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Single Serve Espresso Machine If you would prefer a cup of coffee made just for you, a single serve espresso machine is a great option. You just need to refill the water tank and add the desired pods or capsules and press the button. The best coffee pod machines provide convenience, speed and ease of use. Some also provide extra options such as hot chocolate or tea. Precise Extraction Espresso is made by pushing hot water at high pressure through finely ground espresso. This is a vastly different process than brewing drip coffee, in which the water is allowed to flow freely through the ground. Espresso extraction requires the balance of three elements that are dose, grind and tamp. Heating your portafilter is the first step to a great espresso shot. Vigil usually weighs her portafilter before she packs it with coffee, which makes sure that she's using the right amount of beans. She then taps the grounds to create an even puck that is dense enough to extract the flavor notes of her beans. She typically tamps with 30 pounds of force, which is ideal for consistent, tasty espresso. Keep an eye on the color and consistency of your espresso's color and consistency. An espresso that has been extracted correctly should be dark golden for the first few seconds, but shift to a light gold when it reaches the 25-second mark. This is called Blonding. If the shot isn't blonding correctly could have acidic or bitter notes. Certain machines, such as the Keurig K-Supreme Smart or the Nespresso Vertuo Plus in our test, let you set a brew time so that you can regulate the rate of extraction. This is an excellent feature, but it won't be able to compensate if the beans aren't properly ground or roast properly. You can regulate the extraction rate in certain machines, such as the Gaggia semiautomatic. This can make a huge difference in the taste of your espresso, but it's not the best solution for an unsatisfactory grind or roast. Many of the machines in our tests come with built-in options for milk frothers or a steam wand, which makes it simple to create espresso with steam or frothed milk. This is particularly beneficial for drinks such as cappuccino or latte which are typically served with steaming milk. Some machines, such as the Nespresso Inissia and the Cuisinart on Demand, even offer reusable pods that help reduce the amount of waste. Variety of drinks Many espresso-based drinks require steaming or frothed milk and the top single-serve espresso machines can complete the job effectively. A quality machine can create rich, creamy cappuccinos and lattes with the click of the button. Some include an automatic milk frother so you don't need to purchase a separate machine on the counter. The best coffee makers and espresso makers provide other drinks, including Iced drinks. Some are equipped with grinders that grind beans fresh and others use a carafe that can hold several servings at once. Some models have adjustable settings, which means you can select your own temperature and strength. The top-rated model in this category is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, can create an espresso double or lungo shot, as well as a variety of drinks at the click. If you prefer a more sophisticated beverage then the Philips Breville Intuo XS makes it easy to make cappuccinos and lattes. It's simple and intuitive to use, giving you a choice of five popular drinks at the touch of the button. The brewing process is swift and it makes great tasting espresso without any effort on your part. It is also environmentally friendly because it reduces the amount of coffee pods you will need to purchase. If you're looking to play with your own recipes, consider getting a versatile espresso maker that can prepare double-shot and single-shot drinks. The top espresso and coffee makers come with an easy-to-use interface that allows you to alter the size, strength and brew times of your drink at the touch of a single button. Coffeee can choose from a range of coffee beans, ranging from traditional to exotic blends and variations. Some even come with a grinder for fresh grounds, which can give you more control over the taste of your coffee than pre-packaged pods. Convenience The ease of single-serve espresso machines is one of their main attractions. They're easy to brew, require little cleanup and don't require measuring ground coffee or coffee beans. And because they're designed to make only one cup, there are no leftovers. Machines that use capsules and pods (like Keurig or Nespresso) that are pre-packaged with the appropriate amount of ground coffee for one cup, operate on the same principle. All you need to do is select your drink of choice, put the pod in the machine, and then press a button. Many machines also have the capacity to brew tea or hot cocoa, and some even have milk frothers that allow for the easy making of milk-based drinks. They are a great option however, they come with a price in terms of cost and impact on the environment. Pods can cost more than ground coffee or bean-to-cup and are usually packed in plastic, so you'll need to find an alternative to recycling. As time passes, this can add up and be a factor to consider in the event you're considering purchasing a pod coffee maker for long-term use. Other models are more flexible in terms of brewing sizes and are able to handle different types of grounds or beans. They are often called “ground-to-cup” machines. You will place the ground coffee in a basket that is placed at the top of the machine or, if you have an espresso-style model, into a portafilter. It resembles an old-fashioned coffee pot and is similar to the filter of an espresso machine. These machines are closest to the traditional barista's flavor, but they can be more expensive and complex than models that make use of pods or capsules. There are also super-automatic and manual machines. They function similarly to the typical coffee maker, but with a higher degree of automation. They can make it easy to serve drinks such as coffee, and also carry out simple maintenance tasks such as decaffeinating and descaling. Our Labs gave these the highest scores for their reliability and user-friendliness. However they can be a challenge to maintain in good condition. Maintenance You are a professional barista that your equipment needs to be cleaned and descaled regularly to ensure that you get the best coffee. It is recommended to backflush your espresso group heads every night and wipe down the machine to remove any milk residue or loose coffee grounds. These tasks might seem unimportant however they are vital to the longevity and quality your equipment. Cleaning your single-serve espresso machine is essential, not only for hygiene reasons, but also for the taste of your espresso. If you don't clean your machine, it could result in a buildup of impurities and bacterial developing that can affect the taste and flavor of your coffee. Cleaning your espresso machine doesn't require as much time as you might think. A few minutes every day and a thorough cleaning once a month will keep your machine in top condition for the many years to be. First, you'll need empty the drip tray (this is usually a simple task that can be completed in just one step). The next step is to wipe down all the internal components of the machine. Use a mild soap and water with a sponge to wash the machine, especially the portafilter and hot boiler. When you're done you can use a clean cloth or towel to wipe down the outside and inside of your machine. Regularly cleaning your espresso machine is the most vital part in maintaining it. A few tablespoons of descaler along with a backflush will keep your machine free of any hard-water deposits that could adversely affect the taste of your espresso. It is recommended to descale your machine every 300 cups or approximately every month, based on how often you use your coffee maker. To do a backflush start by removing the group head and steam wand and soak them for at least half an hour in a solution of espresso machine and water detergent. After that, run fresh water through the portafilters, baskets and steam wand. You can also backflush the steam portafilter and scrub it using nylon brushes. Finally, sanitize the draining hose using an diluted solution of water and cleaner.