The Hidden Costs of Buying a Home Espresso Machine
Espresso machines can be an intimidating addition to any kitchen, but picking the right one is simpler than it appears. Whether you're looking to save on the cost of coffee shop drinks or want to sharpen your barista skills there's an espresso maker for anyone.
Consider features such as manual portafilters to practice the art of tamping. It may take some time to master this technique. Also, automatic milk frothing can cause real differences in texture and temperature.
Basics
The United States has seen a significant increase in the consumption of espresso over the last two decades. Espresso machines can be found in a variety of places, including grocery stores, gas stations cafes, laundromats and street carts. Although they aren't as big as the commercial models found in coffee shops, they operate on the same principles and produce the same concentrated coffee at home, which is now the caffeinated beverage of choice for a lot of people across the nation.
To make the concentrated drink that is espresso the machines must all have some kind of heating system that can bring the water to the right temperature. They range from stovetop devices that use a flame to heat the water, to electric-powered machines that include boiler systems.
Certain espresso machines come with an array of options that make it easier for users to create the drinks they would like. For instance, some models come with a built-in grinder which makes the process much easier than having to grind the beans manually. This is particularly helpful for those who are new to the field and do not know how to grind coffee beans properly or how to tamp them and press.
Most espresso machines also have a pressure relief valve which is an electro-mechanical device that opens to release the steam pressure that has built up in the filter basket and portafilter after the brewing of a shot of espresso. This is important since it prevents an abrupt release of steam, which would otherwise spray hot grounds all over your counter, machine, and you. Make sure before buying your espresso machine has this feature.
Another important feature is the ability to adjust the size of the brewed shot and the amount of steamed milk produced by the machine. This lets you play with different drinks, identify those you enjoy and improve your brewing technique.
Regardless of the espresso machine features you choose, it's important to keep in mind that it's the quality of the beans that determine the taste of your beverages. If you don't start with freshly roasted, specially graded beans, no amount of top-of-the-line features will make the perfect cup.
Variations
You can choose from a range of choices when it comes to an espresso machine at home according to your preferences. Certain machines come with more features and settings that can be adjusted to make the perfect cup of coffee, whereas others could be simpler and less expensive. The size of the machine can also affect its price, since bigger machines are typically more expensive.
Semi-automatic espresso machines are the most common. It has a portafilter that holds ground coffee within a lower compartment that houses water. The top of the portafilter is fitted with an iron filter that is placed over the bottom chamber, and the water is then pulled through the grounds with pressure. The portafilter produces a shot of espresso which can be added to a cup with milk to make a cappuccino, latte or other beverage.
Another common kind of home espresso machine is a super-automatic, that is fully automated coffee maker that does not require involvement from the user. This type of machine comes equipped with a bigger reservoir to produce more drinks faster. It typically has a steam wand that produces rich and creamy steaming milk.
If you're seeking a completely hands-free experience, there are also capsule machines that use pre-measured pods to create espresso and other coffee beverages. These are typically cheaper and more efficient than other kinds of machines, however, they can only be used with specific brands of pods.
There are also manual lever machines, which are beautiful to look at and can bring back memories of romantic cafes of old. These machines require more skill than super-automatics and semi-automatics, but can offer an experience that is unique to the home barista who wants to try something different.
There are a few companies that specialize in high-end, customized espresso machines for home use. The Lelit MaraX, which performed well in our previous test of side-by-side, is one of them. The models have several adjustments that will allow you to achieve the perfect cup. For instance they come with an adjustable PID controller which allows you to set water temperature to a specific level as well as a shot-timer to inform you the time it takes to brew, as well as an indicator to make sure that the shots are brewed at the right level.
Convenience
Espresso drinkers know that nothing can compare to a freshly brewed cup of the beverage. The demand for the beverage has exploded in recent years and you can now find it almost anywhere from Starbucks to the drive-through espresso carts that are now popular in supermarkets, laundromats, and even gas stations. However, you can make espresso in your home kitchen with an affordable home espresso maker. The machines are a bit different from the ones you find in cafes, but they operate on similar principles.
Espresso makers are not as easy to use as drip coffee machines. coffee espresso machines require you to grind manually your beans, pour them in the portafilter and then use the manual tamping technique. The process isn't as complicated as it may seem. It's actually quite easy and quick, particularly when you have a high-quality burr grinder.
If you plan to purchase an espresso machine, make sure you do not compromise on the quality of the grinder. We recommend purchasing a top-quality model that gives you control over the fineness of your ground coffee and let you change the settings in small increments.
A machine's convenience features and beverage options are equally important. For instance, you might want a machine that can instantly heat your milk or froth it with the press of a button. You may prefer an automatic machine that will do everything for you from grinding to the brewing process and tamping.
A dual-boiler machine is available, with two boilers, one for making brewing, and another to vaporize. This means that the machine could be hot and ready to brew and steam in just a few minutes, which is a huge benefit when hosting guests or making a number of drinks at the same time. Be aware that this kind of machine requires more frequent descaling which can be a hassle and could affect the performance of your machine over time.
Cost
A home espresso machine is expensive, but is a great investment. It will pay for itself within the span of a few years, saving you money on coffee. It is important to look at the entire picture when comparing benefits against costs. This article unpacks the hidden costs of buying a home espresso machine starting from the initial price dependent on features to the cost of operating and maintaining an excellent set-up. This includes energy usage, replacement parts and product costs, and the total cost in comparison to daily cafe coffee.
Based on the type of espresso machine you choose the upfront cost can vary dramatically. For example, bean to cup machines typically have higher starting costs as lever-operated models are less expensive. However the more expensive models can also provide a higher level of performance and precision for the user.
Even a cheap espresso maker can give excellent results when it is used with proper beans and brewing method. However, to get the best tasting cups, you must purchase freshly roasted, specialty grade beans. In reality, if you do not buy beans, no amount of sophisticated technology or top-of-the-line design will result in subpar results.
The average latte cost $5 at a cafe, and you can make the same drink at home for $1.48. If you prepare a latte every day at home, that's a whopping $1200 per year that you're not spending on other lattes. A good espresso setup for your home could easily cost more than $1200 if you include the cost of a grinder, tamper, and other items.
The price of an espresso machine could be a barrier for some, but it's worth remembering that coffee is the only thing that actually provides all of the flavor chemicals needed to make a good cup. The espresso machine is a tool to help you get the flavor out of the beans and it's the responsibility of the person drinking to choose the most effective tools to do the job. If you're a barista-in-training or simply enjoy the flavor of freshly-ground, hand-pulled coffee, then a quality espresso machine can be among the most beneficial investments you can make for your kitchen.