As with most things espresso machines have improved greatly over the last number of years. Not only are they more compact and attractive but the technology that goes into these appliances can sometimes be overwhelming. As well there is certainly more of a focus on home use. With prices of lattes or cappuccinos in most coffee shops being what they are more and more people are considering investing in a machine for home use. Of course with more choices and options comes increased difficulty in making a purchasing decision. A few points to consider are:
Do you intend to make any specialty drinks or are you just interested in espressos or maybe lattes? Some espresso machines have many pre-programmed features while others have the capacity to make dozens of cups at a time; great if you do a lot of entertaining. Remember, why pay for features you will never use.
One of the first things you should do is consider which type (not brand) of espresso machine will work best for you. If you purchase a manual or semi-automatic machine like those used by baristas you are looking at an investment in time learning how to use the machine as well as the increased time it will take you to make your morning coffee using these machines. In the interest of convenience and consistency of results many people settle on automatic or super-automatic espresso machines such as the Jura C5 or Jura J5.
This probably goes without saying but you get what you pay for. If you anticipate only using your espresso machine occasionally maybe this isn't quite as important. Regardless, it is always a good idea to pay attention to product guarantees and try to check-out consumer reviews whenever possible to ensure you end-up with a reliable machine.
While not one of the more exciting points to consider you should pay attention to the ease and frequency of cleaning needed. This is one case where investing in a higher-end product will probably save you a lot of trouble as many have automatic cleaning cycles.
Hopefully these points will help ensure that you purchase a product that suits your needs.
Do you intend to make any specialty drinks or are you just interested in espressos or maybe lattes? Some espresso machines have many pre-programmed features while others have the capacity to make dozens of cups at a time; great if you do a lot of entertaining. Remember, why pay for features you will never use.
One of the first things you should do is consider which type (not brand) of espresso machine will work best for you. If you purchase a manual or semi-automatic machine like those used by baristas you are looking at an investment in time learning how to use the machine as well as the increased time it will take you to make your morning coffee using these machines. In the interest of convenience and consistency of results many people settle on automatic or super-automatic espresso machines such as the Jura C5 or Jura J5.
This probably goes without saying but you get what you pay for. If you anticipate only using your espresso machine occasionally maybe this isn't quite as important. Regardless, it is always a good idea to pay attention to product guarantees and try to check-out consumer reviews whenever possible to ensure you end-up with a reliable machine.
While not one of the more exciting points to consider you should pay attention to the ease and frequency of cleaning needed. This is one case where investing in a higher-end product will probably save you a lot of trouble as many have automatic cleaning cycles.
Hopefully these points will help ensure that you purchase a product that suits your needs.
About the Author:
Edmond Solenz is a serious espresso lover and has researched many of the most popular Jura espresso machines on the market today. Please follow these links for detailed product reviews on the Jura Impressa C5 or the Jura Impressa J5.
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