What to Expect With a Home Espresso Machine

There may come a time in your life when you would like to own a home espresso machine. You are tired of having to go to Starbucks every time you get a craving for some, so you would rather just make it in the comforts of your own home at any hour of the day. That is indeed a possibility, as many espresso machine companies have produced home espresso machines for people that just cannot get enough of it.

Of course, it is not easy choosing what kind of machine to get as there are different brands that offer different product qualities and prices. You have to consider how much you are willing to pay to get the best espresso possible and that involves thinking about usage and the desire to clean the product. There are four main types of home espresso machines and each listed below has positive and negative attributes that will be discussed.

Pump Espresso Machines

A home espresso machine that is pump-powered can create some of the best espresso around. A pump is used to create the right amount of water pressure to create the best possible espresso. That comes at a bit of a cost though; a pump espresso machine can be very loud and bulky and these types of machines can be very expensive. Nonetheless, if you are not looking for an espresso machine that fits exactly with the theme of the kitchen and you are willing to spend a little extra to get a higher quality, then looking at a pump espresso machine may not be a bad idea.

Piston/Lever Espresso Machines

These espresso machines create pressure by using a manual lever and piston. This may seem like a hassle to some, as there are other types of espresso machines that allow the consumer to merely touch a button to create an espresso. This can seem time-consuming to some, but then again, other people like to feel that they know exactly what they are doing and can create a great espresso product. The quality of a piston/lever home espresso machine can vary obviously, and the maintenance and support for one of these products is less than a different model.

Steam Powered Machines

In these types of home espresso machines, the steam from the hot water creates the right amount of pressure to create the espresso. These are known to be smaller in design and a little better on the eyes. If someone is looking for a convenient and quick espresso machine that will not take up a lot of space in the kitchen, then a steam-powered model is a good choice. However, it should be noted that the quality of these espresso machines can be less than other models because at times, the pressure is not strong enough to create a good espresso. Simplicity may override high-quality in some cases, and this product would be the example of that.

Moka Pot

A moka pot is the least expensive of the home espresso machines because it is hardly a machine at all; it is merely a stove-top pot that uses less pressure and has no attachments. It is incredibly simple to use and would be an excellent choice for someone who is not looking to spend much money at all when investing in something that makes espresso. It is not the flashiest model, but it obviously gets the job done and requires little maintenance.

Price

It is possible to find some deals on the price of the home espresso machine you have chosen. Many stores that sell espresso making machines will have regular sales on certain equipment and machines that they have in stock and some stores that sell many different types of products will have a great home espresso machine available as well. In some cases, a manufacturer of brand name espresso making equipment will have deals for certain machines listed on their website to entice more consumers to purchase their products.

Ease Of Cleaning

Many people are concerned about the amount of effort that it would take to clean their home espresso machine after use and look for the machines that would be easiest to clean. Most types of espresso machines used today are coated with a non-stick surface, making it much easier to clean after the espresso has been made. Consumers must be careful about the home espresso machine that is chosen because some of the less expensive varieties can break or become damaged with continued heavy usage.

Size Of The Machine

Another choice that will have to be made is the size of the home espresso machine that is chosen. Some machines will only create a small amount of espresso at a time while others will create larger amounts for serving several different people at a time. It is not uncommon to find a home espresso machine that can make enough espresso for an entire family to each have a cup or that creates a single cup of espresso at a time. Making a choice of what home espresso machine is best for your needs can be a difficult decision, but if each of these criteria is carefully considered, you will be able to find the home espresso machine that is right for you.