The introduction of Starbucks and other retail coffee shops has increased the popularity of espresso coffee makers in the past few years. Many of us seek a way to create those wonderfully drinkable Italian creations without the need for a barista.

The espresso coffee maker was first invented in 1901 and since then there have been many versions to hit the market. Common mechanisms on an espresso maker include the portafilter which use a metal basket to hold the coffee grounds and a steam wand which can be used to froth and steam milk for drinks when needed.

The four main systems of espresso machines are discussed briefly in the article. These brief descriptions should give you a fairly accurate idea of the good and bad about each one. Preference is usually based upon application with these types of coffee makers.

Piston: The famous espresso maker manufacturer Gaggia has roots in the creation of the piston driven maker. Founder Achille Gaggia invented his creation in Italy in 1945. His coffee machine is easy to use and employs a lever mechanism to force hot tap water through the coffee grounds. This coffee machine is the basis of the popular term “pulling a shot” because of the repeated pulling action of the handle that is required. The piston driven espresso coffee machine comes in two main forms, the manual and the spring driven version. A manual espresso maker simply requires the hot water to be forced through the grounds by means of pulling the lever. The spring driven alternative requires tension to be put on a spring which builds the proper pressure that is needed.

Pump: Pump style espresso makers work off of a motorized pump. This pumps builds the force needed to brew the drink properly. This is the type of maker you will see most often in coffee shops because it gets the job done quickly. Commercial styles are hooked in to the buildings plumbing making them ideal for business use while cheaper versions that are normally used at home come with a built in water reservoir.

Steam: Steam driven espresso makers are just as simple as they sound. Steam pressure builds to push the water through the coffee grounds and it is about as simple as that. The first espresso makers created employed this type of functioning and because they require no moving parts are still used today because of the cheap manufacturing process.

Air Pressure: Commonly known as the Hanpresso, the air pressure espresso maker was introduced on store shelves in 2007 by the creator Nielsen Innovations. This small machine makes only one cup of coffee at a time though. It uses a hand held pump to push pressurized air through a chamber.

If you are looking to add an espresso maker to your home or business you can see that you have a lot of options. The setting and frequency in which you will be using the machine should be a big factor in your purchase decision. The price range on espresso coffee makers are vast and brand and ability play a huge role in the sticker price. All will give you the same result in the end, great espresso drinks.