As I often preach, the best espresso maker to select is the one within your budget that will perform on the three baseline requirements of extraction time, pressure, and temperature control. If your espresso maker fails to deliver in these areas you will not be making espresso so you might as well save yourself the money and buy a coffee maker instead. So let’s take a closer look at the different machine types to find the best espresso maker.
Your espresso maker must maintain an extraction time of about 25 seconds, pressure of 9 bar and a consistent water temperature of about 95 degrees (C). After narrowing down your search using the requirements listed above, evaluate other features that will add to your overall satisfaction with the machine. There are just 3 types of espresso maker regardless of what you may have been told elsewhere. Espresso makers are operated either by steam, pump or lever.
Lets quickly clear up a couple misconceptions. A quick word about stovetop espresso makers. I love them, I collect them and I use mine every day. Although they make great Italian style coffee, the name is misleading because they absolutely do not make espresso. Semi-automatic, super-automatic and automatic may also be terms you’ve encountered. These are all pump driven espresso makers and the designations describe the features of the machine and not the type of machine itself.
Alright. On to the three types of espresso maker and the unique characteristics of each.
STEAM ESPRESSO MACHINES- These machines live at the bottom end of the spectrum in both function and price. The heating chamber creates steam which forces the water through the machine. It is more difficult to control the brewing process with steam machines and they usually empty the extraction into a small pot rather than directly into your cup. You will not be able to develop an acceptable crema with steam espresso makers because almost all operate below the required 9 bar pressure requirement. However, if you plan to make mostly milk based drinks like cappuccino and you are on a strict budget, the better ones will serve the purpose at a price that is much lower than that of lever and pump machines.
PUMP ESPRESSO MACHINES – As the name implies, the pressure required to force the water through the machine is created by an electric pump. There are both single and double boiler versions, which is important to understand if you plan to make a lot of espresso drinks containing milk, like cappuccino.The same water source is used for steaming milk and making the espresso in a single boiler model. Two separate thermostats are required because the water temperature must be lower for brewing and higher for steaming milk.This set up does not permit the operator to brew and steam at the same time. Models with a double boiler have separate water compartments and thermostats for each function allowing for simultaneous brewing and steaming/frothing.
To get an idea of a machine’s features and functionality, look for the assignment of semi-automatic, automatic, or super-automatic. Expect the price to rise along with the number of features offered. The main difference between semi-automatic and automatic espresso makers is in the extraction time. Semi-automatic machines require that the operator control the brew time using a knob or switch. The user simply presses a button to indicate the volume of espresso to brew on an automatic machine. The operator must grind, tamp and dose the espresso for both of these models. The most advanced are the super-automatics, which are pretty much a push button affair. You simply load the hopper with whole beans and fill the water chamber. The super-automatic machine will grind, dose and tamp the coffee and eject the used grinds when finished.
MANUAL ESPRESSO MACHINES – The operator forces the hot water through the ground coffee using a pump lever that is attached to the machine. The operator regulates the pressure on some models with a direct lever, while the machine regulates the pressure on those machines wtih an internal spring piston. Infusion time and amount of water used are controlled by the operator in either case and this allows the user to adjust the outcome to taste. Once you’ve mastered the technique required through practice, you can count on consistent espresso that meets your specific tastes. There is just no beating a manual espresso maker for pure dramatic value, aesthetics and romance.
With all these options available, the best espresso maker is the one that suits your own personal lifestyle and use. See hundreds of the best espresso makers at http://www.homegourmetcoffee.com.
