Welcome to Expression Espresso Machines where we try to provide the best information and guidance when it comes to buying and using an espresso machine. We know that choosing the right espresso machine can make all the difference to the taste of your coffee so we recommend only the best espresso machines.
With so many machines on the market you can end up spending hours doing your research. We have made the job easier by hand-selecting only the best models of each type. There is also a wide variation in price and it is certainly true that the more you spend, the better and more versatile your espresso machine will be. If you compare the cost of a machine against how much you spend in the coffee shop each week, it probably won’t take long to recoup your outlay.
Let’s look at some of the decisions you need to make when choosing an espresso machine so that when you read one of our reviews of a product such as the Delonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica, you know whether it does everything you want it to.
What Sort of Espresso Drinks Do You Prefer?
Do you just want a straight shot of espresso or do you also like a mocha or a cappuccino? Do you also like regular coffee or decaf coffee? There are many types of coffee to choose from and if you like to change from day to day, then a super automatic espresso machine is the best option. Most of these will handle all types of coffee with ease.
What Features Do You Want
For the milk-based coffees such as mochas and cappuccinos and lattes you want to buy an espresso machine that has 2 heating elements or 2 boilers. The additional boiler helps produce the fastest steam, which you don’t need for straight espresso drinks. To have full control over the coffee that you get you will want controls to be able to adjust the coffee dose as well as the volume of water.
There are espresso machines available with analog or digital displays and controls. As you would expect the digital option allows for finer control over the coffee and digital machines also provide a lot more features such as information on when to clean it.
For the best tasting coffee you should buy an espresso machine that has a built-in water filter. The water quality has a bigger effect on the taste of the coffee than most people expect. Regarding size, it is recommended to make sure that your water reservoir will hold at least 40 fluid ounces and the bean hopper should hold a minimum of 7 or 8 ounces.
Make sure that the grinder has several settings so that you can experiment with fine and coarse ground coffee.
Budget
There is no doubt that there is a wide range of machines available. Hopefully this article has helped you in your choice. The last thing to mention is the price. If your budget is in the $750 - $1,000 range, we would recommend that you buy one of the super automatic espresso machines with brands such as Gaggia and Saeco coming at the top of the list. If you can stretch up to $1500, you will be able to afford a top of the range machine that produces the highest quality espresso drinks, such as the Pasquini or Rancilio semi automatic espresso machines.
You can find out more about some of the top manufacturers using the following links:
Here is a video with some further information on espresso machines:
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