First and foremost is the espresso machine, now lets assume that you already have one of these babies and you have one that will make an acceptable cup of coffee. The most simple addition would be cappuccino cups or espresso shot glasses. Many people end up with a conglomeration of junky coffee cups and no espresso shot glasses. Shot glasses are straight forward enough, a regular shot glass is 1.5 – 2 ounces, some may prefer to to have 12 ounces worth of shots, but for the most part a shot is enough caffeine. The wide mouth cappuccino cups are also a nice addition. A regular coffee mug does not have a wide enough mouth to allow you to fully appreciate all of the subtle fragrances of a good cup of espresso. For those of you that are not familiar with a cappuccino cup it is simply a shorter more squat coffee cup.

A warming kettle is also a good addition to a coffee collection. Making single servings may be nice when you are by yourself but if you have company presentation is always important. There are a variety of kettles, some of which warm your coffee and some of which simply keep your coffee warm.

Condiments are always a necessity. Ask 100 people how they like their coffee and you will get 100 different answers. When you throw an espresso machine into the mix this gets even more complicated. There are numerous flavored syrups, different kinds of sweeteners, such as agave nectar or honey, whipped cream, or even cinnamon. The more creative you get the more fun things are, so test things a little bit and put together an eclectic coffee bar that will keep your guest interested.

Many espresso machines are sold with integrated grinders and tampers but if you have a manual variety you may need a grinder. A burr grinder is a little more expensive but it the only type of grinder that actually properly grinds coffee beans. Tampers for packing espresso shots are also numerous and unique.

Different utensils for coffee making can also come in very handy. Things like whisks, cleaning equipment, spoons, scoops, storage containers, and thermometers are all very important to the picky barista.

Now to add a whole other layer to the variety of espresso and coffee drinks you can start to integrate your coffee bar into your actual bar. Some of the best coffee drinks are for those that are 21 and older. Most people automatically think of Baileys and coffee but there are numerous other drinks as well.

For starters if you already have a bar with the normal mixing tools that should suffice. You may want to get some classy after dinner drink glasses but that is really all the additional equipment that you will need.

As far as drinks go the list is long so I will just go into a few of the more common and a couple of the more obscure. One of my favorites is Buttery Nipples with a shot of espresso, always a favorite. This is 1.5 ounces of butterscotch snapps, one ounce of irish cream and a shot of espresso.

Mexican Coffee, not so common and not for everyone, you either love it or hate it. This is 1 ounce of Kahlua, 1 ounce or tequila, Tbsp of agave nectar, 4 – 6 ounces of coffee or espresso and whipped cream.

The millionaires coffee is always a surprise. This one is simply 1 ounce hazelnut liquor, 1 ounce Kahlua, 1 ounce irish cream and 6 ounces of coffee.

Try experimenting with different coffee drinks for lots of different and exciting combinations. And if you are shopping for a coffee connoisseur the sky is the limit. Just having an espresso machine makes them an easy gift recipient.

Here are a couple common problems with your coffee machine and what you can do to fix it, if there is hope, because sometimes there is no hope.

You are going to like this one. The most common problem with coffee machines is that in your stupor you forget to plug them in and you think it is broken. Now I am not saying you are stupid I am just saying it can happen to the best of us. It is also possible that your power cord simply goes bad at which point it is usually easier to replace the coffee machine than it is to replace the power cord.

Next problem would be the one way valve for the hot water drip could be obstructed or calcified. You can either unclog it with a toothpick or other implement or run vinegar through the coffee pot. This will remove any calcification, just remember to run a couple pots of water through the coffee maker before using it for coffee again.

If the heating element fails you are out of luck. It is time to get refund, call the warranty people or get a new coffee machine. This fix is not really worth your time. You may have to make a detour on the way to work if you are greeted by this problem first thing in the morning.

Another simple problem that can often seem like an insurmountable obstacle first thing in the morning is that of the timer or alarm. Many people believe that figuring out how to set their VCR meant that all household programing was in bounds, but failed to realize that misseting the coffee maker has serious consequences. Mess up the time and you are in trouble.

A very frustrating problem that has no fix is a broke carafe. This can be a catastrophe and the sad part is that it usually means buying a new coffee maker because it is nearly impossible to find anther carafe that fits just right. This can be avoided with a metal carafe or a self contained carafe with a spigot.

Breaking coffee machines can get the day started on a bad foot so it is good to have plan in place such as a second coffee machine or a favorite coffee stop on the way to work. Always be prepared and always be ready, coffee pots can go out without waring, and this may be a signal that it is time to upgrade to an espresso machine.

There are lots of options when it comes to buying a coffee maker but most of us use a plain old drip coffee maker. It may not be glitzy and glamourous but it gets the job done. And it is actually a pretty simple device. When you get down to it there really isn’t much to making a pot of coffee. And to tell you a secret it has more to do with the grind than it does the coffee maker.

There are three basic components to a coffee pot. First is the water reservoir that you pour the coffee into. At the bottom of the reservoir there is a tube that carries the water into the drip. There are different drip configurations but the name pretty much gives away the idea of what the drip does.

The water is heated in the reservoir causing it to go up the tube and into the drip where it drips over the coffee. The hot water and coffee ground combine in the basket and because of the oil in the coffee grounds and the fine grind the water cannot freely run through the filter.

The water and the coffee grounds mingle together while the fluid works its way through the coffee filter. Filters are usually paper but can also be a reusable mesh, often copper or plastic.

Once the coffee goes through the filter it ends up in the pot where it is kept warm by the heating element on the bottom of the coffee pot. This is the same heating element that originally heated the water causing it to go up the tube into the drip, so you know it is hot. You have probably seem what happens when you leave a coffee pot on all day. You end up with a crusty mess at the bottom of the coffee pot or a broke carafe.

So as you can see a coffee pot is a relatively simple invention that serves us very well. Of course there are fancier options on the market, like espresso machines or french presses, but for most of us a regular old coffee machine is fine.

• After any cleaning cycle or the replacement of any parts or filters you should pull a test shot to make sure that everything went as expected. This will also clear out any excess cleaner that you failed to remove.
• When you clean the basket you should wipe it dry before using it again. Your basket should be totally dry before you add a dose. This ensures that you will be able to achieve the right level of tamping and will not trap any water in the system.
• You should never use dish detergent on any part of the machine that comes in contact the coffee grounds or with the finished product. It is very difficult to get all of the detergent residue off of an espresso machine or anything else for that matter and the detergent will quickly break down the oils in the coffee and degrade the quality of the espresso.
• It is a good idea to also apply this same logic to your coffee cups and disinfect them with hot water instead of dish detergent.
• It is a good idea to flush the espresso machine between each use. Getting in the habit of doing this will greatly reduce the time that you have to spend doing monthly or annual clean ups of your espresso machine. Each flush will help you reduce build up and rancid coffee leftovers.
• This may not make a whole lot of sense but the less the machine is used the more it will have to be cleaned. Or stated another way, it will have to be cleaned more frequently because the process of using the machine actually provides some cleaning. Consider that a car that sits to long will probably need some TLC before it is ready for the road. Same for an espresso machine.
• You should remove the portafilter at least once a week and soak in a coffee detergent solution.
• If you are ever in doubt as to the cleanliness of your espresso machine pull a water shot and see what consistency the water come out. If it is discolored or has a coffee odor your machine needs additional cleaning.

An espresso machine can last for many years if treated properly but if you do not take care of you machine it will not live up to its full potential. You are subjecting your machine to high pressures, extreme heat, oil, and acidic substance, and a gritty substance. In an industrial application this would be considered a high risk activity. Keep your espresso machine clean and you will be pleased with your investment.

So what can you do? To start out you must realize that coffee oils and the little bits of coffee grounds left in a machine go rancid within an hour or so, so it is in your interest and the interest of anyone drinking your coffee to keep your machine as clean as possible all of the time. From time to time run some extra water through your machine to clean out any oil and run any clean functions on a regular basis.

You can also scrub the filter and preform a back flush, so machines will allow you to do this on others you may need to do it manually. Scrubbing with a mildly abrasive sponge is suggested as well as a small amount of dish soap.

The steam wand should be cleaned on at least a daily basis. It has the potential to suck milk into the system and of course this is not favorable, especially if the wand is not cleaned on a regular basis. You can clean the wand by steaming water the same way you would steam milk or by submerging the wand in water and dish soap for a few minutes.

On a daily basis you should also back flush with a coffee detergent to break down any excess oil and residue. Soak any removal parts in a solution of hot water and coffee detergent to remove any other excess coffee oil.

On a monthly basis you need to do a major overhaul. Of course you need to follow any manufacture instructions, but you should also check to make sure that any water filters are still up to date and functioning properly. Accumulation of chemicals or other foreign material in a water filter can taint the water.

One an annual or biannual basis you should also do a major overhaul. This means getting all of the calcium out. This can mean taking an espresso machine apart and scraping off any excess white calcium build up the decalcification tablets don’t reach.

Keeping your machine clean is the most important thing you can do to prolong the life of your investment. And, I talk about it as an investment because many high quality espresso machines are used to make a lot of money for their owners.

First you have to get all of the right materials together. This means that you have to get the right espresso beans, the right machine, and a good burr grinder. Espresso machines are not cheap but if you spend your money on the right machine you will never have to buy another coffee maker again. Next, you will need a burr grinder, this is another investment, but the same logic can be applied as above.

If the entire espresso machine and burr grinder thing is setting you back too much you may want to consider getting one of the pod machines that uses pre made espresso pods. These are getting very popular and while there are not nearly the same quality as an honest to god espresso machine and burr grinder they will do ok.

You can usually find a good espresso blend at the grocery store or local coffee shop. Assembling and roasting your own blend is for the experienced and obsessive compulsive connoisseurs only. Make sure that the blend is composed of mostly arabica coffee beans.

If you really want to get classy you can even get some espresso cups to make your coffee experience that much more authentically italian. Espresso cups usually only hold about 1.5 ounces of coffee, so if you want the traditional American double or triple shot you might want to get a bigger cup.

Preparation

Now if you are using an honest to god espresso machine and a burr grinder this is where it gets interesting. You need to grind about 7 grams of coffee beans to make a 2 ounce shot of espresso. Make sure that you are set on the espresso setting of your grinder or you are just wasting your time. After grinding you will have to tamp the grounds with a tamper and get them good and packed down.

Pulling a shot

This is the last step. Put your big or little cup under the dispenser and follow the instructions to pull the shot. It should take around 30 seconds to pull the shot and fill your cup. That is really about it, there isn’t much too it and once you learn on your chosen equipment you will even be able to do it before you have had your espresso in the morning.

Who is the machine for?

Think about who will be using this machine. Is it for home use, is it a gift for the office for a job well done, is it a piece of restaurant equipment? If you will be going through hundreds of pounds of coffee beans per week you probably do not want to get a hand crank variety. If it is for office workers you probably would be better off with some sort of self cleaning automatic functions that allow people to avoid making a mess.

Will is be a Cafe Latte, Machiatto, or Mochaccino

What are you going to be making? Some machines do things better than others. Some have the ability to froth milk and warm up cups. If you want something simple don’t spend extra money on features that you are not going to use .

Control

Do you want your machine to have an on off switch and that is it or do you want a full touch screen led display that allows for 250 different incremental coffee grind micron sizes and precise temperature controls? Some varieties take all of the control and spit out espresso others leave all of the control in your hands. If people are not going to take the time to learn how to use the machine and simply want to push a button get them something simple.

Level of Work

You can go manual, semi automatic, automatic, fully automatic, or combo. How much work do you want to do for your espresso? One end of the scale requires muscle patience, and practice. The other requires you to push a button. How much work do you want to do when you wake up in the morning or before a lunch meeting?

Care

Machines require maintenance and these are no exceptions. These machines are more complex than some vehicles on the road. Though you will not have to get the oil changed you do need to clean, decalcify, and change filters. Some machines have numerous self cleaning functions and make it a push button procedure, others are more complicated.

Do your research and don’t spend more than is necessary to get the proper cup of coffee.

Manual Machines

These are old school, lots of fun, and a fair amount of work. If you enjoy the process of making a good cup of espresso go for one of these. You will have to pump the machine to get the water to flow through at the right pressure and some people find these to be a little more exercise than they want to do first thing in the morning. These machines can be very attractive and classy looking. Expect to have to do all of the work from grinding, to tamping, to filling with water, and emptying. These machines also take some practice.

Semi Automatic Machines

These do some of the work for you, but not much. They will normally have a water reservoir and a pump that forces the water through the grounds. Grinding, tamping, emptying, and cleaning are still up to you.

Automatic

These are nice and easy, not as much fun or hands on, but if you are going for high volume or don’t want a whole lot of clean up and you want to minimize the equipment necessary these can be a good route. You simply add beans and water and out comes espresso. Make sure you get a model with a good burr grinder. Some models you can hook up to a water source, some you will have to fill a water reservoir. Most of these models are also have a self cleaning function.

Fully Automatic

These babies are bad to the bone and usually reserved for commercial establishments, serious addicts, or the ultra wealthy. Thinks a couple thousand bucks for a good model. They do it all. From grinding, to tamping, to pumping, cleaning, cup warming, and giving you a back rub they do it all.

Combo Machines

There is an increasing number of combo machines available because lets face it, some people just can’t handle that much caffeine. Like alcohol you must build your tolerance. These machines fit into all levels of the espresso machine hierarchy but they also have the ability to make good old fashioned coffee.

There are two kinds of coffee grinders. The burr grinder and the blade grinder. The blade grinder is what people usually use to make percolated coffee and you can pick up one of these for as little as $30 at the grocery store. They simply use spinning blades to pulverize the coffee beans. This is fine for regular coffee but not nearly enough torture for a cup of espresso.

A burr grinder is more difficult to explain but simply uses crushing power and two pieces of moving burred metal metal to accomplish its feat. Burred metal pieces move against each other allowing the coffee beans to fall downward and be pulverized into smaller and smaller bits. The dust in the hopper is ground so finely that it is measured in microns. Prices of these grinders is all over the board but starts at around $100 for beginner model and goes up into the thousands for commercial varieties. Expect to pay a couple hundred dollars for a decent quality long lasting machine.

There are some hand crank varieties of burr grinders but if you like to have coffee in the morning I suggest staying away from these models. If you are a masochist and you like to work harder than need be go for it. You can even get camp varieties of these grinders.

If you are willing to make the investment in an espresso machine think long term and think durability. These should be quality long lasting pieces of equipment and should be treated accordingly. Do your research and think along the lines of a television purchase. A good quality machine could be with you for many more years to come and can lead to many a happy cup of coffee. A bad purchase will degrade quickly and leave you disappointed, out a couple hundred bucks, and stuck with regular old coffee.

There are lots of companies out there that make great products. Do your research and spend your hard earned money wisely.

The outline for the proper cup of coffee are as follows and yes I did call it a cup of coffee, sorry.

The Proper Cup of Coffee

1.5 ounces of water must be heated to at least 195 degrees fahrenheit and forced through 7 grams of properly ground coffee beans with pressure of 9 atmospheres or 130 psi within 25 seconds. No wonder those machines cost so much, it takes more than a bike pump and a coffee pot to accomplish all of that.

A couple of things to look out for when making your own espresso, dishing out enough money for a meal on a drink, or buying an espresso machine are mainly related to durability.

Pump VS. Steam

First it is important to realize that pump driven machines are far superior to steam driven machines. Not only does the steam potentially get way too hot it also does not develop the proper amount of pressure to extract all of the components from the grind to develop the proper flavor.

The Grind

Pay attention to the grind of the coffee that you are using. This is the foundation of the proper cup of coffee and without a good grind you will just be making over priced strong coffee, save your money and get a french press. The grind should be similar to powdered sugar. Keep in mind that a blade grinder cannot grind the beans fine enough you need a burr grinder for the proper grind.

Good Head

Like a good beer a good espresso should have good head. In the espresso aficionados world this is referred to as crema and it is a foamy whitish carmel color. You will know it when you see it, looks kind of like a Guinness head. If you don’t see this something is wrong.

Temperature

If you are shopping for a machine or paying big bucks for a java at a coffee shop don’t be above asking for a temperature measurement of your potential purchase or your brew. Too hot and it burn out the flavor and can’t be consumed. To cold and it doesn’t extract the right flavor. between 195 and 212 Fahrenheit are ideal. Also remember that flavor degrades quickly with exposure to air and cooling, so drink up.