Espresso Maker Shopping Considerations

By Sharon V Chapman

Stopping at the local coffee shop for a latte or cappuccino can cost anywhere from three to six or seven dollars depending on the size of the coffee and what type of drink is ordered. This can add up to a hefty sum of money over a week or two. The numbers of coffee shops that continue to thrive are proof that many people are spending huge amounts of money on coffee. However, there are many people choosing to spend the money on a home espresso maker and save money in the long run.

Home espresso makers have become the kitchen wish list item on gift registries and Christmas lists. As the price of the espresso maker for home kitchens has come down it has actually becoming a purchase that can save money in the end by preventing coffee shop stops every day of the week. There are some things consumers should take into consideration when shopping for a home espresso maker to insure their purchase is not in vain.

One of the first things to consider is counter space. Espresso machines are typically very large machines that have a huge footprint and take up a good deal of space. Home espresso makers come in smaller sizes but in the same aspect may lose some of the features. Knowing how much counter space is available before shopping for an espresso maker will keep this from becoming an issue.

How the machine operates is another important consideration when buying an espresso maker for the home. Espresso machines in coffee shops require skill and training. Individuals who want to make a latte before rushing off to work aren't going to want to fumble around with a complicated gadget in order to get their drink. Today's home espresso makers are available in fully automatic versions that require little more than adding the water and coffee while the machine does the rest of the work.

Features are an important consideration when choosing a home espresso maker. A quality maker should have, at the very least, a milk frothing attachment. The milk frother is important in making lattes and cappuccinos. Without the frother, milk will have to be steamed in some other fashion or the espresso machine will only be good for making espressos.

There are other added features that can be found on home espresso machines. These are not necessary features but add to the ease of operation and at the same time increase the cost of the machine. These extras include coffee bean grinders, size selectors for the espresso brewer, temperature adjustment controls and automatic dosers for measuring the coffee into the brewer. These features are not required to make espresso; however, they do make the process easier in the end.

Espresso shopping can be fun and confusing at the same time. There are many features to choose from, some of which are necessary and some of which are extras that won't change the flavor of the espresso simply the process used to make it. Consumers should explore all of these options when making their decisions.

Sharon V Chapman writes on the joys of coffee and provides consumer information on espresso makers for A1 Coffee Makers - your premier online guide to coffee makers and accessories.

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Choosing the Right Espresso Maker

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By Jenni Gregory

An espresso maker is an investment, but if you are a serious espresso lover, the initial expenditure will pay off handsomely in the long term. Not only will you not have to go anywhere to get your espresso fix, if you indulge in the brew regularly, the machine will soon pay for itself. There are so many of these machines on the market, though, how do you know which one is right for you?

What is Espresso?

Created in Milan, Italy in the early years of the twentieth century, this traditional Italian coffee is normally served in 2-ounce shots. The thick, strong espresso is topped by the crema, a foamy froth generated by the brewing process. Coffee beans used to make espresso have been roasted longer than normal so they release their oils more readily. They are then ground to a fine powder.

Your espresso maker will shoot out water that is about 195 degrees Fahrenheit (90 degrees Centigrade) using pressure to push it through the freshly ground coffee. The coffee oils are pushed out and blended to create a liquid that is thick and rich. The amount of pressure behind the water, the type of beans and the way the beans are ground can all affect the taste of the espresso.

Types of Espresso Makers

The simplest and least expensive espresso makers are the stove top models that use the power of steam and pumpless electric machines. The pumpless electric models normally come with a steam wand, allowing you to froth the milk so you can enjoy cappuccinos, lattes, and other espresso favorites.

Manual lever machines can be tricky, but are often favored by espresso aficionados. Instead of using steam or a pump to force the water through the beans, you use a large, metal handle to perform the action. This is probably the most challenging type of machine to use and to create a consistently good brew, but the experts adore it.

Electric pump machines are becoming one of the most popular type of espresso makers in both the commercial and home markets. This type of machine usually lets you choose the exact temperature you want your water and the amount of force you want to use when pushing that water through the coffee beans.

The ultimate espresso makers, however, are super automatic pump machines. They do it all, from grinding the beans, tamping the coffee into a puck and in some cases, like the awesome DeLonghi Magnifica, even clean themselves. Wouldn't it be sweet to find a DeLonghi Espresso Maker sitting on your counter the next time you're craving a perfect espresso shot?

Whichever type machine you choose, do your homework first, then sit back, relax and enjoy your espresso.

Jenni is a coffee aficionado and enjoys a fantastic shot of espresso from time to time. If you share her love of espresso and coffee, you'll want to investigate the Delonghi Magnifica - one of the best Delonghi espresso makers in the world.

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