If you are a true espresso aficionado like me, you must've bought a shot of espresso or two at your favorite local coffee shop. Don't be ashamed to admit it. Many of us are guilty of this aromatic pleasure! While I have always enjoyed the atmosphere at the coffee house, there are also downsides to these shops. Think about the endless lines and the high prices. When buying the pricier beverages, you never know what you're going to get. Most of the time, the over priced drinks don't even taste better than the regular ones!
There is no reason to not want your very own espresso coffee making machine for use at home. The problem for many people is deciding on what type of machine to buy. They come in so many shapes and sizes. Making a choice can be pretty hard. Will you go for a steam driven machine, or a pump driven machine? Are you going to buy a budget machine at a discounted price, or will you pay the full price for a brand new model with all the latest high-tech features? Buying a coffee maker for home use is a very personal choice. Prices vary from less than $100 to over $700!
Buying The Best Espresso Machine
So how does one go about selecting the best one? I've compiled a small list of things to look for!
1. When checking out a machine, have a look at the bean grinder. If there is a bean grinder integrated in this machine, then it must be a good one. You don't want to have to buy a separate grinder when you're paying good money for one that's integrated. My advice is to avoid blade grinders, because they never grind the beans fine enough.
2. Do you want a machine that takes premade coffee pods? You may be tempted by the ease of use, but some espresso lovers out there are saying that the coffee tastes better if you grind the beans yourself. You can't get a fresher cup than that!
3. Steam driven machines are always sold at a lower price than pump driven machines. Steam driven machines can produce less pressure than pump driven ones. And pressure is absolutely required for a high quality shot of espresso. My advice is to spend those extra few dollars to buy a pump driven machine!
4. Make sure the machine you are looking at meets the industry standards. Any decent espresso maker will be able to heat up almost 2 ounces of water to almost 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Then this water needs to be shot through the coffee grounds at no less than 130 psi of pressure within 30 seconds. Anything less will make for a disappointing cup of coffee.
By keeping these guidelines in mind, you will be able to buy yourself a machine that's going to bring you joy for years to come!
My Links : Zojirushi EC-BD15 Coffee Maker
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