☕ The best espresso makers: what to look for when buying

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It's no secret that for many people a cup of invigorating, aromatic coffee is the key to a good morning. This drink shouldn't be messy, time consuming, or daunting during a busy morning workday. Today, there are many varieties of brands of coffee makers on the market, differing in power and functionality.

The interest in espresso machines is growing, first of all, they seduce with their size, versatility, price and quality. At the moment, these are one of the most purchased types of coffee makers.

Types of espresso makers

When purchasing a coffee maker of this type, it must be borne in mind that they are produced of several types.

Pump operated espresso machine

These coffee makers provide brewing with an electric pump that can easily pressurize up to 9 bar to produce aromatized extracts with a thick, rich foam. And the water is heated to the desired brewing temperature (95-98 degrees) using a single boiler, thermoblock or thermostat heating system.

The same heating system can also operate at a higher temperature to supply a steam wand for frothed milk after boiling, or it can even be equipped with an additional heating system for steam and hot water on demand. This method of pushing water under pressure through the filter produces a more flavorful drink. With such a machine, you can prepare a drink in a matter of minutes.

Steam espresso machine

This type uses the steam pressure that is generated by the internal boiler. The water is brought to a boil in an airtight container, creating steam pressure that forces boiling hot water through the ground coffee. However, steam only generates 1.5 bar of pressure, which is well below the 9 bar needed to make good coffee. In addition, its designs often make the water hotter than the ideal temperature range, resulting in bitterness and higher levels of acidity.

Benefit: Highly heated steam picks up more caffeine from the ground beans, but the pleasant aroma of coffee is muted. The coffee will be ready in 2 minutes.

What to look for when buying an espresso machine

  • The material from which the horn is made can be metal and plastic. The metal horn will allow you to achieve high-quality and delicate foam, and will significantly speed up the cooking process.
  • The number of servings that can be made at one time.
  • Water tank. It is better to choose coffee makers with a removable tank, this will significantly simplify its care.
  • A definite plus is the ability to prepare several options for drinks: espresso / cappuccino / latte
  • Possibility of using coffee in metered packages (pods).
  • A variety of additional functions, such as: the presence of a removable tray, a forked nozzle, automatic coffee dispensing, automatic shutdown.

Advantages and disadvantages of carob coffee makers

Advantages of carob coffee makers

  • easy to manage;
  • have great functionality and ergonomics;
  • design advantages: compact size, reliable and durable housing;
  • the possibility of making coffee with a bright taste and beautiful foam;
  • many models are equipped with a cappuccino maker, which allows you to prepare not only espresso, but also cappuccino / latte;
  • cleanliness when used.

Minuses

  • rather high cost;
  • limited choice of coffee, a certain grind is required, the optimum is medium;
  • lack of a coffee grinder;
  • compulsory descaling;
  • active participation of a person in the preparation process, it is also desirable to have the skill of tamping ground coffee in a horn.

Caring for your espresso machine

Unfortunately, most espresso machines do not have an automatic cleaning system, so users need to do their own care.

Remember to wash the coffee maker's horn every day after each use. Re-used coffee is not allowed. Every month (1 time is enough) it is necessary to clean the cone of coffee oils, for this there are special tablets for coffee fats. The tablet is placed in a horn and spillage of water on the coffee maker is turned on, as soon as water starts to drip, turn off the coffee maker, after a pause of 10-15 minutes, repeat the procedure a few more times. ...

TOP-10 popular carob coffee makers from well-known manufacturers

Each connoisseur of aromatic freshly brewed coffee should have his own coffee maker, and it is better if it is a pump-action model with a horn, since it is in this type of carob coffee maker that you can feel the taste and aroma of invigorating coffee.

Carob coffee maker Smeg ECF01

The Smeg ECF01 coffee machine from the Italian manufacturer is made in the style of the 50s and is available for purchase in 5 colors (white, black, red, gray, blue). Briefly about the technical characteristics: the coffee maker has a power of 1350 W, maximum pressure 15 bar, weight - 5 kg, body material - metal.

Carob coffee maker Smeg ECF01

Advantages:

  • Thanks to the adjusting ring, the cappuccino maker can not only whip milk, but also switch to hot milk mode;
  • Height-adjustable cup holder;
  • Ability to prepare two cups of coffee at a time;
  • A large selection of programs useful for the operation of the coffee maker: heating cups, adjusting the temperature of coffee, the ability to program the hardness of the water used;
  • Descaling program available.

Disadvantages:

  • High price.


Average cost of this model: 37,890 rubles.

Cartridge coffee maker Ascaso Dream Ground (2013)

The Ascaso Dream Ground espresso machine is designed and developed in Barcelona. From the technical characteristics and configuration, we can mention the power of 900 W, the pump pressure of 20 bar, and the weight of 5.5 kg. A varied selection of body colors, which makes it an excellent opportunity to purchase this coffee maker for any interior.

Carob coffee maker Ascaso Dream Ground

Advantages:

  • The presence of a pressure gauge;
  • Ability to prepare two cups of coffee at a time;
  • Removable drip tray;
  • Continuous steam technology;
  • LED backlight.

Disadvantages:

  • Lack of display, timer;
  • No automatic decalcification;
  • High price.

Average cost of this model: 26,450 rubles.

De'Longhi EC.680.M

The De'Longhi EC.680.M coffee maker, country of origin - Italy, has advanced capabilities, manufacturability and style. Technical characteristics: power - 1300 W., maximum pressure - 15 bar, weight - 4.2 kg. Available in three colors: white, red, black.

НDe'Longhi EC.680.M

Advantages:

  • Ready to work in 35 seconds;
  • Anti-drip system;
  • Ability to prepare two cups of coffee at a time;
  • Automatic dosing with portion programming;
  • A large selection of programs useful for the operation of the coffee maker: automatic shutdown timer, coffee temperature control, the ability to program the hardness of the water used;
  • The presence of a program for descaling;
  • Manual milk frother, allows mixing steam, air and milk, which makes it possible to obtain a thick, creamy foam;
  • Removable drip tray with water level indicator.

Disadvantages:

  • The fragility of the cup holder;
  • Small platform to accommodate two cups.

Average cost of this model: 19,990 rubles.

Carob coffee maker Gaggia Carezza DeLuxe

The Italian company Gaggia offers the Gaggia Carezza DeLuxe pod coffee machine with a power of 1900 W, a maximum pressure of 15 bar, and a weight of 5.5 kg.

Carob coffee maker Gaggia Carezza DeLuxe

Advantages:

  • Manometer;
  • Heated cups;
  • Removable water container;
  • Water level indicator.

Disadvantages:

  • High cost.


Average cost of this model: 17,300 rubles.

Cartridge coffee maker Polaris PCM 1523E

The Polaris PCM 1523E coffee maker is small and easy to use. Before we start talking about the advantages and disadvantages of this model, we will indicate the main technical characteristics: power - 1350 W, pump pressure - 15 Bar, weight - 6.99 kg. Available in brown and black.

Cartridge coffee maker Polaris PCM 1523E

Advantages:

  • Additional heating of water is not required, since the coffee maker is equipped with a heater in the form of a thermoblock;
  • Several options for preparing drinks.

Disadvantages:

  • Several weak links: pump and milk froth height adjuster;
  • Smell of plastic, hard to wash;
  • It is not possible to store the beverage volume, only the values ​​set by the manufacturer.

Average cost of the model: 14,990 rubles.

Cartridge coffee maker Vitek VT-1516 SR

The Vitek VT-1516 SR coffee maker is one of the most popular coffee makers from the domestic brand. The power of this device is 1470 W, the pump pressure is 15 bar, of the features we can emphasize the automatic preparation of drinks (espresso, latte, cappuccino).

Cartridge coffee maker Vitek VT-1516 SR

Advantages:

  • Manual cappuccino maker;
  • Choice of operating mode: factory settings or manual mode;
  • Automatic cleaning function;
  • Prepares boiling water for other drinks;
  • Heating cups;
  • Automatic decalcification function to combat limescale and coffee oils.

Disadvantages:

  • Insufficient height for cups for preparing, for example, drinks such as lattes;
  • Two cups of coffee cannot be prepared at the same time due to lack of space.

The average cost of this model is 16,999 rubles.

Carob coffee maker De'Longhi ECI 341 Distinta

The De'Longhi ECI 341 Distinta coffee maker, country of origin - Italy, has a vintage design, technology and style. Specifications: power - 1050 W., maximum pressure - 15 bar, weight - 5.66 kg. Available in three colors: white, red, yellow.

Carob coffee maker De'Longhi ECI 341 Distinta

Advantages:

  • The cappuccinatore has a metal panarello nozzle;
  • Ability to prepare two cups of coffee at a time;
  • Automatic shutdown of the coffee maker when not in use.

Disadvantages:

  • Inability to see the water level in the tank without raising the container.


Average cost of this model: 11653 rubles.

KRUPS Calvi XP 3440

The KRUPS Calvi XP 3440 coffee maker is produced by the French concern Groupe SEB, it is of high quality and good functionality. Some technical information: coffee maker power - 1460 W, pressure - 15 bar, heater type - thermoblock.

KRUPS Calvi XP 3440

Advantages:

  • The compact thermoblock heats up water in 40 seconds for hot coffee;
  • Small-sized -1 4 cm with "folded" cappuccinatore;
  • Comfortable control and beautiful design;
  • Filter cream - metal, steel, realized on the principle of a double bottom;
  • Cools down quickly after steam is supplied;
  • Has minimal vibrations and low operating noise;
  • The steam nozzle prepares milk drinks with ease.

Disadvantages:

  • Fast filling of the drip tray;
  • Frequent draining of water with a coffee maker;
  • Inability to use cups more than 9 cm high;
  • Lack of tempera.

Average cost of this model: 11,299 rubles.

Cartridge coffee maker Kitfort KT-703

The Kitfort KT-703 pump-action carob coffee maker is produced in Russia and has high technical characteristics and reliability. The power of the coffee maker is 1470 W, the maximum pressure is 15 bar, the weight is 4.5 kg, from the additional functions: self-cleaning, adjustment of the portion of hot water. Available in two colors: gray and black.

Cartridge coffee maker Kitfort KT-703

Advantages:

  • Programming of coffee portions;
  • Possibility of preparing several types of drinks;
  • Possibility to choose the portion size of milk for cappuccino and latte;
  • Heater - thermoblock;
  • There is a mechanical regulator of the milk foam height with a separate position for quick cleaning;
  • Auto power off.

Disadvantages:

  • Weak link pump and milk foam height adjuster;
  • The smell of plastic is difficult to wash away.

The average cost of this model is 9967 rubles.

Carob coffee maker De'Longhi ECP 33.21

De'Longhi ECP 33.21 coffee maker, country of origin - Italy, has a classic shape, varied functionality and high quality workmanship. Specifications: power - 1050 W., pressure - 15 bar, weight - 4 kg. Available in white, gray, black.

Carob coffee maker De'Longhi ECP 33.21

Advantages:

  • The cappuccinatore has a metal panarello nozzle;
  • Ability to prepare two cups of coffee at a time;
  • Additional functions include: warming cups, hot water supply.

Disadvantages:

  • Small storage space for filters;
  • The fragility of the cup holder.

Average cost of this model: 8,300 rubles.

Summing up the review, we can say that there are many models of coffee makers of this type on the market, every gourmet will find an option that will suit him in terms of price-quality ratio. When writing this article, we based on a review of the most popular rated espresso coffee makers.

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