How to choose a good coffee machine for your home

Real coffee connoisseurs are especially critical about the choice of bean variety, so instant drinks are not even taken into account. But to brew a delicious coffee in a turbo, you need to spend a lot of time. And a coffee machine is good because you just need to press a button and get the desired cappuccino or latte. In addition, you do not need to make sure that the drink does not “run away” or burn. While you’re wasting time getting ready in the morning, a mini-barista in your kitchen brews your coffee.

Types of coffee machines: pros and cons

There are several main types of coffee machines.

Capsule coffee machine

To prepare coffee, special capsules are used, which are sold in any supermarket. The capsules are ground coffee sealed inside a container. There are several options for flavors, from latte to nutty macchiato, focus on your preferences.

Water is poured into the machine and the capsule is inserted into the compartment. You just need to insert a mug and start the appliance. Under pressure, the capsule is pierced, a stream of hot water flows through it and is poured into the cup. Each capsule contains a precisely measured amount of coffee, which ensures a uniform flavor and quality of the drink.

Pros:

easy to use;
fast brewing coffee;
large assortment of different flavors of capsules – espresso, Americano, latte, cappuccino;
small size of the device, which allows you to place the coffee machine in the kitchen.

Minuses:

drinks turn out to be of average or even below average strength;
high cost of the capsules themselves;
one of the disadvantages of capsule coffee machines is the problem of waste from used capsules; some manufacturers offer biodegradable or recyclable capsules to reduce the negative impact on the environment.

Chalice coffee machine

The principle of operation is similar to the capsule machine. Only in this case you need not capsules, but chalds – paper bags with frequent perforations and with already ground coffee. In appearance, they resemble the usual tea bags. The chalds are also put into the compartment and poured with hot water.

Pros:

ease of use;
fast brewing of coffee.

Minuses:

Small flavor selection of chalds and their high cost.

Carob coffee machine

The device, which is often called an espresso coffee maker, is equipped with a holder with a handle. In it, with the help of a special device – tempera – ground coffee is tamped, then the horn is inserted into a recess in the device and the brewing of the drink is started. Some models have built-in grinders and cappuccinators.

Pros:

the ability to prepare milk drinks with the help of a cappuccinator;
you can control the coffee strength level.

Minuses:

you have to clean the cone and filter after each use.

Automatic coffee machine

A real find for coffee lovers. This machine will do everything by itself – it is only important to monitor the volumes of water, coffee beans and milk. Usually the ingredient tanks are designed so that several cups of coffee can be prepared.

Automatic coffee machine is equipped with a control panel, you can choose what kind of drink you want today – from classic espresso to unusual ristretto. Such a device is convenient in that the coffee grounds fall into a built-in urn, which needs to be emptied periodically. Depending on the model and additional functions, simultaneous preparation of two cups is possible, there is also a built-in water filtration system.

Pros:

large selection of drinks;
richer coffee flavor;
automated fast operation.

Minuses:

high price;
large size of the device, which will have to be allocated a separate place.

Important characteristics

Before choosing a coffee machine for the home, you need to familiarize yourself with the technical indicators and understand what you need.

Power

High power allows you to prepare coffee faster. However, such devices beat on energy costs. Therefore, if you are usually not in a big hurry and are ready to spend a little more time on brewing coffee, choose models with a power of 1000-1500 watts.

Hot water pressure

From it depends on the preparation of coffee in the brewing unit. It is preferable to choose devices with medium pressure, as a low level will not allow the drink to brew to the normal strength and saturation.

Type of heater

Usually two types of heating elements are used.

Boiler. Water is heated in a special compartment-boiler to the required temperature. After that, the liquid passes through the ground coffee, and in the end we get a drink. The plus side of a boiler system is the energy savings and greater productivity. Devices with boilers are usually used in coffee shops.

Thermoblock. In this case, the water is heated in portions using spiral-shaped heating elements. Such a system is equipped with most home coffee machines. They are more compact, lighter in weight.

Volumes of coffee and water tanks

It all depends on how many cups of coffee you intend to brew in a short period of time – for example, in the morning. A water tank of 1.5-2 liters is sufficient for a family of two adults.

Additional functions

Some models are equipped with additional features that make the process of preparing drinks more comfortable.

Timer

A buzzer alerts you when your coffee is ready. Drink it while it’s hot.

Simultaneous preparation of two cups

This is very convenient if there is more than one coffee gourmet in the family. You don’t have to wait for your turn, but can enjoy a flavorful beverage together.

Flavor enhancement

This is due to the pre-brewing of coffee – the drink turns out to be richer, more aromatic, stronger.

Self-cleaning descaling

Such a system itself monitors the formation of minerals and neutralizes them, also usually in such devices is attached auto-cleaning cappuccinatore. However, these systems cannot completely clean the tanks, so manual washing will still be required.

Cup warming

The mug on the tray is heated before the liquid is prepared and dispensed. In addition, you will forget about such a problem as cold coffee.

Hot chocolate

There are devices with a separate container for grated chocolate, cocoa and milk. Children will be happy with this invention – you can make hot chocolate every morning. The main thing – under parental supervision.

Choosing coffee beans for your coffee machine

With capsule and chalde devices, everything is clear – the flavor characteristics are indicated on the capsules and chalde themselves. And for carob and automatic machines, you should choose beans that determine the quality and flavor of the coffee. Therefore, some points should not be ignored. Namely:

The freshness of the beans. It is preferable to choose freshly roasted coffee beans, as they retain a rich aroma and flavor. Pay attention to the date of roasting on the package.
Coffee variety. Each has its own characteristics. Familiarize yourself with the different varieties (Arabica, Robusta and others) and choose the one that suits your preferences.
The degree of roasting of the coffee beans. Influences their flavor qualities.

How do I care for my coffee machine?

Caring for a carob coffee machine

After each use, rinse the carob filter under running water to remove any coffee residue. We recommend wiping the body and other surfaces of the machine with a dry cloth.

Rinsing the coffee machine. Rinse your coffee machine regularly with special detergent tablets or a descaling solution. This will help keep your machine clean and running smoothly.

Coffee grinder maintenance. If your coffee machine has a built-in grinder, clean it regularly to maintain the grind quality of your coffee.

Changing filters and accessories. Depending on the model of your coffee machine, keep an eye on the condition of the filters and seals. If necessary, replace them in a timely manner to prevent leaks and other problems.

Cleaning the coffee funnel. In the hole where the cone with ground coffee is inserted, often stuck residues. So once a week, use the handle of a teaspoon to very gently scrape off the frozen coffee.

Caring for capsule and cup coffee machines

After each use, wipe the outside of the machine and the capsule tray with a damp cloth. This will help to remove coffee residue and keep the appliance clean.

Clean and disinfect the water tank regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. Use mild detergents and rinse the compartment thoroughly before filling.

Caring for the automatic coffee machine

Cleaning the brewing unit

Periodically remove the brewing unit and rinse it under running water.

Change the integrated water filter to prevent limescale build-up. They are designed for a certain amount of liquid (usually indicated in the instructions).

By the way, many devices have a cleaning system that signals contamination. More modern models even block the brewing process. Until you wash – do not wait for coffee.

Cleaning the cappuccinator

Automatic cappuccinator should be thoroughly washed and wiped dry after each use. Otherwise, the milk will dry out and clog the tube that carries the liquid.

The cappuccinatore can be cleaned with normal dish detergent or in the dishwasher. If, however, you didn’t see it coming and the milk has turned into a hard crust, soak the cappuccinatore in warm water with a little detergent.

How to choose a coffee machine: 8 tips

First of all, decide how often and how many cups of coffee you will prepare every day. Based on this decision, pay attention to the criteria below.

Decide on the type of coffee machine – study the pros and cons of capsule, carob, chaldovye and automatic devices.
Availability of a cappuccinator. Will come in handy for fans of milk coffee drinks. With the help of this device, you can whip the foam, prepare cappuccino, latte, flat white and other types of coffee.
Availability of a coffee grinder. If you do not have time to grind the beans, then the device with a built-in coffee grinder you will definitely like. By the way, it is not superfluous to ask about the material from which the grinder millstones are made. Steel ones are considered the most durable, but they grind coffee very loudly. Ceramic ones make less noise, but they are quite fragile. Also, built-in coffee grinders have stepped grind levels – you can choose according to taste. For example, fine is ideal for a cup of strong espresso.
Recommendations. Study the brands, reviews and customer comments.
Budget. Decide on the amount you are willing to spend on the purchase. Take into account not only the cost of the machine itself, but also the cost of coffee, filters and other consumables.
Type of coffee. Different devices require different types of coffee – for capsule ones it’s capsules, for chaldovyh – chalds. For other models – ground and bean coffee.
Case material. The most economical and budgetary are plastic coffee machines, more expensive but reliable – from metal.
Environmental aspects. Pay attention to the possibility of using biodegradable or recyclable materials (capsules and chalds) in the coffee machine, as well as the energy efficiency of the device.

A coffee machine is a mini-barista in your kitchen. The device not only makes coffee to your liking, but also saves time. When choosing a coffee machine, there are a few key factors to consider that will help you determine the most appropriate model for your needs. First, determine what type of coffee machine you prefer – automatic, carob, capsule or chaldovy. Each type has its own features and functionality.

Clarify what types of coffee you plan to make – espresso, latte, cappuccino, Americano. Consider the size and power of the coffee machine to match your kitchen space and electrical capacity. Evaluate the functionality of the coffee machine such as having a built-in grinder, cappuccinator, temperature and pressure control. Determine your budget for buying a coffee machine and choose a model that fits your finances.