Coffee Machines
With so much choice in the espresso coffee machine market it is difficult to know where to begin. Choosing the right espresso machine does not need to be a confusing process. The main point to keep in mind is how involved you like to be in making your espresso. Some people like the idea of being home-baristas where tampers and temperature gauges are merely the beginning of a process that can be made quite elaborate. For others it really is just about getting that perfect brew all at the touch of a button.
An espresso machine is defined as a device that will produce a concentrated coffee beverage at a consistent temperature of between 85 – 90 degrees centigrade and under at least 9 atmospheres of pressure with seven grams of coffee.
There are three main espresso coffee machines to consider. They are described in order of most involving espresso process to the most convenient:
- Lever Espresso Machine
- Pump Driven Espresso Machine
- Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
There is a fourth way to make an espresso which is in keeping with our original definition which will be described at the end of this article.
Lever Espresso Machine
If you’ve ever been to a traditional coffee bar, chances are you’ve not only seen a lever espresso machine in action but tasted the final result. These are the original Grande Dame espresso coffee machines that established the basis for all future espresso machines. Legendary espresso companies such as La Pavoni and Elektra that pioneered the lever espresso machine are still very much in operation today.
Working with a lever espresso machine can seem complicated at first but after a bit of practice producing quality espresso is quite simple. The key to a good espresso is to establish the right coffee ground and tamping the coffee with enough pressure (the standard is 30 lbs of pressure).
The machine heats up water in a boiler which is closed with a removable cap for refilling. The water level is indicated by a sight glass. The element is situated at the bottom of the boiler, and when the water inside the boiler becomes steam pressure is created. Attached to the front of the boiler is a group warmed by the boiler temperature. There is a small hole between the boiler wall and the group. Inside the group is a piston contained in a cylinder which is raised and lowered by the action of a lever. When the piston is at its maximum height, it exposes the hole in the cylinder wall and water is pushed into the group by the pressure of steam inside the boiler. When the piston is lowered, it covers the hole and stops the water flow.
In order to prepare coffee a filter holder or portafilter is locked into place in the group. The portafilter contains a filter basket into which ground coffee has been placed and firmly pressed and has one or two outlets at its base to allow coffee to flow into the cups.
The water forced by steam pressure alone spreads over the top of the coffee grounds infusing them, and a few drips of coffee pass into the cup. When the piston is lowered by manual pressure it pushes the remaining water from the group into the coffee resulting in what some may regard as the best espresso of all.
At the side of the boiler is a tap to allow the steam trapped inside the top of the boiler to pass into an arm used for milk foaming.
There are various sizes of machines, and all have safety devices to permit excess pressure to escape.
The lever machine is the oldest and most iconic of all modern espresso machines and has featured in many films as a truly original Italian product. Key manufacturers include La Pavoni and Elektra.
Pump Driven Espresso Machine
Rather than using manual force to create the pressure, the pump driven espresso machine – also known as a semi-automatic espresso machine - uses an internal electric pump to push water through coffee via a boiler which is normally made of brass or stainless steel. Brass is more expensive and takes longer to heat but maintains temperature for longer thereby being the best boiler material.
In order to prepare coffee, a filter holder or portafilter is locked into place in the group. The portafilter contains a filter basket into which ground coffee has been placed and firmly pressed and has one or two outlets at its base to allow coffee to flow into the cups.
The power to the machine is switched on and when first used a switch or button is depressed for a few seconds to activate the pump and draw water from the reservoir to the coffee. An indicator advises the user when the boiler has reached the correct temperature normally around 95 degrees centigrade.
The pump or coffee button is pressed again and the pump pushes the hot water from the boiler into the filter holder beneath.
On the side of the pump driven espresso machine is a steaming arm which is activated by a separate button. Once the switch or button is activated, a second thermostat enables the water light will indicate when the espresso machine has arrived at the required steaming temperature. By turning a knob, steam is released to either heat or froth milk.
In recent years some manufacturers have used a thermoblock rather than a boiler. This is a flat piece of metal containing fine tubes that permit water or steam to become quickly available by virtue of the heating elements embedded in the block. Thermoblocks are normally made from aluminium with stainless steel tubes inside or from brass, the latter being expensive but producing a more consistent temperature. Both boilers and thermoblocks require regular descaling to prevent calcium build-up.
Key manufacturers include Ascaso, La Pavoni, Gaggia, and DeLonghi.
Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
These machines incorporate the quality of espresso making with cutting-edge technology enabling the complete preparation of coffee drinks all at the touch of a button. They include an integrated patented design brewing unit, coffee grinder, and water reservoir. The brewing units receive ground coffee which is automatically tamped or compacted and then a measured quantity of hot water which the unit pushes through the coffee to create espresso. Some brewing units in fully automatic machines can be removed for user maintenance whereas others are fixed inside the machine and designed for automated cleaning.
Some also include either an integrated or external milk container. Features are programmable usually via an electronic interface – either an LED or touch screen - and so it is possible to pre-set the amount of water, amount of coffee and milk desired.
Like all coffee machines, fully automatics require a certain amount of maintenance. The main difference here is that the machine will prompt you when a filter change, descale and/or internal clean are required.
Finally unlike more traditionally based machines, fully automatics include a variety of clever eco-saving energy power functions.
Key manufacturers include Jura Impressa and DeLonghi.
Alternative Espresso Machines
Making espresso does need not be limited to the confines of a kitchen or even necessarily a plug. Recent innovations have brought hand-held espresso makers to the market that operate either with an integrated hand-pump or a pressurized canister. They are respectively Handpresso and mypressi.
Handpresso
The story of Handpresso started with a coffee enthusiast who also loved cycling. Looking at simplifying the espresso process, the Handpresso integrates the equivalent of a bicycle pump with a coffee chamber. The result is in keeping with the original definition of extracting the essence of ground coffee under pressure to create a surprisingly good espresso.
The Handpresso works by first sealing the pressurized chamber with a small switch. The Handpresso is then hand pumped 20 – 30 times until the professional brass manometer gauge indicator reaches the green bar. The bulbous water chamber on the top of the machine is then filled with hot water (usually obtained from a thermos) and either an ESE pod or small filter basket filled with ground coffee is placed over it quickly sealed by a screw cap. The switch is depressed and the air pressure pushes the hot water in the chamber through the coffee producing an espresso. The whole process from pumping to finished espresso takes thirty seconds.
The Handpresso comes in two main variations, the Domepod which works with ground coffee and the Wild which works with ESE pods. There is also the Handpresso Outdoor Set which comes complete with a Handpresso Wild, a carry case that houses a small thermos, four unbreakable espresso cups and space for 10 ESE pods.
Handpresso have created a number of accessories to enhance the coffee making experience. To learn more about the Intense Portafilter, Domepod Case and carry case, please click here.
Handpresso offers a smart alternative to having espresso whenever and wherever the mood might strike without having to compromise on coffee quality.
mypressi
Similar to the Handpresso, mypressi is a handheld device that uses fresh ground coffee or ESE pods. The main difference with mypressi is that the pressure is created from recyclable 8gm nitrogen cartridges.
To make an espresso, the device is ideally first warmed. A nitrogen cartridge is loaded into the handle. Tamped coffee grounds rest in the lower chamber and hot water is poured into the top chamber. By releasing a trigger, the nitrogen pushes the water through the coffee to produce an espresso.
Coffee Machnes at Fairfax
Here at Fairfax we stock a wide range of coffee machines. Making the final decision is often an arduous process and we are here to help. You can give us a call or post any queries on our forums and we will endeavour to find you the perfect choice from our range of coffee machines