Aug 22 2008
Shopping For A Home Espresso Machine
Don’t let the jitters of caffeine withdrawal force you into making a hasty decision on buying an espresso machine for your home use. You could go to the corner coffee shop, but that is getting too expensive. More and more financial advisers stress how much money you can save by making your own espresso instead of going out for it. In these tight economic times, every penny helps.
What Kind?
First off, you need to know that there are two main types of home espresso machines. There are pump driven espresso machines and steam driven espresso machines. Many coffee connoisseurs claim that there is a big difference in both kinds – with the more expensive pump driven espresso type giving the best quality.
So, how important is espresso in your life? Are you going to use this machine only occasionally or almost every day for the rest of your life or the life of the espresso machine – whichever comes first? If you are only an occasional drinker, then there is no sense plunking down your dollars and cents for the more expensive pump driven kind. Keep in mind that steam driven espresso machines must cool down between brews to be used safely.
Bells And Whistles
Besides the basic difference in how they make their beverages, there are also other things to consider when choosing your espresso machine, but most of them are minor choices about the extras that come with certain machines. These extras include how big they are, removable drip trays, programmable timers, warming trays and even a frothing cup if you want to try making cappuccinos.
Ideally, you should try a cup made from the espresso machine you are thinking of purchasing before you buy it. But this opportunity doesn’t happen always in the real world. So it is essential that you find out your store or website’s return policy before you buy your espresso machine. You also need to have a warranty on it (these usually are only for a couple of months).
You also need to find an espresso machine that fits into your kitchen – or wherever you are planning on keeping it. This might seem like a no-brainer, but I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard about a friend or relative who bought a cooking appliance and brought it home to discover that the only place it fit was on the floor. Color and appearance should be the last concerns when shopping for your home espresso machine.