Types of Espresso Machines: Manual Espresso Machine
If you’re looking for an Espresso machine that is hands-on, then a manual Espresso machine is the one that you’re looking for. It’s also known as a lever Espresso machine due to the fact that it is operated by a very noticeable lever. This machine is so hands on that it’s not designed for half-hearted Espresso lovers. If you are bent on using a manual Espresso machine, be ready to get frustrated a lot of times during the first few times of practicing using this machine.
But still, it’s a popular machine especially for homeowners. It’s a romantic machine that can bring you back to the 1940’s. It’s a vintage-looking machine that makes you feel like you’re drinking your Espresso in a side street somewhere in Italy. While this machine has produced a lot of romantics, it also produced a lot of wastes. It’s notorious as the machine that ravaged the most number of good quality coffee.
So what gives? Why is it still a popular choice? To know if a manual Espresso machine is for you, you have to know how manual it is. There are two subclasses for this manual machine. Let’s take a look at both subclasses.
- I. The spring piston lever machines
This machine uses an internal spring to push water through the coffee grounds. These machines produce steaming temperatures so that you can pull an Espresso shot and steam the milk at once. As the user, you have to determine the length of the preinfusion, the amount of water and the time to pull up a shot.
- II. The direct lever machines
It’s almost the same as a spring piston lever machine. But in addition to the tasks that you’re going to do with the spring piston lever machine, you are also in charge of applying pressure to the water. It’s something that can easily ruin a good coffee and will take a lot of practice to master. Since different coffee blends require different amount of pressures, it can be frustrating.
Should you buy a manual Espresso machine?
It will all boil down to how bad you want to learn how to make a good cup of Espresso. I’m not going to lie because obviously, making an Espresso using a manual machine can be hard. But what’s stopping you from practicing a lot in order to master it? Once you have mastered making an Espresso using the manual machine, it will all be muscle memory from that point on. Making Espresso can also be an art. If you want to submerge yourself in the art of making Espresso, this is something that can help your cause. It will give you the chance to master an art that is romantic as well.
