What this guide will do for you...
This guide was written with the thought of helping to clear up many misconceptions, mysteries, or confusion brought on by all the hype concerning home and office espresso machines.

We are confident at this point that you have been searching the Internet for the best espresso machine and perhaps you may be overwhelmed by the vast number of choices. Since we sell espresso machines, it is very important to us to help you better understand the different types of machines and to clear up any myths about home or office espresso makers.

Buying an espresso machine should not taken lightly. Great espresso is an art and takes a lot of practice. Once you have learned how to make true espresso (described below), you will probably never drink any other coffee again. However, practice alone may not be enough if you aren't using the right espresso machine to start with. We offer espresso machines that cost little and a few that cost a lot. No matter what the price is, you can be sure you are getting a good espresso machine for the money. We have chosen what we feel are some of the best espresso machines on the market and placed them here in our web site. If an espresso machine isn't good enough to sell here, we won't sell it because we don't want the problems that come with selling poor quality merchandise.

It is not hard to find a so called "espresso machine" at a department store that costs $39 -$75 dollars. Watch out! You are probably not getting a true espresso machine because at that price you are probably not going to get the components needed to brew espresso correctly. If you want the kind of espresso drinks like those found at the coffee bar, then you need to invest wisely in a quality home espresso machine. You need to purchase a pump driven model only... no exceptions! Otherwise you are wasting your time and money. Please keep in mind that great espresso cannot be made by a "cheap" espresso machine. If you are not using a quality espresso machine, you are only going to have bad tasting and bitter coffee! So... lets proceed with some questions and see what this whole espresso thing is about.

Aren't all espresso machines pump driven?
No, no they are not. Many of the espresso machines commonly found at retail stores are steam driven and generally sell for $60.00 or less. Although these machines offer an attractive alternative to costly coffee shop visits, they do not provide the same quality of espresso beverages. For some reason, many retailers haven't been offering pump driven espresso machines opting instead for the lower quality and less expensive steam models. Unfortunately, many consumers have been cheated out of knowing that a better espresso machine exists with a pump machine.

Why should I buy a pump driven espresso machine instead of a steam powered espresso machine? Is there a difference?
Steam driven machines generally exert only 3 atmospheres (bars) of (44 pounds) pressure, which is produced by simply heating the water in a boiler. Most steam driven machines produce temperatures to hot for quality espresso brewing; the result can be a scalded coffee, a bitter tasting drink and the absence of fine crema. While there have been improvements made to steam machines, the espresso they make is still not as intense in flavor and aroma as that made by pump machines. Steam driven machines also are less convenient because they require the user to pour water into a tank (boiler), screw a cap on, and wait for it to heat up. If you need to add more water to the machine, you must wait for it to cool down before unscrewing the lid otherwise it may cause serious burns.

Low cost steam driven "espresso makers" produce bad tasting coffee that has no resemblance to fine espresso. It is no wonder they often end up in the appliance graveyard in your kitchen net to the vegetmatic.

Pump driven machines on the other hand produce the café quality espresso consumers are seeking, offering a higher brewing pressure, better regulated temperature, instant repeat of a brewing cycle. All commercial espresso machines found in your local coffee bar are pump driven. If you have been using a steam model and could not reproduce the coffee you were getting from your coffee bar, now you know why!

While 9 bars (127 pounds) of pressure is the minimum amount of pressure desired to produce a quality drink, most home pump machines can produce anywhere from 9 to 18 bars (265 pounds) of pressure.

When referring to pump pressure, what is meant by bars, i.e. a 15 bar pump?
Pressure produced by any pump, including those found inside of pump driven espresso machines, is given a value or strength. This value is called a "bar." One bar is equal to .99 atmospheres. One atmosphere is equal to 14.72 lbs. per square inch and is the pressure exerted by the earth's atmosphere or air around you at sea level. When you are standing at sea level, the pressure of the earth's atmosphere is exerting nearly 15 pounds per square inch against your body.

In order for good espresso to be produced from a pump driven espresso machine, the pump must be able to produce at least 9 bars of pressure. 9-10 bars is preferable. So, good espresso is produced by forcing boiling water through the portafilter at 9-10 bars or nearly 9-10 atmospheres.

I see so many espresso machines that advertise that they are able to produce pump pressures of 15, 16, 18, and 19 bars. Are they better and will they produce better espresso than those of lower pressures?
The answer is no. As described above, it is only necessary to have about 9-10 bars of pump pressure to produce good espresso. In fact, a commercial espresso machine is usually set at 9-10 bars of pressure and kept there constantly.

The fact that many manufactures advertise that their machine is capable of producing high pump pressures is not an indication of the quality of the espresso or the strength of their machine. A commercial espresso machine uses a rotary or centrifugal pump that spins to produce pressure. Rotary pumps can be controlled and their pressures can be maintained.

Home espresso machines typically have a reciprocating pump. This type of pump has a piston inside that moves back and forth (reciprocating), that produces pressure. As the piston moves down, it draws water in from the tank. As the piston moves up, it forces water into the boiler and this process repeats itself at fast rate giving the pump the characteristic humming noise.

The pressure ratings on these units pertain to the maximum pressure or bars the espresso machine is able to produce, not what it will actually brew the espresso at. Reciprocating pumps produce more pressure over time up to their maximum of 15, 16, 18, or 19 bars. The pressure rating in bars is the maximum amount the pump is capable producing.

It isn't that important to buy an espresso machine with the most powerful pump. Nearly all home and office pump driven espresso machines provide more than enough pressure to produce fine espresso including all of the espresso machines we offer.

What does the pump inside of an espresso machine do exactly?
The water pump inside an espresso machine is responsible for taking water from the water tank and sending it through the boiler where it is heated, then it is sent through the coffee grounds. The pump turns on when the brew switch is activated by you. During the brewing process the pump will draw water from the water tank and force it into the boiler where it is rapidly heated. The water enters the boiler cold and comes out the other side at near boiling temperatures. Then it passes through the coffee grounds into your espresso cup. It will continue this process until you turn off the brew switch thus turning off the pump. Water will not flow through the boiler until the brew switch is turned back on. When the pump is turned off, the water that was in the boiler stays there for future use. What about priming the pump? When the espresso machine is first used, it has to be "primed". Before the pump can move water, all of the air that is inside the pump must be removed before it can create a suction in order for it to draw water from the tank. Once the pump is primed it should stay primed unless the tank is pumped dry (you run out of water in the tank while the pump is running), and air is sucked into the pump, or if you haven't used the espresso machine for some time. A pump will sometimes lose its "prime" when an air bubble gets sucked into the pump (rare if the tank always has water in it). Our espresso machines are either self priming or prime by performing a simple procedure. On most machines this simply entails turning on the brew switch which activates the pump. The pump will begin to draw water out of the tank. Once the air in the pump has been displaced by water it is then primed and ready for brewing.

Does the amount of pump pressure determine how well the machine will produce milk froth (foam) or steamed milk?
The amount of pump pressure has no affect on how well your espresso/cappuccino machine will produce steamed milk or foam. The pump does not operate while you are using the steam wand on the espresso machine. In a pump driven espresso machine the steam is produced when water is super heated in the boiler producing extremely hot water vapors that collect at the top of the boiler. When the steam knob is opened the steam is released.

Why are pump driven espresso machines more expensive than steam driven
espresso machines?
There are more parts, especially in the pump itself. In addition, a pump machine usually features a higher performance boiler. These better components are essential for better tasting espresso, but they also increase the price. Other items that make pump driven espresso machines more expensive than others are larger boilers, metal bodies, cup warming plates, special colors or finishes, electronic flow devices for semi-automatic models, additional accessories, and where it is made.

I want to purchase an espresso machine, but there seems to be several types. What is the difference?
Conventional Espresso Machines. A conventional espresso machine has a tank, pump, boiler, and filter holder. These types of machines require the use of pre-ground coffee (unless you use espresso pods), place it into the filter holder, tamp it, and then brew your espresso. After that, you must rinse out the filter holder and wipe up the mess. Conventional pump driven espresso machines normally cost between $99 and $500. Most consumers purchase this type because they are less expensive than automatic machines and allow more control over the brewing process. Advantages: lower cost, more control over brewing process. Disadvantage: Messy, you may need a coffee bean grinder, lacks conveniences of automatic espresso machines.

What is a portafilter, coffee handle, or filter holder?
This is the device that the espresso grounds are placed into for brewing. It's used on 
conventional espresso machines and may be better known as a filter holder. The filter 
holder, portafilter, or coffee handle are all the same thing. It is the device that holds 
the filter basket which the actual coffee grounds are placed into.

You sell "espresso pod ready" espresso machines. What is an espresso pod?
Espresso pods are pre-measured, pre-packaged single servings of ground espresso coffee that are placed into a coffee filter instead of using the more traditional regular ground coffee. Commonly known as ESE (Easy Serving Espresso) pods, these single serving units offer convenience, taste, and little or no mess. Instead of having to grind your coffee before brewing your espresso, simply place the E.S.E. pod into the coffee handle, start the brew process and then remove the pod to discard when finished! We 
sell these ESE pods for use in several espresso machines.

What is meant by "semi-commercial" construction in regards to espresso machines?
Semi commercial simply means that the machine is ruggedly constructed using components or technology commonly found in commercial espresso machines seen at 
your local espresso bar. Common upgrades are the pump, the boiler, and housing (heavy duty ABS plastic or metal). "Semi-commercial" does not necessarily mean the 
machine can be used in a coffee bar, it means that the machine will last longer and survive heavier than average use at home. A semi-commercial machine would be well suited in a home with many users, an office with a moderate number of users (20-30 per day), or the home espresso enthusiast who needs the best!

What is the significance of a cup warming surface?
It is generally believed that in order to enjoy excellent tasting espresso, one needs to 
serve the espresso in a cup that has been warmed. Since espresso is often sipped and not rapidly consumed, it is important to keep it warm longer. Many espresso machines 
now come with a cup warming surface on top of the machine.

What is the difference between a plastic housing (ABS), and a metal housing on an espresso machine? Does it matter?
Determining what type of housing your espresso machine has is a matter of taste and 
how much money you want to spend. Many machines often use a plastic housing in order to reduce the cost. There is nothing wrong with plastic. It's easier to keep clean, 
it won't scratch easily, become dented and it's lighter. Higher cost machines often use metal housing for no particular reason other than looks and offering a bit of durability. When metal is used, it is usually polished or is made out stainless steel. In heavier machines, metal is required to bare the weight of the machine itself where plastic just wouldn't do.

Some espresso machines use brass brewing components, while others use stainless steel or aluminum. Is there a difference?
What are the brewing components? These are the parts of the machine that actually handle the water and coffee during the brewing process. Water is sucked from the water tank into the boiler where it is heated for both brewing coffee and for steaming milk. From the boiler it then flows through a tube into the doccia (doccia is an Italian word for shower head or brew head) which is held by the filter holder (porta-filter).

The boiler, tubes, and filter holder are referred to as the brew components. Different manufactures use several different materials in the construction of these components. The three most popular are brass, stainless steel, and aluminum. Each type of material is certainly adequate to do the job.

Brass components appear to be the most popular among consumers who care what their machine is made out of. They are heavy and retain heat well. Stainless steel would probably be the next choice of materials followed by aluminum. Stainless steel itself is very durable, resists corrosion, and conducts heat well making a good choice for brewing components.

Most pump driven espresso machines use tubes to connect the pump to the boiler. These components often are made of copper or stainless steel.

Is the wattage important when considering what machine I should buy?
Wattage is a rating of how much electrical power is produced by the espresso machine's electrical (heating coils) power supply. It is generally thought that more wattage means better performance and endurance of the machine. This is partly true. Higher wattage may give the boiler more power or speed to heat when it comes time to steam milk or brew coffee. But the endurance of the boiler (or its ability to produce lots of steam) also depends on its capacity to hold water. More water capacity means more hot water for brewing and steaming. This concept also applies to the hot water heater in your home. Small hot water heaters have a limited capacity to hold water. Thus your hot shower may be cut short because the water starts coming out cold because there is no hot water left. Larger boilers are usually found on more expensive espresso machines.

Steam is produced when the water in the boiler is heated well above boiling. The amount of steam that collects in the boiler is dependent on the amount of water the boiler can hold. More water means more steam. In this case wattage would have little to do with steam endurance.

The manufacturer may require more wattage from an espresso machine if it has a built-in grinder or a second boiler. In most cases you don't have to be concerned with the wattage because the manufacturer will usually install a power supply capable of getting the job done. You should be more concerned with the size of the boiler. Again 
more expensive models will provide better performance because they often come with larger boilers.

What is meant by "recovery time" concerning an espresso machine?
The recovery time refers to the period of time it takes the espresso machine to reach operating temperature after brewing or steaming. Some lower cost espresso machines will not be able to maintain "optimum" temperature during brewing and steaming operations. Most espresso machines have an indicator light that tells you when the machine is at the correct operating temperature for brewing or steaming. When this light goes out, the boiler isn't at the optimum temperature. However, this does not mean that your espresso isn't going to taste good. It simply means the temperature of the boiler has fallen below the thermostat setting and that the heating element is working to bring the temperature up. It is not uncommon to see the temperature light go out or turn red shortly after you begin to brew or steam. More expensive machines are capable of almost immediate recovery times (because of large boilers) while less expensive models may require up to 45 seconds.