Should you choose an espresso or non-espresso coffee maker?

Coffee makers have come a long way. From yesterday's cowboy pots boiling coffee over the coals to today's sleek gourmet brewers, there's a maker to fit every taste, every lifestyle, every budget and every counter space. So where do you begin finding the maker of your dreams?

Before you head for the appliance aisle at your favorite store, do a little homework. Consider what kind of coffee you prefer, how often you drink and how much space you have for a coffee maker, how much you can afford to spend on a maker. These are the issues involved in deciding whether to purchase an espresso or a non-espresso maker.

Espresso or No Espresso?

Espresso makers are fancy. They cost more than other coffee makers (some cost thousands of dollars) and make a variety of types including cappuccino and lattes. Espresso machines often make only one cup at a time and require cleaning after each cup. The coffee is stronger than that brewed by other means.

True aficionados often prefer to use the espresso maker, especially the super automated models that do everything from grinding to pouring it into the cup.

Typical drinkers who prefer to have a pot available at all times and aren't interested in lattes or other versions of coffee tend to prefer non-espresso makers. Non-espresso makers work well for people who like to start the brewing and go on about their usual activities while it brews. They buy coffee already ground and don't bother with beans or grinding.

For drinkers needing large quantities of coffee, non-espresso is the way to go. Large percolator type urns can be used to make more than a hundred cups at one time.

They also prefer returning to the pot time after time and refilling their cup over making only a cup at a time. Non-espresso type makers are much less expensive than espresso machines.

Non-Espresso

These makers are available in drip, French press and combination models. Drip machines often make 6 to 10 cups of coffee at a time. For those who need a lesser quantity, it's better to buy a model that makes 4 cups (or less) at a time. Drip makers are inexpensive and easy to use.

There are pod makers available which use single serving pods to brew. Pod coffee makers can be inexpensive but the coffee itself costs more than standard cans of pre-ground coffee.

French Press makers are great for a few cups of coffee at a time. Combination coffee makers featuring both espresso and non-espresso coffee makers in one machine are also available. These machines give drinkers the best of both worlds.

Espresso

Espresso makers come in semi-automatic, fully automatic and super automatic models. These machines make fewer cups at a time and may require more time and attention that a standard drip maker.

The more automated an espresso maker is, the more features it will offer. Some take care of everything from grinding the beans to filling the cup with coffee and ejecting the used grounds.

The more features the espresso coffee maker offers, the higher the price tag attached to it. These makers can cost anywhere from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars.

The first decision to be made in choosing a maker is the need to determine whether an espresso coffee maker or a non-espresso maker is needed. Coffee preferences, budget and quantity of coffee to be made are factors that affect the decision making process.