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Buying a Coffee and Espresso Maker If you are looking for a big pot of drip coffee or an espresso, a coffee and espresso maker is essential to your kitchen. We offer a range of designs and features at Target to suit your needs. High pressure forces water into ground beans in just a few seconds. The grounds are then compacted evenly and then interlock. Features When you are looking to purchase an espresso maker or coffee machine, there are many factors to consider. The features will determine the machine's capabilities and suitability for your needs. Look for features that offer convenience, improve the quality of your brew and allow for customization of your drink. Espresso- and coffee makers can be quite simple, like the classic Bialetti Moka Express non-electric coffee brewer that uses an oven to heat water that drips slowly over the ground beans. Some models offer more advanced features, for instance, double boilers that let you to make espresso and froth or steaming milk at the simultaneously. best home espresso machine include digital displays that let you know when your water tank is empty or when it's time empty the grounds bin, or descale, and other routine maintenance tasks. Most modern coffee and espresso makers employ a similar brewing process that involves pouring hot water over pre-ground or ground beans that are placed in a filter. They're often designed to stop brewing at the right time, allowing you to take a fresh cup every morning. Certain models let you choose the strength you prefer to brew and some models have adjustable temperature settings for optimal flavor. The top of the line of coffee and espresso machines is the super-automatic, which is designed to do everything for you. They're typically equipped with an integrated grinder, meaning that they can grind and brew coffee using fresh beans. They'll usually also come with a separate steamer to make lattes or cappuccinos. They may also offer a menu that lets you choose from a variety of drinks including hot chocolate. If you have an area that is small, opt for a small model that doesn't occupy much counter space. If you have multiple people in the household with different preferences in their coffee, consider getting a multi-cup device that can accommodate different sizes of cups. 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 have the perfect cup every time. When shopping for an espresso and coffee machine, a good warranty and prompt service are important factors to consider. Depending on the brand the warranty will range between one and three years. Easy of Use If you want to create a coffeehouse-like beverage at home, you'll need more than a simple drip filter coffee maker. Espresso is made by putting water under high pressure is pushed at a high speed through finely ground beans. The result is a quick “shot” of caffeine, with a thick layer crema on the top. The majority of espresso and combination coffee machines make use of a portafilter steaming arm and basket to accomplish this, whereas others use pre-packaged pods or filters or allow you to grind and measure beans by hand. The kind of machine you choose will depend on how spacious and hands-on you want to be. A manual machine gives you the most control but it requires lots of work: You'll need grind the beans, hand-tamp the coffee and then take your shots. Semiautomatic models can take an extra step or two of the process, similar to grinding and tamping, but require more work than an automatic machine. Fully automatic espresso makers and coffee makers can prepare a complete pot of drip coffee or an entire espresso cup with the click of a button. You'll also want to consider whether you're brewing for just one or several people. Certain models, such as the Nespresso Vertuo Plus can brew three cups of espresso or coffee at once. This can be a convenient way to keep up with your morning coffee needs however it might not be the ideal choice when you're hosting crowds. Dual boilers allow you to make steaming and coffee simultaneously to ensure that you don't have to wait until one feature cools before starting the other. This feature is especially beneficial when you are planning to make lattes and cappuccinos. A coffee maker with removable water reservoir is less likely to accumulate mineral deposits than one that does not. You'll have to wash your reservoir regularly, but it will save you time because you won't have to pour out and re-fill the entire pot of water. The hardness of the water may also cause mineral buildup. Harder water will produce more dissolved minerals, which can cause your machine to require more descaling. Filtered or soft water is less harsh on your machine and will decrease the frequency of descaling. Cleaning is easy For many home owners the espresso or coffee maker is a major investment. It requires regular maintenance to ensure that it is operating at its peak and lasts as long as is possible. Cleaning the carafe along with other removable parts of an espresso machine or drip coffee maker, is a crucial part of maintenance. Use vinegar or a descaling solution at least once a week to maintain your appliance. Certain models have sensors that illuminate when it's time to clean. While vinegar is great for sinks and counters but its acidity could harm rubber seals as well as other components in your espresso and coffee maker which can reduce the life of your machine. 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 maker or coffee maker, first take the portafilter as well as the basket from the group. Dislodge any ground from the portafilter or the basket using a nylon scrubby pad or brush. Clean them thoroughly with hot water and then dry them with a clean towel. Then, you can clean the brewing group by inserting a clean tablet into the blind filter and running a backflush software. You can also manually backflush your machine by placing a cleaning tablet solution into the portafilter and activating the brewing program and then pause for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until the water flow is steady. This means that your machine has been descaled. The brew mesh needs to be soaked up by the water as it moves through the espresso machine. The mesh may become clogged with old coffee residue when it is dirty. This could negatively affect the extraction. Calatrello suggests you remove the mesh every month and clean it using a toothbrush. Then, soak the mesh in hot water for a night with a cleansing tablet. If you own a full-automatic coffee maker and espresso maker, you can clean your machine by removing the reservoir of water and refilling it with fresh water, adding a cleaning tablet and running a backflush programmer. You should also clean the inside of the water reservoir as well as the pot to remove any stains and residue. You'll need to wash and dry both the carafe and the reservoir of water prior to reassemble the appliance. Maintenance Ease If you're looking to brew a quick espresso or coffee on the go, opt for an automatic model. It doesn't need any action from you. These models use an insulated basket that contains ground coffee beans, water heated to the proper temperature, then released into the coffee grounds. These machines are ideal for those who like the process of making coffee but don't want hours learning the skills and techniques required to create the finest tasting drinks. They are easy to use and clean. The results are similar to drip coffee maker. To keep your machine in good condition make sure you dump the grounds that have been used and scrub the grouphead and portafilter after each use. Also, you'll need to flush your machine on a regular basis. This is accomplished by locking the filter into the grouphead, then running the cycle of brewing several times until the water is clean. Coffeehouses do this at the end of each day, but home users can do it every few days or once per week, using detergent, to give the machine a deeper clean. You'll also have to clean your steam wand, milk reservoir, and other parts of the machine on a regular basis. We suggest cleaning them once every week. This can be done by cleaning all areas of your machine with the vinegar-soapy solution (check the manual before starting since some manufacturers do not 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 make your espresso or coffee maker to stop working or have a different taste. Purchase a coffee and Espresso maker that has a water-hardness tester to avoid this.