What Espresso Machines For Home Should Be Your Next Big Obsession?
How to Choose the Best Espresso Machines For Home
The top espresso machines for your home should give you a consistently excellent cup of coffee. This requires a precise proportion of finely ground coffee that is tightly packed to water under high pressure. It also requires a powerful steam wand, which can texturize milk without big bubbles.
Certain models have a built-in mill, while others require you to provide a mill. Our top picks feature PID controllers that are adjustable to maintain the stability of water temperatures, a shot timer to ensure proper extraction, and a dual boiler that lets you take shots and steam milk simultaneously.
Buying a Machine
An espresso machine that is of high quality is a fantastic investment for those who plan to serve lattes, cappuccino and other beverages made of coffee to customers in a café, restaurant or wine bar. It is important to consider how much control you want over your espresso when you decide which type of machine to buy. If you're just beginning your journey, a manual machine might be the best option for you. These machines utilize an instrument to create pressure during extraction. They usually include a steam wand attached that's ideal for making milk beverages. But be aware that these machines take lots of effort and aren't easy to master.
A semi-automatic machine is an excellent option if you're looking for a way to take your coffee-making skills to the top of the line. They provide the convenience of hands-free operation however they still offer the same consistency and taste as an expertly prepared cup of espresso. Semi-automatic models typically also have a built-in grinder which can help you save money on purchasing and maintaining the grinder on your own.
Espresso machines that are professional grade or prosumer offer a higher level of quality than the consumer models however, they are difficult to operate and require more upkeep. These machines can be expensive and you must take into consideration your needs as well as the amount of time and effort you are willing to invest in maintenance and upkeep.
Some of these models also include a dual boiler that lets you make milk and espresso simultaneously. However, Giorgio warns that these systems aren't necessarily more efficient than those with one heating system, since there will be a delay between when the espresso is made until when the milk is frozen.
If you're purchasing a machine for your business, it's more important to think through your requirements. If you're looking for a way to eliminate human error, think about an entirely automated or capsule machine. These machines will help you save time and maintain the consistency of your taste by removing the need to grind beans, extract coffee and then steam milk.
Getting Started
A home espresso machine can change the taste of your morning coffee. However, it's important to remember that a good cup of espresso requires a lot of skill and time. That's why you'll want to select a machine that's simple enough for novices and will motivate you to learn more about the art of espresso.
Certain of our choices, such as the Rancilio Silvia offer a variety of after-market options to make your espresso maker more personal. Like other espresso makers, others let you replace the handle with a different material to improve grip and aesthetic options, like a wood option or a handle made from recycled skateboards (you'll have to wait until the pre-orders are available).
There are several entry-level espresso machines that can make great drinks if not yet ready to invest in an entire professional machine. Many of these machines are built on the same principles used by professional machines, but scaled down to make them suitable for home use. The Breville Barista Pro X, for instance, has an adjustable PID controller that can be adjusted front and center that lets you set the water temperature to a specific level, a shot timer to keep track of your brewing progress as well as a powerful steam wand that's capable texturing milk, and a pressure gauge that lets you know when you've reached your ideal brew pressure (between 8 and 10).
Dual boilers are readily available for those looking to take their barista abilities to the next step. They allow you to brew both espresso and milk simultaneously. That's a feature that helps ensure consistent results since both functions must be heated to the same temperature. You can also test different extraction ratios that will work for various drinks.
If you decide to invest in a machine with this feature, we suggest getting a few extra accessories like a Group Head Cleaning Brush to scrub the port for brewing as well as the Descaling Kit and Espresso Machine Cleaner. It can be used in place of water to remove build-up of old coffee residue that can affect the taste of your coffee. These supplies will help you maintain your espresso maker correctly and will ensure that it is always ready to make excellent drinks for you and your family.
Making Great Drinks
Making espresso and coffee drinks can be a finicky process. From weighing the grounds out to tamping them precisely all of it requires precision. The top espresso machines come with a range of features that make making coffee as simple and consistent as possible. This includes a quick heat up time, automatic coffee making and a steam wand that is simple to control for texturing the milk.
Breville Bambino Plus is our top pick for those who are just starting out. This super-automatic machine is easy to use and comes with five different settings for espresso, cappuccino or macchiato latte. The machine is easy to clean and comes with a built-in milk frother that can make thick, foamy cappuccinos and lattes.
Our testers were impressed with the quality of the drinks made by this machine, however it's important to note that If you're serious about making your espresso, a better option might be to invest in an espresso maker made by a barista that has a built-in grinder and more customizable settings. The Rancilio Silvia, for example is more expensive than the Bambino Plus but offers much more control over every aspect of making your coffee. It also includes a dual boiler that allows you to steam milk and take an espresso shot simultaneously. This will help you make your drink exactly right.
If you're willing to pay an extra amount, look for a prosumer-grade espresso maker like the Lelit MaraX. It was voted the most efficient in our Best Prosumer espresso maker category. It's a smaller version of commercial espresso makers (think Vitamix blenders). coffee and espresso maker is worth the price in the event that you're a complete coffee nut. Morocco and Sheese both point out that an espresso machine is only as good in the grinder it's paired with. There are several grinders in this price range and are great for espresso. (Morocco prefers the Fellow Opus). We recommend pairing your espresso machine with a high-quality burr grinder, no matter what type of machine you choose.
Maintenance
If you've put in the work to get your espresso machine to make amazing drinks and shots, it's only fair that you do what you can to ensure that it is running well. This means that you need to incorporate daily cleaning and maintenance into your routine. It is essential to do this since even the most efficient machines can create virtually invisible obstructions within internal mechanisms that obstruct water and steam flow. This can result in lower pressure and a loss of function.
A few minutes each day, along with a few minutes allotted for a thorough cleaning once a month will suffice to prevent the build-up of coffee residue, oils and scale that can taint the taste of your espresso and ultimately damage the expensive equipment. The good news is that cleaning an espresso machine isn't a difficult process.
For the majority of models, the brew group is easily accessible for cleaning. This includes the dispersion screen, three-way solenoid, and rubber gasket. It's recommended to clean the portafilter as well as the basket after each use since they may contain rancid oils that can affect the taste of your shots.
Before you start this process, it's best to be sure that you have a portafilter (and blank ones) as well as the smallest size of brush or Coffetool, and some espresso machine cleaner. Before you scrub the portafilter, soak it in a solution comprised of hot water, vinegar, and detergent. You'll also want to remove the brass dispersion plate and stubby screw from the group head. This will allow you to backflush your group head. This requires the small amount of Urnex Cafiza tablets, which basically eliminate the system by releasing a solution that dissolves. This will not only clear out a bit of calcification, but also aid in the removal of any old coffee oils that might block the three-way valve and preventing water from flowing smoothly through the system.
Be sure to follow instructions of the manufacturer regarding cleaning products as some can cause damage or mineral deposits on your equipment. Make sure you use clean, filtered water to reduce the amount of calcium in your boiler tank.