Hamilton Beach 40715 Use & Care - Page 12

840181701 ENnv01.qxd:Layout 1 6/17/09 11:34 AM Page 12 Tips for Making Espresso • For best results, use fresh-ground, dark, espresso roast coffee. • If espresso preground coffee is used, store the unused portion in an airtight container and keep in a cool, dark area for up to one week. • The grind of the coffee will affect the taste of the coffee and how the appliance works. If the grind is too coarse, water will flow too fast through the coffee and result in a weaker flavor. If the grind is too fine, the flavor may be too strong or bitter, and the grounds may clog the filter. • For hotter espresso, preheat the filter holder, the ground espresso filter, and the pod filter by first brewing water into the cups for a few seconds and then emptying the brewed water. CAUTION: The filter holder, ground espresso filter, and pod filter are hot. • Espresso beans may be ground in a coffee grinder. For best results, use the Hamilton Beach Custom Grind™ coffee grinder on the espresso setting. If grinding espresso in a store or using a burr mill, then use a setting that is one to two notches coarser than the espresso setting. • Grind your espresso so that it looks gritty, like salt or sand. It is too fine if it looks like powder and feels like flour. If the coffee is ground too fine, then the water will not flow through the coffee. • Espresso pods make it even easier to brew a great cup of espresso and cleanup is as easy as throwing out the used pod. Pods can be purchased at many local coffee houses and specialty housewares stores. A Web search for "coffee pods" will also connect you with many coffee pod suppliers. • Always use cold water to make coffee. Warm water or other liquids could cause damage to the appliance. 12