Do Espresso Machines Make Cappuccino? A Detailed Explanation

Do Espresso Machines Make Cappuccino?

The good news is that you can make cappuccinos using espresso machines.

Cappuccino has a ratio of ⅓ espresso, ⅓ steamed milk, and ⅓ milk foam. High-end coffee machines are fully equipped with tools to assist you in the brewing process. They also offer more options as you can add other espresso-based drinks like a latte or flat white.

It is best to choose models that integrate with the steamer wand because this tool will steam and foam milk. If you're buying the primary espresso machine, you'll need to add a milk frother to perform that task.

How To Make Cappuccino Using An Espresso Machines

How to use espresso machine to make cappuccino? After choosing the right equipment, get ready to learn how to make this fantastic drink.

Things You’ll Need

You will need a few tools to be able to make cappuccinos at home. These include:

• Ground coffee (take the right amount).

• Espresso machine.

• Clean water.

• A scale.

• Volumetric shot glass.

• Milk jug.

• Tamper.

• Portafilter.

• Thermometer.

Since you're making a hot beverage, temperature matters. It's best to steam the milk and foam it at 150-150°F to keep its perfect shape.

Many people can use their hands to adjust the temperature. But that's usually the professional bartender. For beginners, it's best to get yourself a thermometer.

In addition, you also need a milk jug for the milking step and creating milk foam. The best material is stainless steel. You should also choose a jar with a faucet because it makes the job a lot easier.

Step-By-Step Guides

We will learn how to make a cappuccino at home with an espresso machine here.

Preparation

The first thing that you need to do is pour clean water into the device's water tank. Ensure the water is clean and free of impurities so that the coffee retains its aroma and does not deteriorate. Then, turn on and warm up the machine for 15-45 minutes. The heating time depends on the device size.

Lock an empty port filter to the top of the group. Place the portafilter under the grinder, then spread the ground coffee evenly over the surface.

Tamping

 

The next step involves shuffling and spreading the ground coffee. A helpful tip is to use the “Staub Tamp” technique and then gently twist the tamper to release the pressure.

Standard ground coffee needs to have excellent and uniform compression. If you notice any unevenness or mess, change the batch.

After testing, lock the portafilter and start brewing.

Espressos Brewing

During brewing, the standard temperature for good espressos ranges from 195-205°F. It would help if you incubated the solution for 20-30 seconds. Coffee beans after brewing must be solid, dry, and even.

If you see watery coffee grounds, rub them again.

You can watch the video if you want to learn more about it.

 

Youtube source: Joshua Weissman

Making Milk Froth

After we have finished making coffee, we will move on to the steaming and frothing phase. A steam wand is a tool that will assist you. Before using it, don't forget to wipe it clean and let it steam for a few seconds to kill bacteria.

Cold fresh milk is a required ingredient to create milk foam.

You will only steam the necessary amount of milk. Let's start by pouring ⅓ of the milk into the pitcher. Submerge the steam wand into the flask to a depth of about half an inch and a 15-degree angle. Then press the active button.

The foaming process combines air into the milk to create an acceptable foam. You will see the volume of milk start to increase, do not let it exceed 50%. When the temperature reaches between 120-140°F, then turn off the steam valve.

You should not let the temperature be too high because the milk is easy to burn.

Pouring Milk Foam

To ensure that the micro-foams blend together, swirl the milk around the bottle during steaming.

Apply evenly to the edges of the cup when pouring milk. Pour milk from the center, low height from the rim of the cup, and shake gently. You need to tilt the bottle slightly towards the cup as the milk foam pours out.

Espresso Machine Vs. Cappuccino Machine

Espresso and cappuccino machines are two completely separate devices. If you want to know how to tell the difference between them, you can't miss the content below.

Espresso Machines

As the name suggests, the primary function of this machine is to make espressos. This rich and delicious coffee is an inspiration to so many people.

This device was born to meet the needs of making coffees every morning without spending too much time. This type of machine can only make espressos and doesn't need any other requirements.

When demand has increased, manufacturers have added support parts such as milk steamers so that users can prepare more diverse recipes.

The price of this machine is available at all levels. You can buy a basic device for just a few hundred dollars, but you can also opt for more advanced equipment.

Pros

• Ability to extract concentrated coffee with a layer of crema thanks to high pressure.

• Some products come with a milk frothing arm to prepare a variety of espresso-based drinks.

• Suitable for practicing mixing.

• Suitable for cafes.

• There are many options for management levels, from manual to automatic, based on your preference.

Cons

• Espresso makers need a steaming arm if they want to make cappuccino.

• High price.

• It takes practice to get used to it.

Cappuccino Machines

This appliance is specialized for making cappuccinos. However, not all machines use espressos. Some inexpensive devices will use strong filter coffee to create the same effect.

Those who want a classic cappuccino should opt for an espresso maker with a milk steamer.

Some products have arms to heat and foam the milk. You can add more or less coffee during the brewing process. Those who want convenience choose automatic devices. They have milk and coffee compartments for instant brewing.

The price of cappuccino makers is quite diverse to fit your budget.

Pros

• Cheap and affordable rates.

• Most cappuccino makers are capable of making other espresso-based drinks.

• Convenient and time-saving pod system.

• There are different cup size options, from small to large.

Cons

• It can't make the classic cappuccinos taste.

• Quite troublesome to clean because there are many different parts.

You can distinguish these two devices via the comparison table.

	Espresso maker	Cappuccino maker
Pricing	- The cost is usually high. - Machines with steaming wands are pretty expensive.	- Cheap and accessible.
Usage	- Can make espressos or other espresso-based drinks.	- Can prepare cappuccino and some similar drinks. - Not make espressos.
Ease Of Using	It takes time to practice using it.	Easy to use.

 

If you opt for an espresso maker with a steamer, you can make cappuccinos and related drinks. This product is the perfect choice for coffee addicts and wants to change the menu variety.

For those who have a limited budget, we recommend that you own dedicated equipment for a cappuccino.

Hopefully, this article will help you when preparing and choosing the right product. Thank you for reading!