The Coffee Poet

BOTTOMLESS NAKED PORTAFILTER FOR COFFEE MACHINE OR ESPRESSO MACHINES

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Do you love coffee? Imagine the thrill of brewing your own perfect coffee right in the comfort of your own home. Well its possible - by following these simple tips when searching for your coffee machine. I will help you choose not only the best machine for your needs but also one you will be happy with for many years to come.

1. What type of Coffee do you like to drink?

The first step is to identify your favourite coffee - shouldn't be too hard? Why? Because you need your new coffee machine to make this type of coffee well enough so you will enjoy it each and every day. Try to see the coffee machine actually working - ask for a demo. The end result of making a coffee is a rich golden crema - the basis of all coffee recipes - you should see this. It looks like rich dripping honey as the coffee extracts from the group head.

2. Machine Pressure

You need adequate pressure to extract the coffee from the beans you would like to use. This helps produce the rich golden cream you so desperately need. Quality machines have at least 15 bars of pressure - don't even look at any machine with less than this as you won't be happy with the quality of the final product. Your machine should be able to to extract enough flavour for true espresso. This is a big selling point with machines and will be easy to find in the list of benefits for each type.

3. Do I need an Automatic or Manual Machine?

This ultimately comes down to how much control over the coffee making process you require. Some manual machines at the cheaper end are excellent, however you will have more "work" to do when brewing. Fully automatic machines cost much more but do everything for you and still make a fantastic coffee - at a price. Perhaps a semi-automatic machine is the way to go as you can control such elements as "milk frothing" and the "coffee grind" while still have the machine control extraction time and temperature. Price will have a lot of influence on your decision as there is a wide range of prices between Fully manual to Fully automatic - work out how much you want to spend and check out what is available in that price range and go from there.

4. Hot Water is vital.

When making several coffees, cheaper machines will give up - water needs to be heated and while using the steam wand and group head you deplete the water boiler and then have to refill - can be painful (not literally) and annoying. Dual boilers are fantastic but can be expensive or look for a machine with "thermoblock" technology which reheats the water quickly and more efficiently.

5. The Best Grinder you can afford.

You can buy pre-ground coffee beans which are vacuum sealed - ok but not great - air makes the coffee go stale fairly quickly. Ideally you should buy a grinder - cost between $100 to $300. Some coffee machines have built in grinders which are great - however make sure you can adjust the grind therefore affecting or perfecting your extraction times and crema. The coffee grind is an extremely important step and only buy a coffee machine with a built in grinder if you know you can control this element of your coffee making.

6. Cleaning and Maintenance.

Coffee Machines must to be cleaned and maintained. Some machines offer automatic cleaning and descaling which makes life easy. Group heads and frothing wands become clogged with coffee grounds and stale milk thus affecting rubber seals and wand pressure. Consider purchasing coffee cleaning powder or your machines suggested cleaner at time of purchase to keep your machine in tip top condition.

Considering the number of home coffee machine brands that are available on the market the suggestions and tips provided in this article with help you start your search for the ideal machine for your home or office.

Regalware 58155R 55 Cup (2 Gallon) Aluminum Coffee Machine Urn with Black Satin

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Bodum Brazil 8-Cup 34oz French press coffee Maker

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When it comes to making a really great tasting cup of coffee for yourself or for friends then it is worth considering investing some money in a good quality French Press Coffee Pot. Not only can you make a great tasting coffee quickly but unlike espresso or cappuccino machines making a brew can be done very easily.

However it is important that when making a brew using your coffee pot you ensure that you do things correctly. If you don't then the chances of each cup of coffee tasting as good as the first is reduced. Below we offer a few tips that you may find useful to make great tasting coffee time and time again with a French Press Coffee Pot.

Tip 1 - Only every use coarsely ground coffee. The problem with finely ground coffee is that it can cause the filter in your pot to become clogged along with some of them passing through it into the brewed liquid. So you end up drinking some sediment which will cause the drink to have a bitter after taste. Although you can purchase coarsely ground coffee it is much better if you grind your own as this will ensure that the taste of the coffee is much fresher.

Tip 2 - For each 4 ounces of coffee (one mug) that you intend to brew in your coffee pot add one large tablespoon of coarsely ground coffee to it. As you measure each spoonful of coffee grounds out make sure that you pour them directly into the base of the French Press coffee pot. This will help to ensure that the plunger and filter will press down and keep them from getting into the liquid above as you press it down.

Tip 3 - Finally following the adding of the water stir them together then allow to stand for around 4 minutes. This will give the liquid plenty of time to extract the essential oils from the beans giving the brewer a much richer and fuller flavour.

BODUM FRENCH PRESS COFFEE MAKER

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Nespresso Espresso Coffee Capsules 7 Sleeves of Chocolate, Vanilla, & Cherry

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Do you love espresso? Do you really love espresso? Do you love paying those high prices at the local coffee shop for your espresso?  I mean do you really love to pay those high prices at the local coffee shop for your espresso? I did not think so! have you ever thought about just getting your very own espresso coffee machine and saving upwards of $20.00 per week?,  $80.00 per  month?, $960.00 per year? That is a lot of money to spend these
days! Well, if you have been thinking about getting your very own espresso maker for your home or office here are 9 tips that you should consider before going out and handing over your hard earned money and not getting what you paid for or thought you paid for in the long run.

1. Do you think you're considering buying an espresso maker that uses espresso pods? That is Okay since they are very easy to use, however in case you are a "hard core", "died in the wool" espresso junkie then using an espresso machine that uses espresso ground coffee is the way to go to obtain just the right cup of espresso!

2. Would you like a steam driven or a pump driven espresso coffee machine? The steam driven machines are the more affordable of the two and so you might be tempted to buy one to save a few dollars, nevertheless the fact of the matter is that steam units do not keep the correct water temperature and tend not to produce adequate pressure levels to make really good espresso. The pump units are measured in "bars" and the more "bars" the more
pressure and the more pressure going through your ground coffee then the more of the flavor and flavorful oils will be passed to the espresso that you are going to drink.

3. Do you want your espresso coffe machine to be fully automatic? Do you want to have some amount of interaction with your espresso maker? Do you want your espresso maker to be fully digital? Is it in your budget to get a fully digital, fully automatic espresso machine? This is something very important to consider, as the more "bells and whistles" the more money you will have to spend. Here is the rub though: Just because an espresso machine does not have all the "bells and whistles" does not mean that it can't produce epresso like one that does.

4. How many cups or mugs of espresso do you want your espresso machine to be capable of making at one time? How many people will need to be served by your choice of machine in your home or office?

5. Do you intend to buy a coffee bean grinder? Do you have a coffee bean grinder now? If you want one or should you have one now make sure that it is a top quality grinder. It just does not make any sense to have an eight hunderd dollar espresso machine and a five dollar coffee bean grinder. Personally, you should avoid coffee bean grinders that utilize blades as the blades will not grind the coffee fine enough or completely enough. This
goes for espresso machine that have grinders in them as well. Get an espresso machine that has a burr conical grinder as these types of grinders truly do grind the coffee beans completely and properly for creating great espresso.

6. Be sure that your coffee beans are ground especially for the espresso machine with the precise setting of your grinder or the grinder that is integrated into your espresso machine.

7. When it is time to steam your milk make absolutely sure that you are using a minimum sixty percent fresh cold 100% milk. Whatever you do, you should not reheat warm milk! Yuck! Your best results will always come from using fresh cold whole milk. Always when steaming the milk place the steam wand below the milks surface and then steam the milk on full.

8. Maintain your machine in good functioning order. Therefore cleaning your machine after every use in addition to descaling it regularly to keep mineral deposits from building up inside your machine in the areas of the pipes and boiler and reduces excess pressure buildup put in the  pump.

9. Always ensure that the grind you will be using compliments the machine that you are using. The instruction manuals of most espresso coffee machines will come with a coffee grind guide and suggestions and you may work with those or try different things for trial and error purposes.

6cup Coffee maker,Moka coffee maker,Espresso coffee maker,Express coffee maker

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Blue Bird & Butterflies Latte Coffee MUG with sip cover in GIFTBOX

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Whilst you are hunting for gourmet coffee or an associated food and drink accessory it is essential that you make use of the large number of articles that are provided on a great many of the coffee related websites or directories, in other words if you are hunting for an italian coffee pot or a german coffee jug then locating some first hand guidance from a coffee professional is bound to supply you with an advantage over other shoppers.

You should be particularly wary if the so called "coffee expert" gives a product guide but also has a buying button on his or her own website, for example if you should find a really hot review on latte coffee and there just happens to be a "purchasing" link then the chances are the expert  who wrote the review is clearly selling coffee products and such under a pretence. The trick is to look at coffee reviews from specialists who are genuinely interested in this specialist sector of coffee.

The ideal coffee review site will contain a varying variety of reviews on subjects including how to locate the highest quality coffee for your requirements or best coffee product comparisons, furthermore if the writer has many articles more on subjects like bunn easy pure coffee pots or bunn espresso machines but does not provide the reader any clear means in which to get these food and drink products then without a doubt this free coffee guidance is most likely compiled by somebody who just writes and reviews the subject of coffee out of sheer interest.

The coffee manufactures might often contact reliable comparison directories the minute they launch a brand new model, say for a minute some new world coffee blend baskets have just been launched, it is certainly worth the manufacturers sending out a free coffee product for review simply because they can be certain that if the coffee reviewer gives their products the ok then sales of their product are bound to increase.

Sourcing advice on new coffee items is fairly easy however the typical food and drink buyer may need some assistance, depending on the coffee products you want enter these types of search terms into the search engines but ensure you use inverted comma's, for example "write ups on bunn coffee makers" or "gourmet coffee sampler bag kit reviews", this will ensure you locate the exact information you need and also this without wasting too much time.

Another interesting thing about coffee write ups is that if you find them in food and drink journals then most times the items will be offered for free in competitions, you have to remember that these sort of places are given a bundle of coffee focused merchandise to review, On one occasion myself once won a years supply of gourmet coffee which I subsequently auctioned so that I could buy a antique coffee table, this was possible because I was hunting for product guides on coffee table plans, product reviews are absolutely priceless.

New Krups Steam Espresso Machine XP1020 Cappuccino Latte Coffee & more

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bodum CHAMBORD THE original FRENCH PRESS 8 CUP COFFEE MAKER 1.0 l/34 oz NIB

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You may be having a coffee maker at home, but you may still want to know the different types of coffee makers available today. You may want to try the latest one or your old coffee maker is no more in working condition and you may want to replace it. There are hundreds of types of coffee makers in the market and choosing the one that suits you is made easy with this article.

Before going for a new coffee maker you should be clear with the reasons to purchase it. It could be because you are a coffee addict and you need 10 cups every day or you may want to go for a smaller, single serve coffee maker? Do you want a coffee maker having a built in grinder so that you can grind your own beans? Do you want foam or options for espresso and cappuccino? Or, are you looking for a cheap coffee maker which makes coffee as quickly as possible? You need to answer the above questions before going to find a new coffee maker.

Obviously, the most familiar type of coffee maker is the “Automatic Drip”. Here you need to put water either in the back or side of the coffee maker, put in a filter, fill it with coffee and then press the start button. It is a user friendly coffee maker and hence it is very familiar in the market. This can prepare just one or more cups at a time. The only thing you need to think about is the type of coffee you want to put into it. You can get quality coffee beans grounded from the store and add some flavors you like such as hazelnut, vanilla and cinnamon.

“Manual Drip” is the second most standard type of coffee maker. This is similar to automatic drip but here you need to heat up and pour the water manually, into the holder where the coffee filter is filled with coffee sits. Once it is drained into the pot your job is done and these can also make either single cup or up to 12 cups but aren’t usually used commercially. People who are into fishing, hunting and camping, choose this as it is convenient to carry along and you can heat the water according to your needs. If you want a cup of coffee at any moment you can use a stove, the campfire or even a hot car engine.

For people who know exactly what they like, Espresso and Cappuccino machines are more effective. They are very expensive when compared to other normal coffee makers. Depending upon the type of machine, coffee makers utilize pressure, foam, froth and milk to prepare coffee. Nowadays, these types of machines are fast moving and are more affordable than ever before.

Apart from these, there are numerous types of coffee makers which may attract you. If you look around, you will find the outmoded percolators, vacuum brewers, French presses and many more are available, both on-line as well as with the local dealer.

1960 Vintage Ad - PRESTO Coffeemaker Coffee Maker Coffee Pot Full Page Color

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Bialetti Moka Express 6 Cup Stovetop Espresso Makers

US $29.99 End Date: Friday Mar-02-2012 9:20:34 PST Buy It Now for only: US $29.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Over the course of the past manful of years coffee and espresso makers have gone through a litany of changes. They are now smaller, more compact and also much more feature laden. At the same time more companies have began to make them for home use. More choices and options translates into more items to consider when trying to decide which make and model to bring home.

Consider Simplicity

If all that you are interested in is a good cup of coffee or espresso then consider the simplicity of the machine that you are going to purchase. Remember, that there are plenty of one cup simple coffee brewers on the market. This means that if you are primarily interested in espresso, you have the option of simply buying an espresso maker and a simple one cup coffee maker to use occasionally.

Size Matters

When it comes to coffee and espresso makers, size definitely matters. With coffee prises predicted to shoot up in the upcoming years, waste can quickly add up into big money losses over the long haul. Remember that it is not hard at all to brew a second pot if need be but pouring unused coffee down the drain every morning can get old real quick.

Value and Quality

Of course you will want value for your dollar, in terms of the price of the coffee and espresso maker that you buy. However; if you are buying a feature laden machine that is extremely low in price you have to take its overall quality into close consideration. There are great machines out there that can give years of service but they tend to be the more expensive models.

Easy to Clean

Make sure that you select a coffee and espresso maker that is easy to clean. This might not seem like a big deal up front but it will be once you get your machine home and start using it. This particularly holds true if you have a teenager in your home, because inevitably you will end up cleaning the machine for two people if this is the case.

Bialetti Moka Express 3 Cup Stovetop Espresso Makers

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Gaggia 60-oz. Baby Twin Espresso Machine 1250

US $711.24 End Date: Saturday Feb-04-2012 9:34:00 PST Buy It Now for only: US $711.24 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Choosing the right home espresso machine can be a difficult task but with some basic knowledge and wisdom of how a coffee and espresso maker works, how much they cost, and specific features you get for the money, selecting the right option is easy.  One point is clear.  If you are spending money at a coffee shop at least 3-4 times per week the payoff on a home espresso machine is well worth the investment:

Let’s do the math:

1.  Average cost for a coffee specialty drink such as an espresso or cappuccino:   $3.50
2.  Number of trips to the Coffee Shop per year:  52 weeks * 4 visits per week =  208 yearly visits
3.  Yearly Cost:  $3.50 espresso drink cost * 208 yearly visits = $728 Annually

For $728, one can purchase a full-featured super automatic espresso machine.  Ok, now that you see that an home espresso machines is good investment, let talk about some tips on how to buy one:

1.   Decide what type of espresso drinks you like.  Do you like a cappuccino or mocha or just a straight shot of espresso?  How about a regular cup of coffee?   The choices for home espresso machines will vary greatly.  Most super automatic espresso coffee machines can brew you a strong cup of coffee just like you find at the coffee houses as well as the espresso drinks.  Perhaps you would like to choose between regular coffee and decaf in which case a bypass doser on the home espresso machine is a good option.   Choose between a super automatic, semi automatic, or automatic home espresso machines.  The most popular type of espresso machine is a super automatic espresso machines.

2.   Cost.  While many people like to have all of the bells and whistles, buying a quality espresso machine is much like buying a car.  Do you need heated seats if you live in Arizona?  Same principle.  Decide on what type of drinks you like, find a machine with those features and set a budget.  The most common question we get is how much do I have to spend for a quality machine?  If you are spending $750 - $1,000 on a fine brand super automatic such as Saeco or Gaggia, you will be purchasing a quality home espresso machine with standard features suitable for most people.  If you want the highest quality espresso drinks, a semi automatic espresso machine such as a Rancilio or Pasquini are priced in the $700 to $1,500 range.  Semi-automatic espresso machines are a bit more work but results are outstanding.  All excellent choices.

3.    Popular Espresso Features.  Milk based drinks – If you love the lattes, mochas, and cappuccino’s make sure you buy a machine with two boilers or dual heating elements.  Using a single boiler is ok for standard espresso drinks but a dual boiler will produce the fastest steam.  This is typically a feature that separates the cheap $100 - $200 espresso machines from the quality home espresso machines.

Adjustable water volume and coffee dose - Some machines will only have the ability to adjust the water so the more water you have the weaker the cup.  Having both an adjustable doser and water volume gives you the most control.  Excellent features to have especially if want a standard cup of coffee.

Digital or Analog (dials) – There is much debate on which is better to have. This comes down to a personal choice. With digital machines, your options are greater and you can really get dialed in on the coffee / water ratio. You also get statistics on your home espresso machine and most digital espresso machines will tell you when to clean it.   Another key feature digital machines typically have is the ability to regulate when the machine is on or off. 

View Quality http://www.moderncoffeedesigns.com home espresso machines

Other important features: 

Look for a large water reservoir typically over 40 ounces. 

Cup height adjustment – make sure your cup will fit.  Most espresso cups are 4 – 6 inches.

Water filter – espresso machines with a water filter will produce better coffee and keep you machine in better condition.  Water filters are highly recommended.

Bean hopper size – Get a machine with a minimum or 8 ounces.  You do not want to be filling the bean hopper every day.

Cup Warmer – Coffee maintains its best flavor when poured into a heated cup. 

Grinder Settings – Make sure the espresso machines have at least 3 grinder settings. This is essential for dialing in the right grind.

Heat up time – you do not want to be waiting over 5 minutes for an espresso machine to heat up.  A good machine will be ready for a second cup of espresso is just under 1-2 minutes after the initial heat-up.

4.  Size and Construction – Make sure you have adequate counter space for the home espresso machine.  These espresso machines are generally larger than a typical coffee pot so make sure you measure.  Also, having a movable base will allow you to pull the machine out to fill it with water and beans.   Almost all of the super automatic home espresso machines body’s are made of heavy duty plastic or stainless steel.  The inside boilers are either stainless steel or aluminum.  Often people make the mistake of thinking the plastic is not as durable but in reality, it is.  It is what is on the inside that counts.  A stainless steel boiler will offer years of service if properly maintained.   The espresso machines of today feature sleek, modern designs.  If you are purchasing a semi-automatic espresso machine, consider stainless steel because of all of the interaction with the machine.  If you choose a super automatic, a plastic design with stainless steel or aluminum boilers is sufficient.

5.  Proper Cleaning and maintenance – The number one problem with home espresso machines is scale build-up.  If you own a quality machine, regular descaling and back flushing is not recommended, it’s required.  What I mean is that if you want to maintain your warranty, you must complete these maintenance items.  It takes about 15 minutes each month but will keep your machine operating for years.  Don’t let your machine sit idle for a long time with water loaded as the minerals in the water can cause issues in the boilers and metal components.

6.  Water and Coffee – Buying quality coffee and using filtered water will provide the ultimate coffee experience.  Many espresso machines have built in water filters such as the Aqua Prima Water Filter.   If you use tap water and cheap brand name coffee don’t waste your money on a quality espresso machine.   Fine coffee and filtered water contribute significantly to the quality of the brew.  Use a coffee such as Lavazza or Gaggia especially made for a higher end coffee espresso machine.

7.   Choosing where to buy a home espresso machine – You can buy these machines from many of the major stores but the issue is support and buying guidance.  You simply cannot call the “red dot” store or “overstock” stores and expect to find someone that is knowledgeable about quality espresso coffee machines.  Try calling one of the major chains for support and they will refer you to the manufacturer.  The truth is that your retailer should be able to answer most questions and get you technical support if you need it.  You are not going to get the level of support from a big chain store or large e-tailer.

Today’s home espresso machines are sophisticated machines.  Buy the machine from a reputable online retailer who specializes in espresso machines or coffee makers.  Retail stores that specialize in espresso and coffee machines have knowledgeable staff that can assist you with questions, problems, tips, and service.  And guess what, the prices in the espresso coffee machine specialty stores are typically less because of the volume of machines they sell.

Choose a store that has a Better Business Bureau accreditation so you can be sure you are buying from a reputable dealer.  Beware of stores that do not specialize in coffee and espresso machines.  Where is the best place to find the best cup of coffee or espresso?  It is your own kitchen of course.  Happy shopping.

Breville Cafe Roma ESP8XL Espresso Machine Manufacturer Refurbished

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