If you are about to select your first or a new espresso machine, here are a few valuable tips that will help you make an informed decision before you make a purchase.

Espresso machines are definitely becoming a favorite appliance in every home. Espresso coffee machine sales represent a small 4% of all coffee makers sold each year, but that number should be on the rise, now that Starbucks has been shutting down a remarkable number of its local shops. Espresso coffee is among the top favorites of coffee drinkers. Its rich, potent and robust flavor, plus the shorter time it takes to brew has appealed to many.

There are three basic types of espresso coffee machines commercially available today: fully-automatic, semi-automatic and manual. Let's study each and explore how they work, and maybe this can help you pick out the right one that will bet suit your needs.

1. Manual Espresso Coffee Machine

This type of espresso coffee machine will need you to be around and actively take part in the coffee-making process. You will have to manually feed coffee grinds and the water as well as regulate the frother if you are brewing cappuccinos or lattes. This will be a good option if you love getting actively involved in the whole preparation process and is advisable for preparing espresso for just a very few guests.

2. Semi Automatic Espresso Coffee Machine

With this type of machine you need to start the process by turning the machine on and then pressing a button. Once the espresso has been made, you simply have to turn it off with another push on the button. Before you start off with the process, you will simply need to check that there's sufficient water in the reservoir and the beans have been loaded if yours comes with a built-in coffee grinder. This is the perfect pick if youre entertaining a number of guests who stay on in your home. Espresso can be made available to them at any time of the day, since you dont need to around while its being prepared

3. Full or Super Automatic Espresso Coffee Machine

This machine produces a fantastic espresso without having to participate in the process at all. The water system is hooked up directly to a source that loads water into the machine as needed. The full automatic type is also equipped with a built-in coffee grinder. Just push a button and the machine prepares the espresso totally on its own. Your added job is just to empty the internal bin of used coffee grind

Should you consider getting an espresso coffee machine for your personal use, your choice will depend on what specifications you consider to be most important. If you find fulfilment doing a step-by-step procedure, then the manual model would suit you perfectly.

However, if you are someone who prefers to sit back and relax more over a great cup of coffee then the semi or super automatic espresso coffee machines will be for you. You may need to consider the cost of the coffee making equipment. The semi and super automatic machines don't come cheap. They also come with a larger footprint so find out how much space you have available prior to getting one.

We wish you the best as you shop for your perfect espresso coffee machine. 

Coffee Machines & Espresso Accessories for sale

Get the best deals for coffee machines on sale at Petra Equipment. We sell the top brands including Wega, Boema Commercial Coffee Machines, Caffe and Isomac. If you are opening a takeaway or cafe, you will need at least a commercial 3 group coffee machine. If you have a restaurant, pizza shop, kebab shop then you will need a 2 group espresso coffee machine. When you order a commercial coffee machine online, you will need to look at the electricity power supply and you will probably need an electrician to install the 3 phases. You will also need to look at the dimensions, some coffee machines are more than 800mm wide and as an experienced barista, you will probably get one of thoses if you are opening a new coffee shop. If you are looking to buy the best commercial coffee machine for your business you need to tell us the quantity of coffee cup you planning to sell and the frequency per hour. We sell professional coffee machines in Sydney and Melbourne. When purchasing a coffee machine you need to look which industrial coffee maker suit best your business.

Which are the best industrial coffee machines?

The best industrial coffee machines are Wega and Boema. They have been in the Australian market for a while and these suppliers have maintenance teams across Australia, from Sydney / Melbourne / Brisbane to Perth. Often called "catering coffee machines" and "restaurant coffee makers", they give you the opportunity to sell quality coffee in a high demand market.

Which Espresso Machine Should I Buy?

Choosing among well-like models can get a bit heady. Whatever model you select, see to it that it comes with a sturdy construction to handle the complex process of heat and steam build-ups that are needed to formulate espressos and cappuccinos. A well-built home espresso machine will cost around $200 for a trusted brand. If you prefer to go for high end, the best and trusted models come up to about a thousand dollars or even higher.

4 Different Espresso Machine Models

Espresso machines fall into four main types: manual, semi-automatic, automatic and fully automatic. All four types deliver fantastic coffee, but as you step up from manual to fully automatic, there's lesser need to involve yourself in the preparation phase. That's usually the case in just about anything - when tasks become easier to accomplish, the cost goes up. Some of the high-end automatic machines grind, measure, tamp, brew, serve and clean up at the touch of a button. These are great for home or office.

Steam

Steam is highly essential for espresso coffee preparation. It is responsible for the required pressure to force water through the espresso granules. The steam feature is one important aspect you need to assess when looking for espresso machines. Lower end models can be a risky investment since durability and steam efficiency can be indeterminate. Smaller models also speak of a lack of sufficient space that is essential to steam pressure build-up. Steaming milk can also be an issue for some machines. The basic, low-priced espresso machines may not have steaming functions. If they do then the pressure may be so low that even making one good cappuccino is a major job. On these low-end models there are no real controls on temperature or pressure and steam build up might be a problem.

The boiler of the espresso machine heats up the water until it produces steam, and the pressure increases so that it pushes the hot water through the coffee grounds. In pump-type espresso units, an electrically driven pump pushes hot water into a holding receptable where it blends with coffee.

A cheaper alternative would be the manual pump espresso machines. These pumps require lots of experimentation to arrive at a perfect procedure. You have to determine the correct amount of water and explore on the exact length of brewing.

Full-Automatic Espresso Coffee Machines

Very recently, there has been a growing demand for fully automatic espresso machines. Even with their increasing popularity, some feel that an automatic espresso machine eliminates that personal touch from making their espresso. But plus side is that automatic espresso machines warrant more consistent coffee.

Automatic espresso machines eliminate waste. They also eliminate the need for training, which results to lesser costs for coffee shop owners. These machines make perfect espresso coffee, cappuccinos and lattes with a single push on a button and the settings can be altered with adjustable controls and display monitors. Many of the automatic machines may also have a hot water feature that can be used for hot chocolate or tea. Automatic machines also drastically reduce preparation time which, on a commercial scale, will help increase efficiency and hopefully result to more profit.

Super automatic espresso machines or bean-to-cup versions do everything from start to finish. A single press on a button starts off with grinding the coffee beans, pressing the grounds down, brewing the right amount, steaming and frothing the mik, and finally flushing out the sediments into a holding receptacle.

Espresso Machine Pricing

Espresso machine prices tend to double every decade, so if you can make the investment now, go ahead. Go for reliable manufacturers who attach a solid warranty on their products. Prices range from a small $50 for personal manual models to a whopping $20,000 for commercial grade fully-automatic machines (ex: La Marzocco Coffee Machines). Reliability and long life usually come at a price, and if you want a home espresso machine that will grow old with you, be prepared to pay a hefty cost for one. On the other hand, if you are buying one for your office or your coffee shop, go for the heavy-duty commercial models that come with full barista training and support services with the package. One great thing about these traditional espresso machines is that it is built with no major moving parts which means there's lesser chance of things going wrong.

Hopefully, this article has given you valuable information about the espresso coffee machine.