If you’ve dabbled in all of the most popular kinds (like almond, soy, coconut, and oat) you’ll have noticed that they don’t all react the same way to being frothed for espresso beverages.

Oat milk has become one of the most popular options in recent years because it is often thick and creamy enough that it steams or froths really well.

You might be wondering how you can make your own dairy-free lattes and other creamy beverages at home. Well, let me tell you that it’s not difficult! All you need is a reliable milk frother.

There are three different types of milk frothers that you can get (electric, handheld, and manual) and any of these types will work well with oat milk. Among the many options for all three types of the best oat milk frothers are:

• Breville BMF660XL Milk Frother
• HIC Milk Creamer Frother
• Powerlix Milk Frother
• Ninja Coffee Bar Milk Frother
• Secura Milk Frother

If you’re on the hunt for a milk frother to make delicious dairy-free beverages, I’ve got you covered! We will be taking an in-depth look at the options I listed above and also discussing the types of oat milk that are best for frothing.

Which Type of Oat Milk Is Best to Froth?

Cow’s milk contains fats and proteins that help build up the bubbles that form when you froth it. Plant-based milk, such as oat milk, contains less of those proteins and cannot form as stable of a foam.

For this reason, most plant milk manufacturers add stabilizers, gums, or fat to thicken the milk and enable it to froth a lot better. Oat milk that does not have any of these additives will likely be too thin and watery to create foam.

The best types of oat milk contain a good balance of natural thickening agents (such as guar gum and gellan gum) so you will find those ingredients in most types of oat milk.

Most of the thickening agents are derived from plants but it is smart to avoid anything that might have synthetic polydextrose or other chemical additives.

These are my top three picks for the best oat milk to use for frothing:

Chobani Oat Milk, Extra Creamy

Chobani is a well-trusted brand of decadent dairy products so it’s no wonder that they managed to create perfectly creamy and luxurious oat milk.

I would definitely name this the indulgent option because it is slightly thicker than many other types of oat milk. However, that just means it’s perfect for when you need a beverage that doubles as a dessert!

Planet Oat Original Oat Milk

Plant Oat has a variety of flavors for their oat milk (such as vanilla and dark chocolate) but their original flavor should not be discounted.

Many people love this brand’s oat milk because of its delicate texture and balanced sweetness. It’s also got the perfect consistency for frothing!

Oatly Original Oatmilk

This is the first oat milk I ever tried so I may be biased, but there are many other reasons it deserves a spot as one of the best types of oat milk to use for frothing.

It has a smooth and creamy texture that results in terrific foam and it’s no wonder that many coffee shops use this brand as a go-to.

What Should You Look For In a Milk Frother?

There are three types of milk frothers, so, if you’re on the hunt for one, it is important to start with identifying the type that will best suit your kitchen and personal preferences.

Electric milk frothers are probably the easiest and most effective option for non-dairy milk. They can froth your milk in seconds without any effort on your part. All you have to do is plug it in and press a button!

Handheld milk frothers are popular because they are generally much cheaper than electric milk frothers but still have a motor that whips your milk up quickly and easily.

This type of milk frother requires you to hold the base while you immerse the frothing wand into your milk.

A manual milk frother resembles a french press and typically comes with a glass container to hold your milk and a plunger with a mesh screen attached to the bottom.

This option is the one that requires the most physical effort on your part but it also allows you to control the level of foam you are creating.

Once you’ve decided which type of frother best suits your home, you should consider a few more factors before choosing the perfect model.

The first thing to note is that price and durability are often connected (especially if you’re looking at electric models). The materials with which a milk frother is made affect how well it is able to froth.

If you’re buying a milk frother on a budget then an electric model might not be the best option. You can get a high-quality manual or hand-held frother for a fraction of the price of a good electric one.

The second thing to consider is how much milk you need your frother to hold at one time. Hand-held and manual frothers are best for frothing milk for beverages for one to two people but electric frothers can have a capacity of up to 8 ounces.

The final detail you should keep in mind is how easy is the milk frother to clean? Hand-held frothers are very easy to clean because you only need to wash or wipe the wand (and it’s usually removable).

Some electric and manual frothers contain parts that are dishwasher safe, however, manual frothers are often made of glass and are quite delicate.

The 5 Best Milk Frothers For Oat Milk

Now that you’ve taken a moment to decide what you require from your milk frother, let’s look at a list of 5 of the best options available for frothing oat milk. I’ve included at least one option in each category so there should be something here for everyone!

1. Breville BMF660XL Milk Frother

This is, without a doubt, a crowd favorite when it comes to electric milk frothers. It definitely comes with a significant price tag but for many people, the features will be worth it.

The Breville Milk Cafe uses induction heating and spinning to create bubbles in milk. It comes with two different disks (the latte disk and the cappuccino disk) for two different foam consistencies.

It has an adjustable temperature dial so you can heat your milk to whatever temperature suits you and you can even make hot chocolate directly in the frother! It also has the capacity to make up to 3 cups of frothed milk.

The Milk Cafe has a removable jug that is dishwasher safe so clean up is very easy.

The only downside of this model is the price, but for those who value convenience and ease, this is definitely a smart investment to make.

2. HIC Milk Creamer Frother

This manual milk frother is a perfect choice for those who need something affordable and durable. It’s made out of stainless steel and is unlikely to break even if you drop it.

Both parts of the HIC frother are dishwasher safe (for use on the top rack) so clean up is very easy.

It takes about sixty seconds to get your milk perfectly frothed with this device and you will have to heat up the milk beforehand using your microwave or stovetop. For those who prefer something that will eliminate those extra steps, this might not be the best option.

3. Powerlix Milk Frother

The Powerlix handheld frother is a perfect compromise if you don’t want to splurge on an electric milk frother but would prefer not to have to froth your milk by hand each morning.

The Powerlix is battery operated so you can use it anywhere without having to worry about cords or electrical outlets. It also comes with a stand for easy storage.

The wand on this one is not removable but, because the frother doesn’t have any cords, it’s very easy to wipe down with a cloth.

4. Ninja Coffee Bar Milk Frother

To me, this is the most classic type of milk frother and my personal top pick. It is very similar to the HIC model because it is a manual frother with two parts but the main vessel is made of glass as opposed to steel.

This design allows you to easily monitor how much froth you are creating. It may be a bit more delicate due to the glass but it is still dishwasher and microwave safe, meaning that you can microwave your milk directly in the frother (which you cannot do with the HIC frother).

5. Secura Milk Frother

Finally, we have the affordable Secura electric milk frother. This one isn’t as fancy as the Breville Milk Cafe but it also sells at a significantly lower price.

The Secura milk frother still has the main components of convenience that people look for in an electric milk frother. It can heat up your milk and froth it at the click of a button. It has the capacity to froth 125 ml of milk.

Is Oat Milk Harder to Froth?

If you’re vegan or avoid cow’s milk for any reason, you probably know that plant-based kinds of milk have a very different consistency to dairy milk. Almond milk tends to be a lot more watery and coconut milk is usually thicker and heavier.

With all the options out there, I’ve found that oat milk is the kind that most resembles regular milk. However, it still has its own unique texture and flavor and does not froth exactly as dairy milk does.

This also highly depends on the manufacturer and what additives they put into their oat milk. You can easily make your own oat milk at home by blending oats and water and then double straining the mixture to get rid of any grittiness.

Homemade oat milk is perfect for adding to smoothies, cereal, and iced coffee. It’s slightly less perfect for adding to warm beverages and for frothing because oats don’t naturally contain a lot of fat.

That’s why, in its simplest form, oat milk is not at all suitable for frothing, but with the right balance of thickening agents, it becomes the ideal alternative to cow’s milk.

What Makes Oat Milk Froth?

As I mentioned above, oat milk in its basest form is not suitable for frothing. Its ability to do so comes from the addition of thickening agents.

The most common ones you will find in the ingredients of store-bought oat milk are gellan gum, guar gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, and soy lecithin. All of these are derived from plants so they are naturally occurring.

Oat milk with a high fat content is also good for frothing even if it doesn’t contain any gums or stabilizers. However, because one of the benefits of plant milk is that it contains less fat than cow’s milk, this type of milk might not be appealing to some people.

With such a diverse selection of drinks, it begs the question of what type of coffee Starbucks uses in all of their creations.

Starbucks only uses ethically sourced 100% Arabica coffee beans from  South America, Africa, and Asia.

Continue reading to learn more about the different coffees from Starbucks.

Different Types of Coffee Beans

You may be wondering what exactly Arabica beans are and if or how they differ from other varieties as well as what other varieties are available. Here are the different types of coffee beans:

Arabica (Coffea arabica): The most popular type of coffee, Arabica makes up 60% of the world’s coffee. They are considered the highest quality bean and are known for their smooth, rich taste.

Grown in the bean belt of South America, Africa, and Asia, Arabica beans are more expensive than other varieties because they are more difficult to grow.

Most consumers prefer a complex flavor along with a lack of bitterness in their coffee. Arabica varieties are known for these qualities along with their rich and smooth flavor profiles.

Robusta (Coffea caniphora): Grown primarily in Africa and Indonesia, Robusta is the second most popular variety of coffee bean.

Robusta beans are larger and more rounded than Arabica beans and the plants are quite a bit larger and grow with more ease.

The flavor profile of Robusta beans is more bitter, though they are seen in many blends paired with other varieties that help to tame the bitter notes.

Because Robusta beans are less expensive and easy to obtain, many roasters use these beans in blends as well to tweak the flavor profile and keep their costs down.

Liberica (Coffea liberica): Grown mainly in Liberia (hence the name), this type of coffee bean is polarizing for coffee enthusiasts due to its wide variety of flavor profiles and characteristics.

Thought of as a bold, smoky, and woody variety, Liberica beans are used mainly to help flavor blends. At only 2% of the world’s coffee supply, Liberica beans go widely unacknowledged.

Popular still in the Philippines and known as “kapeng Barako”, Liberica is served black with sugar and is an intense brew that is not for the faint of heart.

Excelsa (Coffea excelsa): Recently classified as a variant of Liberica, Excelsa is a blend of light notes such as fruit and florals along with traditional dark roast notes. 

Grown mainly in Southeast Asia, Excelsa is another variety mainly used in blends to create unique flavor profiles. This variety can be difficult to find outside of Asia.

What Coffee Does Starbucks Use For Espresso?

Starbucks uses their signature Dark Espresso Roast for their espresso shots and espresso based drinks. This blend was developed in 1975 and is still used today.

Starting in 2018, Starbucks also offers a blonde espresso option with a higher caffeine content and creamier taste.

Starbucks also offers a decaf espresso option for those who are avoiding the caffeine usually in espresso drinks.

What Coffee Does Starbucks Use For Lattes?

Lattes are an espresso based drink that blends espresso, steamed milk, and a layer of milk foam on top.

Starbucks uses their signature Dark Espresso Roast for their lattes. They sell their espresso roast in store and online if you want to make a latte at home.

What Coffee Does Starbucks Use For Cold Brew?

Starbucks Cold Brew is a mixture of African and Latin American Arabica beans that are brought to a medium roast and steeped in cold, filtered water for 48 hours.

Cold brew is not ever heated above room temperature to ensure the coffee’s rich and balanced flavor profile. 

What Coffee Does Starbucks Use For Decaf?

Starbucks uses their own proprietary roast for their decaf coffees and espressos.

While it is unknown the exact method they use to decaffeinate their coffee, you can find a variety of roasts for both coffee and espresso available in decaf form.

What Coffee Does Starbucks Use For Macchiato?

Starbucks offers espresso macchiatos as well as a caramel macchiato in both a hot and cold version. 

Macchiatos are an espresso based drink combined with milk foam for their hot version and milk for their cold version. Their signature espresso blend is used in all of these drinks and are available in decaf.

What Coffee Does Starbucks Use For Cappuccino?

Cappuccinos are a hot espresso drink combined with steamed milk and topped with milk foam. Starbucks uses their signature espresso blend to create their cappuccinos.

What Coffee Does Starbucks Use For Frappuccino?

While many Frappuccinos are a coffee based treat, Starbucks doesn’t in fact use a typical coffee or espresso base for these drinks.

What Starbucks uses for Frappuccinos is called Frap Roast, which is a powdered base that is paired with cold water. It compares fairly closely with an instant coffee mix.

Because of the syrups and high amount of sugar that is added into Frappuccinos, the Frap Roast actually starts out with a very bitter flavor profile to counteract all the sweet additions to their signature drinks.

What Coffee Does Starbucks Use For Americano?

Americanos are another espresso based drink. Because of that, Starbucks uses their exclusive espresso blend to create them.

Americanos are simply brewed espresso combined with water and topped with crema- a coffee foam. Because this drink is simply espresso and water it contains no dairy or sweetener. 

Americanos are also available in decaf.

Is Starbucks Coffee Stronger Than Others?

Starbucks has a wide variety of coffee roasts and blends available, and because of that there is a fluctuation in strength and caffeine content.

However, Starbucks is known for having a stronger flavor and caffeine content than many other chain coffee houses and restaurants. 

Starbucks coffee is stronger than McDonalds coffee by more than twice the amount of caffeine, and outranks other companies such as Dutch Brothers, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Seattle’s Best as well.

Which Starbucks Coffee Has the Most Caffeine?

The Blonde Roast Brewed Coffee comes in at the most caffeinated drink the company has to offer. In a grande 16 oz serving, there is 360 mg of caffeine. 

Because it is roasted for a shorter amount of time, blonde roasts actually retain more caffeine and therefore make for a stronger cup of coffee. 

After the Blonde Roast, the Pike Place Roast coffee and Nitro Cold Brew are the highest in caffeine content.

As for non coffee drinks, Starbucks Hot Chocolate rates the highest in caffeine.

How Many Cups of Coffee Does Starbucks Sell Per Day?

According to USA Today, Starbucks sells over 4 million coffee drinks per day.

When this is divided between the number of locations around the world, an average Starbucks location is producing around 388 cups of coffee and coffee drinks per day.

If you brew your own drip coffee each morning, you may often be left with more than you need. And, if you’re heading out for the whole day, you might not get a chance to finish the pot until the next morning.

In this case, you may be wondering how long it’s ok to leave coffee out? Can you still drink coffee the morning after it has been brewed?

Brewed black coffee can be left out at room temperature for about 24 hours. The sweet spot for the best tasting coffee is around 30 minutes to an hour after it has been brewed, so day-old coffee might not provide the best flavor experience. Coffee with milk should be refrigerated after 2 hours.

Now that we know the basics of leaving coffee out, let’s jump into some of the finer details. I’ll be going over the specifics of leaving coffee out as well as the details of how long can keep it when stored properly. Keep reading to become a master of not wasting a drop of your favorite bean juice!

How Long Can You Leave Coffee Out at Room Temperature?

When it comes to leaving out or storing coffee, the rules are different for plain, black coffee and that with added milk or creamer. Let’s look at both options individually.

Black Coffee

You can leave your plain, black coffee in the pot or carafe you brewed it in for up to 24 hours at room temperature.

This means that if you brew a large pot in the morning and find yourself needing an afternoon pick me up, you can pour yourself a cup without any added fuss.

I wouldn’t recommend making large pots of coffee with the intention of having it the next morning, unless you are planning to properly store it and have it iced.

Coffee tends to lose its rich flavor after about 30 minutes, so while it is still safe to drink if it has been sitting out, it probably won’t taste great.

You can store black coffee in your fridge for 3-4 days in a glass container or mug with a lid. It’s not recommended to store your coffee in a stainless steel travel mug or thermos because it can develop a metallic flavor.

Coffee With Milk

Milk, in general, is safe to leave out for up to two hours. After that, it can begin to harvest harmful bacteria. This applies to both dairy and non-dairy milk.

However, if you’ve mixed up a glass or mug of milky coffee and for some reason can’t finish it in that moment, you don’t have to discard it!

Simply store it the same way you would plain coffee, in the fridge in a covered container. You can keep it there for up to 48 hours.

What Happens to Coffee If It’s Left Out Too Long?

As I mentioned several times now, the first thing that happens to coffee that is left out at room temperature is a deterioration of the rich flavor we all love.

After a few hours, coffee can start to become bitter or just develop a really flat and stale taste. This isn’t an indication that it has gone bad but it might put you off from drinking it.

Because coffee is still a natural food product, it can also begin to grow bacteria and even become moldy and musty after a few days if it is ignored for that long.

Ground coffee beans, even before being brewed, can go bad as well if they are improperly stored or kept in the wrong conditions.

You also shouldn’t leave your coffee on a warming plate for a long time or with the warming function activated on your coffee maker because it can develop a burnt and bitter flavor.

How Can You Tell If Coffee Has Gone Bad?

The easiest way to tell if anything has gone bad is via its smell. Since coffee has such a distinct scent that lends to its taste, any changes in smell will likely be noticeable.

If your coffee smells flat after a few hours of being left out, it isn’t necessarily bad. If the scent has simply diminished and isn’t as strong, the coffee has probably just aired out and gotten a little stale. You can still drink it, just know that it won’t be as tasty.

It’s when the smell turns really pungent and rancid that you have to discard the coffee. At this point, you may also see mold growing on the surface or other changes in texture.

How Long Can Brewed Coffee Be Stored In the Fridge?

Brewed black coffee can be stored in the fridge for up to four days. To preserve its freshness as much as possible, you’ll want to store it in a sealed container (like a mason jar).

You can also keep your coffee in the pot you brewed it in if it has a lid or covering. Those pots might still let in air so I’d recommend this only for short-term storage (a few hours up to a day).

You can also leave your coffee in a travel mug or bottle. I recommend using plastic or glass for this because metal might make your coffee taste strange.

If you’ve already added milk to your coffee, it can be stored in the same ways as plain coffee but only for up to 48 hours.

How Long Can Coffee Creamer Sit Out?

Traditional, liquid coffee creamer generally contains dairy so it shouldn’t be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. This time frame can be extended to four hours if the room it’s left in is not too warm.

Non-dairy coffee creamer falls into the same category of rules if it was sold already chilled. However, if you buy a creamer that wasn’t refrigerated at the store then you can leave it out for longer.

This can be kind of a gray area and you should always store your liquid coffee creamers in the fridge from the moment you buy them.

Powdered coffee creamers are a different story. These types of creamers can be kept for 18 to 24 months at room temperature. They should be stored appropriately in a dry, cool, and dark area such as a pantry or cabinet.

Maybe you wake up ready to start your day only to discover that your coffee maker is painfully slow. What should you do? Should you wait for thirty minutes for it to fill your carafe? 

Or should you leave it and look for an alternative drink? Well, a slow coffee machine isn’t broken and can be remedied without the need for a professional. But how?

If your coffee maker brews coffee slowly, then it’s most likely caused by calcium and mineral build-up within the machine, this is often caused by water from the tap, which carries minerals. You can solve this issue by cleaning your coffee maker using vinegar. This will break down the mineral build-up and speed things up.

Today’s article looks at the three best methods you can employ to fix your coffee machine that brews slowly. Let’s get started.

How Long Should a Coffee Maker Take to Brew?

Regardless of the technology, most coffee makers take between 3 and 5 minutes from when water drips onto the coffee to when your cup is ready. Hot water acts as a solvent to wash the ground coffee soluble particles into your brew when brewing. 

Here’s a look at the times it takes different coffee makers to make your coffee.

• Keurig machine – 2 to 3 minutes
• Drip coffee maker – 5 to 15 minutes
• Percolator – 5 to 10 minutes
• Nespresso machine – 30 to 60 seconds
• Espresso machine – 20 to 30 seconds
• French press coffee machine – 5 minutes
• Aeropress – 2 to 3 minutes

How Do You Fix a Slow Coffee Maker

When you wake up one morning and realize that you’ve overslept, the last thing that you would want to encounter is a slow coffee maker. And nothing is as irritating as a machine that ought to be working but suddenly starts malfunctioning. 

Maybe your previous timeliness had blinded you from realizing that your coffee maker is painfully slow. Here, we’ll dissect the cause of the problem and offer easy-to-follow solutions.

Method 1: Descaling Using Distilled Vinegar

Problem 

Many things can make your coffee maker brew slowly, but one main culprit is mineral buildup. If you’re using unpurified water to make your coffee, the chances are that you’ll have to descale your machine at one point in the future. 

Unpurified water contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium bicarbonates, carbonates, and sulfates which stick (scale) to the sides of your coffee maker. The scaling affects how fast your coffee maker works and lowers your coffee drink’s quality.

Here are some problems that you can solve by descaling your coffee maker.

• The mineral buildup clogs the coffee maker’s water lines, causing it to malfunction.
• Your coffee maker won’t reach an optimal temperature to extract a flavor from your ground coffee.
• A coffee maker that fails to heat up hence making lukewarm coffee.

Solution

After troubleshooting your coffee maker and realizing that it has a ton of mineral deposits, your next move shall be to descale it. And you can quickly tell a coffee maker with limescale or mineral buildup by looking out for white, chalky residue that accumulates on the inner sides of tubes or reservoirs. 

Also, some coffee makers have inbuilt detection systems that notify you if there’s a mineral buildup within the machine. The notification may be in the form of blinking or constant “descale” light.

Here’s how you can easily descale your coffee maker.

• First, study it and note the carafe’s capacity to have a clear picture of the amount of vinegar you’ll need. 

• Second, rinse the carafe with cold water and empty any leftover coffee that might still be in the machine.

• Third, add vinegar to the carafe up to the halfway mark and fill up with water. For example, if you have a six-cup carafe, add three cups of distilled vinegar and top up with an equal amount of water.

• Fourth, apply a coffee filter to the coffee maker, much like when making coffee. When the filter is in position, pour the diluted distilled vinegar into the water reservoir and start the machine. 

• The vinegar solution will move inside the machine like regular water and effectively eliminate all mineral deposits present.

• After filling the carafe, pour its contents into a container as you might need the vinegar solution for future use, such as cleaning the drains. 

• Finally, fill the water reservoir with clean plain water and run the coffee maker two to three times to eliminate residual vinegar.    

Alternatively, you can use the method below if you find that your coffee machine has very stubborn mineral deposits. 

Here, you’ll set up your vinegar solution, as seen in the section above but with a little tweak. 

• After putting the vinegar solution in the water reservoir, run the machine until only half of the solution remains and stop it. In other words, stop the machine when half of the solution is in the reservoir and the other half is in the carafe.

• Let the machine sit for an hour or so to allow the limescale/ mineral deposits to soak. Since you won’t be scrubbing, it’s easier for the vinegar to dislodge the soaked limescale. 

• After an hour, start your machine and complete the rinsing process with clean water. 

Method 2: Unclogging Valves, Filters, and Tubes

Problem

Sometimes, you may find that water isn’t flowing effortlessly into the coffee maker. In some scenarios, this may result from mineral deposit buildup on the sides of your machine. In other cases, coffee oils can build up on the filter, causing your coffee to drip or fail to get into the carafe or cup completely. 

Blocked filters are a regular occurrence in the espresso machine, and you shouldn’t panic. 

Solution

There are many different coffee makers worldwide; hence, you’ll find that there’s no one-fit-for-all method for locating the valves and tubes. 

Therefore, consult your appliance’s user manual to get a clear picture of where the tubes are located. But in general, here are steps you should follow.

• First, unplug the machine from the power outlet. The standard protocol for repairing all electronic and electrical appliances is to isolate them from the power lines. In doing so, you’ll save yourself from electrocution or even damaging your appliance.

• Second, dump all the water in the machine into the sink.

• Third, look for a fitting screwdriver or a set of screws and open your coffee maker’s base cover to expose the water tubes. 

• Next, locate the water tubes and inspect for kinks, clogs, or limescale blockages. 

• If the tube has kinks, you’ll only need to straighten it, and regular water flow will resume. If it’s clogged, run a distilled vinegar solution through it to remove the limescale deposits. 

• If it has a valve, consult the user manual to remove it without damaging it safely. Some coffee makers have a two-way solenoid or check valves that connect directly to the boilers controlling the amount of hot water that flows into your cup. 

• Next, inspect the valves for any deposits and clean thoroughly with the vinegar solution. 

• Finally, replace all components and plug in your coffee maker to enjoy your coffee. 

Method 3: Regulating the Amount of Ground Coffee

Problem

If you’re new to making coffee or you just bought a new coffee maker that you’re not so accustomed to, the chances are that you might be doing your ratios wrongly. It’s more so with drip coffee makers, known to overflow and spill coffee onto the countertop in some situations. 

Causes of overflowing coffee or a slow machine include:

• Adding excess ground coffee into the filter.
• Putting a grind that’s too fine. 

Solution

• Use less decaffeinated or flavored finely ground coffee when brewing as they settle in when in contact with hot water. The result is that the finely ground coffee creates a leak-proof layer that slows down water flow to your carafe or cup.

• Alternatively, use medium-ground coffee if your coffee maker blocks regularly. You can know that the filter is clogged when your coffee comes out in drips. Furthermore, you can use two tablespoons for every 8-ounce cup of water.

• If the filter is the source of the problem, rinse the filter basket before brewing. Also, check to confirm that you’re using one filter. 

Final Remarks

You can solve most coffee maker problems without needing much expertise. And, as we’ve seen, everyday issues that slow down your machine are clogging, improper usage, and limescale buildup. 

You can solve these problems by following the step-by-step guidelines we’ve covered today. However, if none of the solutions works for you, you should consult your coffee maker’s manufacturer for assistance.

An espresso machine is definitely worth the investment if you purchase espresso beverages regularly. This includes lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. These drinks can easily cost you a total of $4.00 or $6.00 apiece each time you visit your coffee shop. An espresso machine is quite an investment. But, in the long run, they will cost you much less since they last for years when maintained correctly. 

These machines do require a level of skill and knowledge of the types of beverages and how they are made. It requires that you know how to properly release the pressure of the machine and use it to steam your milk. It can be a learning curve, but you can’t beat the personalization and versatility of these machines. 

What Are the Benefits of Using an Espresso Machine?

The benefits of an espresso machine include ease of use, sustainable use, high-quality craft, and more diverse crafts. Espresso machines can create a wide variety of crafted coffee beverages. These can include cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos. You can froth milk and create sweet or strong coffee beverages. 

Espresso machines operate by pushing hot pressurized water through very compact and finely ground coffee grinds. This grind is often referred to as “espresso grind”. It looks a lot like a gritty powder and involves pulverizing the coffee beans in a grinder for several seconds.

Just how an espresso machine works will be discussed below. But, the function of how the shot is pulled is one of the greatest benefits of an espresso machine. This process creates a distinct and robust coffee experience. 

Espresso machines are less wasteful than disposable single-serve coffee makers. Espresso is a concentrated shot of coffee. If you are looking for a single service experience that is still robust, an espresso machine can satisfy you. 

Oftentimes with drip coffee machines, you will experience a watered-down taste in single-serve sizes. This is not the case with espresso machines which will save you valuable coffee grinds for the future. 

Espresso machines are very versatile. Once you have mastered the steamer wand, you can make your own barista creations. Since espresso is a concentrated coffee, you only need a single shot to create a strong coffee taste in your frothy beverage. If you try to do the same with drip coffee, you will find you need to add a significant amount of coffee to give it a robust flavor. 

How Does an Espresso Machine Work?

As discussed above, coffee grinds are added to an espresso cup with some level of force to make it compact. This compact aspect is what sets espresso apart from ordinary drip coffee.

This coffee is then added to the espresso capsule pod and must be pressed down firmly. This is usually accomplished by using a press device that is included with the machine. But, you can use a spoon as well. Just so long as the coffee is pressed down firmly. 

The reason you need to have your coffee grinds pressed down is to create pressurized water going through the grinds. This is what creates the thick and almost creamy sensation you experience with an espresso shot. 

Even without cream, an espresso shot is known for being creamy and having a layer of crema on top. Crema is one of the most pleasant parts of the espresso shots. It’s a thin layer of foam that forms on top of the shot when it pulls which is indicative of the quality of the coffee and the machine itself. 

How Much Should I Spend on an Espresso Machine?

On average you can expect to pay at least a couple hundred dollars for an espresso machine that is versatile and high quality. These machines can range between $300.00 and $850.00. The price is indicative of the quality of the espresso shot you will create. But, it also says something about what your machine can and cannot do. 

A cheap $50.00 espresso machine will not produce the quality you are probably used to. Coffee shot quality (or higher) will take you into the hundreds of dollars zone. 

The issue with the chapter machines is they do not create the pressure that is needed for a high-quality shot. Rather, they more or less drizzle hot water through the espresso pod and grind. Essentially, they operate more like a reusable k-cup machine than an espresso machine. 

There are also stovetop devices that cost on average between $10-$25 depending on the size. These machines are sometimes marketed as espresso makers. But, in reality, the coffee they produce is stronger than a typical percolator. But, the many components of an espresso shot (the rich velvet texture and crema on top) are not present. 

What’s the Difference Between an Espresso Machine and a Coffee Maker?

The biggest distinction between an espresso machine and a regular coffee maker is the way it operates. A traditional coffee maker usually produces coffee through a process known as “drip coffee”. This process creates a mild brew that is usually made into a moderate-sized cup of coffee that users usually add cold milk to and a little sugar. Espresso machines make a thick, small shot through a pressurized process. 

Espresso machines have more variety for use. With an espresso machine, you can froth your milk to how you like. You can easily create iced and hot espresso beverages. A drip coffee machine is typically limited to only hot drip coffee. 

Some more expensive coffee makers have an “iced” component. This option pulls the hot coffee slower and thus makes it a stronger, more robust flavor. This helps the coffee retain its integrity even when you add ice and the ice melts. 

However, this is still a drip coffee. Many do not realize that an iced coffee with milk and sugar is a very different beverage than an iced latte. A latte has significantly more milk and the espresso is more intense than the drip coffee. 

Last, drip coffee machines do not usually have the steamer wand component that an espresso machine has. This is because a drip machine does not need to generate steam pressure to brew the coffee. An espresso machine does need to have this steam to add pressurized water through the coffee. This steam is recycled through the steamer wand. 

Are Espresso Machines Easy to Use?

Espresso machines require some basic knowledge regarding how to properly compress the coffee in the espresso pod. It also typically requires that you either understand the distinctions on the various types of drinks made with espresso. Last, it may require you to understand the pressure release of the machine, which can be harmful if done incorrectly.

If you were to ask a person if an espresso machine was hard to use, you would get a multitude of responses. This is because the difficulty of an espresso machine depends on the user’s experience and the type of machine they use. 

Some machines are pretty much self-performing. These machines have espresso pods that are pre-made. All you need to do is add the water to the back and insert the pod. The machine does everything else, without you needing to regulate the temperatures or the pressurization. But, these machines do not have a steamer wand. 

That means you will need to purchase a tabletop frother. These are pretty simple to use and require that you simply add the milk and place the frother on the heater. The frother has a little wand inside of it that foams the milk while it heats up. Once it is done, you just pour the milk over the expresso. 

This type of machine is best for someone who just wants a quick shot of high-quality espresso in the morning. But, it does not have the versatility of a more traditional espresso machine. With a traditional machine, you can feel free to explore different types of drinks and different methods. It requires more work, but it is more rewarding. 

How Often Should Espresso Machines Be Cleaned?

How often you clean your machine depends a little on the type of machine and how often you use it. If you use your machine at least a couple of times each week you should backflush it once per week. You should descale your machine at least once every month. Descaling is important for removing the calcium buildup in the machine’s internal workings. 

You should purchase a small scrub brush or bottle brush if your machine does not have one. You can use this wand or scrub brush to clean the pipes and some of the tubes in the machine. You can also use this to scrub some of the hard-to-reach areas that the cleaner can’t reach. 

You do not need to do this too often. It would be best to do it at least once every couple of months. But, just so long as you add the cleanser once per month the interior will remain pretty clear of debris. 

Backflushing your machine is a pretty straightforward system as well. This is basically just water that you add to your machine with no cleansers. The machine should have a cleaning cycle option. If not, simply select the brew option if it does not. This will help flush out any buildup in your machine. This should be done every week or at least every other week.