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Important Parts of an Espresso Machine A quality espresso machine will give you a shot with a dense body with a rich taste and an strong aroma. This requires a high level of pressure and temperature. Pay focus on the crema. This golden-brown layer is what gives rich espressos their characteristic flavor and color. There are four kinds of espresso machines. These include semi-automatic, manual, and automatic. Water reservoir The water reservoir is a container that holds filtered, cold water that is then fed into the espresso machine. It is usually movable, and has a lid that helps keep the water fresh and free of dust. It is an essential part of an espresso maker and should be kept clean to avoid getting blocked. Pour vinegar into the reservoir in order to clean it. Allow it to run for a while. The espresso machine uses water to pressurize coffee grounds and extract flavors, oils and caffeine. It also creates the foam known as crema. The first espresso machines were invented by Achille Gaggia and used pistons connected to levers to create high-pressure coffee. Gaggia's spring pistons pushed water through the coffee into the cup. This introduced a brand-new jargon “coffee crème” (crema). The pump is an electrical device that is used to push the water through the heating element to warm it to the ideal temperature for brewing of 195 degrees Fahrenheit. It is usually situated at the bottom of the machine and is connected to a tube that runs up to the heating element. The tube also connects at either end to the cold-water tube and the hot-water tube. It also connects to the resistive heating elements that are coated with white grease to keep the plate warm. Pump The pump is what makes espresso machine work, and there are several kinds. For instance some machines utilize vibratory pumps, also known as vibe pumps that utilizes an electromagnetic workhorse that moves between the sides of the coil to generate 60 pushes per second. The pump draws water into the portafilter, and then out of the spouts. Other pumps utilize the thermoblock or thermocoil heating system that can precisely heat water to the temperature that is desired for the brewing. These systems allow for the control of water temperature and pressure, which are important for a quality extraction. Pump-driven espresso machines may use a spring, piston or electric pump. But, they all require that water be pumped through the grounds of coffee at a high pressure. The higher the pressure, the better the extraction. The pump makes sure that the ground coffee is evenly distributed, which helps to create a nice crema. Other types of espresso machines include steam-driven or piston-driven. In a steam-driven espresso machine, the water is pushed through the ground coffee by using steam pressure. This model is more affordable however it does not provide the same amount of pressure to extract. There are also air-pump-driven machines that are lighter and smaller in size, but do not require a boiler and can be powered by hand pumps or a canister of compressed air (such as CO2 or N2). Air-pump espresso makers make less espresso than pumps, but they can be more convenient for some people. Steam Wand The steam wand is a thin pipe made of metal that comes from the espresso machine and releases steam that is hot and pressurized into your milk, resulting in foamy drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes. You can also make hot liquid for cocoa or tea. The wand has a variety of holes that you can turn on or off to control the amount of steam released. Some machines have the traditional wand, whereas others have a Pannarello wand that is easier to use but does not produce the same foam needed for lattes. If you are having trouble frothing your milk, you may be experiencing an issue with the anti-vacuum valve in your espresso machine. This device is designed to stop air from being absorbed by the steam wand while it is operating. You can test this by lowering the wand and listening for a sound that screams. If you hear this noise it indicates that air is being sucked into the wand. You should raise the wand to allow it to sink more deeply. You can also test the anti-vacuum by removing the wand and then cleaning it with warm water using a soft bristled sponge or brush. Cleaning the wand is crucial to avoid clogs which could affect the frost. If you are unable fix it yourself, contact a technician or the manufacturer. Control panel The control panel enables the user to change and configure settings. The settings include the strength of the coffee and the quantity of milk. These settings can be adjusted at anytime. The display also indicates the time when the machine has to be descaled, and also indicates whether the water tank is full. Most espresso machines come with hot water dispensers. This is usually placed next to or between the groups. It can be used to make hot tea or heat cups in the event of need. Coffeee can also be used for cleaning and rinsing. Many models feature pressure gauges which show the current pressure of the boiler. A brew switch is also available, that controls the brew cycle as in the quantity of shots. This is important, as the size of espresso shots is determined by how long the grounds are in direct contact with the water. The switch can also be used to start the steaming process, if desired. The control system on this espresso machine is a bit outdated however it has easy-to use functions. It features a narrow LCD screen that appears like an LED. This makes it simple to navigate through the menus, however there is some learning curve for users that are not familiar with espresso machines. The machine's ability to keep a constant temperature is impressive. It maintains an ideal water temperature of 194deg – 208deg F throughout the entire making process. This ensures a perfect extraction of aroma and a top-quality cup each time.