Espresso Machine Accessories

Espresso machine accessories can enhance your experience with your espresso maker. They can make your machine more personal and lots more fun to use.

The accessories allow you to customize your machine to fit your lifestyle and preferences. While an espresso machine is great and can provide you with wonderful coffee, when you begin adding accessories you can take it to the next level.

From grinders to tampers to cups, the accessories that you choose to accompany your espresso maker will make your coffee experience better. So, expand your horizons and check out the espresso machine accessories listed here and see what appeals to you.

Burr Grinder

Top quality espresso is dependent upon the grind of the coffee. There is a certain type of grind that lends the best possible quality of espresso.

The burr grinder is the grinder of choice for proper espresso making. It consists of two disks. One disk is stationary while the other rotates. The rotating disk slices the coffee bean so that it is reduced to very fine particles.

Cheaper grinders have a metal blade that chops up the coffee beans which can mean coffee grounds that are uneven in size. On the other hand, if you leave the coffee in the grinder for a long time in an effort to create a finer grind. this can cause the metal blade to heat up, giving your coffee a burned taste.

Burr grinders differ in that they crush the beans between the stationary disk and the grinding disk which slices away portions of the bean. This allows the burr grinder to have a grind that is more consistent and even. This is one of the espresso machine accessories that is vital to making good espresso.

Espresso Tamper

The espresso tamper is a tool that is used to pack the finely ground, loose coffee into the portafilter of an espresso coffee maker. Most of the time, when you purchase an espresso machine, there is a plastic tamper that is included as an accessory. However, there are tampers that are available for purchase.

When you purchase an aftermarket tamper, you should keep in mind that they are measured in millimeters to correspond with the internal diameter of the filter basket for your espresso maker. They can range in price from $5 to $150, depending on the style, manufacturer and materials used to make it.

The one that comes with your machine is usually not very effective and is often poorly made. It is highly suggested that you purchase a tamper that is the correct size for your espresso maker's basket. This is one of the espresso machine accessories that is important. Find one that expresses the real you.

Milk Frother

A milk frother is a device that creates froth in milk. It uses the steaming device that most espresso machines have built in.

There are many varieties of milk frothers, also known as foam enhancers, pannerellos and cappucinatores, and they come in various sizes and shapes.

Some are steam tube enhancements and use air that is drawn into the tube via tiny holes near the top, then mix the air with steam to create froth in the milk. Other milk frothers draw the milk through a tube. There it is mixed with steam and air then emit's the froth and steamed milk into a cup.

Learn the art of Frothing Milk.

Espresso Knock Boxes

An espresso knock box is a box or bin that has a wooden or rubber bar that sits across a wide opening. It is used to dispense the used coffee grounds and filter, also known as the puck, after an espresso shot is brewed.

By rapping or knocking the portafilter against the bar, the puck is knocked into the box. A knock box makes cleaning up after making coffee a much easier, cleaner chore.

While you do not need the large knock boxes or built in ones that most cafes and coffee shops have, but a smaller one that is suitable for home use could be of great benefit to you.

There are basic knock boxes that run about $20 and there are more upscale varieties that are much more expensive. Although it's not one of the vital espresso machine accessories, it does make clean up much easier. Again, it comes down to what you want and what suits your own personal tastes.

Steaming Pitcher

The steaming pitcher is used to steam the milk that is used in espresso based coffees and other hot beverages. The typical steaming pitcher is usually a metal (stainless steel) pitcher that is round or bell shaped.

It has a handle and a wide lip that extends about half way around the front of the part of the pitcher as opposed to a pointed spout. This style requires the use of a spoon to pour good cappucinos, macchiatos and lattes.

For proper pouring to create exceptional lattes and cappucinos, you need a frothing pitcher that is straight as opposed to bell shaped and has a tapered nose. However, a pitcher that has a pointed spout should suffice as well. The main thing that you want in a steaming pitcher, also known as a frothing pitcher, is that it steams well and pours nice microfoam.

Cup or Demitasse

A demitasse is a cup that holds a shot of espresso. It is a fancy term for small cup that is about 3 ounces or smaller. A demitasse can be made of glass, stainless steel or ceramic, but porcelain is usually the material of choice. Because these tiny cups must retain heat well, it is preferable that they are thick.

Aside from the technical utilitarian nature of the cup for your espresso and cappucino, there is also an aesthetic aspect. The demitasse is available in just about any color, style and design imaginable. They are often accompanied by a matching saucer.

You can find demitasse cups for just a few dollars or for a few hundred dollars. Some are even highly prized by collectors. But if you want an exceptional cup of espresso, the color of the cup is not going to have much bearing on the taste, aroma and entire experience. These are one of the classics of espresso machine accessories.

Espresso machine accessories compliment your espresso maker, and some are very important to the results you get in your espresso. Although some features on espresso makers may be just bells and whistles, the espresso machine accessories do make a difference.