Espresso Coffee Machine Makers – 7 must have features when selecting the one for you.
April 25th, 2009 by Dave
Espresso coffee has become a widely popular beverage in the United States since its origins in Southern Europe, specifically Italy. The forced beverage’s quality depends upon the espresso coffee maker itself. Read on for a must know checklist before anyone should purchase one for the home.
To ensure proper quality is maintained while brewing espresso or cappuccino at home a checklist is needed prior to an espresso coffee maker purchase. There are many features that cannot be sacrificed when deciding on which machine to bring home. Brand names and prices will vary and are many when it comes to cappuccino coffee makers. Here are the most important factors to check when making the purchase.
1. 15-bar pump-driven espresso machine – This means that this machine pumps the hot water through the ground espresso at a high pressure. 15-bar is pretty standard but there are 20-bar machines available.
2. Stay away from Steam-driven models they don’t force the water through the coffee like the bar pump systems do for a better emulsified espresso extraction. Steam driven machines are less expensive, and when the water boils, it develops only 2-3 bars of pressure to push the hot water through the espresso.
3. Self priming filter holder with 3 interchangeable inserts that holds a single or double shot of espresso or an ESE pod.
4. As many removable parts as possible. Especially, a removable water tank, removable drip tray for easy clean up.
5. An adjustable swivel jet frother for producing thick steamed milk for cappuccinos.
6. Dual thermostats for separately controlling water and steam pressure so that you can brew an espresso and froth/steam milk for cappuccinos at the same time.
7. And finally, you should be able to purchase an espresso coffee machine, with all of these features for $50-$100.
Remember, pump driven is better than steam driven machines. And if you look for machines with the rest of the checklist items above you are sure to produce the finest cup of espresso coffee or cappuccino at home in your new espresso coffee maker.
To see a listing of espresso and cappuccino machines click here to espresso and cappuccino machines to apply this checklist and find that maker for under a $100. Before you know it you will be sitting back drinking a cappuccino and imagining you are in the hills of Sicily.
