Buying Guides
Independent guides to choosing home coffee equipment: what matters, what doesn't, and the trade-offs.
Learn the Basics
How to Store Coffee Beans and Keep Them Fresh
Keep coffee tasting fresh for longer: protect beans from air, light, heat and moisture, buy smaller bags, and grind just before you brew.
How to Clean and Descale an Espresso Machine
A calm, simple routine for keeping an espresso machine tasting fresh: daily habits, cleaning cycles for coffee oils, and descaling for mineral scale.
How to Froth Milk at Home: Frother or Steam Wand
Silky milk for lattes and cappuccinos at home, with an electric frother or an espresso machine's steam wand. Temperatures, milks and simple steps.
How to Use an AeroPress: A Simple, Forgiving Recipe
A simple AeroPress recipe (15 g coffee to 220 g water), step by step, plus how to make it stronger, smoother or iced.
How to Dial In Espresso: A Simple Method for Beginners
Keep the recipe fixed and change only the grind. A simple, repeatable way to dial in espresso, with a taste-and-adjust table for sour or bitter shots.
54 mm vs 58 mm Portafilter: Which Accessories Fit Your Machine?
Breville's Bambino Plus and Barista Express use a 54 mm portafilter, so most espresso accessories won't fit. Which tools fit which machine, and how to check.