Espresso coffee makers: Four Unique Types

By Mark Knowles

The introduction of Starbucks and other retail coffee shops has increased the popularity of espresso coffee makers in the past few years. Many of us seek a way to create those wonderfully drinkable Italian creations without the need for a barista.

The espresso machine was first invented in 1901 and since then there have been many versions to hit the market. Common mechanisms on an espresso coffee maker include the portafilter which use a metal basket to hold the coffee grounds and a steam wand which can be used to froth and steam milk for drinks when needed.

There are several variations of the espresso machine as discussed below. Each have their own pros and cons and the usage is dependent upon what each person prefers.

Piston: The famous espresso coffee maker manufacturer Gaggia has roots in the creation of the piston driven machine. Founder Achille Gaggia invented his creation in Italy in 1945. His coffee machine is easy to use and employs a lever mechanism to force hot tap water through the coffee grounds. This coffee maker is the basis of the popular term "pulling a shot" because of the repeated pulling action of the handle that is required. The piston driven espresso machine comes in two main forms, the manual and the spring driven version. A manual espresso machine simply requires the hot water to be forced through the grounds by means of pulling the lever. The spring driven alternative requires tension to be put on a spring which builds the proper pressure that is needed.

Pump: The pump style espresso coffee machine works by way of a motorized pump that builds the energy needed to brew the drink for you. These are the most common style of machine found in coffee shops. Commercial grade pump coffee machines attach directly to the plumbing in a building while cheaper home versions come with a built in hold reservoir. Commercial level espresso coffee makers are generally much quicker at fully creating the drinks then the home use versions.

Steam: Steam driven espresso machines are just as simple as they sound. Steam pressure builds to push the water through the coffee grounds and it is about as simple as that. The first espresso coffee makers created employed this type of functioning and because they require no moving parts are still used today because of the cheap manufacturing process.

Air Pressure: Air pressure espresso machines are more commonly known as Handpresso coffee machines. This name comes from the creater, Nielsen Innovation, who invented the product in 2006. It met fame in 2007 when it was first introduced in stores.

If you are looking to add an espresso coffee maker to your home or business you can see that you have a lot of options. The setting and frequency in which you will be using the maker should be a big factor in your purchase decision. The price range on espresso machines are vast and brand and ability play a huge role in the sticker price. All will give you the same result in the end, great espresso drinks. - 30289

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