Chosing your espresso machine
There are 3 main types of Espresso machines, these are also divided into subcategories.
Fully automatic.
These are not useful for making great espresso, period. They are way more expensive and they end result will always be sub par, some people will pay that much and live with less than stellar espresso just to save a few minutes and not have to learn anything. As we have mentioned before, if you are one of those, this site is not for you.
Semi automatic.
On a semi automatic espresso machine the operator (you) controls the extraction time and temperature. These machines gives you the best of both worlds. They are faster and easier to use, but you are still ultimately on control to a degree. This would be the machine that most people would prefer to use, and they give you more than great espresso very consistently.
Manual Lever /Spring operated.
These machines are only for the die hard coffee geeks. Do not purchase a Lever machine as your first Espresso machine. There’s a reason that you see a lot of Lever machines in the used ads, and it’s not because Lever machines make bad Espresso, far from it, but because they are hard learn and requires constant perfection.
You control ”everything” Temperature, extraction time and pressure. A lever pushes the water through the coffee, the harder you push the more pressure. Pressure and extraction time is varied by adjusting the grind level of the coffee beans. Spring operated machines also uses a lever with which you push a spring down, then the spring is released to push the water through the beans, these are less controllable, but more consistent.
Operating a manual machine can be frustrating, with great power comes a steep learning curve. If any parameter is off you get sink shots and you ”will” make lots of them. When you learn to control everything to perfection they can make some of the best espresso in the world because you can vary the pressure and extraction time depending on the coffee beans you are using.
Recommended Espresso Machines:
Budget machines
Rancilio Silvia (Miss Silvia)
Prosumer machines
Vibiemme Domobar Super
BFC La Valentina Lever
BFC La Valentina Junior
Expobar Brewtus II
Manufacture Mechanika/Technika III
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