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Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker A coffee and espresso machine is essential for any kitchen, regardless of whether you prefer a full-sized pot or espresso. At Target we have an array of styles and features to suit your preferences. High pressure forces water into the ground beans in a matter of seconds. The grounds are then tamped to compact them evenly and lock them. Features There are many factors to consider when buying an espresso maker and coffee maker. The features will determine the machine's capabilities and suitability to your needs. Find features that are convenient to use, enhance the quality of your beverage and allow you to personalize your beverage. Espresso- and coffee makers can be simple, like the traditional Bialetti Moka Express non-electric coffee brewer that makes use of the use of a pot to heat the water that drips slowly over ground beans. Certain models come with more advanced options, such as a dual boiler that allows you to make espresso and steam or frothed the milk simultaneously. Digital displays can also alert you when your water tank is in need of topping up, when the time is right to empty or clean the grounds bin, and when other maintenance tasks are due. Most modern coffee and espresso makers utilize a similar brewing process that involves pouring hot water over ground or pre-ground beans that are placed in the filter. They're often designed to automatically stop brewing at the right time, so that you can have an iced cup every morning. Some models allow you to select the level of brew you prefer, and others have adjustable temperature settings to ensure the most flavorful brew. The top of the line of espresso and coffee machines is the super-automatic that is designed to handle everything for you. They are typically equipped with a built-in grinder so that they can grind and brew coffee using fresh beans. They will also usually include a separate steamer that is used to make cappuccinos and lattes. You might also choose from a variety of beverages, including hot chocolate on their menu. If you have a small kitchen, opt for a small model that doesn't take up much counter space. If you have several people in your home who each have their own preferences for coffee Consider getting a multi-cup device that can accommodate different sizes of cups. If you're a coffee or espresso enthusiast, search for models that let you alter the strength of your brew and water-to-coffee ratio, so you can have the perfect cup every time. A solid warranty and prompt customer service are also important aspects to consider when choosing an espresso maker and coffee maker. The warranty period varies from one to three year dependent on the brand. User-Friendliness If you're looking to make an espresso-like drink at home, you'll need more than a simple drip filter coffee maker. Espresso is made by putting water under high pressure is forced at high speed through finely ground beans. The result is a brief “shot” of caffeine with a thick layer crema on top. In this manner, the majority of espresso machines that combine coffee and espresso utilize a portafilter basket and steaming arm, while others rely pre-packaged pods, filters, or let you measure and grind beans by hand. The type of machine that you pick will depend on how accessible and spacious you want to make it. A manual machine will give you the most control, however, it will require lots of work: You'll need grind the beans, hand-tamp the coffee and pull your shots. Semiautomatic machines can be accomplished in several steps, including grinding and tamping. However they are more labor-intensive than automatic machines. Fully automatic espresso makers can make a whole pot of drip coffee or even an entire espresso cup with the press of a button. Think about whether you are making coffee for a single person or an entire group of people. Certain models, like the Nespresso Vertuo Plus can brew three cups of espresso or coffee at a time. This is a convenient option for those who like making their own coffee in the morning, but it might not be ideal if you are preparing for an entire group. Dual boilers let you prepare steaming and coffee simultaneously to ensure that you don't need to wait until one feature cools before starting the second. This feature is particularly beneficial when you're planning to make lattes or cappuccinos. A coffee maker with removable water reservoir is less likely to accumulate mineral deposits than one that doesn't. You'll have to clean your reservoir periodically, but it will save you time because you won't have to pour out and replace the entire pot of water. Another factor that contributes to mineral build-up is the hardness of the water you drink: The harder water will produce more dissolved minerals, which makes your machine require descaling more frequently. Water that is soft or filtered is less abrasive to your machine, and will decrease the frequency of descaling. Ease of Cleaning For many home owners, a espresso or coffee maker is a significant investment. It requires regular maintenance to ensure that it is operating at its peak and lasts as long as possible. Cleaning the carafe along with other removable parts of an espresso machine or drip coffee maker, is an essential part of maintaining. Use vinegar or a descaling solution once every week to maintain your equipment. Certain models have sensors that flash when it's time to clean. While vinegar is ideal for counters and sinks, its acidity can cause damage to rubber seals and other components in your espresso and coffee machine which can reduce the life of your machine. Many brands, like Lavazza and Smeg, suggest that you don't use vinegar to clean your coffee maker because it may invalidate the warranty. To clean your espresso maker or coffee maker, first you must remove the portafilter and the basket from the group. Remove any dirt from the portafilter or basket using a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Both of them should be thoroughly rinsed with hot water and then dried using a clean cloth. Next, clean your brewing group. Put a cleaning tablet in the blind filter. Perform a backflush. You can also manually backflush your machine by placing the cleaning tablet into the portafilter, turning on the brewing process and pausing it for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until you notice an even flow of water. This signifies that the machine has been properly descaled. As the water flows through the espresso machine, it has to pass through the brew group mesh. If this mesh is dirty, it may clog with old coffee residue and negatively affect the extraction process. Calatrello suggests that you unscrew the mesh every month and clean it with brush. Then, soak the mesh in hot water for a night with a cleansing tablet. If you own an automatic espresso and coffee maker You can clean it by removing the reservoir of water and filling it up with fresh water adding cleaning tablets, and running a backflush programme. You should also clean the inside of the water reservoir as well as the pot to get rid of any stains or residue. Before reassembling your appliance, you'll need to clean and dry the carafe as well as the water reservoir. Easy Maintenance If you're looking to make an espresso quickly or coffee on the go, opt for an automatic model. It doesn't require any effort from you. These models use the basket with ground coffee beans, water that is heated to the right temperature, and then released into the grounds. These machines are ideal for those who love the process of making a cup of coffee but don't have much time to invest in learning the techniques and skills that create the best tasting drinks. These machines are simple to operate and clean. The results are similar to those of a drip coffee maker. To keep your machine in good condition make sure you dump the grounds used up and scrub down the portafilter and grouphead after each use. Also, you'll need to backflush your machine regularly. This is accomplished by locking the filter in the grouphead, and running the cycle of brewing several times until the water runs clean. This is a job that coffeehouses complete at the end of each day, but one that home owners can easily do every few days, or alternatively, once a week using detergent to give it better cleaning. Lastly, you'll need to clean the steam wand as well as the milk reservoir frequently, which we suggest every month. To do this, simply clean all the parts of the machine using a mixture of vinegar and warm soapy water (check the product manual beforehand as some manufacturers suggest against using vinegar). Additionally, you must change your filter frequently as hard water tends to accumulate mineral residue faster than soft or filtered water. This can cause the coffee and espresso maker to clog, have an altered taste or not function at all. Buy a coffee and espresso maker that has a water-hardness tester to avoid this.