How to choose a superautomatic espresso machine

If you're looking to buy an espresso machine, there are many options and it can be overwhelming. If you've narrowed it down to superautomatic, this article can help you figure out what to look for.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Money
• A love for espresso drinks
• Access to several stores to compare (most are online)

1. Think about the kinds of drinks you want to be able to make, the amount of space you have available (the machines can get fairly large and sometimes don't fit well under cupboards), how many drinks you will likely make at once, and how much money you want to spend (price for decent quality machines can range from about $400.00 to several thousand dollars).

2. Decide what features are important to you. A bypass compartment is one of the most common requirements for people. This allows you to put pre-ground coffee into the machine as well as whole beans. This is useful if you like a variety of coffees (or a family member likes decaf and you only drink regular). You don't want to have to remove all the beans from the unit in order to change the variety every time you make a different type.
   
   If you make a lot of milk-based drinks (lattes, cappuccinos), you will want something with two boilers or heat exchangers as there can be a lengthy wait for the machine to change temperatures between brewing and steaming on the more entry-level machines.
   
   A digital display allows more programming options and sometimes has a clock so you can set the machine to turn on and off at set times (they usually only take a couple of minutes to heat up so the turn-on feature might not be so important but it is nice to know the machine will turn off by itself if you forget to do it). Some machines also allow you to change the temperature through the digital menu.
   
   The more basic machines may only allow you to customize your drinks by changing the amount of water that runs through the coffee (and into your cup). Increasing the water volume makes a larger cup but it will be weaker if you can't add extra coffee as well. For the best customization, find a machine that allows you to adjust both the water volume and the coffee amount that gets ground into the cup.
   
   Some machines allow you to program buttons to be a particular size and strength so that every time you push it, your espresso will be the same. Other machines allow you to decide on a per-cup basis what size and strength you want without having to re-program it. Which would you find easier or more desirable?
   
   Some machines have removable brewing units (the part that compacts the ground coffee and pushes the water through). These are handy because you can clean them with water in your sink. Machines without removable brewing units need special cleaning tablets that you will have to buy on an ongoing basis.

3. Most home machines cannot be plumbed-in but have water tanks instead. The size of these tanks is typically not an issue. Water will go stale and slimy after a couple of days so it is usually best to replace it with fresh water often. However, there are a few machines that can be plumbed-in, so if that is a requirement for you then your options have just dropped significantly. If you go this route though, make sure to get a water softener put in the line before the machine in order to protect it.

4. There are many other options available. If you're looking for a machine for an office, go with a commercial model rather than a home use model as it will last longer with heavier use. They are more expensive but well worth the investment. If you want to be able to make regular coffee as well as espresso, check the capability of the brewing unit. Some machines can only grind enough to make very small cups (up to 4 or 5oz) while some can go up to 8oz and some heavier-duty machines can go even higher. This comes down to how much coffee can be ground per cup. If you try to run a lot of water through a small amount of coffee, it will be weak and overextracted. Find a machine that can grind 14-16g of coffee per cup and you will have a good-tasting coffee. You can then replace your drip coffeemaker and have fresh ground coffee one cup at a time. By the way, coffee made in this manner has less caffeine than the same size cup made from a drip coffeemaker. And no tannic acid, which causes stomach problems for many people. So you can enjoy it more often!

5. For steaming milk, there are two options. The traditional steam wand takes a bit of practice to use properly but would be preferable for most people most of the time. Automatic milk frothing attachments make the job easier but you have little control over the quality and the temperature of the milk tends to be too cool. Also, these attachments are out at room temperature and so will need to be rinsed right after use to prevent milk from drying, clogging and growing bacteria (this can happen within 3-4 minutes). They will also need to be taken apart and cleaned thoroughly and sometimes include several small parts that can be tricky to remove and re-assemble and often get lost. But automatic attachments are handy if you are making several lattes or cappuccinos (say, for a dinner party). So the best bet is probably to have both available for your machine if this is an option you feel you would want. Otherwise, just stick with the steam wand.

6. Once you've narrowed down the options you want, browse the internet for some online retailers and check out the machines that have those options. You may find the machine that suits you is more expensive than you expected. Keep in mind that the machines are built to last many years and if you add up all the money you spend at a coffee shop, it's possible you can make the money back in less time than you expected. And you have the convenience of being able to get a great latte in your own kitchen. If you still have questions or still can't decide (sometimes it comes down to appearance if more than one machine has all the options you want), go to a store or phone an online retailer. Most are more than happy to answer your questions and suggest a suitable option. If they're not, don't buy from them. Support is very important and you want to be sure the person you buy from will take care of you even after you've given them your cash. Brick-and-mortar stores will often demonstrate the machines for you so you can see them in action. This is recommended if you can get to a store because it's much easier to understand if you can see and try out the machine in person.

Tips & Warnings

• Be prepared to do some cleaning and maintenance. The number one cause for repairs is neglect!
• Costs can vary widely for the same machine in the U.S. and Canada. There are reasons for this. (It's really not due to gouging or dealer greed in Canada!) But be careful when buying across the border. As well as having to deal with customs charges, warranties are typically voided by doing this. Most importers have rules against retailers shipping across the border but many disregard these. However, it is the importer that handles the warranty and no Canadian importer will perform warranty service on a machine that they did not import (they would be losing money). So you will have to send the machine back to the U.S. or pay for the service yourself.
• If you're not going to use the machine often, stick with the coffee shops. Espresso machines will last longer if they're used regularly.
• If you travel for an extended period of time, drain all the water from the machine and clean it thoroughly to prevent mildew, mould (coffee is a fruit!) and mineral buildup. When you return, run the entire water tank through the steam wand to clear dust and air from the machine.
• As with all electrical appliances, take caution while operating. Read the user manual thoroughly before using to make sure you understand how to use it safely. You don't want to risk damaging your expensive new machine and you certainly don't want to risk hurting yourself.