The difference between an espresso machine and a regular coffee maker is that an espresso machine forces hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee to produce a concentrated shot with crema. A standard coffee maker uses gravity to drip hot water through coarser grounds over a longer period to make a full pot of coffee for people to drink. Drinks made with espresso are much stronger than standard drip coffee.

When you’re shopping for an espresso machine, choosing the right one depends on how much time, effort and control you want when you’re making espresso. The main types of espresso machines include automatic machines that have push-button convenience, semi-automatic machines for more control and manual lever machines for espresso purists. Fully automatic machines grind coffee beans, tamp and brew your drink at the touch of a button. Semi-automatic machines let you control the portafilter, tamping and shot timing. Manual machines let you pull a physical lever to control water pressure manually.

A milk frother is a kitchen tool that’s used to aerate milk into a light, thick foam or microfoam to put on coffee drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. The two main types of milk frothers are handheld wand frothers and automatic countertop frothers. Handheld wand frothers are battery-operated with tiny metal whisks that spin at high speed. You place them in your milk and hold them while the whisk froths it. Automatic countertop frothers are standalone jugs or pitchers that heat and froth milk automatically.

The best way to regularly clean your espresso machine is to start by knocking out the used coffee puck and running a 2 to 5 second blank shot of hot water through the group head to wash away loose grounds and oils. Next, purge the wand with a burst of steam before and after use. Then immediately wipe the metal with a clean, damp microfibre cloth. Lastly, empty and rinse the drip tray and rack with warm water to remove residue and prevent stale odours from building up.