How To Use An Espresso Machine
February 21st, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Let’s take for granted that your espresso machine already has water in it. In this article we will put in plain words how to use an espresso machine in order to make the best drink you could possibly desire.
So it’s got the water in now you turn the machine on and then wait for the heater light to indicate that the water has been heated to the ideal temperature, which is just below boiling point.
Now you place the ground coffee into the basket and tamp it down. The best coffee to use is one that has been freshly ground as after grinding the volatile oils which were previously protected by the bean are exposed to the air which then oxidize and the coffee becomes stale. Unfortunately this occurs immediately after the coffee has been ground and so it is important that you tamp and extract the espresso as quickly as possible. Whilst you are grinding the coffee beans preheat and warm the group head by turning on the pump for several seconds. Then remove the portafilter and dump out the espresso and then wipe the basket dry with a clean towel. When wiping the basket you are preventing water from finding a path of least resistance and this will help to ensure an even extraction of the espresso.
You now install the portafilter in to the machine by twisting and then place a small cup beneath its spout. Now turn the valve on your machine to the espresso position and this will engage the micro switch that starts the pump that in turn pressurizes the heating chamber and hot water to a pressure of 15 atmospheres (220 psi). This pressure forces the hot water through the ground coffee and out of the spout. A good espresso machine will take about 25 seconds to produce a 1.5 ounces of espresso.
Then all you need to do is put the switch back into the middle position and you can now steam and froth some milk for making a latte. To do this you need to place a container with some cold milk under the steam wand so that is submerged. You then turn the valve to the steam position, this will energize the resistive heater that quickly boils the water in the heating vessel and opens the valve that starts the flow of steam to the nozzle. You will notice that the pump runs intermittently in order to keep the heating vessel supplied with water and the steam will quickly heat up the milk. If you want froth then you need to hold the steam nozzle near to the surface of the milk.
With the instructions shown above on how to use an espresso machine you should be making espresso’s, cappuccino’s and latte’s just like the ones you can buy at your local coffee shop.
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Ways To Go About Choosing The Right Espresso Coffee Machine For You
February 11th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Many people spend a lot of time in their local coffee house in order to get their favorite cup of espresso so may it is time they started to look for an espresso coffee machine for the home that will save them money. There are several different varieties of machine available and if you are not sure about what each machine does it can be very confusing to say the least.
Below are a few tips that may help you in making a decision about which espresso coffee machine is right for you.
There are several different kinds of espresso coffee machines available and you first have to decide just how much control you want over the coffee making process. There can be a very fine line between how hard the machine is to operate and just how much control you want over the machine. So in order to make a considered choice it is best if you understand the differences between each of the machines that are available.
1. Manual Espresso Coffee Machine
These are the hardest type to use, as they require a certain amount of skill, but once you have the procedure down to pat it will make a great cup of espresso for you. It is important that when using a manual machine you fill up the portafilter handle and compact the coffee down. Always brush away any loose grounds and then lock the handle in place. The complicated part with these machines is pulling the handle and if you pull at the wrong time your espresso will not be as good as it should. Also because it has no electric pump this will need to be taken into consideration before you decide to purchase one.
2. Semi Automatic Espresso Coffee Machine
They came around soon after the manual pump machine and soon gained in popularity with coffee enthusiasts. It makes espresso using a pump and it will produce more reliable results than a manual machine does. These machines are much more user friendly and you will soon find yourself make wonderful espresso’s for you and your friends.
3. Fully Automatic Espresso Coffee Machine
These have been introduced over the last few years and are a hands free device. Everything is done automatically for you; it will even cut off when it has made the right amount of espresso. You often find these machines in professional coffee houses and cafes.
4. Super Automatic Espresso Coffee Machine
This machine will do everything for you at the press of a button as everything is programmed into the machine and out comes the perfect cup of espresso with little help from you. Certainly this machine is now growing in popularity because it is so simple and easy to use.
So all you need to do is to decide how easy you want to make the process of producing an espresso coffee and then you will be able to choose the right sort of espresso coffee machine for you.
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