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5 mistakes you could be making with your espresso machine
If your morning espresso isn't quite hitting the spot anymore, one of these simple steps could help make your coffee great again.
Many of us, in the excitement of testing a new machine, skim-read the manufacturer's recommendations, missing out on the finer details that can help to take a morning brew from bland to barista-quality.
If you're struggling to get a perfect espresso out of your machine, the answer could be as simple as rereading the instructions it came with.
To help improve your coffee-making skills, we've rounded up some easy-to-miss pointers from the instruction manuals of coffee machines we've tested.
See our round-up of the best coffee machines for your home.
1. Using a cold cup
Espresso temperature is a hot topic. If you're the sort of person who grabs a cold mug and gets your espresso into it as fast as possible, then hold fire. To improve your daily brew, and prevent it becoming cool too quickly, warm your coffee cup first.
Some coffee machines, such as the Siemens EQ900 TQ907GB3, come with a cup warmer specifically for this purpose, but this feature isn't essential. Use the hot water created when you prime your machine, ready for the first use of the day, to warm your coffee cup before you make your espresso. Or simply warm it with hot tap water. Not only will it help improve the temperature, it can help improve the taste, too.
2. Using ordinary tap water...
...without checking the instructions first. While using tap water is perfectly fine in most cases, the instructions with the Krups Evidence One say the quality of your tap water will affect the taste, as limescale and chlorine can alter the taste of an espresso.
Boring as it may seem, a quick check of the instructions will also reveal whether you need to use a water filter with your machine or not, for the best quality espresso.
The Swan Retro coffee machine instructions go so far as to advise using bottled water if your water supply is prone to creating limescale.
And some bean-to-cup machines have a water hardness setting, so if yours does, make sure this is set. To help beat issues caused by limescale build-up, regularly descale your coffee machine.
Our coffee machine reviews will tell you if descaling is a lengthy process, or is quick and easy to do.
3. Using any old ground coffee
The fineness of the coffee grind you use can affect the strength of flavour, and the crema of your espresso. Espresso machines generally need a finer grind of coffee than a cafetiere or filter coffee machine.
The Sage The Bambino Plus SES500BSS4GUK1 instructions say that too coarse a grind can cause under-extraction, leading to a sour or watery espresso, while too fine a grind can lead to a bitter, grainy coffee.
Avoid using ground coffee that's old or has been open for a while, as this can also affect the quality and taste of your coffee.
4. Using any old coffee beans
Both DeLonghi and Siemens warn about using green, glazed or caramelised coffee beans in a bean-to-cup machine, as these can potentially damage both the mill and the machine. Beans that are too oily can also get stuck in the bean hopper.
Some machines warn about using green or unroasted beans so if you prefer using something a little different to the more common coffee beans, it may be better to use a dedicated coffee grinder which can be easier to clean.
Discover the best coffee grinders, plus get expert advice on how to keep ground coffee fresh.
5. Not cleaning your machine's steam pipe or milk system
A steam pipe or milk system is used to create wonderfully creamy cappuccinos or warming lattes, but make sure you spend a little extra time cleaning them after use. Most coffee machines advise cleaning and purging the pipe or milk system after every use, to avoid a milky residue or build-up.
If left, a mucky build-up will affect how well the milk froths for subsequent drinks. Some machines, such as the DeLonghi Rivelia EXAM440.55.B have an automatic cleaning program which will do this for you, while some just have a button to press which runs steam or hot water through the pipe.
At the very least, make sure you have a clean cloth handy to give your machine's pipe a quick wipe and run some steam through it.
Find out all you need to know about how to clean your coffee machine, to keep it in tip top condition.
Our latest coffee machine reviews
Ready to make a perfect coffee? We've picked out three of our latest coffee machines reviews, giving you the low down on each machine.
Beko CEP5152B espresso machine
We like: It can make two coffees at once
We don't like: It's tricky to get the best out of the steam wand
This simple espresso machine can dispense two coffees at once and has a steam wand so you can make milky drinks like cappuccinos or lattes.
It's well-priced for a ground coffee machine so could be worth considering if you're not looking to spend too much.
Read our Beko CEP5152B review for the definitive verdict.
Siemens EQ900 TQ903GB9 bean-to-cup machine
We like: The excellent digital display and range of customisable options
We don't like: It's expensive
This bean-to-cup machine is a smart appliance, so you can connect it to your phone via wi-fi using the Siemens Home Connect app. You can store three profiles on the machine, so different users can save their customised drink preferences.
It has automatic milk frothing and a program that takes some of the hassle out of cleaning the milk dispenser.
Read our expert Siemens EQ900 TQ903GB9 review to see if it's the one for you.
Dualit Pod Machine CPD5 85190
We like: It works with Dualit, Nespresso or Nespresso-compatible pods, simple controls
We don't like: The lack of personalisation options
This capsule coffee machine takes Dualit, Nespresso or Nespresso-compatible pods. Dualit has a range of compostable coffee pods that can be placed in your food waste bin or garden compost.
There are two sizes of drink to choose from: one for espressos and one for longer coffees. However, you can change these settings to suit your taste by holding down the short or long coffee button until you get the volume you want.
Read our Dualit Pod Machine CPD5 85190 review to see how it matches up against its rivals.
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