Espresso Coffee Machines

If espresso coffee machines are your preferred machines, the next step is to choose the type of espresso maker.

Do you want a machine which is manual or automatic?

Could a super-automatic with all the whistles  and bells be on your short list?

Are you looking for a machine which uses steam or pump method of extraction? Read on...

Let’s start up in looking for the things which you should consider to buy espresso coffee machines:

1. What are all kinds of drinks you'll be preparing…?

For instance, you should opt for a machine that includes a froth attachment if you will be making a lot of cappuccinos.

2. Who will be handling the machine…?

You may be considering whether the person has a preferred time and/or patience to learn how to handle the machine. If there is no one, then a simpler machine would be more preferable than a complicated one.

You should opt for a manual machine if you are an espresso enthusiast; consider whether the ritual of coffee making is important to you.

3. User control…

It is very important considering the situation especially when the user is very fussy about their coffee. You will also be with espresso machines which would allow you to fine-tune the amount of coffee, water, temperature, and fineness of grounds.

4. Surroundings or the place where the machine is needed...

A super-automatic machine might be required in an large office or club which does all the pre-grinding, pre-brewing, cup-warming and which also has a water reservoir for 20 cups. You would not need this if you’re buying it for a small office or home.

5. Maintenance…

To minimize the calcification of the machine, you would require some degree of maintenance in most of the machines. Moreover, a clean machine results in better tasting coffee. You should always prefer machines with self-cleaning features if you don't have time for regular cleaning, or you are in an office where it will be forgotten.

One of the most important things which are now been discussed: about the extraction method - the one thing you should know before purchasing an espresso machine:

1. Extraction Method:

It should be remembered that the crema is the hallmark of a successful extraction, while considering the extraction method.

Nowadays espresso machines available in the market employ one of two methods of extraction - pump or steam:

1a) Steam Machines
– it produces steam by heating the water until it comes to the boil. This is needed in order to reach the high pressure required to force the steam through the coffee grounds.

Advantages:
- these machines are cheaper than that of pump variety. Another feature is that the boiling water means that the resulting liquid is hotter than that produced while using the pump method. This is OK, as the liquid is not so hot that the coffee tastes burnt.

Disadvantages:
- producing quality crema lacks in a steam espresso machine. These machines cannot be opened safely for refill while using because of the boiling water.

1b) Pump Machines
– it works by using an internal pump by forcing water at high pressure through the grounds. Without boiling the beans are extracted by heating the water to the correct temperature.

Advantages:
- they produce high quality of crema than that of steam method because pump espresso machines extract the beans at a higher pressure and it also produces in general, a nicer tasting cup.

Disadvantages:
- they are costlier than that of steam machines.

Different types of espresso coffee machines which are currently available:

These machines are small in size, cheaper and come with a milk frother for making cappuccino. Since the water temperature is too hot and the extraction pressure is too low, that’s why the espresso is not considered a true espresso. Nevertheless, an enjoyable cup can be made, especially when it is prepared with flavored beans, or with milk.

An old style espresso machine which requires the user to apply a reasonable amount of force to manually depress a lever in order to force water through the grounds is known as a manual pump method of extraction.

These automate the pump extraction process with the help of an electric pump extraction machine. The rest of the process is done manually which includes adding the pre-ground beans, adding the water, stopping and starting the pump (at the push of a button) and cleaning the portafilter.

These automate the pump extraction process with the help of an electric pump extraction machine. Unlike the semi-automatic machine, the user does not control when the extraction stops – this is done automatically (can be pre-set by the user). The rest of the process is done manually which includes adding the pre-ground beans, adding the water, and cleaning the portafilter.

5. Super Automatic Espresso Coffee Machines:

These automate the entire coffee making process with the help of an electric pump extraction machine which includes grinding the beans, tamping the filter and brewing the espresso to emptying the used grounds into the waste unit.

These nifty machines allow you to make a regular coffee and espresso coffee as your mood dictates. A good machine has separate controls and water tanks for every function, enabling you to prepare an espresso and drip coffee simultaneously, or separately as you need. Most of these machines come with timer and pause function.

For CoffeeSnoop.com tips for a great espresso coffee brewing with dark reddish-brown crema click here!

How to use gourmet coffee beans in coffee recipes

Espresso machines can be bought at several of the online merchant sites in the World Wide Web. These include the more famous ones, like Amazon.com and eBay.

We carefully choose our merchants and make sure that they have a secure server ordering system. Never give your credit card information to a site that does not use a secure ordering system.

At Amazon.com you will find coffee filters, accessories and parts for your coffee machine as well as illy's, Senseo, Tassimo and other gourmet coffee brands -- illy's, Senseo, Tassimo and other gourmet coffee brands (Hyperlink - Click here to go to Amazon.com) with the littlest details to make your coffee or chocolate powder experience a special one.

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