Must-Have Accessories for Your Home Espresso Setup
Taylor Nachtrieb .
Congratulations on your recent purchase of an espresso machine and grinder!
By now you’ve likely started hammering out espressos for the family and for those small group gatherings on the weekend and you’re wondering what’s next?
We might be able to offer some suggestions.
While having a good quality espresso machine and grinder to pair with it are critical, a truly exceptional home espresso setup requires just a few more accessories to enhance the brewing process and coffee quality. In this blog post, we'll explore some essential accessories that will elevate your espresso experience to new heights.
By now you’ve likely started hammering out espressos for the family and for those small group gatherings on the weekend and you’re wondering what’s next?
We might be able to offer some suggestions.
While having a good quality espresso machine and grinder to pair with it are critical, a truly exceptional home espresso setup requires just a few more accessories to enhance the brewing process and coffee quality. In this blog post, we'll explore some essential accessories that will elevate your espresso experience to new heights.
Tamper
A high-quality tamper is indispensable in achieving a consistent espresso shot. Tamping compresses the ground coffee in the portafilter, ensuring an even extraction by making the water pass through the coffee at a uniform rate. An uneven tamp can lead to channeling, where water finds the path of least resistance, resulting in a shot that is under-extracted in some areas and over-extracted in others.
When selecting a tamper, consider one that fits your portafilter snugly. A tamper with a flat base tends to be more versatile and easier to use for beginners, while a convex base tamper may help more experienced users achieve a more uniform extraction by encouraging water to flow towards the center. Ergonomically designed tampers can also reduce strain on your hands and wrists, making your coffee preparation process more comfortable.
If you need a place to start, Chris’ Coffee sells a variety of tampers in a wide range of diameters.
When selecting a tamper, consider one that fits your portafilter snugly. A tamper with a flat base tends to be more versatile and easier to use for beginners, while a convex base tamper may help more experienced users achieve a more uniform extraction by encouraging water to flow towards the center. Ergonomically designed tampers can also reduce strain on your hands and wrists, making your coffee preparation process more comfortable.
If you need a place to start, Chris’ Coffee sells a variety of tampers in a wide range of diameters.
Milk Frothing Pitcher
For lovers of lattes, cappuccinos, and other milk-based espresso drinks, a milk frothing pitcher is a must-have. This simple accessory allows you to steam and froth milk to a silky, smooth texture, creating the perfect complement to your espresso. The key to a perfect milk froth lies not only in the technique but also in using the right pitcher.
Look for a pitcher with a spout designed for latte art if you're keen on adding an artistic touch to your beverages. The material of the pitcher can also affect your frothing experience; stainless steel pitchers are durable and excellent for achieving desired milk temperatures, while pitchers with a non-stick coating can be easier to clean. The size of the pitcher should match your typical serving size to avoid waste and ensure you have enough room to froth effectively.
Look for a pitcher with a spout designed for latte art if you're keen on adding an artistic touch to your beverages. The material of the pitcher can also affect your frothing experience; stainless steel pitchers are durable and excellent for achieving desired milk temperatures, while pitchers with a non-stick coating can be easier to clean. The size of the pitcher should match your typical serving size to avoid waste and ensure you have enough room to froth effectively.
Knock Box
A knock box may seem like a simple addition to your espresso setup, but it significantly enhances the convenience and cleanliness of your coffee-making process. Used for disposing of used coffee grounds, a good knock box helps you quickly and efficiently clear your portafilter between shots, keeping your workspace clean and tidy.
When choosing a knock box, consider the size of your espresso setup and how much coffee you typically make. A larger knock box is beneficial for heavy users or small cafes, while a compact model might be more suitable for personal use. Additionally, look for a knock box with a sturdy build and a bar that's gentle on your portafilter to avoid damage.
When choosing a knock box, consider the size of your espresso setup and how much coffee you typically make. A larger knock box is beneficial for heavy users or small cafes, while a compact model might be more suitable for personal use. Additionally, look for a knock box with a sturdy build and a bar that's gentle on your portafilter to avoid damage.
Coffee Scale
Precision is key in making a perfect espresso, and a coffee scale ensures you're using the exact amount of coffee and water every time. You might be asking yourself if a coffee scale is going overboard for where you are in your espresso journey. But maybe not…
If you’re just starting out, you may be finding that you’re getting varied-tasting espresso shots every morning. By bringing a scale into the equation you can guarantee a consistent brew ratio every time once you lock in the flavor profile you’re after. By measuring your coffee grounds before brewing, and also your espresso shot during extraction, you can achieve a consistent and delicious espresso.
Are You Looking to Experiment?
If that’s the case, a scale is going to give you an easier time teasing out different flavors and notes depending on the brew ratio you opt for. If you’re unfamiliar with the different kinds of brew ratios, just know that the more traditional brew ratio is generally between 1:2 and 1:2.5. Veering off from this can produce different tastes because of how long the extraction process takes.
Opt for a scale that is sensitive enough to measure small increments for precise dosing and one with a timer to help you keep track of your extraction time. Some scales are designed specifically for coffee enthusiasts, featuring water-resistant materials and interfaces that simplify the brewing process. One of our customer favorites is the Acaia Lunar Scale because of its accuracy, rich featureset, and easy recharging through a built-in USB-C port.
If you’re just starting out, you may be finding that you’re getting varied-tasting espresso shots every morning. By bringing a scale into the equation you can guarantee a consistent brew ratio every time once you lock in the flavor profile you’re after. By measuring your coffee grounds before brewing, and also your espresso shot during extraction, you can achieve a consistent and delicious espresso.
Are You Looking to Experiment?
If that’s the case, a scale is going to give you an easier time teasing out different flavors and notes depending on the brew ratio you opt for. If you’re unfamiliar with the different kinds of brew ratios, just know that the more traditional brew ratio is generally between 1:2 and 1:2.5. Veering off from this can produce different tastes because of how long the extraction process takes.
Opt for a scale that is sensitive enough to measure small increments for precise dosing and one with a timer to help you keep track of your extraction time. Some scales are designed specifically for coffee enthusiasts, featuring water-resistant materials and interfaces that simplify the brewing process. One of our customer favorites is the Acaia Lunar Scale because of its accuracy, rich featureset, and easy recharging through a built-in USB-C port.
Water Treatment
Regardless of the machine you purchase, the most important factor in regards to that machine’s performance and longevity is to make sure you are using soft, filtered water. By doing this, you will add years to the lifespan of your machine and give you the best tasting water possible for your espresso.
There are several water treatment options available to you depending on how you are looking to hook up your machine.
If you are planning on using the machine’s reservoir and fill as needed, you can purchase in-tank softening pouches that will soften any water that you put into your machine. If your water is particularly hard, you can also purchase Third Wave Water packets and mix with a gallon of distilled water. Third Wave packets provide the necessary minerals to distilled water that allows it to be detected by your espresso machine while drastically improving taste but not adding any particulates that would cause scale.
If your machine has the ability to be directly plumbed into a water line, your best bet is going to be purchasing an in-line water filtration and softening system like the Mavea C50. The Mavea filtration systems are a single cartridge unit that both softens and filters your water, eliminating the need for a complicated, multi-cartridge system. For regular home volume (~5 drinks per day), a single cartridge will last you an entire year. Once the cartridge is spent, you simply unlock it from the system and insert a fresh cartridge without the need to recalibrate your system or adjust anything further when replacing cartridges.
There are several water treatment options available to you depending on how you are looking to hook up your machine.
If you are planning on using the machine’s reservoir and fill as needed, you can purchase in-tank softening pouches that will soften any water that you put into your machine. If your water is particularly hard, you can also purchase Third Wave Water packets and mix with a gallon of distilled water. Third Wave packets provide the necessary minerals to distilled water that allows it to be detected by your espresso machine while drastically improving taste but not adding any particulates that would cause scale.
If your machine has the ability to be directly plumbed into a water line, your best bet is going to be purchasing an in-line water filtration and softening system like the Mavea C50. The Mavea filtration systems are a single cartridge unit that both softens and filters your water, eliminating the need for a complicated, multi-cartridge system. For regular home volume (~5 drinks per day), a single cartridge will last you an entire year. Once the cartridge is spent, you simply unlock it from the system and insert a fresh cartridge without the need to recalibrate your system or adjust anything further when replacing cartridges.
