Jan 24 2009
The Best Espresso Machines
With so many espresso machine models, styles and choices, it can be hard to know what you should be looking for when out to get the best espresso machine you can.
There are simple espresso machines, and then there are some with more bells and whistles than you’ll likely know what to do with. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the price tag determines how good your machine is. That’s not strictly the case, but you will find that the cheap machines are not as good as the higher-quality ones.
The main reason is the method each machine uses to build up pressure in their water tanks. More pressure means a more flavourful shot of espresso, and a better foamy layer of crema. So which machines will give you the highest level of pressure?
You need to be looking for a pump-driven machine to get the best espresso. They are more expensive than the simpler steam-driven ones, or even the stove-top style of espresso maker. But it’s the machines with electric pumps to create pressure that are really the best choice.
Another feature that your machine should have, is a milk frothing wand. You can’t make a latte or a cappuccino without some foamed milk, and all the best espresso machines have them.
While the machine itself is a big part of making great espresso, don’t ignore your ingredients either. Use fresh beans, ideally ground up right before you do your brewing. The grind should be quite fine, though using coarser coffee from your drip machine would be acceptable.
The best machines will have some automatic settings so that even a beginner can pull a great shot of espresso, but will also allow you to have some control over water temperature, pull time, and pressure levels. With a little experience, you are going to want to experiment with these settings to see just how perfect a shot you can pull.
So if you are looking to get the best espresso machine, stick with the pump-style machines. You should be able to find them available starting at around a hundred dollars, and ranging up into the thousands. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get the best, but spending too little will end up disappointing you.
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