Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker
A coffee and espresso machine is a must-have in any kitchen, whether you prefer a full-sized pot or espresso. We have a variety of styles and features at Target to meet your needs.
High pressure forces water into ground beans in just a few seconds. Then the grounds are compacted evenly and then interlock.
Features
There are a number of things to take into consideration when purchasing a coffee and espresso maker. The features determine the machine's functionality and suitability for your requirements. Find features that provide convenience, enhance the quality of your brew and allow you to customize your drink.
Espresso and coffee makers aren't difficult to make. For instance the traditional Bialetti Moka Express is a non-electric brewer which uses the pot to slowly drip water over ground beans. Some models offer more advanced features, such as a double boiler that lets you make espresso and frothed or steamed milk at same time. Digital displays will also inform you when your water tank is in need of topping up, when it's time to clean or clean out the grounds bin and when other maintenance tasks are due.
The majority of modern espresso and coffee makers use the same brewing process that involves pouring hot filtered water over ground or pre-ground beans. Some are designed to stop the brewing process automatically at the correct time, so that you can have a fresh cup of coffee each morning. Some models let you choose the brewing intensity you prefer and some have adjustable temperature settings to ensure the best flavor.
The top tier of espresso and coffee machines is the super-automatic one that is designed to do everything for you. They usually have a built-in grinder, so they can grind and brew your coffee using fresh beans. They'll usually also include an additional steam wand that can be used for making cappuccinos and lattes. Coffeee may also have a menu that allows you to choose from a range of drinks such as hot chocolate.
If you have an area that is small, opt for a small model that doesn't take up much counter space. If you have multiple members of your household with their own preferences for coffee look into a multi-cup machine that can accommodate different sizes of cups. If you are a coffee or Espresso 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 every time.
When looking to purchase a new coffee and espresso machine, a long-lasting warranty and responsive service are essential aspects to consider. Warranty terms vary between one and three years dependent on the brand.
Easy of Use
If you're looking to make an espresso-like drink at home, you'll need more than a simple drip filter coffee maker. Espresso is made when water pressured to high is pushed at a high speed through finely ground beans. The result is a short "shot" of caffeine, with a rich layer of crema on the top. In this manner, the majority of espresso machines that combine coffee and espresso use a portafilter basket and steaming arm, whereas others use pre-packaged pods, filters, or allow you to measure and grind beans manually.
The type of machine you select will be based on how accessible and spacious you'd like it to be. A manual machine gives you the most control, however, it will require lots of work: You'll have to grind the beans, hand-tamp the coffee and pull your shots. Semiautomatic machines take out a few steps, like grinding and tapping. However they will require more effort than automated machines. Fully automatic espresso makers can make a full pot of drip coffee or an entire espresso cup with just the press of a button.
Take into consideration whether you are brewing for a single person or a group of people. Certain models, such as the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, can brew up to three cups of coffee or espresso at the same time. This can be a convenient method of keeping up with your coffee-drinking needs in the morning but it might not be the best option when you're serving an audience.
A coffee and espresso maker with dual boilers lets you to simultaneously brew and steam milk, which means you don't have to wait for one function to cool before the other one starts. This feature is especially beneficial when you are planning to make cappuccinos and lattes.
A coffee and espresso maker that has a removable water reservoir is less likely to accumulate mineral deposits than one that doesn't. You'll have to wash your reservoir regularly but it will also save you time because you won't have to drain and replace the entire pot of water. Another factor that contributes to mineral build-up is the hardness of your water: Harder water produces more dissolved minerals, which makes your machine need descaling more frequently. Soft or filtered water is easier to use and reduces 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 performs at its best and lasts as long as possible. No matter if you use a drip coffee maker or an espresso machine, regular cleaning of the carafe as well as other removable parts is an essential element of the maintenance process. Using vinegar or a specialized descaling solution at least once a month is a must to maintain your appliance and some models feature light-up sensors that notify you when it's time to clean.
While vinegar is fine for countertops and sinks but the acidity could damage the rubber seals and components of your espresso and coffee maker, thereby limiting the life of the machine. Numerous brands, including Lavazza and Smeg, also suggest that you don't use vinegar to clean your coffee maker since it could invalidate the warranty.
To clean your espresso maker or coffee maker, first take the portafilter and basket from the group. Remove any dirt from the portafilter or basket using a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Both of them should be thoroughly cleaned with hot water, then dried with a clean cloth. Next, sanitize your brew group. Put a cleaning tablet in the blind filter. Run backflush. You can also manually flush your machine by placing a tablet of cleaning solution in the portafilter and turning on the brewing software, then pausing for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until you see a steady flow of water--this signifies that the machine has been properly descaled.
As the water flows through the espresso machine, it has to soak through the mesh that makes up the brew group. The mesh may become filled with coffee residue if it's dirty. This could negatively affect the extraction. To ensure that the mesh is always in good shape Calatrello recommends removing it every month, cleaning it with a brush and the overnight soak in hot water with the aid of a cleansing tablet that dissolves in it.
If you have an entirely automated espresso and coffee machine You can clean it by disassembling the reservoir for water and filling it up with clean water adding cleaning tablets, and running a backflush program. It is also recommended to clean the inside of the pot as well as the water reservoir to get rid of any residue and staining. You'll need to rinse and dry the carafe as well as the reservoir of water prior to put the appliance back together.
Ease of Maintenance
If you're looking to brew up a quick cup of espresso or coffee on the go, opt for an automatic model that doesn't require any action from you. They typically use a basket that contains ground coffee beans and water that has been heated to the right temperature before being released into the grounds and brewed as a single shot.
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. These machines are easy to operate and easy to clean. The results are similar to drip coffee maker.
To maintain your machine be sure to clean the used grounds from the portafilter following every use, and then clean the grouphead and portafilter. Additionally, you'll have to backflush your machine regularly. This is done by locking the portafilter in the grouphead and running the brew cycle for a several times until the water is clear. This is something that coffeehouses complete at the end of each day but that home users can easily perform every few days or alternatively, every week using detergent to give it a deeper clean.
You'll also need to clean your steam wand, milk reservoir and other parts of the machine regularly. We suggest cleaning them once a week. It's as easy as cleaning all the parts of your machine with a vinegar-soapy water mixture (check the manual before starting because some manufacturers don't recommend vinegar). Also, you should change your filter frequently since hard water tends to accumulate more mineral residue than soft or filtering. This can cause the coffee maker and espresso maker to clog, have an altered taste or not run at all. To avoid this happening, you should purchase an espresso maker and coffee maker with a water hardness tester.