Buying An Espresso Maker

Buying the Right Espresso Machine

Just as there are many different kinds of espresso flavors and drinks on the market today, there are just as many different ways to make an espresso beverage. The main difference in making an espresso base coffee beverage lies in the machine that is used to make it.

There are multiple types of espresso machines on the market today and buying the right one is crucial to having the best espresso beverage for yourself and for others you have purchased the machine for. Many people use an espresso machine in their business, and coffee shops are the perfect example of businesses that typically invest thousands of dollars in espresso machines.

There are more than five different types of espresso machines and the taste of the espresso will be slightly different when made from each one even though the process of making the espresso is basically the same. Many people purchase a
steam-driven electric espresso machine because of its low cost. The disadvantage is that the espresso that it produces can have a burnt taste due to the high extraction temperature.

Another popular type is the consumer-level pump machine. This delivers coffee that has a better flavor than the low-end steam machine, but not usually as good as the commercial pump machines.


Consumer pump machines are usually a more expensive than the steam machines. A common problem with these units is a tendency of the pump to wear out - usually at the end of the one-year warranty. For this reason, you should try to get one with a good warranty, like the Hamilton Beach unit I blogged about in December of 2010.

Sometimes you will find pump machines in a
combination that is designed to make high-quality coffee as well as pump-driven espresso.

There are others that want what is in the restaurants and coffee shops. The most popular type of espresso machine that is used throughout American coffee shops and breakfast restaurants is the commercial pump-driven espresso machine. This type of espresso machine is interesting because it streamlines the whole espresso-making process and makes the process of getting espresso very simple. Many of these espresso machines are automatic, which means that a single button just has to be pushed in order to get some espresso out of it.

In some countries, espresso drinkers routinely use a
stovetop espresso machine. This is a machine that, as the name states, sits on your stove and produces espresso. This type of machine is a true steam-driven espresso machine. Hot water is heated in the bottom of the machine, which is forced up to the middle of the espresso machine where the actual beverage is made.

When trying to buy the right espresso machine you'll probably first and foremost want to invest in one of the easiest to use espresso machines, which is a fully automatic pump-driven machine. You might even consider purchasing a motor-driven espresso machine. These espresso machines can be quite expensive. Your budget and how enthusiastic you are about your favorite coffee beverage will probably dictate how much money you're willing to spend. For most consumers, an inexpensive espresso machine around $150 may be just the perfect one to start with. Commercial units, like the one pictured above, can run over $15,000.00 - click on the photo to go to a website if you want to price the commercial units.

One thing to consider when buying the right kind of espresso machine is to make sure that it allows you to have the most control over your espresso as possible. For example, does the machine have a built-in grinder? If it does have a grinder does it have different settings for the grinding of the coffee beans? Does the espresso machine that you are interested in contain an automatic whipped cream dispenser, along with a timer for the espresso?

All of these things are important when trying to buy the right type of espresso machine. If you are an avid espresso drinker then you probably will want to invest in an espresso machine that will suit your tastes, desires and budget.