| Choosing a Home Espresso MachineEspresso machines come in a variety of styles. Which kind is right for you? You've decided you need an espresso machine at home, but what kind? They all have the same basic mechanism: forcing hot water through coffee grounds under pressure. But there are different ways to accomplish that. There are 4 basic machines, and each has its positive and negative features.
Pump Espresso Machines
-
These use a powered pump to produce the right amount of water pressure
- Usually the most expensive
- Can be quite large, bulky and noisy
- Produces excellent espresso
- Pump can get clogged with mineral deposits from the water
- Commercial machines are often this type
Lever/Piston Espresso Machines
- There is a manual lever and piston on these models to create the pressure
- Can be hard on the arm
- Very quiet machine
- Espresso quality can vary
- Few parts, low maintenance
Steam Powered Espresso Machines
- The steam from heated water creates the pressure
- Pressure isn't always strong enough to make a good Espresso
- Smaller machine, sleek design
- Quick and easy to use
Moka Pots
- These are simple stove-top pots
- Water in the bottom half of the pot, forces steam through the coffee into the top half of the pot
- Super simple
- Less pressure than the mechanized versions
- No milk frothing/foaming attachments
- Least expensive of all these models
|
|
| 