Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker
A coffee and espresso machine is a must in any kitchen, whether you prefer a full-sized pot or espresso. We offer a range of styles and features available at Target to suit your needs.
High pressure forces water into the ground beans within seconds. The grounds are then tamped in order to compact them evenly and then interlock.
Features
When you are looking to purchase an espresso maker or coffee machine, there are a variety of things to take into account. The most important are the characteristics that determine its purpose and its suitability for your needs. Look for features that are easy to use, improve your brew's quality and allow you to personalize your beverage.
Espresso and coffee makers can be simple, like the classic Bialetti Moka Express non-electric coffee brewer that makes use of the use of a pot to heat the water that slowly drips over the ground beans. Certain models come with more advanced features, for instance, a double boiler that allows you to make espresso as well as frothed or steaming milk at the simultaneously. Digital displays will also inform you when your water tank is in need of topping up and when the time is right to empty or clean out the grounds bin and when other maintenance tasks are due.
The majority of modern espresso makers and coffee makers utilize the same method of brewing that involves pouring hot water over ground or pre-ground beans. Many are designed to stop the brewing process automatically at the appropriate time so that you can take a fresh cup of coffee every morning. Some models also allow you to choose the strength you prefer, and some have adjustable temperature settings to ensure the best flavor.
The top tier of coffee and espresso machines is the super-automatic, which is designed to handle everything for you. These machines are usually equipped with a built-in grinder so that they can grind and brew coffee from fresh beans. They'll usually include a separate steam wand to make cappuccinos and lattes. They may also have a menu which allows you to choose from a range of drinks such as hot chocolate.
If you have small kitchen space, go for a compact model that doesn't occupy much counter space. Consider a multi-cup coffee maker that can accommodate various sizes of cups if there are many people in your home with different preferences for coffee. If you are an espresso or coffee lover, then look for models that allow you to alter the intensity of your brew and the ratio of water to coffee so that you can make the perfect cup every time.
When looking to purchase an espresso and coffee machine, a long-lasting warranty and prompt service are essential aspects to consider. Warranty terms vary from one to three year depending on the manufacturer.
Ease of Use
You require more than a basic drip-filter maker to make a cafe type beverage at home. Espresso is made when water under high pressure is pushed at a high speed through finely ground beans. The result is a brief "shot" of caffeine with a thick layer of crema on top. The majority of combination espresso and coffee machines make use of a portafilter steaming arm, and basket to accomplish this, whereas others rely on pre-packaged coffee pods or filters or allow you to grind and measure 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 available. Manual machines provide the most control but require a lot of effort: you'll have to grind the coffee beans, then hand-tamp it, and then pull your shots. Semiautomatic models take one or two steps out of the process, such as grinding and tamping, but they require more effort than an automated machine. Fully automatic coffee and espresso makers make a whole pot of drips or an entire cup of espresso with the press of a button.
It is also important to think about whether you're brewing for one or more people. Some models, such as the Nespresso Vertuo Plus can brew three cups of espresso or coffee at a time. This is a great option for those who prefer making their own coffee in the morning, but it might not be ideal if are making for a large group.
A coffee and espresso maker that has a dual boiler allows you to simultaneously steam and brew milk, meaning you don't need to wait for one feature to cool before the other starts. This feature is particularly useful when you're planning to make cappuccinos or lattes.
A coffee and espresso maker with a removable water reservoir is less likely to build up mineral deposits than one that doesn't. You'll still need to wash the reservoir on a regular basis but you'll save some time by not needing to pour out and replace a whole pot of water. Another reason that can contribute to mineral build-up is the hardness of your water: The harder water will produce more dissolved minerals and makes your machine require descaling more often. Soft or filtered water is easier on your machine and can reduce the frequency of descaling.
Cleaning is easy
A coffee or espresso maker is a major purchase for a lot of homeowners, and requires regular maintenance to keep its performance and longevity at its peak. Whether you use drip coffee maker or an espresso machine, regular cleaning of the carafe and other removable parts is an essential part of the upkeep process. Utilizing Coffeee or a specially-formulated descaling solution at least once a month is a must to maintain your machine, and some models may feature light-up sensors that notify you when it's time to clean.
While vinegar is ideal for counters and sinks, its acidity can harm rubber seals as well as other components in your espresso and coffee maker which can reduce the life of your machine. Many brands, like Lavazza and Smeg recommend that you do not use vinegar to clean your coffee maker as it could void the warranty.
To clean your espresso maker or coffee maker, you must remove the portafilter from the group. With a nylon brush or scrubby pad, clean any grounds from the portafilter as well as the basket. 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 inside the portafilter, activating the brewing program after which you will have to stop for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until you can see a steady flow of water--this means that the machine is properly descaled.
When water flows through the espresso machine, it is required to soak through the mesh that makes up the brew group. This mesh can become clogged with old coffee residue when it gets dirty. This could negatively affect the extraction. To ensure that the mesh is always in good condition, Calatrello recommends unscrewing it once every month cleaning it with a brush, and soak it overnight in hot water with a cleaning tablet dissolved in it.
If you own a fully-automatic espresso and coffee maker, you can clean your machine by removing the water reservoir and refilling it with fresh water, putting in a cleaning tablet and running a backflush program. You should also clean the inside of the water reservoir as well as the pot to get rid of any stains and residue. Before reassembling the appliance, you'll have to clean and dry the carafe as as the water reservoir.
Easy Maintenance
If you're looking to brew a quick espresso or coffee at the go, select an automatic model. It doesn't require any effort from you. These models typically have baskets that contain ground coffee beans and water that's warmed to the ideal temperature and is then released into the ground and it is brewed in a single shot.
These machines are ideal for those who enjoy the process of making coffee, but don't want long learning the skills and techniques required to make the best tasting drinks. They are easy to clean and operate, and the results are like those produced by a traditional drip coffee maker.
To maintain your machine, make sure to remove the used grounds from the portafilter following each use and clean the portafilter and grouphead. Additionally, you'll need to backflush your machine on a regular basis--this is done by locking the portafilter in the grouphead and running the brew cycle a few times until the water runs clear. Coffeehouses perform this task at the end each day, but homeowners can do it every few days or once per week, with detergent, to give the machine a deeper clean.
You'll also need to clean your steam wand, milk reservoir and other components of the machine on a regular basis. We suggest cleaning them once every week. You can do this by cleaning all the parts of your machine using a vinegar-soapy water mixture (check the instructions before starting since some manufacturers do not recommend vinegar). Lastly, you should change your filter regularly--hard water tends to accumulate mineral residue faster than soft or filter water. This could cause your espresso and coffee maker not to run or have a different taste. Buy a coffee and espresso maker that comes with a water hardness tester to avoid this.