Kitchen of the Week

Celebrity Kitchen - Katharine Hepburn's Former Connecticut
Estate

Image Source: William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty

Mixing classic materials, like marble countertops, with country chic white cabinetry, the spacious kitchen is ideal for food preparation and casual dining at the kitchen island.

Kitchen of the Week

Celebrity Kitchen - Ryan Phillippe's Los Angeles Home

Courtesy: HGTV

Ryan Phillippe's Los Angeles Home...The Kitchen

Actor Ryan Phillippe's Zen-like Los Angeles home features a galley-style kitchen with glass-front cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Multitasking chefs will appreciate the kitchen's double ovens and the bonus sink in the central island.

Kitchen of the Week

Celebrity Kitchen of the Week - Andie MacDowell's North Carolina Dwelling

Andie MacDowell's North Carolina Dwelling

Appliances Care - Hood

The cooking point which has the hood as well, is the focal point of any kitchen, and accommodate the most activities. Consequently, the amount of heat and grime generated around this area, especially the hood is enormous, and cleaning can be a challenge. The hood when turned on, sucks in hot air, which has oil, especially from frying food. As the hot air rises, the grease filter (a wire mesh covering the hood fan), traps the oil from the air, while the fan takes the air out through the duct, or re-circle the air if the hood is self recycling type (fitted with carbon filter). As expected, after a while, the grease filter will have been coated in grime and as such will need cleaning.

As in earlier post, cleaning any appliance is easy once one knows how to go about it and what to use in cleaning the appliance. Cleaning the hood is not different; the followings are required: a bowl that can take the grease filters fully lying flat, boiling water, dish-soap or de-greaser, bristle brush, microfiber clothes, mineral oil or stainless steel polish. 

Step One:     Fill the bowl with boiling water, add the dish-soap or de-greaser to it and stir with a stick.

Step Two:    Remove the greaser filters from the hood and place them flat in the bowl, make sure they are fully immersed in water, and leave for about thirty (30) minutes.

Step Three:  After the time lapse, the oil will have been completely dissolved; should you have any left, use the bristle brush to gently remove the residue.

Step Four:    Dip one of the microfiber clothes in a mixture of mineral oil and dish-soap, and use this to clean the exterior of the hood. Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe clean the exterior, (or after that spray the stainless steel polish if you have the stainless steel exterior, and wipe clean with a dry microfiber cloth), and you have your hood sparkling clean again.

I am very sure you will find these tips very useful, and will be looking forward to hearing from you. 

Kitchen of the Week

Appliances Care - Microwave Oven

Cleaning any appliance is easy once one knows how to go about it and what to use in cleaning the appliance. Cleaning the microwave oven is not different, all that is needed is a sizable lime (citrus fruit), about half a litre of water in a microwave oven safe dish, and a microfiber cloth.

Step One:     Cut the lime in two, and juice into the dish with water (leave the two halves                     of the lime in the dish);

Step Two:     Place the dish with its content into the microwave oven, and set timer to                          five minutes. (What this does is to breakdown all the food particles on the                        inner wall of the microwave oven, thereby making easy for cleaning);

Step Three:  After the time lapse, remove the dish with its content, and wipe down the                       food residue inside the microwave oven with the microfiber cloth;

Step Four:    Dip the microfiber cloth into the content of the dish, and use it to wipe the                       exterior of the microwave, and you have your microwave sparkling clean                           again.

I am very sure you will find these tips very useful, and will be looking forward to hearing from you. To avoid having a very messy microwave oven, always have your food covered, and you will have less of cleaning to do.

Celebrity Kitchen of the Week - Jerry Seinfeld's Telluride Estate

Courtesy: HGTV

 Jerry Seinfeld's Telluride Estate

Caring for the Kitchen and Appliances

Last week, I visited a client whom we made a kitchen for five years ago. The cabinetry in the kitchen looks well maintained, but the appliances, a sharp contrast to the cabinetry. All the appliances were coated in grime, most obvious of which are the cooktop and hood. The interiors of the microwave and oven were coated in burnt food particles and oil residue.

I asked to find out how often she cleans these appliances, or if she had ever serviced these appliances, her answer says it all.

“I’m left frustrated every time I clean the appliances…even though once in a while, they don’t come out as clean as expected.” On further inquiry, I found out that she doesn’t even know how to clean these appliances, or what to clean with.

This woman is definitely not the only one with this challenge, and considering the huge amount spent to acquire these appliances, I thought it will be imperative after having completed the series on appliances review, to start with cleaning and maintenance of appliances, or simply “Appliances Care”.

Celebrity Kitchen - Taylor Swift's Nashville Home

Courtesy HGTV

Country music superstar Taylor Swift's former home in Nashville comes with a casually elegant kitchen with a marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a central island with a butcher-block countertop. A copper range hood serves as a functional focal point for the space.

Kitchen of the Week

Using space most efficiently. A small open plan kitchen for lofts, studio flats and small apartments.

Appliances Review - Garbage Disposal

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An efficient garbage disposal will provide you with heavy-duty food grinding. When you purchase a garbage disposal, you’re going to be relying heavily on the device to support your waste disposal needs in your kitchen day in and day out. If you're looking for a replacement food disposer, it's still good to do some research on the horsepower of the motor and the feed type of the unit. 

What to Look For

When searching for a garbage disposal, you will want the most versatile and reliable disposal for your money. We’ve outlined an array of disposal units, and disposal unit accessories and features to consider such as how often you plan to use it and how heavy duty the motor should be. It’s important to make sure your money is well spent and that your product is backed by a strong warranty, considering the regular use of the unit.

Features
These garbage disposals features vary depending on how hard you intend to work the machine. Some of the features range from basic food disposal needs, such as a batch-feed disposal that grinds batches of food, all the way to high-capacity disposals that handle grinding as a continuous feed. The more expensive units tend to come with bigger price tags, but they are also built with state-of-the-art design and material. Other features to look at are a manual reset button, power switches and noise level of the unit.

Quality
Quality is, of course, of utmost importance when choosing a garbage disposal unit because you are going to be using this piece of equipment regularly. It is important to choose a quality piece of equipment that will suit your needs, as some devices are built to be used for longer duration and have a greater capacity to consume more waste. It is best to purchase a garbage disposal that has a food chamber made of stainless steel or glass-filled nylon. These two types of material are easier to clean and won’t rust. This means you can use your disposal for longer with no issues.

Motor
The size of the motor that a garbage disposal has is important depending on what foods you will be grinding. Smaller-sized motors are ideal for soft food, such as fruits and vegetables. A larger motor will work best for more food such as chicken bone. Large motors tend to jam less and don’t clog your drain as much as disposals with smaller motors.

Making the right choice when selecting a garbage disposal ultimately comes down to the motor and quality. It is important to factor in motor size even if you’re initially attracted to a unit that is lower in price. You can use this background information to determine which disposal on our lineup is best for you.

Appliances Review - Trash Compactor

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If your family constantly argues over whose turn it is to take out the trash, you should consider buying a trash compactor. Waste compactors use ram force to reduce the volume of your trash by 75 to 80 percent. This means five times less trips to the curb. There is also an environmental impact. Trash compactors mean less space in landfills and less plastic trash bags. Your kitchen will look nicer and, with built-in air fresheners, smell better. Home trash compactors are easy to use and fit conveniently under your counter. 

What to Look For

Your first concern when it comes to a garbage compactor is finding the space. It’s essential to take accurate measurements before you start shopping. Most compactors are available at a width of 12 to 15 inches and a height of 34 to 35 inches, which will fit under most counters. Once the size is clear, you should consider looking at how much power you need, what additional features interest you, and how much extra time you’ll need to maintain the unit and buy supplies.

Power & Performance
Trash compactors offer a range of 1.4 cubic feet to 1.7 cubic feet and will have a compacting force between 2,000 and 5,000 pounds. In most cases, more force means a higher price. Also, you should look at the horsepower of the motor. A high capacity with a lower horsepower means a louder compactor. The garbage compactor will include a compaction ratio. For example, if the ratio is 4:1, it means the compactor will fit the average volume of four bags into the size of one. Remember, the more trash in a bag, the heavier it will be, so you should consider how much you can safely lift before solely buying the highest compaction ratio available.

Features
Beyond compaction, waste compactors are designed to be safe and convenient to use. One handy feature you should look for is a simple toe bar. This is a switch on the floor that will open the compactor automatically when you click it with your foot. When your arms are full of larger items to throw away, it will make your life a lot easier. The trash compactor you choose should also include air freshener compartments or charcoal filters to reduce odor. If you have small children, you might also want to consider removable key-knob controls, which prevent accidental use, as well as anti-jam sensors to alert you if the compactor is overfilled.

Maintenance & Supplies
Except for the usual cleaning required with most appliances, trash compactors should be maintenance free. You should consider how far the compartment will extend out of the cabinet. The farther it opens, the easier it will be to clean. You will also need to replace the bags as usual. Some trash compactors will use regular bags, while others have proprietary bags that only work with their units.

You should keep in mind that trash compactors are only for compaction. For organic foods, consider using the garbage disposal. You’ll also need to keep a separate container if you recycle. That being said, there is nothing more unsightly than a large garbage can in the middle of your kitchen taking up space. And small, under-the-counter cans need constant replacement. Trash compactors match your décor and keep garbage out of sight, where it belongs.

Appliances Review - Toaster 

TopTenReview

Nothing gets a day off to a great start like a golden piece of toast smothered in butter or marmalade. Quick and easy toast can enhance any breakfast. The best toasters take the thought out of preparing perfect toast. They will brown a bagel, toast a baguette or warm artisan bread just how you like it. A great two- or four-slice toaster will not only toast well but will look great on your kitchen counter, too. Like a throw pillow on a couch or decorative frame on a wall, a toaster is a perfect appliance to add an artistic accent to your kitchen. 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Many toasters will do what you want them to do – toast bread. Yet a toaster can be much more. It can serve as an able chef's tool in any kitchen, helping you make the most of any dish that involves toasted bread. When you are considering the best toaster for you, think about the features in each toaster, the toasting functions each uses, the size and design of the toaster and the help and support the companies will provide if you have trouble using it.

Features
A precise shade setting can be the difference between a perfect golden brown and an inedible charred black. Look for a toaster that has a wide variety of shade settings to choose from, and more importantly, a precise way to choose between setting levels. Some toasters only allow you to select a fixed number of shade settings with no variance between those preset settings. This can be frustrating if you prefer a browning level between the shade settings or if you toast artisan breads that vary greatly from piece to piece.

You should also be thinking about the convenience of the toaster. Some newer toasters provide an automatic toasting feature. You won't have to lower a toasting lever anymore to start a toasting cycle. Automatic toasters are motorized to complete the toasting cycle at the push of a button or by sensing toast when it's inserted into a slot. Some toasters allow you to toast four or six slices at once. Others let you toast longer or wider pieces of toast or bagels. The best toaster for you makes it simple to get the perfect crunch on your breads just the way you want it.

Toasting Functions
A toaster can have amazing features, but if you cannot easily use it, then it is essentially useless. Many toasters have standard setting buttons: bagel, warming/reheat, defrost and cancel. Yet, some do provide additional toasting functions that will make it much easier to toast the perfect slice of bread. Look for toasting functions that let you observe the toasting of the bread mid-cycle and add more time if needed with a single button.

Design
For a modern toaster, how it looks on the counter is almost as important as how well it toasts bread. You won't be happy if you have to hide it deep inside a cupboard any time you have company because it looks like a something you just pulled off a scrapheap. You also won't be happy with your toaster if it burns you every time you mistakenly touch its sides while trying to use its controls. A great two- or four-slice toaster will aesthetically add to any counter it sits on, and give you great use, cleaning and storage features.

Help & Support
For small appliances, especially oft-used kitchen appliances, it is nice to know you have a warranty if something happens to it. Most toasters come with strong warranties that cover the appliance for at least a year. You should also be looking for a company that provides user support if you have questions about different advanced toasting features.

Ultimately, the best toaster for you will help you to get toast the way you want it every time you use your toaster. You should be able to use your toaster to accommodate the breads, bagels and pastries you like to eat. Consider the features, toasting functions and design you need to get just the toasting experience you’re looking for.

Appliances Review - Sandwich Maker

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The best sandwiches are those enriched by throwing them on a grill. Whether you like a good old-fashioned grilled cheese or tuna sandwich, or prefer a combination of meats and veggies for a panini, you need a device that will evenly toast your sandwich bread, warm the interior ingredients and find other uses in the kitchen. This simple combination makes the panini press one of the most popular and sought-after kitchen appliances. After all, when it comes to making sandwiches, you should have the tools needed to master even the most basic tasks.

While the most obvious use of the sandwich press is in toasting bread, these devices establish their usefulness in a variety of other recipes. You can cook anything from pancakes to omelets to pastries with these devices due to their ability to provide an even level of cooking. Instead of being forced to master the problematic art of flipping a pancake, you simply open the press and your breakfast is ready to serve.

Sandwich Makers: What to Look For

Creating the ultimate grilled sandwich depends on the best grilling machine. Depending on the type of sandwich you want, whether it is a consistent level of toasting across the sandwich’s exterior or the striped lines of a panini, you’ll need to pick a device suited to the end product. In addition, you’ll need a device designed to deliver the best and most consistent results in toasting your bread and cooking the ingredients within.

Features
Sandwich grills come in several different designs to facilitate a variety of toasting needs. The most simple and low-cost designs come with cooking wells to fit four sandwich halves. The next type of grill offers a single grill plate for both the top and bottom of the device to provide an even level of toasting for foods like grilled cheese sandwiches. The most popular model is the panini grill, which features a ridged press to create the popular valleys and peaks across each slice of bread.

Capacity
The size of the sandwich toaster allows the device to cook anywhere from one slice to as many as eight. Each slice of bread qualifies as a single slice, meaning that with the largest toasters, you can only press four full sandwiches. Standard sandwich makers should be large enough to fit at least two slices at a time, allowing you to simply insert the sandwich as a whole or cut it in half to fit into specially shaped cooking wells.

Cleanup
The most appealing part about sandwich makers is how much work they cut out of the process of grilling sandwiches. You don’t have to flip the sandwich when you’re done cooking one side. And once you’re done preparing your meal, the device should be easy to clean rather than take up all of your dishwasher like traditional griddles or pans. Sandwich makers require that you only wipe out the grill surfaces with a cloth. While the devices that use cooking wells may prove more difficult to clean due to the myriad of ridges to clean around, standard panini presses and grills will only require a single wipe before they’re ready for storage.

While at a glance the panini grill may appear like a straightforward and frivolous expense, it contributes largely to the experience of a good, toasted sandwich. Rather than using a simple grill or griddle, which cooks one side of your sandwich at a time, this device promises to create toasted sandwiches or paninis of the same quality found in sandwich shops. Simply pick the device suited to the type of sandwich you want, and you’ll be making grilled sandwiches like a pro.

Celebrity Kitchen - Brad Pitt's Malibu Home

The modern stainless kitchen is equipped with top-of-the-line appliances, including a walk-in refrigerator and freezer. 

Kitchen of the Week

Kitchen in copper and black gloss facade with spotted grey solid surface worktop.

Appliances Review - Blender

TopTenReview

A high quality blender is one of the most versatile appliances you can have in your kitchen. With these appliances, you can crush ice, pulse vegetables, whip smoothies, heat soup and more. Blenders come in a variety of designs, including the popular glass jar blenders and handheld blenders. You can also choose the power of your blender. Most blenders range from 2 speeds to 18 speeds, which provides plenty of options for creating the perfect blend of food.

Blenders: What to Look For

When you look for the best blender for your kitchen, you need a device that has the power to handle most blending tasks. You may want a blender to create drinks, chop ice, heat soup or other food prep. You need to decide what tasks you will use your blender for most frequently and make sure that the blender you choose has the necessary capabilities.

Many of the best kitchen blenders have additional features such as the ability to blend, chop, whip or crush. They can also have an easy-to-clean design and safety features to ensure that the power of the blender does not cause any bodily injury.

Below are the criteria we used to evaluate these kitchen appliances.

Performance
The best blenders can handle any type of food processing. Look for a blender with a powerful motor and several speed options. The variable speed features give you control of the kitchen appliance. The best kitchen blenders features 10 or 16 speeds, which provides you with plenty of options. Additionally, look for a blender with a variety of processing options that include whipping, chopping, pureeing, blending and more. Some blenders provide six or seven processing options, while other blenders may offer only two or three.

Features
Kitchen blenders differ in the number of features they offer. Some of the best blenders will start at a slower speed and then gradually work their way up to a faster speed. They may also have a special heat setting that allows you to make warm soup directly in the device.

Design
The design of your blender is important because you don't want a device that is large and bulky and takes up too much counter space. Some of the best blenders on the market are small and compact. They have a flat and smooth base with flat buttons so that you can easily wipe away any spills and don't have to waste time cleaning between buttons. Also, many blenders come in a variety of colors and designs, so you can find the perfect appliance to match your kitchen decor.

You can also find blenders with a tight rubber lid to prevent spills and a spout that allows you to easily pour your food. Many of the best blender parts are dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze.

With these combined elements, you can have a powerful, feature-filled kitchen blender that will allow you to create many fabulous dishes, all while adding an extra touch of class to your kitchen.

Appliances Review - Juicer

TopTenReview

WHY BUY A JUICER?

Lots of people have a hard time devouring a plate of fruits and vegetables, or even half a plate, which is the current recommendation from the USDA for each meal. A juicer machine is one way to add a few fruits and vegetables to your daily diet in a way that is generally more appetizing than raw produce.

Research indicates that juice is not as healthy as eating raw produce with its accompanying fiber, but drinking fresh juice is better than leaving fruits and vegetables out of your diet completely. It can also be healthier than store-bought juices, which often have added sugar and preservatives. Juicing can help you get at least a little fresh produce into your diet. Also, fresh juice tastes great. The juicing community has been perfecting recipes for years.

The three main types of juicing machines – centrifugal, masticating and triturating – all have their strengths and weaknesses. The most basic difference is that centrifugal juicers grind, masticating juicers chew and triturating juicers press produce. There is so much competition for your juicing dollar that it can be difficult to determine the best juicer. The answer may be slightly different for each user based on personal preference and budget.

JUICERS: WHAT TO LOOK FOR

We evaluated a mix of popular centrifugal and blender-style juicers for our comparison, even though the two types differ from each other in some ways. Both have a central, rotating blade system that grinds produce, but blender-style juicers leave the pulp in and centrifugal units separate most of it out of the juice. Centrifugal and blender-style units can add heat and oxygen to produce, both of which can subtract nutritional benefits, according to some research. However, if you go from very few fruits and vegetables a day to taking in more of both, combined in any kind of juicer, it will be a huge improvement to your diet. Here are some of the characteristics we looked for specifically in our juicer reviews:

Juicing Capabilities
The best juicers make good use of the produce you put into them. We looked for juicer machines with powerful motors that yielded the most juice possible. Using a food scale to verify, we put the same amount of fruits and vegetables into each juicer we tested. We looked for high juice yields, whether testing soft citrus fruits like oranges or tougher produce like beets and carrots. We tested the same three simple recipes on every machine, one with mostly hard produce, one with mostly soft produce and one with a mix of both. Recipes included carrots, beets, apples, kale, spinach, lemons, oranges, grapefruit and ginger so we could see how each machine reacted to different types of fruits and vegetables.

Since one of the top reasons for juicing is to make fruit and vegetables more palatable, the goal in general is to get the smoothest juice with the least amount of pulp. We put the juice we made with each machine through the same strainer to see how much pulp was left. The less pulp left in that strainer, the better. If you value a little bit of nutritious pulp, you can always opt not to strain it out, but a juicer should leave you with juice, not froth or pulp.

Prep & Cleanup
A juicer can end up in the appliance graveyard at the back of your deepest cabinet or as a countertop dust collector if you do not find it easy to use. The best juicers require very little preparation and are simple to assemble and clean. We considered factors like how many parts you have to wash with each use and how many cuts we had to make to prepare the produce in all three recipes so they could fit in each juicer. The less you have to cut each ingredient before juicing, the better. Dishwasher-safe parts also make a juicer more likely to be used instead of stored.

Design
With a lot of rpm and watts coursing through these juicers, they have the potential to wake the neighborhood, or at least the household. We used a decibel (dB) meter to measure how much noise each unit generates. This can be a deciding factor if you want to make juice in the early morning.

If you are absolutely sold on a specific juicer, you will find a way to make it fit into your kitchen somehow, but we like the units that make a small footprint on your countertop. Built-in cord storage and a nonslip base also add to the convenience of a machine. With all of the liquid involved in juicing, it is safer and easier if the machine stays in one place.

Help & Support
A long and strong warranty helps build trust in a product. We like the manufacturers that stand by their juicers with good warranties and lots of easy ways to access customer service representatives if you have a question.

A fresh juicing routine can add vital nutrients and wonderful flavor to your life. A glass of fresh fruit and vegetable juice can be much more appetizing than a bowl of raw produce. The right juicer can help you start a healthy habit that will last a lifetime.

Appliances Review - Food Processor

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Every cook – professional or not – knows the frequent slicing, dicing, shredding and mixing that happens in the kitchen. While a good knife serves as an appropriate tool for such tasks, a food processor can complete some of the same jobs in half the time. With the variety of components that food processors offer, they can help you accomplish almost anything in the kitchen.

Food Processors: What to Look For

The wide variety of food processors available to you can be overwhelming. However, the variety means there's a model for just about everyone – from the affordable models, that chop and dice at a basic level, to the higher-end kitchen machines that can chop, slice, puree, and even knead dough. In order to find the best food processor for you, it's important to focus on three key things: features, design and capacity.

Features
The different accessories that come with a food processor can impact how well it will actually work for you. Most standard food processors offer slicing, chopping, grinding and shredding features and attachments. The more advanced machines can mix baking ingredients, create juice or even knead bread dough. 
You'll also want to pay attention to how powerful the machine is. If you are planning to use your food processor for more difficult tasks, like making bread, you will want a powerful machine with adjustable speeds. Machines with 700 or more watts are considered high-powered machines and can handle most food processing tasks. Food processors that are used for simpler tasks generally have 200 to 500 watts and are significantly cheaper. Almost every food processor has the basic on/off and pulse key; anything more than that indicates a more advanced machine. 

Design
Most food processing units have a standard design. You'll generally find a base that holds the motor, a bowl, cutting blades, shredding and slicing discs, a pusher and a lid with a feed tube that fits onto the bowl. Some processors come with wider feed tubes that save you time by reducing the amount chopping you'll have to do to fit food into the tube. Another thing to consider is the weight and amount of cupboard space you have available for your machine. The more advanced processors tend to take up more space and are heavy, whereas the more compact food processors can easily be tucked away. 

Capacity
Depending on your intentions, the total amount that the food processor holds can be a determining factor in the model you ultimately decide to purchase. Most models hold at least 7 cups of dry ingredients with the larger machines holding up to 14 cups. However, larger machines usually include a variety of different bowls you can use to handle any size job. There are also much smaller machines, especially food choppers, which typically hold 3 to 5 cups.

A food processor can serve as a very beneficial tool in your kitchen. With the variety of different tasks that it can complete, it is a necessity for serious cooks. Even if you're only cooking meals for your family, a food processor can substantially reduce your preparation time and help you make delicious food more effectively.

Appliances Review - Coffee Maker

TopTenReview

DRIP COFFEE MAKER CONSIDERATIONS

Nothing can brighten your morning like the seductive aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Many of us stand there bleary-eyed, yearning for a "cup of ambition," as Dolly Parton so aptly called it in her song "9 to 5." The anticipation of that first delectable sip is enough to shake out the cobwebs and send you off smiling.

There are many ways to make coffee, from primitively tossing the beans in water and boiling them to delicate hands-on tending. For this coffee machine review, we looked at the family-sized automatic drip coffee makers that have been fixtures in kitchens for decades and are still popular.

DRIP COFFEE MAKER: A BUYER'S GUIDE

In this review, we did not examine espresso machines, single-serve coffee makers, percolators, French presses or coffee makers that also grind the beans. Instead, this site presents a diverse group of the best coffee machines that employ an automatic drip-brewing process and present an eight- to 14-cup capacity.

To pick the best home coffee maker for your kitchen, it is smart to focus on the basic design features and capabilities that will brew just the right coffee for your palate, and then consider the nice-to-have extras. It would also be smart to examine the length of the warranty and the availability of customer service.

Coffee Maker Design
If you live alone and drink one cup of coffee every now and then, a 12-cup coffee maker might be too large – that is, until you host a dinner party. You have many options to consider, including such things as a brew pause function, which provides the ability to sneak a cup during the brewing process. A product with a water filter makes better-tasting coffee and reduces scale buildup.

There are pros and cons to both permanent and paper filters. Permanent filters save you money, since you don't have to keep buying the paper variety, which is also better for the environment. However, it is easier to get rid of the coffee grounds with the disposable paper liners. Also, permanent filters can retain some of the coffee oils unless these are cleaned constantly, which can lend an off taste to the coffee.

Convenience & Safety
Once you have decided on the basic features you want, it is smart to examine features of convenience and safety next. Many top-rated coffee makers offer an automatic shut-off function that protects your home if you rush off to the carpool and forget to flip the off button. It is handy to have a coffee maker that alerts you when the brewing is done, lets you see how much water the device contains, and includes a programmable clock so you can set everything up the night before and awake to the fragrance of fresh coffee.

Carafe
Like all matters involving coffee, the type of carafe you choose depends on your personal taste. Some people love the glass carafes that are kept warm on a heater plate, while others prefer an insulated thermal carafe that keeps the coffee warm by itself.

Warranty & Support
Each vendor in our coffee makers review provides telephone support and email support. The warranty periods for various automatic drip coffee makers range from one to three years, which is quite a range, so be aware of the warranty period as you make your selection.

Whether you are a coffee connoisseur or someone who just needs plenty of hot java and needs it fast, there is an automatic drip coffee maker on the market for you. Check out the different varieties in our reviews and you can end up with the best drip coffee machine you have ever owned.

Appliances Review - Espresso Machine

TopTenReview

Let's face it – espresso is just good. The light crema, the bitter heart and the caramel body all come together for an exquisite treat. Espresso is a nice pick-me-up on your way into work or a good way to relax after a fine meal. Topping espresso with warm milk gives you the option of enjoying a cappuccino, while steaming milk produces a rich latte. The best home espresso machines can multi-task and produce a variety of delicious coffee drinks.

Owning the best home espresso machine for you means you don't have to wait in long coffee-shop lines or endure late-night cravings because the café is closed. It will also save you hundreds of dollars throughout the life of your machine as you create tasty espresso right in your own kitchen. Some models of espresso makers brew multiple cups of espresso at a time, while barista-style machines brew both espresso and coffee.

ESPRESSO MACHINES: WHAT TO LOOK FOR

In determining the best espresso makers, we looked at each machine's performance and features, and we also considered the safety of the machine and the available support from the manufacturer. Below are some details for you to be aware of as you search for your ideal espresso maker.

Features
All espresso machines come with a steam wand for heating milk to top your espresso. Some steam wands are adjustable so that you can change the consistency of the milk. This means you can turn your espresso into a latte, macchiato or cappuccino. It's a bonus if the espresso machine comes with its own frothing cup. If it doesn't, you can grab any cup, mug or glass to steam, froth or blend the milk into the drink of your choice.

The more parts of your espresso machine that are removable the better. This means you will be able to better clean every nook and cranny to help prevent calcium buildup and bacteria growth. Drip trays, portafilters and water reservoirs can all be removable, depending on the model of your espresso machine.

There are two important accessories that are needed for brewing great espresso: a measuring tool and a tamping tool. A measuring tool ensures that you use the proper amount of coffee grounds during each cycle. Too much can cause the filter to clog and reduce the effectiveness of your espresso machine. The tamping tool helps pack the grounds tightly in your espresso maker so you can get the best flavor from the coffee beans. Most espresso machines come with one or the other, but the best espresso machines come with both a measuring tool and a tamping tool.

A valuable feature to have on your espresso machine is a cup warmer. Your delectable concoction will stay hot longer when it is poured into a warm cup. The best espresso makers include a cup warmer that heats one or two cups while the espresso is brewing.

Performance
Espresso machines use either steam pressure or bar-pump pressure to brew espresso. The best espresso machines use bar pressure. All commercial-grade espresso machines use this method because the taste of the espresso is much better than steam brewed.

Bar-pump espresso machines have more parts than steam machines. Most espresso machines contain parts that cannot be cleaned in a dishwasher and must be hand washed. Consider the time you have to devote to this chore since, depending on how often it is used, your espresso machine may need to be cleaned every two or three days.

Espresso servings are called shots. Each shot equals one ounce of brewed espresso. Coffee shops typically serve two shots, or doppio, for each serving. Espresso makers vary in the amount of espresso they can make. All the models we reviewed can brew at least two ounces, or shots, of espresso. The best espresso machines make four shots, enough for you and a friend. Some espresso makers allow you to brew two cups of espresso simultaneously.

The best espresso is made from freshly ground coffee beans. However, when you are in a hurry, it is nice to be able to brew a prepackaged pod rather than taking time to measure out and tamp the grounds. Not all espresso makers are capable of brewing pods, so if you'd like your machine to have this capability, look for one that specifically offers it. For even more convenience, look for a self-priming machine. A self-priming espresso maker will automatically ready itself for use, eliminating the need to go through a set-by-step setup.

Safety
Since espresso has the potential to cause scalding, burns or fire, it is important to consider safety when you're purchasing an espresso machine. Since heating elements do not change color or texture when they're hot, an on and off indicator light will let you know when your espresso machine is safely off.

The best espresso machines come with a polarized plug. This means one prong is larger than the other and can only be plugged into an outlet one way. This makes it difficult for inquisitive little ones to plug it in easily, reducing the probability of both electrocution and burns. Additionally, short electrical cords keep the cord away from little hands.

Warranty & Support
The industry standard warranty for espresso machines is one year. Warranties generally cover manufacturer defects that are visibly apparent when your espresso machine is first unpackaged and used. In addition to traditional phone and email support, many manufacturers' websites include online user guides and FAQs. You can often connect with tech support through Facebook and with other espresso machine users to swap espresso recipes.

There is no need to travel to Europe or even to the local coffee shop for a hot and refreshing espresso. You can bring a piece of Italy home with your own espresso machine, and save time and money in the process. Our espresso machine reviews will help you find a machine that will fit your lifestyle and budget.