Tips for choosing a coffee machine for your home
Choosing a coffee machine for home use is always based on personal preferences. But there are also objective parameters that should be taken into account . Let's look at the most common aspects of technology selection.
Operating pressure
Try to choose a machine with constant pressure during the cooking process. Optimal for a quality drink is 9 bar.
Reliability
Pay attention to the build quality of the device and the materials from which the coffee maker is made. Find out if the product comes with a warranty. Let us note that world-famous manufacturers always try to ensure that their devices function stably and the service system works efficiently.
Reference. For example, machines from Jura and Saeco are distinguished by high quality and performance, and the manufacturers themselves provide a two-year warranty on the equipment.
Ease of use
In order for the machine to delight with aromatic coffee, its users must perform a number of simple actions : add grains and water, remove used raw materials and empty the drip tray. The frequency of all operations depends, first of all, on the volume of each container (for water, beans, ground powder, used coffee and drip tray) and then on the productivity of the coffee machine. If you correctly evaluate these factors, the device will not require frequent maintenance and will remain your faithful assistant for a long time.
Performance
Choose a device based on the number of servings you and your family need . The average coffee machine takes 1-2 servings of ground product and up to 350 g of beans.
Estimated cost
Based on this parameter, select only those options that you cannot do without : the presence of a cappuccino maker, coffee grind adjustment, delay timer, information about the current state of the machine and the amount of coffee, water, milk.
Brewing mechanism type
There are removable and rigidly fixed .
The first ones can be easily removed on their own; they are washed under running water about once a month. But it will not be possible to wash the machine’s hydraulic system (pipes and hoses). They will still contain coffee oils and remnants of old coffee, which over time will negatively affect the taste of the drink - they will add bitterness. Washing of such non-removable parts is done using special tablets, if this is provided for by additional settings in the program.
How does a capsule machine work and how does it differ from a grain machine?
The capsule device uses ground and pressed coffee in ready-made molds . To prepare one serving of the drink, one such capsule is taken and placed in a compartment where the sealed packaging is pierced. Hot water is then released under pressure and passed through the compressed coffee. Afterwards the finished drink is poured into a cup. The used container is thrown away.
To understand which is better - a capsule or automatic coffee machine, it is worth knowing the structure and operating principle of the second model. It consists of a built-in coffee grinder, water tank and waste compartment. All you need to do to get your drink is refill the bean compartment and water tank, select the grind level and cup size.
The machine grinds the raw materials, the powder is compacted into a filter and hot water is passed through the compressed granules. As a result, the drink flows from the brewing device through the tubes into the cup .
Reference. When choosing an automatic device, pay attention to the ability to adjust the grinding fineness. There is equipment with numerous options for setting up the machine and a warning about the lack of ingredients.
The common advantage of these two devices is the quick preparation of a drink at the touch of a button.
Kinds
When choosing a unit for making coffee, you should keep in mind that there are several types of coffee makers and coffee machines. Having learned the features of each of these devices, you will be able to decide which would be better to purchase.
Different types of coffee makers
There are several types of devices:
- geyser;
- drip;
- capsule;
- carob.
Drip
Drip devices are easy to use and have a simple design. They are suitable for making Americano. The device operates according to the following principle:
- water is poured into a special compartment;
- crushed grains are placed in the filter;
- after turning on the device, the liquid heats up;
- steam is formed, which soon condenses;
- The water passes through the filter drop by drop and flows into the cup.
Carob
The carob coffee maker is equipped with a holder. Ground coffee is placed in it. The liquid under high pressure moves through the holder into a preheated container.
Geyser
Geyser devices at the bottom of the structure heat the water. Steam rises through the filter with crushed grains into the upper compartment. The finished drink accumulates in it.
Capsule
Capsule-type devices are especially popular. Their peculiarity lies in the use of capsules containing crushed grains. Their main advantage is the ability to accurately calculate the raw materials for preparing a serving of espresso.
Modern coffee machines
Modern home appliances are semi-automatic and automatic. In addition, they are divided into the following varieties:
- Espresso combines . The units are equipped with a coffee grinder. Therefore, it is possible to use whole grains.
- Carobaceae. Considered the easiest to use. Espresso is prepared by placing crushed beans or pods into a cone. Steam under pressure moves through the raw material and enters the filter.
- Capsule. The drink is prepared by using special capsules, which are sealed with foil and opened immediately before brewing.
- Portioned. Espresso is brewed according to a principle similar to carob devices. They contain a tablet designed to produce a certain volume of coffee.
Comparative characteristics of capsule and grain machines
Which is better: a capsule coffee machine or a regular one? A question that haunts everyone who wants to purchase equipment of this kind.
Since these machines have their own nuances of operation, we conducted a comparative analysis of them so that potential consumers could make the best choice:
| Comparison options | Bean coffee machine | Capsule coffee machine |
| Principle of operation | The grain machine independently grinds the beans, selects the optimal amount of water per serving of coffee and its temperature, steams the powder with boiling water and produces a high-quality finished drink. Since grinding occurs immediately before preparation, the raw material does not have time to oxidize under the influence of air, therefore it ideally preserves the taste and aroma of coffee. | Capsule machines have a similar principle of working with grains, but here there is no need to grind coffee, measure and pour the required amount into the compartment. The capsule contains already roasted, carefully ground, concentrated, pressed coffee, enclosed in an airtight package. Therefore, coffee ingredients are always fresh. At the same time, you don’t need to master the art of preparing the drink; it’s enough to have a general understanding of the types of coffee to choose the right capsule - a smart machine will do all the work for you. |
| Convenience | To prepare a drink, human participation is required at all stages of the machine’s operation: pouring beans, selecting the degree of grinding, compacting the raw materials in the filter, temperature control, manually frothing milk, etc. | The entire process is automated; you only need to fill the tank with water to the desired level and install the capsule in the compartment. |
| Drink selection | You can choose any type of coffee. | The choice of capsules is limited by the brand of the coffee machine. If you run out of capsules at home, simply ground and compacted coffee will not work. |
| Rapidity | The preparation speed of drinks is on average 1.5 minutes. | High speed - no more than a minute to prepare even the most complex drinks. |
| Dimensions | Coffee machines often take up a lot of space; their dimensions are compared to a microwave oven. | The devices are compact and easy to use. |
| Noise level | The machine is productive and operates almost silently (when it is not grinding beans), so it simultaneously prepares coffee for a different number of people. | Users note that the appliances are noisy, and only one portion of coffee is prepared at a time. |
| Cleaning | Cleaning should be carried out regularly, depending on the type of brewing mechanism. | You don’t have to wash the car often; moreover, expensive models have an automatic cleaning function. |
| Car cost | The price for automatic cars starts from 50 thousand rubles. | Wide price range: from 4 thousand rubles. and higher. |
| Cost of a serving of coffee | On average 10 rubles. | On average 20 rubles. |
Thus, none of the presented machine options is without drawbacks, and the choice is limited only by human preferences . Capsule technology is more suitable for people who value their time and comfort, while a grain device will appeal to connoisseurs of real coffee prepared under their personal control.
Review of the best models
We have prepared for you an overview of the best models for different needs:
| Purpose | Capsule coffee machine | Bean coffee machine | ||
| For home | Model | Description | Model | Description |
| Bosch TAS 3202 3203 3204 3205 | The price of such models is from 3.5 thousand rubles. To prepare coffee, Tassimo capsules with 11 types of drink are used. The device has a water tank of 0.8 l. There is a reservoir to collect drops. The design includes a cup stand. Self-cleaning from scale and a self-shut-off option are provided. The machine is lightweight - only 2.14 kg, because the body is made of plastic. Among the obvious advantages of the models are automation, beautiful appearance and automatic coffee detection. | Melitta Caffeo Solo | Compact model with a price starting from 23 thousand rubles. Has a power of 1400 W and a pressure of 15 bar. Water tank - 1.2 l. A machine with a built-in coffee grinder, where you can choose three grinding levels. The device will prepare espresso automatically with control of strength, water temperature and pre-wetting. The device descales itself and has a 2-year warranty. No cons were identified. | |
| Delonghi EN 520 Nespresso Lattissima | The average market price for a coffee machine is 20 thousand rubles. The machine has a capacity of 0.9 liters for water and 0.35 liters for milk and uses Nespresso capsules. Additional options include: an indication of the need for cleaning, a liquid level control system and a mechanism for recording the fact of switching on. A drink for two cups is prepared at the same time. Cappuccino is prepared automatically. | De'Longhi ECAM 350.55 | The average price is 41 thousand rubles. The machine has a power of 1450 W and a pressure of 15 bar. Water tank 1.8 l, container for beans 300 g. There is control of strength, water temperature and automatic decalcification, can prepare two cups of coffee at once. Among the advantages is the “My Menu” button, with which you can program the strength, amount of coffee and milk for 11 drink options. The manufacturer provides a 5-year warranty. | |
| For office | Delonghi EN 80 Inissia | A coffee machine with an average price of 12 thousand rubles. Has a waste container for 10 capsules, automatic shutdown after 9 minutes from the moment the last cup is prepared. Users note its stylish appearance and compactness, as well as the ease of use of the cappuccino maker and the availability of consumables. | Philips HD 8649 | The average cost of equipment is 19 thousand rubles. The device has a power of 1400 W and a water capacity of 1 liter, and it only works on coffee beans. Among the settings there are: adjustment of water portions, automatic decalcification. You can cook two cups at the same time. Users do not note any serious shortcomings. The manufacturer provides a 2-year guarantee of trouble-free operation. |
| Krups KP 1201 1205 1206 1208 Mini Me | The cost of the car starts from 4 thousand rubles. Power 1500 W, water tank volume 0.8 l. The settings include auto shut-off, a capsule indicator, and a height-adjustable cup stand. Users note the ease of use and maintenance, and a large assortment of capsules. | Saeco Aulika Top High Speed Cappuccino | Price from 85 thousand rubles. The device has a water capacity of 4 liters, a power of 1400 W, and a container for grains up to 1 kg. Additional functions include simultaneous supply of milk foam and coffee, and the use of cups for Cup to Go drinks is allowed. When used for industrial purposes, the machine is connected to an external water source. | |
Why is pressure so important when making coffee?
There are two types of devices for preparing coffee under pressure:
- which prepare coffee under low pressure - geyser coffee makers (pressure about 2 bar) and simple capsule coffee machines (pressure about 3-4 bar);
- which prepare a drink under high pressure - automatic, manual and capsule coffee machines (pressure about 15-18 bar).
The higher the pressure, the higher the quality of the prepared coffee. As a result of high pressure, grain particles maximize the fullness of aroma and taste, and every time you get a cup of delicious drink, like in a cafe. In a coffee machine and geyser coffee maker, hot water vapor under pressure is forced through the ground grains, but the quality will certainly be much higher with a coffee machine.
Difference between automatic coffee machine and coffee maker
The coffee maker, where the process of making coffee is not complete without human intervention, fades into the background, giving way to modern high-tech equipment. In such a device , all processes are regulated automatically; a person is only required to maintain the operation of the machine : filling grains, replenishing the water tank and emptying the waste container.
Let’s take a closer look at the key differences between these devices.:
| Comparison options | Carob coffee maker | Automatic coffee machine |
| Principle of operation | Before hot water or steam passes through the coffee tablet in the cone, a person will need to prepare the ground powder, pour the required amount into the cone, and compact it there. Only then does the coffee enter the cup with the greatest amount of aromatic substances. | The preparation process is automatic: grinding coffee beans, measuring portions, compacting, brewing and filling the mug with an aromatic drink. |
| Taste and strength of the drink | The strength of the drink cannot be adjusted programmatically, since it depends on many factors: the degree of compression of the coffee in the cone (only an experienced barista with a tamper will be able to compact the raw materials so that the coffee absorbs the optimal amount of coffee extract), the quality of the grind (fine grind means stronger coffee) and the material of the horn itself. | Before the machine brews coffee on its own, the person is offered a choice of strength and serving size. |
| Cappuccino option | There is often a steam wand that is used to froth the milk for cappuccino. You just have to control the process: hold the cup of milk and turn it slightly. | Most machines have an automatic cappuccino maker that “takes” the milk from the container, prepares the milk foam and pours it into a cup of prepared coffee. |
| Price | Simplicity of the device at a low price and decent quality of coffee output. | The high cost of the device is compensated by the ease of use and high quality of the resulting drink. |
| Noise level and dimensions | The device is quite compact and does not produce much noise. | In terms of dimensions, the device resembles an oven, and noise from the built-in coffee grinder is often heard. |
| Additional options | Often, ordinary coffee makers are equipped with primitive functions such as indicators of the water level in the container and water temperature, and protection against overheating. In rare cases, a kit for using pods. | It has a built-in coffee grinder, you can prepare two cups of espresso and cappuccino at the same time. The “fast steam” system will reduce the coffee preparation time due to the additional heating system. |
| Cleaning | After each serving of the prepared drink, you will have to clean the horn of used coffee and rinse the filter. | Most machines are capable of descaling themselves using special tablets. Also, automatic equipment is often equipped with a filtration system that softens water hardness up to 75%. |
| Who is it suitable for? | For people who drink coffee infrequently or in small quantities. The device is interesting for its preparation process, so it is suitable for coffee lovers who are accustomed to independently controlling all stages of creating a drink. | Needed where coffee is drunk in large quantities. |
What is the main difference?
The main difference and difference between a coffee maker and a coffee machine is autonomy . The first device requires direct human participation, while the second is fully automated and capable of preparing drinks of any level of complexity.
Attention! In addition, the coffee maker only works with ground beans or pods, while a modern coffee machine grinds whole beans during operation.
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