Guides
Espresso Machine Guides
Start here: pick a machine type, budget for the grinder, compare superautomatic and semi-automatic, then keep your machine running with our care guides.
Start with the guide that matches where you are. If you have not picked a machine type yet, take the four-question espresso machine finder quiz.
Where to go for each question
| Your question | Start with |
|---|---|
| Which type of machine fits me? | How to choose an espresso machine |
| Is a one-touch machine worth the extra cost? | Superautomatic vs semi-automatic |
| Which grinder should I pair with my machine? | Best espresso grinders |
| What do dose, yield and 9 bar mean? | The Learn section below |
| How often should I descale or clean? | The Maintenance section below |
| Why does my shot taste sour or bitter? | Troubleshooting |
Three stages, three jobs
- Before you buy. Decide the machine type, then set a total budget that includes the grinder. For a semi-automatic or lever, the grinder sets the limit on what the machine can do.
- The first week. Test your water hardness, set a descale schedule and learn the daily cleaning. Note the flow time of a normal shot, so you can spot a change later.
- After that. Follow the cleaning and descaling schedule for your machine type. Owners commonly report that most early faults trace back to scale or old coffee oil, and both are cheap to prevent.
What each section covers
The Learn pages explain grinders, beans, boilers and pressure in plain words, and each one ends with the machine type that suits the topic. The Maintenance pages cover descaling, cleaning, water filters and milk system care, sorted by machine type.
Every guide here uses manufacturer specifications, manuals and long-term owner reports. Prices are bands, not quotes, because retail prices change often. The full list of guides follows below.
Best Espresso Grinders for HomeThe Baratza Encore ESP is the best first espresso grinder. Step up to the Eureka Mignon Specialita for quiet stepless control, or a DF64 for single dosing.
Superautomatic vs Semi-Automatic Espresso MachinesBuy a superautomatic if you want milk drinks in about a minute. Buy a semi-automatic if you want control and can give an estimated 4 to 5 minutes a drink.
Espresso Machine Boilers and Pressure ExplainedSingle boiler, heat exchanger, dual boiler or thermoblock? How each heats water, what 9 bar and 15 bar really mean, and which suits your drinks.
Espresso Basics: What It Is and How to StartEspresso is coffee brewed with hot water under about 9 bar. Start with 18 g in, 36 g out in 25 to 30 seconds, then adjust the grind by taste.Espresso Beans: Roast, Freshness and StorageBuy whole beans with a printed roast date, use them within a few weeks, and store them airtight. Pick a medium roast to start, or a dark roast for milk drinks.Espresso Machine Types ExplainedFive espresso machine types: manual lever, semi-automatic, automatic, superautomatic and capsule. See how much control, effort and money each one takes.
Espresso Grinder BasicsYour grinder sets the limit on espresso quality. Learn burr vs blade, conical vs flat, stepped vs stepless, and when pressurized baskets make sense.How to Clean an Espresso MachineA daily, weekly and monthly cleaning routine for superautomatic, semi-automatic and lever machines, with backflushing steps and the products that fit each type.How to Descale an Espresso MachineHow often to descale depends on your water hardness and filter. Use our schedule by grains per gallon, then follow the steps for your type of machine.
How to Clean an Espresso Machine Milk SystemPurge and wipe a steam wand after every drink. Rinse an automatic milk system after each use and clean it with milk cleaner every day you make milk drinks.Espresso Machine Water Filters: Do You Need One?Test your water hardness first. Above about 7 grains per gallon a softening filter saves descaling work; in soft water a taste filter or no filter is fine.