Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker

A coffee and espresso machine is a must in any kitchen, whether you prefer a full-sized pot or espresso. At Target we offer an array of designs and features to meet your preferences.

Espresso machines, high pressure forces water through ground beans in seconds. The grounds are then tamped in order to make them compact and interlock.

Features

When purchasing a coffee maker or espresso machine, there are numerous things to take into account. The most important are the features that determine its function and suitability to your needs. Look for features that are easy to use, improve your brew's quality 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 a pot to heat water that slowly drips over ground beans. Certain models have more advanced features, such as double boilers that let you make espresso and frothed or steamed milk at the simultaneously. Digital displays can also alert you when your tank is in need of topping up, when the time is right to clean or descale the grounds bin, and when other maintenance tasks are due.

The majority of modern espresso and coffee makers employ a similar brewing method that involves pouring hot filtered water over ground or pre-ground beans. Some are designed to stop brewing automatically at the correct time to allow you to have a fresh cup of coffee each morning. Some models allow you to select the level of brew you prefer and some have adjustable temperatures to give you the best flavor.

The top tier of espresso and coffee machines is the super-automatic model, which is designed to handle everything for you. They are typically equipped with a built in grinder that allows them to grind and brew coffee from fresh beans. They'll usually have a separate steam wand for making cappuccinos and lattes. You may also be able to choose from a selection of drinks including hot chocolate from their menu.

If you live in smaller kitchens, consider smaller models to save counter space. If you have multiple members of your household with their own preferences for coffee Consider getting a multi-cup machine that can accommodate different sizes of cups. If you're a coffee or espresso connoisseur, look for models that let you adjust the strength of the brew and water-to-coffee ratio, so you can have the perfect cup every time.

When you are looking for an espresso and coffee machine, a long-lasting warranty and prompt service are essential factors to take into consideration. Depending on the brand the warranty can vary between one and three years.

Easy to Use

If you're looking to create a coffeehouse-style beverage at home, you need more than a simple drip filter coffee maker. To brew espresso, high-pressured water is pushed through finely ground coffee beans at high speeds. The result is short "shots" of caffeine that have an intense crema on top. The majority of combination espresso and coffee machines employ a portafilter, steaming arm and basket for this process, while others rely on pre-packaged coffee pods or filters, or permit the user to grind and measure beans by hand.

The type of machine you pick will depend on how involved you'd like to be and how much space you have. Manual machines give you the most control, however it does require an enormous amount of work: You'll need to grind the beans, hand-tamp the coffee, and then pull your shots. Semiautomatic models can take an extra step or two of the process, such as grinding and tamping, however they require more work than an automatic machine. Fully automated coffee and espresso makers make a full pot of drips or an entire cup of espresso at the touch of the 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 make up to three cups of coffee or espresso simultaneously. This is a good alternative for those who prefer to make their own coffee in the morning, but it might not be the best choice if you are preparing for a large group.

Dual boilers let you prepare coffee and steam milk at the same time to ensure that you don't need to wait until one process is cool before beginning the second. This feature is particularly useful if you're planning on making cappuccinos or lattes.

A coffee and espresso maker that has a removable water reservoir is less likely to accumulate mineral deposits than one that does not. It is necessary to regularly clean your reservoir but it will save you time because you won't have to pour out and replace the entire pot of water. The hardness of the water could be a factor in the buildup of minerals. Harder water will produce more dissolved minerals, which can make your machine require more descaling. Filtered or soft water is less harsh on your machine, and will reduce the frequency of descaling.

Cleaning is easy

For many homeowners who own a coffee or espresso machine is a large investment. It requires regular maintenance to ensure it is operating at its peak and lasts as long as possible. Whether you use a drip coffee maker or an espresso machine, regular cleaning of the carafe and other parts that can be removed is a crucial aspect of maintaining the machine. Using vinegar or a specialized descaling solution at least once per month is important to help keep your machine in good condition and certain models might have light-up sensors that alert you when it's time to clean.

While vinegar is a great option for sinks and countertops but the acidity could damage the rubber seals and components of your espresso and coffee maker, thereby limiting the life of the machine. Numerous brands, including Lavazza and Smeg, also 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, you must remove the portafilter from the group. Clean any dirt or debris from the portafilter or the basket with a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Both must be thoroughly cleaned with hot water and then dried using a clean cloth. Next, sanitize espresso machines by inserting a cleaning tablet into the blind filter and running a backflush software. You can also manually backflush your machine by placing a cleaning tablet solution in the portafilter and turning on the brewing program, then pausing for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until you can see a steady flow of water. This signifies that the machine has been descaled.


As the water flows through the espresso machine, it has to soak through the mesh of the brew group. When this mesh is dirty, it can clog with old coffee residue, which can negatively affect the extraction process. Calatrello recommends that you take off the mesh every month and clean it using the aid of a toothbrush. Then soak the mesh in hot water for a night with a cleaning tablet.

If you own a fully automatic coffee and espresso machine cleaning it by removing the reservoir of water, filling it up with water that is fresh, adding cleaning tablets and running a backflush process. You should also wipe down the inside of the water reservoir and pot to remove any stains or residue. Before reassembling the appliance, you'll need to wash and dry the carafe as as the water reservoir.

Easy Maintenance

If you're looking to make an espresso quickly or coffee on the go, choose an automatic model. It doesn't require any effort from you. These models usually use an insulated basket that holds ground coffee beans as well as water that's heated to the proper temperature before being released into the grounds and it is brewed in a single shot.

These machines are great for those who love making coffee, but don't have the time to study the techniques and skills that make the best-tasting drinks. They are simple to operate and clean and produce results similar to those of a traditional drip coffee maker.

To maintain your machine be sure to clean the used grounds from the portafilter after each use and clean the portafilter and grouphead. You'll also need to flush your machine on a regular basis. This is done by locking the filter inside the grouphead, and running the brew cycles a few more times until the water is clean. 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 with detergent for a deeper clean.

Additionally, you'll need clean the steam wand and milk reservoir on a regular basis, we recommend once a month. To do this, you just wipe the entire surface of the machine with a mixture of vinegar and warm soapy water (check the manual for your product prior to cleaning as some manufacturers suggest against using vinegar). It is also recommended to change your filter often since hard water tends to accumulate more mineral residue than soft or filtered. This can cause your coffee and espresso maker to stop working or have a different taste. To avoid this happening, buy a coffee and espresso maker with a water hardness tester.