Choosing an Espresso Machine - Quick Overview

Many people have been asking for help in choosing an espresso machine. This short concise guide provides you with a basic overview.

Simply put here are the differences:

Super Automatic Machine which are the easiest to use, have the lowest learning curve, but are also the most expensive type of machine. These machines do all the work with the press of a button - grind, dose, tamp, brew and eject the used grinds.

Fully Automatic Espresso Machines need only a press of an on/off switch once and the espresso maker will automatically control the volume of water that is dispensed through the coffee grounds and when the pre-determined amount of espresso is brewed, the espresso maker will stop on its own. Unlike the Super Automatic, users first grind their chosen coffee properly and also tamp the coffee properly so it fits correctly into the portafilter. Next, the portafilter needs to be attached to the espresso machine and the on/off switch pressed. Because of the pricing this is mostly used in commercial settings.

Semi Automatic Espresso Machines are the most popular style chosen for home use because they produce an excellent product and automate a lot of thing for you but still give control over how your shot of espresso will progress. Unlike the Fully Automatic, aside for pressing the on/off switch to begin, once the desired espresso is extracted from the machine the switch needs to be turned off; thereby controlling how much water is released.

Manual Espresso Machines which are traditional style machines are recommended for true coffee aficionados and those who truly enjoy the process and effort involved in making a cup of espresso. This machine is piston-driven and requires the operator of the machine to pump the lever to pressurize the hot water and send it over the coffee grounds to pull the shot. Manual espresso machines are totally dependent on the user focusing on the pull of the lever.

As a newbie, the Semi would be your best choice for your first espresso machine, not too expensive and fairly simple to use. Don't forget however, that finding a good grinder can be just as important- or more! A quality grinder will freshly grind the coffee to the very precise size necessary for good extraction. Good Luck!