Espresso Machines Unplugged

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Understanding the features and workings of your espresso machine.

An espresso machine is, quite simply, a hot water boiler and steam generator with one or more integral, pressurised, coffee brewing points. With the emphasis on maintaining an optimum brewing temperature the machines is designed to produce 1-1.5 fluid ounces of concentrated coffee liquor, by forcing hot water at a temperature of between 92-96 degrees Celsius at a pressure of 9 bar (130psi) for a duration of between 20-25 seconds.

Inside the machine

Boiler - A typical semi or automatic espresso machine comprises of a boiler (or boilers) to generate hot water at approximately 96 degrees Celsius and steam at about 120 degrees. This is achieved by an electrical heating element and heat exchangers which transfer the heat from the main boiler to fresh mains water as it is required at the point of brewing.

Pump - This takes water from the mains supply (or integral tank) and passes it through the heat exchangers to the point of brewing operating at a pressure of 9 bar.

Electronics - Various electronic pressure and temperature values and switches to ensure a safe operation.

There is not usually any user access to the inside of an espresso machine. This is due to the high pressures involved and access is solely restricted to qualified engineers.

Outside the machine

Steam Wands - One or more steam wands draw steam from the boiler at approximately 120 degrees and terminate with a nozzle with 3 or more holes where jets of hot steam issue from to foam milk.

Hot Water Tap - This is used for drawing off hot water at 96 degrees Celsius for topping up espressos into longer drinks.

Group head assemblies - These comprise of a dispersal plate to break up the flow of water and a rubber sealing gasket. The gasket seals the filter handle into the head and prevents the water/coffee from seeping out.

Filter handles - Solid metal alloy filter handles that fit into the group head and contain the initial dry espresso coffee grinds. The handles have single or double spouts, to brew one or two drinks at a time respectively.

Dials and gauges - Indicating pump pressure, boiler pressure, water temperature and sometimes water levels.

Brewing buttons - These are either preset (automatic model) or on - off toggle buttons for controlling the duration of the brew cycle and consequently the amount of beverage in the cup.

Drip Tray - A tray used to collect spillages with a waste outlet leading to a small reservoir or drain pipe.

Heated top tray - An area used for cup storage. The cup warming tray is simply heated by natural conduction from the boiler and does not have an independent heating source. It is recommended that cups are stored bottom down (not upside down) so that the bottom of the cup is warmed, not the lip.

Best Espresso Machines

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While there are a host of espresso machines catering to various needs and budgets in the market today, the espresso machines listed below have stood the test of time and are known for their quality and excellent espresso making ability. One can choose from a range of automatic, super-automatic and home espresso makers.

It should however be noted that making espresso depends entirely on the espresso maker, or barista, and the espresso machine is just a machine the maker uses. Espresso makers are available from $80 to $900 and above. The cost of an espresso machine usually depends on the features one wishes to have along with it.

Among the automatic versions of espresso machines, the Delonghi Magnificia Automatic Espresso machine is known for its ease of use and excellent quality in general. The Magnificia is a super automatic machine. It can prepare a variety of beverages like espresso, cappuccino, and latte. The Delonghi Magnificia uses CRF technology which makes it compact.

Making cappuccino is very easy using this machine, due to the separate milk boiling chamber and the frothing wand. The machine features separate controls for milk and water quantity, which makes it possible for one to customize the strength of the shots.

The Magnificia also has an integrated burr grinder, which grinds the coffee beans within the machine. It also has a removable boiler and a self-cleaning system which works automatically.

The Gaggia Synchrony Compact Espresso Machine is one of the most compact espresso machines available in the market. This machine combines the quality of Gaggia with the stylish finishing of an ABS plastic finishing. The machine has an ABS plastic finishing over a steel frame.

The machine has a 44 ounce tank and offers adjustable dosing. It features a top-filling removable water tank and a removable brew group. One of the most useful features of this super-automatic machine are the digital controls, which gives the barista complete control over the quantity and quality of the espresso they wish to make.

The Gaggia is super-compact, and therefore it doesn't clutter space. It is perfect for office, commercial or even home use for the true espresso enthusiast.

The Krups Duomo Espresso Machine is perfect for the espresso enthusiasts who don't want the various features of the auto and semi-automatic espresso machines. The machine is available for under a hundred dollars.

The Krups Duomo can prepare four cups of espresso coffee using the steam pressure at one go. The Duomo offers a complete package to the home users, with its steam wand and can be used to prepare coffee, espresso or cappuccino.

It features the exclusive 'deep brew' technology which works wonders for the flavor and taste of the coffee. Switching from making cappuccino to espresso is very easy, thanks to the ease of use of this made-for-home espresso machine.

The DeLonghi Black Espresso/Coffee Maker is another machine acclaimed for its espresso quality and general ease of use. The DeLonghi Black is a steam driven espresso machine and has a swivel jet frother which produces thick milk froth. Therefore the machine is perfect to make espresso, cappuccino or latte.

For new espresso makers, the machine has a patented safety cap and a highly durable heat resistant glass flask. The removable drip tray and on/off indicator makes this the perfect machine for home use.

Super Automatic Coffee Espresso Machine

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Whereas with either a manual or semi automatic espresso machine a person has to attach a portafilter to the machine in order to brew your espresso. With a super automatic coffee espresso machine all a person needs to do is to get the coffee beans and then the machine does the rest for them.

All a person needs to do to ensure that they get a great cup of espresso every time is to push a button. All it takes is to push a button and the espresso machine takes over and completes the whole process for producing the coffee for you. Most super automatic espresso machines carries out the following steps.

1. It grinds the coffee

2. It fills the brewing chamber (so no use for a portafilter)

3. It tamps the grounds down automatically

4. Then it brews the coffee and sends it through to the cup waiting below

5. Then once finished brewing it will eject the grounds from the brewing chamber and place them into a waste box which is internal to the machine and which can be removed at a later stage for the grounds to be disposed.

So the great thing about this type of machine is there is no mess and no fuss you just get a great cup of espresso coffee every time you use it.

But as well as these machines being able to make great cups of espresso coffee they can also make other favorite coffee drinks as well, including cappuccino's, latte's, mocha's and many others. All super automatic espresso coffee machines will come with either a steam wand (to one side of the machine which you will control) or an automatic system for frothing up the milk.

Super automatic coffee espresso machines have also become extremely popular with people who like to drink cafe crema. Although it is brewed in the same way as espresso, it does not taste as strong. For many who have sampled a cafe crema then they often decide that the drip coffee maker that they have been using for the past few years is outdated and will often replace it with a super automatic machine instead.

The reason why more people are turning to using a super automatic espresso coffee machine compared to others that are available is that they are very flexible. They contain many options and features that none of the others will have and will help look like a professional (barista) in a matter of minutes.

However which model you choose will depend on what sort of programming options you want with it. Each one available will provide you with options that allow you to not just control the strength of your coffee, but how much is produced and how hot or cold you want it.

Super automatic coffee espresso machines are not cheap and generally the prices start at a couple of hundred dollars and can cost upwards of a couple thousand. So when it comes time to purchasing any type of espresso machine you should be seriously be thinking not just the cost but whether it will fit in to your kitchen and frequency of usage to justify the investment.