Coffee Machines for Espresso Based Coffee Delight
Coffee machines for home
9 types of coffee machines explained
Which coffee machine to buy?
If you are about to buy a coffee machine for home you are probably asking these questions: What kind of coffee machine should I buy? What type of coffee maker is best for home use?
In this article we will look into the features of the most popular electric coffee machines, brief descriptions of how they work, as well as their positive and negative sides. Our aim is to give you an idea on what to expect from each type of coffee machine to decide which style of coffee brewing suits your taste and lifestyle best.
9 coffee making machines for home use
Electric coffee machines name list:
- Traditional espresso coffee machine
- Automatic filter coffee machine for home (automatic drip coffee machine)
- Bean-to-cup coffee machines
- Grind and brew coffee maker (espresso machine with a grinder)
- Capsule coffee machine
- Electric percolator
- Coffee machine with milk frother
- Iced coffee machine
- Coffee machine with hot chocolate
Let’s look into the details.
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Espresso coffee machine
What is an espresso machine?
A classic espresso coffee machine is a coffee brewer which uses high pressure to push water through coffee grounds. Although espresso machines are among the most expensive coffee makers to buy, they are the most flexible and robust coffee machines you can get for your home coffee bar. They are also unrivaled in the quality of coffee they deliver.
What is an espresso machine?
A classic espresso coffee machine is a coffee brewer which uses high pressure to push water through coffee grounds. Although espresso machines are among the most expensive coffee makers to buy, they are the most flexible and robust coffee machines you can get for your home coffee bar. They are also unrivaled in the quality of coffee they deliver.
Coffee espresso machine description
An espresso machine is a quite complex piece of equipment. Depending on how many functions are automated, they can include more or fewer parts. Anyhow, without getting too technical, typically the main parts of an espresso coffee machine, which you can see outside include:
- Grouphead – a part which holds the removable portafilter
- Portafilter (group handle) – a part which holds coffee grinds, it consists of a metal basket and a plastic or wooden handle
- Shot buttons
- Pressure dial
- Temperature dial
- Steam wand
- Drip tray
- Warming rack
- Power switch
If you want to know what’s inside an espresso coffee machine, check out this article: ‘How an espresso machine works: What’s really inside?’
How do espresso machines work?
Different types of espresso machines vary in how many functions are automated and what you need to do or to adjust by yourself. For instance, semi-automatic machines may control the water pressure, but allow you to regulate the amount of water you want to use. However, fully automatic espresso machines may control everything, so you just press the button to dial in your coffee. They regulate the pressure and amount of water, some also have built in coffee grinders, so there isn’t much you can change but also you don’t have to put a lot of effort.
Apart from the above, most semi -automatic espresso machines come with a milk steaming wand. If you want to learn how use a steaming wand, check out this article:
Advantages and disadvantages of electric espresso machines
Home espresso machines can produce a fantastic cup of espresso with crema on top and this will be your choice if you are after quality in your cup. The quality of coffee they produce is their main advantage.
The downside is that it takes time for the machine to warm up before use.
They also require some skills as they aren’t fully automatic. You need to know how to set pressure, tamp, choose coffee to water ratio etc. They are also more expensive than other coffee machines and take up quite a lot of space.
Drip coffee machines
What is a drip coffee machine?
A drip coffee machine, also called filter coffee machine, is an automatic coffee maker using filtration for the brewing process. It’s one of the most popular types of electric coffee makers for home due to its convenience of use, low purchase and running costs, as well as good quality of coffee it delivers.
How do drip coffee machines work?
In drip coffee machines first cold water is poured into a reservoir, and ground coffee is added to a filter. Then water heats up and goes slowly through ground coffee in the filter. The brew drips into a glass carafe that sits atop a hot plate, which keeps the coffee warm. Coffee can also be dispensed directly into a serving cup.
There are also drip coffee machines which have thermal carafe to keep the coffee warm.
Advantages and disadvantages of drip coffee machines
Electric drip coffee makers are affordable, reliable, easy to use and easy to clean. They can serve several cups of coffee at a time, so they are great if you are serving coffee for several people at a time. You can also change the coffee coffee to water ratio and use various grind sizes to get the cup you enjoy.
What are their disadvantages? One of the downsides is that coffee left in the pot when the warming plate is on, gets overheated and loses the aroma and gets bitter.
Bean-to-cup coffee machines
What are bean-to-cup coffee machines?
Bean-to-cup coffee machines description
Bean-to-cup coffee machines, also called grind and brew machines, are automated coffee makers. They grind, press and brew coffee – bean-to-cup means that all processes are integrated in one machine. They may also steam and froth milk, so you can choose your favorite coffee: latte, cappuccino, espresso, americano or other.
How do bean-to-cup machines work?
Bean-to-cup coffee machines are easy to use, you just need to select your coffee type and press the button. The machine will automatically grind your chosen amount of beans into the brew basket and start brewing the coffee straight away.
The only things you need to look after is filling up the water reservoir and the bean container. Many models allow quite a lot of flexibility – you can change the grinding coarseness, water temperature and the coffee to water ratio. Once you’ve got this set up according to your liking, coffee brewing with this type of machine is as easy as it can be!
Grind and brew machines have built-in coffee grinder, which may be blade or burr grinders, just like grinders bought separately. Here you can find out more about different types of coffee grinders.
Advantages and disadvantages of bean-to-cup machines
Their main plus sides are the convenience of use and the brew quality. As they grind coffee beans just before brewing, your coffee will always be fresh and full of aroma.
What may turn out difficult is setting the customisation options in a way you achieve the type of brew you like. They are also not the smallest, they can take up a lot of space as there are actually several machines integrated in one. Apart from that, the built-in grinders may jam and the whole machine is rather difficult to clean.
Capsule coffee machines
What are capsule coffee machines?
Capsule coffee machines, also called pod coffee machines, are fully automated coffee makers. It’s one of the most convenient and quickest ways to make coffee at home. Capsule coffee machines use the same brewing method as drip coffee machines.
How do capsule coffee makers work?
The way to operate a capsule coffee machine is very easy. You just need to place a capsule into the machine, close the lid, click start and wait for your coffee to pour into the cup.
What happens inside a coffee pod machine? Inside the machine hot water runs through the grounds contained in the pod and drips directly into your mug. The filter is located in the coffee pod and the amount of water is pre-set, so you don’t have to worry about coffee to water ratio.
Advantages and disadvantages of pod coffee machines
Their biggest advantage is the quick and easy use.
The downside is that when making coffee with a pod machine, you are limited to the types of coffee available in capsules and the pods compatible with your machine model. Also, coffee isn’t freshly ground and you won’t get a top quality cup. Another thing to consider is that pods supply is expensive which makes them one of the most expensive machines to run.
The pods are also easy to dispose of, although they may not be possible to recycle.
A pod coffee machine will be your best choice if you are after quick and easy use but don’t mind the brew quality.
Coffee percolator
What is a percolator?
Percolator is a type of electric coffee pot. In a percolator boiling water goes through the coffee grounds several times until the required strength is reached.
Percolator description
An electric percolator consists of:
- Pitcher
- Lid on top of the pitcher
- Pump stem – a vertical tube inside the pitcher
- Coffee basket with filter (in the upper part of the pitcher)
- Spreader cover on top of the basket
- Heat source under the pitcher
Modern coffee percolators usually have timers and automatically switch to a warming mode after the brewing is finished.
How does a percolator work?
Percolator uses boiling water rising through a tube to the top of a perforated basket, where it rains down over the coffee grounds. This process repeats during the extraction.
How to use a percolator?
Here is how to use a percolator: First fill the jug with water and insert the grounds chamber. Next add coffee grounds, and plug the heating element in. Water will start heating up and when it comes to a boil, it will cycle through the grounds. Your brew will be ready in just a few minutes.
Advantages and disadvantages of electric percolators
The main benefits of percolators include a tasty and consistent cup of coffee and durability of this coffee brewing device.
Their downsides are that they are difficult to clean and it’s easy to over extract the coffee. (However brewer models can stop brewing automatically and switch to warming mode).
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Coffee machine with milk frothers or steamers
Most espresso coffee machines and some drip coffee machines come with milk frothers or a steaming wand. This is certainly a feature you want to consider when deciding which coffee machine to buy. Automation of the milk frothing function makes a huge difference in the convenience of use as well. The options you will need to decide on are:
- Coffee machine with automatic milk frothing function or with a steaming wand
- Coffee machine with or without milk frothing
- Milk frothing or milk steaming
What’s the difference between a milk frother and steamer?
Milk steamer heats up the milk while steaming it and making a creamy foam. Milk frothers don’t warm up the milk, only turn it into a froth.
Coffee machines with a steaming wand or automatic steaming
It takes some practice to use a milk steaming wand effectively. You need to learn to use a steaming wand consistently, to position it in a jug of milk at the right angle and depth, get the milk spinning and to get air bubbles into the milk. This is a good option if you already know how to do it or are ready to put some effort into learning how to do it.
If you prefer a hassle-free way to froth your milk, some coffee machines have easy to use steam wands that allow switching between frothy milk or flat, steamed milk.
There are also machines which combine manual steam wands with a semi-automatic mode. In those you can simply place the steam wand into the milk jug, put the jug with milk on top of a temperature sensor on the machine’s tray, then press a button and let it do the work.
Another effortless type of coffee machine is the bean-to-cup type. These coffee makers pour coffee into your cup, then steam and froth the milk in the container inside the machine before adding it to your coffee.
Iced coffee machine
What is an iced coffee maker?
An iced coffee machine is similar to a regular coffee maker. It brews hot coffee, however coffee is dispensed over ice. What’s unique about them is that iced coffee makers rapidly cool coffee after brewing. This type of coffee maker typically has a built-in filter, carafe, and an ice reservoir.
Advantages and disadvantages of iced coffee makers
Their main advantage is the convenience of use and the integrated ice container part.
However, they are not necessarily value for money for what they do. You can achieve the same effect using any other type of coffee making device and pouring it over ice in a glass. Also, if you want to add milk to your iced coffee, you will normally need to add it separately. Most iced coffee makers also come without milk frother, so you will need to use a separate milk frother.
Coffee machine with hot chocolate
Can coffee machines make hot chocolate?
Yes, you can get a coffee and hot chocolate machine for home. Or you can simply add chocolate powder to the cup and press the milk only button or steam milk with a wand in your coffee express. It’s about the hot, frothy milk for your hot chocolate drink.
Are there any automatic coffee machines with hot chocolate?
Yes, for instance pod coffee machines can deliver hot chocolate, just look for hot chocolate capsules for your machine.
A classic espresso machine to make hot chocolate
Can I use a coffee espresso machine to make hot chocolate?
Yes, you can! To do this, add the chocolate powder to the milk in the pitcher. Using the steam function, dip the milk steaming wand into the milk and open the steam dial fully. This way you can make a frothy hot chocolate drink. However, remember to clean the stamping wand well after that.
Summary
Which coffee machine is best?
There isn’t one best coffee machine for all needs. This will depend on your personal needs and tastes in coffee you enjoy. Before buying a coffee machine you need to decide what’s most important for you. Your coffee machine buying criteria will include:
- Brewing time
- Brew quality and flavors in coffee
- Acceptable cost of purchase and running costs
- Skills required to operate the coffee machine vs the convenience of use
- Automation level
- Reliability
- Serving size
- Space the machine takes up
- Maintenance and cleaning
- Extra functions such as: milk frothing, grinding
Best options for convenience
If you need an easy to use machine for brewing large amounts of coffee at a time, then a drip coffee machine is a great option. If you normally don’t need to serve large amounts of coffee at the same time and quick, easy use is your priority – capsule coffee machines are something to look into. However, bear in mind that coffee in capsules comes out more expensive than beans or ground coffee.
Best coffee machine for quality cup
If you are an espresso lover and the taste and aroma in the cup are most important for you, then nothing will replace a traditional espresso machine.
Coffee machines on Amazon
20 Bar Espresso Coffee Machine, Compatible with Capsules or Coffee Grounds iIncludes Powerful Milk Frother
Automatic Programable Filter Coffee Machine Compatible with K-Cup Pods or Grounds. 3 Ways to Brew.
