Guides & advice
All guides and advice
How-tos, explainers, fixes and comparisons, newest first.
- Which coffee machine should I buyA short decision path for choosing a home coffee machine by the drinks you make, your time each morning, worktop space and how much you enjoy tinkering.Guide
- What is a bean-to-cup coffee machine and is it worth itHow a bean-to-cup coffee machine grinds, brews and froths milk on its own, the daily upkeep it needs, and who gets the most value from owning one.Guide
- Sage Barista Touch vs Barista ExpressSage Barista Touch vs Barista Express compared on touchscreen presets, hands-free milk, heat-up, grinder and learning curve, so you can choose the right one.Comparison
- Sage Barista Express water filter: fitting and changing itSage Barista Express water filter guide: where the filter sits, how to soak and date it, and when to change it based on your water hardness.How-to
- Sage Barista Express vs Ninja Luxe CafeSage Barista Express vs Ninja Luxe Café Premier: manual espresso against built-in scales, auto milk and filter coffee, compared for people torn between them.Comparison
- Sage Barista Express vs Barista Express ImpressBarista Express vs Express Impress: what assisted tamping, intelligent dosing, PID and 25 grind settings change, and who is better off with the original.Comparison
- Sage Barista Express vs Barista ProSage Barista Express vs Barista Pro compared on heat-up, grinder steps, display, steam and size, to help you decide whether the Pro is worth the step up.Comparison
- Sage Barista Express problems and fixesCommon Sage Barista Express problems, from sour or bitter shots and low pressure to grinder faults and flashing lights, with the fix for each symptom.Fix
- Sage Barista Express no water coming outNo water or steam from your Sage Barista Express? Check the tank, clear air locks by priming, descale, clean the shower screen and spot solenoid faults.Fix
- Sage Barista Express no pressure: causes and fixesWhy the Sage Barista Express pressure gauge stays low, and how to fix it: grind size, dose, tamping, the right basket and a worn group gasket.Fix
- Sage Barista Express grinder not workingSage Barista Express grinder not grinding? Check the hopper lock, clear jammed or oily burrs, set the grind amount dial and follow the clean out routine.Fix
- Sage Barista Express grind settings and dial-inSage Barista Express grind settings: where to start on the dial, how the inner burr adjustment works and a dose and ratio routine to dial in fresh beans.How-to
- Portafilter sizes by machine: 51, 54 and 58 mmWhich portafilter and basket size your espresso machine uses, from Sage 54 mm to Gaggia Classic 58 mm, and how to measure so you buy the right tamper.Guide
- Automatic milk system vs steam wandAutomatic milk systems vs steam wands: carafes, LatteGo jugs and frothers against a wand, compared on microfoam, latte art, speed and daily cleaning.Comparison
- How to use the Sage Barista ExpressHow to use the Sage Barista Express from first shot to daily routine: dose, grind size dial, tamp, reading the pressure gauge and steaming milk, in order.How-to
- How to use the Gaggia ClassicHow to use the Gaggia Classic Evo Pro: warm-up time, temperature surfing, pulling a shot, switching to steam and refilling the boiler on a single-boiler machine.How-to
- How to steam milk with a steam wandStep by step milk steaming on an espresso machine: jug size, wand position for stretching and texturing, the right temperature and the milks that foam best.How-to
- How to descale the Sage Barista ExpressHow to descale the Sage Barista Express: entering descale mode, which descaler to use, rinsing afterwards and how often to descale in UK hard water areas.How-to
- How to descale a Gaggia ClassicHow to descale a Gaggia Classic, Classic Pro or Evo Pro by hand: boiler and solenoid descale, then backflush and shower screen clean for the Classic family.How-to
- How to descale a De'Longhi MagnificaHow to descale a De'Longhi Magnifica S, Start or Evo: running the descale programme, using EcoDecalk, setting water hardness and resetting the filter.How-to
- How to clean the Sage Barista ExpressHow to clean the Sage Barista Express: the clean me light, cleaning cycle with a tablet, steam wand, shower screen and grinder, and how often each needs doing.How-to
- How to clean a coffee grinderHow to clean a burr coffee grinder at home: brushing the burrs, using cleaning pellets, removing coffee oils and spotting when burrs are worn out.How-to
- How long do coffee machines lastHow long bean-to-cup, espresso, pod and filter coffee machines usually last, which parts wear out first, and the simple habits that keep a machine going for years.Guide
- How does an espresso machine work: boilers, thermoblocks and pumpsHow espresso machines work: pump pressure in bar, and what single boiler, heat exchanger, dual boiler and thermoblock heating mean for your coffee.Guide
- Hard water and coffee machines: a UK guideHow UK hard water affects coffee machines: where it is hardest, how to read your supplier's mg/l figure, setting the hardness level and when filters help.Guide
- Gaggia Classic Evo Pro vs Sage Bambino PlusGaggia Classic Evo Pro vs Sage Bambino Plus: 58 mm boiler machine against fast 54 mm ThermoJet with auto milk, compared on shots, steam, upgrades and space.Comparison
- Gaggia Classic vs Rancilio SilviaGaggia Classic vs Rancilio Silvia: two classic 58 mm single-boiler espresso machines compared on boiler size, steam power, build and the PID upgrade path.Comparison
- Gaggia Classic not pumping waterGaggia Classic not pumping water? Prime the pump through the steam wand, check the tank and intake tubes, clear a blocked solenoid and descale the boiler.Fix
- Gaggia Classic Evo Pro vs Classic E24Gaggia Classic Evo Pro vs Classic E24: the eco standby, steam wand and finish changes in the newer model, and whether owners of older Classics should upgrade.Comparison
- Why is my espresso machine leakingFind where your espresso machine leak comes from: a worn group head gasket, an overfull drip tray, a cracked tank or a loose steam wand, and how to stop it.Fix
- Espresso dose, yield and ratio explainedHow much coffee for a single and double espresso in grams, what brew ratio and yield mean, typical shot times and how to taste your way to a good recipe.Guide
- Why descale a coffee machine, and can you use vinegarWhat limescale does to coffee machine heaters and valves, why many makers advise against vinegar and recommend their own descaler, and how often to descale.Guide
- De'Longhi vs Philips bean-to-cup machinesDe'Longhi vs Philips bean-to-cup machines: LatteCrema against LatteGo, steel against ceramic burrs, menus and cleaning compared at matching tiers.Comparison
- De'Longhi vs Jura bean-to-cup machinesDe'Longhi vs Jura bean-to-cup: whether Jura's pulse extraction, compact build and service justify the premium over De'Longhi's equivalent machines.Comparison
- De'Longhi bean-to-cup problems and fixesFixes for common De'Longhi bean-to-cup faults on Magnifica, Dinamica and Eletta: warning lights, watery coffee, brew unit errors and a grinder not working.Fix
- Conical vs flat burr grindersConical vs flat burr grinders: how burr shape changes grind distribution, retention and taste, with burr sizes in mm for common home grinders.Comparison
- Coffee grinder not working: causes and fixesWhy your coffee grinder will not start or grind: hopper and lid interlocks, jammed burrs, static and clumping, and signs of a burnt out motor.Fix
- Coffee grind size chart for every brew methodA coffee grind size chart from Turkish and espresso to French press and cold brew, with rough particle sizes, textures and how to set your grinder.Guide
- Bean-to-cup vs espresso machine: which suits youBean-to-cup vs espresso machine: convenience against control, compared on time per drink, cup quality, cleaning and the learning curve of each type.Comparison
- Bean-to-cup milk frother not workingFlat, spitting or no milk from your bean-to-cup frother? Clear blocked carafe tubes, check the froth setting, use cold milk and pick a milk that foams well.Fix