Espresso Machines For Home / Office - Luxury Retro Style. Smeg

What is an espresso machine?

An espresso machine is a coffee maker that uses high pressure to force hot water through ground coffee to produce concentrated coffee known as an espresso. The types of espresso machines available vary but can be loosely grouped as:

Coffee machines that use pre-ground coffee,
Coffee machines with a built-in grinder, which coffee beans for you. These are also sometimes called bean-to-cup coffee machines.
Coffee machines that use specialised coffee pods.

If you’re still unsure, you can consult the instruction manual supplied with your espresso machine.

How do you use a pre-ground coffee espresso machine?

Fill the water tank with enough water to make your coffee.
Pour ground coffee into the portafilter.
Press down on the coffee with your tamper, compacting the ground coffee.
Lock the portafilter into the coffee machine by twisting the handle.
Place your cup under the spouts, and press the button on the machine to choose the coffee you desire.

If you’re still unsure, you can consult the instruction manual supplied with your espresso machine

How to use an espresso machine with a built-in grinder

Fill the water tank with enough water to make your coffee.
Pour coffee beans into the built-in coffee grinder.
Place the portafilter under the coffee grinder, into the receptacle. It should lock into place.
Adjust the grind size on the grinder, and press the button. The ground coffee will fall under the built-in grinder into your coffee portafilter.
Remove the portafilter with ground coffee from the machine, and use the coffee tamper to compact the ground coffee.
Lock the portafilter into the group head by placing it and twisting the handle.
Place your cup under the spouts, and press the button on the machine to choose the coffee you desire.

If you’re still unsure, you can consult the instruction manual supplied with your espresso machine

How to use a bean-to-cup espresso machine

Fill the water tank with enough water to make your coffee.
Fill the container with coffee beans and grind.
Place your coffee cup under the coffee spout.
Then select a beverage from the intuitive control panel with one-touch selection.

If you’re still unsure, you can consult the instruction manual supplied with your espresso machine

How to use an espresso coffee pod machine

Fill the water tank with enough water to make your coffee.
Open the coffee pod receptacle, and place the coffee pod in.
Place your coffee cup under the coffee spout.

If you’re still unsure, you can consult the instruction manual supplied with your espresso machine.

How to make a latte with an espresso machine

Use your espresso machine to make a shot of espresso (See the above guide “How to use an espresso machine” for detailed instructions on making an espresso).
If you are using a milk frother instead of a steam wand built into your espresso machine, skip to step 9.
Pour cold milk into a stainless steel jug. Whole milk is best for frothing. Whilst you can use milk alternatives such as oat or almond milk, each responds differently to frothing, so the amount of foam created may vary.
Before frothing, briefly turn on the steam wand to clear any water in there.
Submerge the steam wand just below the surface of the milk and turn it on
Tilt the jug slightly to create a whirlpool effect.
Heat the milk until the jug feels hot to the touch, and the milk expands.
Make sure to turn the steam wand off, before you remove the steam wand from the milk.
Slowly pour the steamed milk into the espresso.
As you pour, tilt the cup slightly and gently swirl the milk and espresso together.
Finish by adding a small layer of foam on top for a classic latte look.

If you’re still unsure, you can consult the instruction manual supplied with your espresso machine, or If your espresso machine doesn’t have a steam wand, you can use a milk frother, like our Smeg Milk Frother here.

How to clean an espresso machine

Fill the water tank with enough water to make your coffee.
Remove the portafilter (if applicable) and wipe after each use.
Wipe out the coffee bean hopper, to remove old coffee.
Use a damp cloth or a group head brush to wipe off any coffee residue from the group head (where the portafilter locks in).
After every use, run the steam wand (if applicable) for a few seconds before wiping it down, to clear any milk residue.
Empty and rinse the drip tray regularly to avoid the buildup of water and coffee spills.
Descale Regularly (every 1-3 months, unless specified by your user manual otherwise) to remove mineral deposits.

If you’re still unsure, you can consult the instruction manual supplied with your espresso machine

How to descale an espresso machine

Regularly descaling your espresso machine is important to prevent mineral buildup, which can affect performance and taste. The process for descaling an espresso machine varies significantly from model to model, and it’s always best to consult your espresso machine's manual. For Smeg espresso machines, you can see descaling instructions here.

How long is the warranty on a Smeg espresso machine?

Smeg espresso machines come with a standard 2-year warranty, covering any manufacturing defects or issues under normal use.

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Espresso Machines

Pair with a Mini Pro Grinder

FAQ's

What is an espresso machine?

How do you use a pre-ground coffee espresso machine?

How to use an espresso machine with a built-in grinder

How to use a bean-to-cup espresso machine

How to use an espresso coffee pod machine

How to make a latte with an espresso machine

How to clean an espresso machine

How to descale an espresso machine

How long is the warranty on a Smeg espresso machine?

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