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Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker If you prefer a large pot of drip coffee or espresso, a coffee and espresso maker is essential to your kitchen. We have a wide range of designs and features at Target to suit your needs. High pressure forces water into ground beans in a matter of seconds. Then the grounds are compacted evenly and interlock them. Here are a few examples of There are a number of factors to consider when buying an espresso maker and coffee maker. The features determine the machine's performance and suitability for your needs. Find features that provide convenience, improve the quality of your beverage and allow you to personalize your beverage. Espresso- and coffee makers aren't difficult to make, such as the classic Bialetti Moka Express non-electric coffee brewer that makes use of the use of a pot to heat the water that slowly drips over the ground beans. Some models offer more sophisticated options, like dual boilers that allow you to make espresso as well as steamed or frothed milk simultaneously. Other features include digital displays that inform you when your water tank is low or when it's time empty the grounds bin or descale, and other routine maintenance tasks. Most modern espresso makers and coffee makers utilize the same method of brewing that involves pouring hot water over pre-ground or ground beans. They're often designed to stop brewing at the appropriate time, so that you can take an iced cup every morning. Certain models allow you to choose your preferred brew strength and some models have adjustable temperature settings to give you the best flavor. The top-tier model of coffee and espresso machines is the superautomatic, which is designed for you to do everything. They usually have a built-in grinder, so they can grind and brew your coffee using fresh beans. They'll usually also come with a separate steamer to make cappuccinos and lattes. You may also select from a variety of beverages including hot chocolate on their menu. If you live in a smaller kitchen, choose smaller models to make use of less counter space. Consider a multi-cup coffee machine that can be used with different sizes of cups if there are several people in your household who have different preferences in coffee. If you're a coffee or espresso lover, look for models that let you adjust the strength of the brew and the ratio of water to coffee, so you can make the perfect cup every time. When you are looking for a new coffee and espresso machine, a dependable warranty and prompt service are crucial factors to consider. Based on the manufacturer the warranty will vary from one to three years. Easy to Use You will require more than a basic drip-filter maker to make a coffeehouse style beverage at home. Espresso is made by putting water pressured to high is pushed at high speed through finely ground beans. The result is a brief “shot” of caffeine, with a thick layer of crema on the top. To achieve this, the majority of combination coffee and espresso machine utilize a portafilter basket and steaming arm, while others depend on pre-packaged pods and filters, or let you measure and grind beans manually. The type of machine you pick will depend on how hands-on and spacious you'd like it to make it. Manual machines give you the most control, but they take a lot of work grinding the coffee beans, hand-tamp it, and then pull your shots. Semiautomatic models take one or two steps out of the process, like grinding and tamping, however they require more work than an automatic machine. Fully automated espresso and coffee makers make a whole pot of drip or an entire cup of espresso with the push of a button. Think about whether you are making coffee for a single person or a group of people. Certain models, like the Nespresso Vertuo Plus can brew three cups of coffee or espresso at once. This is a convenient alternative for those who prefer making their own coffee in the morning, but might not be the best choice if you are making for large numbers. A coffee maker that has a dual boiler allows you to simultaneously steam and brew milk, so you don't have to wait for one process to cool before the other one starts. This feature is particularly useful if you plan to make cappuccinos and lattes. A coffee maker that has removable water reservoir is less likely to develop mineral deposits than one that does not. You'll need to wash your reservoir regularly, but it will save you time as you don't have to empty and replace the entire pot of water. The hardness of the water could be a factor in the buildup of minerals. A water that is harder will result in more dissolving minerals, which will make your machine require more descaling. Filtered or soft water is less abrasive to your machine, and will reduce the frequency of descaling. Cleaning is easy A coffee maker or espresso maker is a major purchase for a lot of homeowners and it requires regular care to keep its performance and durability at its peak. No matter if you use a drip coffee maker or an espresso machine, proper cleaning of the carafe and other parts that can be removed is an essential element of the maintenance process. Using vinegar or a specialized descaling solution at least once per month is a must to maintain your appliance and some models have light-up sensors that alert you when it's time to clean. While vinegar is great for countertops and sinks but the acidity could damage the rubber seals and other components of your espresso or coffee maker, potentially limiting its lifespan. Many brands, including Lavazza and Smeg—recommend not to use vinegar to clean your machine because it could void the warranty. To clean your espresso machine or coffee maker, first take the portafilter and the basket from the group. Dislodge espresso machine with milk frother from the portafilter or the basket by using a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Both must be thoroughly cleaned with hot water, then dried using a clean cloth. The next step is to clean your brewing group. Insert a cleaning tablet in the blind filter. Perform backflush. Alternatively, you can manually backflush your machine by placing the cleaning tablet into the portafilter, then turning on the brewing process and then stopping it for 10 seconds. Repeat this procedure until the water flow is steady. This indicates that your machine has been descaled. As water flows through the espresso machine, it is required to go through the mesh that makes up the brew group. This mesh can become filled with coffee residue if it's dirty. This could negatively affect the extraction. Calatrello recommends that you take off the mesh once every month and clean it with brush. Then, soak the mesh in hot water for a night with a cleaning tablet. If you own a fully-automatic coffee and espresso maker, you can also clean the machine by removing the water reservoir and filling it with fresh water, putting in a cleaning tablet and running a backflush program. You should also wipe the inside of the pot and the water reservoir to remove any traces and staining. You'll need to rinse and dry both the carafe and the water reservoir before you reassemble the appliance. Maintenance Ease If you want to brew a quick espresso or coffee at the go, select an automatic model. It doesn't need any effort from you. These models use an insulated basket that contains ground coffee beans, water that is heated to the correct 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 the time to learn the skills and techniques that make the best-tasting drinks. They are easy to clean and operate, and the results are similar to those of traditional drip coffee makers. To keep your machine in good condition be sure to clean the grounds that are used from the portafilter after every use, and then clean the portafilter and grouphead. Additionally, you'll have to backflush your machine on a regular basis—this is accomplished by locking the portafilter into the grouphead and running the brew cycle for a several times until the water is clear. This is a job that coffeehouses perform at the end of each day, but which home owners can do every few days or alternatively, once a week with detergent for better cleaning. Lastly, you'll need to clean the steam wand as well as the milk reservoir regularly—we recommend this once a month. To do this, you simply wipe down all parts of the machine using a mix of vinegar and warm soapy water (check the manual for your product prior to cleaning since some manufacturers recommend against using vinegar). Also, make sure you change your filter frequently as hard water tends to accumulate mineral residue faster than soft or filtered water. This could make your espresso or coffee maker not to run or have a different taste. To keep this from happening, purchase a coffee and espresso maker that has the test of water hardness.