…there’re some things you should consider before you actually buy one.

If you buy a simpler machine without heat exchanger or double boiler, you have to count with limitations.

A lot of people are buying an espresso machine because they want to try make a professionally seductive cappuccino. This is not so easy with a simpler machine. They are often equipped with a switch that tells the machine to make coffee or make steam. When you make an espresso it normally takes 20 to 30 seconds. When the coffee is ready you switch over to the steamer function. It usually takes 30 seconds before you can start to steam the milk. The first thing that comes out from the steamer is warm water, that makes the milk thinner and reduces the possibility to make a good foam, if you put the steamer directly in the milk. When you have steamed away the first warm water, it’s time to steam the milk. With simpler machines this takes time, especially if you want to have a creamy floating foam. Now your espresso is already cold and lost the aroma and the crema. It’s easy compensate the cold coffee with to warm milk, witch is not a good idea. Milk is an animal product that changes taste after its temperature. It should be just above 60°C for making a good result.

You can of course make it the other way around and start to make the milk. It can then be hard to get the foam to float. It’s not a good idea, but it’s a better way.