Plain-English guides to home espresso machines: how they work, how to look after them, and which ones are worth the money.https://firstcrema.com/https://firstcrema.com/guides/baratza-encore-espresso-grind-setting/https://firstcrema.com/guides/baratza-encore-espresso-grind-setting/Which grind setting to use for espresso on a Baratza Encore ESP, why the original Encore struggles with espresso, and how to adjust from there.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/accessories/best-bottomless-portafilter/https://firstcrema.com/accessories/best-bottomless-portafilter/Four bottomless portafilters matched to 51mm, 54mm and 58mm espresso machines, with how to check the fit and what a naked portafilter shows you.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/accessories/best-espresso-cups/https://firstcrema.com/accessories/best-espresso-cups/Three espresso cups compared on material, size and heat retention, with the cup sizes that fit under an espresso machine and suit each drink.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/accessories/best-espresso-grinder/https://firstcrema.com/accessories/best-espresso-grinder/Four espresso grinders for home use, from an affordable all-rounder to a quiet Italian flat burr grinder, with who each one suits.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/machines/best-espresso-machine-under-1000/https://firstcrema.com/machines/best-espresso-machine-under-1000/Five espresso machines under $1,000 compared by heating system, build and ease of use, with a clear recommendation for each type of home barista.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/machines/best-prosumer-espresso-machine/https://firstcrema.com/machines/best-prosumer-espresso-machine/The best prosumer espresso machine in each category, single boiler, heat exchanger and dual boiler, and how to decide which type you need.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/guides/espresso-drinks-explained/https://firstcrema.com/guides/espresso-drinks-explained/What is in each espresso drink: latte, cappuccino, flat white, macchiato, cortado, americano and mocha, with ratios of espresso, milk and foam.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/guides/espresso-grind-size/https://firstcrema.com/guides/espresso-grind-size/How fine espresso should be ground, what it should look and feel like, and a simple method for adjusting your grinder until the shot tastes right.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/accessories/espresso-machine-accessories-guide/https://firstcrema.com/accessories/espresso-machine-accessories-guide/The espresso machine accessories that genuinely improve your coffee, with one recommended pick in each category and the ones you can skip.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/accessories/espresso-machine-filter-basket-guide/https://firstcrema.com/accessories/espresso-machine-filter-basket-guide/The types of espresso filter basket, how pressurized and non-pressurized baskets differ, which sizes exist and which one you should be using.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/maintenance/espresso-machine-not-pumping-water/https://firstcrema.com/maintenance/espresso-machine-not-pumping-water/Why an espresso machine stops pumping water and how to fix it: air locks, tank seating, blocked baskets, scale and a failing pump, in order of likelihood.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/accessories/espresso-machine-pressure-gauge-guide/https://firstcrema.com/accessories/espresso-machine-pressure-gauge-guide/How to read an espresso machine pressure gauge, the difference between brew and boiler gauges, what readings mean and how to act on them.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/reviews/eureka-mignon-grinders-compared/https://firstcrema.com/reviews/eureka-mignon-grinders-compared/The Eureka Mignon espresso grinder range compared: Notte, Silenzio, Specialita and Zero, with the differences that matter and who each suits.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/guides/how-does-an-espresso-machine-work/https://firstcrema.com/guides/how-does-an-espresso-machine-work/What happens inside an espresso machine between pressing the button and coffee hitting the cup, explained part by part without the jargon.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/maintenance/how-to-clean-an-espresso-machine/https://firstcrema.com/maintenance/how-to-clean-an-espresso-machine/A simple cleaning routine for home espresso machines: what to do after every shot, once a week and once a month, and what each step actually prevents.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/guides/how-to-dial-in-espresso/https://firstcrema.com/guides/how-to-dial-in-espresso/A clear method for dialing in espresso: set the dose, choose a yield, adjust the grind by time, then fine-tune by taste. With a troubleshooting table.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/guides/how-to-grind-coffee-beans-without-a-grinder/https://firstcrema.com/guides/how-to-grind-coffee-beans-without-a-grinder/Five ways to grind coffee beans with ordinary kitchen tools, which brew methods each grind suits, and why none of them work well for espresso.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/guides/how-to-make-espresso-without-a-machine/https://firstcrema.com/guides/how-to-make-espresso-without-a-machine/Three ways to make strong, espresso-style coffee without an espresso machine, using a moka pot, an AeroPress or a French press, with honest expectations.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/guides/how-to-use-a-breville-espresso-machine/https://firstcrema.com/guides/how-to-use-a-breville-espresso-machine/How to use a Breville espresso machine such as the Barista Express or Bambino: first setup, grinding, dosing, pulling a shot and steaming milk.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/guides/how-to-use-a-delonghi-espresso-machine/https://firstcrema.com/guides/how-to-use-a-delonghi-espresso-machine/How to use a De'Longhi pump espresso machine such as the Stilosa or Dedica: priming, choosing the filter, pulling a shot and frothing milk.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/guides/is-an-espresso-machine-worth-it/https://firstcrema.com/guides/is-an-espresso-machine-worth-it/Whether a home espresso machine is worth buying: the real costs, how long it takes to pay for itself, and who should and should not get one.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/guides/types-of-espresso-machines/https://firstcrema.com/guides/types-of-espresso-machines/The main types of espresso machine explained: manual lever, semi-automatic, automatic, super-automatic and capsule, with who each one suits.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/accessories/what-do-you-need-for-an-espresso-machine/https://firstcrema.com/accessories/what-do-you-need-for-an-espresso-machine/The accessories you actually need with an espresso machine, the ones that are nice to have, and the ones you can skip, with rough costs.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/guides/what-is-espresso/https://firstcrema.com/guides/what-is-espresso/What espresso actually is, how it differs from regular coffee, what goes into a shot and why it tastes the way it does.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://firstcrema.com/guides/why-is-my-espresso-sour/https://firstcrema.com/guides/why-is-my-espresso-sour/Sour espresso almost always means under-extraction. Here are the six common causes, in the order to check them, and the fix for each.Thu, 12 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT