How to Use an Espresso & Cappuccino Machine

The key to making a good cup of coffee with a machine is to use the best quality ingredients.

Espresso and cappuccino machines are automatic these days, but they still require some skill to operate, if only to decipher the instructions. The key to making a good cup of coffee with a machine is to use the best quality ingredients, including filtered water, and to grind the coffee to the correct grind, just before making it. Cappuccino is made using the milk-frothing attachment, whereas espresso isn’t.

Things You'll Need

• Non-fat milk Filtered water

Instructions

Preparing Espresso

1. Prepare the machine for use. Turn it on and follow the instructions on the display. If you haven't used the machine before, it will ask you to set a language and then fill the water tank. Fill the tank with fresh filtered water to the "Maximum" line. Depending on the manufacturer, the display may ask you to confirm and then will pump water into the machine.

2. Fill the container with coffee beans. Again, fill to the "Maximum" line only.

3. Press the Power button and the display will advise you that the machine is heating up and then rinsing. Some water will drip from the spout into the tray.

4. Choose a coffee-strength setting with the buttons. The machines come preset at a regular setting, but you can make this stronger or weaker with the buttons. Often, there will be icons used to label the buttons. More coffee-bean icons mean stronger.

5. Place a cup under the spout and choose a size. Look for icons that indicate size. A coffee cup half-full, or full, for example. Choose a small-cup icon for espresso. The machine will grind the beans and pour the coffee. On completion, the machine will clunk a bit as it disposes of the dregs into a drawer.

Preparing Cappuccino

1. Prepare the machine for use. Turn it on and follow the instructions on the display. If you haven't used the machine before, it will ask you to set a language and then fill the water tank. Fill the tank with fresh filtered water to the "Maximum" line. Depending on the manufacturer, the display may ask you to confirm and then will pump water into the machine.

2. Fill the container with coffee beans. Again, fill to the "Maximum" line only.

3. Press the Power button and the display will advise you that the machine is heating up and then rinsing. Some water will drip from the spout into the tray.

4. Choose a coffee-strength setting with the buttons. The machines come preset at a regular setting, but you can make this stronger or weaker with the buttons. Often, there will be icons used to label the buttons. More coffee-bean icons mean stronger.

5. Fill the milk container. Use 3 ½ oz. for each drink. Remove the hot-water spout and attach the milk container to the nozzle. The machine may beep to tell you this has been completed successfully. Position the nozzle so it’s over the cup area. Place a cup under the spout and milk nozzle and press “Cappuccino.” The machine will grind the beans then froth the milk and deliver it to the cup. The machine will then pour the coffee.

References

• DeLonghi: Gran Dma Super Automatic Espresso Maker User Guide