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Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker Whether you like a full pot of drip coffee or espresso, a coffee maker and espresso maker is a must for your kitchen. At Target, we have an array of designs and features that will meet your needs. With an espresso machine high pressure, water is forced through ground beans in just a few seconds. Then the grounds are tamped to evenly compact and interlock them. The following are some examples of There are a number of factors to consider when buying a coffee and espresso maker. The features are what determine the machine's performance and suitability for your needs. Find features that provide convenience, improve the quality of your brew and allow you to customize your beverage. Coffee- and espresso makers can be simple. For instance the traditional Bialetti Moka Express is a non-electric brewer which uses the pot that slowly drips water over ground beans. Some models have more advanced options, such as a dual boiler that lets you to make espresso as well as steam or frothed the milk simultaneously. Other features include digital displays that notify you when your water tank is depleted or when it's time empty the grounds bin or descale, and other maintenance tasks. Most modern coffee and espresso makers utilize the same brewing procedure that involves pouring hot water over ground or pre-ground beans that sit in a filter. They're usually designed to stop the brewing process at the right time, so that you can have a fresh cup every morning. Certain models let you choose the brewing intensity you prefer while others allow you to adjust temperature settings for the most flavorful brew. The highest-end of espresso and coffee machines is the super-automatic one, which is designed to handle everything for you. They're typically equipped with an integrated grinder, which means they can grind and brew your coffee with fresh beans. They'll typically come with an additional steam wand that can be used to make cappuccinos and lattes. You may also be able to choose from a selection of beverages, including hot chocolate from their menu. If you live in small kitchens, you should consider a compact model to reduce counter space. If you have several people in the household who have their own preferences for coffee Consider getting a multi-cup machine that is able to accommodate different sizes of cups. If you're a coffee or Espresso connoisseur then look for models that allow you to adjust the brew strength and water-to-coffee ratio so that you can create the perfect cup every time. A good warranty and responsive customer service are also important factors to consider when choosing a coffee and espresso maker. The warranty period varies from one to three year depending on the brand. Easy of Use You will require more than a standard drip-filter coffee maker to create a coffeehouse like beverage at home. Espresso is made when water that is under pressure is pushed at a high speed through finely ground beans. The result is a brief “shot” of caffeine with a thick layer of crema on top. The majority of combination espresso and coffee machines use a portafilter, basket and steaming arm to accomplish this, whereas others rely on pre-packaged pods or filters or allow you to grind and measure beans by hand. The kind of machine you choose depends on how hands-on you want to be and the amount of space you have. Manual machines offer the most control, but require a lot of effort as you'll need to grind the coffee beans, hand-tamp it and pull your shots. Semiautomatic models take an extra step or two of the process, like grinding and tamping, but require more effort than an automated machine. Fully automated espresso and coffee makers can make a whole pot of drip coffee or even an entire espresso cup with just the press of a button. You'll also need to consider whether you're brewing for just one or a group of people. Certain models, such as the Nespresso Vertuo Plus can brew three cups of coffee or espresso simultaneously. This is a great way to meet your morning coffee needs, but it may not be the best option when you're hosting crowds. Dual boilers let you prepare steaming and coffee simultaneously so that you don't need to wait until one function cools before starting the other. This feature is especially useful when you're planning to make cappuccinos or lattes. A coffee and espresso maker with an adjustable reservoir for water is less likely to build up mineral deposits than one that does not. You'll need to clean your reservoir periodically but it will save you time since you don't need to empty and replace the entire pot of water. Another reason that can contribute to the buildup of minerals is the hardness of your water. The harder water will produce more dissolved minerals and makes your machine need descaling more frequently. Water that is soft or filtered is less stressful to use and reduces the frequency of descaling. Cleaning is easy A coffee or espresso maker is a major purchase for a lot of homeowners and requires regular maintenance to keep its performance and durability at its peak. Cleaning the carafe, and other parts that are removable from an espresso machine or drip coffee maker is a crucial part of maintenance. Using vinegar or a specialized descaling solution at least once a month is important to help keep your machine in good condition and certain models might feature light-up sensors that notify you when it's time to clean. While vinegar is excellent for counters and sinks but its acidity could harm rubber seals as well as other components of your coffee and espresso machine, reducing its lifespan. Many brands, including Lavazza and Smeg recommend that you do not use vinegar to clean your coffee maker as it may invalidate the warranty. To clean your espresso maker or coffee maker, remove the portafilter from the group. Utilizing a nylon brush or scrubby pad, clean any grounds from the portafilter and the basket. Rinse them thoroughly with hot water, and dry them using a clean towel. Next, clean your brewing group. Place a cleaning tablet into the blind filter. Run a backflush. Alternatively, you can manually backflush the machine by placing an empty cleaning tablet inside the portafilter, turning on the brewing cycle and then pause it for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until you can see a steady flow of water—this signifies that the machine has been descaled. When water flows through the espresso machine, it needs to go through the mesh that makes up the brew group. If the mesh is dirty, it can get blocked by coffee residue, which can negatively affect the extraction process. To ensure that the mesh is always in good working order Calatrello suggests removing it once a month, cleaning it with a toothbrush and soaking it overnight in hot water using the aid of a cleansing tablet that dissolves in it. If you own an entirely automated espresso and coffee maker You can clean it by removing the reservoir of water and filling it with clean water, adding cleaning tablets and running a backflush process. It is also recommended to clean the inside of the water reservoir and pot to remove any residue or stains. Before reassembling your appliance, you'll have to clean and dry the carafe as well as the water reservoir. Maintenance Ease If you want to make an instant cup of coffee or espresso on the go, opt for an automatic model that doesn't require any action from you. These models make use of the basket with ground coffee beans, water heated to the right temperature and then released into the coffee grounds. These machines are ideal for those who love the process of making coffee but don't have much time to invest in learning the techniques and skills required to create the best tasting drinks. These machines are easy to operate and clean. The results are similar to those of a drip coffee maker. To keep your machine in good condition ensure that you empty the used grounds and scrub down the portafilter and grouphead after each use. It is also necessary to flush your machine on a regular basis. This is accomplished by locking the filter into the grouphead, then running the brew cycles a few more times until the water is clean. This is a job that coffeehouses perform at the end of each day but that home users can do every few days or alternatively, once a week with detergent for an even more thorough clean. Additionally, you'll need clean the steam wand as well as the milk reservoir on a regular basis, we recommend once a month. This can be done by wiping down all parts of your machine with a vinegar-soapy water mixture (check the manual before starting since some manufacturers do not recommend vinegar). Additionally, you must change your filter regularly—hard water tends to build up mineral residues more quickly than soft or filtered water. coffee and espresso maker Coffeee could cause your coffee and espresso maker to not run or have a distinct taste. Buy a coffee and espresso maker that comes with a water hardness tester to avoid this.