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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. At Target we have many different styles and features to suit your needs. High pressure forces water into ground beans within seconds. The grounds are then compacted evenly and interlock them. The following are a few examples of There are many aspects to take into account when purchasing the espresso maker or coffee maker. The features determine the machine's capabilities and suitability to your needs. Look for features that offer convenience, enhance the quality of your brew and allow for customization of your drink. Coffee- and espresso-makers can be quite simple, like the traditional Bialetti Moka Express non-electric coffee brewer that uses an oven to heat water that drips slowly over the ground beans. Certain models have more advanced features, such as a double boiler that allows you make espresso and frothed or steamed milk at simultaneously. Other features include digital displays that inform you when your water tank is low, when it's time to empty the grounds bin or descale, as well as other maintenance tasks. The majority of modern espresso makers and coffee makers utilize the same method of brewing that involves pouring hot filtered water over pre-ground or ground beans. best espresso machine are designed to stop the brewing process automatically at the appropriate time so that you can enjoy a new cup of coffee each morning. Some models also allow you to select the strength you prefer to brew and some come with adjustable temperature settings to ensure the best flavor. The top-tier model of coffee and espresso machines is the superautomatic, that is specifically designed to allow you to do everything. They're typically equipped with an integrated grinder, meaning that they can grind and brew your coffee using fresh beans. They'll usually also have an additional steam wand that can be used to make cappuccinos and lattes. They may also offer a menu that allows you to choose from a selection of drinks, including hot chocolate. If you live in a smaller kitchen, choose a compact model to save counter space. Consider a multi-cup coffee maker that can be used with different sizes of cups if you have several people in your household who have different preferences in coffee. If you're a coffee or espresso enthusiast, search for models that allow you to alter the strength of your brew and water-to-coffee ratio so that you can get the perfect cup every time. A good warranty and responsive customer service are also crucial aspects to take into consideration when shopping for a coffee and espresso maker. Depending on the manufacturer the warranty can vary from one to three years. Easy of Use If you're looking to create an espresso-like drink at home, you'll require more than just a standard drip filter coffee maker. For espresso, water that is under pressure is pushed at high speed through finely ground beans. The result is a quick “shot” of caffeine with a rich layer of crema on the top. Most combination coffee and espresso machines use a portafilter, basket and steaming arm for this process, whereas others rely on pre-packaged pods or filters or allow the user to grind and measure beans by hand. The kind of machine you choose will depend on how accessible and spacious you want to be. A manual machine will give you the most control however, it will require lots of work: You'll have to grind the beans, hand-tamp the coffee, and then pull your shots. Semiautomatic models can take an extra step or two of the process, like grinding and tamping, however they require more work than an automatic machine. Fully automatic espresso and coffee makers can make a whole pot of drip coffee or an entire espresso cup with just the push of a single button. Think about whether you are making coffee for a single person or a group of people. Certain models, like the Nespresso Vertuo Plus can brew three cups of espresso or coffee at a time. This can be a convenient way to keep up with your morning coffee requirements, but it may not be the best option when you're hosting crowds. Dual boilers let you brew coffee and steam milk simultaneously, so that you don't need to wait until one function is cool before beginning the other. This feature is particularly useful for those who plan to make lattes and cappuccinos. A coffee and espresso maker that has an adjustable reservoir for water is less likely to build up mineral deposits than one that doesn't. You'll have to clean your reservoir periodically, but it will also save you time since you don't need to drain and re-fill the entire pot of water. The hardness of the water may also cause mineral buildup. Harder water will produce 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. Cleaning is easy A coffee maker or espresso maker is a significant purchase for many homeowners, and it requires regular care to ensure its performance and durability at maximum levels. Cleaning the carafe along with other components that can be removed from an espresso machine or drip coffee maker is an essential aspect of maintenance. Using vinegar or a special descaling solution at least once a month is a must to maintain your appliance and some models have sensors that light up to alert you when it's time to clean. While vinegar is great for sinks and countertops but the acidity could damage the rubber seals and other components of your espresso and coffee maker, which could limit its life. Many brands — including Lavazza and Smeg—recommend that you don't use vinegar to clean your machine, as it could invalidate the warranty. To clean your espresso maker or coffee maker, first take the portafilter as well as the basket from the group. Clean any dirt or debris from the portafilter and the basket with a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Both should be thoroughly cleaned with hot water and then dried with a clean cloth. Next, clean your brewing group. Insert a cleaning tablet in the blind filter. Run a backflush. Alternately, you can manually backflush your machine by placing an empty cleaning tablet inside the portafilter, then turning on the brewing cycle and then stopping it for 10 seconds. Repeat this procedure until the flow of water is steady. This indicates that your machine has been descaled. When water flows through the espresso machine, it has to go through the mesh of the brew group. If the mesh is dirty, it can be blocked by coffee residue and negatively affect the extraction process. To ensure that the mesh is in good condition Calatrello suggests removing it once a month and cleaning it with a toothbrush and soak it overnight in hot water with a cleaning tablet dissolved in it. If you own a full-automatic coffee and espresso maker, you can also clean your machine by removing the reservoir of water and filling it up with fresh water, adding a cleaning tablet and running a backflush program. It is recommended to wipe the inside of the pot and water reservoir to get rid of any residue and stains. Before reassembling your appliance, you'll have to clean and dry the carafe as as the reservoir of water. Ease of Maintenance If you're looking to make coffee or espresso in a short time on the go, opt for an automatic model. It doesn't need any action from you. They typically use a basket that contains ground coffee beans and water that has warmed to the ideal temperature and is then released into the grounds and made into a single shot. These machines are ideal for those who enjoy making coffee but don't have much time to invest in learning the techniques and skills that create the best tasting drinks. They are easy to use and are easy to clean. The results are similar to a drip coffee maker. To maintain your machine, be sure to dump the grounds used up and scrub the grouphead and portafilter after every use. In addition, you'll need to flush the machine back on a regular basis—this is done by locking the portafilter into the grouphead and running the brew cycle a several times until the water is clear. Coffeehouses perform this task at the end each day, but homeowners can do it every couple of days, or once a week, with detergent, to give the machine a deeper clean. You'll also need to clean your steam wand, milk reservoir as well as other parts of the machine on a regular basis. We recommend cleaning them once every week. To do this, you just wipe the entire surface of the machine using a mixture of vinegar and warm soapy water (check the manual for your product prior to cleaning since some manufacturers recommend against using vinegar). Also, you should change your filter often since hard water tends to create more mineral residue than soft or filtered. This could cause the coffee maker and espresso maker to get blocked and taste different or stop running altogether. To prevent this from happening, purchase an espresso and coffee maker that has an instrument to measure the water hardness.