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 wide range of designs and features at Target to suit your needs.
High pressure forces water into ground beans in a matter of seconds. The grounds are then tamped in order to compact them evenly and interlock.
Features
There are many factors to consider when buying the espresso maker or coffee maker. The features are what determine the machine's performance and suitability to your needs. Consider features that offer convenience, improve the quality of your brew and allow you to customize your drink.
Espresso and coffee makers can be quite simple, like the traditional Bialetti Moka Express non-electric coffee brewer that uses an oven to heat water that slowly drips over the ground beans. Some models offer more sophisticated options, such as a dual boiler that allows you to make espresso as well as steamed or frothed milk simultaneously. Digital displays can also notify you when your water tank needs to be topped up, when the time is right to remove or descale the grounds bin, and when other maintenance tasks are due.
The majority of modern espresso and coffee makers use a similar brewing process that involves pouring hot water over pre-ground or ground beans that sit in filters. Some are designed to stop brewing automatically at the right time to allow you to take a fresh cup of coffee every morning. Certain models let you choose the strength you prefer to brew and some models have adjustable temperature settings for optimal flavor.
The top model of espresso and coffee machines is the superautomatic, that is specifically designed to allow you to do everything. They usually have an integrated grinder, which means they can grind and brew your coffee using fresh beans. They'll usually also have a separate steam wand to make cappuccinos and lattes. They might also have a menu which lets you select from a selection of drinks, including hot chocolate.
If you have a small kitchen, opt for a small model that doesn't take up a lot of counter space. If you have several members of your household who each have different preferences in their coffee, consider getting a multi-cup device that can accommodate different sizes of cups. If you're an espresso connoisseur, look for models that let you adjust the strength of the brew and water-to-coffee ratio, so you can get the perfect cup every time.
When shopping for an espresso and coffee machine, a long-lasting warranty and responsive service are important factors to take into consideration. Depending on the manufacturer the warranty can range from one to three years.
User-Friendliness
If you're looking to create a coffeehouse-like beverage at home, you need more than a simple drip filter coffee maker. To brew espresso, high-pressured water is pushed through finely ground coffee beans at high speed. The result is a quick "shot" of caffeine, with a thick layer crema on the top. Most combination coffee and espresso machines use a portafilter, steaming arm, and basket for this process, while others rely on pre-packaged coffee pods or filters, or permit the user to grind and measure beans by hand.
The kind of machine you choose depends on how hands-on you'd like to be and how much space you have. Manual machines give you the most control however, it will require a lot of work: You'll need to grind the beans, then hand-tamp the coffee, and then pull your shots. Semiautomatic models take an extra step or two of the process, such as grinding and tamping, however they require more effort than an automated machine. Fully automated espresso makers and coffee makers can prepare a complete pot of drip coffee or even an entire espresso cup with the push of a single button.
Think about whether you are making coffee for a single person or an entire group of people. Certain models, like the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, can make up to three cups of espresso or coffee at the same time. This is a good option for those who prefer to make their own coffee in the morning, but may not be ideal if are serving a large group.
Dual boilers let you make coffee and steam milk at the same time to ensure that you don't have to wait until one process cools down before starting the other. This feature is especially useful for those who plan to make lattes or cappuccinos.
It is less likely that a espresso machine that has removable reservoirs will accumulate mineral deposits. It's still necessary to clean the reservoir regularly but you'll save some time by not needing to pour out and replace a whole pot of water. Another factor that can contribute to mineral build-up is the hardness of the water you drink: A water that is harder to soften produces more dissolved minerals, which makes your machine require descaling more often. Soft or filtered water is more gentle to work with and can reduce the frequency of descaling.
Cleaning is easy
For many homeowners the coffee or espresso machine is a large investment. It requires regular maintenance to ensure it operates at its peak and lasts for as long as it is. If you have drip coffee makers or an espresso machine, the proper cleaning of the carafe as well as other parts that are removable is a critical aspect of maintaining the machine. Use vinegar or a descaling solution at least once every week to keep the appliance. Some models come with sensors that flash when it's time to clean.
While vinegar is fine for sinks and countertops, the acidity can damage the rubber seals and components of your espresso and coffee maker, potentially limiting its life. Many brands, including Lavazza and Smeg--recommend that you don't use vinegar to clean your machine as it could invalidate the warranty.
To clean your espresso machine or coffee maker, first you must remove the portafilter and the basket from the group. Dislodge any ground from the portafilter or basket using a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Both should be thoroughly cleaned with hot water, then dried with a clean cloth. Next, sanitize the brew group by inserting a clean tablet into the blind filter and running a backflush program. You can also manually backflush the machine by putting the cleaning tablet into the portafilter, then turning on the brewing process and then pause it for 10 seconds. Repeat this procedure until the water flow is constant. This indicates that your machine has been descaled.
When water flows through the espresso machine, it has to go through the brew group mesh. This mesh can become blocked by coffee residue when it gets dirty. This can adversely affect the extraction. To ensure that the mesh is in good shape Calatrello recommends removing it every month cleaning it with a brush, and soak it overnight in hot water with an anti-bacterial tablet that is dissolved in it.
If you own an automatic espresso and coffee machine, you can clean it by disassembling the reservoir of water and filling it with water that is fresh, adding cleaning tablets and running a backflush process. You should also wipe down the inside of the water reservoir as well as the pot to remove any stains or residue. It is essential to wash and dry both the carafe and the water reservoir prior to rebuild the appliance.
Coffeee
If you want to brew an espresso quickly or coffee on the go, choose an automatic model. It doesn't require any action from you. These models use the basket with ground coffee beans, heated water to the correct temperature, then released into the coffee grounds.
These machines are ideal for those who love the process of making coffee, but don't want hours learning the techniques and skills needed to create the best tasting drinks. These machines are easy to use and easy to clean. The results are similar to a drip coffee maker.
To maintain your machine be sure to clean the used grounds from the portafilter after each use, and clean the portafilter and grouphead. You'll also need to flush your machine on a regular basis. This is done by locking the filter into the grouphead, and running the brew cycles a few more times until the water runs clean. Coffeehouses will do this at the end of each day, but homeowners can do it every few days, or once a week, with detergent for a deeper cleaning.
Additionally, you'll need clean the steam wand and the milk reservoir regularly--we recommend this every month. It's as easy as wiping down all parts of your machine with the vinegar-soapy solution (check the manual before you start as some manufacturers don't recommend vinegar). It is also recommended to change your filter often since hard water tends to create more mineral residue than soft or filtering. This can cause the coffee maker and espresso maker to become clogged, have an altered taste or not function at all. To avoid this happening, buy an espresso and coffee maker with the test of water hardness.