An integrated burr grinder will let you always enjoy freshly ground coffee while grain milling control will allow you to experiment with flavors and recipes. Besides, it will save you the need to purchase a coffee grinder separately.
The unit might seem a bit bulky.
Packed with built-in programs, manual control options, and a number of accessories, the Breville BES870xl Barista Express Espresso Machine is a perfect choice both for complete beginners and experienced baristas. With this model, you will convert beans to espresso in less than a minute and easily achieve cafe quality coffee taste at home.
Semi-automatic
Pump-driven
1600 watts/ 15 bars
~ 1/2 min
8
Automatic
Panarello
Yes
Variable grain milling, Precision dosing, Volumetric control, Purge function
Exchangeable charcoal water filter, Clean indicator, Auto steam shut-off after 5 minutes of continuous steaming, Removable water reservoir
1 year limited warranty
A low-pressure pre-infusion option minimizes the pressure at the beginning of extraction that allows the ground coffee to fully release all useful compounds into hot water and help achieve just the right espresso taste without excessive acidity and bitterness.
A storage container is not big enough to hold all accessories.
This model is simple enough to quickly get the hang of and boasts the utmost functionality to extract the optimal taste and flavor from all coffee grinds. Whether you like the gusto and strength of a double espresso or prefer the lushness and creaminess of cappuccino and latte, you will be able to enjoy your favorite drinks with the Breville Infuser Espresso Machine.
Semi-automatic
Pump-driven
1650 watts/ 15 bars
~ 1/2 min
2
Automatic
Panarello
No
Low-pressure Pre-Infusion, Volumetric control function, Auto purge function, Cup warmer
Removable water tank, Auto purge function, and 54mm tamper are included, Removable drip tray, Clean Me’ cleaning alert, Storage tray
1 year limited warranty
With a dual-wall filter system, you'll be able to get consistently smooth and thick crema, which is one of the major characteristics of an ideally brewed espresso.
The level of unit vibration during operation is somewhat high.
Breville designed the ESP8XL espresso maker for all coffee lovers who need a budget-friendly no-frills coffee machine for domestic use. At a fairly reasonable price-tag, you'll get all the basic functions and even some benefits of premium models and have a chance to make a variety of delicious espresso-based drinks without leaving your home.
Semi-automatic
Pump-driven
1000 watts/ 15 bars
~ 1/2 min
2
Automatic
Panarello
No
Cup-warming plate, 1 Cup dual wall filter, a 2 Cup dual Wall filter, and an ESE espresso pod filter, Vvariable cup dosing
Removable water tank, Removable drip tray and grid, Stainless steel frothing pitcher, Tamping tool, Measuring spoon, Cleaning tool
1 year limited warranty
A branded razor precision dose trimming tool greatly facilitates ground coffee dozing and ensures accurate portion size control allowing you to get ideally brewed coffee all the time.
While removing a drip tray you can displace a little tool tray behind it.
Powerful, functional, easy-to-use, and easy-to-clean, the Breville Duo Temp Pro espresso machine is a great choice for home use. It heats up water just to the right temperature to make optimally hot espresso, and a backflush feature will let you quickly make several cups of Joe for all family members. In addition, it comes with a built-in frothing wand that will help create foamy and creamy coffee drinks.
Semi-automatic
Pump-driven
1600 watts/ 15 bars
~ 1/2 min
2
Automatic
Panarello
No
Pre-infusion function, Volumetric control, Automatic shut off
Removable water tank, Removable drip tray, Razor dose trimming tool, 1- and 2-cup single and dual wall filter baskets, Stainless steel milk container, Water filter, Water filter holder, Storage tray
1 year limited warranty
Using pre-packed single-serve ground coffee capsules, this machine can brew 3 different cup sizes ranging from grand coffee to espresso shot. Meanwhile, an improved Aeroccino 3 milk frother will let you make a whole variety of hot and cold coffee drinks with perfect crema.
A water tank capacity is a bit low.
Thanks to the patented CENTRIFUSION™ technology and a maximum operating pressure of 19 Bars, the Nespresso Vertuo extracts the coffee excellence till the last drop for you to enjoy a genuine espresso time after time. Stylish, compact, fully automatic, and with a range of carefully balanced coffee blends, this model will meet the tastes and needs of the most exacting coffee lovers.
Semi-automatic
Pump-driven
1350 watts / 19 bars
~ 1/2 min
1
Automatic
The Aeroccino3 milk frothing device
No
Automatic shut off after 9 min, Automatic capsule ejection, Capsule recognition and code reading for blend-specific brewing, Variable cup dosing
Removable water tank, Descaling alert, 17 count used capsule container, 12 VertuoLine capsules included
2 year limited warranty
All-in-one Barista Style Solution
Many espresso drinkers don’t care how their coffee is made. They just want to get a consistently delicious and quality drink and want to get it fast. On the other hand, there are people who closely watch how professional baristas in coffee shops and bars masterfully fiddle with grinders, tampers, portafilters, and frothing pitchers pulling several shots of elixir at a time and dream of duplicating the espresso magic at home. If you are one of those that admire coffee expert skills and long to acquire the same by making espresso at home, the Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine is for you. As the machine’s name suggests, you’ll be able to make barista style coffee shots maximum quickly and within the comfort of your home.
The first thing you’ll notice about this machine is its stainless steel construction that is both sturdy and attractive. All accessories are made of first-grade stainless steel and plastic. Though this model is definitely bigger than popular compact espresso makers designed for home use by other brands, the whole unit does not look bulky. It rather looks physically robust and hefty giving you the feeling of confidence in the unit durability and flawless performance.
Along with professional design, the Breville Barista offers a number of features you’ll come across in professional units. A pressure gauge will tell you if your shot is properly extracted within the optimal pressure range while an electronic PID will ensure water temperature stability for brewing a perfect shot. You can make a single coffee or double espresso by simply choosing between two knobs on the control panel. Despite this model is initially intended only for making espresso, you can still make Americano by adding some hot water from a built-in water dispenser to one or two espresso shots. Meanwhile, a swivel steam wand paired with a steel pitcher will let you froth milk for a variety of milk-based coffee beverages. Thanks to two dual-wall pressurized filters and two single-wall non-pressurized filters included in the set, this machine is suitable for aspiring baristas and complete beginners alike. For the ultimate user convenience, there is a handy storage compartment under the drip to keep filters and the cleaning kit coming in the package.
With the Breville BES870XL, you will have an opportunity to master espresso making art at home and quickly turn from a mere coffee drinker into a skilled barista.
Create Your Own Perfect Blend
Those who are addicted to coffee know that no pre-packed ground coffee can compare to freshly ground beans in terms of taste and flavor. When it comes to coffee, freshness is measured in seconds, and in mere five minutes after grinding beans start losing their genuine flavor. The biggest advantage of the Breville Barista that makes it one of the best espresso makers for home use is an integrated conical burr grinder that will let you grind coffee beans right before brewing. Not only will it save your budget on purchasing a coffee grinder but also allow creating your individual coffee blends always leaving some space for an experiment. After being ground, coffee grounds go directly into a portafilter while a dose control will deliver just the right amount for a single or double shot. An adjustable grind size, in turn, will help you easily customize the flavor to perfectly suit your taste.
Additional Info
Last updated price | $697.00 |
Stock | In stock |
ASIN | B00CH9QWOU |
What customers say about this product
Size & Weight(4)
Key Specs(4.2)
Controls(4)
Features(4.2)
Details(4.4)
For Maximum Coffee Taste and Flavor Extraction
It’s not a secret that espresso making is not a simple coffee brewing process but rather a kind of science or alchemy that starts with the right grind size. And though it’s not impossible, you’ll hardly be able to make a really good espresso otherwise than in an espresso machine. However, even using the same coffee blend, two different machines will deliver different brewing results since manufacturers follow different approaches to get the most out of the coffee grind. Eventually, the technique applied is by far the most important aspect when brewing espresso. This is where the Breville Infuser espresso machine excels. Using a unique infusion technique, this unit allows extracting maximum taste and flavor from any grind.
Unlike similar machines from other brands starting with a high pressure, this model first applies low-pressure pre-infusion to expand the coffee grind and eliminate any cracks or gaps in the pad before using a high pressure. This little trick enables maximum extraction of genuine coffee flavors and useful compounds.
Speaking of the unit design and functionality, these are close to those of higher rate professional and commercial espresso machines. The Breville BES840XL has a nice-looking and durable stainless steel casing ensuring higher damage resistance and longer service life, a cup warmer on the top, a built-in steamer wand for frothing milk, an extra hot water dispenser for making Americano or brewing tea, a pressure gauge for precise steam pressure control, a capacious water tank, and a well-thought comprehensive control panel with programmable buttons and LED indicators. In addition, the machine comes complete with all the accessories you’ll need to make a perfect espresso. These are two sets of double-wall and single-wall filters to create the proper pressure if the grind of your coffee isn’t exact, a magnetic tamper, and a razor tool to pack an ideal coffee pad. Besides, in the package, you will find a cleaning disc and tablets, a brush, and an allen key for quick and easy machine cleaning and maintenance.
Functional, reliable, and extremely easy to use, the Breville Infuser will let you make cafe-quality coffee drinks at home and deliver consistently perfect espressos time after time.
Precise Water Temperature Control
A proper water temperature is not less important for efficient extraction than the right brewing technique, not to mention the fact that a hot espresso tastes times better than a warm or cold one. To ensure a water temperature stability and heat the water up to just the right brewing temperature, the Breville BES840XL features a thermo-coil heating system, an electronic PID, and an auto purge function. In contrast to a thermal block, which consists of two plates and is prone to scale build-up and leakage, a thermal coil is a solid piece made of aluminum with a stainless steel lined coil channel inside that offers higher temperature consistency and more accurate control. A built-in PID further maintains temperature stability while an auto purge function automatically adjusts water temperature after steaming is over.
Additional Info
Last updated price | $579.95 |
Stock | In stock |
ASIN | B0089SSOR6 |
Premium Quality at an Affrodable Price Tag
Espresso machines are professional-grade equipment normally found in restaurants, cafes, coffee shops and bars. Today, though, there is a great variety of units intended for domestic use as well. Models for home use are usually very much similar to commercial ones. They only come in more compact sizes so that they can fit smaller domestic countertops. As for the rest, they offer the same functionality, come packed with complete accessory sets to let you achieve barista quality brewing results with ease, and are made of first-class materials to be suitable for extensive use. Taking this into account, good domestic espresso machines are often pretty expensive and appear a considerable investment. Yet, for a good reason, since using top-quality equipment is the only way to make a top-quality espresso. But what if you are tight on your budget and can’t afford to buy a high-rate machine? We recommend turning your eyes to the Breville ESP8XL espresso machine that provides quality and basic functionality of premium models at an affordable price tag. See for yourself.
Like higher class units, this model comes packed in a stainless steel body and features a hefty stainless steel portafilter ensuring the unit longevity and consistently high performance even under regular daily use. For efficient coffee extraction, the Cafe Roma is fitted with a premium 15-bar Italian pump and a heating indicator light that will let you know that the machine has achieved the optimal temperature and pressure to make espresso. Thanks to a cup warming tray, you can preheat cups to keep your shot perfectly hot until you drink it. Another great addition also found in all premium models, is a steaming wand and a steel pitcher for frothing milk to make deliciously mild macchiatos, foamy cappuccinos, and delicately creamy lattes. Some more accessories included in the package are a dual-wall filter, a tamping tool, a measuring tool, and a cleaning brush.
Though the Breville ESP8XL does not have any programmable features of higher rate units, with a certain degree of skill, it allows achieving the same brewing results quickly and with minimum efforts. Hence, if you crave to acquire barista skills and make professionally brewed and fully-flavored espressos at home without spending a fortune, the Breville Cafe Roma is definitely what you need. In the long run, you will save on store-bought espressos to fully compensate your investment.
Enjoy the Perfection of Pure Crema
A perfectly brewed espresso always stands out for a strong yet pure coffee flavor with a delicate bitter taste and no acid, burnt, or other nasty flavors. Another characteristic of an ideal espresso shot is a thick and rich crema. It’s a smooth foam layer that is usually made up by coffee beans essential oils passing through a fine filter. The Breville Cafe Roma is equipped with a dual-wall filter system that will ensure additional pressure for creating consistently rich barista style crema. It’s a great option for entry-level users who are at the beginning of their journey with coffee and are not experienced inespresso brewing yet. With the Breville ESP8XL, you’ll always get an ideal crema.
Last updated price | $0.00 |
Stock | In stock |
ASIN | B00P87TOOI |
Commercial-grade Design for Home Use
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world after water and tea. Many people drink coffee several times a day going for traditional espresso shots, iced coffee or anything in between. If you belong to that army of coffee aficionados, you probably drop into a coffee shop on a regular basis to “fuel up” with a cup of Joe. Yet, drinking coffee in cafes and coffee houses you are always bound to their choice of blends, while if making espresso at home, you will always have more freedom to experiment with flavors without compromising the right taste of espresso you’ve got used to. Are you one of those coffee fans who doesn’t have an espresso machine yet? If so, the Breville Duo Temp Pro is definitely worth your consideration. This model stands out from other domestic espresso machines with its maximum similarity to commercial machines when it comes to construction and technologies applied.
The core of this machine is a stainless steel lined thermal coil, with the heating system being accurately controlled by a PID digital electronic, the same you would find in a higher class commercial machines and not available in most consumer units from other brands. This means that the water delivered to the ground coffee is of the precise temperature necessary for espresso extraction since any temperature increase or reduction can have a huge impact on the taste of the beverage in your cup. Another selling point in favor of this machine is an auto purge function ensuring a smooth transition from steam to extraction. Normally, to steam milk, single-boiler machines should increase the temperature from 200-degree brewing range up to 260 or so. To avoid burning the next shot when switching from steaming to brewing, when you’ve done frothing, the machine will automatically release the steam and add water to the boiler to get it back to a brew temperature. The Duo Temp Pro espresso machine also features low-pressure pre-infusion to gradually increase steam pressure during extraction to optimize the water flow through the coffee puck. All of the above-mentioned technologies allow achieving a perfect balance of sweetness, bitterness, and acidity making a really good espresso you could normally get only in a coffee shop.
Packed with technologies and with such a reasonable price tag, this Breville espresso maker is an optimal choice for home use that will cater to the needs of all coffee lovers in your family.
Tailor Your Barista Skills to Perfection
When it comes to the Breville Duo Temp Pro operation, the machine has a very easy-to-use control panel. A dial in the center will let you go from a standby mode to espresso and steam. A button on the right allows for the transition from steam to hot water that is delivered through the steam wand to preheat cups or make an Americano or even brew some tea.
For brewing espresso, the machine uses a 54-mm stainless steel portafilter. Included with the unit, there are standard single and double shot baskets as well as single and dual wall pressurized baskets. Though normally you’ll get the best results using a single wall basket, a pressurized basket will help get the most out of the pre-ground coffee with somewhat imperfect grind size. Thanks to a temper and a branded razor tool, you’ll be able to pack an ideal pad with a precisely measured portion of coffee for your perfect homemade espresso.
A well-thought set of filters and accessories the Duo Temp Pro machine is complete with help you quickly master a proper espresso making technique and improve your skills from novice to barista level.
Additional Info
Last updated price | $449.95 |
Stock | In stock |
ASIN | B00OS5MTCA |
Coffee Excellence in Different Cup Sizes
Making a good espresso is not only about the right brewing technique but also about a properly selected coffee blend and a precise grind size. Eventually, a seemingly simple process might turn out pretty complicated ending up with numerous disappointing results far from those that make a truly good espresso shot. Hence, while some people are ready to spend time on practice to improve their espresso making skills and achieve professional results, others prefer to avoid all those hassles and simply want to taste a ready-made drink. Yet, it does not mean that these kind-of-lazy coffee drinkers can’t enjoy barista style shots at home. With the Nespresso Vertuo espresso maker from Breville, they can. This machine will do all the job for you. The only effort you’ll need to make to brew up genuine espresso is to press one button.
Using pre-packed coffee capsules, this model will save you the need to mix and grind coffee beans, measure a proper portion of ground coffee, and pack it in a pad. And there is no need to worry about coffee quality and final taste. For Nespresso capsules, they use only the best gourmet coffee blends perfectly balanced and roasted to deliver unique flavor profiles to any taste. Packed in recyclable aluminum capsules, all unique coffee aromas are securely sealed inside to be transferred to your cup. In addition, capsules come in two different sizes that will let you enjoy coffee excellence in a number of cup sizes, be it a small espresso shot or a large coffee to meet the preferences of various coffee drinkers. Besides, with capsules, there will be no mess related to making espresso in a portafilter. No coffee grounds scattered around and no baskets and filters to clean after every use.
For coffee brewing, the Vertuo espresso maker uses the patented Centrifusion technology spinning the capsule at 7000 RPM to blend coffee with water and produce ideally thick and smooth crema. Meanwhile, a smart extraction system identifies the barcode printed on each capsule ring to recognize the selected coffee blend and automatically adjust brewing parameters for the optimal in-cup results.
Though there is much dispute about coffee pod machines, the Nespresso Vertuo is designed with every coffee fan needs in mind and will become a real find for those who seek an easy and effortless way of brewing genuine espresso at home.
Get the Benefit of a Well-thought Bundle
For making coffee drinks right out of the box, the Breville Nespresso comes in a bundle with an Aeroccino milk frother and a set of 12 Nespresso capsules, each containing an individual aroma. The milk frother is fully automated. It will whip up hot or cold fresh milk froth in mere seconds. While a frothing wand on a portafilter machine requires some skill and practice to create a finely textured milk froth, the Aeroccino will always deliver consistently dense and smooth milk foam for your coffee drinks.
With this well-thought bundle, there is no guesswork, no need to change the settings and customize the blend, you will enjoy the coffee excellence form the very first cup and achieve perfect brewing results time after time.
Additional Info
Last updated price | $231.49 |
Stock | In stock |
ASIN | B01MZCQBY4 |
What Is a Breville Espresso Machine?
Every coffee expert or coffee nerd knows that espresso is the only true coffee brew, distinguished by a perfect balance of taste, flavor, coffee compounds, and caffeine content that can serve as an ideal base for numerous other coffee drinks. Yet, making an espresso is actually a complex and very delicate process. While it may take you quite a lot of effort and hassle to achieve this sort of brew using a coffee pot, Moka pot, French press or even a drip coffee maker, an espresso machine will let you turn a portion of coffee beans into an ounce of coffee goodness at a single push of a button.
An espresso machine brews coffee by forcing hot water through a finely ground and tightly packed coffee pad under enormous pressure. As a result, you get a shot-sized glass of thick dark-brownish coffee with a dense crema, intensive aroma, and pure coffee taste. In Breville, they know how to get the most out of roasted coffee beans and offer a whole range of coffee grinders, coffee makers, and espresso machines to your choice. Designed with coffee addict needs in mind, Breville espresso machines stand out for their well-thought design, top-quality construction, excellent functionality, and straightforward operation and will help you make espresso with minimum time and effort required.
In our Breville espresso machine review, we’ve compared 5 top-selling models that will meet the most exacting requirements and fit any budget. Read it and select the model to your liking to enjoy your favorite espresso shots at home wherever you want.
What Features to Compare
So, you’ve decided to get an espresso machine, but not sure what to start with, this is where you should find our recommendations handy and useful. The first thing you should definitely look into is the Type of the chosen machine. There are pump- and steam-driven espresso machines that work pretty much similar but heat up to a different temperature. Unlike steam-driven machines that use the water of about 90 degrees for brewing espresso, pump-driven machines release boiling water but under considerably less bar pressure (around 3-5 bar). Making the choice would certainly depend on your personal preferences. If you prefer a bitter taste of sprightly coffee, you would make more use out of steam-driven espresso machines while those, who prefer a milder drink, would surely like more espresso brewed with pump-driven coffee makers. Pump-driven machines are also considerably faster in brewing, halving the time required to make a cup of espresso.
When you choose the right espresso machine you should mark the Number of Cups it can make per one brewing. For example, you don't have to buy an 8-cup coffee machine if there are only a few people who drink coffee in your family. A 4-cup machine is viewed as the most popular for household usage.
The Control Settings have got to be considered as well. Coffee machines are classified according to their operation. There are fully automatic, semi-automatic and machines with a manual control. Automatic machines do the most tedious job for you; if you're looking for a device to brew espresso quickly and effortlessly, this is the one for you. Semi-automatic machines are good for more skilled coffee drinkers and baristas. They create the right pressure, so the process is still mostly controlled by the machine, however, you need to adjust the water and steam flow to make the perfect shot of espresso. The manual espresso machines are the ones you need to get accustomed to because mastering these units is a tough job for a newbie. Nevertheless, this manual machine will reward you in the long run. Not only will the machine help you sharpen your skills at the craft, it will also serve you for many years.
Furthermore, the other critical component you should note is the ability to automatically control the water and steam temperature. It is extremely convenient when a machine automatically sets the temperature for the optimal coffee extraction. 2 thermostats are the ones that help to extract the coffee properly, so you will get the nice flavor and the taste of genuine espresso in your cup.
Most of the models come with a bunch of Functions that determine the Convenience of the machine. These include a milk frother, a cup warmer, a strength control, automatic double-grinding, etc.
Did you know?
Get the Best out of Your Breville Espresso Maker
All Breville machines are all made of highly durable top-quality materials such as first-class stainless steel and strong food-grade plastic to ensure the units longevity and flawless operation under extensive daily use. And, subject to correct use and regular maintenance, they will really serve you for years. Though the major benefits of espresso machine is the convenience of use and low maintenance, they still need to be regularly cleaned since machine cleanness may impact not only the unit proper operation but also the taste and flavor of your coffee drink. Hence, it is essential to know how to clean Breville espresso machine to maintain its proper functioning and brewing performance and prolong its service life to the maximum.
Breville Espresso Machine Cleaning Tips
Even if you regularly wipe and polish your espresso maker from outside and it looks brand new at a glance, it doesn’t mean it is clean from the inside. As a result of extensive daily use, your Breville espresso machine gets filthy from inside. There build up coffee oils, milk proteins, and mineral deposits of internal machine parts that will eventually cause malfunctions and greatly affect the taste and quality of your coffee drinks. To avoid this, along with deep chemical cleanups on a monthly basis and descaling your machine every 4-6 months, it is highly important to clean your machine every day. Below, you’ll find basic tips for daily cleanups:
Clean the portafilter and the basket to remove coffee grounds stuck inside. First, use a nylon brush to scrub dry remnants and then rinse the items in warm water and dry them clean.
Using the same nylon brush, dislodge coffee grounds from the brewing head moving the brush around the gasket edges. Rinse water through the head to wash off any remaining material.
Unscrew the brewing head screen and remove coffee debris both from the screen and from the inside of the head.
Backwash the machine using a basket without holes if your model has such an option (check it in the instruction manual beforehand).
Regularly clean the drip tray by rinsing it under warm running water or washing it with a mild liquid detergent if you notice any mold or coffee grounds build-up.
If you use a frothing wand on a daily basis, clean it after every use to prevent milk proteins build-up and clogs. After frothing, turn the steam on for several seconds to wash out milk and then simply wipe down the wand with a damp cloth.
Espresso Health Benefits
Most coffee addicts drinking a cup of espresso every morning would exactly tell you what they like about this drink. It’s all about unmatched flavors, aromas, a variety of aftertastes, and a pure energy boost making their brain and body function properly. Yet, apart from that, there is a lot more health benefits espresso can bring:
Being a low-calorie drink (when consumed without sugar and cream), espresso not only increases energy but also reduces hunger and appetite. Hence, it will help all diet followers stick to their diets and still treat themselves with something they really like.
The caffeine contained in coffee beans enhances dopamine concentration that, in turn, improves attention. Though it’s a short-time benefit, a cup of espresso might help when you need to focus on something.
Drinking two shots of espresso daily will help boost your long-term memory in the long run.
Promoting adrenalin release, espresso improves muscles activity and enhances your physical performance.
Containing a number of essential antioxidants, espresso help prevent liver cirrhosis, improves digestions, reduces the risk of strokes and diabetes and minimizes the likelihood of tooth cavities.
The only thing to remember here is that all the above-mentioned benefits are subject to drinking no more than 2 shots of your favorite coffee elixir per day. If you drink more, it could do you more harm than good.
FAQ:
Q: What is the difference between espresso and coffee?
A: Though it might seem somewhat strange and one might claim that these are similar concepts, regular coffee and espresso are not the same. Some people consider that the difference lies in a cup size and amount of water added. Yet, the difference is in the brewing technique as well as in the coffee roast and grind. Thus, espresso is coffee brewed by forcing steam and piping hot water under high pressure through super finely ground dark roasted coffee blend that is tightly packed and tamped while regular coffee is made by simply running hot water through ground coffee beans. It’s worth saying that you’ll hardly be able to achieve the same intense and pure taste of a machine made espresso if you do it manually.
Q: Do I really need an espresso machine?
A: To answer this question, first ask yourself how often you drink espresso and coffee-based beverages and how much money you spend on purchasing those in coffee shops and cafes. If you are a real coffee geek and can’t live a day without several shots of refreshingly strong espresso or the creamy goodness of latte, an espresso machine will become a really rewarding purchase. At a fraction of the price of coffee shop shots and cups, you’ll be able to make your espresso at home whenever you want. Hence, the investment will quickly pay off and, in the long run, will help you save money and time you spend to buy drinks in cafes and coffee shops. Besides, you will have the freedom to experiment with coffee flavors using different blends and creating a variety of coffee drinks based on homemade espresso.
Q: Why doesn’t my espresso machine start brewing?
A: It does not necessarily mean that your machine is out of order. Basic problems that cause this malfunction are pretty easy to eliminate.
- Check if your machine is plugged in.
- A water reservoir is empty or is not fitted into a proper position.
- A filter holder is not fitted into a holding ring.
- A filter is over-packed or the coffee grind you use is too fine.
- A filter basket and brew head might need cleaning.
Q: Why does my espresso turn out cold?
A: To resolve this, you can try to tamp your ground coffee in a portafilter more firmly or pre-heat the cup before brewing since espresso shot is rather small and will cool very quickly when poured into a cold cup. If your espresso is still cold, it means that a machine does not reach operating temperature and most likely it needs cleaning.
Q: Why does coffee dispense too slowly?
A: One of the basic reasons for this problem is too finely ground coffee and overpacked portafilter. Try to add some coarse grind to your fine blend or go for some other blend and do not tamp too much coffee into a portafilter.
Q: Why can I not froth milk properly?
A: If a water reservoir is full, normally it’s either due to the milk type and quality or due to a blocked steam nozzle. The best milk for frothing is skim milk. Make sure it is fresh and cold before frothing. One more tip to get perfectly thick foam is to use only a stainless steel frother preliminary cooled as well. To avoid nozzle getting clogged with dried milk remnants, steam the water for about 30 seconds after frothing to clean the nozzle and a frothing tube.
Sources:
1. Espresso Machine, Wikipedia. March 24, 2018.
2. Karim Nice How Espresso Machines Work, HowStuffWorks.
3. Kristen Hicks How to Buy An Espresso Machine, Compact Appliance. August 26, 2015.
4. James Hurwood Espresso Coffee Machine Buying Guide, Canstar Blue. February 06, 2016.
5. Espresso & Cappuccino Machines Buying Guide, Abt.
6. Erica Kannall Espresso & Weight Loss, LIVESTRONG. July 18, 2017.
7. Becky Snowden Eco espresso and upcycled inks set to make coffee greener, Phys. January 10, 2018.
8. Taylor Wolfram Benefits of Coffee, The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. February 15, 2018.
9. Park Wilson 20 Health Benefits of Coffee (And How to Get the Maximum Benefits of It), Lifehack.