How To Decide on An Automatic Espresso Machine
May 19th, 2010 Posted in Coffee Espresso Machine | No Comments »Let’s face it, you’re a person who appreciates a good automatic espresso machine. Having to grind espresso beans isn’t exactly your cup of tea, haven’t yet perfected the art of tamping, and you absolutely hate having to clean the mess it makes. You also don’t appreciate mediocre coffee! It used to be that you’d have to travel to your local cafe to get the coffee you were craving. That’s of course unless you wanted to spend half the morning in the espresso making process. Not anymore! Nowadays thanks to technology you can easily enjoy a delicious cup of gourmet espresso without having to put yourself through all the hassle.
So which machine is right for you? Price is an excellent starting point in the decision-making process. You may be drooling over that $800 Delonghi beauty, but it may not be the right choice for your budget. You might find it difficult to control yourself once you see those brand new glistening espresso makers so it’s wise to determine a spending limit prior to going shopping. You’ll be thankful afterwards when your credit card payment comes due at the end of the month. You just need to find the right espresso machine to fit your budget. Understand that being the most expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best. You could discover that you don’t need all the bells and whistles and the basic model is adequate.
If a budget isn’t one of your major concerns, you might make a decision based on the brewing mechanics of various models. There are two kinds of expresso machines: steam-driven and pump-driven. Steam-driven machines tend to be more compact, and much less expensive than pump-driven models. However, the intensely hot steam could possibly burn the espresso beans during the brewing process. A sub-par cup of espresso might result from the over heating. Pump driven espresso makers tend to be pricey and use more space. They may not be the best option for a small countertop in a cramped apartment. They are also a bit messy to clean up, but make a dark and rich espresso.
Some people naturally tend to favor a certain blend or brand. If it appears the market has become flooded with espresso machines, it’s because it has. Saeco, Krups, Solis, Bosch, Capresso, an Rancillio are just a few notable brands from which to choose. Ask other espresso lovers if they have a favorite brand or model. You can also get information from consumer report magazine or online websites. Prominent name brands help ensure consistent quality, and often have great warranties. Sometimes however, smaller brands give more value for your money.
This is a classic case of “the ends justify the means”. There is no point in going through the entire coffee-brewing process from scratch if you don’t enjoy it. That’s why finding the right espresso machine will help make your life a little bit easier. Not only will you save money by brewing from home, you will have fun doing it. No more grinding up espresso beans, dealing with tamping, or rushing to clean up the mess before heading off to work. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy your delicious homemade espresso.