Abstract: Provided is a brewing device for an espresso maker having a brewing chamber for receiving grounds, a pressing ram mounted movably on a path of travel extending between a top position and a bottom compaction position in which it penetrates into said brewing chamber to form a cake of compacted grounds, a hydraulic drive mechanism for the pressing ram having a hydraulic pump and means for measuring the volume of hydraulic fluid injected into the drive mechanism. The brewing device has a control circuit that determines the height of the cake of compacted grounds from signals delivered by the volume measurement means during the travel of the pressing ram.

Abstract: Provided is a brewing device for an espresso maker having a brewing chamber for receiving grounds, a pressing ram mounted movably on a path of travel extending between a top position and a bottom compaction position in which it penetrates into said brewing chamber to form a cake of compacted grounds, a hydraulic drive mechanism for the pressing ram having a hydraulic pump and means for measuring the volume of hydraulic fluid injected into the drive mechanism. The brewing device has a control circuit that determines the height of the cake of compacted grounds from signals delivered by the volume measurement means during the travel of the pressing ram.

Abstract: A milk-foaming method including a preliminary preheating step during which milk is heated to a foam start production temperature between 30 and 40° C., and a foaming step during which air is added to said preheated milk such as to produce milk foam.

Abstract: An electric kettle includes a plastics material tank side wall structure for liquid to be heated and a heating arrangement including an electrical element associated with a metal heater plate mounted at the bottom of the side wall structure with its top face in direct contact with the liquid to be heated. The side wall structure includes shoulders to support a peripheral rim of the metal heater plate. A seal is disposed between the side walls and the peripheral rim of the heater plate. The kettle has a base including a skirt which fits around the side walls of the tank. A fixing arrangement attaches the base to the tank side wall structure.