Checklist

If you're thinking of buying an espresso machine, here's what you should consider.

Manual or automatic?

Automatic espresso machines have one big advantage over manual models – convenience. You simply pour the coffee beans into the hopper, fill the tank with water and press the coffee button.

With a manual machine you need to compact coffee in a tamper and judge how much water to use – but part of the fun of owning your own machine is perfecting the art of coffee making.

The only significant difference between a manual and semi-automatic machine is that a semi-automatic model switches off when it's poured a pre-set amount into a cup. With a manual, you have to watch the flow and turn it off when there's enough coffee in the cup.

Pump or steam?

Several types of machine claim to make espresso-based coffee, but only one really can – the pump type. Pump machines operate at higher pressure than steam machines and employ a thermostat to control the water temperature. The pump both makes the coffee and froths the milk.

Pump machines typically have large, removable water tanks that let you make 10 or more small (demitasse) cups consecutively without having to refill the tank. You can also froth milk for other drinks without making coffee first, as you must with steam machines.

Thermoblock or boiler?

A thermoblock is a metal block through which water passes (and is heated) on the way to the pump. It only holds a little water, so it's supposed to keep a constant water temperature that's not too hot. A boiler, on the other hand, contains a larger body of water. It works in the same way as your hot water tank at home.

Tamper

A tamper turns the loose coffee into a firm, evenly distributed pellet in the filter basket. A good tamper allows you to pack the coffee down evenly. Tampers fixed to the machine are poor substitutes for solid-metal hand-held tampers.

Features

• Controls: Good machines have convenient controls. Good automatic machines should have intuitive programming.
• Cup warmer: Most machines come with a cup warmer – but some of them can take up to 20 minutes to work. The best way to warm your cup is to pour hot water into it.
• Steam control: This allows you to control the amount of steam forced through your milk. Manual frothers produce better quality froth than automatic ones.
• Froth enhancer: Don't worry about these as they force too much air into the milk – machines operate better with the enhancer removed.
• Water container: This should be big, accessible and transparent (so you can easily check the water level).
• Drip tray: Go for big and easy-to-drain.
• Exterior: A groove-less exterior will be easier to keep clean. Stainless-steel and matte finishes look stylish but show up fingerprints and grime.

Additionally for automatic machines ...

• Grind container: Most automatic machines will warn you when the grind container's full – usually around 14 cups.
• Coffee mill: Automatic machines will grind fresh coffee beans. You can adjust the texture of the grind between fine and coarse.
   

Buying tips

• Ask the salesperson if there's a demonstration model. Get them to make an espresso so you can check the quality before you buy.
• Check the milk-frothing mechanism to make sure you can create good-quality creamy froth without large bubbles.
• Make sure the controls are easy to operate (particularly on automatic models). A digital display is better than indicator lights, especially if you need to programme the machine. Also, check that the fineness of the grinder is easy to adjust.