6 Things to Look for in an Espresso Machine

If you are reading this article you are more than likely in the market to buy an espresso machine.  Unlike the traditional coffee maker espresso machines can be quite difficult to shop for and the process may overwhelm you.  There is the frother, the wand and the bypass doser to look for.  What do all these things mean and why do I need to worry about them when shopping for an espresso machine?  Below you will get a list of 6 things to look for when shopping for an espresso machine.  Not every machine will have all of them and you may not even have the need for all of them, but this will help you understand the terms and determine what to look for.

Pod Dispenser? You may have noticed the newest way of making coffee with the coffee pod.  A coffee pod is the pre-package pod of coffee that you simply brew one cup of joe with.  It makes making coffee extremely easy and has become a hit for many coffee drinkers.  When shopping for an espresso machine look to see if the machine is pod compatible.  This could be an extremely convenient feature.

Hot Water Dispenser? This is a fairly common feature on the standard espresso machine, but not every model has it.  For those of you who make tea of need hot water on demand this is a must have feature as it keeps you from having to boil coffee for any of those reasons.

Cup Warmer? This is not to be confused with a warmer for the carafe.  Having a cup warmer can allow you to keep your drink warm while attending to other things.  One major thing to look for if you want an espresso machine with a cup warmer is the location.

Water Filter? What makes a great espresso is not just the grind of the coffee or barista, but also the quality of the water.  You want to make sure that you have high quality water and to do that you will want a built in water filter.  This ensures that all the unneeded minerals and chlorine is extracted from the water before brewing.

Grinder? If you are really serious about your espresso and want the freshest cup, then an attached grinder is a must.  Having a bean grinder as part of your espresso machine allows you to grind just the right amount for your next cup.

Frothing Wand? For those of you who like to make different types of espresso drinks such as mochas or lattes, then a frothing wand is a must have!  This feature allows you to steam your milk allowing you to make your favorite drink.  This feature is pretty standard.

While these are not all the features that you may find in an espresso machine, this will at least give you a start when you start your shopping.  You can find all of these things along with many different styles of espresso machines here at LiveLoveCoffee.com at our espresso machines page.