If you are about to select your first or a new espresso machine, use this guide to help you make an intelligent decision before you make a purchase.
They used to be found only on commercial coffee shops but nowadays, espresso machines are becoming a favorite equipment for home use. Espresso coffee machine sales represent a small 4% of all coffee makers sold each year, but that number should be on the rise, now that Starbucks has been shutting down a remarkable number of its local shops. Espresso coffee is one of the the top favorites of coffee drinkers. Its rich, potent and robust flavor, plus the shorter time it takes to brew has appealed to many.
Which Espresso Machine Should I Buy?
It can be a bit mind blowing trying to decide which model to buy. Whatever type you choose, see to it that it is solidly built to handle the pressure of built up heat and steam needed to concoct espressos and cappuccinos each day. A sturdy model for home use will run you about $200 for good base model. If you are interested in high end, the best and trusted models come up to about a thousand dollars or even higher.
4 Types of Espresso Machines
There are 4 types of espresso machines: manual, semi-automatic, automatic and fully automatic. All four types deliver fantastic coffee, but as you graduate from manual to fully automatic the amount of work you need to do decreases. That's usually the norm on anything - when the amount of work involved decreases, the cost goes up. Some of the high-end automatic machines grind, measure, tamp, brew, serve and clean up with a single touch. They are perfectly suited for home and office use.
The Importance of Steam
Steam is a key feature for espresso coffee preparation. It is responsible for the required pressure to force water through the espresso granules. Steam is one of the considerations when looking for espresso machines. Lower end models can be a risky investment since durability and steam efficiency can be uncertain. Smaller models also speak of a lack of sufficient space that is essential to steam pressure build-up. The steaming process for milk can also turn to a big issue with these espresso machines. Some low-end models do not include a milk steaming feature. If they do then the pressure may be lacking on power that even making one good cappuccino is a labor-intensive production. On these basic models temperature and pressure cannot be controlled and steam build up might be a problem.
The boiler of the espresso machine heats up the water until it produces steam, and the pressure builds up until it is strong enough to drive the hot water through the coffee grounds. In pump-type espresso units, an electrically driven pump pushes hot water into a chamber where it blends with coffee.
Manual pump espresso machines are also available and cost a lot less. These pumps require lots of experimentation to master the steam building process. You need to put in the right amount of water and the best brewing time.
Fully Automated Espresso Machines
Sales are increasing year on year as automatic espresso machines are becoming more popular. Even with their increasing popularity, some feel that an automatic model takes out that special human touch from making their espresso. But then the automatic espresso machines ensure more consistent coffee.
Automatic espresso machines also produce lesser waste. They also eliminate the need for training, which means lesser costs for coffee shop owners. These machines make perfect espresso coffee, cappuccinos and lattes with a single push on a button and the settings can be programmed with adjustable controls and digital display screens. A lot of these automatic types also come with a hot water option that's quite handy for making hot tea and chocolate drinks. Automatic machines will also cut the time between cups which, in a business, helps promote productivity resulting to more profit.
A super automatic espresso machine will do everything, and with pizazz. A single press on a button starts off with grinding the coffee beans, thrusting the grounds down, brewing the right amount, steaming and frothing the milk, and finally disposing of sediments into a holding receptacle.
Espresso Machine Costs
Espresso machine prices usually double every 10 years, so if you can afford one now, go ahead and make a good investment. I would recommend looking for a manufacturer that supports its products with a solid warranty. Prices range from a small $30 for personal manual models to a whopping $6000 for commercial grade fully-automatic equipment. Reliability and long life usually come at a price, so if you're intending to get a home espresso machine that can serve you through the years, be prepared to pay a hefty cost for one. On the other hand, if you are purchasing one for your office or your coffee bar, go for heavy performing commercial models that come with full barista training and support services with the package. One good feature about these traditional models is that there are no major movable components which means there's lesser chance of things going wrong.
Hopefully, this article has brought you helpful insights into the espresso coffee machine.
About this Author
Jana worked in the corporate IT industry for several years and is currently applying her invaluable experience as she works from her homefront. She loves the challenge of internet marketing and is having great fun exploring a wide variety of interests in that arena. Check out her interesting niche site at: Espresso Machine Scout [http://espressomachinescout.com/].
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