If you’re more interested in convenience rather than learning to pull a great espresso, then an automatic machine might be just for you.
The automatic machines have the same components as a semi-automatic and you have the convenience of electronic controls to start and stop the brew cycle automatically. You simply dial in the time and the machine does the rest, hence the word “automatic”.
Most of these automatic machines can be programmed to stop short for a “ristretto” or long for a “lungo”.
Ristretto is Italian and is a very “short” shot of espresso. This means pulling a shot faster than usual using the same amount of water as a regular shot of espresso.
Lungo is also Italian for “long” and refers to the shot made with much more water (generally twice as much), resulting in a stretched espresso.
There is no doubt that a great shot of espresso can be extracted by a skilled barista (you) on a semi-automatic machine but if you are not really interested in practicing, the automatic machine is for you, because the automatic espresso machine will produce superior espresso with the shortest leaning curve.
