Chelsea G asked:


As a college student, the daily trips to Starbucks are breaking my bank. I would like to purchase an espresso machine for myself. I would prefer to spend under $100. I know that this won’t allow me to get the best quality, but it’s the most I am able to spend. I really only need to be able to steam the milk and produce 1-2 shots of espresso at a time. If anyone has an espresso machine that they love/, I would greatly appreciate any recommendations or advice. Thank you.

flagurl asked:


I bought a used cheap espresso maker without a manual. After a couple of times using it I noticed that steam would escape through the lid of the reservoir. I’m paranoid that the whole machine is going to explode or something. Is that a normal for steam to escape, and should i just keep steaming my milk as that’s happening?

Mark Ramos asked:




When it comes to home brewed espresso, many Americans are turning to the convenience of super automatic espresso machines. Basically, there are three different types of espresso machines available for purchase, which are manual, semi-automatic, and super automatic. Some popular super automatic espresso machine brands are Capresso, Saeco, and Delonghi.

If you are interested in investing your money in a home super automatic espresso machine, that is an excellent choice because it will provide you with the opportunity to save money on a Starbucks run and learn how to make premium and professional espresso yourself. These machines are quite reliable, especially since they are the newer choices in advanced home brewing technologies. These machines are designed with more intricate components, and they actually work to make brewing more convenient with less interaction on your part. Super automatic machines allow you to program the volume of shot that you will brew, type of drink you will brew, strength of shot that you will brew, and they will even foam or steam the milk for you!

Saeco is quite a popular super automatic espresso machine brand, and they offer a number of choices, depending on your needs. These machines are quite dependable, and they range in price from moderate to more expensive. These machines work with a user-friendly control panel, and they have the capacity to brew up to 100 cups of espresso beverages per day, so they are perfect for home or semi-commercial use. They work with a one touch system, and the machine will grind the coffee beans, dose, tamp, and professionally extract the shot of espresso. Many people prefer the use of super automatic espresso machines because they also include a built-in coffee grinder, so you are saving money on purchasing additional accessories or machinery for brewing. Though these machines work to freshly grind and brew your espresso beans, they also have the feature of a bypass doser. This will allow you to input pre-ground coffee if you want to brew another type, like decaf or a gourmet blend. Again, many people prefer to use of these types of machines because they can brew and steam immediately without any downtime in the drink creation.

Capresso is another popular super automatic espresso machine producer, and these machines will allow you the same convenience of one touch brewing. They are also made of premium stainless steel to provide a longer life to the operation of the machine. These machines are often preferred because the brewing and frothing will work side-by-side, so the entire beverage will dispense into the cup without you having to move it. Capresso machines also work with steel lined heating systems, so there is no downtime causing you to wait between brewing and steaming.

If you want to save more money the long run, it always pays to invest in a durable machine that you can trust. So many people prefer the use of super automatic espresso machines for home use, and they allow you to conveniently and quickly brew any espresso beverage in moments!

Sergio Selvara asked:




There is hardly an argument against the fact that a Saeco espresso maker is the highest quality available. Over the past few years the popularity of these top quality machines has risen considerably. And when you look at the features and benefits of these espresso machines, it is no wonder why. Do they cost a bit more than the competition? Yes, they do. Are they worth it? Most definitely yes. You will hardly find a better value dollar for dollar than a Saeco espresso maker.

The features of Saeco espresso makers are second to none. First of all, the components used to make them are top of the line, and the craftsmanship is superior. And the addition of features such as rapid steam cappuccino technology lead to the best tasting espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes you ever tasted.

Another main draw to Saeco is that you can finally have an automatic espresso maker and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg. The Saeco Italia has a metal top for cup warming, a conical burr grinder (which is essential for getting the most flavor out of your beans), and programmable functions. A handy brew strength setting makes it so you can have as heavy or light a cup of espresso as you like. These features are usually reserved for high end super automatic espresso makers. And to top it off, clean up is a breeze as the brewing system is removable.

All you will have to do is literally push a button to make the perfect cup of espresso. The machine will grind your beans automatically, then freshly brew your espresso. The whole process is complete in mere minutes. Push a button and your ideal cup of coffee is dispensed.

:] asked:


I have a Mr. Coffee Cappuccino maker. I would like to know when can i start steaming because I never seen to have enough steam? Where should the espresso reeach on the decanter before I move the dial to steam?

Ebenezer Heng asked:




Consider this the basic in the how to make cappuccino series. This article would highlight the steps to make cappuccino like the baristas you see in Starbucks and most coffee shops…

Before moving on to the 3 simple steps to make the cappuccino, do you know what is cappuccino? The key to understanding this, would be invaluable to learn how to make it. Knowing the components of a cappuccino enables you to visualize the procedures later.

Cappuccino is actually an espresso filled with 2 types of heated milk, i.e the steamed milk and the frothed milk. And, it is the frothed milk that gives cappuccino that classic look and it is also the “so difficult ” frothing that lead world coffee bodies in using the froth to evaluate the skills of baristas.

The proportion of cappuccino is 1/3 espresso, 1/3 heated milk and 1/3 frothed milk. We would not touch on espresso in this article, as it warrants one entire article on how to get a good espresso, here we would highlight the other 2 components, the steamed and frothed milk, to better your learning in how to make cappuccino.

You would get steamed milk when the heat source (usually the steam wand) is injected into the milk, slightly below boiling point. As the injection of hot air is controlled to a minimal, there would not be any change in the milk volume except for a small amount of micro bubbles or froth.

To get more bubbles, i.e. to get frothed milk, place the steam wand at the surface of the milk, and this would creates more of the micro bubbles, remove the steam wand, when the froth has the look and feel of whipped cream.

Now, let’s learn how to make cappuccino in 3 simple steps:

i. when using an espresso machine, while waiting for the espresso to brew, steam and froth the milk in a frothing pitcher. Once done, set it aside for approximately 30 seconds.

This is to allow the milk densities to separate. To speed up the process, you can try what Starbucks or most coffee shops’ baristas are doing -by knocking the frothing pitcher on the table, this would separate the steam from the froth milk.

ii. Then, take a large spoon to keep the milk foam as you pour out the steam milk. As you pour the steam milk into a mug, do it slowly to prevent breaking the froth, and stop when you reaches 1/3 of the mug.

With the 1/3 steam milk done, spooned up the froth milk and put it on top of the steamed milk, this foamed milk should take up another 1/3 of the mug.

iii. For the last 1/3 of the mug, pour in the espresso down the middle of this foamy sculpture. And there you have it, a foamy cappuccino!

Not that complicated right? No need to ask how to make cappuccino like that Starbucks baristas anymore right? You can do it with 3 simple steps!:)