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Key Factors to Consider When Looking for a Coffee Espresso Machine

March 21st, 2011 admin No comments

Key Factors to Consider When Looking for a Coffee Espresso Machine

If you are about to select your first or a new espresso machine, this guide can help you make an informed decision before you buy.

You used to find them in exclusive coffee shops but nowadays, espresso machines are becoming a favorite equipment for home use. They only represent about 4 percent of the 27 million coffee makers sold annually but with Starbucks shutting down many of its local stores, that number may be changing. And espresso types are among the favorite methods for most coffee drinkers. Its rich, potent and robust flavor, coupled with shorter brewing time has appealed to many.

Which Espresso Machine Should I Buy?

It can be a bit impelling trying to decide which model to buy. Whatever model you select, make sure it comes with a sturdy construction to handle the complex process of heat and steam build-ups that are needed to formulate espressos and cappuccinos. A well-built home espresso machine will cost around 0 for a trusted brand. If you decide to go for  high end, the best and trusted models come up to about a thousand dollars or even higher.

Espresso Machine Types

Espresso machines fall into four categories: manual, semi-automatic, automatic and fully automatic. All four types formulate good coffee, but as  you get more functions and features, there’s less work to do to prepare a cup of espresso. And as usually the case, as the amount of manual work decreases, the cost normally goes higher. You will just need to push a button on these top-of-the-line espresso makers to grind the beans, measure what’s needed, tamp, brew, dispense and even clean up. They are quite convenient for home and office use.

Steam Feature

When you prepare espresso, steam provides the pressure to force water through the espresso coffee grounds. Steam is one of the considerations when adjudging espresso machines. On some of the low end models, longevity of the machine and the steam power are questionable because of the lack of sufficient space to create steam pressure. The steaming process for milk can also turn to a major concern with these espresso machines. The cheaper espresso machines may not have steaming functions. If they do then the pressure may be lacking on power that it entails time and effort even to make one cup of cappuccino. On these basic models there are no real controls on temperature or pressure and building up the necessary steam might be a problem.

In an espresso machine, water is heated up until it produces steam. As the pressure increases, it pumps the hot water through your ground coffee. In pump-type espresso units, an electrically driven pump drives hot water into a chamber where it is blended with coffee.

Manual pump espresso machines are also available and are often a lot cheaper. The manual pumps do require lots of experimentation to arrive at a perfect procedure. You have to determine the right amount of water and explore on the exact length of brewing.

Full-Automatic Espresso Coffee Machines

Very recently, more and more people are opting for fully automatic espresso machines. Even with their increasing popularity, still some people think that an automatic espresso machine takes out that special human touch from making their espresso. But the advantage of automatic espresso machines warrant more consistent coffee.

Automatic espresso machines save much on waste. They also lessen training time and expense for coffee shop owners. These machines have LCD function displays, automatic controls and settings and an adjustable central steam nozzle to produce that perfect cappuccino or latte at a single operating button. Many of the automatic machines may also have a hot water feature that can be used for hot chocolate or tea. Automatic machines also drastically lessen preparation time which, on a commercial level, will help increase productivity and hopefully profits.

Super automatic espresso machines or bean-to-cup versions do the entire coffee making process from beginning to end. Just press a button and it will grind whole beans inside the machine, tamp the grounds down, brew a delicious shot, froth milk, and hold the remains in an internal container for later disposal.

Espresso Machine Pricing

Espresso machine prices typically double every 10 years, so if you can afford one now, go ahead and make a good investment. Go for known and trusted manufacturers who attach a solid warranty on their wares. Prices range from a small for personal manual models to a whopping 00 for commercial grade fully-automatic machines. If you are intending to get quality and good performance in a home espresso machine, keep in mind that you have to pay a good price to get such. On the other hand, if you are purchasing one for your office or your coffee bar, go for heavy performing commercial models that come with full barista training and support services with the package. One good feature about these traditional espresso machines is that it is engineered with no major moving parts which means there are less things to go wrong.

Hopefully, this article has given you valuable information about the espresso coffee machine.

 

Jana’s background was in the corporate IT industry. She now enjoys working for herself from home around her family. She loves the challenge of internet marketing and is having great fun exploring a wide variety of interests in that arena.  Check out her interesting niche site at: Espresso Machine Scout


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Wega Espresso Machine

December 8th, 2010 admin No comments

Wega Espresso Machine

Wega espresso machine is an equipment for making a cup of coffee. With a cup of coffee will make a good mood and working to become fluent in the daytime. Coffee can relieve stress at work, rest time and can help to make the right decision.

If you like to drink coffee then you need to have a good machine for making coffee that you need in all places. You have to be careful shopping to buy a good machine. Best coffee machine in my opinion is Wega coffee machine because the machine helps you to make a cup of coffee every time you want to drink coffee.

Wega espresso machine you need to consider to purchase one of many wega coffee machines on the market today using wega espresso machine Wega espresso machine review has a good feature to be bought asseparate details

In addition, espresso machines consist of a variety of package options needed for espresso and cappuccino. The main component in the package such as chocolate shaker, plates, cups, coffee beans and frothing.

Prospective buyers will be demonstrated by those with their professional staff who are trained to show the features of Wega espresso machines using wega espresso machine. Manual cleaning is also described so as to make customers aware of maintaining machinery and equipment clean and in working order. There are two type of Wega espresso machine mainly consists of two main categories: The Espresso Profesional and Commercial Espresso.

Type feature professional Wega Faema E61 espresso is considered because its reliability, high-quality goods, large boilers and equipment valued so large that this type as the best mo

Espresso Machine

Wega espresso machines can be purchased as separate items.In addition,  espresso machines can also be brought in various packages required to have a cappuccino and espresso.

Packet includes primary components such as chocolate shaker, plates, cups, coffee beans and froth that comes out.Wega also their professional training so that prospective

Purchasers can have presentation of how to use wega espresso machine and what its features. Cleaning the guidelines In addition to stated clear so that customers always pay attention to machinery and equipment are kept clean.

Generally, an espresso machine designed for home or office (not for commercial use).If you buy a commercial espresso machine for example a coffee shop.For food service business, some zoning boards will require an espresso machine has NSF certification.Espresso machines that only have NSF certification is a two Pasquini espresso machine.This machine can handle handle a large volume of commercial espresso machines

Besides you use the espresso machine to make a delicious coffee you need to know the details of wega espresso machine parts,so you know if there is a light engine trouble.
Pasquini espresso machines can be used in low-volume environments such as bakeries and beauty spa, where espresso is your side business, even if you want to be able to satisfy your customers.Usually certain requirements that need to be made by your zoning board for those of you who are not really going to sell espresso

Other Wega espresso machine that gives a satisfying features and excellent quality are Wega Sphera, Nova2 Wega, Wega Atlas, Atlas2 Wega, Wega Polaris, Polaris2 Wega and other type.

 

 

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Home Espresso Machines 101

November 24th, 2010 admin No comments

Home Espresso Machines 101

Home espresso machines have become more popular than ever in the past few years. With the cost of stopping for an espresso skyrocketing, more and more families are opting for buying a home espresso machine.

Home espresso machines are scaled back versions of the commercial ones used in coffee shops. How scaled back is up to you. You can spend a lot of money and have a top of the line, do it all machine or buy a lower end machine and still make wonderful espressos.

The basic premise is that the machine will force hot water over finely ground coffee under pressure, creating an espresso with a beautiful crema. How the machine goes about creating your espresso depends on the type of machine.

Types of Machines

Pump espresso machines are typically the most expensive of the espresso machines. Although they do create the most excellent espressos, they are typically the largest and noisiest of the machines.  Commercial machines are usually pump espresso machines although there are home espresso machines that are pump also. Pump espresso machines also require more maintenance as they can become clogged with mineral deposits.

Manual espresso machines use a manual lever and piston to create pressure. If used often they can be strenuous on the arm. These machines do not create a consistent espresso as the pressure varies based on amount of arm strength. Lever/piston machines are very quiet with few parts and low maintenance.

Steam powered espresso machines are the most common machines found in homes. They are quick and easy to use. They are small enough to fit in home kitchens. These espresso machines use steam from the heated water to create pressure. The pressure in these machines isn’t always sufficient to make a great espresso.

Another basic simple espresso machine is the moka pot or percolator. These use a pressurized bottom half to send the steam though the coffee into the top half where the espresso is collected. The main advantages are that they are very simple to use and are the least expensive of all the models.  However, they have no frothing tools or method for frothing, have less pressure than mechanical versions, which means less flavor is extracted from the coffee.

Determine Your Needs

Buying an espresso machine for your home should be considered an investment. You need to evaluate how often you plan to use the machine, if it’s an occasional use, you can probably go with a less expensive machine. If, however, you are a daily espresso drinker, you will probably want to go with a more expensive machine that can stand up to more use. You should also look for one with a good warranty.

When determining your needs you should also consider how much space you have for the machine. For occasional use you might consider a smaller machine that you can put away. Or perhaps even a coffee maker/espresso maker combo machine.

Cost

It’s a good idea to decide how much you want to spend on an espresso machine before you start hunting one. One good way to get an idea is to consider how often you purchase an espresso or espresso based drinks and figure how much you spend monthly. This will help you decide how much you can spend on a machine and have it pay for itself.

With all your information gathered you are ready to go find yourself an espresso machine made for home use. There are many reputable companies that have home espresso machines. Some are also commercial espresso makers and probably make the best espresso machines. Whatever your decision you will be delighted with your hot, fresh espresso made while still in your pajamas.

 

Katya Coen provides information on home espresso machines for Espresso Xpert – your online guide to espresso!


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Espresso Machines

November 5th, 2010 admin No comments

Espresso Machines

Baristas are trained in the art of making the perfect espresso. It requires a lot of patience and practice and is not easy to master. However, there is an easier way. An espresso machine. Espresso machines make espresso a much simpler beverage to create by controlling the temperature precisely.

There are several different types of espresso machines available, each functioning in a different manner. There are piston-driven espresso machines, semi-automatic machines, and automatic espresso machines.

In the Beginning

Espresso came into being when people were looking for a quicker way to make their coffee. In Italy, around 1901, Luigi Bezzera found a way to make hot pressurized water and its steam push through a bed of finely ground coffee. The result was a quick, individual cup of highly concentrated coffee that came to be known as espresso. Bezzera acquired a patent for his machine and in 1903 these first espresso machines were sold in Europe.

These machines were not easy to use. There was no consistency to the espresso produced because the temperature and steam were controlled by the operator, leaving room for a large amount of diversity in the resulting beverages.

In 1935 Illy invented a coffee maker that used compressed air instead of steam, thus solving the problem of exploding espresso makes. His machine gave a more favorable, stable result.

The lever action espresso machine was invented by Achille’s Gaggia in 1945 and still today bears his name. Both the Illeta and Gaggia versions of espresso machines are available on the market today.
Illy continued to expand and simplify his espresso machine by combining the best parts of other makers.

Various Types of Espresso Machines

Piston Driven Espresso Machines

Piston-driven espresso machines are more authentic than any other espresso machine. It is the most primitive of the espresso machines. Designed in Italy in 1945, this design requires strong arms to make the espresso.

The piston-driven espresso machine uses a lever that is pumped by the operator to force pressure onto hot water, driving it through the coffee grinds. This pulling down of the handle is how the term ‘pulling a shot’ came into being. The piston driven espresso is also how the crema came to be a part of espresso.

Espresso drinkers who also value authenticity tend to opt for the piston-driven machine. Otherwise you can usually find them as part of a display. Advancements in technology that brought the semi-automatic and the automatic espresso machine made the piston-driven machine obsolete.

Semi-Automatic and Automatic Espresso Machines

Semi-automatic espresso machines are hard to find due to the advanced popularity of fully automatic espresso machines.

Semi-automatic espresso machines and automatic espresso machines both have the hot water delivered using a pump system. However, in a semi-automatic machine the bean grinding, preparing and placing in the machine are all done by hand.

Automatic and super automatic espresso machines require that you only put the beans in. The machine measures the water, regulates the temperature and even grinds the beans to make the espresso. Many true espresso enthusiasts believe that the quality of the espresso is lost in the automation.

Commercial or Home Use

In addition to the types of espresso machines are the uses for the machine. If the espresso machine is intended for home use then the cost is going to be decreased significantly. For commercial use, the cost can skyrocket.

Home espresso makers should be purchased with longevity in mind. The purchaser should have an idea of how often it will be used. If it is going to be used a lot, a low end commercial maker might be a better choice. For occasional use, a home espresso maker will suffice.

Commercial espresso makers can be plumbed to a water source or be manually filled – another cost to consider when looking into espresso makers. The more automated the machine the higher the cost.

Espresso makers come in a variety of types and sizes, all designed to prepare the very best espresso possible. When deciding on an espresso maker care should be taken to get the one that best serves the intended purpose.

 

Katya Coen provides details on espresso machines for Espresso Xpert – your online guide to espresso!

Interested in purchasing a semi-automatic espresso machine? This two-part video features Gail talking about the world of home semi-automatics, beginning with the Saeco Aroma and the Rancilio Siliva. Watch Part 2: www.youtube.com

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The Abosolute 10 Greatest Tips for Purchasing a Home Espresso Machine

August 28th, 2010 admin No comments

The Abosolute 10 Greatest Tips for Purchasing a Home Espresso Machine

Choosing the right home espresso machine can be a difficult task but with some basic knowledge and wisdom of how a coffee and espresso maker works, how much they cost, and specific features you get for the money, selecting the right option is easy.  One point is clear.  If you are spending money at a coffee shop at least 3-4 times per week the payoff on a home espresso machine is well worth the investment:

Let’s do the math:

1.  Average cost for a coffee specialty drink such as an espresso or cappuccino:   .50
2.  Number of trips to the Coffee Shop per year:  52 weeks * 4 visits per week =  208 yearly visits
3.  Yearly Cost:  .50 espresso drink cost * 208 yearly visits = 8 Annually

For 8, one can purchase a full-featured super automatic espresso machine.  Ok, now that you see that an home espresso machines is good investment, let talk about some tips on how to buy one:

1.   Decide what type of espresso drinks you like.  Do you like a cappuccino or mocha or just a straight shot of espresso?  How about a regular cup of coffee?   The choices for home espresso machines will vary greatly.  Most super automatic espresso coffee machines can brew you a strong cup of coffee just like you find at the coffee houses as well as the espresso drinks.  Perhaps you would like to choose between regular coffee and decaf in which case a bypass doser on the home espresso machine is a good option.   Choose between a super automatic, semi automatic, or automatic home espresso machines.  The most popular type of espresso machine is a super automatic espresso machines.

2.   Cost.  While many people like to have all of the bells and whistles, buying a quality espresso machine is much like buying a car.  Do you need heated seats if you live in Arizona?  Same principle.  Decide on what type of drinks you like, find a machine with those features and set a budget.  The most common question we get is how much do I have to spend for a quality machine?  If you are spending 0 – ,000 on a fine brand super automatic such as Saeco or Gaggia, you will be purchasing a quality home espresso machine with standard features suitable for most people.  If you want the highest quality espresso drinks, a semi automatic espresso machine such as a Rancilio or Pasquini are priced in the 0 to ,500 range.  Semi-automatic espresso machines are a bit more work but results are outstanding.  All excellent choices.

3.    Popular Espresso Features.  Milk based drinks – If you love the lattes, mochas, and cappuccino’s make sure you buy a machine with two boilers or dual heating elements.  Using a single boiler is ok for standard espresso drinks but a dual boiler will produce the fastest steam.  This is typically a feature that separates the cheap 0 – 0 espresso machines from the quality home espresso machines.

Adjustable water volume and coffee dose – Some machines will only have the ability to adjust the water so the more water you have the weaker the cup.  Having both an adjustable doser and water volume gives you the most control.  Excellent features to have especially if want a standard cup of coffee.

Digital or Analog (dials) – There is much debate on which is better to have. This comes down to a personal choice. With digital machines, your options are greater and you can really get dialed in on the coffee / water ratio. You also get statistics on your home espresso machine and most digital espresso machines will tell you when to clean it.   Another key feature digital machines typically have is the ability to regulate when the machine is on or off. 

View Quality http://www.moderncoffeedesigns.com home espresso machines

Other important features: 

Look for a large water reservoir typically over 40 ounces. 

Cup height adjustment – make sure your cup will fit.  Most espresso cups are 4 – 6 inches.

Water filter – espresso machines with a water filter will produce better coffee and keep you machine in better condition.  Water filters are highly recommended.

Bean hopper size – Get a machine with a minimum or 8 ounces.  You do not want to be filling the bean hopper every day.

Cup Warmer – Coffee maintains its best flavor when poured into a heated cup. 

Grinder Settings – Make sure the espresso machines have at least 3 grinder settings. This is essential for dialing in the right grind.

Heat up time – you do not want to be waiting over 5 minutes for an espresso machine to heat up.  A good machine will be ready for a second cup of espresso is just under 1-2 minutes after the initial heat-up.

4.  Size and Construction – Make sure you have adequate counter space for the home espresso machine.  These espresso machines are generally larger than a typical coffee pot so make sure you measure.  Also, having a movable base will allow you to pull the machine out to fill it with water and beans.   Almost all of the super automatic home espresso machines body’s are made of heavy duty plastic or stainless steel.  The inside boilers are either stainless steel or aluminum.  Often people make the mistake of thinking the plastic is not as durable but in reality, it is.  It is what is on the inside that counts.  A stainless steel boiler will offer years of service if properly maintained.   The espresso machines of today feature sleek, modern designs.  If you are purchasing a semi-automatic espresso machine, consider stainless steel because of all of the interaction with the machine.  If you choose a super automatic, a plastic design with stainless steel or aluminum boilers is sufficient.

5.  Proper Cleaning and maintenance – The number one problem with home espresso machines is scale build-up.  If you own a quality machine, regular descaling and back flushing is not recommended, it’s required.  What I mean is that if you want to maintain your warranty, you must complete these maintenance items.  It takes about 15 minutes each month but will keep your machine operating for years.  Don’t let your machine sit idle for a long time with water loaded as the minerals in the water can cause issues in the boilers and metal components.

6.  Water and Coffee – Buying quality coffee and using filtered water will provide the ultimate coffee experience.  Many espresso machines have built in water filters such as the Aqua Prima Water Filter.   If you use tap water and cheap brand name coffee don’t waste your money on a quality espresso machine.   Fine coffee and filtered water contribute significantly to the quality of the brew.  Use a coffee such as Lavazza or Gaggia especially made for a higher end coffee espresso machine.

7.   Choosing where to buy a home espresso machine – You can buy these machines from many of the major stores but the issue is support and buying guidance.  You simply cannot call the “red dot” store or “overstock” stores and expect to find someone that is knowledgeable about quality espresso coffee machines.  Try calling one of the major chains for support and they will refer you to the manufacturer.  The truth is that your retailer should be able to answer most questions and get you technical support if you need it.  You are not going to get the level of support from a big chain store or large e-tailer.

Today’s home espresso machines are sophisticated machines.  Buy the machine from a reputable online retailer who specializes in espresso machines or coffee makers.  Retail stores that specialize in espresso and coffee machines have knowledgeable staff that can assist you with questions, problems, tips, and service.  And guess what, the prices in the espresso coffee machine specialty stores are typically less because of the volume of machines they sell.

Choose a store that has a Better Business Bureau accreditation so you can be sure you are buying from a reputable dealer.  Beware of stores that do not specialize in coffee and espresso machines.  Where is the best place to find the best cup of coffee or espresso?  It is your own kitchen of course.  Happy shopping.

Markus Yannies recommends the gaggia platinum swing and quality
saeco espresso machines

View a Quality coffee and espresso maker