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Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker A coffee and espresso machine is essential in any kitchen, whether you prefer a full pot or espresso. We have a variety of styles and features available at Target to meet your requirements. www.coffeee.uk pushes water through ground beans in seconds. The grounds are then tamped to make them compact and interlock. Features When purchasing an espresso maker or coffee machine, there are many factors to consider. The most important are the factors that determine its functionality and suitability to your needs. Consider features that offer convenience, improve the quality of your drink and allow you to personalize your drink. Espresso and coffee makers aren't difficult to make, such as the classic Bialetti Moka Express non-electric coffee brewer that uses a pot to heat water that drips slowly over ground beans. Certain models come with more advanced features, such as a double boiler that allows you to make espresso as well as frothed or steamed milk at the same time. Digital displays can also alert you when your tank is in need of topping up and when it is time to remove or clean out the grounds bin and when other maintenance tasks are due. Modern espresso and coffee makers use the same brewing process that involves pouring hot filtered water over freshly ground or ground beans. They're often designed to stop the brewing process at the appropriate time, so you can take an iced cup every morning. Some models also allow you to choose the strength you prefer and some models have adjustable temperature settings to give you the best flavor. The highest-end of coffee and espresso machines is the super-automatic, which is designed to do everything for you. They are typically equipped with a built-in grinder, which allows them to grind and brew coffee using fresh beans. They'll typically come with an additional steam wand that can be used to make cappuccinos and lattes. They may also have a menu which allows you to choose from a range of drinks such as hot chocolate. If you have smaller kitchens, consider a compact model to save counter space. Consider a multi-cup coffee machine that can be used with different sizes of cups if you have many household members who have different preferences in coffee. If you're an espresso or coffee lover, then look for models that let you alter the intensity of your brew and water-to–coffee ratio so you can create the perfect cup each time. When you are looking for an espresso and coffee machine, a dependable warranty and prompt service are crucial aspects to consider. Depending on the manufacturer the warranty will vary between one and three years. User-Friendliness If you're looking to create a coffeehouse-like beverage at home, you'll need more than a simple drip filter coffee maker. Espresso is made when water that is under pressure is forced at high speed through finely ground beans. The result is short “shots” of caffeine with a thick, creamy crema that is topped with. Most combination coffee and espresso machines use a portafilter, steaming arm and basket for this process, while others use pre-packaged pods or filters or allow you to grind and measure beans manually. The type of machine you choose will depend on how accessible and spacious you'd like to be. Manual machines offer the most control, but they take a lot of work: you'll have to grind the coffee beans, hand-tamp it, and then take your shots. Semiautomatic models can take a step or two out of the process, like grinding and tamping, however they require more work than an automatic machine. Fully automated espresso and coffee makers make a full pot of drip or an entire cup of espresso at the touch of the button. You'll also need to consider whether you're brewing for one or several 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 good option for those who prefer to make their own coffee in the morning, but may not be ideal if you are serving an entire group. Dual boilers allow you to prepare coffee and steam milk simultaneously to ensure that you don't have to wait until one process cools down before starting the second. This feature is particularly useful when you are planning to make lattes and cappuccinos. A coffee and espresso maker with an adjustable reservoir for water is less likely to build up mineral deposits than one that does not. It's still necessary to clean the reservoir periodically however you'll save some time by not needing to pour out and replace the entire pot of water. Another factor that contributes to mineral build-up is the hardness of your water: A water that is harder to soften produces more dissolved minerals and makes your machine require descaling more frequently. Water that is soft or filtered is less harsh on your machine, and will decrease the frequency of descaling. Ease of Cleaning For many homeowners who own a espresso or coffee maker is a significant investment. It requires regular maintenance to ensure that it operates at its peak and lasts for as long as it is. Cleaning the carafe and other parts that are removable from an espresso machine or drip coffee maker is an essential part of maintaining. Utilizing vinegar or a specially-formulated descaling solution at least once a month is important to help keep your machine in good condition and some models feature light-up sensors that notify you when it's time to clean. While vinegar is excellent for counters and sinks however, its acidity may harm rubber seals as well as other components in your espresso and coffee machine which can reduce the life of your machine. Many brands, including Lavazza and Smeg recommend that you do not use vinegar to clean your coffee maker because it could void the warranty. To clean your espresso machine or coffee maker, first you must remove the portafilter and basket from the group. With a nylon brush or scrubby pad, clean any remaining grounds from the portafilter and the basket. Both must be thoroughly cleaned with hot water, and then dried with a clean cloth. The next step is to clean your brewing group. Place an empty cleaning tablet into the blind filter. Perform a backflush. You can also manually flush your machine by placing a tablet of cleaning solution inside the portafilter, turning on the brewing program after which you will have to stop for 10 seconds. Repeat this procedure until the flow of water is constant. This indicates that your machine has been descaled. The brew group mesh must be soaked up by the water as it moves through the espresso machine. If the mesh is dirty, it can get blocked by coffee residue, which can negatively affect the extraction process. Calatrello suggests that you unscrew the mesh every month and clean it with brush. Then, soak the mesh in hot water for a night using a tablet for cleaning. If you have a fully automated coffee and espresso maker, you can also clean your machine by removing the water reservoir, then filling it with fresh water, putting in a cleaning tablet and running a backflush program. It is also recommended to clean the inside of the water reservoir as well as the pot to get rid of any stains or residue. You'll need to wash and dry both the carafe and the water reservoir prior to rebuild the appliance. Maintenance Ease If you're looking to make an instant cup of espresso or coffee at the go, search for an automated model that doesn't require any intervention from you. These models make use of the basket with ground coffee beans, water that is heated to the correct temperature, then released into the ground. These machines are great for those who love the process of making coffee, but don't want to invest much time learning the skills and techniques required to make the best tasting drinks. These machines are simple to operate and are easy to clean. The results are similar to a drip coffee maker. To keep your machine in good condition, be sure to dump the grounds used up and clean the portafilter and grouphead after every use. You'll also need to regularly backflush your machine. This is done by locking the filter inside the grouphead and then running the cycles of brewing a few more times until the water is clean. Coffeehouses do this at the end of every day, however, home users can do it every couple of days, or once a week, with detergent for a more thorough cleaning. Additionally, you'll need clean the steam wand and milk reservoir regularly—we recommend this every month. You can do this by cleaning all the parts of your machine using the vinegar-soapy solution (check the manual before starting since some manufacturers do not recommend vinegar). It is also recommended to change your filter regularly, as hard water tends accumulate more mineral residue than soft or filtering. This could make your espresso or coffee maker not to run, or have a different taste. Get a coffee maker and espresso maker that comes with a water hardness tester to prevent this.