If you’re like so many people out there that can’t start your day off right without a cup of coffee, you might be looking to find ways to improve your ability to brew at home. Getting a cup from a cafe is fine, but it’s nice to learn the ropes and better your skills in this sense because brewing your own coffee is definitely a cool bag of tricks to have under your belt.
This may naturally lead you to expand your repertoire of accessories in the kitchen, namely a latte machine (otherwise known as an espresso machine). Purchasing your own latte machine is a great way to make more coffee creations and helps you know your way around a barista’s kitchen, so here are some qualities to look for in a good latte machine.
Durability Factor
As with any kind of kitchen accessory, you want to be sure that it’s going to stand the test of time. The ability to make your own latte should also come with the knowledge that it’s not going to break, so durability is a big quality to look for. Higher quality materials like metal and a thicker design are going to be important. Look for how much capacity it has to find out the load it can hold when brewing to see just how rigid it is. A durable latte machine will last you a long time, so you can’t skimp out and pick one that is going to break because of shoddy build quality.
Grind Features
Some latte machines come with a built-in grinder, which is obviously a plus. Having a grinder built-in is one less thing to worry about, but this could also have some negatives as it can make the machine very bulky depending on how it’s designed. If it doesn’t come with one, not to worry, as coffee grinders are cheap and easy to use. It’s also good to check for how the grinder works, as in does it drop the coffee ground into a basket for you, or do you have to do it yourself. This is just a matter of convenience to speed up the process but might not mean as much for you.
Water Capacity
Another major factor to look for when finding a latte machine is figuring out how much water capacity it has. The amount of water you can put into the machine, along with the reservoir’s ease of access, makes a huge difference in the amount of coffee you can brew. A cappuccino doesn’t require a lot of water, but it’s nice to know that you can brew numerous cups before having to change it out, which is an unpleasant experience if you’re hosting guests and need to make plenty of cups. Look for a latte machine that has a good reservoir, or if it’s a more luxe model if it needs to be hooked up to a water supply to provide it adequate water.
Frothing Ability
Frothing milk, which is a staple for lattes, cappuccinos, or macchiatos, is something that any good latte machine should come with. The ability to froth from the machine saves you the time and effort of having to buy a dedicated frother and allows you to do everything in one fell swoop with your machine. The fancier you get with the machine, the more likely it will come with an on-board frother which is a huge plus, while even the mid-tier or lower-tier models can have some, but the cheaper you go, the less likely they will have one.
Cleaning Needs
It’s important to consider how easy it is to clean. With all of the steam, frothing, and coffee involved, it could be a chore, depending on how simple it is to access the inner mechanics of the device. Most latte machines will allow you to take parts off to get in there, so look out for a machine that is simple to clean, easy to put back together, and all the little intricacies that will ensure good coffee each brew.
Size and Weight
In addition to durability, you also want to consider how big the machine is. Some of the barista-level machines are quite large, so factor that into putting it in your kitchen. The bigger it is, the harder it can be to leave on your counter or store. It also could be very heavy to move, so factor in the size for an at-home coffee bar.
Buying a latte machine is a good step forward in the maturation of your abilities to brew better coffee at home, so here are the must look for qualities when on the prowl to purchase one yourself.