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Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker A coffee and espresso machine is a must-have for any kitchen, regardless of whether you prefer a full pot or espresso. At Target we have an array of designs and features that will meet your preferences. High pressure forces water into the ground beans within seconds. The grounds are then compacted to an even degree and then interlock. The following are a few examples of When purchasing an espresso maker or coffee machine, there are a variety of aspects to take into consideration. The most important are the characteristics that determine its purpose and its suitability for your needs. You should look for features that are convenient to use, enhance the quality of your beverage and allow you to personalize your drink. Espresso makers and coffee makers can be simple. For instance, the traditional Bialetti Moka Express is a non-electric brewer that uses an insulated pot to slowly drip water over ground beans. Certain models come with more advanced features, like a double boiler that allows you to make espresso as well as frothed or steaming milk at the same time. Other features include digital displays that let you know when your water tank is empty, when it's time to empty the grounds bin or descale, and other routine maintenance tasks. Modern espresso makers and coffee makers utilize a similar brewing method that involves pouring hot filtered water over freshly ground or ground beans. Many are designed to stop brewing at the right time to allow you to have a fresh cup of coffee each morning. Certain models let you choose your preferred brew strength and some models have adjustable temperature settings for optimal flavor. The highest-end of espresso and coffee machines is the super-automatic that is designed to do everything for you. These machines usually come with a built-in grinder that allows them to grind and brew coffee using fresh beans. They will also usually include a separate steamer that is used to make lattes or cappuccinos. They may also have a menu that lets you choose from a selection of drinks including hot chocolate. If you have a small kitchen, opt for a small model that doesn't take up much counter space. Consider a multi-cup coffee machine that can handle different sizes of cups if there are many people in your home with different coffee preferences. If you're an espresso lover, look for models that allow you to adjust the strength of the brew and water-to-coffee ratio so that you can make the perfect cup every time. A solid warranty and prompt customer service are also important aspects to take into consideration when shopping for a coffee and espresso maker. Warranty periods vary from one to three year depending on the brand. Easy of Use If you're looking to create a coffeehouse-like beverage at home, you'll require more than a simple drip filter coffee maker. For espresso, water pressured to high 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 the top. For this process, most combination coffee and espresso machine use a portafilter basket and steaming arm. Other machines depend on pre-packaged pods and filters, or let you measure and grind beans manually. The kind of machine you pick will depend on how hands-on and spacious you want to be. A manual machine will give you the most control but it requires a lot of work: You'll have grind the beans, then hand-tamp the coffee, and then pull your shots. Semiautomatic models take one or two steps out of the process, such as grinding and tamping, but they require more work than an automatic machine. Fully automated espresso makers can make a full pot of drip coffee or an entire espresso cup with just the push of a single button. Consider whether you are brewing 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 once. This is a great method of keeping up with your coffee-drinking needs in the morning however it might not be the best option if you're making for an audience. Dual boilers allow you to brew coffee and steam milk at the same time so that you don't have to wait until one feature cools before starting the next. Coffeee is especially useful for those who plan to make lattes and cappuccinos. A coffee maker with a removable water reservoir is less likely to develop mineral deposits than one that does not. It is still necessary to clean the reservoir periodically however you'll save some time by not having to pour out and replace a whole pot of water. Another factor that can contribute to mineral build-up is the hardness of your water: Harder water produces more dissolved minerals, which causes your machine to need descaling more frequently. Filtered or soft water is less abrasive to your machine and will reduce the frequency of descaling. Ease of Cleaning For many home owners the coffee or espresso machine is a major investment. It requires regular maintenance to ensure it is operating at its peak and lasts for as long as it is. Cleaning the carafe, along with other parts that are removable from an espresso machine or drip coffee maker is an essential part of maintaining. Using vinegar or a special descaling solution at least once per month is a must to maintain your appliance and certain models might have sensors that light up to alert you when it's time to clean. While vinegar is great for sinks and countertops however, the acidity can harm the rubber seals and components of your coffee and espresso maker, which could limit the life of the machine. Numerous brands, including Lavazza and Smeg recommend that you do not use vinegar to clean your coffee maker as it could void the warranty. To clean your espresso maker or coffee maker, take out the portafilter from the group. Using a nylon brush or scrubby pad, clean any remaining grounds from the portafilter as well as the basket. Both should be thoroughly cleaned with hot water and then dried using a clean cloth. Next, sanitize the brew group by inserting a clean tablet into the blind filter and running a backflush program. Alternatively, you can manually backflush the machine by putting the cleaning tablet into the portafilter, turning on the brewing cycle, and pausing it for 10 seconds. Repeat this procedure until the flow of water is steady. This means that your machine has been descaled. The brew mesh needs to be soaked by the water as it flows through the espresso machine. If this mesh is dirty, it can clog with old coffee residue and negatively impact the extraction process. Calatrello suggests that you unscrew the mesh every month and clean it with a toothbrush. Then, soak it in hot water overnight with a cleaning tablet. If you have a fully automatic coffee and espresso machine, you can clean it by disassembling the water reservoir and filling it up with fresh water adding cleaning tablets, and running a backflush program. It is also recommended to clean the inside of the pot and water reservoir to get rid of any residue and staining. Before reassembling the appliance, you'll need to wash and dry the carafe as well as the water reservoir. Easy Maintenance For those who want to brew up a quick espresso or cup of coffee on the go, look for an automated model that doesn't require any intervention from you. These models use an insulated basket that contains ground coffee beans, water heated to the right temperature and then released into the grounds. These machines are ideal for those who love making a cup of coffee, but don't have the time to study the techniques and skills required to create the best tasting drinks. These machines are easy to operate and easy to clean. The results are similar to a drip coffee maker. To maintain your machine ensure that you remove the grounds that are used from the portafilter following each use, and clean the portafilter and the grouphead. Also, you'll need to backflush your machine regularly. This is done by locking the filter in the grouphead, then running the cycle of brewing several times until the water is clear. This is a task that coffeehouses perform at the end of each day, but one that home owners can easily perform every few days or, alternatively, every week using detergent to give it a deeper clean. You'll also need to clean your steam wand, milk reservoir and other components of the machine regularly. We recommend cleaning them at least once every week. It's as easy as wiping down all parts of your machine using the vinegar-soapy solution (check the instructions before starting as some manufacturers don't recommend vinegar). It is also recommended to change your filter frequently, as hard water tends build up more mineral residue than soft or filtering. This can cause your coffee and espresso maker to not run or have a different taste. To avoid this happening, buy a coffee and espresso maker that has the test of water hardness.