Monday, December 26, 2011

Getting the Most From Espresso Machine Reviews

!±8± Getting the Most From Espresso Machine Reviews

Reading espresso machine reviews before you purchase a machine of your own is a great way to learn the pros and cons of that item. Let's face it--a company is only going to tell you about the good features of their products; never the bad. By reading what others, who have bought and used, an espresso maker think of its performance you can quickly get a clearer picture of whether or not that item is what you want.
 
Know What Features You Want
 
One of the first steps you should take when researching espresso makers is to learn all the various features available in different brands or models. Decide which features you really want, and which ones you can probably live without. For example, some models will have a built-in bean grinder, while others will use pre-measured cups of coffee and tea. Some do both. Know which type you want so when you read if a particular item has that feature or not, you'll know if that's important to you.
 
Water filters, heating plates, the ability to make two cups of espresso at once are also features you'll want to look into and decide which ones will make or break your purchase. Another feature to investigate is the noise level of a machine. Do you care if it's noisy, as long as it works? Or will a loud machine drive you crazy? How important is brewing speed to you? Some machines take a minute or two to brew a batch, or individual cup of coffee, while others are super quick. Does it matter to you? How about the ability to pre-program your espresso machine? If you like to have your cup of coffee waiting for you in the morning, instead of the other way around, the absence of a timer may mean you need to keep searching for the right espresso machine for you.
 
Knowing what you really expect from your ideal coffee maker will help you weed through the important aspects of espresso machine reviews.
 
Reading Espresso Machine Reviews
 
When reading customer reviews there are certain things you will want to pay attention to. Does the machine work as advertised? Do reviewers think the machine gave them good dollar value? A good espresso machine should perform as the company states it will and the price should reflect the espresso maker's quality and capabilities. If the price of the machine is fairly low, but the reviews complain about all the "extra" features they wish the machine had, well, that's not really a fair review for a bargain espresso maker.
 
On the other hand, if the machine has a brand name and high price tag, you should certainly steer clear of any model where the machine did not perform as it was advertised, or did not perform any better than a cheaper brand.
 
Customer service is another key factor you should look for when reading reviews. No company is perfect and, inevitably, someone is going to receive a broken or defective espresso maker. Note what the reviewer says about how the company handled the problem. If the company refunded or exchanged the defective item with little to no hassle, then that can still be chalked up to a positive customer experience. If, on the other hand, the company did not handle the situation well and provided poor or no customer service, this is likely a company you want to avoid buying an item from.
 
Overall, you want to see what the general consensus is about a particular model. Did it receive rave reviews from most? Or did most customers express their disappointment with the item? Also, pay attention to what other brands or models customers recommend instead of the one you're currently researching. Many times people who leave reviews have purchased more than one brand or make of espresso machine and will compare one item against another. If many users recommend purchasing model "X" instead, it might be wise to investigate that model for yourself.
 
Read Between the Lines
 
While it's always a good idea to read customer reviews and take note of the "cons" of a particular item, it's also a good idea to do a little digging and find out any underlying causes of that problem. For example, you are reading espresso machine reviews and notice complaints from a few reviewers about how the machine worked great in the beginning, only to stop producing full cups of coffee, or stop working altogether, a few months down the road. Your first reaction might be "well, that's a crappy espresso machine", and you decide not to buy. But what if you read a little further and discovered that other users, who rated the coffee machine highly, also had the same problem but, upon reading the owner's manual, discovered that regular cleaning of the machine eliminated this problem? Would you still refuse to buy an otherwise good espresso maker just because some users refuse to clean their machine properly and it stops working due to their negligence?
 
Reading reviews from other customers is a great way to find out the pros and cons of a specific coffee machine, but you do have to remember that, in some cases, a bad review is not always the machine's fault.


Getting the Most From Espresso Machine Reviews

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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Espresso Machines Unplugged

!±8± Espresso Machines Unplugged

Understanding the features and workings of your espresso machine.

An espresso machine is, quite simply, a hot water boiler and steam generator with one or more integral, pressurised, coffee brewing points. With the emphasis on maintaining an optimum brewing temperature the machines is designed to produce 1-1.5 fluid ounces of concentrated coffee liquor, by forcing hot water at a temperature of between 92-96 degrees Celsius at a pressure of 9 bar (130psi) for a duration of between 20-25 seconds.

Inside the machine

Boiler - A typical semi or automatic espresso machine comprises of a boiler (or boilers) to generate hot water at approximately 96 degrees Celsius and steam at about 120 degrees. This is achieved by an electrical heating element and heat exchangers which transfer the heat from the main boiler to fresh mains water as it is required at the point of brewing.

Pump - This takes water from the mains supply (or integral tank) and passes it through the heat exchangers to the point of brewing operating at a pressure of 9 bar.

Electronics - Various electronic pressure and temperature values and switches to ensure a safe operation.

There is not usually any user access to the inside of an espresso machine. This is due to the high pressures involved and access is solely restricted to qualified engineers.

Outside the machine

Steam Wands - One or more steam wands draw steam from the boiler at approximately 120 degrees and terminate with a nozzle with 3 or more holes where jets of hot steam issue from to foam milk.

Hot Water Tap - This is used for drawing off hot water at 96 degrees Celsius for topping up espressos into longer drinks.

Group head assemblies - These comprise of a dispersal plate to break up the flow of water and a rubber sealing gasket. The gasket seals the filter handle into the head and prevents the water/coffee from seeping out.

Filter handles - Solid metal alloy filter handles that fit into the group head and contain the initial dry espresso coffee grinds. The handles have single or double spouts, to brew one or two drinks at a time respectively.

Dials and gauges - Indicating pump pressure, boiler pressure, water temperature and sometimes water levels.

Brewing buttons - These are either preset (automatic model) or on - off toggle buttons for controlling the duration of the brew cycle and consequently the amount of beverage in the cup.

Drip Tray - A tray used to collect spillages with a waste outlet leading to a small reservoir or drain pipe.

Heated top tray - An area used for cup storage. The cup warming tray is simply heated by natural conduction from the boiler and does not have an independent heating source. It is recommended that cups are stored bottom down (not upside down) so that the bottom of the cup is warmed, not the lip.


Espresso Machines Unplugged

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Monday, November 21, 2011

Capresso CoffeeTeam GS Review - A Must-Have in This Digital World

!±8± Capresso CoffeeTeam GS Review - A Must-Have in This Digital World

The Capresso CoffeeTeam GS is just the perfect coffee maker for a person like you who is always on the go.

Why? First, it does not always need too much cleaning. Its sleek solid steel design and well-compartmentalized feature makes it possible for coffee beans and liquid to be neatly tucked in its respective compartments. Also, the filter basket can be easily washed because it simply swings out.

Second, there is no need to manually measure coffee beans. Capresso CoffeeTeam GS automatically grinds the right amount of beans for you. Third, its digital feature does not only boast of fast brewing - but also of its five grinder settings (coarse to fine), depending on the kind of coffee beans and your preferred kind of coffee (strong or mild).

Here are some of the features that give the Capresso CoffeeTeam GS an edge over other coffee makers.

Features

Built-in conical burr grinder. Unlike other coffee makers, the Capresso CoffeeTeam GS has a conical burr grinder that produces the exact quality of coffee. Its set of five grind settings gives you many choices on the kind of coffee you want to have - in a grueling day, you can choose "strong" coffee; for a relaxing mode, you can opt for the "mild" coffee. Capresso CoffeeTeam GS makes this possible for you in just one click. Simply no hassle!

Ten cups of great tasting coffee. Who says that this machine is just for one person? Capresso CoffeeTeam GS can produce around 10 cups of well-brewed coffee in one setting. This is very ideal to use during group meetings or when in a great company of friends. You do not need to grind and brew coffee every now and then because its carafe is big enough to fill-in 10 cups of coffee. This makes chatting with friends or brainstorming in the office over cups of coffee so much fun and effortless.

Automatic shut-off. You need not worry switching off the coffee maker when the brewing is done. The brewer automatically shuts-off. You do not have to stand up in the middle of a meeting just to switch off the coffee machine. Buyers have to consider this feature because this does not only make the task easy, but it also saves energy.

Not just the taste, but also the aroma. The machine's grinding method produces minimal heat; thus, preserving the coffee's aroma. You can just imagine how it feels like to smell the coffee's aroma while brewing. You cannot help but grab a cup of this brewed coffee right away.

Simply digital. Just a few clicks, your kind of coffee will be instantly produced. Aside from the five grind settings, it also has pre-programmed coffee strengths - strong, medium, and mild. Also, it has two mode settings - brew and grind. You can program the amount of coffee beans you want to grind, and the coffee strength you prefer. In a span of few minutes, you can now have your coffee

User friendly. Above everything else, it is not complicated. We drink coffee to feel good and not to be mentally challenged over something that is as complex as a coffee maker. Capresso CoffeeTeam GS is easy to use, and the texts reflected in its LCD screen are easy to understand. The user guide that comes along with the machine upon purchase is easy to review.

The loud grinding sound, however, is just the flaw of Capresso CoffeeTeam GS as cited by some of CoffeeTeam GS users. It can serve as disturbance especially during mornings when some family members are still asleep. Also, some buyers deemed the Capresso coffee maker prices quite high compared to other coffee makers. But, in hindsight, it is all right to buy an expensive machine and have the best kind of coffee, than to have a cheaper one but the coffee is in bad taste.

Despite of its seemingly annoying grinding sounds and higher price in the market, Capresso CoffeeTeam GS is still one of the best coffee makers nowadays. Its high product ratings in the market will tell you so. Also, its design and features suit the daily lives of the people in this digital age. Furthermore, Capresso has been one of the recognized brands in the industry of coffee makers and coffee grinders. It has been in the recommendations list and tips among coffee experts. You can never go wrong when it is Capresso. Remember, it is not just about the kind of coffee beans, but also with the kind of coffee maker that produces the coffee.


Capresso CoffeeTeam GS Review - A Must-Have in This Digital World

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