How to Choose the Best Espresso Machines For Home
The most efficient espresso machines at home will make a consistently good cup of coffee. This requires a precise ratio of tightly packed, finely ground coffee to water under high pressure. espresso and filter coffee machine requires an efficient wand of steam that can texturize the milk without creating large bubbles.
Some models come with a built-in grinder, while others require one that you supply. Our top picks feature PID controllers that can be adjusted to ensure the stability of water temperatures, a shot timer to ensure proper extraction, and a dual boiler that lets you take a shot and steam milk at the same time.
Buying a Machine
A good espresso machine is a good purchase for those who drink coffee at home, or who want to serve lattes and cappuccino to customers in the cafe, restaurant or wine bar salon. It is important to determine the amount of control you'd like over your espresso when you decide what kind of machine you want to buy. A manual machine is the best option for those who are just getting started. These machines use a lever to create pressure during extraction. They typically come with a steam wand, which is great to make milk drinks. These machines are hard to operate and require lots of effort.
A semi-automatic machine is an excellent option if you're looking to elevate your coffee knowledge to the top of the line. These machines are more hands-off yet still create an espresso cup that is consistent and tastes great. Semi-automatic machines also have an integrated grinder which saves the user money by not having to purchase and maintain a separate grinder.
Espresso machines that are professional grade or prosumer offer a higher level of quality than the consumer models however they can be complicated to use and require more frequent maintenance. These machines can be costly and you must consider your needs as well as how much time and effort you're willing to put into maintenance and upkeep.
Some of these models may include a dual boiler, which can allow you to make both milk and espresso simultaneously. However, Giorgio warns that these systems aren't always more efficient than those that have a single heating system, because there's some time between the time that espresso is made and when the milk is frothed.
It's crucial to consider your needs when buying an equipment. Think about a capsule or a fully automated machine if you're looking to eliminate human errors. These machines can help you save time and maintain the consistency of your taste by removing the need grind beans, extract coffee and steam milk.
Getting Started
A home espresso machine can dramatically improve the taste of your morning cup of coffee, but it's important to keep in mind that making a good cup of espresso requires a substantial commitment of time and skills. You'll want a machine that is easy to use for novices, and will encourage you to continue learning.
Certain of our choices like the Rancilio Silvia offer a variety of after-market customizations to make your espresso maker truly personal. Similarly, other espresso makers let you replace the handle with a new material to give you a better grip and appearance like wood or one made of recycled skateboards (you'll need to wait until the pre-order is ready).
If you're not ready commit to a full-fledged commercial espresso machine, there are many basic models that can make amazing drinks. A lot of these machines are built on the same principles utilized by professional machines but reduced for home use. The Breville Barista Pro X for example, has an adjustable PID control on the front that allows you to set water temperature to a specific level and a shot-timer that monitors the progress of your brewing and a powerful wand capable of texturing milk and a gauge that tells that you've reached the optimal brew pressur (between 8 and 10)
If you're looking to improve their barista skills the next level There are options available with dual boilers that allow you to brew espresso and steam milk at the same time. That's a feature that helps ensure consistency of results as the two functions have to be heated to the same temperature. It also allows you to test different extraction ratios to suit a range of drinks.
If you decide to invest in an espresso maker that has this feature, we recommend buying a few additional components such as a Group Head Cleaning Brush to scrub inside the port for brewing and a Descaling Kit as well as an Espresso Machine Cleaner. These can be used in lieu of water to get rid of old coffee residue that could affect the flavor of your coffee. These tools will help you maintain your espresso maker properly and ensure that it is always ready to make great drinks for you and your guests.
Making Great Drinks
Making espresso and coffee drinks can be a challenging process. From weighing out the grounds to tamping them precisely the entire process requires precision. The top espresso machines come with many features that make making coffee as easy and reliable as is possible. This can include a quick warming time, automated coffee brewing, and steam wands that are simple to control for texturing the milk.
Breville Bambino Plus is our top pick for beginners. This super-automatic machine is easy to use and comes with five presets for espresso, cappuccino or macchiato latte. The machine is also simple to clean and has a built-in milk frother that can create foamy, rich lattes and cappuccinos.
Our testers were pleased with the quality of the beverages produced by this machine. However it's important to note that if you're committed to the quality of your coffee, it may be beneficial to invest in an espresso maker that comes with a built in grinder and more options for customization. The Rancilio Silvia, for example is more expensive than the Bambino Plus but offers much more in the way of control over all aspects of making your coffee. It also comes with dual boilers that allow you to pull an espresso shot and steam milk simultaneously to assist you in getting your drink to the right temperature.
If you're willing to pay some more, you can opt for a professional-grade espresso maker like the Lelit MaraX. It was voted the most efficient in our Best Prosumer espresso maker category. It is a smaller version of commercial espresso makers (think Vitamix blenders). This machine is worth the money if you're an absolute coffee nut. Both Morocco and Sheese point out that espresso machines are only as good as the coffee grinder it's connected to and there are several grinders in this price range that are excellent for espresso (Morocco prefers the Fellow Opus). No matter what espresso machine you pick, we recommend pairing it with a good burr grinder.
Maintenance
It's only fair to do your best to keep up with the espresso machine once you've spent a lot of time and effort to get it to produce amazing drinks and shots. This means that you need to incorporate daily cleaning and maintenance into your routine. This is important because even the best machines can experience obstructions that are not visible within the internal mechanisms. These blockages will obstruct the movement of steam and water. This can result in a lower pressure or lack of function.
It's enough to take just a few minutes every day and a little extra time every month to do a thorough clean. This will prevent the accumulation of coffee residues, oils, and scale, which can ruin the flavor of your coffee, and cause damage to your expensive equipment. Cleaning your espresso machine is not a difficult task.
For most models the brew group can be easily accessible to clean. This includes the dispersion screen, three-way solenoid, and a rubber gasket. It's recommended to clean the portafilter and basket after each use, as they could be a source of rancid oils that alter the taste of your drinks.
You'll need a portafilter, a Coffetool or the smallest size of brush and an espresso machine cleaner before you begin. Before you scrub the portafilter, soak it in a solution made of hot water, vinegar, and detergent. It is important to remove the brass dispersion plates as well as the stubby screws that are on the group head. This will allow you to backflush the head of the group. Urnex Cafiza is used to flush the system. This will not only take out some calcification, but it'll aid in removing any coffee oils that might hinder the three-way valve and hindering water from flowing properly through the system.
Make sure you follow the guidelines of the manufacturer for cleaning products since some may cause damage or mineral deposits on your equipment. And always make sure that you're using clean, purified water to limit the amount of calcium and other mineral deposits that build up in your boiler tank.