespresso Vertuo Plus can brew three cups of espresso or coffee at once. This is a great method of keeping up with your morning coffee requirements however it might not be the best choice if you're making for a crowd.
A coffee maker and espresso maker with a dual boiler allows you to simultaneously brew and steam milk, so you don't need to wait for one function to cool before starting the other. This feature is particularly useful when you are planning to make lattes and cappuccinos.
espresso maker for home and espresso maker with removable water reservoir is less likely to develop mineral deposits than one that does not. It is necessary to regularly clean your reservoir, but it will also save you time because you won't have to pour out and re-fill the entire pot of water. Another factor that can contribute to mineral build-up is the hardness of your water: A water that is harder to soften produces more dissolved minerals and causes your machine to need descaling more frequently. Soft or filtered filtered water is less harsh on your machine, and can reduce the frequency of descaling.
Ease of Cleaning
A coffee maker or espresso maker is a major purchase for a lot of homeowners and requires regular maintenance to keep its performance and longevity at the highest levels. No matter if you use drip coffee maker or an espresso machine, the proper cleaning of the carafe as well as other parts that can be removed is an essential part of the upkeep process. Using vinegar or a specialized descaling solution at least once a month is essential to maintain your machine and some models have light-up sensors that alert you when it's time to clean.
While vinegar is a great option for countertops and sinks, the acidity can damage the rubber seals and components of your espresso or coffee maker, thereby limiting its lifespan. Many brands, including Lavazza and Smeg suggest that you don't use vinegar to clean your coffee maker 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 or basket by using a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Both should be thoroughly rinsed with hot water and then dried with a clean cloth. Then, you can clean the brewing group by inserting a clean tablet into the blind filter and running a backflush program. You can also manually flush your machine by placing a cleaning tablet solution in the portafilter and turning on the brewing software, then pausing for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until the water flow is constant. This indicates that your machine has been descaled.
As water flows through the espresso machine, it has to pass 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. To ensure that the mesh remains in good shape Calatrello suggests removing it once every month and cleaning it with a brush and soak it overnight in hot water with a cleaning tablet dissolved in it.
If you own a full-automatic espresso and coffee maker, you can clean the machine by removing the water reservoir and filling it up with fresh water, adding a cleaning tablet and running a backflush application. You should also wipe the inside of the pot and water reservoir to remove any traces and stains. It is essential to wash and dry both the carafe and the reservoir of water prior to rebuild the appliance.
Maintenance Ease
If you're looking to brew a quick espresso or coffee on the go, opt for an automatic model. It doesn't require any action from you. These models make use of the basket with ground coffee beans, water heated to the proper temperature, and then released into the grounds.
These machines are ideal for those who enjoy making a cup of coffee but don't have much time to learn the techniques and skills that produce the best tasting drinks. They are easy to operate and clean, and the results are similar to those from the traditional drip coffee maker.
To maintain your machine, be sure to dump the used grounds and scrub the grouphead and portafilter after every use. Additionally, you'll have to backflush the machine regularly. This is accomplished by locking the portafilter in the grouphead and running the brew cycle a several times until the water is clear. This is a task that coffeehouses do at the end of every day, but one that home owners can easily perform every few days or alternatively, every week with detergent for a deeper clean.
Finally, you'll need to clean the steam wand as well as the milk reservoir regularly--we recommend this once a month. To do this, you simply clean all the parts of the machine with a mixture of 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 faster than soft or filtrated water. This can cause the coffee and espresso maker to get blocked and taste different or not run at all. To avoid this happening, purchase an espresso and coffee maker that comes with a water hardness tester.