The Complete Guide to Espresso Machines
Most of us already struggled with the decision-making process of choosing an espresso machine. Because let’s be honest, instead of always running to your favorite local cafe for a perfect glass of espresso, it would be much easier to make your favorite for yourself at home.
If you’re shivering at the thought of becoming a kitchen barista, don’t worry! The selection of espresso machines for home use is very wide, ranging from very simple to those used by professionals. But before you spend thousands on an excellent espresso machine, think about your options and needs.
Also, if you are very shocked by the prices of better quality espresso machines, also keep in mind that if you buy your own machine, you will save quite a bit on a daily basis by avoiding the expensive experience that cafes offer today.
You should know that there are many different types of espresso machines. Each type may have a different price and different capabilities. While even the most up-to-date machine is very good, it may not meet your expectations. Instead of buying a random espresso machine, simply because this is considered the best, buy one that you can (and will) use regularly.
These are the different espresso machines:
The principle of operation of filter coffee makers is very simple, as the machine drips hot water onto the coffee placed in the filter so that the hot water flowing through it dissolves the aromas of the crazy coffee, and the finished juice flows into a small container. Due to the brewing method, the coffee made by filter coffee makers has a relatively weak taste and a lower caffeine content.
More modern filter coffee makers typically have a heat storage jug, so the finished coffee stays warm and tasty for a longer period of time. Many filter coffee machines have their own heating tray, which of course consumes extra energy. Although filter coffee machines have simple structures and the same principle of operation, in recent years some manufacturers have sought to modernize them. Thanks to this, we can now buy filter coffee machines with a timer and in different designs.
Automatic coffee machines
Automatic coffee machines allow very convenient coffee brewing, but are primarily an ideal choice for higher volume use; they do great service in offices, community halls, and even families where multiple coffee lovers live together.
The automatic coffee machines have a built-in coffee grinder, so all you have to do is fill the containers with coffee beans, water, and milk, and the machine grinds coffee, froths the milk, heats the water, and dispenses the coffee at the touch of a button. These machines are therefore very simple and comfortable to use but can be an “oversized” solution for individual use. Fortunately, smaller machines with smaller dimensions have appeared today, but they still represent a higher price range than the simplest filter coffee makers. We can decide for ourselves how much the experience of coffee is worth, how important the quality of the brew is to us and whether we are happy to pay a one-time higher price for the possibility of making several types of coffee.
If you want to save money, you can also choose automatic coffee machines with ground coffee. They do not have a built-in coffee grinder, so the price of the appliances may be lower. It should be borne in mind, however, that automatic coffee makers are able to produce the best quality coffees precisely thanks to fresh ground. This advantage is lost if we use store-bought crazy coffee, which already loses some of its aromas in the packaging.
Espresso coffee machines
The success of espresso machines was based on high-pressure coffee; these devices typically press water below the boiling point through the ground coffee at a pressure of 10-14 bar. Due to the production method, the espresso coffee is thick, creamy, and frothy.
Modern espresso machines are also available for household purposes, making them an ideal choice for even a single person. You should choose a device that has a separate steam tap and is also suitable for making cappuccino. If you like to drink milky coffee drinks, it is worth buying a device with its own milk container. For more serious coffee makers, you can also change the pressure level, so you can easily choose the flavor intensity of the brewed coffee.
Capsule coffee makers
At the end of the line, we left the most divisive coffee makers, the capsule machines. For many, these devices represent quality coffee, while others are averse to it.
Capsule coffee makers are very easy to handle, in fact, it couldn’t be simpler; all you have to do is fill the water tank, insert the capsule, and press the button. When using capsule coffee makers, there is no need to store opened packages, we do not have to worry about the product going through a gradual deterioration in quality. The coffee is housed in tiny pads or aluminum tubes that have the perfect aroma-blocking ability.
Although these appliances are more expensive than filter coffee machines, they are cheaper than automatic coffee machines. If you want to make a cost calculation, it is worth considering the price of the capsules instead of the cost of the device. It is undeniable that the cost of coffee made in this way is significantly higher than the price of juices made from beans or crazy coffee, but we should also know that in the capsules we find the best quality coffees that are able to retain the true aroma of freshly roasted coffee.
Conclusion
Choosing the type of coffee maker is important, but we can only enjoy the most delicious aromas if our appliances are properly maintained. It is true for all types that sometimes it needs to be descaled or thoroughly cleaned of various deposits and contaminants. Thanks to the regular descaling, we can protect the internal parts, so the device can serve us for many years. Only properly maintained clean appliances can provide a perfect taste experience.
After purchase, it is advisable to perform a clean boiling of water when removing the dirt from the appliance during production and storage. While manufacturing processes follow strict rules, a wash-through “brew” can’t hurt. When buying, you should also find out about the cleaning tablets and other devices made by the manufacturer. These make it much easier to clean coffee machines.