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Coffee and Espresso Machines Espresso machines make use of pressure in order to force water into finely ground and tamped beans. They make a rich and delicious brew. Good Housekeeping Institute experts recommend models that brew at 9 bars minimum to ensure a perfect extraction. Beware of brands who claim they use more pressure than is necessary. Types The espresso machine (also called a coffee maker or Espresso maker) produces coffee that is more concentrated, and of higher quality, than the typical cafe drinks. It uses an average of nine bars of pressure. They come with a range of options, such as temperature and brew-strength control with programmable brewing as well as multiple drink sizes. Some machines can have steam wands with either manual or automatic settings for creating texturized milk to create latte art. There are three kinds of latte art of semi-automatic, super-automatic, and automatic. Each model has its own degree of supervision and control. Semi-automatic espresso machines are most popular in specialty coffee shops. This gives baristas complete control over the brewing process but it is not as user-friendly as an automated or fully automated machine. To get the best espresso shot, you need to grind the beans, fill the portafilter with water, press it down, and adjust the extraction time. Automated machines come with built-in grinders which measures and grind the grounds automatically for you. They automatically dispense the appropriate amount of water to make the espresso, and typically have a programmable drink size function. coffeee.uk were the most frequent espresso machine model in our lab tests, and they provide a good balance of consistency and human control. Functions Whether you choose a pump-driven or steam-driven one, you'll have an in-line reservoir that houses the water used to make your coffee. There's also an element to heat the cold water, generating the intense pressure needed for extraction of coffee from grounds. When the brew lever is raised it triggers the water inlet cam that seals the valve for pre-infusion, so only intensely pressurized hot water flows through the portafilter into ground coffee. The water will take about 25 seconds to transform into espresso. The hot-water tubing also referred to as the insulated tube, is a tube that runs from the reservoir to the spout located at the top of your machine. The resistance heating element warms the water as it flows through the metal warming plate and the aluminum tube. After the spout has been turned on then place your cup under the spout, so that the espresso flows into the cup through the portafilter. The coffee maker also have a steam wand, that you can use to heat and froth milk for beverages that contain espresso like cappuccino or lattes. Automated machines eliminate the guesswork from making coffee. They are easy to use, programable, and are able to measure and grind beans and the tamping down process. In our Lab tests, they are found to be the most effective because they are easy-to-use and don't demand a lot of user skills. Materials In an espresso machine, you'll find a plethora of copper tubes and stainless steel boilers. There's also an intelligent firmware. They may appear complex, but at their core they perform one thing: push hot water through a finely-ground coffee. When purchasing an espresso machine it is important to consider the size and space requirements as in addition to drink options, energy-saving options, and brewing accuracy. Also look for a knob that can activate the steam wand for frothing milk and making latte art. The front of the machine has an indicator of pressure that will give you the operating pressure for the boiler and pump. You should look for a coffee machine that has two needles in order to determine the pressures at the lowest and highest. If you're looking to make more than espresso, pick a machine that has different sizes of brew, including the ristretto. There are also models with a removable milk hopper for easy, hands-free frothing as well as the ability to easily switch between different types of milk. Choose a model that has a built-in softener if you have hard water to avoid mineral accumulation and ensure fresh espresso. Some manufacturers use a PID (proportional, integral, digital) thermostat to maintain an exact temperature range for espresso making. This makes sure you get a excellent cup of espresso every time. It also saves on energy costs, since the machine only operates when it's required. Maintenance Since espresso and coffee machines become more widely available for use at home, the regular maintenance of the equipment is becoming more important. The most efficient equipment can make a an enormous difference in the quality of your coffee however only if it's well maintained. Regular maintenance and cleaning must include everything from cleaning the steam wand, group head and water filter to decaling and changing the water filters regularly. If you make between two and five coffees per day, it's recommended that you clean the main components of your machine every week. Some components of the machine need to cleaned every two to three weeks, for instance, the water tank and the grinder. In addition, you must backflush your system on a weekly basis. This is done by locking the portafilter in place and running the brew cycles many times. This allows you to get rid of any stray coffee grounds or oils left behind. You can also use a brush and cleaner made specifically for espresso machines to clean the portafilter. Maintaining your coffee and espresso machine correctly can also ensure that it lasts longer. It is crucial to keep the expensive espresso machine.