If your morning espresso isn’t quite as good as it used to be, these plain steps can make your coffee great again.
Many of us, in the excitement of testing out a up-to-date coffee machine, skim through the manufacturer’s recommendations, missing the finer details that can aid take your morning coffee from insipid to barista-quality.
If you’re having trouble making the perfect espresso with your espresso machine, the solution might be to simply re-read the instructions that came with it.
To aid you improve your coffee-making skills, we’ve gathered some easy-to-forget tips from the manuals of the coffee machines we’ve tested.
See our summary best coffee machines for your home.
1. Using a cool cup
Espresso temperature is a balmy topic. If you’re the type to grab a cool mug and pour espresso into it as quickly as possible, hold off on the roast. To improve your daily brew and prevent it from cooling down too quickly, preheat your cup of coffee.
Some coffee machines such as Siemens EQ900 TQ907GB3are equipped with a cup warmer specifically for this purpose, but this feature is not indispensable. Apply the balmy water that is created during the brewing process, ready for the first apply of the day, to balmy a cup of coffee before making an espresso. You can also simply balmy it with balmy tap water. Not only will this aid improve the temperature, it can also improve the taste.
2. Using regular tap water…
…without checking the instructions first. While in most cases it is perfectly fine to apply tap water, the instructions for Krups Proof One Let’s just say that the quality of your tap water affects its taste, as limescale and chlorine can change the taste of your espresso.
While this may seem tedious, a quick check of the manual will also reveal whether or not you should apply a water filter in your espresso machine to get the best quality espresso.
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Some bean-to-cup coffee machines have a water hardness setting, so if yours does, make sure it is set to that. To aid combat the problems caused by limescale, regularly descale your coffee machine.
Our coffee machine reviews will tell you whether descaling is a lengthy process or can be done quickly and easily.
3. Using any elderly ground coffee
The coarseness of the coffee grind can affect the strength of the flavor and crema of the espresso. Coffee makers typically require a finer grind than a moka pot or drip coffee maker.
This Sage Bambino Plus SES500BSS4GUK1 The instructions say that grinding too rough can result in insufficient extraction, making the espresso sour or watery, while grinding too fine can result in bitter, grainy coffee.
Avoid using ground coffee that is elderly or has been opened for a long time, as this can also affect the quality and taste of the coffee.
Find the coffee blend you like with our guide best ground coffee from our last taste test.
4. Using elderly coffee beans
Both DeLonghi AND Siemens warn against using green, glazed, or caramelized coffee beans in a bean-to-cup machine, as they can potentially damage both the grinder and the machine. Beans that are too oily can also get stuck in the bean container.
Some coffee machines warn against using green or unroasted coffee beans, so if you prefer to apply something other than regular coffee beans, it may be a better option to apply a specialty coffee grinder that is easier to spotless.
Discover best coffee grindersand get expert advice on how to keep your ground coffee fresh.
5. Not cleaning the steam pipe or milk system of the machine
The steam wand or milk system is used to create wonderfully creamy cappuccinos or warming lattes, but remember to take a little extra time to spotless them after apply. Most coffee machines recommend cleaning and purging the wand or milk system after each apply to avoid milky residue or deposits.
If left, the muddy residue will affect how well the milk froths in subsequent drinks. Some machines, such as DeLonghi Rivelia EXAM440.55.B have an automatic cleaning program that will do it for you, while some only require you to press a button that activates steam or balmy water in the pipe.
At the very least, make sure you have a spotless cloth on hand to wipe down the device’s tube and let some steam through it.
Our latest coffee machine reviews
Beko CEP5152B coffee machine
We like: It can prepare two coffees at the same time
We do not like: It’s challenging to get the most out of a steam wand
This plain coffee maker can make two cups of coffee at the same time and is equipped with a frothing nozzle, so you can prepare milky drinks such as cappuccino or latte.
The price is affordable for a ground coffee machine, so it’s worth considering if you don’t want to spend too much.
Siemens EQ900 TQ903GB9 grain coffee machine
We like: Excellent digital display and a range of customization options
We do not like: It is steep
This bean-to-cup coffee maker is a astute device, so you can connect it to your phone via Wi-Fi using the Siemens Home Connect app. You can save three profiles on the device, so different users can save their own personalized drink preferences.
It has an automatic milk frothing function and a program that makes it easier to spotless the milk dispenser.
Dualit CPD5 85190 Capsule Machine
We like: Works with Dualit, Nespresso or Nespresso compatible capsules, plain controls
We do not like: No personalization options
This capsule coffee machine accepts Dualit, Nespresso or Nespresso compatible capsules. Dualit has a range of compostable coffee capsules that can be placed in your food waste bin or garden compost bin.
There are two sizes to choose from: one for espresso and one for longer coffees. However, you can change these settings to your own taste by holding down the low or long coffee button until you get the desired volume.
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