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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-sized pot or espresso. We have a variety of designs and features at Target to meet your needs. High pressure forces water into ground beans in a matter of seconds. The grounds are then tamped in order to evenly compact them and then interlock. Features There are a variety of aspects to take into account when purchasing a coffee and espresso maker. The most important is the features that determine its function and its suitability to your requirements. Find features that provide convenience, enhance the quality of your drink and allow for customization of your drink. Espresso and coffee makers can be quite simple. For example the traditional Bialetti Moka Express is a non-electric brewer that uses a pot to slowly drip water over the ground beans. Some models offer more advanced features, such as a double boiler that allows you make espresso and frothed or steamed milk at same time. Other features include digital displays that let you know when your water tank is depleted or when it's time empty the grounds bin, or descale, as well as other maintenance tasks. Most modern coffee and espresso makers employ a similar brewing process that involves pouring hot water over pre-ground or ground beans that are placed in filters. Many are designed to stop brewing automatically at the correct time, so that you can enjoy a new cup of coffee every morning. Certain models allow you to choose your preferred brew strength and some models have adjustable temperature settings for optimal flavor. The top tier of coffee and espresso machines is the super-automatic model, which is designed to handle everything for you. These machines are usually equipped with a built-in grinder so that they can grind and brew coffee with fresh beans. They'll usually also include a separate steam wand to make cappuccinos and lattes. They may also have a menu that lets you select from a range of drinks, including hot chocolate. If you live in small kitchens, you should consider a compact model to reduce counter space. If you have multiple people in your home who each have different preferences in their coffee, consider getting a multi-cup machine that can accommodate different sizes of cups. If you're a coffee or espresso lover, look for models that allow you to alter the strength of your brew and water-to-coffee ratio so that you can make the perfect cup every time. A solid warranty and prompt customer service are other important aspects to consider when shopping for an espresso maker and coffee maker. Warranty terms vary from one to three years dependent on the brand. Easy of Use You will require more than a traditional drip-filter coffee maker to create a coffeehouse type beverage at home. Espresso is made when water pressured to high is pushed at high speed through finely ground beans. The result is a brief “shot” of caffeine, with a rich layer of crema on top. The majority of espresso and combination coffee machines employ a portafilter, basket and steaming arm for this process, whereas others rely on pre-packaged coffee pods or filters, or allow the user to grind and measure beans manually. The type of machine you choose will depend on how accessible and spacious you'd like it to be. Manual machines offer the most control but take a lot of work as you'll need to grind the coffee beans, then hand-tamp it, and then pull your shots. Semiautomatic machines can be accomplished in a few steps, like grinding and tapping. However, they require more work than automatic machines. Fully automated coffee and espresso makers make a whole pot of drips or an entire cup of espresso with the push of a button. Think about whether you are making coffee for a single person or an entire group of people. Certain models, such as the Nespresso Vertuo Plus can brew three cups of espresso or coffee simultaneously. This can be a convenient method of keeping up with your coffee-drinking needs in the morning, but it may not be the best option when you're hosting crowds. Learn Additional Here and espresso maker with dual boilers allows you to simultaneously brew and steam milk, so you don't have to wait for one feature to cool down before the other starts. This feature is especially useful when you are planning to make cappuccinos and lattes. A coffee maker that has removable water reservoir is less likely to develop mineral deposits than one that doesn't. You'll have to wash your reservoir regularly but it will cut down on time since you don't need to pour out and re-fill the entire pot of water. The hardness of the water could also contribute to mineral buildup. The harder water will create more dissolved minerals, which can make your machine require more descaling. Filtered or soft water is less damaging to your machine, and can reduce the frequency of descaling. Cleaning is easy For many homeowners the espresso or coffee maker is a significant investment. It requires regular maintenance to ensure it is operating at its peak and lasts as long as is possible. Cleaning the carafe along with other parts that are removable from an espresso machine or drip coffee maker, is an essential aspect of maintenance. Use vinegar or a descaling solution at least once every week to keep your appliance. Some models come with sensors that illuminate when it's time to clean. While vinegar is great for sinks and countertops, the acidity can damage the rubber seals and components of your coffee and espresso maker, thereby limiting the life of the machine. Many brands, including Lavazza and Smeg, also 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, take out the portafilter from the group. Clean any dirt or debris from the portafilter and the basket using a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Rinse them thoroughly with hot water and dry them using a clean towel. Then, clean the brewing group by inserting a cleaning tablet into the blind filter and running a backflush program. You can also manually flush your machine by placing a tablet of cleaning solution in the portafilter and turning on the brewing software and then pause for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until you can see an even flow of water. This means that the machine has been properly descaled. The mesh of the brew group must be soaked up by water as it moves through the espresso machine. When this mesh is dirty, it can get blocked by coffee residue and negatively affect the extraction process. To ensure that the mesh remains in good shape Calatrello suggests removing it once every month, cleaning it with a toothbrush and soak it overnight in hot water with the aid of a cleansing tablet that dissolves in it. If you have a fully automated coffee and espresso maker, you can also clean the machine by removing the water reservoir and filling it with fresh water, adding a cleaning tablet and running a backflush programmer. It is also recommended to clean the inside of the pot and the 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 prior to reassemble the appliance. Easy Maintenance If you want to brew a quick espresso or coffee on the go, choose an automatic model. It doesn't require any intervention from you. These models make use of the basket with ground coffee beans, heated water to the right temperature, then released into the ground. These machines are ideal for those who like the process of making coffee but don't want to spend much time learning the skills and techniques needed to create the best tasting drinks. They are simple to use and clean and the results are like those produced by the traditional drip coffee maker. To keep your machine in good condition ensure that you remove the grounds used up from the portafilter following each use, and clean the grouphead and portafilter. It is also necessary to flush your machine on a regular basis. This is accomplished by locking the filter inside the grouphead, and running the cycle of brewing several times until the water runs clear. Coffeehouses will do this at the end of every day, but home users can do it every few days or once per week, with detergent for a more thorough cleaning. You'll also need to clean your steam wand, milk reservoir and other parts of the machine regularly. We suggest cleaning them once every week. You can do this by wiping down all parts of your machine with the vinegar-soapy solution (check the manual before starting since some manufacturers do not recommend vinegar). Also, you should change your filter often, as hard water tends create more mineral residue than soft or filtering. This can cause the coffee maker and espresso maker to get blocked or have a different taste or not run at all. To avoid this happening, you should purchase a coffee and espresso maker with a water hardness tester.