Be Your Own Barista!

Barista is the Italian word for bartender. However, in America, it usually refers to someone who makes coffee at a high end coffee shop. With the right espresso machine, you can be your own barista. It takes a little skill to learn to operate each type of espresso machine, but once you’ve learned to do so, your espresso will be perfect every time. Just remember that espresso machines require careful maintenance, and if you don’t take care of them, the quality of your coffee may drop.

What is the Best Espresso Machine?

There isn’t a definitive answer to which espresso machine is the best. It really depends on how you like your espresso to taste like. Naturally, the more modern and higher end machines will enable you to create very high quality espressos without a lot of work. The older-fashioned machines will require more work but they do create very good drinks like their high-tech counterparts. The best value espresso machine for you will depend on your budget and how much effort you are willing to invest in the creation of your espresso drinks.

Steam driven – These machines were the original type. A common boiler piped steam into four heads, allowing different kinds of coffee to be made at once. Since steam driven espresso machines don’t have moving parts, they can be inexpensively made, and more simply maintained. That makes them popular for low-cost home machines. They’re pretty cheap – about fifty dollars.

Piston driven – Developed in 1945, this design uses a lever to send the water through the coffee. Because of the length of the lever, and the pulling motion used to make the espresso, making coffee this way is often called “pulling a shot”. Piston driven espresso machines are divided up into two kinds – manual and spring piston. The manual piston machine is the most direct – the operator directly pushes water through the coffee. Spring piston machines, on the other hand, use the operator’s work to tension a spring, which delivers the pressure. These machines require a bit of knowledge on the part of the operator to make a good shot of espresso, but they’re preferred by people who love their coffee. They cost from a few hundred dollars and up.

Pump driven – the most popular design for commercial and high priced home espresso machines, a pump driven machine uses a motor to provide force. This makes it easier to produce espresso, and introduces less operator error. However, it’s a good idea to know your pump driven espresso machine well, so that you can maintain it properly. These machines can cost several hundred, or even several thousand dollars.

Air pressure driven - These small, hand held espresso machines work by pressurizing air, which is then used to deliver the water to the coffee. These small machines make a great espresso, but only produce a single cup at a time. They were developed in 2006. They’re a great way to make some espresso on the go, but the cost is fairly high. The handpresso runs ninety-nine Euros on its homepage, or about a hundred and forty-five dollars.

Stove top – Technically, stove top espresso machines don’t really make espresso. However, the very dark coffee they produce is very similar. The bottom chamber of these machines holds water. In the middle, a filter basket full of ground coffee is placed. The top chamber holds a metal filter. When the pot is heated, the pressure of the bottom chamber’s steam forces water up through a tube, and into the basket. The water then passes into the top chamber, creating ready to serve coffee. Since there’s less pressure in this type of espresso maker, the “espresso” lacks the classic foam. These inexpensive pots cost between ten and fifty dollars, however, making them great if you want to try out espresso like coffee and aren’t concerned about technicalities.

In addition to the above espresso machine types, you can buy some that are automatic, semi-automatic, or super-automatic. This means that they perform one or more functions without operator aid. Semi-automatic machines deliver water by a pump, and dissipate extra pressure using a valve. Automatic machines also track how much water goes through the machine, making it unnecessary for the operator to gauge this. A super automatic machine, like the barista espresso machine by Starbucks, automatically grinds the coffee, tamps it, and extracts the espresso. The only thing you need to do is add water and fill up the hopper with coffee. Some models even automatically froth and dispense milk. Of course, automation costs extra. Expect the price of machines with automatic features to be higher than those listed above. Hand and stove top machines can’t be automated.

Knowing about the different kinds of espresso machines is the first step to picking the right one for your home. Whether you want to make a single shot on the go, or want a professional cup that doesn’t require much effort on your part, there’s a machine for you. Just match your purchase to your personal coffee tastes, your knowledge and your budget. You’ll soon be making great espresso on your own!

What Are Coffee Roasting Machines?

With regards to origin and storage method, the flavor of coffee peaks about 24 hours to two weeks after roasting. Anything later and the overall flavor will start to decline. Typical pre-roasted coffee beans suffer the setbacks of storage, as volatile oils and other factors can affect the taste and appearance of your brew. However, using a roasting machine for coffee processes a small amount of green coffee beans at a time. While the practice has taken place for many centuries, a variety of methods and techniques for roasting beans have emerged over the years.

As you begin to pursue the art of roasting coffee, it is suggested to familiarize yourself with the roasting profile of beans which details the amount of time required for a selection to spend at a set temperature during roasting. Common temperatures are seen between 400 and 480 degrees over the course of four to 20 minutes. Rapid cooling of the beans is a step. Paying attention to this aspect will ultimately determine the flavor and color of the final roast.

Types of Coffee Roasting Machines

Using a home roasting machine for coffee gives individuals an advantage of freshness that exceeds the commercial blends of roast coffee. The ability to control roast times also allows users to create a variety of tastes to match their preferences. To get an idea of available roasting machines and methods, consider the following selections:

Flat Pan

One of the easiest methods of roasting green coffee beans is to stir a small amount in a flat pan over high heat. If it is a consistent roast you crave, then you should know that it is nearly impossible to avoid producing an assortment of roast levels with this approach.

Hot Air Popcorn Popper

It is not uncommon to hear of people using a popcorn popper to roast a small amount of coffee since it doesn’t cost much to accomplish. Popcorn poppers cost around $10 and sometimes less when on sale. This technique is considered rather easy to follow. However, the shelf life of your popcorn popper will suffer when using it to roast coffee because longer periods of heat are required and can quickly wear down the equipment.

Dedicated Coffee Roasters

On the market, consumers may choose between handfuls of commercial roasting machines. While they may cost more than relying on a homemade process, they eliminate the dangers of using equipment and methods that are not designed for the high temperatures needed to roast coffee beans. However, some users complain that the majority of dedicated home roasters are unable to process a decent amount of product – some only handling 75 grams of green coffee at a time.

A couple of models to consider when looking for a roasting machine for your household includes: the Gene Cafe Rotating Drum Roaster ($495; holds up to 10 ounces of unroasted green coffee), Hearthware i-Roast 2 Coffee Roaster ($180; roasts in 15 minutes or less), Nesco Smokeless Roaster ($159; relatively quiet with a roast cycle between 15 and 30 minutes), and Freshroast Plus 8 Home Coffee Roaster ($89, an uncomplicated energy saver).

Types of Espresso Machines

One type of machine you’ll need for your business is a good commercial espresso machines, and there are a variety of different kinds that you can choose from for your business. Some of the best name brands that you should consider are Gaggia, La Pavoni, and Briel. All of these brands offer great espresso machines for your business. The prices aren’t cheap, and depending on the machine you get, you can expect to pay between $400 and $1500 for a machine for your new coffee shop. However, when you are making your choice, make sure that you consider quality and efficiency, and take the time to compare prices to get the best possible price.

Types of Cappuccino Machines

You are also going to need some good cappuccino machines for your coffee shop as well, and there are many too choose from. You’ll find Pasque, Bosch, Jura Capresso, Salvatore, and Saeco Odea Giro machines. Good commercial cappuccino machines start out around $600 and go all the way up to over $2000. Of course they vary in price depending on brand and quality, so you’ll have to pick the one that will do the best job for your business.

Types of Coffee Grinders

Of course you’ll find that having good commercial coffee grinders is important as well if you are opening your own coffee business. Some of the best brands in grinders include Fiorenzato, Macap, Mazzer, GrindMaster, Grimac, La Pavoni, and Rancilo. The prices on these coffee grinders start out at about $500 for the cheapest ones and go all the way up to about $1500.

Other Equipment

There is quite a bit of other equipment that you’ll need as well. You’ll probably need a simple commercial coffee machine to make regular coffee. Also, you’ll need to have a commercial dishwasher available to help clean up as well. So, at the end of the day you’ll be spending quite a bit on your coffee business, but no doubt in the end it will be well worth the money you put into it when you begin making a profit with your business.

There are a number of different types of camping coffee machines that you can purchase, depending on what you plan on spending and the amount of work required to ensure you have a fresh cup of coffee in the morning. These quick and easy devices can range anywhere from $5 up to over $45 in total. Some will make a basic cup of coffee while others can perform other duties such as making tea or even espresso.

If you are looking for a good plain cup of coffee in the morning, a collapsible aluminum filter is your best bet for cost and ease of use. Typically ranging in price from only $5 and up depending on the vendor, all it requires is a paper filter inserted with your favorite ground beans and will sit over your cup to drip a perfect cup of coffee individually.

You can find a number of assorted percolator camping coffee machines ranging in price for any camping enthusiast. Depending on the size you require, they can range in price starting at only $16 and go up from there. If you browse online through many camping supply retail stores you can find what you need.

There are some teapots that also brew coffee depending on how they are designed and are very versatile for those who enjoy both coffee and tea or for a couple who are split between the two beverages. By choosing an item that will brew both fresh hot tea and coffee, everyone is satisfied with their camping experience.

Purchasing a coffee press can sometimes be the best solution for those who want to eliminate the mess and fuss with paper filters. It is for an individual cup of coffee only but can be used for fresh tealeaves as well as coffee grounds. This type of device usually retails around $23 and up depending on the manufacturer, if it is insulated, and other specifications such as a drink and go lid.

No matter which option you choose to have your fresh brewed coffee outdoors while on your camping trip, once you find the perfect solution for you, it will never leave your side. I personally use the take and go filter where I can brew a personal cup of coffee over my mug and use it at home as well since I am the only one who enjoys coffee in my house. It was a cheaper solution to having fresh coffee every morning and takes up practically no space at all in my cupboard since I do not have to worry about having a bulky coffee maker.

What are Coffee Grinders?

A coffee grinder allows individuals to process their own coffee beans. As a result, a rewardingly fresh beverage is produced. Now days, a coffee grinder doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. You will also find leading coffee makers and espresso machines on the market that are tapping into the power of providing the built-in luxury of a grinder – creating a wide-range of styles and prices to consider.

The two main categories of coffee grinders available on the market are blade and burr. Both styles come in electric and non electric coffee grinder (manual hand-crank) models, such as the attractive stainless steel and wood Manual Coffee Grinder by Danesco that easily prepares coffee beans for less than $60.

Blade Coffee Grinders

When looking for an inexpensive coffee grinder, one that relies on a metal blade to process beans is recommended. Since a blade is responsible for the coffee beans, a user can easily control the fineness of their coffee by establishing how long the grinder should run. Unfortunately, the outcome can produce unevenness, which can affect the overall quality of the coffee. The heat generated by the blades creates another setback that can cause coffee to taste burnt.

However, blade grinders are the easiest to clean and work well for automatic drip coffee makers. The Krups Fast Touch 203 model is a basic blade grinder that holds 12 tablespoons of beans (equivalent to making around 1½ pots of automatic-drip coffee). This particular selection costs about $20.

What is a Burr Coffee Grinder?

Coffee beans are crushed between a grinding wheel in the same manner as a pepper mill when using a burr grinder, which handles a couple of beans at a time. To regulate the size of grounded beans, an individual will concentrate on the positioning of the burr to create a higher level of consistency. If you own an espresso machine, a burr grinder is ideal to produce the fine grind necessary to enjoy a cup of creamy, strong coffee. Within this category, there are two main types of burr coffee grinders – wheel and conical.

A wheel coffee grinder usually costs less than a conical grinder. However, some people dislike this kind of grinder because it possesses a wheel that moves rather quickly, produces a great deal of noise in the kitchen. Consumers also create more of a mess because of the high-speed rotation. An example of this type of grinder includes the powerful 700 RPM motor of the Ascaso Flat Wheel Espresso & Coffee Grinder that costs around $300.

A conical burr grinder is considered one of the best models on the market. A burr spins at a slower pace than the wheel model – creating an overall quieter and cleaner process. If you drink a lot of flavorful coffees or selections considered oily, a conical model will not clog during processing like other grinders. When looking for an inexpensive conical burr grinder, consider the Capresso 560.01 Infinity (~$90), which grinds slow enough to reduce the buildup of heat and static. Yet, keep in mind that the overall consistency of the grind is not the finest on the market when choosing this inexpensive selection.

Another convenience of some electric coffee grinders comes in the form of a combination unit (coffee maker and grinder). For instance, the Capresso CoffeeTeam Luxe costs about $200 and makes 10 cups of auto-drip coffee with the help of a built-in burr grinder.

What to Look for in a Coffee Machine?

Depending on the type of gourmet coffee you prefer, the amount of time, you plan in making coffee and your budget will determine your decision of which type of coffee machine is best for your personal, business, dorm room, entertainment or RV and camping needs. While considering the type of coffee machine you plan to purchase, you should also consider any accessories or gadgets you might find useful when making a nice steaming cup of coffee or a cold cup of coffee. Coffee machines also come in a wide variety of styles and colors to match your decor and lifestyle.

There are various types of coffee machines from which to chose, such as:

• Espresso machine
• Cappuccino machine
• Coffee pods
• Roasting machines
• Grinders

You will want a coffee machine that offers easy cleaning to lengthen the lifetime of your coffee machine no matter which type of coffee machine you select. Make sure you follow all the instructions of the manufacturer.

Espresso and Cappuccino machines are available as manual makers, semi-automatic or automatic espresso makers, which are less expensive and easy to use. They are either, steam, piston, pump or air pressure driven. They are available for stove or counter top, which range from automatic to semi and super-automatic.

Coffee pods are those single serving that are self contained and placed inside a coffee machine or a coffee pod machine designed especially for the use of coffee pods, using a pressurized brewing system, are quite popular. You can make your own coffee pods or purchase them.

Roasting machines and coffee grinders are wonderful for creating your very own special blends to enjoy by yourself or with your friends and loved ones, at home, office, camping or anywhere else you want to relax. They come with various means of functioning so you can make a great cup of coffee any time you get ready.

Problems with Coffee Machines

Some of the most common problems that might cause a coffee maker to quit working are, a bad on and off switch or power cord, clogging within the tubing, especially with calcium. The power cord and switch are replaceable, or simply replace the coffee machine with a new one, and running some clear vinegar through the coffee machine helps to cut down on calcium build-ups. However, at times the temperature sensors or heating element may give out, when this happens it is best just to replace your coffee machine. Perhaps at that time even consider a few extra options with your new coffee machine.

You can sit back and relax while enjoying your own wonderful cup of coffee using your selection of coffee machines.