Topic
Espresso machines
Machines with a portafilter put you in charge of grinding, dosing and tamping. The boiler type decides how quickly you can switch from brewing to steaming milk.
- Common basket sizes
- 51, 54 and 58 mm
- Double shot dose
- about 14 to 20 g
A single boiler brews and steams from the same boiler, so you wait between the two. A heat exchanger keeps a steam boiler hot and passes brew water through it, a dual boiler has one boiler for each job, and a thermoblock or thermojet heats water on demand for a very short warm-up.
The portafilter size matters when you buy accessories: tampers, dosing funnels and baskets come in the same sizes as the group head, most often 51, 54 or 58 mm.
Some machines have a built-in grinder. That saves space, but a separate grinder can be upgraded later without replacing the machine.
Guides on this topic
- 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 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 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
- 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
- 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
Buying guides on this topic
- Best espresso machines for beginnersSeven forgiving espresso machines compared by tamping help, automatic milk, heat-up, filter baskets and whether a grinder is built in.Buying guide
- Best espresso machines with a built-in grinderEight portafilter machines with integrated burr grinders compared by grind settings, dosing and tamping help, heating system, milk wand and tank.Buying guide
- Best espresso machines without a grinderSeven espresso machines for use with a separate grinder, compared by portafilter, heating system, temperature control, milk and tank.Buying guide
- Gaggia coffee machines compared: Espresso Evolution, Deluxe, Brera and AnimaFour Gaggia machines compared: the manual Espresso Evolution and Deluxe against the Brera and Anima bean-to-cup models, by heating, milk and tank.Buying guide
- Sage espresso machines compared: Bambino Plus to OracleEight Sage espresso machines compared step by step: grinder, tamping, heating, milk wand and controls, from Bambino Plus to Oracle Touch.Buying guide