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[H1717]How To Use An Espresso Machine

by Douglas Taylor, Dou

So it's got the water in now you turn the machine on and then wait for the heater light to indicate that the water has been heated to the ideal temperature, which is just below boiling point.

Now you place the ground coffee into the basket and tamp it down. The best coffee to use is one that has been freshly ground as after grinding the volatile oils which were previously protected by the bean are exposed to the air which then oxidize and the coffee becomes stale. Unfortunately this occurs immediately after the coffee has been ground and so it is important that you tamp and extract the espresso as quickly as possible. Whilst you are grinding the coffee beans preheat and warm the group head by turning on the pump for several seconds. Then remove the portafilter and dump out the espresso and then wipe the basket dry with a clean towel. When wiping the basket you are preventing water from finding a path of least resistance and this will help to ensure an even extraction of the espresso.

You now install the portafilter in to the machine by twisting and then place a small cup beneath its spout. Now turn the valve on your machine to the espresso position and this will engage the micro switch, which starts the pump, which in turn pressurizes the heating chamber and hot water to a pressure of 15 atmospheres (220 psi). This pressure forces the hot water through the ground coffee and out of the spout. A good espresso machine will take about 25 seconds to produce a 1.5 ounces of espresso.

Then all you need to do is put the switch back into the middle position and you can now steam and froth some milk for making a latte. To do this you need to place a container with some cold milk under the steam wand so that is submerged. You then turn the valve to the steam position, this will energize the resistive heater, which quickly boils the water in the heating vessel and opens the valve that starts the flow of steam to the nozzle. You will notice that the pump runs intermittently in order to keep the heating vessel supplied with water and the steam will quickly heat up the milk. If you want froth then you need to hold the steam nozzle near to the surface of the milk.

With the instructions shown above on how to use an espresso machine you should be making espresso's, cappuccino's and latte's just like the ones you can buy at your local coffee shop.

An espresso is a beverage made by forcing water heated to just below the boiling point through a filter of tamped, finely ground coffee beans. A single serving of espresso is a 1.25 to 1.5 ounce coffee concentrate topped with a thin layer of foam (referred to as the crema). Valued for its rich body and aromatic flavor, the espresso's bittersweet taste lingers on the palette after each sip, resulting in flavor satisfaction for coffee lovers.

While possible to construct a crude brewing method by forcing boiling water through coffee grounds using the force of steam, a specialized machine is needed to brew the ideal shot of espresso. An espresso machine heats the water to the recommended temperature, controls the water's pressure, and may even offer a steam wand attachment to heat and froth milk to add to the beverage.

The typical home espresso machine has a reservoir where cold water is poured. There is also a removable handle connected to a filter (called a porta-filter), which is just above the platform where the espresso cup is placed. When the machine is turned on, the water from the reservoir is pumped into a heating element. Once this element heats the water to the desired temperature (around 190 degrees Fahrenheit), an indicator light informs the user the brewing process is ready to begin.

Before brewing, the user fills the porta-filter with ground coffee and tamps the grounds. The porta-filter is then put into the machine and locked in place. A switch is flipped by the brewer that signals the machine's pump to pressurize the heating chamber to around 220 psi, forcing the hot water out of the heating element, through the coffee grounds, and out the spout on the bottom of the porta-filter. Once the cup is filled, the espresso machine is switched off and a fresh cup of espresso is ready to be enjoyed.

Although most espresso machines use this basic process to brew espresso, prices can range from fifty dollars to thousands. Some of the added features found in the more expensive units are the ability to moisten the grounds before the infusion process begins, higher grade pumps able to produce greater sustained pressures, beefed up heating systems, integrated water filters, and frothing wands.

Achieving a good cup of espresso from a home machine does not have to cost thousands of dollars, though. Simple procedures can add to the flavor of the espresso even in lower end machines. Filling the reservoir with filtered water will keep unwanted chemicals out of the brewing process. The type of coffee bean and fineness of the grind has a direct impact on the overall flavor and should be experimented with to discover the perfect blend. Also, adjusting the compactness of the grounds in the porta-filter affects the emulsion process, the results of which are visible in the crema. Perhaps the most important quality of a good espresso is freshness. Using fresh grounds will ensure the full taste of the coffee comes through. The espresso should also be consumed within a couple of minutes of brewing to experience its full flavor.

With a little experimentation, the same quality ordered at a cafe can be enjoyed at home using a home espresso brewer. The satisfaction of having perfectly brewed your own espresso, however, will never be found on a Starbuck's menu.

Article Source : Mr Coffee Coffee Maker

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Both Douglas Taylor & Jobeth Levina are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Douglas Taylor has sinced written about articles on various topics from Interest, Web Development and Interest. For more information on choosing the right and more information about the. Douglas Taylor's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.

Jobeth Levina has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Medical Condition and Food and Drink. If you found this article on espresso machines interesting you might also like to check out JoBeth's reviews and advice for getting the most o. Jobeth Levina's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.