Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker
Whether you like a full pot of drip coffee or espresso, a coffee maker or espresso maker is a must for your kitchen. We have a wide range of styles and features at Target to meet your needs.
Espresso machines high pressure, water is forced through ground beans in just a few seconds. The grounds are then tamped in order to make them compact and interlock.
Features
There are a number of things to take into consideration when purchasing the espresso maker or coffee maker. The features determine the machine's functionality and suitability to your needs. Find features that provide convenience, enhance the quality of your drink and allow you to customize your beverage.
Espresso makers and coffee makers aren't difficult to make. For instance, the traditional Bialetti Moka Express is a non-electric brewer that uses a pot to slowly drip water over ground beans. Some models offer more sophisticated options, such as a dual boiler that allows you to make espresso and steam or frothed milk at the same time. Digital displays can also notify you when your water tank needs to be topped up and when it's time to remove or clean the grounds bin, and when other maintenance tasks are due.
The majority of modern espresso makers and coffee makers utilize a similar brewing method that involves pouring hot water over ground or pre-ground beans. Many are designed to stop brewing at the correct time to allow you to have a fresh cup of coffee every morning. Some models let you choose the brewing intensity you prefer, and others have adjustable temperatures to give you the best flavor.
The top tier of espresso and coffee machines is the super-automatic one that is designed to do it all for you. They're usually equipped with a built-in grinder, so they can grind and brew your coffee with fresh beans. They'll also have a separate steamer for making cappuccinos or lattes. You may also be able to choose from a variety of beverages, including hot chocolate on their menu.
If you have an area that is small, opt for a small model that doesn't take up much counter space. If you have multiple people in the household with their own coffee preferences, consider getting a multi-cup machine that can accommodate different sizes of cups. If you're an espresso enthusiast, search for models that allow you to customize the brew strength and water-to-coffee ratio so that you can make the perfect cup every time.
When you are looking for the latest coffee and espresso machine, a good warranty and prompt service are essential aspects to consider. Depending on the brand the warranty can vary between one and three years.
Easy of Use
If you're looking to create a coffeehouse-like beverage at home, you'll need more than a basic drip filter coffee maker. Espresso is brewed when highly pressurized water is pushed through finely ground coffee beans at high speeds. The result is a short "shot" of caffeine, with a thick layer crema on the top. The majority of espresso and combination coffee machines make use of a portafilter steaming arm and basket for this process, while others rely on pre-packaged coffee pods or filters, or allow the user to grind and measure beans manually.
The type of machine that you pick will depend on how hands-on and spacious you want to make it. Manual machines give you the most control, but take a lot of work as you'll need to grind the coffee beans, hand-tamp it, and then pull your shots. Semiautomatic models can take one or two steps out of the process, like grinding and tamping, but they require more work than an automatic machine. Fully automatic espresso and coffee makers can prepare a complete pot of drip coffee or even an entire espresso cup with the click of a button.
You'll also need to consider whether you're making coffee for one or a group of people. Certain models, like the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, can brew up to three cups of coffee or espresso at the same time. This is a great way to keep up with your coffee-drinking needs in the morning but it might not be the ideal choice if you're making for an audience.
Dual boilers let you brew steaming and coffee simultaneously to ensure that you don't have to wait until one feature cools before starting the next. This feature is especially beneficial when you are planning to make cappuccinos and lattes.
A coffee maker that has a removable water reservoir is less likely to build up mineral deposits than one that doesn't. You'll have to regularly clean your reservoir however it will save you time since you don't need to pour out and replace the entire pot of water. Another factor that contributes to the buildup of minerals is the hardness of your water: The harder water will produce more dissolved minerals and causes your machine to need descaling more frequently. Soft or filtered water is easier to work with and decreases the frequency of descaling.
Cleaning is easy
For many homeowners, a coffee or espresso machine is a major investment. It requires regular maintenance to ensure that it operates at its peak and lasts as long as is possible. Whether you use drip coffee makers or an espresso machine, regular cleaning of the carafe and other removable parts is a critical part of the upkeep process. Use vinegar or a descaling solution at least once a week to maintain your appliance. Some models have sensors that flash when it's time to clean.
While vinegar is fine for countertops and sinks however, the acidity can harm the rubber seals and components of your espresso and coffee maker, thereby limiting the life of the machine. Numerous brands, including Lavazza and Smeg, recommend that you do not use vinegar to clean your coffee maker because it may invalidate the warranty.
To clean your espresso or coffee maker, first take the portafilter as well as the basket from the group. Dislodge any ground from the portafilter and the basket by using a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Rinse both thoroughly with hot water, and dry them with a clean towel. Next, sanitize your brew group. Place an empty cleaning tablet into the blind filter. Do backflush. You can also manually backflush your machine by placing a cleaning tablet solution inside the portafilter, turning on the brewing software after which you will have to stop for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until the water flow is constant. This indicates that your machine has been descaled.
The mesh of the brew group must be soaked by the water as it flows through the espresso machine. If this mesh is dirty, it may clog with old coffee residue and negatively impact the extraction process. To ensure that the mesh remains in good working order, Calatrello recommends unscrewing it once a month cleaning it with a brush and soaking it overnight in hot water using the aid of a cleansing tablet that dissolves in it.
If espresso machine with frother own a full-automatic coffee and espresso maker, you can clean your machine by dismantling the reservoir of water and refilling it with fresh water, then adding a cleansing tablet and running a backflush program. It is also recommended to clean the inside of the water reservoir and pot to remove any stains or residue. Before reassembling the appliance you'll need to wash and dry the carafe as as the reservoir of water.
Maintenance Ease
If you're looking to brew up a quick cup of coffee or espresso at the go, search for an automatic model that doesn't require any action from you. They typically use an insulated basket that holds ground coffee beans as well as water that's heated to the proper temperature before being released into the grounds and brewed as one shot.
These machines are great for those who like the process of making coffee, but don't want hours learning the skills and techniques required to make the best tasting drinks. These machines are easy to use and clean. The results are similar to those of 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 the grouphead. Additionally, you'll have to backflush the machine on a regular basis--this is accomplished by locking the portafilter into the grouphead and running the brew cycle a few times until the water is clear. This is something that coffeehouses complete at the end of every day but that home users can do every few days or alternatively, every week with detergent for an even more thorough clean.
It is also necessary to clean your steam wand, milk reservoir as well as other components of the machine on a regular basis. We recommend cleaning them at least once every week. It's as easy as cleaning all the parts of your machine with the vinegar-soapy solution (check the manual before starting as some manufacturers don't recommend vinegar). It is also recommended to change your filter frequently since hard water tends to build up more mineral residue than soft or filtrated. This could make your espresso or coffee maker to not run or have a distinct taste. To prevent this from happening, buy an espresso maker and coffee maker with an instrument to measure the water hardness.