The Hidden Costs of Buying a Home Espresso Machine
An espresso machine is an intimidating addition to any kitchen, but picking the right one is easier than it seems. If you're looking for a way to save money on coffee shop drinks or want to hone your barista skills there's an espresso maker for everyone.
You should think about features like manual portafilters for practicing the technique of tamping (it may take a while to master this technique) and automated milk frothing that creates distinct textures and temperature.
Basics
The United States has seen a rapid increase in the amount of espresso consumed over the last two decades. Espresso machines can be found in a variety of places including gas stations, grocery stores, laundromats, cafes, and street carts. These machines are smaller than the ones found in coffee shops, but they're still based using the same principles and produce the concentrated coffee that is the preferred beverage across the country.
To make the concentrated drink that is espresso, all machines must include some sort of heating system to bring the water to the correct temperature. These machines range from simple stovetop models that utilize an open flame as a heating source for water to electric powered machines with boilers.
Certain espresso machines provide an array of options that make it easier for users to make the drinks they would like. Some espresso machines have an integrated grinder which makes it much easier than having to grind beans by hand. This is particularly helpful for beginners who may not know how to grind coffee beans correctly or how they should be tamped and press.
The pressure relief valve is an electromechanical device that opens automatically to release the pressure buildup inside the portafilter or filter basket after the espresso has been brewed. This is important, as it stops the abrupt release of steam which would otherwise spray hot coffee grounds everywhere on your countertop, machine and you. Make sure before buying your espresso machine comes with this feature.
Another important feature is the ability to adjust the size of the brewed shot as well as the amount of steamed milk that is produced by the machine. This lets you play with various drinks, discover the ones you like best and perfect your brewing technique.
It's important to keep in mind that the quality of your beans will determine the flavor of your espresso. If you don't start with freshly roasted, specially graded beans, no amount of high-end features can make the best cup.
Variations
A home espresso machine has a variety of options to choose from based on your requirements. Some come with more features and settings that can be adjusted to dial in the perfect coffee, while others are more simple and less expensive. The size of the machine also impacts its price, since bigger machines are usually more expensive.
Semi-automatic espresso machines are most common. The style comes with a portafilter that holds ground coffee, and is placed inside a lower chamber that houses water. The top of the portafilter features an aluminum screen that is placed above the bottom chamber. The water is then pushed into the grounds using pressure. The result is a shot espresso that is able to be pulled out of the portafilter, and then added to the milk to make the creation of a cappuccino or latte.
Another type of home espresso machine is a super-automatic that has a fully automated system for brewing that requires no hands-on intervention. This kind of machine has an increased reservoir of water and can make more drinks in less time. It typically comes with steam wands that produce rich and creamy steamed milk.
For those looking for a truly hands-off experience, there are also capsule machines that make use of pre-measured pods to create espresso and other coffee beverages. These machines are usually cheaper and more convenient, however they can only be used for specific brands of pods.
There are also manual lever coffee machines that look stunning and can bring back memories of romantic cafes from the past. These machines require more expertise than super-automatics or semi-automatics however they can provide an experience that is unique for the barista at home who wants to try something different.
There are a few companies that specialize in high-end, custom home espresso machines. The Lelit MaraX, which performed very well in our recent side-by-side testing, is one of them. These models have a variety of adjustments to make sure you get the perfect cup, such as an adjustable PID controller that lets you to set the water temperature to a specific level, a shot timer to inform you of the time the brew is taking and the pressure gauge to make sure the shots are being extracted at the correct level.
Convenience
Espresso drinkers know that nothing is better than a freshly-brewed cup of the stuff. The popularity of the drink has increased in recent years, and you can now get it almost anywhere from Starbucks to drive-through espresso carts that have become popular in supermarkets, laundromats, and even gas stations. You can make espresso in your home kitchen with an affordable home machine. The machines work a little differently than those found in cafes, but they work on similar principles.
Espresso makers are not as user-friendly as drip coffee machines. They require you to grind manually your beans, place them into the portafilter, and then use the manual tamping technique. However, the process isn't nearly as complicated as it sounds -- in fact it's quite quick and easy, particularly with the aid of a top burr grinder.
If you're planning to purchase an espresso machine, make sure you do not skimp on the grinder's quality. We suggest buying a high-end grinder that lets you manage the fineness of your ground coffee.
A machine's convenience features and beverage options are equally important. It is possible to choose an appliance that can automatically heat or froth milk at the press of a button. You could also opt for an ultra-automatic machine that can do all the work for you, from grinding and tamping, to the brewing.
A dual-boiler machine is available, featuring two boilers that are separate: one for making brews, and the other for vaporizing. This means that the machine can be hot and ready to brew and steam within a matter of minutes this is a major advantage when you're hosting guests or making a number of drinks at a time. Be aware that this kind of machine requires more frequent descaling which can be a hassle and can affect the performance of your machine over time.
Cost
A home espresso machine can be expensive, but it's an investment worth it. It can be fully paid off in several years of savings because you don't have to purchase coffee at cafes. It's important to compare the whole picture when comparing benefits vs costs. This article unpacks the hidden costs of buying an espresso machine for your home, from initial price tags that are influenced by features to the long-term cost of maintaining and operating a top-quality setup. This includes the use of energy as well as replacement parts and equipment as well as the total cost when compared to a typical coffee at a cafe.
Based on the type of espresso machine you pick the upfront cost can vary significantly. Bean to cup machines, for instance, are typically more expensive initially and traditional lever-operated machines may be less expensive. However the more expensive models can also provide higher levels of functionality and precision to the user.
Even Coffeee can produce excellent results when paired with the right beans and brewing method. However, for the most delicious cups, you must buy freshly roasted, specialty-grade beans. In fact, if you don't buy the beans even the most sophisticated technology or high-end design will provide subpar results.
You can make the same drink for $1.48 at home. The average latte in cafes costs $5. If you make daily latte at home, that's over $1200 per year you aren't spending on lattes elsewhere. When you factor in the cost of buying a new grinder as well as a tamper and other supplies, a quality espresso maker at home could cost around $1200.
The price of an espresso machine could be a deterrent for some, but it's worth remembering that the coffee is the only ingredient that can actually provide all the flavor chemicals needed to make an excellent cup. The espresso machine is just an instrument to help get the flavor out of the beans and it's up to the person drinking to choose the best tools to do the job. If you're a barista in training, or just enjoy the taste of freshly ground, manually-pulled coffee, an espresso machine is a fantastic investment for your kitchen.