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Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker Whether you like a full pot of drip coffee or an espresso, a coffee maker and espresso maker is a must for your kitchen. We offer a range of styles and features at Target to meet your needs. With an espresso machine, high pressure forces water through ground beans in seconds. The grounds are then tamped to evenly compact them and lock them. Features There are many things to take into consideration when purchasing a coffee and espresso maker. The most important are the characteristics that determine its purpose and suitability to your needs. Consider features that offer convenience, improve the quality of your drink and allow for customization of your beverage. Espresso and coffee makers can be quite simple. For example the traditional Bialetti Moka Express is a non-electric brewer which uses a pot that slowly drips water over the ground beans. Certain models come with more advanced features, for instance, double boilers that let you to make espresso as well as frothed or steaming milk at the simultaneously. Digital displays can also notify you when your water tank requires topping up and when it's time to clean or descale the grounds bin, and when other maintenance tasks are due. Most modern coffee and espresso makers use the same brewing method that involves pouring hot water over pre-ground or ground beans that are placed in a filter. Many are designed to stop brewing at the appropriate time, so that you can have a fresh cup of coffee every morning. Some models let you choose the brewing intensity you prefer, and others have adjustable temperature settings for the best flavor. The highest-end of espresso and coffee machines is the super-automatic model, which is designed to handle everything for you. They're usually equipped with a built-in grinder, so they can grind and brew coffee using fresh beans. They will also usually include a separate steamer that is used for making cappuccinos or lattes. They may also offer a menu that lets you select from a variety of drinks, including hot chocolate. If you live in a smaller kitchen, choose smaller models to make use of less counter space. Consider a multi-cup coffee machine that can be used with different sizes of cups if there are several people in your household who have different preferences in coffee. If you are a coffee or Espresso connoisseur then look for models that allow you to adjust the brew strength and water-to–coffee ratio so you can make the perfect cup each time. A good warranty and responsive customer service are other important aspects to consider when shopping for the best espresso maker and coffee maker. Depending on the manufacturer the warranty will vary between one and three years. Simple to Use You require more than a basic drip-filter maker to create a coffeehouse style beverage at home. Espresso is made when water under high pressure is forced at high speed through finely ground beans. The result is a short “shot” of caffeine, with a rich layer of crema on the top. For this process, most combination coffee and espresso machine make use of a portafilter basket as well as a steaming arm. Other machines rely pre-packaged pods, filters, or let you measure and grind beans by hand. The type of machine you choose will depend on how accessible and spacious you'd like it to make it. A manual machine will give you the most control however, it will require lots of work: You'll have grind the beans, then hand-tamp the coffee and then take your shots. Semiautomatic models take an extra step or two of the process, similar to grinding and tamping, however they require more effort than an automated machine. Fully automatic espresso and coffee makers can make a whole pot of drip coffee or an entire espresso cup with the click of a button. You'll also want to consider whether you're making coffee for one or more people. Certain models, like the Nespresso Vertuo Plus can brew three cups of espresso or coffee at a time. This is a good option for those who like to make their own coffee in the morning, but might not be the best choice if you are making for an entire group. Dual boilers allow you to prepare steaming and coffee simultaneously so that you don't need to wait until one feature cools before starting the next. This feature is particularly useful if you plan to make cappuccinos and lattes. A coffee and espresso maker that has a removable water reservoir is less likely to build up mineral deposits than one that doesn't. It's still necessary to wash the reservoir on a regular basis however you'll save some time by not needing to replace and pour out a whole pot of water. The hardness of the water can also contribute to mineral buildup. The harder water will create more dissolved minerals, which will make your machine require more descaling. Water that is soft or filtered is more gentle on your machine and reduces the frequency of descaling. Ease of Cleaning A coffee maker or espresso maker is a major purchase for many homeowners, and requires regular maintenance to keep its performance and durability at its peak. Cleaning best home espresso machine , as well as other components that can be removed from an espresso machine or drip coffee maker is an essential part of maintaining. Using vinegar or a specialized descaling solution at least once per month is essential to maintain your appliance, and some models may have light-up sensors that alert you when it's time to clean. While vinegar is excellent for counters and sinks, its acidity can harm rubber seals as well as other components of your coffee and espresso machine and reduce its life span. Many brands, including Lavazza and Smeg, also recommend not to use vinegar to clean your machine, because it could void the warranty. To clean your espresso maker or coffee maker, first you must remove the portafilter and basket from the group. Clean any dirt or debris from the portafilter or the basket with a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Clean them thoroughly with hot water and dry them with a clean towel. Then, clean the brewing group by putting a cleaning tablet into the blind filter and running a backflush application. You can also manually flush your machine by placing a cleaning tablet solution inside the portafilter, turning on the brewing program after which you will have to stop for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until the water flow is steady. This means that your machine has been descaled. The mesh of the brew group must be soaked up by water as it runs through the espresso machine. If the mesh is dirty, it may clog with old coffee residue and negatively affect the extraction process. To ensure that the mesh remains in good working order Calatrello suggests removing it once a month and cleaning it with a toothbrush and soak it overnight in hot water using an anti-bacterial tablet that is dissolved in it. If you own a fully-automatic coffee maker and espresso maker, you can also clean your machine by removing the water reservoir and refilling it with fresh water, adding a cleaning tablet and running a backflush application. You should also wipe the inside of the pot and water reservoir to get rid of any residue and staining. It is essential to wash and dry the carafe as well as the water reservoir before you put the appliance back together. Easy Maintenance If you're looking to make an instant cup of espresso or coffee on the go, look for an automatic model that doesn't require any effort from you. These models usually use an insulated basket that holds ground coffee beans and water that's heated to the proper temperature before being released into the grounds and brewed as one shot. These machines are ideal for those who enjoy making coffee but don't have much time to learn the techniques and skills that produce the best tasting drinks. These machines are easy to use 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 used grounds and scrub down the grouphead and portafilter after every use. You'll also need to backflush your machine regularly. This is accomplished by locking the filter in the grouphead and then running the cycles of brewing a few more times until the water is clean. Coffeehouses perform this task at the end of every day, however, home users can do it once every few days, or every week, with detergent, for a deeper cleaning. Additionally, you'll need clean the steam wand and milk reservoir on a regular basis, we recommend every month. This can be done by wiping down all parts of your machine using a vinegar-soapy mixture of water (check the manual before starting as some manufacturers don't recommend vinegar). Lastly, you should change your filter frequently as hard water tends to accumulate mineral residue more quickly than soft or filtrated water. This could cause your espresso and coffee maker to stop working or have a distinct taste. To prevent this from happening, purchase a coffee and espresso maker that comes with a water hardness tester.