Using a espresso machine that is automatic is typically a matter of reading the instructions, adjusting settings to individual preferences, adding coffee beans and water, then pushing the start button.

If the automatic machine that is purchased is top quality and has been set up correctly, the only thing that could mess up the espresso would be bad coffee beans or water with too many minerals in it.

The only thing an automatic espresso machine is missing is the atmosphere that comes from watching a skilled barista pull a good shot of espresso, however, the savings in money and the convenience of having it at home make it worthwhile.

Typically, automatic espresso machines can produce an espresso in about 25 seconds. This is slightly longer than it takes a skilled barista but it also includes the time it takes to grind the beans.

Features

Fully automatic espresso makers contain more features than semi-automatic machines because they are able to do every step in the process, short of putting coffee beans in the hopper.

Most all automatic espresso makers grind the coffee beans, dose and tamp the filter basket, and measure and deliver the water before actually brewing the espresso.

Super automatic espresso makers include even more automated features. These machines also froth the milk and empty the grinds into a waste receptacle.

Top of the line automatic espresso machines are programmable, many with several individual settings so that each family member can set their own preferences. Preferences can include strength of brew, size of brew and whether or not to froth milk.

Going Automatic

The decision to go with a fully automatic espresso for home use is one that will pay off in the long run. Everyday stops at the local coffee shop can run from $4 to $6 depending on what is ordered. This can get expensive, $80 to $120 in a month.

An automatic espresso machine will pay for itself in a short period of time, which is a good reason for purchasing a top quality machine that is meant to last. Even if the initial cost is more than intended, in the end, it will still pay for itself.

Home users should take the time to research automatic espresso machines and understand that the simple machine they see in retail stores on the shelf are not as durable as the manufacturers whose main business is espresso machines.

These manufactures are usually only found on the Internet, they don’t put their wares in discount stores to be sold with regular coffee makers, after all a truly rich espresso is not regular coffee, it is a delectable creation to be savored.

Purchasing an automatic espresso machine is something friends and family members alike will be talking about for a long time, especially when they get that first delicious espresso without going to the coffee shop.

-Sharon V. Chapman

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Saeco Espresso Machine

Households with coffee lovers who stop at the local coffee shop for an espresso or cappuccino on a daily basis should consider investing in an espresso machine and the Saeco espresso machine is one that is worth considering.

One of the most important things that should be considered when looking for an espresso machine is the features that it offers. The Saeco espresso line is one of the best lines available with a complete array of features.

History

Saeco is a world renowned company known for its ability to design innovative espresso makers with products that market wants. Founded in Ital in 1981, Saeco has become a leader in espresso makers in a short time.

In Europe they are known as a leader in the coffee machine market, designing fully automatic espresso machines for both commercial and home use.

Espresso Lines

The Saeco lines of espresso machines include both automatic and manual machines. The manual machines are small, smartly designed machines that put technology to work by providing a quality espresso in a small machine.

The Aroma is Saeco’s manual coffee espresso machines designed for home use. These machines are designed of all metal and built to last. They include milk brothers that work quickly to create the perfect cappuccino and even feature hot water dispensers for making hot tea and other instant beverages.

The Aroma line features the ability to use pre-packaged pods that make espresso an easy to prepare beverage with no measuring and no mess. The Aroma line also has a cup warming surface and an easy to clean removable tray for refilling and easy cleaning.

Individuals who are looking for an automatic line of espresso machine will enjoy Saeco’s many different models. From the Odea to the Spidem Villa and in between, there are models that range from basic to top-of-the line.

The Odea is Saeco’s entry level espresso machine. The Odea Giro is one of the newest line designed by Saeco for their automatic line. They feature a dial interface, a ceramic disc grinder, drip tray with manual Touch Lift technology and Optidose that adjusts the dose of coffee or espresso brewed.

Rapid Steam technology allows the redesigned steam wand to create delicious frothed milk in seconds. The Odea is available in a Orange and black and is the perfect entry level automatic espresso machine.

The Spidem Villa is the top of the line automatic espresso maker that is considered a home staple in Europe. It has all of the features of its predecessors in the automatic line along with a super easy to use interface that allows for one touch brewing.

The automatic features built into this model make preparing an espresso as simple as child’s play. The Spidem Villa can adjust the amount of water used; the amount of coffee grounds used in each espresso and even empties the pucks into a waste area. For those individuals who want the top of the line, the Spidea Villa is the espresso maker to choose.

Saeco is fast becoming the number one name in espresso makers, not only in its home country of Europe but also in the United States.

-Sharon Chapman

Have you used a Saeco Espresso Machine?  If so give us your review below!

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Delonghi espresso makers come in a range of styles with an array of features that range from simple coffee making to a top notch, frothy cappuccino. Coffee lovers can choose the machine that fits their needs.

Modern Features

The Delonghi line of espresso makers are designed with some of the most modern features available. Delonghi is constantly upgrading and advancing their features to meet the expectations of their clients. Their machines are designed with features that are innovative and often ahead of their time.

Filters

Delonghi espresso makers come with their own gold toned permanent filter baskets. These are not the typical permanent filter baskets other makers have; Delonghi designed these for long-life. They are uniquely made to prevent coffee grounds from seeping into the coffee and thus winding up in a coffee mug. Nothing ruins a perfect cup of java than coffee grounds in the cup.

Timers

Delonghi coffee makers come with 24-hour timers that allow them to be programmed to have the coffee hot and ready at a preset time. They also feature an automatic shutoff to help prevent the heating element from burning out due to being accidentally left on.

Water Elements

In order for the best possible coffee or espresso to be made, the coffee grounds must first be thoroughly soaked with water. Delonghi’s unique water spray soaks the coffee grounds which allows for more of the coffee flavors to be extracted.

Another aspect of water that must be taken into consideration to produce good coffee or espresso is the water quality. If the water source has trace amounts of chlorine or other undesired minerals, the resulting coffee can have a less than desired taste.

Delonghi eliminates this by adding advanced filtration systems to their espresso makers. This enhancement produces a better tasting coffee or espresso than machines that use tap water as is out of the faucet.

Want it Now?

Waiting for a full pot to brew is not always convenient, there are times when that cup of coffee is needed and needed now. Delonghi espresso makers are designed with Pause N’ Serve features that allow users to stop the brew cycle momentarily in order to pour a cup of coffee.

Dual Cycle Machines

One of the most innovative features that Delonghi offers is the dual cycle machine. These are coffee makers and espresso brewers both. Individuals that prefer espresso can have prepare an espresso while others wait for the coffee to brew.

Delonghi espresso makers are top of the line coffee makers that offer the finest in espressos and coffees with the most innovative features available. This, combined with stylish good looks and a compact size make the Delonghi espresso maker a must have for coffee lovers.

-Sharon V. Chapman

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Many people would be surprised to find that there are more than five different types of espresso makers. The most basic being a stovetop espresso coffee maker and the most sophisticated being a fully automatic espresso coffee machine that steams and froths milk and is programmable for individual users.

Stovetop and steam espresso makers are very similar in nature. Heated water forces steam up through a tube into a second chamber and then to the top of the maker.

Piston driven espresso makers cost hundreds of dollars and are available in brass, copper, chrome or silver. These machines are very decorative in nature even though they are fully functional.

Piston driven machines are responsible for the crema becoming a popular component of the espresso. Prior to the piston driven machine, the crema was thought to be waste.

Technological advances took the piston driven espresso coffee maker to a slightly more automated version known as a pump driven espresso machine. These are much smaller espresso makers and the type typically found in homes and coffee shops.

There are also semi automatic, automatic and super automatic espresso makers for both home and commercial use. Semi automatic espresso coffee machines use a motor-driven pump to do most of the work that manual espresso machines require.

Automatic espresso makers take the automation one step further by delivery a pre-set amount of water to the flow meter at a given time. This allows for single shots or double shots to be programmed and takes the work out of adding the water to the machine.

Super automatic espresso makers are the top of the line in automation. These machines do everything except drink the espresso for the consumer. From the grinding of the beans to the measuring and tamping and even the emptying of the waste, super automatic espresso machines are a home owners dream espresso coffee machine.

With super automatic espresso makers, the only requirement is the ability to read and follow instructions. After that it’s pretty much a matter of filling the coffee bean hopper and the water reservoir then pressing a button. Nothing could be easier.

The diversity in the types of espresso coffee machines available for home or commercial use make it possible for people of every budget and skill level to be able to choose a machine that is right for them.

Commercial coffee shops might prefer to have a barista do most of the work in order to have that special touch be part of their atmosphere.

Busier, faster paced coffee shops might choose a super automatic commercial machine in order to keep up with the clients.

Home users have the option to go either direction as well. Their decision will most likely be based on their budget and how much space they have to work with.

Espresso coffee machines are available in range of styles and prices designed for individual home use or large scale coffee shop use. There are many different websites that offer valuable information on each kind and where to get them.

-Sharon Chapman

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The money saving comes from not having to stop at the local coffee shop to get a daily shot of espresso or a frothy cappuccino every day. If the numbers are figured up, purchasing a cappuccino every day for a year would average out to over $700.

Purchasing an espresso machine for the home should be a project that is researched and decided on after knowing what to look for. It shouldn’t be a last minute purchase on the spur of the moment. There are some things to look for when deciding on a cappuccino machine.

What Type Espresso

There are espresso machines that make simple shots of espresso and there are high tech espresso machines that have milk frothers, regular coffee drips and more.

The price paid for the machine will be largely based on how many functions it has and what it can do. Unless espresso is the only coffee based drink ever ordered, it is a good idea to at least purchase an espresso machine that has a frothing wand or attachment.

Frothed or steamed milk make up a large portion of most espresso based drinks. If cappuccino and lattes are going to be the mainstay, the frother or steamer should be closely considered.

There are espresso machines that also function as regular coffee makers. These usually have dual burners so that regular coffee can be made on one side and espresso shots pulled on the other side.

Cost of Machine

An important decision to make when purchasing a home espresso machine is how much to budget for it. The price range varies from one extreme to the other.

There are bargain priced espresso makers that can be purchased at local retail stores and there are high end espresso makers that are ordered from manufacturers.

How much to spend depends on how many features the machine is going to have and how long the machine is expected to last. If it is going to be used often, it is better to spend more money on a machine that is going stand up to heavy use than it is to have to keep replacing machines.

An average home espresso maker with some nice features, good construction for fairly heavy use, and a good warranty will average two or three hundred dollars. There are many models higher priced and many that are lower priced, but that price range is a good median point to start with.

Espresso makers are a nice addition to the household kitchen that can actually be a money saving appliance. Sipping a piping hot latte while still wearing pajamas is a treat any coffee lover will appreciate.

-Sharon Chapman

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Though stopping at the local coffee-house on the way to work may be your regular routine, you could save yourself some money by making your own espresso at home. There are many good home espresso machines available that won’t cost you a fortune.

Even if you are pretty familiar with using your regular drip coffee maker, you will need to learn a few things before you start making your own espresso. The main difference between a coffee maker and an espresso maker is the pressure. An espresso machine produces pressure and forces the water through the coffee grounds, rather than the passive dripping of a coffee maker. This is why you get so much flavor (and caffeine) in an espresso.

Your finely ground coffee goes into a portafilter, which looks kind of like an ice cream scoop with a small cup at one end and a handle at the other. The coffee grounds are tamped into the portafilter cup, firmly but not too tightly packed. It takes some practice to get it just right. The portafilter locks into place, and the pressurized hot water is forced through the grounds into your waiting espresso cup. You don’t brew a whole pot of espresso at once like you might do with coffee, just one “shot” at a time.

It’s certainly not complicated, and your home espresso machines doesn’t have to be complicated either. That’s not to say there aren’t more advanced and complex espresso machines out there. A high-end model will give you all kinds of controls over water temperature, pressure build-up, length of extraction time and more. You can really fine tune your shots of espresso, if you know what you are doing.

Inexpensive espresso makers usually use simple steam pressure when they brew, which is ok but won’t produce a really rich cup of espresso. Average and expensive machines will nearly always be pump-driven, which does a better job.

Don’t forget to look for a milk frothing wand as an important feature. You won’t be able to make a latte or cappuccino without it.

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One particular company with a world-class line of home and commercial espresso machines is Gaggia. They have been making quality espresso machines for more than 50 years, and the founder of the company holds the patent for one of the first coffee machines of this type.

Today, all of their products are still manufactured in Italy, in the city of Milan, to be exact.

They make too many models to list them all specifically, but they cover the full range of home espresso machine styles. Their automatic espresso machines are an absolute luxury, with integrated grinders to grind just the right amount of beans prior to brewing. Gaggia also makes a whole collection of more typical espresso machines, which they refer to as “manual” machines. The “manual” part comes in because you have to fill the portafilter with coffee yourself, not that you have to pump the machine yourself.

Gaggia’s Caffitaly machines are based on the latest capsule system, where you just pop in a little pod of ground coffee. Very simple and cleaner to use than the manual machines. And a bit more expensive.

Other than espresso makers, Gaggia also have a number of other related products. They make coffee grinders, juicers, ice cream makers and even vacuums.

Gaggia espresso machines are also available for commercial uses, which makes them larger, faster and most certainly quite a bit more expensive. Great for anyone starting a coffee shop, but really excessive for home use. Most commercial Gaggia machines can brew 4 or more shots of espresso at a time. Not exactly typical home use.

Though manufactured in Italy, Gaggia machines are available all through North America. There are numerous online vendors who sell these machines, and high-end gourmet food or coffee shops may have them in stock as well.

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For a good quality home espresso coffee maker, go with one with an internal electric pump for creating the water pressure. Steam-pressure units are smaller and cheaper, and somewhat inferior to the pump models. They’re not terrible, you’ll just get weaker espresso because the pressure levels are lower. It’s the pressure that brings the flavour out of the coffee grounds, so you want it to be sufficient.

Pump espresso machines can cost you anywhere from a hundred bucks, up to more than a thousand, so there is quite a quality range to consider. Most average household espresso drinkers are happy with machines between $100 and $500.

And you can even have the best of both worlds, with combo machines that can make both espresso and regular drip coffee. They’re convenient, but not always the best quality as the espresso part of the machine is usually smaller and simpler than a typical stand-alone espresso maker. Krups and Delonghi both make several models of espresso/coffee combo machines.

For making more elaborate espresso drinks, like a latte or cappuccino, you’ll need a machine that has a milk frothing attachment. These wands use the water pressure from the espresso machine to foam milk, either in a separate container or using its own tank for milk. Foamed milk is the traditional topping for espresso and adds a bit of style to your drinks. If you are watching your diet, you might be pleased to know that skim milk actually foams up better than whole milk.

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There are around a dozen espresso machine models made by Delonghi, and they range from inexpensive steam models to the luxurious super-automatic varieties. They pretty much have something for everyone, at any budget.

Part of their espresso maker lineup includes a couple of combo machines, which are part espresso maker, and part drip coffee maker. These make a very convenient package, especially for anyone with limited kitchen counter space.

The Delonghi super-automatic machines will really do it all for you. They have integrated bean grinders, so you just add the whole roasted beans. The machine will only grind exactly what you need with each brew, and even dump out the grounds when its done. Not only does it make less work for you, it means you get fresher coffee and espresso each time. Models like the Magnifica and the Perfecta are in the fully-automatic category.

If you are fond of the simpler moka pot espresso maker, they even have a model for that. With one improvement. The Delonghi moka pot is electric, and has its own heating source. The pot itself is cordless and just sits nicely on the base, rather than having to use the moka pot on a stove burner.

Most of the Delonghi espresso machines come with the milk frothing wand attachment, for making drinks like cappuccinos. Many have digital controls, and programming for delayed brewing.

Their website offers great detail on all their coffee and espresso machine products, with photos and model specifications. Handy if you are comparing the features on several different designs.

The company is Italian, and we all know that some of the best coffee and espresso products can be found in Italy. They make all kinds of kitchen and home products, not just espresso makers. Delonghi products are sold all over the world, and are often found in major department stores for easy purchase. They are sold all through the United States, at stores like Lowes, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. Or if you prefer to order online, they have their own web store and are also carried through Amazon.com.

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These days, you can buy some really fine espresso machines for the home, but there are still many models that rank up there as “commercial”.

The most noticeable difference between a commercial espresso machine and one designed for home use, is size. An average home espresso maker will have only one group (that’s the name for the spout where the espresso pours from). Larger home machines may have one group that is split so that you can still pull 2 shots of espresso at a time. But when you move up to the larger professional models, they usually have at least 2 groups (if not 3) which can pull 4 to 6 shots of espresso at once. Unless you throw big coffee parties, most folks at home don’t need that kind of capacity.

And along with high-volume brewing capabilities, comes the need for a large water reservoir. A commercial espresso machine should have a tank that can take a few quarts of water at a time to minimize the need for constant refilling.

But as they say, size isn’t everything. Sometimes what raises the quality of the machine is what you can’t see. In the case of a commercial espresso machine, the internal boiler, pump and groups must be top-notch in order to survive the constant heat and use. Parts should be solid copper, brass or stainless steel, rather than the cheaper aluminum or even plastic.

Other features you expect to find on a professional machine would be a space to keep warmed cups, and a milk steamer/frother for making cappuccinos and lattes. A busy coffee shop might need a stand-alone milk steamer to handle the volume.

Commercial espresso machines are designed for business use, and they are priced for business as well. Quality espresso machines designed for the professional can run several thousand dollars, and finding one with a price tag of over $10,000 would not be unheard of. Names like Pavoni, Astoria and Saeco all carry some of the best. Finding machines of this caliber can be challenging, though you can usually order them from the manufacturer online or possibly at a restaurant equipment and supply store.

While these espresso machines are a necessity for a busy coffee-house, that doesn’t mean a really good home espresso machine couldn’t be used in a small cafe or restaurant.

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